Editing Floor (section)

== Floor covering ==
{{Main|Flooring}}

'''Floor covering''' is a term to generically describe any material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. '''Flooring''' is the general term for a permanent or temporary covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials.

Materials almost always classified as floor covering include [[carpet]], area [[Rug making|rugs]], and resilient flooring such as [[linoleum]] or [[Vinyl composition tile|vinyl]] flooring. Materials commonly called [[flooring]] include [[wood flooring]], laminated wood, [[ceramic tile]], [[Masonry|stone]], [[terrazzo]], and various seamless chemical floor coatings.

The choice of material for floor covering is affected by factors such as cost, endurance, noise insulation, comfort and cleaning effort, and sometimes concern about [[Allergen|allergens]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Vojta|first1=Patrick J|last2=Friedman|first2=Warren|last3=Marker|first3=David A|last4=Clickner|first4=Robert|last5=Rogers|first5=John W|last6=Viet|first6=Susan M|last7=Muilenberg|first7=Michael L|last8=Thorne|first8=Peter S|last9=Arbes|first9=Samuel J|last10=Zeldin|first10=Darryl C|date=2002|title=First National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing: survey design and methods for the allergen and endotoxin components.|journal=Environmental Health Perspectives|language=en|volume=110|issue=5|pages=527–532|doi=10.1289/ehp.02110527|issn=0091-6765|pmc=1240843|pmid=12003758|bibcode=2002EnvHP.110..527V }}</ref> Some types of flooring must not be installed below grade (lower than ground level), and laminate or hardwood should be avoided where there may be moisture or condensation.

The subfloor may be finished in a way that makes it usable without any extra work. See: 
* [[Earthen floor]] adobe or [[clay]] floors
* [[Solid ground floor]] cement screed or granolithic

A number of special features may be used to [[ornament (architecture)|ornament]] a floor or perform a useful service. Examples include [[floor medallions]], which provide a decorative centerpiece of a floor design, or [[grating]]s used to drain water or to rub dirt off shoes.