Flooring Finishing Materials selection criteria in Addis Ababa Building project using multi-criteria decision- Model

Abstract

In rapid-growing construction sector of Addis Ababa, the selection of appropriate flooring finishing materials is a key decision that significantly affects the quality, durability, and cost efficiency of building projects. Despite its importance, the selection process challenged by a lack of structured evaluation methods, leading to decisions based on limited information or subjective preferences. This study aims to address this gap by identifying the key criteria influencing flooring material selection and applying a quantitative, data-driven approach to prioritize these criteria using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The objectives of this research were four part: to assess current practices in flooring material selection within Addis Ababa, to identify and structure the main selection criteria, to apply the AHP model to rank the criteria and flooring alternatives based on expert judgment, and to develop a data-supported decision-making framework that construction professionals can apply in similar contexts. The study conducted on a sample of 18 high-rise buildings (14 commercial buildings above G+10 and 4 public buildings above G+6), using purposive sampling techniques 18 building selected for this study. Data collected through structured questionnaires targeting professionals who assigned on the selection process of flooring materials such as engineers, architects, and project managers. The AHP model applied to analyze six major dimensions of material selection: economic, technical, aesthetic, functional, environ mental, and stakeholder preference. These were further broken down into 15 specific sub-criteria. Nine commonly used flooring materials in Addis Ababa evaluated, including rubber flooring, wood flooring, engineered wood, vinyl, terrazzo, porcelain/ceramic tiles, concrete-based flooring, natural stone, and epoxy. The results showed that Porcelain/Ceramic Tiles were ranked highest in overall priority (16.76%), followed by Concrete-Based Flooring (15.91%) and Natural Stone Flooring (12.19%). Among the criteria, Initial Cost (14.8%), Maintenance Cost (10.37%), and Durability (8.8%) found to have the greatest influence on material choice. The findings of this study contribute to improving the decision-making process in flooring material selection by offering a transparent, replicable, and objective framework rooted in empirical data. The proposed model can support construction professionals in Addis Ababa in making more efficient and rational choices, ultimately enhancing project outcomes in terms of cost, performance, and material suitability.