Flooring
Floor Treatments Types:
Hard
Soft
Resilient
When choosing flooring, always consider:
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Appearance- does it match your décor?
Comfort- is it comfortable to stand on? Etc.
Durability- will it last?
Cost- is it in my budget?
Maintenance- does it fit my lifestyle?
• Very versatile in a
decorative scheme
- Pros: beauty, warmth;
somewhat resilient &
durable
- Cons: can scratch and dent
- Cost: Moderate – High
(quality)
- Installation: leave room for
expansion gap and nail
into plywood
- Maintenance: finishes;
sweep, mop, wax
Hard: Wood
Hard: Wood – Unfinished Solid Wood
• Must be given time to
adjust to the house
environment.
• Expand and contract
with the humidity and
temperature.
• Finishing process
includes sanding,
staining, and sealing
with protective
covering (after
installation)
Hard: Wood – Engineered Wood
• Pre-finished at the factory
(sanded and stained)
• Installs over concrete and
wooden sub floors
• Can withstand moisture
and have more stability
• Strip flooring, plank
flooring, and parquet
flooring
- Uses tongue-and-groove
for a seamless finish
Hard: Tile
• Flat pieces of fired clay or
natural stone that is
available in a wide range of
sizes, colors, finishes, and
patterns
- Pros: cool to the touch –
popular in warm climates
- Cons: can crack
- Cost: expensive (quality)
- Installation: labor intensive
- Maintenance: sweep, mop
Hard: Tile - Ceramic
• Flat pieces of fired clay
coated with a protective
glaze.
• Cost varies considerably
based on quality and
durability
• Grout: cement-like
substance that fills the
spaces between the tiles.
Hard: Tile - Porcelain
• Has a white or light claycolored body fired to a
very high temperature.
• Very strong and durable =
very expensive
• Can be used indoors or
outdoors since it can
withstand freezing
temperatures.
• Tiles with high gloss
should not be used
outside (very slippery
when wet)
Hard: Tile - Quarry
• Made from terra-cotta
and is baked at a high
temperature.
• Resists grease,
chemicals, moisture,
and temperature
changes.
• Can be glazed or
unglazed.
Hard: Natural Stone
• Ex: Limestone, travertine,
granite, marble, slate
• Pros: beautiful, durable,
wide variety
• Cons: costly
• Installation: natural shape
or geometric cut shapes
• Maintenance: mop with
white vinegar & water
Hard: Concrete
• Can be smooth or
textured
• Pros: sturdy, durable
• Cons: uncomfortable
• Cost: inexpensive
• Installation: no sub floor,
special paints
• Maintenance: wax,
sweep, mop
Hard: Brick
• Looks best in informal
settings
• Pros: beautiful, durable
• Cons: costly
• Cost: expensive
• Installation: colors,
shapes vary
• Maintenance: similar to
stone
Soft Floor Coverings:
• Classified by how much floor they
cover;
• Cost based on type of materials, etc.
Classified by how much floor they
cover:
• Wall-to-wall
carpeting: covers
entire floor;
• Makes rooms appear
large and luxurious;
• Will show wear and
dirt over time
Classified by how much floor they
cover:
• Room-size rug:
exposes a small
border of floor;
• Keeps warmth and
comfort in a room
• Separate cleaning
procedures
Classified by how much floor they
cover:
• Area rugs: vary in
size, but aren’t as big;
• Used to define an
area or serve as a
focal point;
• Portable = easy care
Soft Floor Coverings
• Manufactured fibers
used: nylon, olefin
• Natural fibers used:
wool, cotton, sisal,
and seagrass
• Pros: insulates,
controls sound,
comfort, texture
• Cons: shows wear &
stains easily
• Maintenance:
vacuum, professional
cleaning
• Installation: padding;
carpet staples
(tacked down)
• Padding: comfort,
durability, lessens
wear, warmth
Carpet Installation
Resilient Floor
Coverings
• Cost varies GREATLY
with the quality.
Resilient: Vinyl
• Available in many colors,
patterns, and textures
• Pros: resistant to wear &
stains; comfortable, absorbs
sound
• Cons: abrasion can cause
damage
• Maintenance: no wax; sweep,
mop
• Installation: rolls, square tiles
• Solid vinyl: higher quality;
made totally of vinyl
Resilient: Laminate
• Made by one or more
different layers;
decorative surface,
sturdy core
• Pros: comfortable,
resistant to traffic
• Cons: not as durable as
solid vinyl
• Maintenance: easy to
clean; sweep, mop
• Installation: planks,
rolls, tiles
”pressed” to look like wood
Resilient: Cork Tile
• The woody bark tissue of a
plant
• Pros: comfortable, sound
control, durable,
antimicrobial
(environmentally friendly)
• Cons: without coating –
wears, dents, damages easily
• Maintenance: easy to clean
• Installation: must have
protective coating