16 Interior Floor, Wall & Ceiling Finishes

Introduction

This list of selections serves as a supplement to the Construction Documents (CD’s). Some of the selections below may be difficult to find or omitted on the CD’s. Check the CD’s for consistency with this list. Clarify with your contractor which document takes precedence for any inconsistencies.

The construction drawings should have something called a “finish schedule.” This simple table should show, at a minimum, each room name and corresponding floor finish. If you want something other than the standard painted drywall at a wall or ceiling, the finish schedule should also indicate those finishes. Additional items, such as wall base, casing and crown mold, may also be indicated on the finish schedule. Take time to review this information to make sure it is consistent with what you want. It is possible your Architect made these selections without much input from you.

Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is 100% wood and is available unfinished or prefinished. Unfinished solid wood flooring takes longer to install due to the fact that it needs to be sanded and finished on site. Engineered wood flooring is made of high quality plywood with a veneer of prefinished hardwood on top. Most engineered wood floors are prefinished. Select the type of wood flooring:

__ Solid Hardwood Flooring, unfinished (site finished)

__ Solid Hardwood Flooring, prefinished

__ Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Select Species of Wood ______________________________

Wood Flooring Manufacturer & Identification Name/#: ______________________

Thresholds are typically installed to provide a transition from one type of flooring material to another. A typical threshold width is 4” – 6”, approximately matching the width of the wall. The threshold may need to be beveled if there is a difference in height between one floor and another.

Wood Threshold width & species ___________________

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a high quality image of a wood floor fused to a fiber board core and sealed with a transparent wear layer.

Tile Flooring

Select type of tile:

__ Ceramic tile __ Travertine __ Marble __ Slate

__ Faux Wood __ Granite __ Quartzite __ Mosaic

Select tile manufacturer, model number & size for each location:

Kitchen _______________________________________

Master Bathroom ________________________________________________

Master Bathroom Shower _________________________________________

Half Bathroom __________________________________________________

Kids Bathroom __________________________________________________

Other Rooms ___________________________________________________

Indicate thickness of grout joint for each location (may be limited by type of tile selected)

__ 1/16” __ 1/8” __ 3/16”

Indicate type of grout for each location:

__ Sanded __ Unsanded

Indicate color of grout for each location: ___________________________

Carpet

There are four basic types of carpet fiber: nylon, polyester, olefin and wool. When treated with stain protection, nylon is the most durable and stain resistant of the four. There are three types of carpet textures: cut pile, loop, cut loop. Cut pile has a softer feel to the touch whereas loop is more durable.

Carpet manufacturer & Identification Name/#: ________________________

Vinyl Flooring

There are three different configurations for vinyl flooring: plank, tile and sheet. Plank vinyl flooring looks like hardwood flooring. Tile vinyl flooring comes in various size squares, imitates stone, and can be used to create different patterns. If one square is damaged, it is easy to replace. Sheet vinyl flooring is available in up to 12’ wide sheets, minimizing seams and making it ideal for high moisture areas such as mudrooms.

Select vinyl floor configuration:

__ plank __ tile __ sheet

Alternate Wall Finishes

Most interior walls in homes today feature painted drywall. Popular exceptions include backsplashes above kitchen and bathroom cabinets, tub & shower walls, bathroom walls, wainscot at dining room or office walls. Alternate wall finishes should be shown on the construction drawings, either on the finish schedule, the interior elevations, or both.

Indicate which locations you wish to employ any of the following wall finishes:

Wood beadbaord: __________________________ Ceramic Tile: _______________________ Mosaic Tile: _____________________________ Glass tile: __________________________

Cementitious texture: ______________________ Stone: _____________________________

Laminate: ________________________________ Wallpaper: __________________________

S Select glass type at shower/tub doors & walls

__ clear glass __ translucent glass

elect glass thickness at shower/tub doors & walls

__ 3/8” frameless glass (cannot be used with fiberglass surrounds)

__ ¼” semi frameless glass

Select type of Mirror at vanity

__ J Channel at bottom of mirror, allows water to evaporate instead of eat away at bottom edge of glass

__ beveled edges.

__ framed mirror

__ medicine cabinet

Alternate Interior Ceiling Finishes

Most interior ceilings in homes today feature painted drywall. Popular exceptions include tile at shower ceilings and various low-maintenance finishes at covered porches.

Indicate which locations you wish to employ any of the following ceiling finishes

Wood plank ___________________________________

Wood beadboard _______________________________

Tile __________________________________________

Miscellaneous Finishes

Select material for shower seat:

__ Solid surface (corian) __ Granite __ Quartz __ Tile

 

Introduction

Once the cabinets and interior stairs have been installed, the flooring can be installed, however, many builders prefer to install the interior doors and moldings prior to installing the flooring. This certainly decreases the opportunity for accidental damage to the flooring. There are pros and cons with regard to which comes first. Your specific selections and installers may have an influence on the best sequence. If time is critical and there is a delay on the doors (materials or installers), you may elect to do flooring before doors.

 

Once your countertops are installed, backsplashes and wall tile can be installed. Don’t forget about specialty ceiling finishes such as ceramic tile above a shower or bead board at a covered porch. Glass walls/doors and mirrors at bathrooms are commonly installed by the vendor.

 

Review Scope Of Work

  1. Review Selections and specifications with each crew, including patterns and decorative bands.
  2. Review samples prior to installation.
  3. Confirm type of grout, grout color and spacing between tiles.
  4. Verify if leveler or underlayment is required under any floor finishes.
  5. Verify threshold depth and material. A “transition strip” is commonly used as an alternative to a threshold, when transitioning from carpet to another floor material.
  6. Verify direction of floor pattern.
  7. Verify location of recessed shower boxes/shelves.
  8. Verify location and size of built-in shower bench.
  9. Verify who will install glass shower enclosures and mirrors.
  10. Schedule glass/mirror vendor to take measurements at project site and order materials.
  11. Verify location and who will install bathroom accessories such as towel knobs, bars & t.p. holders.

 

Organization of Materials & Delivery Dates

  1. Avoid multiple crews at your project at same time. For instance, a wood flooring crew of 2-3 people may create a significant obstacle for a ceramic tile crew of 2-3 people working in an adjacent space. Ceramic tile is typically cut outdoors or in a space that does not have final finishes on the floors and walls to avoid damage.
  2. Verify who will purchase and deliver materials.
  3. Verify estimated length of install time. Ceramic tile can be among the most time consuming installations in a house.
    1. Identify safe and secure location to store finish materials, which can be expensive.

     

     

     

    Inspect Completed Work

    1. Make sure wood flooring is given sufficient time to acclimate to room temperature: follow recommendations of the manufacturer.
    2. Review diameter of holes cut into tile for faucets and valves to make sure escutcheons will fully cover holes.
    3. Check that flooring is level and free from defects.
    4. Perform a flood test at shower base to make sure there are no leaks.
    5. Make sure floors are cleaned from excessive dirt and debris.
    6. Cover floor finishes as required to prevent damage from additional work required at project.
    7. Make sure sealer is installed at marble and ceramic tile after it is installed.