The Three Most Common Materials Used for Floor Systems

The most common types of floor systems are made of a layer of sheet material called the subfloor, underlayment, and surface flooring materials such as carpet, tile, or hardwood. Understanding what floors are made of — and the different parts of a floor — is essential for any building project. Usually, the subfloor is made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). These are structurally sound floor material options that work well for both residential and commercial floors.

What Are Floors Made Of? Understanding the Parts of a Floor

Before exploring the 10 types of flooring materials available today, it helps to understand the basic parts of a floor system. Every floor consists of several key layers that work together to provide structural support, insulation, and a finished walking surface.

The subfloor is the structural base — typically plywood or OSB — that sits on top of floor joists. The underlayment is a smooth layer placed over the subfloor to create an even surface for the finish material. Finally, the surface flooring is the visible layer you walk on, whether that is hardwood, tile, vinyl, or carpet. Each of these parts of floor construction plays a critical role in the performance and longevity of the system.

First, Think About Your Needs…

When it comes to choosing a floor material for your home or commercial building, there are many different options available. Some of the most common include wood, concrete, vinyl, and laminate flooring. Each of these is a different type of floor, and can provide a variety of benefits and drawbacks to consider before choosing one for your project. The choice also depends on the overall interior design and functionality of the space.

When evaluating what is floor made of in a given building, consider factors such as climate, foot traffic, moisture exposure, and your budget. For instance, a sustainable interior design approach might favor bamboo or reclaimed wood, while a high-traffic commercial space may demand polished concrete or luxury vinyl.

In a residential setting, the most popular material used for floor systems is plywood. Plywood is a great choice for subflooring because it has several layers of wood that are held together with special adhesives. This layering makes it rigid and strong, while also helping to prevent the planks from warping and shrinking.

Another option is Oriented Strand Board (OSB). OSB is manufactured by mixing and bonding fragments of various woods into panels. It is a bit cheaper than plywood but offers the same performance, making it a popular choice for subflooring.

A less popular alternative to a traditional wooden floor system is fiber-cement sheeting. This is similar to cement sheeting that is often used for walls, but is stronger and thicker, and can be used as a load-bearing floor directly, instead of being laid over joists.

As a result, it is often easier to install and faster to build than a conventional subfloor. It can be used in both domestic and commercial projects, especially in multi-storey builds where it will help to reduce the time required for assembling sub-floors.

There are several other options for a structural floor layer, including steel bearers and joists. Some of these can be pre-cut lengths ready to bolt together, reducing construction time on site. Other systems, such as Boxspan from Spantec Systems, use rolled sheet steel that has been formed to make lightweight but strong bearers and joists.

Concrete Floor

Concrete is a composite material made from combining aggregate (sand, gravel, brick chips), binding substance (cement or lime) and water in a ratio that results in an artificial stone-like mass. It is a versatile building material that can be shaped into various forms and sizes, making the floor is made out of floor-grade concrete one of the most durable choices available.

It is also a lightweight material with good fire resistance and durability. The strength and quality of concrete depends on the mixing ratios. According to the Wikipedia entry on concrete, it is the most widely used construction material in the world, with approximately 10 billion tonnes produced annually.

They are also easy to repair if needed with concrete overlay products. Concrete overlay is easy to install, cost-effective, and provides excellent protection. It drastically improves the appearance of existing concrete surfaces, making them look brand new again. With a wide range of colors, textures, and patterns available, concrete overlays are a great way to customize any space and refresh or repair any concrete floor.

Floor systems can be made from concrete slabs poured in-situ or precast in factories. In the former case, the concrete is poured into a form and is supported using rebar.

Rebar is a steel bar or mesh of steel wires cast into concrete to increase the strength of the material. It is also used to distribute the tensile load across the concrete and to prevent the concrete from cracking.

The two most common types of concrete floors are slab and T-beam constructions. These can be based on either clay or concrete blocks laid end-to-end, supported on temporary formwork or shuttering.

These systems are generally lighter than traditional solid slab floors and result in a flat soffit. The structural concrete topping – its thickness depending on span and anticipated loading – is then poured over the construction, forming a monolithic slab and T-beam construction.

Another popular type of subfloor system is stump-supported, which consists of horizontal bearers (beams used for flooring) that support joists which in turn rest on stumps that are adjusted to level out any sloping or uneven ground. A structural floor layer is then laid atop this supporting structure.

In some cases, the sub-floor may be a sheet material, such as plywood or OSB (oriented strand board). Plywood is commonly used because it is familiar to builders and it has a high-quality finish. However, some builders prefer OSB for its lower cost and uniformity.

Vinyl Floor

Vinyl is a type of synthetic man-made plastic made from ethylene (found in crude oil) and chlorine (found in regular salt). It’s often used in packaging, which reduces the use of non-replenishable natural resources, lowers emissions, and uses less energy to make.

Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of colors and styles, including planks that resemble hardwood floors and interlocking tiles that are easy to install. It’s also resistant to water and scratches, so it’s a good choice for homes with pets or children.

Sheet vinyl is the most common type of vinyl flooring. It comes in large, continuous, flexible sheets that are completely impermeable to water. It’s especially useful for bathrooms and laundry rooms, where it’s easier to clean up spills.

You can lay it over a wide range of surfaces, but it will be more difficult to lay it over an old hardwood floor because it may reveal the flaws beneath. You’ll also want to avoid installing it in areas that have extensive sunlight exposure, which can fade the color over time.

