intd 50a floor materials and coverings. floor coverings major element in an interior and selection...

INTD 50A

floor materials and coverings

floor coverings

major element in an interior and selection criteria deserve careful consideration:

•durability required•cost of materials, installation, and maintenance•aesthetic considerations•acoustic noise control•insulative/solar absorption needs•fire/building codes

floor coverings—selection guidelines

hard and resilient floor coverings form a substantial part of the character of an interior

select flooring according to the following criteria:

•beauty•harmony•graceful aging•subfloor preparation

•life-cycle costing•upkeep •durability•safety


•beauty—good design merit & integrity; should be appealing even without other furnishings•harmony—as a background for a variety of furnishings—look for neutralized colors, subtle textures & lack of a definite pattern•graceful aging—mellowing of the finish through continued use•subfloor preparation—supports and enhances the finishing material


•life-cycle costing—total cost divided by the number of years of expected use•upkeep—maintenance frequency and ease of cleaning•durability—ability to withstand traffic•safety—slippery?, visual confusion?, avoid extremes of rugged textures or highly polished smooth materials

floor coverings—hard

have several advantages—generally they are:•strong and durable•nonabsorbent & relatively impervious to soiling and staining•easy to maintain and clean•“timeless” classics•versatile

disadvantages:•high initial cost•subfloor preparation•rigidity

floor coverings—hard

EXAMPLES:

•flagstone•granite•limestone•marble•terrazzo•slate•travertine•ceramic tile

•mexican tile•quarry tile•brick•concrete•wood planks & parquet•bamboo•laminate

floor coverings—resilient

have flexibility or give

advantages: •lower initial cost•warmer to the touch•absorb more sound•easier on the body•dropped items less likely to break•less damage to floor if items are dropped•wide variety of designs and patterns•moderate maintenance depending upon finish and finish durability

floor coverings—resilient

disadvantages:•may require more maintenance if surface has no protection•can be damaged, dented, or torn•less durable•seams will open and become worn if poorly installed

EXAMPLES:•cork•leather•linoleum

•rubber•vinyl—sheet/tile•vinyl composition

floor coverings—soft

made in many fiber types and come in a wide selection of colors, textures & prices

selection guidelines:•understand the fibers•learn carpet constructions•look for guarantees•purchase locally•compare quality•ask for recommendations•determine quality•take sample to site


made in many fiber types and come in a wide selection of colors, textures & prices

selection guidelines:•select color wisely•compare carpet’s lifespan to its aesthetics•select a quality padding or underlay•quality installation is IMPORTANT•upgrade carpeting to higher quality that standard allotment in new construction


carpet fibers

most are constructed of single fiber however there are an increasing number of blends

blends are popular for three reasons:•has the positive qualities of each fiber•more costly fiber can be extended with the combination of less expensive fibers•cross-dyeing effects can be created with one dye—different fibers take dye differently


carpet construction

•woven broadloom—woven or tufted by a machine and are typically 12 ft wide•tufted broadloom—make up the majority of carpets today; constructed on a loom using multiple needles•knitted—constructed of knitted yarns held together with latex backing; few on the market•needlepunch—masses of fibers rather than yarns held together by an interlocking fiber-punching machine; inexpensive


carpet textures

cut pile—surfaces are sheared to one height or multi-level


carpet textures

plush


carpet textures

frieze


carpet textures

sculptured


carpet textures

deep pile


carpet textures

level loop


carpet textures

random or level tip


carpet maintenance

appearance and life span of carpet depend on the way that it is maintained

keeping carpet clean is the key to good looks and increased life span

when dirt, grit or sand settles to the bottom of the pile, wears down fibers more quickly


rugs

•add softness and warmth•provide positive acoustical properties•give character and richness to interiors•area rugs define an area


rugs—can be natural/manufactured fibers, machine or man-made, designer or mass produced

•authentic oriental• antique—older than 75 years• semiantique—from 25-75 years• new—less than 25 years old

•persian•turkish•tibetan•folk— dhurrie, navajo, rya, rollikan, rag, braided, and hooked

•european handmade rugs— aubusson, needlepoint

intd 50a floor materials and coverings. floor coverings major element in an interior and selection...

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