Factors Affecting Selection of Flooring Materials

Flooring can be done using different materials such as timber,

concrete, marble, stones, bricks, cork, etc. All of these materials
have different properties. Hence, the flooring material is selected
based on various factors which are described in this article.
Following are the factors to be considered while
selecting material for flooring :
1. Durability
2. Appearance
3. Initial Cost
4. Hardness
5. Smoothness
6. Damp resistance
7. Cleanliness
8. Slipperiness
9. Fire resistance
10. Maintenance
11. Thermal Insulation
12. Sound Insulation
1. Durability
The flooring material selected should be strong and durable enough to
resist various weathering actions, loads, decaying, etc. The life of
flooring material should be approximately equal to the life of other
components of the structure. Marble, concrete, mosaic floors are best
in durability compared to other materials.
2. Appearance
The appearance of the floor should be aesthetic. Flooring products
made of different materials are available in markets with different
colors, shapes, designs, sizes, etc. Hence, the desired look can be
obtained easily. In general marble, tiles, terrazzo, etc. give a good
appearance.
3. Initial Cost 4. Hardness
Different floor materials have a The floor material should be hard
different price range. The enough to resist the wear and tear
quality and durability may caused by loads such as furniture,
increase along with the cost. But machinery, etc. and also it should
the selection of cost of flooring not allow the formation of dents
material is done based on when loads are moved on it.
several factors such as overall
cost estimate of structure, type
of building, usage of the floor,
etc. Hence, the initial cost
should be decided according to
these factors.
5. Smoothness
The top surface of the floor material should be smooth and level. A
rough surface is not good to look and also damages the base of the
equipment placed on the floor.

6. Damp resistance
The floor material should exhibit good resistance against dampness
especially in places like kitchens and bathrooms otherwise they may
deteriorate or cause slipperiness to the flooring.
7. Cleanliness
The floor selected should be easy to clean. It should not absorb any
solutions such as oils, greases, etc. It should not allow the formation of
stains on it.

8. Slipperiness
The smoothness of the top surface of flooring should not cause
slipperiness especially when it is wet. Slipperiness occurs when floor
material is over polished. The floor tiles used in bathrooms should be
coated with an anti-slippery solution.
9. Fire resistance
The floor should have good fire resistance, especially upper floors.
Concrete, marble, terrazzo are having good fire resistance but materials
like timber, cork, rubber are weak against fire hence, fire resistance
base layer should be provided when these materials are selected.
10. Maintenance
The maintenance required by flooring materials should be as least as
possible. It should not allow the dust to settle on it. In case of repairs,
they should be easily treatable at low cost. Materials like stone, marble,
concrete require less maintenance compared to other materials such as
wood, brick, etc.
11. Thermal Insulation
The floor material should offer good thermal resistance. PVC, asphalt,
cork, rubber, etc. are good thermal insulators.
12. Sound Insulation
The floor material should be good in sound insulating otherwise it will
produce noise when users walk on it. Timber, cork, rubber, etc. are
good sound insulators.