- Initial Cost
The cost of the material should be in conformity with the type of building, and its likely use. Floor coverings of marble, granite and so are very costly and may be used only for residential buildings.
- Appearance
Covering should give pleasing appearance. It should produce a desired colour effect and architectural beauty. Floorings of terrazzo, mosaic, tiles and marble give good appearance.
- Cleanliness
The flooring should be capable of being cleaned easily, and it should be non-absorbent. It should have effective resistance against absorption of oil, grease etc.
- Durability
The flooring should have sufficient resistance to wear, temperature changes, disintegration with time and decay, so that long life is obtained. From this point of view, flooring of marble, terrazzo, tiles, concrete, mosaic etc. are considered to be of best type.
- Damp resistance
Flooring should offer sufficient resistance against dampness, so that healthy environment is obtained in the building. Flooring of concrete, terrazzo, mosaic etc. are preferred for this purpose, while flooring of cork, wood rubber, linoleum, brick etc. are not suitable for damp conditions.
- Sound Insulation
Flooring should insulate the noise. Also, it should not be such that noise is produced when users walk on it. Cork flooring, rubber flooring and timber flooring are good from this point of view.
- Thermal Insulation
The flooring should offer reasonably good thermal insulation so that comfort is imparted to the residents of the building. Floor covering of wood, rubber, cork, P.V.C. tiles are better for this purpose.
- Fire Resistance
This is more important for upper floors. Flooring material should offer sufficient fire resistant so that fire barriers are obtained between different levels of a building. Concrete, tiles, terrazzo , mosaic , marble have good fire resistance. Cork, asphalt, rubber and P.V.C. coverings, if used , should be laid on fire resistance base only.
- Smoothness
The flooring material should be smooth, and should have even surface. However, it should not be slippery.
- Hardness
It should be sufficiently hard so as to have resistance to indentation marks, imprints etc. likely to be caused by shifting of furniture, equipment etc.
- Maintenance
The flooring material should require least maintenance. However, whenever repairs are required, it should be such that repairs can be done easily, with least possible expenditure. Hard coverings like tiles, marble, terrazzo, concrete etc. require less maintenance in comparison to materials like cork, wood etc.
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