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may be more durable than hardwood, but cannot be refinished like hardwood. Laminate flooring is available in many different patterns which can resemble different woods or even ceramic tile. It usually locks or taps together. Underlayment is required for laminate flooring to provide moisture and noise control.
390:
Floating tile flooring, also called modular tile flooring, includes a range of porcelain and ceramic tile products that can be installed without adhesive or mortar. Generally, the tile is rectified to precise dimensions, and fused to an interlocking base. Some products require use of a flexible grout
140:
There are different types of carpet like twists, which is commonly referred to as berber. Twist carpeting is composed of multiple twisted fibers set into the carpet backing. It is typically used in low-traffic areas. Another type of carpeting is looped carpets, which are composed of looped fibers set
173:
Carpet underlay is rated by density in pounds. For example, you could purchase a carpet pad with an 8-pound density rating, which would be softer than a carpet pad with a 10-pound density rating. Softer carpet pads feel better to walk on but sacrifice durability of the carpet that sits on top of it.
264:
The common installation method for laminate flooring is a floating installation, which means the floor connects to each other to form interlocked flooring system and is not attached to the sub-floor which means it is free to "float" over a variety of sub-floors. This includes existing flooring like
260:
is a floor covering that appears similar to hardwood but is made with a plywood or medium density fiberboard ("MDF") core with a plastic laminate top layer. HDF laminate consists of high density fiberboard topped by one or more layers of decorative paper and a transparent protective layer. Laminate
472:
are becoming more popular in specialty applications such as trailer flooring and garage flooring. New applications have also emerged for marine flooring. There are important factors to consider in specialty applications, that may not be present in a typical application. For example, certain tires
133:
is a soft floor covering made of bound carpet fibers or stapled fibers. Carpeting refers to wall-to-wall coverage, whereas a rug is simply used to cover a space. This type of flooring is typically used indoors and can be used in both high and low-traffic areas. It typically lasts for 15–18 years
456:
are solid vinyl (products with vinyl on binder content higher than 34%) and vinyl composition (products with a vinyl or binder content lower than 34%), and the three basic categories of vinyl sheet flooring are homogeneous, inlaid, and layered composite. These types of vinyl flooring differ in
230:
is a floor manufactured from the bamboo plant and is a type of hardwood flooring, though technically not a wood. Bamboo is known to be durable and environmentally friendly. It is available in many different patterns, colors, and textures. There are three types of bamboo flooring construction:
512:
They find use in situations ranging from the simple protection of domestic garage floors to the restoration and protection of commercial and industrial flooring. They are also used to solve a vast array of problems in industry such as wet areas in laboratories or food processing plants where
152:
Today, there are two primary forms of carpet installation: tackless installation and direct glue down. Tackless installation occurs when a tack strip is installed around the perimeter of a room and the carpet is stretched over padding onto those tack strips to hold it in place. Before this
80:
may be laid upon another underlying subfloor which provides the structural strength. Subfloors that are below grade (underground) or ground level floors in buildings without basements typically have a concrete subfloor. Subfloors above grade (above ground) typically have a
513:
spillages of oils and fats tend to be easily absorbed and/or difficult to clean. Other reasons for covering concrete with synthetic resin flooring are to improve resistance to chemicals, enhancing resistance to impact and wear, and for aesthetic appearance purposes.
276:
combines the best attributes of both laminate and vinyl to create a rigid floating floor that can be installed throughout the entire home. Hybrid is made of multiple layers of materials pressed together for an extremely hard wearing floor.
223:
Engineered hardwood has a thin solid wood layer on top with a composite core. It can be a less expensive option than buying hardwood, but it cannot be sanded and refinished. This flooring typically is installed with a click-lock method.
238:. Cork floors are considered to be eco-friendly since the cork oak tree bark is stripped every nine to ten years and doesn't damage the tree. Cork flooring comes in both tiles and planks, and can have glue or glues-less installation.
157:
installation; as you no longer need nails in the middle of the floor. Direct glue down occurs when you spread special carpet adhesive over the substrate and then roll the carpet onto the glue to hold it in place.
353:
Porcelain stoneware can be used instead of natural stone. It is a ceramic material like a tile; however, it is typically 20 mm (0.79 in) thick and often comes in squares of 60 cm (24 in).
30:
is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials.
134:
before it needs to be replaced. The quality of a carpet is usually measured in face weight, or how many fibers there are per square inch. The higher the face weight the more plush a carpet will feel.
