Types of flooring

TYPES OF FLOORING

1. Mud Flooring

2. Brick Flooring

3. Stone Flooring

4. Cement Concrete Flooring

5. Terrazzo Flooring

6. Granolithic Flooring

7. Mosaic Flooring

8. Marble Flooring

9. Tiled Flooring

10. Timber Flooring

11. Asphalt Flooring

12. Linoleum Flooring

13. Glass Flooring

14. Rubber Flooring

15. Granite Flooring

 

1. MUD FLOORING

It is used in villages and for unimportant small buildings. Moist earth is spread over the prepared bed. It is subjected to ramming. Some chopped straw is also added before ramming to prevent crack formation.

 

2. BRICK FLOORING

Flooring Construction (Fig. 1) After excavating the ground to the required depth, the earth is rammed well to form an Earth Base. A layer of Sand is spread above it.

A Base Concrete course of lean cement concrete of 1:5:10 mix by volume is laid and cured.

Then, Cement Mortar 1 : 4 to 1 : 6 mix is spread over the base concrete. Bricks are la flat or on edge over the cement mortar. A gentle slope of 1 in 40 has to be provided for th flooring surface for proper drainage.

Pointing is done using cement mortar for the brick joints. [Pointing means the proces of raking the joints in brick masonry. The joints are raked to a depth of 10 mm. These joints are made water-tight using 1 : 1 or 1 : 2 rich cement mortar.] The flooring is cured for about a week.

Advantages: It is easy to construct and cheap in initial cost. It is durable, hard and non slippery. It is easily repairable.

Disadvantage:

It is water-absorbent.

Uses: Brick flooring is used where heavy materials are dumped and the floor is subjected to heavy wear and tear and for rough use.

Examples: Godowns, Stores and Warehouses

 

3.  STONE FLOORING

Flooring Construction (Fig. 2)

After excavating the ground to the required depth, the earth is rammed well to form an Earth-Base. Above this, a hard Base Concrete is laid.

Cement Mortar of 1 : 4 mix is spread over the base concrete. Well-dressed Stone Slabs of square or rectangular shapes are placed on the cement mortar. A gentle slope of 1 in 40 has to be provided for proper drainage. After the stone slabs are well set, the mortar is raked out of the joint. The joints are flush pointed with 1 : 3 cement mortar.

[In black cotton soil, a layer of sand is used as a cushion below the base concrete.]

Advantages: It is economical where stones like Granite, Basalt and Quartzite are available in plenty. It is hard, durable, easy to construct and maintain. It has good resistance to wear & tear.

Disadvantage: It does not give a pleasing appearance. Hence, it is not used in residential and public buildings.

Uses: This type is mostly used for ground floor. It is quite suitable for Heavy duty industrial floors, Godowns, Loading platforms, Garages, etc.

 

4. CEMENT CONCRETE FLOORING

Uses

1. Cement Concrete Flooring is used for Ground Floor and Upper Floors. For Ground Floor, i concrete flooring is constructed monolithically, i.e., Base Concrete is laid first and before its hardening, a Concrete Topping is laid. For the Upper Floors, non-monolithic construction is adopted such that the Concrete Topping is laid on R.C.C. Structural Slab.

2. It is used for residential buildings, commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, small factory buildings, etc.

Advantages: Cement Concrete Flooring is durable and hard. It has good resistance to wearing and abrasion. It can be cleaned easily.

Disadvantages: Concrete flooring is attacked gradually by vegetable oils, fats, acids and similar other agents. Very smoothly finished cement concrete flooring is slippery.

1. Flooring Construction for Ground Floor

See Fig. 3(i). Ground is levelled, watered and compacted well to form an Earth-Base.

A cushioning layer of Coarse Sand is spread over the earth-base.

Over the sand cushion bed, Base Concrete (cement or lime concrete) of 1:4:8 to 1:5:10 lean mix is laid for monolithic construction. It is compacted well. The top surface of the base concrete is roughly finished. A coat of Cement Slurry is spread to the rough surface of the base concrete for proper bond between the base and topping.

The entire surface is divided into square or rectangular panels. Topping Layer of Cement Concrete of 1 : 2:4 mix is laid in alternate panels. It is given a smooth finish using trowel. Curing is done for 15 days. During the curing period, the flooring should not be used.

2. Flooring Construction for Upper Floor

See Fig. 3 (ii). In the case of Upper Floor, Topping Layer of Cement Concrete of 1: 2: 4 mix is laid directly over the already hardened R.C.C. Structural Slab.

The topping is laid on a coat of pure cement slurry applied over the slab.

Thus, the topping concrete is bonded to the Structural Slab

 

5. TERRAZZO FLOORING

Terrazzo is a special type of Cement Concrete. The concrete consists of White Cement instead of grey cement, Marble Powder instead of sand and Marble Chips as coarse aggregate instead of stone aggregates. It can be used for both the Ground Floor and Upper Floors.

