NCIDQ - Ch. 16 - Finishes (22)

Stitch (stitch rate)

Number of lengthwise tufts in 1". The higher the pitch or gauge number and stitch numbers are, the denser the carpet

Tiles

Small, flat finishing units made of clay or clay mitures. Two most common types: ceramic, quarry tile. Advantages: durability, water resistance, ease of installation and cleaning, wide choice of colors/sizes/patterns, fire resistance, fade resistance, ability to store heat for passive solar collection.

Solid end-grain blocks

Solid pieces of wood from 2-1/4" to 4" thick laid on end. Very durable and resistant to oils, mild chemicals, indentation. Used for industrial floors, now resilient floor substitutes are used instead.

Carpet gauge

Spacing in fractions of an inch between needles across the width of carpet. 5/64, 1/10, and 1/8 are common for contract carpet.

Pile height

Height of the fibers from the surface of the backing to the top of the pile. Shorter and more tightly packed fibers result in a more durable but more expensive carpet.

When laying strip flooring, a layer of #15 asphalt felt may be used to ___. Resilient pads are also available for use in place of sleepers and provide ___.

- prevent squeaking and act as a vapor barrier. - an more resilient floor, often used for dance floors and gymnasiums.

When testing slip resistance, ___ has generally been considered the minimum required for a slip-resistant floor

0.5 (even higher number = better) ADA says 0.6 for accessible routes & 0.8 for ramps

What are the (2) installation methods for carpet?

1. Direct glue down 2. Stretched-in installation

What are the 5-types of stone flooring commonly used in interior construction for flooring & walls?

1. Granite 2. Marble 3. Limestone 4. Slate 5. Sandstone

3 Finish Types for Slate

1. Natural cleft finish: shows surface as it is cleaved from rock so it is rough and surface level varies by about 1/8" 2. Sand rubbed finish: gives even plane showing slight grain 3. Honed finish: semipolished, without sheen

4 Finish types for Marble

1. Polished: smoothest finish, bringing out full color and character of marble 2. Honed: stain-smooth surface, little or no gloss 3. Abrasive finish: flat, non-reflective surface suitable for stair treads and other non-slip surfaces 4. Wet-sand finish: Smooth surface also suitable for nonslip floors

What are the (3) basic forms of carpet?

1. Rugs 2. Sheet carpet 3. Carpet tiles

4 basic types of terrazzo

1. Standard: most common, using chips no larger than 3/8" 2. Venetian: uses chips larger than 3/8" 3. Palladian: uses thin, random-fractured slabs of marble with standard terrazzo between 4. Rustic: matrix depressed to expose chips (top not sanded perfectly smooth) Usually not appropriate for interior flooring

What two flooring installation methods allow wood to swell and contract with moisture in the air?

1. Strip flooring over plywood: install 3/4" plywood over concrete slab for nailable base, install 4 mil polyethylene film between slab and plywood if moisture is an issue. Provide 3/8" - 3/4" space between wall and flooring edge for swelling & contraction; base covers gap. 2. Strip flooring over sleepers: install 2" x 4" wood sleepers @ 12" on center, random lengths of 18" - 48"; set in asphalt mastic, stagger end joints 4". Leave gap at the wall for swelling/contracting. More resilient floor, comfortable under foot, better moisture dispursal.

Two types of stone floor installation

1. Thin-set 2. Thick-set

What are the methods of manufacturing for carpets?

1. Weaving 2. Tufting 3. Needle punching 4. Fusion bonding 5. Knitting (less frequently) 6. Custom tufting (less frequently)

What fibers can carpet be made from?

1. Wool 2. Nylon 3. Acrylic 4. Polyester 5. Olefin (polypropelene)

What is a rug?

A soft floor covering laid on the floor but not fastened to it. It does not cover the entire floor.

Nonvitreous tile

A type of tile that has a water absorption rate of more than 7%

Carpet that does not pass this test cannot be sold in the United States: The IBC states that carpet must also meet the requirements of this test:

ASTM D2859 - Methenamine pill test ASTM E648 - Flooring Radiant Panel Test

The pH level is determined on a scale from 0 - 14, with 7 being neutral. Materials with a pH less than 7 are considered ___. Those with a pH level above 7 are considered ___.

Acidic Alkaline A pH of 12 is actually 10 times more alkaline than one with a pH of 11. Concrete normally 12 - 13.3 Although pH is an indication of the presence of alkalinity, pH and alkalinity are not the same. Two slabs can have the same pH level, but one can have a much higher alkalinity. Alkalinity cannot exist without moisture

What makes Cork a renewable resource?

