Introduction
Technology is transforming every aspect of our lives. From how we communicate to the way we transport ourselves out and about. We see developments take place on a daily basis, from social media posts to GPS navigation systems, electric cars that have replaced petrol-powered vehicles to robot butlers in shops. With advancements like these, comes major changes to societies as well as industries. One of the key sectors that have seen significant advancement in this regard is the construction of floors. As it is mentioned in the case study, “The development of advanced materials in concrete made it possible for workers to work faster and more efficiently across different construction sites” (Case Study). Because of such advances in the construction sector, there has been a substantial growth in market demand for high quality products. These improvements also allowed for quicker delivery times which created better customer service. In other words, there was a drastic rise in product development as a result of technological progress.
Aerial view, a typical flooring installation,
with the use of various types of tiles in one picture and tile installations to
reflect the sky in another
With such improvements comes a rapid expansion
and evolution of various aspects of society. So much so that even today, floors
are commonly perceived as an afterthought to any building project or design
layout. However, the reality of the modern day is quite different for floors
and their application, especially when it comes to the built environment. It is
important to understand the role of floors within the built environment in
order to fully grasp its contribution to the sustainability of the
constructable world. This is exactly why this section of the report will
explore six ways technology has changed the flooring industry. By doing so, you
will learn about the importance of floors in the future of constructed
environments, what can be achieved by adopting futuristic approaches and
thinking differently about flooring, and finally, what steps need to be taken
in order to ensure your floors remain in good hands
How Does Technology Impact The Construction Of Floors?
The flooring industry has witnessed many
changes throughout history. At present, however, technology seems to be at the
forefront of all of them. Here is a summary of some of the major developments
that have arisen due to advancements in technology:
1. Better Quality Materials Have Been Used To Make Floorings
In recent years alone, artificial stone has
been used to make a variety of surfaces, including floors. Aside from making
floors less hazardous, they also help prevent water leaks. According to
research conducted by U.S. Department of Energy, “New York City’s buildings
consume about 100 million gallons of sewage annually…This means each year, New
Yorkers toss away 2,000 gallons of sewage that end up in rivers and lakes”
(Grossman). What’s more, Artificial Stone offers properties that offer
increased durability. Even though it does not provide enough insulation, it
helps to improve air quality inside homes and businesses, thus prolonging life
expectancy.
To say nothing of using composite tile as both
a surface and material for floors. Composite tile manufacturers use nano
particles to create a surface to provide various levels of resistance in terms
of temperature, moisture, UV rays and erosion. When choosing such a suitable
tile for your flooring installation, it is always best to choose low
temperature options that still protect against mold. If that doesn’t sound
exciting enough, ask yourself where do you think you’ll store your dead pets
and belongings once it’s time for garbage removal? I mean, who ever thought of
storing the contents of discarded goods around the curb? That’s right, it was
only last year when the law passed allowing people to put recycled waste in
landfills. Such efforts lead to greater environmental awareness, better
resource management, and generally creates a safer working environment for
everyone.
2. Conveniences Are Taking Over Traditional
Features Of Modern Homes
Although it may seem counterintuitive,
technology has become the main factor behind the success of the home renovation
trend. As you might know, most homes today feature smart door locks and
automated security systems, such as video doorbells. All of these features and
upgrades, together with the continuous introduction of online shopping
platforms that connect homeowners with local sellers, allows us to find the
perfect products on demand and to interact with friends and family around the
globe almost immediately. Many also enjoy home gyms with live-streamed workouts
and classes that allow you to continue following your fitness routines even
while spending time out on the road. And did I mention that we now enjoy having
multiple entertainment devices within our homes? Today, we even have internet
enabled smartphones and tablets that we can easily access through Wi-Fi
connections. Whether it is playing games, watching videos, sharing photos or
checking emails, we no longer need to rely on cable TV in order to receive
information or entertain ourselves.
