Flooring
Have you ever wondered where did that beautiful floor that you are standing on come from? The floor came from the great minds of the ancients and their strategic planning. Prior to our post-modern society flooring consisted of dirt in which only the royals had access to wood to sand and install in dwelling spaces. Fast-forwarding to today we all now have the opportunity to enjoy walking on a finished material without having to worry about our feet getting dirty.
Flooring is the permanent covering designed for you to walk on throughout any home or building space. A good flooring must be durable, heat-resistant, noiseless and easy to clean. There are four layers to a floor:
- Joists are the horizontal beams found at the foundation that provides the structural support for the entire building
- Subfloor is the layer found between the underlayment and joist; it makes the floor smoother by providing the foundation to the floor
- Underlayment is installed below the floor covering and on top of the subfloor, it reduces wearing on the covering
- Floor covering is the top finished layer that you can visibly see
To install flooring you must first make sure that the floor is leveled, this can be achieved using tools like a hammer and chisel. Then you must measure the space and confirm measurements. Next you will prep and lay the subfloor; lastly the floor covering will be installed on top. There are various options available for a floor covering:
- Hardwood flooring is both popular and expensive
- Laminate flooring is more durable but can be difficult to repair
- Vinyl or Linoleum is more affordable, versatile and easy to maintain
- Porcelain or Ceramic tile flooring is durable and water proof, however it is one of the most expensive options and difficult to install
- Natural Stone tile flooring is eco friendly, great at radiating heat, durable and insulated for warmth
- Carpet is cost-effective, soft and warm; however can absorb smells
