Choice and Construction Preference of Ceramic Tile for Floor Finishes in Residential
Houses: A Case Study of Ogbomoso Nigeria
Ajayi O. Oluwole
Department of Architecture, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Email: ooajayi@lautech.edu.ng / wolex2345@gmail.com, Tel: +2348149793584
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/8102/10(0141)
Abstract
The quality of finishes of housing space is imperative for the achievement of a qualitative living environment. Preferences and choices of floor finishes for interior spaces in residential settings in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Difference in taste of individuals in choosing floor finishes can be said to be the factor that predicts the quality of a building. Flooring is an important part of the building to ensure foot comfort and it is influenced by the choice made by the users. The study was carried out to determine people’s perceptions on the preference for use of ceramic tiles as floor finish in their residential buildings. This study considered One Hundred and Thirty Two (132) residential dwellings in Ogbomoso North and South local government in Nigeria, but only One Hundred and Twenty Two Questionnaires were available for analysis. The One Hundred and Twenty Two (122) respondents who were the owner’s of their residents were randomly sampled via a questionnaire
instruments to determine the perceptions on the use of ceramic tiles. The data obtained were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis of mean (X) and chi-square(X’) based on two hypotheses to find correlation between the respondents perception and their visual quality. Results showed that there is no significant relationship between the acceptance of ceramic tiles for floor finishes and status of the respondent. The most preferred flooring material irrespective of the income group for most of the housing space was ceramic tiles favored by sixty five (65) respondents. This study however provides a motivational reason while respondents preferred to finish their floors with materials that will be easy to maintain at minimal cost and effort.
Keywords: ceramic tiles, floor finish, residential buildings, housing space, visual quality.