Calo, Stephanie Amaida L. BS ARCH 2 BLDG TEC 1/ MWF/ 11:30-12:30 Sept.

9, 2010

ALL FLOORING MODERN FINSHING

CERAMIC TILE
History –all and floor tile used for interior and exterior decoration belongs to
a class of ceramics known as whitewares. The production of tile dates back
to ancient times and peoples, including the Egyptians, the Babylonians, and
the Assyrians. For instance, the Step Pyramid for the Pharoah Djoser, built in
ancient Egypt around 2600 B.C., contained colorful glazed tile. Later, ceramic
tile was manufactured in virtually every major European country and in the
United States. By the beginning of the twentieth century, tile was
manufactured on an industrial scale. The invention of the tunnel kiln around
1910 increased the automation of tile manufacture. Today, tile manufacture
is highly automated.
Classification –The American National Standards Institute separates tiles into
several classifications. Ceramic mosaic tile may be either porcelain or of
natural clay composition of size less than 39 cm2 (6 in.2). Decorative wall tile is glazed tile with a thin body used for
interior decoration of residential walls. Paver tile is glazed or unglazed porcelain or natural clay tile of size 39 cm2
(6 in.2) or more. Porcelain tile is ceramic mosaic tile or paver tile that is made by a certain method called dry
pressing. Quarry tile is glazed or unglazed tile of the same size as paver tile, but made by a different forming
method.
Advantages and Disadvantages –Ceramic flooring is another type of flooring which can add a touch of class to
your home, but which, unfortunately, cannot take a great deal of weight. If you have any heavy objects in a room
then it is not recommended to install ceramic tiles in this room. It is however durable and long-lasting and does
not tend to stain, burn, fade or be affected by moisture.
Commercial/ Brand Names:

GRANITE
Background –Granite is a common and widely occurring type
of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granites usually have a medium to coarse
grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals (phenocrysts) are
larger than the groundmass in which case the texture is known
as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic texture is sometimes known
as a porphyry. Granites can be pink to gray in color, depending on their
chemistry and mineralogy. By definition, granite has a color index (i.e. the
percentage of the rock made up of dark minerals) of less than
25%. Outcrops of granite tend to form tors, and rounded massifs. Granites
sometimes occur in circular depressions surrounded by a range of hills,
formed by the metamorphic aureole or hornfels. Granite is found in the
continental plates of the Earth’s Crust. Granite is nearly always massive
(lacking internal structures), hard and tough, and therefore it has gained widespread use as a construction stone.
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The average density of granite is located between 2.65 and 2.75 g/cm , its compressive strength usually lies above
19
200 MPa and itsviscosity at standard temperature and pressure is 3-6x10 Pa·s. The word granite comes from
the Latin granum, a grain, in reference to the coarse-grained structure of such a crystalline rock. Granitoid is used
as a descriptive field term for general, light colored, coarse-grained igneous rocks for which a more specific name
requires petrographic examination.
Classification –The letter-based Chappell & White classification system was proposed initially to divide granites into I-
type granite (or igneous protolith) granite and S-typeor sedimentary protolith granite. Both of these types of granite are formed
by melting of high grade metamorphic rocks, either other granite or intrusive mafic rocks, or buried sediment, respectively.
M-type or mantle derived granite was proposed later, to cover those granites which were clearly sourced from
crystallized mafic magmas, generally sourced from the mantle. These are rare, because it is difficult to turn basaltinto granite
via fractional crystallisation. A-type or anorogenic granites are formed above volcanic "hot spot" activity and have peculiar
mineralogy andgeochemistry. These granites are formed by melting of the lower crust under conditions that are usually
extremely dry. The rhyolites of the Yellowstone caldera are examples of volcanic equivalents of A-type granite.
Advantages –They are non-porous, which means the surface is scratchproof. This makes it difficult for the surface
to retain dust and dirt. It is easy to clean. The surface is extremely solid; it is second in line after diamond for
strength and hardness. They are more lasting than any other kitchen remodeling material. They are naturally
resistant to heat. Granites can deal with natural weather conditions without any problem.
Disadvantages –The granite slabs are heavy in weight. The heaviness becomes more pronounced when you are
using granite slabs and not granite tiles. Before you install granite slabs as kitchen countertops, make sure that the
support system of cabinets and pillars are well up to the match. Not all granite stones are affordable. The funding
factor depends on the amount you want to shell out. However, one thing is for sure that
the granite countertops are cost effective, which means even if you spend a large sum of money now, you can
easily recover it from the time span of its usability.
Commercial/ Brand Name:

WOOD
Background –Hard, fibrous material formed by the accumulation of
secondary xylem produced by the vascularcambium. It is the principal
strengthening tissue found in the stems and roots of trees andshrubs.
Wood forms around a central core (pith) in a series of concentric
layers called growth rings. A cross section of wood shows the
distinction between heartwood and sapwood. Heartwood, the central
portion, is darker and composed of xylem cells that are no longer
active in the life processes of the tree. Sapwood, the lighter area
surrounding the heartwood, contains actively conducting xylem cells.
Wood is one of the most abundant and versatile natural materials on
earth, and unlike coal, ores, and petroleum, is renewable with proper
care. The most widely used woods come from two groups of trees: the conifers, or softwoods
(e.g., pine, spruce, fir), and the broadleaves, or hardwoods (e.g., oak, walnut, maple). Trees classified as
hardwoods are not necessarily harder than softwoods (e.g., balsa, a hardwood, is one of the softest woods).
Density and moisture content affect the strength of wood; in addition to load-bearing strength, other variable
factors often tested include elasticity and toughness. Wood is insulating to heat and electricity and has desirable
acoustical properties. Some identifying physical characteristics of wood include colour, odour, texture, and grain
(the direction of the wood fibres). Some 10,000 different wood products are commercially available, ranging from
lumber and plywood to paper, from fine furniture to toothpicks. Chemically derived products from wood and
wood residues include cellophane, charcoal, dyestuffs, explosives, lacquers, and turpentine. Wood is also used for
fuel in many parts of the world.
Advantage and Disadvantage –hardwood floors create a very attractive and warm atmosphere. Their appearance
is almost universally loved and appreciated. And another advantage is that they can usually be refinished. Wood
tiles can be fairly easy to install for do-it-yourselfers, but wood planks may require a professional to be sure that
you get a top-quality job. Some disadvantages are that some of the softer woods like pine can be easily scratched
and dented. And if the subfloor is not very solid and smooth, moisture can eventually cause some problems.
Commercial/ Brand Names:

ASPHALT
Background –Asphalt or bitumen can sometimes be confused with tar,
which is a similar black thermo-plastic material produced by the
destructive of coal. During the early- and mid-20th century when town
gas was produced, tar was a readily available product and extensively
used as the binder for road aggregates. The addition of tar
to macadam roads led to the word tarmac, which is now used in
common parlance to refer to road making materials. However, since
the 1970s, when gas succeeded town gas, asphalt (bitumen) has
completely overtaken the use of tar in these applications.
Asphalt can be separated from the other components in crude oil (such
as naphtha, gasoline and diesel) by the process of fractional, usually
under vacuum conditions. A better separation can be achieved by further processing of the heavier fractions of the
crude oil in a de-asphalting unit, which uses either propane or butane in a supercritical phase to dissolve the
lighter molecules which are then separated. Further processing is possible by "blowing" the product: namely
reacting it with oxygen. This makes the product harder and more viscous. Natural deposits of asphalt include lake
asphalts (primarily from the Pitch Lake in Trinidad and Tobago and Lake Bermudez in Venezuela), Gilsonite,
the Dead Sea, and Tar Sands. Asphalt was mined at Ritchie Mines in Macfarlan in Ritchie County, West Virginia in
the United States from 1852 to 1873. Asphalt is typically stored and transported at temperatures around 150
degrees Celsius (300 °F). Sometimes diesel oil or kerosene is mixed in before shipping to retain liquidity; upon
delivery, these lighter materials are separated out of the mixture. This mixture is often called bitumen feedstock,
or BFS. Some dump trucks route the hot engine exhaust through pipes in the dump body to keep the material
warm. The backs of tippers carrying asphalt, as well as some handling equipment, are also commonly sprayed with
a releasing agent before filling to aid release. Diesel oil is sometimes used as a release agent, although it can mix
with and thereby reduce the quality of the asphalt.
Classification –Asphalt tile is made of asbestos fibers, mineral coloring pigments and inert fillers (sand) bound
together with a binder. In the case of black and brown colors, this binder is asphaltum ( a petroleum derivative).
In all other colors the binder is coumarone-indene resin (a coal derivative). These materials are mixed, calendered
(pressed), sheeted and cut. Due to its inability to resist solvents, asphalt tile must be maintained with water
emulsion products. Because of the sand content, asphalt is most commonly found in 12" x 12" square tiles. It is
rarely found in larger tiles and never in sheet goods.
Advantage and Disadvantage –Patent asphalte (or mastic) is waterproof, fireproof, easily applied, and to some
extent elastic, it can therefore be used with advantage for many purposes. It is an admirable material for the
damp-proof courses of walls, also as a waterproof layer over arches or flat roofs, or for lining tanks. It is useful
for floors that require a very smooth surface, as in racket courts; also for those that have to resist water, as in
wash-houses, and for skirtings of such floors. When spread and brought to a smooth surface it wears well in
footpaths, makes substantial and almost noiseless carriageways, but is very slippery in damp weather. It is also
used for the joints of pavements of stone and other materials, and prevents the penetration of wet, but makes
such pavements more noisy.
Commercial/ Brand Names:

RUBBER
History –Pre-Columbian peoples of South and Central America used
rubber for balls, containers, and shoes and for waterproofing
fabrics. Mentioned by Spanish and Portuguese writers in the 16th
cent., rubber did not attract the interest of Europeans until reports
about it were made (1736-51) to the French Academy of Sciences
by Charles de la Condamine and François Fresneau. Pioneer
research in finding rubber solvents and in waterproofing fabrics was
done before 1800, but rubber was used only for elastic bands and
erasers, and these were made by cutting up pieces imported from
Brazil. Joseph Priestley is credited with the discovery c.1770 of its
use as an eraser, thus the name rubber. The first rubber factory in the world was established near Paris in 1803,
the first in England by Thomas Hancock in 1820. Hancock devised the forerunner of the masticator (the rollers
through which the rubber is passed to partially break the polymer chains), and in 1835 Edwin Chaffee, an
American, patented a mixing mill and a calender (a press for rolling the rubber into sheets). In 1823, Charles
Macintosh found a practical process for waterproofing fabrics, and in 1839 Charles Goodyear discovered
vulcanization, which revolutionized the rubber industry. In the latter half of the 19th cent. the demand for rubber
insulation by the electrical industry and the invention of the pneumatic tire extended the demand for rubber. In
the 19th cent. wild rubber was harvested in South and Central America and in Africa; most of it came from the
Pará rubber tree of the Amazon basin.
Despite Brazil's legal restrictions, seeds of the tree were smuggled to England in 1876. The resultant seedlings were
sent to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and later to many tropical regions, especially the Malay area and Java and Sumatra,
beginning the enormous East Asian rubber industry. Here the plantations were so carefully cultivated and
managed that the relative importance of Amazon rubber diminished. American rubber companies, as a step
toward diminishing foreign control of the supply, enlarged their plantation holdings in Liberia and in South and
Central America. During World War I, Germany made a synthetic rubber, but it was too expensive for peacetime
use. In 1927 a less costly variety was invented, and in 1931 neoprene was made, both in the United States. German
scientists developed Buna rubber just prior to World War II. When importation of natural rubber from the East
Indies was cut off during World War II, the United States began large-scale manufacture of synthetic rubber,
concentrating on Buna S. Today synthetic rubber accounts for about 60% of the world's rubber production.
Advantages –Very durable material, water and heat resistant, good sound insulator, comfortable to walk and
stand on, good for wet areas.
Disadvantages –Relatively expensive, can be slippery if wet, needs to be maintained regularly, marked easily by
sharp objects.
Commercial/ Brand Names:

METAL
Background –You may not have thought of using metal flooring tiles for your floor.
However, metal tiles have properties that make this an option for homeowners
today. Once only used in commercial applications, metal flooring can be treated to
simulate other more expensive materials such as brass and bronze. Metal tiles can
be made of stainless steel or any other type of metal material. One popular option is
to use recyclable metal tiles as a means to save the environment. Metal tiles can add a unique, customized look to
any room. They come in a wide variety of colors, textures and finishes.
Advantages –Very durable, extremely versatile, moisture, allergen and bacteria resistant, virtualy maintenance
free, unique, customized look.
Disadvantages –Hard and cold underfoot, expensive, requires professional installation, conducts heat, cold and
sound.
Commercial/ Brand Names:

CLAY
Background –All clay floors are molded or shaped from clay doug out of the
ground then fired in an oven to harden and retain their shape. Examples are
Quarry Tile, Brick Pavers, Mexican Tile and Ceramic Tile. Colors and density
vary by the quality of the clay being used. In some instances, like semi-glazed
or glazed ceramic tile, a glossy glass like coating is fired onto the surface. All
clay floors, except semi-glazed or glazed are porous to varying degrees and will
absorb liquids. Therefore, will stain if not sealed. However, some clay floors
like quarry tiles are installed in kitchens, breweries, dairies, etc, because
they will absorb water and therefore not be slippery. ALL SEALED FLOORS ARE
SLIPPERY WHEN WET. Consequently you should never seal one of these floors if it is installed where there will be a lot of
water. Semi glazed or glazed tile floors are totally non-porous so cannot be sealed. No seal will adhere to the surface. Clay tiles
are set in cement to form the floor. Because the surface of a clay tile floor consists of both tile and a cement matrix in the
mortar joins, do not employ any procedure that would harm either portion.
Classification –The different classifications of clay/masonry floor coverings have properties that are desirable in various areas
of use; therefore, hard floor maintenance service procedures will vary. That is why hard-floor maintenance programs developed
for these floors must take their classification into consideration. Ceramic tiles may be glazed or unglazed, and they come in a
wide assortment of colors. They can be arranged in any assortment of geometric or mosaic type patterns. The tiles range in a
wide selection of sizes; the thickness of the tile will depend on the type of tile and its intended use. They are typically found in
restrooms because of their ability to repel soil and water. Porcelain tiles consist of special clays and minerals similar to fine
chinaware. They are mosaic or paver tiles. Their composition results in a dense, impervious, fine-grained tile with smooth and
sharply formed face. Because of their strength and durability, they are found in many high-traffic situations, such as lobbies and
malls. Quarry tiles are made for heavy traffic situations and are commonly seen in kitchen areas. They are usually 6-inches
square, approximately 1/2-inch thick, and come in a wide variety of colors. The surface, although generally smooth, is coarser
than ceramic tile, so its natural slip resistance is appreciated in grease and oil environments. These same properties make
cleaning relatively easy because the surface is not easily damaged. Paver tiles are unglazed and very similar to quarry tiles in
appearance. Instead of being extruded, paver tiles are made by the dust-pressed method. Like quarry tiles, paver tiles are made
for heavy-traffic areas and are used in a wide variety of locations. Brick-type floors are extremely durable and can be found in
rugged industrial environments as well as commercial designer surroundings. They are usually rectangular in shape,
approximately 6 inches by 3 inches with a thickness of about 2 inches. They can be installed either flat or on their side.
Commercial/ Brand Names:

VINYL
Background –Resilient vinyl flooring - both sheet and tile - has become a valued design tool for
many interior designers and architects, particularly those designing for heavy-traffic locations -
such as a grocery store - or for rooms that must be kept clean - such as a hospital operating room.
In the following section, you'll learn more about the possibilities and limitations of vinyl flooring,
with a particular emphasis on commercial applications. This section will also address the design,
environmental and historical considerations to take into account when specifying vinyl flooring.
History --The following historical highlights help show how vinyl became popular for use in
flooring.
The first rubber floor tiles debuted sometime in the 12th to 13th centuries, but declined in
popularity toward the end of the 17th century. The use of plain, square, undecorated red clay tiles
became common throughout Europe during the 18th century.
Linoleum was invented and patented in 1845. It was first manufactured in Scotland in the 1860s,
and the first U.S. plant was built in 1872. Linoleum remained popular until after World War II,
when easy-to-maintain and durable vinyl flooring was introduced. In 1894, Philadelphia architect
Frank Furness patented a system for rubber floor tiles. Colors were limited, but the tiles could be
laid in geometric patterns to produce an eye-catching design. By the end of the century, recessed
tabs allowed rubber tiles to be nailed to the subfloor, and soon the tabs were eliminated
altogether. These tiles were durable, sound-deadening, easy to clean and easy to install. However, they also stained easily and
deteriorated over time from exposure to oxygen, ozone and solvents, and were not suitable for use in basements where
alkaline moisture was present.
The first cork tile floor was introduced in 1904, and became the most popular type of resilient flooring in the 1920s. It was
available in a limited range of colors and designs, but was expensive and porous. Asphalt tile arrived on the scene in the 1920s
and, by the 1950s, was the most widely used floor tile on the market, fueled by low initial cost and easy installation. These tiles
were tough, durable, highly resistant to abrasion and moisture, and fire resistant, but the styles and patterns were limited.
Then, in 1933, vinyl made its big splash when a vinyl composition tile was displayed at the Century of Progress Exposition in
Chicago. Because of the scarcity of vinyl during the war years, vinyl flooring was not widely marketed until the late 1940s, but
then quickly challenged its competitors. Originally used only in high traffic areas, vinyl flooring eventually became the most
popular choice for flooring in just about any hard-surface application. Today, vinyl flooring is second only to carpet in floor
covering sales in the United States, according to Floor Covering Weekly.
Advantage and Disadvantage --The primary advantages of vinyl are that it's relatively inexpensive and available, and comes
in an almost infinite variety of colors and patterns. Maintenance involves little more than sweeping and damp mopping.
Because it is moisture resistant, it can be ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. Sheet vinyl is used extensively in bathrooms.
Sealed, it is completely impervious to water. The origins and life cycle of vinyl are its primary disadvantage. Because it is
produced from petroleum products, vinyl (also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC) is considered the worst plastic from the
perspective of green building and environmental health. Vinyl manufacturing creates poisonous byproducts including dioxin,
an extremely carcinogenic toxin. It can't be recycled. If it is incinerated at the end of its life cycle, it releases more dioxin.
Consider the variety of healthy alternatives before purchasing vinyl.
Commercial/ Brand Name:

