Mud Flooring
Muram Flooring
Brick Flooring
Flag Stone Flooring
Tiled Flooring
Cement concrete Flooring
Granolithic Flooring
Terrazzo Flooring
Mosaic Flooring
Marble Flooring
Timber Flooring
Rubber Flooring
Linoleum Flooring
Acid proof Flooring
MUD FLOORING
In a tropical country like India, mud floors are commonly constructed in village. They are cheap, hard, fairly impervious easy in construction and maintenance. They remain warm in winter and cold in summer and hence are most suitable for places where the temperature is extreme during these seasons. The method of its construction is very simple. Upon the prepared bed, a 25 cm thick layer of selected moist earth is evenly spread out and is rammed well so as to get a consolidated thickness of about 15 cm.
It is important to note that, no water is used during the process of
warming. In order to prevent the formation of cracks after drying, chopped
straw in small quantity is mixed with the moist earth before ramming. The floor
is maintained by giving a thin cement cow dung wash(1:2 to 1:3) once or twice a
week.
seasons. The method of its construction is very simple. Upon
the prepared bed, a 25 cm thick layer of selected moist earth is evenly spread
out and is rammed well so as to get a consolidated thickness of about 15 cm.
It is important to note that, no water is used during the process of
warming. In order to prevent the formation of cracks after drying, chopped
straw in small quantity is mixed with the moist earth before ramming. The floor
is maintained by giving a thin cement cow dung wash(1:2 to 1:3) once or twice a
week.
MURAM FLOORING
Any disintegrated rock is called muram .Muram floors are constructed in villages in India and have same advantages as that of mud-floors. Unlike mud floors, they are constructed with great care. Upon the prepared sub-grade a 15 cm. thick layer of muram is laid. A 25 mm. thick layer of powder muram is spread over the already laid muram layer and water is sprinkled over the entire surface. The surface is rammed well. After ramming the surface is saturated with water, so that a thin layer is formed on the top of the rammed surface. Then the surface is trampled well till the cream of muram rises to the top.the surface is laft in this state for about a day and then it is rammed again with wooden rammers called thapies for about three days. The dry hard surface thus formed is then smeared with a thick coat of cow dung and rummed once cement cow dung plaster (1:4) 1 cement: 4 cow dung. To maintain the floor in good condition it is given a wash of cement cow-dung plaster once a week and the surface is wiped clean immediately.
Merits
It is cheap
It has smooth, hard and fairly
impervious surface.
It is easy in construction
It maintains comfortable temperature
in all seasons.
Demerits
For perfect maintenance of the surface it has to be
given cement cow-dung wash once or twice a week. This may be objectionable from
sanitary consideration.
BRICK FLOORING
This type of flooring is commonly
provided in warehouses, stores, and godowns or in places where heavy articles
are stored. The flooring may be done with brick laid or on edge arranged in
herring bone fashion or set at right angle to the walls.
The earth filling under floor is well
compacted first and thereafter 10 to 15 cm. thick layer of cement or lime
concrete is laid over the entire area of floor. This layer is known as
subgrade. The slope required to be given to the floor to take care of floor
washing etc is provided in subgrade itself. Prior to use the bricks should be
properly soaked and wetted in water.
The bricks are laid on edge on 12 mm.
thick mortar bed in such a manner that all the joints are full of mortar. Where
the floor has to be plastered or painted all the face joints
progress of work. In case however
pointing or plastering is not needed, the joints need not be raked and instead
rendered flush and finished during laying of bricks.
It is durable and sufficiently hard.
It is non-slippery
It is easily repairable.
It is cheaper than cement concrete.
Demerits
It is absorbent
FLAG STONE FLOORING
Any laminiscated sandstone available
in uniform thickness is called flag stone. The stone slab for flooring may be
square, or rectangular with width not less than 38 cm. and thickness varying
from 20 to 40 mm. the sub grade is prepared by laying a 10 to 15 cm. thick
layer of lime concrete over a bed of well consolidated earth. On this sub grade
well wetted flag stones are laid on 20 to 25 mm. thick layer of bed mortar. When
the stone slabs are properly set, mortar in the joints is raked out to a depth
of about 20 mm. and flush pointed with cement mortar (1:3). A slope of 1 to 40
is necessary to be given in flag stone flooring for proper drainage.
Merits
It is easy in construction.
It is hard, durable and resistant to
wear and tear.
It is easily repairable.
In stone districts ,it can be used
with economy.
Demerits
It does not give a pleasing
appearance and hence it is not suitable to be provided in places like
residential building or important public building.
Its usage is not comfortable.