Luxury vinyl is an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking for a durable, hard-surface floor that’s attractive and low-maintenance. It’s also a great choice for spaces that require water resistance, such as kitchens and baths. For inspiration on how design-led flooring can transform a space, luxury vinyl offers remarkable versatility.

Choosing the right kind of flooring for your home is an important decision, but it’s also a personal one. The material you choose depends on several factors, including your lifestyle and budget.

For example, some vinyl materials are known to contain phthalates — a group of chemicals that have been linked to a range of health problems. These chemicals are phased out of many products and replaced with safer alternatives that have fewer or no negative health and environmental effects.

Wood Floor

Wood is one of the three most common materials used for floor systems. It comes in a variety of forms, including plywood (used for sub-flooring), engineered hardwood, bamboo and laminate. As a natural floor material, wood brings warmth, character, and timeless appeal to any interior.

Plywood sub-flooring is made of multiple layers of glued-together solid wood sheets, which are pressed together as they dry to form a strong structural sheet. Plywood is very durable and has become the standard sub-flooring material since the 1950s.

In exploring the unique characteristics of wood as a flooring material, it becomes clear that the elegance of hardwood floor installation cannot be understated. Besides its aesthetic appeal, choosing the right type of hardwood and ensuring expert installation play pivotal roles in enhancing the durability and longevity of your floors.

Oriented strand board (OSB) is another popular choice for home sub-flooring. It has twice the horizontal shear strength of plywood and is also better for attic floors because it is more resistant to buckling. However, OSB edges swell when they get wet, significantly more than plywood.

In addition to a strong subfloor, you can also choose a layer of insulation between your floor joists and bearers. This can take the form of rigid batts fitted between joists, foil and composite foil/bulk insulation materials stapled or fitted between joists or under joists (in the case of sheet materials), spray-on foam materials or a combination of these.

The type of insulation you use depends on your needs and budget. It will need to meet several important criteria, including flammability resistance and vermin resistance.

If you are installing a timber floor, it is vital that the floor is well-insulated and sealed to avoid draughts. This can be achieved by fitting 70 to 90 mm thick pine battens at standard centers to a 12 mm structural plywood substrate over your floor joists, and then insulating the floor cavity between these battens with Earthwool or polyester batts.

Alternatively, a stump-supported sub-floor system is sometimes used. These floors consist of horizontal bearers, which are fixed to a wooden beam called a joist, which sits on stumps which have been adjusted in length to all be level with each other. These are particularly useful on uneven or sloping ground, and can be either fixed in place with screws or adjustable screw-jack stumps.

10 Types of Flooring Materials: A Complete Overview

Beyond the three primary categories of concrete, wood, and vinyl, there are several additional flooring materials that architects and homeowners should consider. Here is a comprehensive list of the 10 types of flooring materials most commonly used in modern construction:

1. Hardwood: A classic choice that offers natural beauty and long-term value. Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifespan.

2. Engineered Wood: Combines a hardwood veneer with plywood layers for improved stability. It resists moisture better than solid hardwood and works well with underfloor heating.

3. Laminate: A cost-effective alternative that simulates the look of wood or stone. Modern laminate flooring features realistic textures and improved durability.

4. Vinyl (LVP/LVT): Luxury vinyl plank and tile offer waterproof performance with convincing wood or stone aesthetics. They are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

5. Ceramic and Porcelain Tile: Extremely durable and moisture-resistant, tile is a staple in bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways. Porcelain is denser and more water-resistant than standard ceramic.

6. Concrete: Polished concrete floors offer a sleek, industrial aesthetic with minimal maintenance requirements. According to ArchDaily, polished concrete is increasingly popular in contemporary residential and commercial architecture.

7. Natural Stone: Marble, granite, slate, and travertine provide unmatched luxury and durability. Each piece is unique, adding character to any space.

8. Bamboo: A rapidly renewable material in modern interiors that rivals hardwood in hardness and appearance. It is an excellent eco-friendly alternative.

9. Cork: Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, this floor material is soft underfoot, naturally insulating, and sound-absorbing. It suits bedrooms and home offices.

10. Carpet: Available in a vast range of fibers, textures, and colors, carpet provides warmth, comfort, and acoustic benefits, especially in bedrooms and living areas.

Each of these interior design materials brings unique advantages depending on the project requirements, climate, and design intent.

Choosing the Right Floor Material for Your Project

Selecting the ideal floor material goes beyond aesthetics. The performance demands of each space, the local climate, and the overall building design all influence the decision. In projects where eco-friendly materials are a priority, options like bamboo, cork, and reclaimed hardwood are gaining popularity.

For consistent visual flow across rooms, many designers recommend using the same flooring material throughout connected spaces. As explored in tips to make every room feel connected, continuous flooring creates a sense of spatial unity and makes interiors feel larger.

It is equally important to match the floor material with the building’s structural system. Concrete slab floors, for example, are well-suited to tile and polished concrete finishes, while timber-framed structures pair naturally with engineered wood or carpet.

Final Words

The three most common materials used for floor systems are concrete, wood, and vinyl. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, making it important to consider all factors when deciding which floor material is best for a particular project. With a clear understanding of the 10 types of flooring materials, the structural parts of a floor, and what floors are made of at each layer, homeowners and architects can make informed decisions that balance durability, aesthetics, and budget. Depending on the individual needs and preferences, one of these materials may be the ideal choice for creating a strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing floor system.