Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Types of flooring

2019-06-13T12:40:36Z

Jerryjhonson:

= Introduction =

The term ‘flooring’ refers to the lower enclosing surface of spaces within buildings. This may be part of the floor structure, such as the upper surface of a concrete slab or floor boards, but typically it is a permanent covering laid over the floor. ‘Flooring’ can also be used to describe the process of laying flooring material.

There is a wide range of flooring materials available:

=== Timber ===

[[File:Timber_flooring270.jpg|link=File:Timber_flooring270.jpg]]

Given that each piece is different, the unique aesthetic of timber is one of the main appeals for its use as flooring. It can also be very durable although it may scratch and is prone to movement. As timber is hygroscopic (sponge-like), it can unsuitable for use in rooms that may be exposed to humidity or moisture, although treatment of the timber can make it resistant to moisture.

There are several options for finishing timber, such as wax, oil or lacquer. The two main types of timber flooring are:

* Solid: Each board is made from a single piece of wood, typically 18-20mm thick, usually fitted using tongue-and-groove.
* Engineered: Each board consists of three or four layers of laminated timber, held together at right angles by glue to create a plank typically of around 14mm thickness.

=== Laminate ===

[[File:Laminate270.jpg|link=File:Laminate270.jpg]]

Laminate flooring is a compressed fibreboard plank covered with an image of a material such as timber, stone, tiles and so on that is then given a protective coating. Laminates can be suitable for rooms that wish to benefit from the aesthetics of a ‘natural’ floor but at a lower cost, with easier installation, and without the risk of being damaged by scratching. Good quality laminates are durable and may have a 20-year warranty. They require minimal maintenance and may be installed with under-floor heating.

=== Vinyl ===

[[File:Vinylfloor270.jpg|link=File:Vinylfloor270.jpg]]

Vinyl flooring can be supplied in rolls or tiles and is generally fixed by gluing. It can be manufactured in a very wide range of colours and profiles (for example studded) and as with laminate flooring can simulate the appearance of other materials.

The advantages of using vinyl flooring include:

* It is durable.
* It is easy to maintain and keep clean.
* It is capable of getting wet without buckling, making it suitable for use in bathrooms, kitchens, and so on.
* It is easy to install.
* It can be relatively inexpensive.

=== Bamboo ===

Rather than being wood, this is grass that has been compressed into a floor material, and is nailed down or glued together. It has the advantage of being a renewable resource and water resistant. Due to its insufficient hardness compared with wood, it is more prone to being dented and scratched.

=== Cork ===

Cork is a water-resistant, renewable material that is suitable for a range of spaces, including basement and bathroom installations. Cork can be clicked together in the same way as laminates or can be glued. Cork floors are warm and flexible although they can be damaged easily by sharp objects.

=== Tile (porcelain or ceramic) ===

There are many options in terms of colour, texture, shape and finishes of tiles. Because of their hardness they are difficult to scratch or dent, and are also suited to wet environments. However, they are difficult to install and can break if there is a lack of support beneath the tiles.

=== Tile (natural stone) ===

These are generally more expensive than porcelain or ceramic options, but can be more aesthetically pleasing. They need to be properly sealed when installed, a process that will need repeating occasionally to keep the tiles protected.

=== Carpet ===

Carpet is made of an upper layer of pile attached to a backing. The pile is usually wool or fibers such as nylon, polyester or polypropylene that are heat-treated after having been twisted together into tufts or woven. There are many varieties of texture, style and colour available and generally carpet is both durable and easy to maintain. Carpet also has insulating properties in terms of both heat and sound. However, carpets can stain quite easily and can be damaged by water and damp.

For more information, see Types of carpet.

= Domestic flooring =

It is most common for domestic flooring to be installed on a room-by-room basis rather than using one material throughout. Different rooms have different requirements from their floorings.