After it is harvested, the tree grows new skin in around 9 year - bark can then be harvested again. Cork industry helps preserve forests Portugal, producing 1/2 the world's cork, regulates harvesting and has made it illegal to cut down cork-producing trees

Calcium chloride test

Also called the moisture dome test, most common, inexpensive, and easy test to determine moisture in concrete. Results are in the format matching flooring manufacturer stats. Place standard mass of calcium chloride below plastic cover and seal it to the concrete floor. After 60-72 hours, calcium chloride is weighed to compare it with its pretest weight. Mathematical formula determines amount of moisture absorbed and the measurement of pounds per 1000 ft squared per 24-hour period. Conduct the test for every 500-1000 ft of slab area

Hygrometer test

Also known as the relative humidity test. Determines moisture emission by measuring relative humidity (RH) of the atmosphere confined adjacent to the concrete floor. Pocket of air is trapped below a vapor-impermeable box, and a probe in the device measures the RH. Test standards recommend that moisture-sensitive flooring not be installed unless the RH is 75% or less.

Bonded installation method

Best terrazzo installation method if floor deflection is not expected.

Sand cushion installation method

Best way to avoid cracking terrazzo because the finish system is physically separated from structural slab with membrane, similar to thick-set stone floor installation

Semivitreous & Vitreous tile

Classified between nonvitreous and impervious tile

Plank flooring

Comes in 3/8" - 25/32" thickness, but is 3-1/3" - 8" wide. Used where wider scale is desired, to emulate historic flooring.

What is sheet carpet?

Comes in long rolls, commonly 12'W, and installed so no seams are visible

Linoleum

Composed of oxidized linseed oil, wood flour, pigments, and fillers applied over a backing of burlap or asphalt-saturated felt. Available in solid colors or with multicolored patterns that extend through the thickness to the backing. Has very good abrasion and grease resistance, but limited resistance to alkalis. Commonly available in 1/10" thickness, but other thicknesses are available depending on the manufacturer. Composed of natural materials, popular as sustainable material.

Terrazzo

Composite material poured in place or precast that is used for floors, walls, stairs. Consists of marble, quartz, granite, or other suitable chips, in a matrix that is cementitious, chemical, or a combination of both. Poured, cured, ground, and polished to produe smooth surface.

Slate

Fine-grain metamorphic rock easily split into thin slabs, making it ideal for flooring as well as roofing. Available in ranges of gray, black, green, brown, deep red. 3 common finishes.

Advantages of terrazzo

Durability, water resistance, ease of cleaning, fire resistance, availability of a wide choice of patterns and colors. Unlimited number of finishes can be achieved by mixing chips and matrix colors.

Nylon

Economical carpet material that is very strong and wear resistant. High stain resistance and excellent crush resistance. Can be dyed with a wide variety of colors. Cleans easily. Some have static issues and a glossy sheen, but these problems are less common today as these fibers are mixed with others. Cost effective. Makes it the most commonly used fiber in commercial and residential.

Fusion bonding

Embeds the pile yarn in a backing of liquid vinyl. When the vinyl hardens, the tufts are permanently locked in the vinyl. Fusion bonded carpet has no backing as other carpet types do and is used primarily for carpet tiles.

Bamboo flooring

Environmental sensitive alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. Fast growing grass, not a tree, obtained from managed forests where other crops are difficult to grow. Reaches maturity in 3-4 years. Almost as hard and twice as stable as red oak and maple, usually comes prefinished with a hard, durable polyurethane coating. Downside: must be transported a long distance. 3/4" or 1/2" thick, 3" wide or wider. Tongue and groove edges like regular wood floor. Available in natural color or darker/amber color

Palm wood

Environmentally friendly wood flooring alternative. Harvested as a by-product from plantation-grown coconut palms Available in 3/4" thick x 3" wide strips with tongue-and-groove edges like standard strip flooring. Harder and more stable than maple, red oak, and white oak. Ranges from dark to medium-red mahogany in color. Prefinished in polyurethane

Laminated block flooring

Flooring made from 3-7 plies of cross-laminated wood veneer. 3/8" - 25/32" thick

Ceramic mosaic tile

Formed by either the dust-pressed or extrusion method, is 1/4"-3/8" thick, and has a facial area of less than 6 square inches.