1. Flooring Construction for Ground Floor

See Fig. 4(i). It shows terrazzo flooring of Ground Floor.

The earth is rammed well to form an Earth-Base. The Base Concrete of 1:5 : 10 mix is laid over the earth-base. The surface of the base concrete is wetted with water. The concrete base is covered by a thin layer of Cement Slurry.

Over this, a layer of Rich Cement Mortar of 1 : 3 mix is laid. Metal Dividing Strips of 20 gauge thickness are inserted into the Cement Mortar layer to form the desired pattern. The dividing strips are made of plastic, aluminum or glass.

Terrazzo Topping of about 6 mm thickness is laid over the cement mortar layer. Terrazzo topping consists of a mixture of cement or coloured cement, marble powder, chippings of marble and water. Colouring effect is given by adding suitable pigments to the marble chips. Thus, terrazzo mix is prepared. It is spread to the required thickness over the cement mortar layer and levelled using trowel.

The finished terrazzo surface is cured for about 5 days. The surface is ground using the grinding machine fitted with different grades of carborundum discs to present a smooth surface. Finally, the surface is washed with soft soap and dried. The washed floor is then wax polished using polishing machine. The surface is kept wet while polishing.

2. Flooring Construction for Upper Floor

See Fig. 4(ii). It shows terrazzo flooring of Upper Floor. In the case of an upper floor made of R.C.C. Structural Slab, a Cushioning Bed of lime mortar is laid over the R.C.C. Slab.

Over this bed, a coating of of Cement Slurry is given. On this coating, Rich Cement Mortar is laid. Terrazzo topping is laid in similar manner as explained for Ground Floor.

Advantages: Terrazzo flooring gives decorative appearance. It is durable and hard. It can withstand wear and tear.

Disadvantage: It is very expensive.

Uses: Terrazzo flooring is used for residential buildings, commercial buildings, bathrooms, hotels, hospitals, schools, colleges, theaters, cloak rooms, etc.

 

6. GRANOLITHIÇ FLOORING

It is a type of Cement Concrete Flooring with top layer of Granolithic concrete of stone chips.

Flooring Construction

See Fig. 5. The Base Concrete is laid on Earth Base. The Granolithic Concrete mix is laid on this base concrete for Ground Floor or on R.C.C. Slab for Upper Floor.

This mix is made of very hard and fine-grained granite. It is a tough quality aggregate in rich concrete of 1:1:2 (Cement : Sand : Coarse Granite Aggregate). It is rammed well and the surface is levelled straight. The straightness of the level is checked by a Spirit Level.

The thickness of the granolithic layer varies from 1.25 to 4 cm. It depends upon the nature of use of the floor. After the surface is hardened, it is kept wet for about 10 days. Nonslippery floor surfaces can be obtained by sprinkling a small quantity of Abrasive Grit over the granolithic concrete before drying.

Granolithic Concrete Floor Topping may be laid monolithically with the Base Concrete for the ground floor or separately after the base concrete (R.C.C. Structural Slab) has hardened.

Advantages: It is durable, hard and cheap. It does not wear easily and has resistance to abrasion.

Disadvantage: For laying granolithic flooring, highly skilled labour is essential.

Uses: It is used for heavy duty industrial buildings, godowns, garages, etc., to withstand heavy loads accompanied by severe abrasion. This flooring has all the uses as that of concrete flooring.

 

7. MOSAIC FLOORING

Flooring Construction

See Fig. 6. A hard Concrete Base is prepared on the Earth Base in the Ground Floor. [R.C.C. Structural Slab is used for the Upper Floors.]

When it is wet, a layer of Cement Mortar of 1:2 to 1 : 4 mix is laid. Over this layer, Mosaic Tiles cut to the desired shapes and sizes are arranged into a definite outline to get the desired pattern. They are broken into cubes or wedges and hammered into the mortar at the outline of the pattern.

The inner area is filled with mosaic pieces. The surface is levelled with a light stone roller. After allowing to set for 24 hours, the surface is smoothened and levelled by rubbing with a pumice stone. The floor is used after two weeks of drying.

Advantage: Special types of mosaic tiles are available in a variety of patterns and colors.

Uses: This type of flooring has wide use in residential and public buildings, bathrooms, theatres, temples, etc.

 

8. MARBLE FLOORING

It is used for Ground Floor and Upper Floors. High quality Marble Slabs in the required sizes and colours are available in the market. The construction procedure is the same as that of mosaic flooring, except that marble slabs are used instead of mosaic tiles.

Flooring Construction

See Fig. 7. First, an Earth Base is prepared and a Base Concrete is laid on it in the case of Ground Floor. [R.C.C. Structural Slab is used as the base for Upper Floors.]

