Floor
**Floor Structures and Coverings:**
– Special floor structures include balconies, floating floors, glass floors, nightingale floors, and raised floors.
– Various materials like carpet, wood, linoleum, vinyl, ceramic tile, and stone are used for floor coverings.
– Factors influencing choice include cost, endurance, noise insulation, and comfort.
– Some floors are not suitable below ground level due to moisture.
– Special features like floor medallions and gratings add ornamentation.
**Subfloor Construction:**
– Subfloors are built using beams, joists, or prefabricated hollow core slabs.
– Materials like moisture-resistant plywood or composite sheeting are common for subfloor construction.
– Underlayment layers are added for dispersing forces and providing strength.
– High-quality construction may involve three layers of subflooring.
– Subfloors can accommodate underfloor heating or forced air ducts.
**Ground and Upper Floor Construction:**
– Ground floors can be earthen or concrete slabs, with solid ground floors common in heated interior spaces.
– Upper floors in wood-frame homes have joists centered no more than 16 inches apart.
– Stone floors require closely spaced joists and heavy crossbeams for long spans.
– Subfloors of plywood or waferboard are laid over the joists, following building codes.
– Concrete subfloors are popular for rooms with ceramic tile flooring.
**Utilities and Maintenance:**
– Services like air conditioning and plumbing are placed under the floor or above the ceiling.
– Utilities in joist-supported floors are run through small holes in the joists.
– Ducts for air conditioning are typically near the plenum or from underneath.
– Various cleaning methods are essential for hygiene and floor protection.
– Incorrect cleaning methods can damage the floor surface.
**Floor Issues and Innovations:**
– Problems like squeaking in wood floors and slip hazards from chemical sealers are common.
– Gym floor covers can protect flooring, and slip resistance testing is crucial for safety.
– Innovations include self-cleaning and sensing floors.
– References like the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing and Wood Frame House Construction provide valuable data.
– External links offer additional information on floor-related topics.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2017) |
A floor is the bottom surface of a room or vehicle. Floors vary from simple dirt in a cave to many layered surfaces made with modern technology. Floors may be stone, wood, bamboo, metal or any other material that can support the expected load.
The levels of a building are often referred to as floors, although sometimes referred to as storeys.
Floors typically consist of a subfloor for support and a floor covering used to give a good walking surface. In modern buildings the subfloor often has electrical wiring, plumbing, and other services built in. As floors must meet many needs, some essential to safety, floors are built to strict building codes in some regions.