Floors

Floors are the horizontal surfaces that form the base of interior spaces. They provide a flat, stable area for walking, standing, and placing furniture, equipment, and fixtures. In buildings, floors also serve structural and safety roles by transmitting loads from occupants and contents to the substructure and by contributing to environmental conditions such as acoustics, thermal performance, and moisture control.

Constructing a floor typically involves a subfloor, which may be a wooden deck or a concrete slab, and a finish layer that forms the visible surface. Subfloors, joists, and beams carry loads to the foundation. Finishes include wood or engineered wood, concrete, tile, vinyl, carpet, laminate, stone, and metal, chosen for durability, aesthetics, and use.

Floor systems vary by setting. Interior floors may be suspended (joist-supported) or solid slabs; raised access floors are used in some offices for cabling. Finishes range from bare concrete and wood to ceramic tile, vinyl, carpet, and epoxy coatings. Exterior floors and decks use weather-resistant materials such as concrete, stone, wood, or composite boards.

Design and installation consider load capacity, deflection limits, moisture management, and fire resistance. Proper subfloor preparation, underlayment, vapor barriers, and fasteners are essential to performance. Maintenance plans and local codes influence material choices and installation methods.

Maintenance and safety address wear, cleaning, sealing or refinishing, and slip resistance. Some materials emit volatile compounds; durable, low-emission options are preferred for indoor air quality. Accessibility standards may influence ramping, edge finishes, and threshold heights.