Floor 82926 224787481 2008-07-10T12:24:54Z Blogtim 186640 {{two other uses|the floor of a room|the floor of a building|Storey}} [[Image:Floor Glass Auckland Skycity.jpg|right|thumb|Floors may be [[inlay|inlaid]] with intricate [[mural]]s or other designs, like this glass art piece in [[SKYCITY Auckland]].]] In [[architecture]], a '''floor''' is generally the lower horizontal surface of a [[Room (architecture)|room]], and/or the [[support]]ing [[structure]] underneath it. A floor typically consists of a support structure called a '''sub-floor''' on top of which is laid a '''floor covering''' to provide a walking surface. The work of installing a floor covering is called '''flooring'''. This term is also used to refer to any permanent floor covering and in particular to [[wood flooring]]. The various levels in a [[building]] are also called floors. See [[storey]] for this use. ==Support structure== The supporting structure underneath flooring is called a '''sub-floor'''. Sometimes, as for [[earthen floor]]s, there is no separate structure. The subfloor may also provide services like [[underfloor heating]] or [[duct]]s for [[air conditioning]]. A ground-level floor can be an [[earthen floor]] made of [[soil]], or be [[solid ground floor]]s made of [[concrete slab]]. Floors above may be built on [[Beam (structure)|beam]]s or [[joist]]s or use structures like [[hollow core slab]]s. === Ground floor construction === Ground-level slab floors are prepared for pouring by [[grading (construction)|grading]] the base material so that it is flat, and then spreading a layer of [[sand]] and [[gravel]]. A grid of [[rebar]] is usually added to [[reinforced concrete|reinforce the concrete]], especially if it will be used structurally, i.e. to support part of the building. === Upper floor construction === Floors in [[Framing (construction)|woodframe homes]] are usually constructed with joists that are centered no more than 16 inches or 40 centimeters apart, according to most [[building code]]s.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} Heavy floors, such as those made of [[Masonry|stone]], are more closely-spaced. If the [[Span (architecture)|span]] between load-bearing walls is too long for joists to safely support, then a heavy crossbeam (thick or [[laminate]]d wood, or a metal [[I-beam]] or [[H-beam]]) may have to be used. A 'subfloor' of [[plywood]] or [[waferboard]] is then laid over the joists. === Special floor constructions === Where a special floor structure like a [[floating floor]] is laid upon another floor then both may be referred to as sub-floors. Special floor structures are used for a number of purposes: *[[Floating floor]], normally for noise or vibration reduction *[[Glass floor]], as in glass bottomed elevators *[[Nightingale floor]] makes a noise when an intruder walks on it *[[Raised floor]], utilities underneath can be accessed easily *[[Sprung floor]], improves the performance and safety of athletes and dancers ===Utilities=== [[Public utility|Utilities]] are also run through the floor, by [[drill]]ing small holes to go crosswise. Where the floor is over the [[basement]] or [[crawlspace]], they may instead be run under the joists, making the [[installation]] less expensive. [[Duct]]s for [[air conditioning]] (central [[heating]] and [[cooling]]) are large and cannot cross joists or beams, thus they are typically at or near the [[plenum]], or come directly from underneath (or from an [[attic]]). The floor of one level typically also holds the [[ceiling]] of the level below (if any). [[Pipe]]s for [[plumbing]] and [[sewerage]], as well as for [[underfloor heating]], may also be laid directly in slab floors, which is also sometimes the case for some other utilities. Maintenance of these systems can be very expensive however, requiring the opening of concrete or other fixed structures. Electrically heated floors are also available, and both kinds of systems can also be used in wood floors as well. Other services provided by subfloors include: *[[Cellular floor raceways]] *[[Underfloor heating]] ==Floor covering== [[Image:Flooring.jpg|right|thumb|An example of a flooring job.]] '''Floor covering''' is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. '''Flooring''' is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials. Materials almost always classified as floor covering include [[carpet]], area [[rugs]], and resilient flooring such as [[linoleum]] or [[vinyl]] flooring. Materials commonly called flooring include [[wood flooring]], [[ceramic tile]], [[Masonry|stone]], [[terrazzo]], and various seamless chemical floor coatings.