Flooring Types and Materials

 This chapter of our textbook goes into detail about the different type of flooring systems including the framing and finish materials. One common framing system they mention are wood floor framing systems. They can be divided into two basic categories: light frame construction and heavy timber frame construction. Light frame construction uses multiple small wood members to carry a load. In a wall, these are called studs, when they carry a floor load, these are called joists. As for Heavy timer, this framing relies on a structural frame consisting of columns and beams.  The horizontal beams are then used to support girders. Girders carry the weight of floor planks to the beams where the load can be transferred to the columns. We also have steel floor-framing which is either light gauge with multiple open web joists or structural steel with beams and girders. You can also use concrete as a flooring system. It is either poured in place on site or cast at a plant and assembled on site.


There are multiple materials used for floor finishes. The use of the space and building code requirements are generally used to narrow the focus on the type of floor finishes to use. Floor-finish materials are usually divided into hard surfaces and soft surfaces. Materials used for hard surfaces consists of concrete, brick, stone, Terrazzo, and ceramic tile. As for soft surface, materials such as carpet, rugs, wood and resilient flooring are often used. Resilient floor comes in a variety of materials, including all forms or vinyl flooring, rubber and linoleum. The most sustainable choices are natural rubber, cork, linoleum and bamboo. This chapter on walls, material and finish selections for interior flooring can also contribute to LEED certifications. They have points in two categories- Material and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. You must keep in mind the interiors life-cycle impact reduction (MR 109), building product disclosure and optimization through the use of environmental product declarations (MR112), sourcing of materials (MR114) and material ingredients(MR115) and low-emitting materials (EQ113. These points can be acquired through proper sustainable floor-selections decisions.

 

This week we went to visit Carlson’s Flooring in Geneva. This is a locally owned business who began in 1967. Their team consists of in-house design consultants, licensed installers, highest quality service, knowledgeable staff and over 30 years of experience. They sell a variety of different flooring materials such as carpet, hardwood. area rugs, tile, and luxury vinyl. The quality of their products is a vital importance in their company. They want to ensure that you will be able to have these products around for a long time and enjoy them without having to continually having to replace it. When we visited, we met Lisa Carlson Nelson, who is the daughter of the owners. She walked us through the different types of flooring and explained the materials used for the carpets such as wool, nylon, olefin. The carpets are made from these synthetic and natural fibers and they each have their own characteristics and is important to keep in mind when deciding which ones to appropriately use in a space. Many of the carpets were also certified for Green Select. To earn a Green Select label, the product must currently be recyclable, contain a minimum of recycled material and/or be made from a natural, sustainable, quickly renewable resource. She also let us take a few samples of a few flooring materials to add to our Studio library.


Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 1, 2021 at 2:59 PM

    Erica,
    This was a great post recapping what we learned this week! I liked how you talked about the different floor finishes! It was also nice how you talked about LEED certifications and how they relate to floor materials. I think as designers it is important to try and use LEED products when available. I also liked your images from the flooring store! It was nice to see the variety and different selections that were offered in the store. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AbigailOctober 1, 2021 at 10:37 PM

    I really liked your description of our experience at Carlson's. I thought it was interesting what you wrote about the green select label and what it takes to earn one. It is so important to keep looking into the green products as LEED and sustainability are so huge in the design world today and as it is another way we can really make a difference in our career today.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 2, 2021 at 8:13 AM

    Erica,
    You did a great job at summarizing our chapter we read. What stood out to me was when you broke down the different varieties of resilient floors, hard floors and soft floors and which are the most sustainable. That is neat that you got to speak to the owner’s daughter when you went to Carlson’s. I like that you learned the different fibers of carpet and the appropriate spaces to use them in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meaghan Di PietroOctober 2, 2021 at 8:38 AM

      I really enjoyed your blog, I like how you brought up how important codes are when it comes to picking flooring. I also like how you went into the history of Carlson's to show this is a well established company!

      Delete
  4. Kelly MunsellOctober 3, 2021 at 11:53 AM

    I thought you did a good job of summarizing the chapter. You did a good job of explaining how flooring fits in with LEED certifications. I also liked your summary of our trip to Carlson's flooring. They had a good variety of flooring and selection of green label and sustainable carpets.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Professor VanderNoordaaOctober 5, 2021 at 5:16 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Professor VanderNoordaaOctober 5, 2021 at 5:19 PM

    Erica-this was a very interesting and comprehensive Blog entry on the weekly topic of flooring.
    After describing the various flooring systems in detail you covered all types of flooring both hard and soft. It was great you covered the basic criteria that applied to LEED certification. You summary of the field trip was great and I appreciate your images of the product they has. 50/50

    ReplyDelete

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