TYPES OF FLOOR and SURFACES
Soft floors are classified as follows:
Floors are important aspect of house interiors as
they are both functional and decorative. It can
make a good aura in the over - all appearance
which enhances the uniqueness and ambiance of
one’s residence.
Floors come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes,
and styles, which adds to its versatility. The type of
floor used can give a great impression when used at
home, hotels or other establishments.
Types of Floor
1. Hard floors
These are durable, versatile and not easily pierced
which comes in different sizes and colors. They are
usually used in the living and dining rooms, terraces and
sometimes in the utility area.
Hard floors include the following:
a. Bamboo floors
- a form of flooring that is made from bamboo grass
which is attractive alternative for flooring because
of its physical similarities to hardwoods. It is
durable, elegant, versatile, and insects and moisture
resistance.
b. Ceramic Tiles
- it emulates the look of natural stone products,
which are an excellent alternative for the value-
oriented buyer since it is less expensive than other
type of floors. These are hard, brittle, heat resistant
products which comes unglazed or with high glaze.
c. Concrete
- a mixture of sand and cement with gravel, broken
stone and other elements, which could be formed
into a desired form.
d. Granite
- are expensive and more attractive types of floor
e. Marble
- are products that are processed from blocks that
are quarried everywhere in the world. It comes in
variety of sizes and colors, which primarily
comprised of calcium carbonate and other minerals.
f. Pebble washout
- a mixture of cements and river stones, where color
depends on the stones used in the mixture and the
cement.
g. Laminate flooring
- are cheaper and they are easy to maintain. Is
virtually resistant to burns, scratches, chipping and
is great for high traffic areas.
h. Terra Cotta
- are hard baked clay tile reddish or red – yellow
colors.
i. Wood floors
- a hard floor type that manufactured from timber
which is either structural or aesthetic. A common
choice due to its durability, restorability and
environmental benefits.
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2. Soft floors
Otherwise known as resilient floors which is one of the
commonly used in household.
a. Rubber flooring
- an environmentally friendly natural product, which
can be textured or profiled, it has an anti slip
inclusions which require a more aggressive cleaning
regime than smooth rubber floors.
Is a durable, lightweight and easy to clean, but often
has a smooth finish, which is likely to be slippery
when wet.
b. Vinyl
- one of the finest choices for its long lasting quality
and affordability among other types of floors.
Similar to linoleum but it is more durable and highly
resistant to moisture.
Mainly used in offices, malls and residential areas
for it’s easy
to maintain and with a cheaper cost.
c. Linoleum
- an environmentally friendly type with natural
antibacterial properties, which is durable,
lightweight and easy to clean, but usually, has a
smooth finish. Usually comes rolled and ready to
install
d. Carpet
- a floor or stair covering made from thick woven
fabric, typically shaped to fit a particular room.
Surface texture of floors is also considered in the
choice of floors to be used.
Below are the different types of surface texture of
floors.
Bush Hammered
develops a textured surface where degree of roughness
can be selected
Flamed
a rough surface that developed through intense heat. It
is very porous and must be treated with sealers.
Honed
this surface is very smooth, but often very porous. This
texture is common in high traffic buildings which is
always be protected with penetrating sealer because of
it has wide – open pores.
Polished
very smooth and not very porous. It is a glossy surface
that brings out brilliant colors and grains of the natural
stone.
Sand Blasted
a surface type that is the result of a pressurized flow of
sand and water that provides a textured surface with a
matte gloss.
Sawn
a process performed by using a gang saw
Tumbled
a slightly rough texture that is achieved by tumbling
small pieces of marble, limestone, and sometimes
granite to achieve an archaic / worn appearance.