Resilient flooring

Generic term describing several types of composition materials made from various resins, fibers, plasticizers, and fillers. Formed under heat and pressure to produce thin material, either sheets or tiles. Applied with mastic to subfloor of concrete, plywood, or other. Some may be installed only on floors above grade, others may be placed below, on, or above grade. Common types: Vinyl, rubber, cork

Paver tile

Glazed and unglazed non-mosaic tile over 6 square inches made by the dust-pressed method

Quarry tile

Glazed or unglazed tile, usuay with 6 square inch or more of facial area, and is made by the extrusion process from natural clay or shale

Vinyl flooring

Good, durable resilient flooring resistant to indentation, abrasion, grease, water, alkalis, and some acids Comes in a variety of colors and patterns and is inexpensive and easy to install. Can be used below grade, on grade, above grade Installed over a clean, dry, smooth surface Generally 7" square, some 9" squares Both 1/16" & 1/8" thickness, although 1/8" is preferred for better quality Sheet vinyl 6, 9, 12' rolls, more difficult to install, fewer seams

What are the classifications of tile abrasion resistance?

Group I: Light residential Group II: Moderate residential Group III: Maximum residential Group IV: Commercial

What problems can alkalinity in concrete cause?

High alkalinity on the surface of a slab can damage the tile installation by causing the adhesive to re-emulsify, or return to its original liquid state. It can also cause problems with other coatings At a level of about 9 or 10, most tile adhesives may begin to experience problems, although professional grade adhesives can sometimes be used with pH of 11. Surface alkalinity can be controlled with various proprietary coatings

Granite

Igneous rock with visible grains. Available in many colors: gray, beige, white, pink, red, blue, green, black. 5 common interior finishes

Engineered wood floors

Include laminated block flooring and parquet flooring. Available either unfinished or pre-finished. Consists of 3, 5, or 7 layers of wood veneer, each oriented at 90 degrees to the adjacent layer, like plywood. Top layer is actual finished wood species. More dimensionally stable than traditional hardwood, shrink and swell less. Some installed directly on wood subfloor; others laid loose over thin foam padding so they move independently of subfloor

Carpet cushions (aka padding) are not required, but do include these advantages

Increase the life of the carpet, provide better resiliency and comfort, help sound absorption, & lessen impact noise.

What are carpet tiles?

Individual pieces of carpet, typically 18" square, that are applied to the floor with pressure-sensitive adhesive. Damaged or worn pieces can be replaced without removing the entire floor covering.

Cork flooring

Made from granulated pieces of bark from the cork oak tree that are bonded together under head & pressure. Varying heat or adding dyes allows variety of colors and patterns - some characteristic straw color of cork and others as dark as walnut

Polyester

Made from synthetic polymers, highly abrasion resistant, good crush resistance, cleans well, mildew resistant, low in cost. Sometimes blended with nylon.

Rubber flooring

Made from synthetic rubber and offers excellent resistance to deformation under loads, providing a very comfortable, quiet, resilient floor. Not very resistant to oils or grease Available with smooth surface or with patterned, raised surface allowing water and dirt to lie below wearing surface, preventing slipping or excessive abrasion. Available in tiles or sheets in several thicknesses

Parquet flooring

Made of preassembled units of several small, thin slats of wood in a variety of patterns. May be finished or unfinished. Usually sold in 12" squares, 5/16" thick, for mastic application. Easier and cheaper to install than other types of floors & wide range of designs.

Block flooring

Made of preassembled wood flooring in (3) basic configurations: Unit block flooring Laminated block flooring Parquet Flooring

Axminster carpet (form of weaving)

Made on a modified jacquard loom that delivers different colors of yarn at different times according to the pattern desired. Because of the weaving process, they can be produced in a range of patterns and colors, from geometric to florals. Unlike wilton process, most of the pile yarn is placed on the surface. Carpet has an even, cut-pile surface with a heavily ribbed backing.

Static coefficient of friction

Measured from a resting position

Dynamic coefficient

Measured when the two surfaces are in relative motion. Always less than the alternate. Difficult to measure this, the measurement must be done in a lab for accurate results.

Coefficient of friction (COF)

Measurement of the degree of slip resistance of a floor surface and ranges from 0 to 1. The higher the number, the less slippery the surface.