TITLED FLOORING
Depending upon the type of material
used tiled flooring can be broadly divided into following categories.
Terrazzo flooring
Chequered tile flooring
Glazed tile flooring
PVC. Tile flooring
· Terrazzo flooring
Terrazzo tiles manufactured under
hydraulic pressure are available in following three standard sizes.
200X200X20 mm.
250X250X22 mm.
300X300X25 mm.
The total thickness of the title
comprises of two layers,, the upper layer and the backing. The thickness of the
upper layer varies from 5 mm. to 6 mm. and it consists of mix of cement, marble
chip aggregates and pigment taken in suitable proportions. The backing of the
tile consists of leaner mix of cement and aggregates usually taken in
proportion of 1:3
The tiles are laid over reasonably
hard sub-grade which may be of concrete or R.C.C. slab.
Prior to laying tiles a 30 mm. thick
layer of lime mortar 1:3 (1 lime putty: 3 surkhi or coarse sand) is spread over
the sub-grade to serve as bedding. The bedding mortar is allowed to harden for
a day. Immediately before laying, neat cement slurry is spread over the slurry
grout. Each tile is gently tapped with a wooden mallet till it is properly
bedded and levelled. The joints in the tile flooring should not exceed 15 mm.
in thickness. Next day all the joints in the flooring are cleaned of loose
mortar, dust etc. to the depth of about 5 mm. by use of wire brush.
The flooring is cured for 7 days and
thereafter the surface of the tiles is ground with grinding machine fitted with
grinding stone No. 60. After grinding, the surface is washed and again covered
with a thin coat of cement and cured second time. After curing, the surface is
ground second time by using grinding stone No. 120 day after the second
grinding the entire surface is finally
ground using grinding stone no. 320.
The grinding of surface is also
termed as polishing. Finally the surface of flooring is rendered clean by using
oxalic acid water.
· Chequered tile flooring
Glazed tiles are available in following standard sizes:
200X200X25 mm.
250X250X22 mm.
300X300X22 mm.
The method of laying tile is identical to that of terrazzo
tile flooring except that the polishing of the tile has to be done by hand.
· Glazed tile flooring
`Glazed tiles are available in following sizes.
100X100X5 or 6 mm.
150X150X5 or 6 mm.
The tiles have only top surface glazed. The tiles are laid
over a hard sub-grade which may be of concrete or R.C.C. slab. Prior to laying
a 10 mm. thick layer of cement mortar 1:3 is spread over the sub-grade to serve
as beeding. The mortar is allowed to harden so that it may permit the mason, to
work over the surface without damage to beeding mortar. Each tile gently tapped
with a wooden mallet till it is properly bedded and levelled. The joints in the
titles should be as thin as possible and should be straight lines. After laying
the joints are cleaned off all dirt and mortar to a depth of 2 to 3 mm. with
the help of wire brush and then flush pointed with white or coloured cement to
suit the color of the titles. The flooring is cured for seven days and
thereafter washed before use.
· P.V.C. tile flooring
P.V.C. titles are now manufactured in
variety of shades and design and are being commonly used in residential as well
as non-residential buildings. It gives a decorative floor finish which is
resilient, smooth and can be cleaned easily. It can be laid over a prepared
base which can be concrete, timber etc. The layout of the P.V.C. tiles is
marked on the base with the help of guide lines. Adhesive of specified make is
thereafter applied on the base and the back of the P.V.C. tiles with the help
of a notched towel. Laying of tile commence when the adhesive has set
sufficiently. After laying, the tiles are pressed suitably with wooden rollers
to ensure intimate contact with the base.
Merits
It is non-absorbent
It is easily repairable in patches.
It is durable
It permits quick laying of floor.
It is resistant to wear and has
fairly good strength.
Demerits
This type of construction is very
costly both in
initial cost as well as maintenance.
PVC tile flooring gets damaged when
in contact with burning objects like paper, match stick etc.
CEMENT CONCRETE FLOORING
This type of flooring is commonly
used both in residential as well as public buildings.
The method of laying cement concrete
flooring on ground floor of a building can be broadly divided in the following
steps.
Preparation of sub base : The earth filling in plinth is consolidated thoroughly so
as to ensure that no loose pockets are left in the whole area. A 10 to 15 cm.
thick layer of clean coarse sand is then spread over the whole area. The sand
layer a consolidated and dressed to the required level and slope.