391:
and others have an integrated grout strip. The advantages include speed of installation, ease of use, reusability, and low cost relative to using traditional tile installation methods.
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Unlike ceramic and stone tiles, which are made of minerals, resilient flooring is made of materials that have some elasticity, giving the flooring a degree of flexibility called
166:
Padding can be placed underneath the carpet to add comfort and provide some noise insulation. The level of comfort is determined by the type of material used, which can include
334:
Many different natural stones are cut into a variety of sizes, shapes, and thicknesses for use as flooring. Stone flooring uses a similar installation method to ceramic tile.
97:, comfort, and cleaning effort. Some types of flooring must not be installed below grade, including laminate and hardwood due to potential damage from moisture.
567:
Sustainable flooring is produced from more sustainable materials (and by more sustainable processes) that reduces demands on ecosystems during its life-cycle.
449:; the former is resilient. Some come with a pre-applied adhesive for peel-and-stick installation, others require adhesive to be spread onto the substrate.
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will leave marks on PVC flooring but those marks will be less prevalent on polypropylene products. Adhesives also change based on application.
399:
383:. Epoxy resurfacing of concrete flooring is used to update or upgrade concrete floor surfaces in commercial and residential applications – see
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768:
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350:, can also be used instead of raw cut stone and are available as either preformed tiles or to be constructed in-place using a cement binder.
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Greatmats Garage Floor Tile
Diamond is one form of modular polypropylene flooring tiles intended for garages and other automotive areas.
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ceramic tile and hardwood floors. It is the most versatile installation method because it can be put over any substrate that is flat.
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Tactile or rumble strips to warn of for instance a wheelchair ramp, these would normally also be distinctively colored or patterned.
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installation method, the carpet was tacked down with staples throughout the installation which is why the new method is called
47:
408:
700:"Thermal performance analysis according to wood flooring structure for energy conservation in radiant floor heating systems"
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Concrete or cement finished floor is also used for its ability to be treated for different feel and its durability, such as
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763:
Industrial
Polymer Applications: Essential Chemistry and Technology, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, 1st edition, 2016,
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Hard flooring (not to be confused with "hardwood") is a family of flooring materials that includes concrete or cement,
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horizontal cut, vertical cut, and strand woven. Strand woven is the hardest and most durable of the three types.
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into the carpet backing. This type of carpeting is typically used in high-traffic areas as it is easy to clean.
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that it takes to embed a steel ball into the hardwood. The more force it takes to do so, the harder the wood.
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Ceramic tiles are clay products that are formed into thin tiles and fired. Ceramic tiles are set in beds of
509:. Applied in liquid form, when allowed to dry and/or cure to provide a completely seamless floor covering.
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Many different species of wood are fabricated into wood flooring in two primary forms: plank and
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BS 8204 Screeds, Bases and In Situ
Floorings, Synthetic Resin Floorings: Code of Practice, BSI,
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on walkways and steps especially in areas subject to frequent washing, and for better traction/
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There are four common widths for carpeting goods: 6' wide, 12' wide, 13'6" wide, and 15' wide.
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Y. Ohama, Handbook of
Polymer-Modified Concrete and Mortars, William Andrew Publishing, 1995,
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Flow applied (self-smoothing/self-leveling flooring) applied at 80 – 120 mil (2 – 3 mm)
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The choice of materials for floor covering is affected by factors such as cost, endurance,
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The sub-floor may be finished in a way that makes it usable without any extra work, see:
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Heavy-duty trowel finished resin screed flooring applied in excess of 240mil (6 mm)
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G. Garber, Design and
Construction of Concrete Floors, CRC Press, 2nd Edition, 2006,
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Carpets come in a variety of materials including wool, nylon, olefin, and polyester.
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Trowel finished bound resin screed flooring applied in excess of 160 mil (4 mm)
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They typically have granular or rubberized particles added to give better traction/
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Many different seamless flooring materials are available that vary from air-drying
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Broadcast flooring with embedded aggregate applied in excess of 80 mil (2 mm)
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are popular types of stone flooring that requires polishing and sealing. Stone
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Hardwood durability and hardness is determined by a ranking system called the
68:, which provides the support for the flooring. Special purpose subfloors like
43:
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Cork flooring is a flooring material manufactured from the by-product of the
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used for dance or athletics are usually made of wood or resilient flooring.
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Resilient flooring includes many different manufactured products including
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to decorate the sides of a floor or to cover the edge of a floating floor.
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Heavy-duty flow applied to floor applied at 160 – 240 mil (4 – 6 mm)
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Light strips to show an escape route out, especially on airplanes.