Marble

Metamorphic rock formed by layers of shells that, under heat and pressure, form into a composition of crystalline grains of calcite and/or dolmite. Available in many colors & patterns: uniform, pure white, vivid greens, reds, wild streaked patterns. 4 finishes

Seamless flooring

Mixture of resinous matrix, fillers, and decorative materials applied in a liquid or viscous form that cures to a hard, seamless surface (ex: terrazzo). Some installed by pouring, others troweled on a subfloor. Some products are self-leveling, while others must be worked to a level surface. High performing flooring that is used where special characteristics are required, such as extreme hardness, severe stain and chemical resistance, or excellent water resistance, or where cleanliness and ease of cleaning are required

Acrylic

Moderate abrasion resistance, more wool-like appearance than nylon. Can be dyed with variety of colors, good crush resistance, easy to maintain. Modacrylic is a modified version of this.

What type of installation is best if thickness of terrazzo installation is a problem?

Monolithic or thin-set method

Limestone

Most commonly used for exterior surfaces. Travertine is a type of this stone, frequently used for interior flooring

Wool

Natural material and overall one of the best for carpet. Very durable and resilient, wears well, has a superior appearance, flame resistant, relatively easy to clean and maintain. Also one of the most expensive fibers initially.

Strip flooring

One of the most common versions of wood flooring, consists of thin strips from 3/8" - 25/32" thick of varying lengths with tongue and groove edges. Mostly 2-1/4" wide

5 Common interior finishes for Granite

Polished: mirror gloss with sharp reflections Honed: Dull sheen, without reflections Fine rubbed: produce smooth surface free from scratches, no sheen Rubbed finish: surface with occasional slight "trails" or scratches Thermal (flame): coarse surface, varies depending on granite's grain structure

Carpet backing materials include

Polypropylene (most common), jute, cotton, & polyester

Tufting

Process in which the pile yarn is punched through the backing with rows of needles, much like the method employed by a sewing machine. As the needle goes through the backing, the yarn is caught and held while the needle makes the next pass. The loop of yarn can be left as is for loop carpet or cut for cut-pile carpet. Because of the speed and relative low cost, this is the most commonly used process

Wilton carpet (form of weaving)

Produced on jacquard loom that allows complex patterns to be woven into the carpet and can create several types of surface textures, including level cut pile, level loop, cut/uncut, and multilevel loop. Because different colors of yarn run beneath the surface of the carpet and are pulled up only when they are needed, they are generally heavier and more expensive than the other woven types for the same total weight

Mat test

Qualitative method using 24" x 24" sample of vapor retardant floor finish. Sample applied with adhesive, and the edges are sealed with tape. After 72 hours, visual inspection is made - if mat is firmly bonded or removal is difficult, the level of moisture present is considered sufficiently low for installation of the flooring material.

Polyethylene sheet test

Qualitative test conducted by sealing a 18" x 18" sheet of plastic to the floor to trap excessive moisture. After minimum of 16 hours, visual inspection is made of the floor and the sheet. Presence of visible water indicates the concrete is insufficiently dry for the application of finishes.

Velvet carpet (form of weaving)

Simplest form of weaving and places all the pile yarn on the face of the carpet. They are generally solid colors, but multicolor yarns can be used in a variety of surface textures including plushes, loop pile, cut pile, multilevel loop, and cut-and-loop styles

Thick-set stone floor installation

Requires a layer of mortar from 3/4" to 1-1/4" thick applied to suitable prepared, structurally sound subfloor. Stone is then set in semiwet mortar, or the mortar is allowed to cure and the stone is set with another thin layer of dry-set mortar on top of the first. Best installation method. Suitable for uneven subfloor or if the stone is uneven (sandstone, slate)

Sandstone

Sedimentary rock made of sand and other substances. When cleaved from original rock, called flagstone and has naturally rough surface. Used with irregular edges as it comes from the rock, or can be saw-cut into rectangular or square shapes.

Needle punching

Similar to tufting except the fiber is pulled through a backing with barbed needles. Produces a carpet of limited variation in texture and accounts for a very small percentage of the total carpet market.

Vinyl composition tile

Similar to vinyl tile but includes various fillers decreasing percentage of polyvinylchloride. Through-grain types should be specified since VCT is not as resilient as vinyl tile. Normally applied with mastic, also available in peel & stick for residential Also available with attached foam backing

Common carpet cushions/padding materials include

Sponge rubber - rubber w/ fillers; either flat or waffled Felt - hair, combination, fiber, & rubberized Urethane - produce prime, densified, or bonded sheets Foam rubber - commonly applied as an integral backing

ASTM F462

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Slip-Resistant Bathing Facilities - test used with soapy water for bathtubs and shower structures

ASTM C1028

Standard Test Method for Determining the Static Coefficient of Friction of Ceramic Tile and Other Like Surfaces by the Horizontal Dynamometer Pull-Meter Method - measures COF in the field, uses a Neolite heel assembly can test both dry and wet surfaces, as well as smooth and rough floor surfaces. Inconsistent results

