Parquet and artificial parquet. This provides a warm atmosphere. Darker tones make for a more classic and luxurious environment while lighter tones create a younger, calmer ambience.

Solid wood. This is the most beautiful looking floor but also the most delicate. It can be purchased in boards of 7 to 22 mm in width and its great advantage is that it can be smoothed and planed down any number of times and should therefore last several dozen years if taken care of well. Its great disadvantage is that it is absorbent and does not tolerate over-humid surroundings as well as sharp changes in temperature and weather conditions.

Wooden fibres. This type of floor is usually made up of three layers: the surface layer of wood, the middle layer of fibre agglomerate or low quality boards and the third of plywood. It does not require as much care as solid wood since it is usually treated with varnish to make it tougher, although its great enemy is still humidity. The main advantage of this type of floor is the warmth and insulation it provides. This, added to its value for money, make it into one of the most popular.

Synthetic laminates. This floor looks like wooden parquet (although it can in fact have any aspect), but is made of plastic compounds with a surface layer of decorated paper protected with a highly resistant plastic resin layer. In addition to its value for money, its main advantage is that it is resistant to water and humidity, which makes it valid for the bathroom and kitchen. Its disadvantage is that it accumulates static electricity and if an insulating layer is not placed underneath, footsteps can be very noisy.

Stone and ceramics. the natural alternative. These are materials of the earth and, as such, bring us closer to it, although they can also create such styles as the classic marble, the modem earthenware and the rustic clay.

Marble. This is a calcareous stone with varying amounts of veneer depending on the type. It is also porous, which is why marble floors absorb all liquids that fall on them leaving circles or stains, at least when it comes to water. They are also easily scratched and are very sensitive to cleaning products. So what are the advantages of marble? It is an excellent heat conductor and so very comfortable in winter and it is clearly one of the most attractive and elegant of floors.

Porcelain earthenware. Porcelain tiles are undoubtedly the star materials for floors. They are resistant, long lasting, easy to clean, and can withstand the most abrasive cleaning products. They also have the advantage of not altering when there are changes of temperature and so conserve heat in winter and remain cool in summer. This and the wide variety of decorations and styles available are the main advantages. The only disadvantage could be that they sometimes do not go well with sophisticated or very urban decoration.

Natural clay. This is a ceramic material cooked at a very low temperature, which means it is very porous. Although it is also sold with an enamel or varnish coating, it is the most rustic and natural ceramic flooring and as such one of the most attractive alternatives. It also retains the heat very well. Its great disadvantage is its vulnerability to knocks and stains if an impermeable coating is not applied.

Terrazzo. This is an artificial stone made up of a mixture of cement with different colour dyes, sands and natural stones such as marble and granite. It is resistant, easy to clean and does not alter over time. The only maintenance required is the occasional waxing. The one disadvantage is that there are few manufacturers offering modem designs, so it is a little antiquated.