Floor definition
Approved document C, Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture, suggests that a ‘floor’ can be defined as the: 'Lower horizontal surface of any space in a building including finishes that are laid as part of the permanent construction.'
A floor typically provides:
- Structural support for the contents of the room, its occupants, and the weight of the floor itself.
- Resistance to the passage of moisture, heat and sound.
- A surface finish which may contribute to the look, feel and acoustics of a space.
- Sometimes it may also form an integral part of the primary structure of the building.
- It may also include elements of building services, such as wiring, pipework, ducting, drainage, lighting, ventilation and so on.
The surface finish of a floor is generally referred to as flooring. For more information see: Flooring.
Types of floor include; floating floor, separating floor, sprung floor, raised floor, and so on. For more information, see Types of floor. For more information see: Types of floor.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Basement v cellar.
- Beam and block.
- Concrete floor.
- Cork flooring.
- Deck.
- Decking.
- Domestic floors: Part 1: Construction, insulation and damp proofing.
- Floating floor.
- Floor void.
- Flooring.
- Flooring defects.
- Glass bottle floor foundation.
- Plenum.
- Raised floor.
- Resilient flooring.
- Rubber flooring.
- Screed.
- Separating floor.
- Sprung floor.
- Storey.
- Types of floor.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.