What can be expected then is a massive leap
forward in the number of gadgets within any household. For example, as
discussed earlier, there are now 568 mobile apps available through Google Play
or Apple App Store. There are numerous reasons for all this innovation. Some
are based on improved productivity and efficiency. Others are just a desire of
people to spend more time engaging in things apart from the mundane tasks, such
as reading books or watching movies. Let’s face it, many aspects of life
require constant effort and concentration. Without computers and electronics to
assist us, we would be left with our regular jobs of course not taking into
account the long hours of commuting at the office. Therefore, it makes sense to
invest the time in developing applications that facilitate self-care practices,
such as meditation or exercising. With the integration of health tracking
software, households can track how they are spending their money. Not only does
this allow them to budget their finances, but it also promotes healthy
lifestyles in general.
3. Increased Productivity Through Smart Devices Is A Real Thing
Modern technology has caused people everywhere
to experience enhanced productivity. Thanks to these inventions and
innovations, many are now able to focus on more than simply getting things done
in a timely manner. They can actually accomplish great feats within short
periods of time and increase their output without compromising their performance.
An excellent example of a personal device that facilitates the enhancement of
productivity is the Nintendo Switch console. In fact, if you were wondering
which console to buy, here are a couple of advantages that come along with
owning any of these consoles:
First of all, the use of smart switches is
greatly beneficial to those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. You can
simply turn on your router and the connection between your phone, tablet, and
computer will automatically switch itself off so as to avoid distracting the
user from completing basic tasks. Secondly, this gadget provides additional
functionality to individuals who are often distracted by using keyboards.
Thirdly, it reduces eyestrain cases as well as headaches associated with prolonged
typing. Lastly, it enables gamers to play the latest titles quickly and
seamlessly with ease and convenience. Take heed of my statement, you will
benefit immensely from such solutions, right? Well, my word is true. Just take
a look at this graph from data provided by Statista, showing that worldwide
over 60% devices around the globe have access to fast Internet connectivity
(“Internet Accessibility Trends Report 2018 – 2019”).
4. Improved Work Environment And Efficiency Using 3D Printing Tools
Nowadays, several manufacturing companies have
begun investing heavily in machine vision technology, mainly when it comes to
3D printing machinery. Although it does not guarantee anything in terms of
production speed, it certainly offers a solution to creating customised parts
or objects, something that cannot be achieved by traditional methods.
Furthermore, it does not just include the creation of furniture components but
also covers everything related to the interior and exterior structures of the
workplace. Think of it like magic for designers or architects who want their
creations to be precise, durable, and attractive. 3D printers have also become
increasingly popular in the construction industry as well. This particular type
of technology enables contractors to build entire flat structures using large
sheets of metal by simply pushing specific shapes onto a slab of plastic or
polymers. No wood has to be involved as the machine uses light-based paints to
produce various wall and ceiling designs. Another interesting advantage offered
by the tools of such technology is that they can print materials in three
dimensions and at very high resolutions. Because of these considerations, a
considerable improvement in terms of cost savings and time management is
evident. Other notable features of innovative 3D printing techniques include
greater accuracy and versatility.
5. Affordable Installation Methods Help Improve Home Value Longer Than Ever Before
Although the term ‘flooring’ sounds very
simple, few people ever realize the difficulty in purchasing flooring
solutions. More specifically, buying tiles for your flooring needs can
sometimes take far longer than you expect. Most of the tiles available nowadays
range anywhere between $15-$20 per square foot. Unfortunately, the price tags
are so high because experts in the industry claim that “the higher the gloss,
the lower the price” (“Tiles vs Wood Tiles”). Despite such claims, it is always
best to buy low priced flooring that meets your specific requirements. Then you
should simply go ahead on acquiring tiles that suit your current style, and
then decide which ones to purchase. Alternatively, consider looking for cheaper
yet superior and durable flooring solutions to meet any needs you have. This is
because some cheap, easy to install tiles are not meant for your exact flooring
needs. If you’re planning to paint your house red then be sure not to select
uncoated wooden or porcelain tiles because they are prone to cracking under
pressure (“8 Tips For Reducing Cracking Tile Price Risk”). On top of that, they
are also quite unstable.
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