Types of Flooring

Interior Design

Flooring TypesSoft

FlooringCarpetRugs

Resilient

Hard Flooring

Wood StoneTile

Wood - Most popular • Strip Flooring

– Tongue and groove– Nailed to sub floor– Pre-finished or unfinished

• Random Plank– Wider than strips– Screwed to sub floor, covered with wood plugs

• Parquet– Small pieces arranged in different designs– Pre-finished squares for easy installation

Stone• Marble

– Various colors depending on origin– Verdigris (vər-də-grēs) : marbles that have a green

color• Limestone: most common, usually white but

may have cloudy streaks• Onyx: may have layers of colors or banding

Stone• Terrazzo formed using marble or chipped

stones embedded in full concrete. – artistic and very reliable– best for outdoor spaces such as verandas or

patios. – strong but 50% chance of breakage at quarry

Stone• Travertine: porous limestone used on

floors or walls– Comes from mineral springs– Holes from escaping gas– Holes filled with resin which may or may not

be same color

                    

   

Ceramic Tile• Bathrooms, kitchens, entryways• Made from baked clay• Durable, moisture resistant, easy to clean• Can crack if not installed on even surface

Other Tiles• Ceramic Mosaic

– Individual tiles mounted together to keep together and make installation easier

– More often on walls • Mexican

– Made from clay– Shaped by hand– Dried in sun

• Quarry– Fired Earth/Clay– Warm brown to beige

Resilient Floor Coverings

• Flooring with a semi-hard surface that returns to its original shape after stress

• Warmer and quieter to walk on

• Not quite as durable• Vinyl and plastic laminate

• Resists stains, affordable• Sheet Vinyl

– 6, 9, 12 foot sheets– Rotogravure (rō-tə-grə-vyu ̇r)

• Top layer covered with clear coating• Thin, tears easily

– Inlaid• Colored chips make designs (heat,

pressure)• Design all the way to backing• Most durable of the vinyl

Vinyl

Vinyl

• Vinyl Tiles– 12 in. X 12 in.– Sticky backing – Place together like a puzzle

Carpet• Insulates against drafts• Decreases noise• More comforting feel• Quality

– Pile (nap): visible surface of carpet– Density: how close the tufts are made together, more

important than depth– Heat setting– Twist– Depth

Carpet FibersNylon:

– most popular, – durable, – easy to

maintain, – limited colors

Polypropylene (olefin):– strong, – nonabsorbent, – resists stains and static, – colorfast, – cheap, – crushes easily, – limited colors, – heat sensitive

95% made of manufactured fibers

Carpet Fibers Cont.Polyester blend (PET)

• made from recycled plastics, • resists stains and fading

Acrylic: • feels and looks like wool, • low static level, • resists mildew, • subject to pilling

Carpet Fibers Cont.

• soft• durable• long lasting• expensive

• moth sensitive• shrinkage• allergies• hard to clean

Wool:

Carpeting Textures / Categories• Cut Pile

– Formal looking plush, velvet, smooth, may flatten

• Saxony– Similar to cut but yarns have

been twisted more giving less formal appearance

• Frieze– Informal, curly texture, shows

minimal marks

Carpeting Textures / Categories

• Level Loop– Loops are all same height, may have flecks of

darker color, durable• Multi-level Loop

– Two or three loop heights, sculpted or embossed effect, good in high traffic areas

• Cut and Loop Pile– Sculptured effect from some looks cut and

some braided, very durable

Backing or Cushion

• Extends life of carpet• Shock absorber• Less than ½” thick

Laws

• Flammable Fabrics Act- Federal Govt. protects consumers with regulations. Must follow standards for fabrics, rugs, carpets, mattresses

• Label must include: – Fiber content and percentage– Manufacturer– Country of origin– Care information