What is a floor finish?
A floor finish is the top layer of a floor build-up that forms the final walking and use surface. The floor finish sits on the structural floor (the load-bearing concrete slab) and can consist of various materials depending on the function and desired appearance.
Floor build-up
A complete floor build-up usually consists of:
- Structural floor — the load-bearing layer (in-situ concrete, hollowcore slab, lattice-girder slab)
- Insulation — thermal and/or acoustic insulation
- Screed — a levelling layer (sand-cement screed, anhydrite screed, flowing screed)
- Floor finish — the visible final surface
Types of floor finish
- Tiled floor — ceramic tiles or natural stone, suitable for wet rooms
- Timber floor — solid hardwood, engineered board or laminate
- Resin floor — a seamless synthetic surface (epoxy, polyurethane)
- Vinyl floor — flexible, low-maintenance
- Power-floated concrete — the concrete slab itself is machine-trowelled as the final surface
- Terrazzo — a hardwearing decorative floor with stone chips
Applications
- Residential — the choice of floor finish depends on the room (bathroom, living room, bedroom)
- Commercial — offices and shops often use resin floors or tiles
- Industrial — power-floated concrete or coatings for wear resistance
- Refurbishment — a new floor finish can be laid over the existing floor
Related terms
- Screed
- Concrete floor
- Resin floor
- Underfloor heating
- Insulation
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.