ASTM D2047

Standard Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Floor Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine - one of the most common tests, performed in lab, most accurate, not used for wet or rough surfaces

ASTM F609

Standard Test Method for Using a Horizontal Pull Slipmeter - Test widely used in addition to the ASTM C1028 test. Measures static COF of foot-wear soles, heels, or related materials on walkway surfaces

Unit block flooring

Standard strip flooring assembled into a unit held together with steel or wood splines. 3/8" - 25/34" thick

4 basic types of wood flooring

Strip, Plank, Block, and End-grain blocks

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR)

Strongly alkaline cement begins to dissolve sand and rock within the concrete. Chemical reaction creates a gel-like material that causes tremendous pressure in the pores of the concrete surface. Pressure can buckle or blister floor finishes Risk for this can be reduced by specifying aggregates that are not susceptible, using low-lime cement, proper curing, and not finishing the concrete with a hard trowel surface

Ceramic tile

Surfacing unit, usually relatively thin in relation to facial area, made from clay or a mixture of clay and other ceramic materials, having either glazed or unglazed face. Fired above red heat during manufacture to a temperature high enough to produce specific physical properties and characteristics.

How is cork sold?

Tile and plank forms available, used where acoustical control or high resilience is desired. Tiles commonly 12" square and 1/8" to 1/4" thick. Planks are 12" wide and 3' long, consist of cork laminated to tongue and groove, medium density fiberboard.

Impervious tile

Tile that has a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less

How do you install cork floors?

Tiles: installed using adhesive Plank: Edge-glued without being adhered to subfloor. Entire floor floats on subfloor Either scenario requires subfloor to be perfectly smooth so any unevenness doesn't telegraph through

Weaving

Traditional method of making carpet by interlacing warp and weft yarns. Method produces very attractive, durable carpet, but is the most expensive by machine.

Travertine

Type of limestone formed with a network of holes in it. Holes are filled with epoxy resin (colored to be compatible with stone) to make smooth surface. Light, creamy color usually finished with polished surface

How is cork finished?

Unfinished or prefinished available. Acrylic: requires frequent reapplication, every 4-6 months Polyurethane: must be reapplied every 3-7 years, old finish must be completely sanded off to ensure new application will stick Carnauba wax: must be reapplied once a year

Thin-set stone floor installation

Uniform thickness of stone is set on the subfloor with special thin-set mortar (about 1/8" thick or less) or adhesive. Less expensive, weighs less than alternate, & faster to install. Suitable for thin stone floors cut in uniform thicknesses in either residential or commercial on either concrete or wood subfloors.

Olefin (polypropelene) features?

Used primarily for indoor-outdoor carpet and as an alternative to jute for carpet backing. Very durable, stain resistant, cleans easily. Least attractive of the artificial fibers and has low melting point

Titration test

Used to determine level of alkalinity in concrete. Involves grinding portions of the concrete, mixing portions with demineralized water, and performing laboratory chemical analysis. Testing lab must perform this test.

pH Test

Used to test the surface of concrete that will come in contact with flooring adhesives or other critical floor coatings Simple test using coated paper strip or small pH meter. Once pH is known, it can be compared with the maximum pH recommended by the flooring manufacturer pH of 8.5 is considered ideal and about the minimum that concrete can have, with values up to 9.0 being acceptable

Latex grout

Used when the tiles are not placed right next to each other. Provides some flexibility when slight movement in the floor is expected.

Difference in process from dust pressed tile and extrusion process

Uses large presses to shape the tile out of relatively dry clay, while the extrusion process uses machines to cut tiles from a wetter and more malleable clay extruded through a die

Electrical impedance test

Uses proprietary meters to determine the moisture content of the concrete by measuring conductance and capacitance. Probes of the meter are placed on the concrete, and the percentage of moisture content in the slab is read out directly.

Laminate flooring

Variation of plastic laminate material, is composed of a clear wearing sheet over a melamine-impregnated decorative printed sheet with core layers of phenolic-impregnated kraft paper. Sheets are laminated to a high-density fiberboard core under heat and pressure and covered with a water-resistant backing sheet. Normally 5/16" thick laid on cushioned foam underlayment. Vapor barrier normally required when laid over concrete. Not recommended for bathrooms/potentially wet areas.

Unfinished oak flooring is graded as

clear (best grade w/ most uniform color) select no. 1 common no. 2 common