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High-build floor coatings applied at 6 - 40 mil (0.15 – 1 mm)
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particles that will allow wheels, shoes, or feet better traction.
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686:"THE "LIFE" OF A CARPET: AN APPLICATION OF THE ALEXANDER RULES"
589:
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There are a number of special features that may be used to
121:, polymer-modified concretes and levelling/wearing screeds.
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Floor coatings applied at 6 - 12 mil (0.15 – 0.3 mm)
174:
The denser the carpet pad, the longer the carpet lasts.
715:
34:
Materials almost always classified as flooring include
26:, or for the work of installing such a floor covering.
520:
Floor seals applied at less than 6 mil (0.15 mm)
457:
manufacturing process and content, ranging in vinyl (
22:is the general term for a permanent covering of a
516:Seamless polymer flooring can take many forms:
384:
598:used to drain water or to rub dirt off shoes.
497:such as waterborne, solvents or solvent-free
117:, cementitious levelling/wearing/granolithic
8:
206:green (environmentally responsible) building
304:, glass tiles, and natural stone products.
64:The floor under the flooring is called the
586:decorative centerpieces of a floor design.
284:
645:
204:has a unique appearance and is used in
620:: The addition of either granular or
579:a floor or perform a useful service:
464:Resilient flooring products, such as
319:. Varieties of ceramic tiles include
196:are typically much more durable than
7:
741:. Armstrong Flooring. Archived from
739:"ASTM F 1700 Solid Vinyl Floor Tile"
717:(2 ed.). Wiley. p. 124.
14:
16:Permanent indoor walking surface
796:Top 5 Green Building Strategies
441:Vinyl flooring is available in
805:- EPA Publication 909-F-07-001
493:emulsion polymers to reactive
315:with the joints between tiles
1:
452:The two basic categories of
428:vinyl composition tile (VCT)
592:to help keep a floor clean.
461:) content from 11% to 55%.
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560:
372:
181:
57:
477:Seamless polymer flooring
385:seamless polymer flooring
245:. The Janka scale is the
216:is less as compared to
713:Germer, Jerry (2014).
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404:
370:
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434:(sheet or tile), and
402:
365:
288:
563:Sustainable flooring
557:Sustainable flooring
485:Seamless resin floor
413:Performance surfaces
210:thermal conductivity
170:and rubber regrind.
148:Installation Methods
745:on 25 December 2022
553:in traffic aisles.
369:in a grocery store.
801:2011-07-20 at the
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459:polyvinyl chloride
405:
395:Resilient flooring
371:
298:
115:Solid ground floor
89:Flooring materials
785:978-0-580-73670-4
769:978-1-78262-814-9
674:978-0-8155-1358-2
454:vinyl floor tiles
381:polished concrete
375:Polished concrete
367:Polished concrete
358:Polished concrete
214:hardwood flooring
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202:Reclaimed lumber
95:noise insulation
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387:section below.
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269:Hybrid flooring
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228:Bamboo flooring
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162:Carpet underlay
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747:. Retrieved
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424:sheet vinyl
321:quarry tile
243:Janka scale
168:memory foam
85:subfloor.
641:References
622:rubberized
612:baseboards
409:resilience
344:aggregates
329:terracotta
220:flooring.
749:24 August
499:urethanes
325:porcelain
198:softwoods
194:Hardwoods
126:Carpeting
107:adobe or
815:Category
799:Archived
629:See also
608:Moldings
596:Gratings
590:Doormats
577:ornament
571:Features
420:linoleum
348:Terrazzo
294:Istanbul
258:Laminate
253:Laminate
155:tackless
66:subfloor
60:Subfloor
54:Subfloor
40:laminate
20:Flooring
507:epoxies
346:, like
317:grouted
212:of the
190:parquet
119:screeds
83:plywood
821:Floors
783:
767:
721:
672:
656:
505:, and
436:rubber
340:marble
327:, and
313:mastic
309:mortar
296:street
274:Hybrid
208:. The
131:Carpet
111:floors
46:, and
36:carpet
491:latex
336:Slate
247:force
48:vinyl
24:floor
781:ISBN
765:ISBN
751:2020
719:ISBN
670:ISBN
654:ISBN
468:and
432:cork
338:and
109:clay
44:tile
610:or
466:PVC
445:or
311:or
76:or
817::
501:,
438:.
430:,
426:,
422:,
411:.
331:.
323:,
200:.
192:.
72:,
50:.
42:,
38:,
753:.
727:.
702:.
688:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.