Floors

 Floors

September 29, 2023

One of the most important components when talking about buildings systems is flooring. Flooring not only impacts the way the buildings are insulated, but also the different types of floorings have different types of purposes. For example, carpet flooring is used for cozy and comfortable spaces, while tile is used for rooms that require more durability and easy clean-up. There is also more to flooring than just the finishes used. For instance, the support and insulation that is below the floor plays an important role in the construction of a building. 

The picture to the left is a depiction of what wood floor framing systems look like in the process of being built. There are three different materials that can be used for floor framing such as; wood, steel, and concrete. The type of wood framing seen to the left is called "light frame." This framing essentially uses small wood joist to support the load, however other methods use columns and beams to support the load. Steel framing operates with columns that support I-beams that carry metal decking which is were the concrete and flooring is then placed. Concrete framing is more simple with metal joist placed on the ground, then concrete gets poured. 

The next step that is taken is the insulation. Insulation within the floors is extremely important because it helps block the air flow that can come in through the ground. By installing insulation you can help lower energy costs and regulate the temperature of your home more efficiently. Insulation is usually placed underneath the concrete slab to help keep the concrete and flooring temperature regulated.
 
Hard Flooring
Soft Flooring
Resilient Flooring

The three types of flooring are hard flooring, soft flooring, and resilient flooring. Resilient flooring come mostly from rubber, linoleum, cork, and bamboo. These floors help created a soft and cushion space that created proper insulation and acoustics as well. Many resilient floorings are also sustainable as they are made from natural recycled material. Soft flooring includes carpet, wood, and resilient flooring. Carpet is used often in commercial and residential spaces due to the acoustical qualities and the natural materials that are create carpet are a warm and comfortable feeling. Wood is can be one of the most sustainable items on the soft flooring list because wood can last years if it is finished and sealed correctly. Hard flooring is composed of; concrete, brick, stone, ceramic tile, and terrazo. Many hard floors such as concrete can be used as sub floor, however, they can also be laid over sub floors. Stone is a unique hard floor because stone comes from a limited area, however, stone is a great contender when it comes to a hard durable floor. Another hard flooring option is ceramic tile. Ceramic tile instillation is extremely precise, staring in the center of the floor and moving to the outside while making sure to create a beautiful patter. 


Assignment:

At the Design conference at the Merch I learned many different facts about flooring that I did not know before. There are many different materials and ways to finish floors that I did not know of. Many of these floorings also payed close attention to the sustainability of their products and if it was benefiting the world or not. 

At the store Exquisite design they had many different tiles and wood flooring that I have never seen before. After talking to a worker at the store he gave us some insight on the flooring that you see to the left of us. These floors were over 100 years old and still in great condition because of how they took care of the flooring. The type of treatment and finishing they use on their wood is beeswax and seed oil. These two sealers are natural and do not use hard chemicals like the ones you would usually see being used. He also told us that these floors are also refinished and approved by LEED and FFC certified to prove that these floors are extremely durable and sustainable for generations to come. He also went in depth about telling us how pre finished flooring at the factory is better than finishing on site. Another store we went into named Edelman Leather took us through their store and explained to us the benefits of leather floor. Leather floor might not be practical but the flooring is incredibly sustainable because leather is using up all of the resource given. 



































 

Comments

  1. Izabella CleavelandSeptember 30, 2023 at 7:42 AM

    Eva,

    Really nice blog. I liked the photo you used of a construction worker install timber flooring and your description of the flooring type. I really liked your deep dive of the hard floors used in an interior space as well; it is important to know the difference between hard and soft as an interior design. As for the design of Chicago, I hope you enjoyed it and learned a lot like me! It was interesting to go around to the different companies and feel all materials.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jay CallentineSeptember 30, 2023 at 9:19 AM

    Eva,

    I learned a lot about building flooring from your blog post. Even though we might not give flooring options much thought, it made me realize how crucial they are while creating a structure. They described the many types of floors and how they function in various settings, such as cozy carpet and sturdy tile. It was interesting to read about the materials used to construct floors, such as wood, steel, and concrete. I found it interesting how similar to walls adding insulation beneath the floorboards may reduce energy use and maintain a comfortable temperature. You also did a great job at discussing the pros and cons of different types of flooring, including hard, soft, and harsh surfaces. I learned from the blog how crucial it is to choose the appropriate floor for each location.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Delia T.September 30, 2023 at 9:28 AM

    Eva,

    Great blog! I loved the organization, detail, and all the pictures. I liked that you showed three up-close pictures of different floor finish examples, and explained the difference between hard and soft floor finishes well. I also learned a lot at Design Chicago and enjoyed all that we learned. You did a great job talking about all the sustainability features from the flooring people we talked to. Overall, good job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Professor VanderNoordaaOctober 1, 2023 at 5:37 AM

    Eva,
    This was an outstanding Blog. You grabbed my attention from your opening paragraph. I thought your image of the construction workers putting down floor framing. I also thought is was great you went into details on the importance of insulation. Your summary of the various types of flooring and the purposes they serve was great!
    Lastly, you seemed to really gain a lot of understanding of some unique and sustainable flooring options from the design center.
    Total Points 50/50.

    ReplyDelete

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