pavimento

Pavimento is a term used especially in Italian and Spanish to denote the finished surface that covers a floor inside a building or the paved surface of streets, squares, or outdoor spaces. In Italian, pavimento generally refers to the interior floor finish, while the exterior counterpart is described as pavimentazione. In Spanish, pavimento commonly denotes both interior floors and outdoor pavement, with the exact meaning clear from context.

Materials and finishes: Interiors use ceramic tiles, natural stone (marble, granite), wood, terrazzo, concrete, vinyl, laminate. Exterior pavements use asphalt or concrete for roads and driveways; stone slabs, brick pavers, cobblestones, or composite surfaces.

Construction and maintenance: Internally, pavimentos are laid on a subfloor with appropriate underlayment; externally, a base and binder layers are prepared before placing the surface. Finishes may be sealed or treated to resist wear and water. Maintenance includes cleaning, resealing, repairing cracks, and replacing worn sections; anti-slip treatments may be applied in wet areas.

History and examples: Ancient pavements included stone floors and mosaics such as opus tessellatum; in Roman times, floors used opus spicatum and marble. Medieval and Renaissance buildings featured decorative inlaid floors. In modern construction, poured concrete floors, ceramic or terrazzo finishes, and epoxy or polyurethane coatings are common in industrial and commercial settings.