Chapter 24

Finish Ceilings & Floors

Interior Ceiling @ the Venetian Hotel (Las Vegas)

Functions of Finish Ceilings

Visual - color, texture, pattern, shape Control diffusion of:
light sound

Conceal MPE Accommodate: lights, diffusers,

communication, sprinkler

May assist with

fire resistance distribution / return of HVAC

Types of Ceilings
Exposed Structural & MPE Tightly Attached Suspended Interstitial

Exposed
Exposed Structure & MPE
Industrial, warehouse,
Economy & ease of maintenance

Timber, trusses, etc.

Often for appearance

Flat Plate, PC plank (HC)

Painted - hotels & apartments Minimal MPE services in ceiling Economy and reduces story height

Exposed Structure Ceiling

Joint Preparation for Sprayed on Textured Ceiling

Textured Ceiling

Exposed Timber & MPE Services @ a Ski Lodge

Tightly Attached
Attached directly to joists or slabs Special arrangements / accommodations for:
Structural members (beams, girders) MPE systems

Suspended Ceilings
Suspended from the Structure
Generally by wires Materials: drywall, plaster, fibrous (acoustic)
Structure
Ceiling Plenum space
for ducts, pipes, conduit ...

Support Wires

Support System
Metal Framing Furring Channels Metal Grid

Suspended Ceiling
Drywall Plaster Acoustic (incombustible fibers)

Suspended Plaster Ceiling (note the delamination of the finish coat)

Acoustic Lay-in Panels

Exposed Metal Grid 2x2 or 2x4 Lay-in Panels MPE sized to fit grid or cut into the acoustic tile Economical

Acoustical Ceiling Grid Systems

Difficult to access

Main Runners Cross Tees Provide Main Ceiling Support Intermediate Support Generally 4 o.c. Rest/ attach to Mains Attached to Hangers Spacing depends on tile Additional hangers may be required to support MPE loads Wall Angle Attaches to wall

Recessed Grid
(also can be Flush, )

Ceiling mounted - lights, sprinkler, smoke detector, communication

Multiple Tile Finishes Available

Diffuser sized 2x2

Common Support Grid Profile

Suspended Ceiling used as a Fire Resistant Membrane

Combination Light/Diffuser The Integrity of the Fire Resistant Rating Must be Maintained at the Ceiling Penetrations

Suspended Acoustic Ceiling with a Gypsum Fire Ceiling Above

Interstitial Ceilings
Common with elaborate MPE systems
Hospitals & laboratories

Purpose:
Accommodate extensive MPE systems Provide access for maintenance & updating services

Finish Flooring Functions & Considerations

Functions:
Visual Acoustics Light Wearing Surface

Considerations
Life / durability Skid resistance Sanitation Noise Fire (resistance, combustibility) Other (conductivity,..)

Under-floor Services
Distribution of electrical /communications Methods
Conduit Cellular Raceways Cellular Decking Raised Flooring

Under-floor Electrical Services Placed in the concrete slab

Reducing Noise Transmission

Use of a Soft material

Padded carpet Cushioned resilient flooring Resilient underlayment

Selection of surrounding material

Dense ceiling material below (plaster, drywall) Mount ceiling on resilient clips or spring hangers

Skid & Fire Resistance

Skid Resistance
Measure by its static coefficient of friction (SCOF) Skid resistance desirable to minimize slipping

Flame Resistance
Most flooring required to meet minimum criteria Exit corridors typically have higher requirements

Hard Flooring Materials

Resistant to:
Wear Moisture

Noisy -conduct sound

Types
Concrete, stone, brick, tile, terrazzo

Concrete Flooring
Advantages
Low initial cost Durable

Common Uses
Parking decks Warehouses Industrial

Exposed Concrete with a pattern & tinting

Stone
Types
Marble Granite Slate Sandstone,

Installation
Setting Bed Grouted joints

Marble

Granite

Bricks & Brick Pavers

Typically laid on face (but can be laid on edge) Often with a setting bed

With Grouted Joints

Without Grouted Joints

Paver Patterns

Quarry Tile
Fired Clay tiles Multiple shapes/sizes Installation
Setting Bed (typical) Thin Set Grout Joints

Ceramic Tile
Fired Clay Often Glazed Finish Floors & Walls Multiple sizes & colors, smaller tiles shipped with backing sheets

Laying Ceramic Tile

Reinforced Mesh Bridge Cracks in Floor

Applying Adhesive with a Notched Trowel

Spacers Being Installed

Tile Placement

Cutting Tile

Small tile shipped with backing sheet

Decorative Ceramic Tile

Terrazzo
Ground/polished concrete Typ. granite or marble chips w/ colored cement Divider strips
At changes in color/texture, expansion/contraction

Brass Divider Strips

Wood Flooring
Materials
white & red oak, pecan, maple, pine, .

Types
Wood Strip Flooring - blind nailed Square edge - fasteners visible (or filled) Parquet

Pre-finished or finished in-place (except parquet)

Blind Nailed Strip Flooring

Multiple Floor Finishes wood, tile, & carpet

Resilient Flooring
Vinyl Composition Thin (1/8), rolls or tiles (VCT)
Will show substrate irregularities

Multiple colors & patterns Low cost, moderate durability Installation - glued

Carpet
Multiple styles, colors, Indoor and Outdoor Installation
Glued directly to substrate, or Pad & tackless strip

Edge Strip

Glued Carpet abutting Terrazzo

Sustainability in Floors and Ceilings

Indoor air quality: problems often caused by finish
materials and coatings ( glues, binders, fabrics, etc.)

Mold & Mildew: can be a problem in carpets, wall

coverings, & fabrics

Vinyl common in finishes: manufacture of vinyl

releases significant amounts of air pollution

Recycling of interior materials in its infancy