Floors make up a big part of a buildings impression on a guest. They can add a lot to the ambiance of a room and to the structure of a building. Choosing the material for your floor has to do more with personal preference than structural influences, however. Some materials to consider are bricks, tiles, carpet, and wood.

Concrete slab
Concrete slabs are a very common subfloor in dry areas. They are excellent as a storage device for heat or to act as a heat sink in hot weather. Slabs consist of reinforced concrete about 3-6 inches thick. It can then be painted, stained or covered with another floor material. Care must be taken to waterproof a slab, and it is important to pour it onto a sand bed of no less than 4 inches thick. The sand should be compacted and have a vapor barrier between it and the compacted ground underneath.

Bricks
Bricks are an attractive alternative to slabs and are much easier to construct. The process involves choosing a pattern and laying the bricks on a compacted sand bed. Once the bricks are laid in place, fine sand and possibly lime and cement is sprinkled on the bricks and swept into the cracks. This is done over and over until the cracks are completely filled. A waterproofing agent is then added to seal the bricks against surface moisture.

Tiles and carpet
Tiles and carpet require a subfloor, and a concrete slab is the preferred method. The tiles and/or carpet are applied with adhesives to attach them to the slab. Tiles can then be grouted to provide a waterproof seal. These coverings are available in unlimited patterns and colors.

Wood
Wood is beautiful, expensive and requires a lot of maintenance. Some people consider it superior to the above mentioned options, but its quality depends on the quality of wood available. Quality wood is worth its weight in gold and you are likely to be charged that as well. Grooved planks are laid on a subfloor and nailed into place. The new floor is then sanded, stained and waxed for preservation. Waterproofing is absolutely necessary. Once water gets into a wood floor, forget about it. It can rot rather quickly in wet conditions and can disintegrate literally right under your feet. There is nothing like a quality wood floor when it comes to beauty.