I Regretted Our Flooring Choice Within 3 Months — Here’s What I Wish I Knew Before Renovating
If you're deciding between vinyl, tiles or laminates for your home — read this first.
By Yvonne C.
Last Updated: 20 Aug 2025
We thought tiles were the “safe” choice. They weren’t.
When we renovated our resale flat last year, we didn’t overthink flooring.
Our ID said: “Go for porcelain tiles. Durable, easy to maintain. You won’t regret it.” So we did.
And for the first few months, it felt like the right choice. The tiles looked sleek and polished. But soon, reality sank in:
• The grout stained yellow, especially in the kitchen and walkway.
• The floor felt ice-cold under our feet — even with slippers.
• Every footstep echoed through the whole flat.
Then one day, our toddler slipped while running across the living room and hit her head against the hard floor — and it was the moment we knew: We chose wrong.
We Thought Laminate Might Be Better… Until We Heard the Horror Stories
We should’ve gone with something warmer — like laminate. We had a few friends who did. The floors looked nice… that wood texture we initially loved but didn’t choose.
I messaged my friend who just renovated her BTO in Punggol.
“Your flooring looks super cozy! Was it laminate?”
“Yeah! It’s nice at first… but I’ll be honest. I wouldn’t choose it again.”
She told me how a small leak from the washing machine warped the entire room. By morning, the floor had swelled up like a sponge. $1,800 gone — and it wasn’t even covered.
Another colleague said her laminate started peeling from bathroom moisture alone.
At that point, laminate didn’t feel safe either, especially with a toddler crawling around.
We Discovered Vinyl... But Not All Vinyl Is the Same
We were visiting my cousin’s flat in Tampines — minimal Japandi style. The moment I stepped in, the floor felt… different. Soft. Quiet. Warm.
“This isn’t wood, is it?” I asked.
“Nope,” she smiled. “It’s vinyl. From a local brand — Wood Origins.”
I was surprised. We always thought vinyl looked fake and cheap. But this looked like real timber — no peeling, plasticky finish, or strange smell.
She had it for several months — with two kids and a dog. Still looked new.
That night, I stayed up Googling. The more I read, the more I wished we found it sooner.
Why We Chose Wood Origins (And Why We’d Do It Again)
After everything — the grout stains, cold tiles, and laminate scares — we weren’t looking for pretty floors. We wanted flooring that was durable enough for our daily family life, while looking beautiful.
Quiet underfoot
Soft and quiet underfoot,
even when our daughter
runs barefoot.
One Day Installment
Installed in a day,
no chemical smells.
We moved in immediately.
Nontoxic Certified
Certified safe with no toxins
— Crucial when your child
spends hours crawling.
Fit In Budget
Looks expensive, but still
fits our budget. It actually
felt like home.
Why We Chose Wood Origins (And Why We’d Do It Again)
After everything — the grout stains, cold tiles, and laminate scares — we weren’t looking for pretty floors. We wanted flooring that was durable enough for our daily family life, while looking beautiful.
Quiet underfoot
Soft and quiet underfoot, even when our daughter runs barefoot.
One Day Installment
Installed in a day, no chemical smells. We moved in immediately.
Nontoxic Certified
Certified safe with no toxins — crucial when your child spends hours crawling.
Fit In Budget
Looks expensive, but still fits our budget. It actually felt like home.
The Truth About Tiles, Laminates, and Vinyl — What We Wish Someone Had Told Us
Trusted By Hundreds of Happy Homeowners in Singapore
The flooring feels nice underfoot. We were going for a warm and cozy look, and it really delivered. The workmanship was excellent, and the team coordinated well with our ID. Highly recommend them if you’re looking for quality vinyl flooring and reliable service.
Mahaini
Had such a wonderful experience with Wood Origins in replacing my worn out floors. Scheduling was a breeze. The installers were so professional and efficient, getting the job done in less than 2 hours for an overlay. Everything has exceeded my expectation. It feels like I’m getting a new apartment.
Jen
I couldn’t be happier with the herringbone vinyl flooring. It’s visually stunning. The textures and colours are what truly set Wood Origin apart from the rest. Not forgetting the installers, they treated the project with care and pride. Overall, this was a smooth and satisfying experience.
Ivy Chua
What I’d Tell Any Homeowner Choosing Flooring
Your flooring isn’t just a surface. It’s where your child will crawl. Where you’ll walk barefoot after a long day. Where memories will be made.
Choose something that makes your life easier — not something you’ll have to babysit. For us, that was Wood Origins. And we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Thinking of Replacing Your Floor?
My advice is: Go down and feel the flooring for yourself. Photos and samples don’t show you how it actually looks or feels underfoot…
We visited the Wood Origins showroom before making our final call. No pressure, no sales talk — just real advice for real concerns. And honestly? That visit made everything clearer.
Even if you’re not ready to decide yet, it’s worth seeing in person. That 30-minute visit might save you years of second-guessing later.
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