On solid ground

Tiles remain the most popular choice of flooring material in the middle east.

When it comes to flooring, innovation sells. The changing trends in materials and the introduction of new adhesives and coatings are contributing to better designs and more sustainable finished products.

This year, the launch of new flooring solutions is set to gather pace. The construction industry can expect products that are more suitable to the GCC climate, abrasion resistant floor coatings and fire resistant materials, to name just a few new inventions heading for the market.

But who are the key players in this industry providing the solutions that can make a dramatic difference to both interiors
and landscaping?

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Alomi is a manufacturer and distributor of wooden flooring and claims to be the largest stockist, wholesaler and distributor in the Middle East, with over 300 containers of stock in Dubai.

“Alomi is constantly evaluating changing trends, fashions and price points,” says CEO Albert Douglas.

“The biggest demand, in terms of volume, is the Alomi British-style laminated flooring range.  This is an 8.5mm-thick heavy-duty, fire resistant, water resistant product with a 20-year warranty.”

Wood has not always been the preferred material when it comes to flooring in the Middle East, or any form of construction in the region, for that matter. However, contractors are now demanding this natural resource more and more.

“Developers are increasingly ordering this product as an alternative to such products as ceramic tiles which were previously installed pretty much everywhere,” adds Douglas.

And Mapei, supplier of adhesives and ancillary materials for flooring, agrees: “The Middle East remains traditionally a tiled flooring market, with ceramic and porcelain being the most popular followed by marble and stone,” says business development manager Laith Haboubi.
 

“However, a number of new materials are now being used such as wooden flooring and also artificial stone.”

Douglas is expecting orders in 2010 to increase: “The growth in external natural wood flooring was quite amazing in 2009. Alomi has no reason to doubt, from current orders and enquiries, that 2010 will dramatically out-perform 2009 in value and volume.”