Floor finishes

Advertisement for Turpin’s flooring from: SEARS, J. E. (1893). The architects’, surveyors’ and engineers’ compendium and complete catalogue … seventh annual issue. p.129

Parquet or woodblock floors were used widely and a number of companies provided various patent interlocking systems. Many, such as that featured above also offered Terrazzo and Mosaic finishes as well. Our research in creating a lifecycle analysis model for Toxteth library determined that the longevity of its parquet floors were a key feature in reducing CO2 emissions which would have been significantly greater if a finish such as carpet, which requires more frequent replacement had been used.

Lending Library, Kettering Library, 1904 – Architects: J. Goddard, A.H. Paget & W.A. Catlow
Reading room, Milnrow Library, 1908 – Architects: S. Butterworth & W.H. Duncan

Whereas Parquet would be used for quietness in reading rooms and the lending library. Mosaic, Marble, Encaustic tiles and Terrazzo would be used in entrance halls.

Advertisement from: SEARS, J. E. (1893). The architects’, surveyors’ and engineers’ compendium and complete catalogue … seventh annual issue
Mosaic floor at Kendal Library, 1909 – Architect: T.F. Pennington
Mosaic Entrance at Treharris Library, Merthyr Tydfil, 1909 – Architect: William Dowdeswell