floor, coverings
The floor area must have sufficient high strength to carry loads. The upper surface must be protected by a covering of wearing surface capable of withstanding traffic. The underside (called the ceiling) may be exposed or covered; it depends upon the aesthetic requirements or the need for protection against fire. Many materials are used as floor coverings. These materials are classed as smooth surfaced floor coverings and include linoleum, rubber floor coverings, cork tile, asphalt tile, and many varieties got from vinyl chloride resins. The use of these materials has greatly increased Since 1960 with the great use of concrete flooring in homes and commercial buildings. These floor coverings have properties which make them suitable or unsuitable for different applications. Asphalt has the lowest cost, and then comes linoleum, vinyl asbestos, cork and rubber. When comfort and quiet are needed, cork tile is the best, but its appearance and maintenance are not so good. Linoleum cannot be used in basements or in areas where high moisture or alkaline conditions prevail. Asphalt tile is very suitable in such cases, as it is resistant in water and alkali. Rubber flooring is mostly used in public buildings and has many excellent properties, but it is not easy to maintain and it badly resists to grease. Vinyl tile has good resistance to water and alkali, is grease resistant and has good color stability.
