Flooring Basics: The Different Floor Covering Materials


Bjornson Bernales   By Bjornson Bernales

Flooring Basics: The Different Floor Covering Materials




The installation of floor covering is often referred to as flooring. It may involve extensive or less strenuous work depending on the kind of material used. Flooring is considered the foundation of interior design. The beauty of the indoor environment is not only accentuated by the color of walls and designs and hues of furniture. The floor covering can also contribute to the aesthetics of the interior.

There are different kinds of flooring common in many homes and other buildings. The concrete, perhaps, is the most common. It is made of solid structure and is less prone to noise vibration produced by stomping and walking. To make the concrete seamless and also for added attraction, application of epoxy or polyester compounds or latex may be required for a seamless floor. Application of chemicals to concrete flooring may also be necessary in the prevention of wear and stains.

If you want luxurious or classical flooring, you may opt for hard floors such as marble, granite and slate as well as brick and tiles. When you decide for hard floors, you may have to have rough floors as foundation. Hence, sub-flooring is required before installing the tiles, blocks or sheets of hard materials for floor covering.

Marble and granite floors have appealing structure. They are often installed in buildings and homes for a grandeur floor covering. These kinds are reflective with the capability to retain heat. Polishing may be required minimally to restore the elegant reflection. Installing granite and marble to the floor can bring charm to the foundation. However, they can also spell exquisiteness.

If you want less expensive yet hard floor covering, you can settle for synthetic tiles. Terra cotta, mosaic tile, quarry tile and ceramic tiles are options of tiles that can be used for hard flooring.

If you want your room to have utilitarian, sidewalk-like flooring, you can select bricks for floor covering. If you have busy lifestyle and you want floors
that would only need damp mop cleaning, bricks can be a choice for flooring.

Hard floor covering can also be made from modern materials such glass, acrylic and metal. Glass is exotic yet costly. Installing this kind of floor covering would literally need support on all edges.

If you desire for the same attributes as glass but less expensive, you can decide for acrylic. This kind of flooring can be found with lights below on it producing a lighting effect on the floor.

Anti-slip mechanism such as sand blasting may be required for acrylic and glass floorings. However, because of their vulnerability to scratches, they may not be suitable for home flooring. Nevertheless, if these materials are preferred, they are suited to install in low-traffic areas of the home such as personal living room.

Metals particularly aluminium and stainless steel can be used for floor covering. This kind is reflective yet not so common for domestic application.

Wood flooring and fibre flooring are popular in homes and commercial spaces. Wooden tiles and sheets are commonly found in older homes. Some homes also use wooden planks. Laminated wood flooring is best for high-traffic areas for they are designed to resist moisture. Other wooden flooring may be required to be stained or sealed with finishes to be able to withstand dampness.

Meanwhile, fibre flooring maybe preferred if you want the living area to be noise absorbent. This kind is soft to touch and can blend well in any interior décor. However, this type of flooring can attract dust and pollens. Regular vacuuming may be required to keep the indoor environment with a carpet flooring tidy and less dusty.

Rugs can be used for flooring but their covering is limited. They can be used under the dining table or living room furniture set.

The selection of flooring materials is not only determined on a matter of choice but also in attributes. The cost and the interior design are other considerations. When you select for floor covering, make sure that you have gathered information with regards to their attributes as well as pros and cons.

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Comments


#1 by gabgabcortez@gmail.com - Oct 14, 2008, 1:57 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

Wow, very entertaining and informative !!!

I will always go for wooden flooring, its beautiful, classical and very easy to maintain, though, it will cost me an arm and a leg.

I find your article well written !!

stephenams

#2 by stephenams - Nov 3, 2008, 10:07 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

I agree with you agacarl. Wood based flooring does provide a classical and appealing look. For me, wood parquet flooring is the best flooring that one can have.

teefee

#3 by teefee - Nov 9, 2008, 9:25 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

synthetic tiles? where can I find one?

AstinZ

#4 by AstinZ - Dec 9, 2008, 2:27 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingemptyratingemptyratingempty Unrated

good going

kristoff

#5 by kristoff - Dec 19, 2008, 3:59 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

Very informative.

padmaraghu

#6 by padmaraghu - Jan 6, 2009, 9:33 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

Good flooring is a must not only for the looks of it but for has to be seen from angle of ruggedness, easy maintainance and safe walking.

w1z111

#7 by w1z111 - Jan 11, 2009, 11:19 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

Good advice here! Lots of options and ideas. Thanks.

#8 by ashley (guest) - Jan 14, 2009, 12:06 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

My hardwood floors always seem to scratch alot more even with the protective seal on them. But it is always good to present a customer with several different choices despite the disadvantages.

Sean99

#9 by Sean99 - Jan 20, 2009, 4:03 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

No, there is nothing to beat the look and feel of a real wood floor.

tarajparticlecom

#10 by tarajparticlecom - Feb 8, 2009, 11:07 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingemptyratingempty Unrated

good job

dolphinprncesd

#11 by dolphinprncesd - Mar 19, 2009, 10:03 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Great article, helps to understand!

Fapturbo

#12 by Fapturbo - Mar 23, 2009, 10:57 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Simply Excellent

Omarbibz

#13 by Omarbibz - Apr 20, 2009, 2:17 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

Nice!

#14 by Nwobodo Chukwudi Osmund (guest) - May 11, 2009, 5:50 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Very Intresting

waziri

#15 by waziri - May 20, 2009, 4:06 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

Nice material

JenniferG

#16 by JenniferG - Jun 4, 2009, 4:42 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Informative article! We are currently working on a do-it-yourself floor project.

KathleenCouch

#17 by KathleenCouch - Jun 13, 2009, 7:40 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

Good overview. A few flooring types like cork, and bamboo, and the many varieties of carpet were not discussed.

#18 by goodselfme (guest) - Jun 16, 2009, 8:43 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Very complete with many options discussed for flooring choices.

LakeyiaThompson

#19 by LakeyiaThompson - Jun 28, 2009, 3:35 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Nice article and very awesome.

senpersonalcarecom

#20 by senpersonalcarecom - Jul 15, 2009, 9:44 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Good iodea. But the type of flooring depends mostly upon the site conditions, wall texture matching etc for vist www.seninterior.com

JennaR

#21 by JennaR - Oct 13, 2009, 12:44 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Great article! I prefer hardwood or bamboo flooring, but tile is great when the weather is hot!

Jaksan

#22 by Jaksan - Dec 8, 2009, 6:27 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

need to give self opinion.

leylucs

#23 by leylucs - Dec 23, 2009, 2:47 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingempty Unrated

nice work

EdwardG

#24 by EdwardG - Feb 3, 2010, 12:05 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Informative

#25 by Edward (guest) - Feb 3, 2010, 12:24 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

awsome

#26 by Dale (guest) - Feb 3, 2010, 8:49 pm Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

This is a great article. I didnt even realize there were that many different things to put on your floor

#27 by bar codes (guest) - Nov 3, 2011, 7:54 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

This is fabulous post, i never knew that I can try different material for flooring.
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#28 by data recovery program (guest) - Nov 15, 2011, 6:07 am Rating: ratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfullratingfull Unrated

Really; having granite and marble flooring are one of the most popular among all; please share some designs and patterns of floor cuttings; I searched for this from long time.
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