9 min read · Finishing materials

Flooring — vitrified, marble, granite, hardwood and more

Flooring is one of the most visible and tactile elements of your home. The right choice depends on the room, your lifestyle, maintenance expectations and budget.

Simple summary — for homeowners

For living rooms and bedrooms in Bengaluru, large-format vitrified tiles (800×800mm or 1200×600mm) from RAK or Kajaria are the most practical choice — durable, easy to clean, and available in beautiful finishes. Marble looks stunning but requires sealing and regular maintenance. Granite is better than marble for kitchens and outdoor areas. Hardwood is beautiful but not suitable for Bengaluru's humidity without proper climate control. Laminate is a budget option but has a shorter lifespan.

Complete flooring comparison

Type
Strength
Water res.
Maintenance
Cost/sqft
Life
Vitrified tiles
Excellent
Excellent
Low
₹45–250/sqft
25–50 years
Living, bedroom, kitchen
Ceramic tiles
Good
Good
Low
₹25–80/sqft
15–25 years
Bathrooms, utility
Marble
Good
Fair
High
₹80–500/sqft
50+ years
Living, foyer, premium
Granite
Excellent
Excellent
Low
₹60–300/sqft
50+ years
Kitchen, outdoor, heavy use
Hardwood
Good
Poor
High
₹150–600/sqft
25–40 years
Bedroom, study — dry areas only
Laminate
Fair
Fair
Medium
₹40–120/sqft
10–20 years
Bedroom, study — budget option
Engineered wood
Good
Fair
Medium
₹80–200/sqft
15–25 years
Bedroom, study — better than laminate
Kota stone
Excellent
Good
Low
₹25–50/sqft
50+ years
Outdoor, staircase, utility
Epoxy flooring
Excellent
Excellent
Very low
₹35–80/sqft
10–20 years
Garage, industrial, basement

Vitrified tiles — types and finishes

Full body vitrified (FBV)
The colour and pattern runs through the entire thickness of the tile. Most durable — scratches and chips are not visible. Best for high-traffic areas.
Double charge vitrified
Two layers of different pigments pressed together. 3–4mm thick design layer on top. Very hard surface. Good for living rooms.
GVT (Glazed Vitrified Tile)
Digital print on vitrified body. Can replicate marble, wood or any pattern. Slightly less durable than FBV but much more variety in design.
PGVT (Polished Glazed Vitrified Tile)
GVT with a high-gloss polish. Beautiful finish but more slippery when wet. Not suitable for bathrooms or outdoor areas.
Matt finish vitrified
No polish — muted, elegant look. Non-slip even when wet. Increasingly popular for modern homes. Slightly harder to clean than polished.

Marble vs Granite

Marble
Softer stone — scratches and etches easily
Requires sealing every 1–2 years
Stains from acidic liquids (lemon, vinegar, wine)
Beautiful veining — unique natural patterns
Higher maintenance cost over lifetime
Best for bedrooms and low-traffic areas
Granite
Harder than marble — scratch and stain resistant
Requires sealing every 3–5 years only
Resistant to acids and heat
Limited pattern variety but excellent durability
Low maintenance cost over lifetime
Best for kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor areas

Brand comparison — tiles

Brand
Type
Price range/sqft
RAK Ceramics
Vitrified, Ceramic
₹60–300/sqft
Excellent
Kajaria
Vitrified, Ceramic
₹45–250/sqft
Excellent
Somany
Vitrified, Ceramic
₹40–200/sqft
Excellent
Johnson Tiles
Vitrified, Ceramic
₹35–180/sqft
Good
Asian Granito
Vitrified
₹40–150/sqft
Good
Orientbell
Vitrified, Ceramic
₹30–120/sqft
Good
Homekrate recommendation
Basic
Kajaria or Somany vitrified 600×600
Good quality tiles at an accessible price point. Suitable for all rooms.
Standard
RAK or Kajaria GVT 800×800 or 1200×600
Large format tiles, better patterns, premium look at reasonable cost.
Premium
RAK PGVT or imported Italian tiles + marble for foyer
Statement flooring with maximum visual impact and premium finish.
More guides
Paint guide →Waterproofing →Doors & windows →
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