Treading firmly on the floor, or what to choose for the flooring - pt.1-2

Referring to the technical definition, the floor consists of all layers laid from the ceiling, meaning the structural layer. Its top layer, the finishing layer, is the floor covering (e.g., parquet, terracotta, etc.) .

 

However, let’s treat this as a curiosity, but for the purposes of this study and the following ones, let’s simplify and say that when we talk about the FLOOR, we mean only its upper layer, which is the FLOOR COVERING.

 

When planning finishing details with clients, I often get the impression that the topic of flooring is treated as secondary. We usually pay more attention to walls or furniture. Maybe indeed these elements provide a greater visual effect, or let’s look at it from a more ‘contractor’ perspective and consider for a moment whether it is easier to replace furniture, repaint walls, or change the flooring? The answer seems clear… Therefore, I also suggest giving some thought to the flooring in the apartment. . In this post (which will consist of two parts), I will briefly describe the options available for selection, characterize each of them, and show examples of application in the photos accompanying the post.

 

• Wooden flooring:

 

- Solid wood floorboards - a natural material that feels warm to the touch, looks good, and for many, the older this type of flooring gets, the better it looks. The most popular types are made from oak, ash, and exotic species. Solid wood floorboards are made from a single piece of wood, and therefore this type of flooring is not suitable for use when underfloor heating is planned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Engineered wood floorboards (also known as wooden panels or Barlinek boards) – aesthetic and functional qualities as above. Due to their layered construction, they are more durable than solid boards and can be installed when underfloor heating is present.

 

- Traditional parquet – exudes warmth and elegance, made from small blocks, usually joined with tongue and groove and glued to the substrate. The blocks can be arranged in various patterns, including herringbone, squares, bricks, or stripes.

 

- Engineered parquet – the parquet equivalent of the above-mentioned engineered floorboard, recommended instead of traditional parquet when underfloor heating is used.

- Industrial parquet – a cheaper version of traditional parquet. Its physical properties are similar, visually... I’ll leave that to your judgment (see photo no. 5). It will not pass as a finish with underfloor heating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Cork flooring - cork panels, tiles, and carpets can be found on the market, offering a nice appearance, durability, easy installation, good acoustic insulation, antistatic properties, and, above all, the fact that they are warm and pleasant to the touch. Manufacturers allow the use of cork with underfloor heating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Laminated panels - most often imitate the appearance of wooden boards. This is one of the cheapest and most commonly chosen floor coverings. There are also laminates that mimic the appearance of stone or other materials. An important parameter when choosing them is their abrasion resistance. Labels should indicate ratings from AC1 to AC6, with higher numbers indicating more abrasion resistance.

- Vinyl panels - high-quality ones look very natural, making it hard to distinguish them from wooden boards at first glance. They can also mimic the appearance of other materials (example of use in the kitchen in the photo). With a matte finish and a delicate texture, they are very pleasant to the touch. They have high resistance to mechanical damage, but like any panel, they may scratch or wear out over time. They are waterproof and work excellently as flooring in a living room with an open kitchen. These panels can be used with underfloor heating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IH