Laying of base concrete: The base concrete used under floors may be cement concrete
or lime concrete laid to a thickness varying from 7.5 to 10 cm. In case of
cement concrete, the mix commonly used is 1:5:10. Lime concrete, if used should
be made up out of 40 mm. nominal size/over burnt brick aggregate and 40% mortar
comprising of 1 lime: 2 sand or 1 lime: 1 surkhi/ash:1 sand.
The base concrete layer is deposited
over the whole area, thoroughly tamped and levelled to a rough surface.
Laying the topping : when the base concrete layer has fully set and hardened, its surface is
thoroughly cleaned and the entire area is divided into rectangular or square
panels by use of 4 mm. thick glass strips or 5 mm. thick plain strips. The size
of panel is basically governed by the location of floor, temperature and other
climatic conditions, thickness of topping and proportions of ingredients in
concrete mix. Etc. In general, the area of one such panel should not preferably
be more than 2 sq.m. The rough finished surface of base concrete coated with
cement slurry ensures adequate bond between the base and the topping. The cement
concrete topping, normally consisting of 1:2:4 is then laid in required
thickness in one operation in the panels. The concrete is spread evenly by
using a straight edge and the surface is thoroughly tamped and floated with
wooden floates till the cream of mortar comes at top. The surface is then
smoothened and finally finished by means of steel towels. Concrete for the
topping is then laid in alternate panels
and finished as described above. The battens used for forming panels are
removed next day and the topping oncrete laid in the alternate panels.
In order to prevent the tendency of separation
of cement concrete flooring from the R.C.C. slab, a 20 mm. thick cushioning
layer of lime mortar or 50 to 70 mm. thick lime concrete is sometimes provided
between the R.C.C. slab and the cement concrete flooring.
If the working conditions permit, the
flooring can also be laid monolithically over the R.C.C. slab while the slab
concrete is still green. In this case, the slab concrete is roughened with wire
brushes so as to ensure a good bond between the base and flooring layer. Prior to
laying of flooring, the slab surface is cleaned and a coat of cement slurry is
applied over it. In this case, any slope required for the floor is given in
structural concrete itself.
Merits
It is non-absorbent and thus it is very useful for water stores.
It is smooth and pleasing appearance.
It is economical and has advantages
of costlier types of floors.
It is durable and hence it is used in
kitchens, bathrooms, schools, hospitals etc.
Demerits
It cannot be satisfactorily repaired
by patch work
Defects in carelessly made floor
cannot rectified, and as such it requires proper attention while laying.
GRANOLITHIC FLOORING
It is finishing coat provided over
the concrete surface to form a hard, resistant to abrasion and durable flooring.
Granolithic concrete is composed of cement, sand and specially selected aggregates.
The grading of aggregates is very important. Coarse aggregates from basalt or
limestone or quartzite are suitably graded from 13 mm to I.S. Sieve No. 340. The
concrete mix usually of 1:1:2 or 1:1:3. In order to get monolithic
construction, the granolithic concrete should be laid before the base concrete
has set. The minimum thickness of finishing should be 13 mm. After laying, the
surface is tamped and floated with wooden floats and finally smoothened by
means of steel trowel.
TERRAZZO FLOORING
On account of its decorative and good
wearing properties, this type of flooring is becoming very popular these days
and is being commonly provided in offices, schools, hospitals, residential
buildings, banks etc. Terrazo is a
concrete surface with special aggregate of marble chips mixed with and / or
coloured cement proportion of 3:1. The aggregates are exposed by grading the
surface mechanically or manually. The flooring may be laid in different
thickness. The construction of 40 mm. thick flooring is described below.
The 40 mm. thick flooring will
consist of a 6 mm. thick layer of terrazzo topping and 34 mm. thick under layer
of cement concrete 1:2:4. Prior to layer flooring the whole area is divided
into suitable panels by use of dividing strips of thickness not less than 1.5
mm. and width not less than 25 mm.
The surface of base concrete should
be cleaned of all dirt, mortar dropping debris etc. and then wetted with water.
The concrete under layer then spread,
consolidated, levelled and finished to a slightly rough surface. When the under
layer has hardened sufficiently, already prepared plastic terrazzo mixture is
laid over the treated under-layer of concrete and compacted thoroughly by
rolling. During rolling, it should be ensured that at least 80% of the finished
surface should show exposed marble chip aggregates and if necessary additional
marble chips may be added during the process of rolling.
After rolling, the surface is floated
and troweled and left to dry out for 12 to 18 hours.
Thereafter surface is subject to
first grinding by machine by use of carborundum stones of coarse grade. The whole
surface is then scrabbed using plenty of water. All pores and holes are then
filled with cement grout and the surface coated with neat cement grout of cream
like consistency. In the similar manner, the surface is cleaned and repaired as
before and cured again for a period of 4 to 5 days and subjected to third
grinding by machine by using carborundum stones of 320 grit size.
