A17 - FLOORING SELECTION CRITERIA
A17-1 Flooring selection criteria
A17-2 Installation factors
A17-2 Installation factors
Preface:
This reference guide covers general criteria for the selection of floor coverings that are included in the NFCA Reference Manual. Individuals using this guide should verify all such criteria with the manufacturers of floor coverings that are under consideration for the particular project.
1 • FLOORING SELECTION CRITERIA
.01 Flooring is a highly visible surface material that receives significant wear and abuse, and impacts on the safety and comfort of occupants. It is subject to abrasion, water, dirt, and cleaning agents. When selecting any flooring product, finish, and installation method, the following should be considered:
.03 The choice of a particular flooring type should not be eliminated where some of these considerations are a concern. For example, exposure to abrasive materials (e.g., mud and dirt) may be greatly reduced if walk-off mats are provided at exterior doors.
This reference guide covers general criteria for the selection of floor coverings that are included in the NFCA Reference Manual. Individuals using this guide should verify all such criteria with the manufacturers of floor coverings that are under consideration for the particular project.
1 • FLOORING SELECTION CRITERIA
.01 Flooring is a highly visible surface material that receives significant wear and abuse, and impacts on the safety and comfort of occupants. It is subject to abrasion, water, dirt, and cleaning agents. When selecting any flooring product, finish, and installation method, the following should be considered:
- Aesthetic requirements, including:
- Owner's (long-term) appearance expectations.
- Style or look and pattern of flooring (e.g. plush versus textured carpet, tile or plank flooring, etc.).
- Flooring grades and variations available and those required for the project.
- Colour and gloss level.
- Cost requirements, including:
- Owner's budget limitations.
- Quality level, long-term performance, and retention of value.
- Type of flooring required to meet aesthetic and performance requirements (e.g. resilient, carpet, hardwood, laminate, bamboo, cork, flooring, etc.).
- Type of flooring "system" and method of installation required to meet performance requirements (e.g. glued down, loose laid / floating, solid or engineered hardwood, flash-coved slip-resistant resilient flooring, etc.).
- Finishing method (on-site or factory pre-finished) as well as refinishing capability.
- Performance requirements, including:
- Owner's (long-term) performance expectations.
- The amount and type of daily pedestrian traffic from inside and outside the building.
- The amount and type of "vehicular" or rolling traffic (e.g. carts, wheelchairs, desk chairs, etc.) particularly in the case of commercial and institutional installations.
- Requirements for slip resistance.
- Requirement for static resistance.
- Requirements for impermeability and water resistance.
- Requirements for base (rubber cove base or flash cove base and corner details).
- Transitions to other surfaces.
- Effects of exposure to:
- moisture and fluctuations in relative humidity.
- stains and reagents.
- sunlight through glass (UV light may cause colour changes).
- in-service damage such as scratches, indentations, and gouges.
- abrasive materials (e.g. mud, dirt, etc.)
- maintenance materials including their effect on appearance and slip resistance of surfaces.
- Maintenance requirements, including:
- Owner's maintenance expectations.
- Frequency of maintenance required.
- Type of maintenance materials to be used and their impact on the environment.
- Environmental requirements, including:
- LEED requirements.
- Choice based on "green" versus long-term durability and maintenance requirements.
- Other requirements and considerations, including:
- Guarantee / Warranties offered.
- Access to manufacturers technical support.
.03 The choice of a particular flooring type should not be eliminated where some of these considerations are a concern. For example, exposure to abrasive materials (e.g., mud and dirt) may be greatly reduced if walk-off mats are provided at exterior doors.
2 • INSTALLATION FACTORS
.01 There are a number of factors that may have a bearing on the selection, cost, and quality of a flooring installation.
.01 There are a number of factors that may have a bearing on the selection, cost, and quality of a flooring installation.
- Removal and disposal of existing materials (e.g. flooring and baseboards).
- Moving (i.e., removal and reinstallation) of furniture in existing areas.
- Flooring substrate requirements, including moisture and alkalinity levels, substrate acceptable types, flatness, stiffness and deflection, and preparation requirements (abrasive blasting, use of a self-levelling cementitious topping, moisture barrier, etc.).
- Underlayment materials or system requirements (separation / acoustical / insulation, and in sports floor applications, dampening methods, etc.).
- Installation method (mechanically fastened, floating, glue-down, or glue-less).
- Special requirements such as installation over a radiant heated substrate.
- Accessories (base boards, edge trims, stair treads and stringers, equipment inserts, etc.) and other materials that may be required.