Floor Coverings
Once the floors are fixed down in position, it will be much more difficult to lay sub-floor pipes and cables or correct the anchor points and subsequent rocking of joists. That said, the flooring must be installed prior to fixing doorframes, skirting, covings and plastering the walls.
In general, a compromise between fully installing the floor and accessibility has to be made. This may take the form of carefully planned and well-positioned hatches, which will allow work to continue in the sub-floor void, albeit with some restriction and inconvenience. The content of this chapter follows standard practice and points out some of the benefits and pitfalls involved. As with all construction projects, an assessment of how and when to install flooring should be taken after careful consideration of your own specific dwelling requirements and following advice from your architect.
There are many types of specialist floor finishes, but the majority are likely to be timber. Economical chipboard is fine, providing you don't expect too much walking traffic and accept that it has a fairly short lifespan in comparison to more substantial solid timbers. Hardwood planked tongue and groove is, without doubt, one of the best flooring materials and provides warmth, durability and a beautifully grained surface suitable for all room types. More than this, natural timbers mature and improve as they age and are easily maintained and refurbished. Old floors can be stripped, sanded and re-lacquered as required but, even when they are left scratched and distressed, a simple sand-down and coat of varnish can bring them back to their former glory.
Many will probably decide to compromise between the choice of superior hardwood and economical chipboard, settling on an installation of softwood tongue and groove. This provides a good floor and the soft grain ensures adequate fixing to the joists without the timbers splitting. It is also easy to create service hatches, once additional support has been given to the joists below. Softwood flooring can be lacquered or carpeted and, with an additional layer of fixed plywood and adequate adhesive screeding, it can also be prepared sufficiently to accept vinyl or ceramic tiles (though solid concrete floors remain the best long-term solution for this type of finish).
Vinyl floor coverings are suitable for almost any application, but look particularly striking in bathrooms and kitchens. An attempt at describing in words the concept of a 'dry water', 'perfectly flat pebbled' or 'soft metal mesh' floor is probably absurd and at best paradoxical, but thankfully the company have a website where these extraordinary products can be viewed. Go to www.marley.com and examine the 'X-photographic' and 'X-water' range. Samples and brochures can be obtained online or by telephoning Marley Floors on 01622 854040.