* Bedroom: The most popular choice is carpet, although wood, laminate, or vinyl are suitable.
* Kitchen: Vinyl is a popular choice as it isn’t affected by water, is easily cleaned and has durability. Tiles and laminate flooring are also options.
* Lounge/dining room: The flooring decision is likely to be down to aesthetic preferences, as all floor types are suitable.
* Landings/stairs: The majority of upstairs areas are carpeted as occupants will most likely be walking around without shoes and harder flooring can be noisy.
* Bathroom/wet areas: Untreated timber is unsuitable for these rooms, and carpets can become wet and unhygienic. Vinyl and tiles are ideal as they are unaffected by water and require minimum maintenance. Good quality vinyl with an R10 rating is slip resistant and therefore ideal for wet rooms.

= Commercial flooring =

The most common types of flooring used in commercial buildings are:

=== Vinyl ===

Easy to maintain, and unlike tile floors, there is no grouting involved. This means that it is good in terms of maintaining hygiene levels, making it a popular choice for hospitals, care homes, and so on. Due to vinyl’s hard wearing quality, it can withstand large amounts of foot traffic, making it suitable for a wide range of commercial environments.

=== Safety flooring ===

This is a form of flexible, heavy duty, high grade vinyl or rubber flooring with slip resistant grains included. Essential for many industries to create a safe working environment. This flooring is easy to maintain and keep clean. As the most common cause of workplace injuries are slips, trips and falls, this flooring’s slip resistant quality makes it suitable for many workplace environments.

=== Commercial carpets and carpet tiling ===

These are popular for many businesses due to the aesthetic quality that can be achieved. Carpet tiles are common in offices because instead of laying down a large role of carpet, the individual tiles can be laid down and removed as required, giving flexibility, access to raised floors and saving on wastage.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Ash or oak wood flooring.
* Beam and block.
* [[BREEAM_Speculative_floor_%26_ceiling_finishes|BREEAM Speculative floor & ceiling finishes]].
* Domestic floors: Part 1: Construction, insulation and damp proofing.
* Floating floor.
* Floor definition.
* Floor insulation.
* Floor loading.
* Flooring defects.
* Glass block flooring.
* How to fit carpet.
* Insulation for ground floors.
* Raised floor.
* Resin flooring.
* [https://toolzfinder.com/best-flooring-nailer-reviews/ Floor Nailing]
* Screed.
* Separating floor.
* Sprung floor.
* Terrazzo.
* The Differences Between Engineered Flooring and Solid Hardwood Flooring.
* Types of carpet.
* Types of floor.

[[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Types of nails

2019-01-02T13:05:37Z

Jerryjhonson:

For screws, see Types of screws.

= Introduction =

Nails are a basic type of fastener and have been used in construction in some form for at least 3,000 years. They are most commonly used for joining pieces of timber or for fastening materials to timber and are suitable when a screw is unnecessary.

There are a very wide variety of nails designed for specific purposes and finishes. They are manufactured in different lengths and gauges (diameters), as required.

Nails are usually hammered into place by striking them squarely on their head. By driving the nail in this way, it is less likely to bend or break. When driving a nail into timber, it is good practice to position the nail at a slight angle to the grain of the timber so that it does not split. When timber is likely to split, or a nail is required close to an edge, it may be necessary to drill a ‘pilot hole’ which is slightly smaller than the nail diameter.

Nails must be of suitable strength, with a shank that is long enough to provide an appropriate attachment. Nails are held in place by friction, and some designs can include roughened, grooved or twisted shanks to improve the hold.

Nails are most commonly made of steel. Steel wire is fed into a machine which cuts out individual nail lengths. Wire pieces are held by grippers while a hammer flattens one projecting end to form the head. It is then cut to the specific length and point. Masonry nails are made of hardened zinc for added strength, and many nails (particularly roofing nails) are galvanized with an outer layer of zinc to prevent rusting.

When purchasing nails, it is important to note that suppliers normally sell them by weight rather than quantity. This means that a rough estimate of how many are required is sufficient and over-buying is generally recommended.