MARBLE
Background --In the last few years marble floors have become increasingly popular in
North America. Long a tradition in warmer European climates, North Americans are
starting to recognize marble floors are both great looking and durable yet easy to
maintain and take care of. Since marble is a totally natural product, marble also
allows homeowners concerned with their environmental footprint to have a
beautiful, long lasting floor and no concerns about negatively impacting the
environment.
If you’re considering marble floors for your home, here’s some information on marble you might find interesting.
Marble’s Make-up
 Marble is actually limestone that the natural pressure of the earth has compressed to form into a hard rock consisting of
crystals with beautiful lines and colors running through it.
 The color of a marble rock is entirely dependent on the natural elements in the soil where it was formed. It can vary all the
way from white to black with highlights of virtually any color, including basic reds, browns and grays but in some cases
actually including pinks and greens.
 As a natural product, each piece of marble is unique in its appearance, with the veining and flecks adding character and
beauty.
Advantage and Disadvantage –Marble is one of many options for those looking to install new floors in their home or business,
but marble should be considered carefully before being purchased. A long lasting flooring product, marble has been used as a
building material for thousands of years because of its durability. While marble flooring has many advantages, such as it's
extreme hardness, there is also a plethora of disadvantages to installing marble flooring.
Cost –Perhaps the biggest drawback of installing marble in the home is the cost. Costing between $4 and $8 per square foot,
not including the cost of installation, marble is a very expensive natural material. Due to the weight and difficult of installing
marble, marble cannot be self-installed but must be installed by a professional marble installer.
Temperature – Marble is a very cold material, making it uncomfortable to stand on during colder times of the year. While
warmer climates have an easier time enduring the relative chill of marble flooring, homeowners in cold climates should
reconsider this material. The coldness of this material makes it more ideal for business offices than for homes. Homes with
marble installations will require a lot of rugs to be comfortable, but marble will never produce a cozy feel.
Hardness –Though this may at first appear to be an advantage, the hardness of marble can also be a distinct disadvantage.
While marble cannot be scratched or damaged by usual wear and tear, such as pets, kids and shoe scuffs, marble also has no
give. Marbles inability to absorb shock makes it hard on human joints. No fragile material that falls on marble will survive, so
marble is not ideal for kitchens where glass might be dropped.
Acid and Chlorene Damage –Marble is weak to acidic products, such as tomatoes, vinegar and lemon, making marble less than
ideal for kitchen installations where cooking occurs. Acidic materials will most certainly stain marble, so marble should never be
exposed to circumstances where acids could come in contact with a marble surface. Marble is also vulnerable to chlorinated
cleaning products, so any product containing chlorine should not be used on marble surfaces as chlorine dulls marble's shine.
Upkeep –Marble flooring requires intense upkeep to stay looking beautiful. While marble is a highly sturdy, durable material, it
will not hold its luster without frequent polishing. Daily sweeping, dry dusting and mopping help to keep marble looking its
best, but regular professional cleaning and polishing are needed to sustain marble flooring. This disadvantage increases the cost
of marble installations because professional cleaning can be expensive.
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