<ref>http://www.wfca.org/ World Floor Covering Association</ref> The choice of material for floor covering is affected by factors such as cost, endurance, [[noise]] insulation, comfort and cleaning effort. Some types of flooring must not be installed below grade (lower than ground level), and laminate or hardwood should be avoided where there may be moisture or condensation. The sub-floor may be finished in a way that makes it usable without any extra work, see: *[[Earthen floor]] adobe or [[clay]] floors *[[Solid ground floor]] cement screed or granolithic === Carpet === [[Carpet]] is a floor covering woven or felted from natural or man-made fibers. '''[[Fitted carpet]]''' is attached to the floor structure, extends wall-to-wall, and cannot be moved from place to place. An [[underlay]] can extend carpet life and improve comfort. === Laminate === [[Laminate]] 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. Laminate 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. ===Area rugs=== [[Rugs]] are also woven or felted from fibers, but are smaller than the room in which they are located, have a finished edge, and usually lie over another finished floor such as wood flooring. Rugs may either be temporarily attached to the flooring below by adhesive tape or other methods to prevent creep, or may be loose-laid. === Resilient flooring === '''Resilient flooring''' includes many different manufactured products including [[linoleum]], sheet [[vinyl]], [[vinyl composition tile]], [[Cork (material)|cork]] (sheet or tile), and others. === Wood flooring === Many different species of wood are fabricated into [[wood flooring]] in two primary forms: plank and [[parquet]]. [[Bamboo floor|Bamboo flooring]] is also available. While bamboo is technically not a wood, bamboo flooring is installed and functions much like wood flooring. [[Reclaimed lumber]] has a unique appearance and is [[Green movement|green]]. === Ceramic tile === '''Ceramic tile''' includes a wide variety of clay products fired into thin units which are set in beds of [[Mortar (masonry)|mortar]] or [[mastic]] with the joints between tiles [[grout]]ed. Varieties include [[quarry tile]], [[porcelain]] tile, [[terra cotta]] tile, and others. === Stone === Many different natural stones are cut into a variety of sizes, shapes, and thicknesses for use as flooring. Stone flooring is usually set in mortar and grouted similar to ceramic tile. === Terrazzo === [[Terrazzo]] consists of [[marble]] or other stone [[aggregate]] set in mortar and ground and polished to a smooth surface. === Seamless chemical flooring === Many different seamless flooring materials are available. These are usually [[latex]], [[polyester]], or [[epoxy]] compounds which are applied in liquid form to provide a completely seamless floor covering. These are usually found in wet areas such as laboratories or food processing plants. === Other floorings === *[[Linoleum]] *[[Marble]] *[[Mosaic]] *[[Parquetry]] *[[Performance surface]] flooring for dance or athletics *[[Rubber]] *[[Tile]] Includes slate, ceramic and stone tiles === Flooring tools === Special tools used for flooring include: *[[Flooring clamp]], a clamp for tongue and groove floors while nailing *[[Knee kicker]], used to stretch carpets flat ==Issues with floors== Wood floors, particularly older ones, will tend to 'squeak' in certain places. This is caused by the wood rubbing against other wood, usually at a [[joint]] of the subfloor. Firmly securing the pieces to each other with [[screw]]s or [[nail (fastener)|nails]] will remove this problem. [[Floor vibration]] is a particularly annoying problem with floors. Wood floors tend to pass [[sound]], particularly heavy footsteps and low [[LFE|bass frequencies]]. [[Floating floor]]s can reduce or eliminate this problem. Concrete floors are usually so solid they do not have this problem, but are also much more expensive to construct, and much heavier, resulting in further requirements regarding the structure of the building. The flooring may need protection sometimes e.g. a gym floor used for a graduation ceremony. A [[Gym floor cover]] can be used to reduce the need to satisfy incompatible requirements. ==Floor Cleaning== [[Floor cleaning]] is a major [[employment|occupation]] throughout the world. [[Cleaning]] is essential to prevent injuries due to slips and to remove dirt. Floors are also treated to protect or beautify the surface. The correct method to clean one type of floor can often damage another, so it is important to use the correct treatment. See [[floor cleaning]] for more details.<ref>http://home.howstuffworks.com/floor-cleaning-tips.htm howstffworks: Home cleaning: Floor-cleaning Tips</ref>. ==See also== {{commonscat|Floors}} {{wiktionary}} *[[Floor plan]] *[[Storey#Numbering|Floor numbering]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Floors| ]] [[Category:Building materials]] [[cs:Podlaha]] [[de:Fußboden]] [[es:Piso]] [[eo:Planko]] [[fa:کفپوش]] [[fr:Plancher]] [[it:Pavimento]] [[he:רצפה]] [[nl:Vloer]] [[ja:床]] [[pl:Podłoga]] [[pt:Pavimento]] [[ru:Пол (настил)]] [[simple:Floor]] [[sv:Golv]] [[uk:Підлога]]