MOSAIC FLOORING
Over the hard base concrete bed, a 5
cm. to 6 cm. thick layer of lime surkhi mortar is spread in a small area. The area
taken is such that the flooring can be easily completed in that portion without
the mortar getting dry. On this a layer of paste consisting of two parts of
sifted slaked lime, one part of powdered marble and one part of puzzolana is
laid in thickness not exceeding 3 mm. This surface is left to get dry for four
hours. Tiles or marble pieces cut to the desired shapes, are then rolled by
light stone roller about 30 cm. in diameter and 45 to 60 cm in length. Rolling is
done till the title or marble pieces form an even surface and are cemented
together properly. The surface is allowed to dry for a day and then polished by
rubbing it with pumice stone fitted with long wooden handle. The polished
surface is finally allowed to dry for some weeks before use.
MARBLE FLOORING
Marble flooring is commonly provided
in places of worship and in public buildings having rich specifications. In view
of high cost material, use of marble flooring in residential buildings in
normally restricted to areas like kitchen, bathroom, entrance etc.
The size of marble slabs to be used
in flooring depends upon the pattern to be adopted. The slabs for normal works
are square or rectangular in shape and their thickness varies from 20 mm. to 40
mm. The flooring is laid on prepared
sub-grade of concrete. Prior to laying flooring, the sub-grade in cleaned,
wetted and mopped properly. The marble slab is laid on top of the bedding
mortar, pressed and tapped with wooden mallet and brought to the level with
already laid adjoining slabs. The slab is thereafter lifted up and placed
aside. The edges of the slab already laid are then smeared with cement slurry
of the same shade as that of the marble slab and the slab to be paved is again
placed in position and tapped with wooden mallet till it is properly bedded in
level with the adjoining slabs. The cement that oozes out of the joint is
cleaned. Remaining slabs are also laid in the same manner and the flooring work
completed. The paved area is cured for a minimum period of seven days.
TIMBER FLOORING
In hilly areas, where the climate is
damp and wood is easily available, wooden floors prove economical and such are
commonly used. However, they are used for dancing halls, auditoriums etc. In
this type of floor prevention of dampness is of great importance and hence
every precaution is taken to check the dampness from rising above. The entire
area of ground below the floor is covered with a 15 cm. layer of cement
concrete. This floor essentially consists of boarding supported on timber joist
called bridging joists or floor joists which are nailed to wall plates at their
ends along their length. The sleeper walls are generally 10 cm. thick and are
honey-combed. The sleeper walls are seldom spaced more than 1.8 m. apart and
are honey combed to enable free circulation of air in the space below the
floor. The floor joists are secured to the sleeper walls by being nailed to the
sleeper wall plates. A damp proof course is laid immediately below the wall
plates to prevent the rising the dampness.
RUBBER FLOORING
This type of flooring is not common
in India but in foreign countries, it is used in residential buildings as well
as public buildings like offices, hospitals, schools etc. it is noiseless,
comfortable, clean and durable. Its thickness seldom exceeds 10 mm. Rubber
sheets and tiles are made by combining at very high temperature pure rubber
with cotton fibre, granulated cork, asbestos fibre other glues and colour
pigments to get the designed colour. The base may be of concrete, R.C.C or
wood. However, oil or grease renders the floor slippery and it becomes
difficult to restore it in good condition.
LINOLEUM FLOORING
Linoleum is a covering laid over
wooden or concrete floors in order to hides the defects of flooring or to
enhance its appearance. It is a material manufactured by mixing oxidised
linseed oil with powdered cork , wood floor and suitable colouring pigments. The
plastic mass thus obtained is pressed in the designed form and dried in ovens. It
is available in a variety of colours both in plain and printed form. It is
mostly sold in rolls which are 1.8 to 3.66 m. in width and the thickness of the
felt seldom exceeds 6 mm.
Merits
It is washable, dustproof and can be
easily cleaned.
It reduces noise effectively.
It has cushioning effect.
It is economical.
It gives a decorative floor finish.
ACID PROOF FLOORING
In places like chemical laboratories and
plants, storage battery buildings etc. where acids are used or manufactured, it
is necessary that the floor topping should be acid proof. Asphalt blocks, made
by moulding under high pressure a mixture of inert crushed rock aggregate and
an acid proof asphalt successfully meet the requirements of an acid proof
flooring. Before the liquid asphalt hardens, fine sand in small quantity is
uniformly spread over it and the surface is finished smooth and levelled.
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