Underlayment. Finish floors need a stable, smooth surface beneath them. Although some types of hardwood can be attached directly to the joists, others require underlayment. Underlayment is also necessary for sheet vinyl, vinyl tiles, ceramic tiles, and some carpets. Tile backer board is best for ceramic tile. The board and subfloor must have a combined thickness of 1 1/8-inches. Particle board or plywood are used under other types of floors.
Choosing a floor covering. Because the floor is such an important part of the way a room looks, you will want to select new flooring carefully. Your tastes may change, so the simpler the floor treatment, the more flexibility you will have in the design and use of the room over time. It is much easier and less expensive to change the colors of your walls or to introduce new furnishings than it is to install a new floor.
As a general rule, good design is simple design -- although simplicity is not always easy to achieve. It requires a high level of restraint, thoughtfulness in planning, and care in execution. If you do opt for a dramatic and exciting floor, then be bold. Let it be the keynote for the rest of the decor. More often, however, floors play a background role, pulling the other elements of the room together.
The most common types of floor coverings are wood strip, wood block, resilient tile, resilient sheet, ceramic tile, and carpet. Wood is a traditional favorite that can add quality, permanence, and livability to any room. The grain gives a floor texture.
Resilient tile and sheet flooring. This type of flooring comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, making it appropriate for any room. Resilient flooring is durable, comfortable, and easy to maintain.
Ceramic tile. Tile and other masonry materials, such as brick and stone, create a feeling of permanence and substance. The effect can either be rustic or formal. Because of the grout lines, they create a strong pattern. Choose a color and width for the grout lines to accentuate or subdue this pattern.
Carpet. Wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs offer the advantages of softness, warmth, comfort, and a wide choice of colors. Carpet is suitable for open expanses or intimate spaces, and can be used in any room. It needs to be maintained, and it is not as permanent as other floor materials.
Choosing a floor covering. Because the floor is such an important part of the way a room looks, you will want to select new flooring carefully. Your tastes may change, so the simpler the floor treatment, the more flexibility you will have in the design and use of the room over time. It is much easier and less expensive to change the colors of your walls or to introduce new furnishings than it is to install a new floor.
As a general rule, good design is simple design -- although simplicity is not always easy to achieve. It requires a high level of restraint, thoughtfulness in planning, and care in execution. If you do opt for a dramatic and exciting floor, then be bold. Let it be the keynote for the rest of the decor. More often, however, floors play a background role, pulling the other elements of the room together.
The most common types of floor coverings are wood strip, wood block, resilient tile, resilient sheet, ceramic tile, and carpet. Wood is a traditional favorite that can add quality, permanence, and livability to any room. The grain gives a floor texture.
Resilient tile and sheet flooring. This type of flooring comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, making it appropriate for any room. Resilient flooring is durable, comfortable, and easy to maintain.
Ceramic tile. Tile and other masonry materials, such as brick and stone, create a feeling of permanence and substance. The effect can either be rustic or formal. Because of the grout lines, they create a strong pattern. Choose a color and width for the grout lines to accentuate or subdue this pattern.
Carpet. Wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs offer the advantages of softness, warmth, comfort, and a wide choice of colors. Carpet is suitable for open expanses or intimate spaces, and can be used in any room. It needs to be maintained, and it is not as permanent as other floor materials.
The part of the floor we are most familiar with is the finish floor, which is essentially a membrane over the real floor -- the structural floor that holds everything up and keeps out moisture and drafts. The floor system is actually a series of layers. Not all floors have all of the layers, but it is important to understand how they relate to each other.
Photo illustration courtesy of visual dictionary online
Choosing A Floor Covering
In A Hour.com
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