A layer of Cement Mortar of 1 : 2 to 1 : 4 mix is spread over the wet base concrete. The cement mortar is allowed to harden slightly. Over this layer, the Marble Slabs are laid in position in definite patterns and are levelled. Marble slabs are square or rectangular in shape.

The marble slabs should be placed very close to each other so that the joints have paperlike thickness. It is cured for 7 days before it is put to regular use.

Advantages: It can be easily maintained. It is attractive in appearance.

Disadvantages: It is very costly. It is slippery too.

Uses: Marble flooring is used for superior type of floor construction in posh residences in bathrooms, kitchens, etc.), hospitals, star hotels, temples, churches, mosques, IT Parks, etc., where extra cleanliness is an essential requirement.

 

9. TILED FLOORING

It is used for both Ground Floor and Upper Floors. Tiles made of Ceramic (Clay) or Cement Concrete or Glazed Tiles, manufactured in different shapes and sizes, are used.

Flooring Construction

See Fig. 8(i). In the case of Ground Floor, an Earth-Base is prepared, compacted well and levelled. A layer of sand is spread above it. A layer of Base Concrete is laid over the sand.

A layer of Cement Mortar is laid over the above. Cement Slurry is coated over the hardened mortar.

Tiles are laid flat in position on this bed. The joints should be straight. It should be very thin. The joints are pointed flush with cement of same colour as the tiles. The entire surface is polished with different grades of carborundum stones. The floor is finally wax-polished using polishing machine.

See Fig. 8(ii). R.C.C. Structural Slab R.C.C. Structural Slab is used as base for tiled flooring of Upper Floors.

Glazed Tile: The top surface of the glazed tile is glazed. It is available in different colours.

Ceramic Tile (Clay Tile): Ceramic Tiles are vitrified tiles made from a special clay. They are bonded to the base with a thin coat of cement mortar.

Advantages: The floor finish is highly durable. Using coloured cement, attractive and pleasing patterns and coloured surfaces can be obtained.

Uses: They are used for posh residences, bathrooms, kitchens, star hotels, IT Parks, MultiNational Company offices, etc.

 

10. TIMBER FLOORING

Timber used for flooring should be well seasoned. It should be free from knots and other defects. A base course of cement concrete of 75 mm thickness is prepared.

Wooden fillet strips of size 20 mm × 40 mm are embedded in concrete to a depth of about 12 mm along the short span. The strips should project above the level of the base course. On these fillets, the timber flooring planks of 25 mm thickness are laid.

Timber flooring should be protected from dampness by providing Damp Proof Course.

Advantages: It has good aesthetic appearance and warm feeling.

Disadvantage: Its high cost and limited choice of colours have resulted in reduced use of wood for flooring.

Uses: Timber Flooring is used for Balconies in auditoriums, Gallery, Gymnasium, etc.

 

11. ASPHALT FLOORING

Asphalt Floorings are of two types:

(i) Asphalt Tiles: Asphalt Tiles are made from asphalt and asbestos fibers under pressure. Asphalt tiles are resilient, moisture proof, non-absorbent and cheaper.

Uses: These are used to cover wooden / concrete floors in hospitals, offices, etc.

(ii) Asphalt Mastic: Asphalt Mastic is a mixture of fine aggregates and natural or artificial asphalt. Asphalt mastic is mixed hot and laid in continuous sheets or pressed into blocks which can be used as a flooring.

Concrete base is used for laying the mixture. Fine sand is sprinkled over the mastic asphalt surface, when the asphalt is still in plastic stage. Then the surface is levelled.

Uses: This is used for Godowns, Railway platforms, Warehouses, Factories, etc.

 

12. LINOLEUM FLOORING

Linoleum is produced from linseed oil, pigments, gum and wood or cork flour. Linoleum is laid on wooden or concrete floors to improve their durability and appearance. It is available in rolls of various colours and designs. Linoleum Tiles are also available. It is attractive, economical and easy to wash. But, it does not offer resistance against dampness and fire.

Uses: Linoleum flooring is used in Railway coaches, Ships, etc.

 

13. GLASS FLOORING

Glass Flooring can be used for special occasions to transmit light from an upper floor to a lower floor and specially to admit light to the basement from the ground floor. The structural glass is available in the form of tiles and blocks. It is fixed in closely-spaced frames so that the glass and the frame can sustain light loads.

The structural glass is available in different forms and thicknesses. However, structural glasses are very costly. They are not commonly used.

 

14. RUBBER FLOORING

Rubber Flooring sheets are available in different colours and sizes. These sheets are made of natural or synthetic rubber. These may be plain, ribbed or grooved type.

Uses: It is used as covering over the concrete floor in residential, public and industrial buildings including hospitals, transport vehicles like buses, ships, etc.

 

15. GRANITE FLOORING

Hard and tough granite stones cut into slabs and polished have extreme pleasing appearance. These are available in various textures and colours. Granite Tiles are also available.