= Types =

While nails may vary between manufacturers, the most common types include:

== Common nails ==

[[File:Commonnail.jpg|link=File:Commonnail.jpg]]

Also known as round head, these are the most widely-used type of nail for joining timber and other elements, particularly where a rougher finish is acceptable. It is good practice to use nails that are at least three times longer than the depth of the thinner material that is being nailed.

A variation is the oval head nail which is oval in cross-section and minimises the risk of splitting the timber.

== Finishing nails ==

[[File:Finishingnail.jpg|link=File:Finishingnail.jpg]]

These are similar to common nails but have much smaller heads which sit flush with the timber surface and provide a neater finish. A nail set can be used to recess the head to conceal it completely. This capability means that they are often used in furniture and decorative or exposed timber. The smaller head sizes also mean there is a reduced risk of the timber splitting. Finishing nails can be made of brass to provide a decorative detail.

== Box nails ==

[[File:Boxnail.jpg|link=File:Boxnail.jpg]]

Box nails are commonly used for light construction as they are slightly thinner than common nails and have less strength.

== Roofing nails ==

[[File:Roofingnail.jpg|link=File:Roofingnail.jpg]]

These have larger heads and are often used for nailing shingles, attaching asphalt and other roofing purposes. The thin material is held in place and prevented from tearing loose by the large head. Smaller varieties can be used to attach roofing felt. They are typically galvanized to prevent rust.

== Masonry nails ==

[[File:Masonrynail.jpg|link=File:Masonrynail.jpg]]

These are harder and thicker nails with small heads, typically made of hardened zinc which is stronger, enabling them to be driven into masonry surfaces effectively. They are often used to attach timber to stone or brick.

== Double-headed nails ==

[[File:Doubleheadnail.jpg|link=File:Doubleheadnail.jpg]]

These nails are often used to secure scaffolding and other temporary structures in place. They have two heads, one above the other. They are driven in as far as the first head, while the top head remains above the surface, making it easy to remove.

== Drywall nails ==

[[File:Drywallnail.jpg|link=File:Drywallnail.jpg]]

Drywall nails are used to hang drywall and are designed not to cut the paper face.

== Annular ring shank nails ==

[[File:Annularnail.jpg|link=File:Annularnail.jpg]]

These are similar to common nails but comprise rings along the length of the shank. This provides better grip in the timber and a more secure attachment.

== Special ==

Special types of nails include:

* Casing: For use on small mouldings or thin plywood.
* Brads: Very narrow nails that provide a neat finish. Typically used in nail guns for fast fixing.
* Glazing sprig: A wedge-shaped nail that can be used with putty to secure glazing.
* Cap nail: Includes a plastic cap and is commonly used for nailing building fabrics.
* Upholstery nail: Small, dome-headed nails that are used for attaching upholstery to furnishings.
* Carpet nail: Also known as carpet tacks, they are used to hold down carpet in awkward areas such as corners and stairs.
* Corrugated nail: Has a corrugated cross-section, often used as an 'invisible' connector.
* Staple nail: Has an arched shape for holding wire in position on structures such as fence posts.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Carpentry.
* Construction equipment.
* Construction staples.
* Construction tools.
* Domestic roofs.
* Dry lining.
* Fixtures.
* Ground anchor.
* [https://toolzfinder.com/nailer/ Types of nailers]
* Roof tiles.
* Soil nailing.
* Timber.
* Types of bolts.
* Types of nuts.
* Types of screws.

[[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

File:5 Benefits of using a nail gun.png

2019-01-02T12:58:08Z

Jerryjhonson: There are many reasons that can fuel your desire of using a nailer. Here are the most important ones enlisted below. To read more : https://toolzfinder.com/benefits-of-a-nail-gun/

There are many reasons that can fuel your desire of using a nailer. Here are the most important ones enlisted below. To read more : [https://toolzfinder.com/benefits-of-a-nail-gun/ https://toolzfinder.com/benefits-of-a-nail-gun/]