FLOORLINE CREATIONS

THE ORIGINS & EVOLUTION OF FLOORING

The oldest known purpose-built flooring consists of lime and clay floors found in Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic city in modern-day Turkey, dating to around 7000 BCE (9,000 years old). Before that, early humans used the bare, compacted earth or packed dirt as their floor.

SMART FLOORING

integrates sensors and technology into the floor to collect data and provide interactive features, moving beyond traditional flooring to enhance safety, security, and efficiency. It is used in both commercial and residential settings, and its capabilities range from fall detection in healthcare to energy optimization in office buildings.

How smart flooring works

• Pressure sensors: These are embedded beneath the surface of the floor to detect weight and movement. Some systems use multiple load cells under each tile to determine the exact position of a person.

• Data collection: The sensors continuously monitor foot traffic, movement patterns, and other data points. This information is sent to a central software platform, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze the data and trigger specific actions.

• Connectivity: Smart flooring systems can connect to other smart devices in a building, such as thermostats, lighting, and security systems. This allows for automated responses based on real-time occupancy data.

• Energy harvesting: Some floor tiles use piezoelectric sensors that convert the kinetic energy from human footsteps into electrical energy, which can then be stored in batteries.

Key applications and benefits

Health and safety

• Fall detection: In senior living facilities, hospitals, or private homes, smart flooring can instantly detect if someone has fallen and send an alert to a caregiver or emergency services. Some systems, like the Elsi Smart Floor, use motion tracking to detect when a resident has been motionless for an unusual amount of time.

• Mobility tracking: Gait analysis, which tracks walking patterns, can help healthcare professionals monitor a person's mobility over time. Changes in gait can be an early indicator of health issues, such as dementia or Parkinson's disease.

• Optimized patient care: Smart floors can help staff in healthcare settings by identifying the nearest available caregiver during an emergency or by tracking staff movement to optimize floor plans.

Energy and cost efficiency

• Occupancy-based climate control: By detecting which rooms are occupied, smart flooring can automatically adjust heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This can lead to significant energy savings by only conditioning spaces that are in use.

• Reduced utility costs: For example, in tests with Scanalytics smart flooring, the U.S. Department of Energy documented a 34% energy savings on HVAC usage.

• Reduced maintenance: Smart flooring can help optimize cleaning schedules by providing data on which areas receive the most foot traffic, allowing cleaning crews to focus their efforts more efficiently.

Security

• Intrusion detection: When a security system is active, smart flooring can detect an intruder's movement and send an immediate alert to the owner or police.

• Anonymous tracking: Unlike cameras, which can raise privacy concerns, smart flooring provides an anonymous way to monitor movement in sensitive areas like server rooms.

Retail and commercial

• Customer behavior analysis: Retailers can use smart flooring to understand customer movement patterns, identify popular areas, and optimize product placement to boost sales.

• Interactive experiences: Smart floors can be integrated with lights or other media to create interactive displays. For instance, a floor can light up to highlight a product or react to a customer's movement.

Products and providers

• Amtico Click Smart

  : An adhesive-free, rigid-core luxury vinyl tile (LVT) with an integrated underlay that is easy to install. It is waterproof, compatible with underfloor heating, and designed to replicate the look of wood or stone.

• Tarkett FloorInMotion

  : A connected flooring system designed for healthcare settings. It uses sensors to detect falls and track activity trends, alerting caregivers via a connected system. Tarkett has also partnered with Scanalytics to provide smart flooring for corporate offices.

• Scanalytics Inc.: A provider of spatial intelligence and data analytics platforms with patented floor sensors. Their technology is used in offices, retail, and senior living facilities to enhance security, energy efficiency, and operational management.

• MariCare Elsi Smart Floor

  : A system specifically for care homes that tracks residents' motion and position. It can detect falls and notify staff. A pilot study found that its use significantly reduced fall-related injuries.

Modern and Contemporary Flooring

• Technological Innovation:

  Advances in technology have enabled the creation of sophisticated materials like engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl, offering improved stability and water resistance.

• Digital Printing:

  Digital printing has revolutionized vinyl and laminate, allowing for realistic wood, stone, and ceramic looks.

• Personalization:

  Today's homeowners seek personalized and custom-designed flooring to reflect their unique styles.

• Sustainability:

  There is an increasing demand for eco-friendly flooring made from recycled materials or with low-VOC finishes.

• Smart Technology:

  Smart home technology is being integrated into flooring, with options that offer built-in heating and other interactive features.

Flooring has evolved from natural materials like dirt, stone, and wood in ancient times to the mass-produced, artful, and technologically advanced options seen today, including mosaics, linoleum, vinyl, and waterproof luxury vinyl, with a current focus on personalization, sustainability, and smart home integration.

Ancient and Medieval Eras

• Stone Age: Floors were simply the natural ground, made of dirt, stone, and grass.

• Ancient Civilizations: The Greeks and Romans pioneered floors using tiles and mosaics, introducing artistry and early forms of design to flooring.

• Mediaeval Era: Wood began to appear, especially in the homes of the wealthy, with more refined wooden floors and designs emerging.

The Industrial Revolution and Early 20th Century

The Industrial Revolution and Early 20th Century

• Industrialization:

  Mass production made flooring materials more accessible, leading to the rise of options like linoleum and carpet.

• New Materials:

  In addition to wood and tile, early 20th-century homes began to see floors made from rubber, cork, and asphalt-saturated felt, creating competition for traditional materials.

• Wood's Popularity:

  Solid wood flooring, once a luxury, became widely available and popular by the 1920s for its aesthetic appeal and warmth.

The 20th-Century Boom

• Post-WWII:

  A wider variety of affordable flooring options emerged, with carpets becoming especially popular for their comfort and insulation.

• Vinyl Flooring:

  Vinyl flooring gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s as a versatile and durable option for various spaces.

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