FLOOR FINISHES

5th SEMESTER

NAVEED A. SHEIKH
ARCHITECT
Flooring materials requirements &
considerations vary for buildings of different
use:
• Commercial buildings: Cost, bulk
availability, aesthetics, strength.
• Residential buildings: Aesthetics,
customized, strength, cost.
• Institutional buildings (offices, educational,
hospitals): Aesthetics , user friendly,
strength, cost, standard quality.
• Industrial buildings (production floors,
warehouses): Strength, cost, standard quality.
2/12/2022 2
FLOORING TYPES
A. CEMENT PRODUCTS FOR FLOORS:
1. CAST IN FLOORS:
Cement concrete (c.c.) plain, patterned,
pigmented, non-pigmented.
Cast in situ Terrazzo (mosaic) floors.
2. PRECAST TILE FLOORS:
Plain / patterned, flat /textured, fine /
course finish, pigmented / non-
pigmented, beveled edges / straight
edges.
2/12/2022 3
B. NATURAL FLOORING MATERIALS:
1. Marble 3/8”, ½”, ¾”, 1” thick

2. Granite

3. Stone

4. Slate

5. Wood (keekar, sheesham, teak)

2/12/2022 4
C. SYNTHETIC / MANUFACTURED
FLOORING MATERIALS:
1. Ceramic tiles
2. Porcelain tiles
3. Clay / terracotta tiles
4. Concrete pavers
5. Vitrified tiles
6. Vinyl tiles
7. Epoxy floors

2/12/2022 5
A-1 CEMENT PRODUCTS:
CAST IN PLACE TERRAZZO FLOORS:
 A 1.5” thick sub-floor of c.c. 1:2:4 is laid, and
top surface of green concrete is wire
brushed to create textured surface for better
bonding of the floor toping.
 Dividing strips of glass / brass / aluminum /
marble etc are used to divide the floor area
in smaller panels of around 16 to 20 square
foot each, to avoid zigzag cracks in floor
toping.
 Floor top layer, depending on the size of
marble / stone chips, is usually 0.5” thick. If
marble chips of larger than 0.5” size are to
be used, then the thickness of floor top
layer may be increased accordingly to
accommodate larger sized chips.
2/12/2022 6
2/12/2022 7
 White cement is weaker than OPC, hence
for heavy use area, light colored OPC is
mixed with white cement to increase
strength of the mixture.
 White marble powder is used as fine
aggregate in place of sand @ < 15% of the
cement to avoid crazing in flooring.
 Cast in place terrazzo toping is cured with
water ponding for at least 7 days.
 First grinding by machine is done with
coarse carborandum stones.
2/12/2022 8
 FLOOR CRAZING

2/12/2022 9
 TERRAZZO DIVIDING STRIPS

2/12/2022 10
 Floor surface is washed, cleaned, repaired
and thereafter cured with water for around
7 days.
 Second grinding by machine is done with
medium grinding stones.
 Floor surface is washed, cleaned, repaired,
and thereafter cured with water for another
7 days.
 Third grinding by machine is done with
fine polishing stones and the surface is
buffed.

2/12/2022 11
 CARBORANDUM GRINDING STONES

2/12/2022 12
TERRAZZO FLOOR GRINDING & POLISHING

2/12/2022 13
ADVANTAGES OF CAST IN PLACE TERRAZZO FLOORS:
 Slight irregularity of room size is not noticeable,
can be laid in room of any shape.
 Cast in place terrazzo floors look better due to
absence of joint lines.
 Cast in place terrazzo floors can be made in
geometrical or flowery patterns.
DISADVANTAGES OF CAST IN PLACE TERRAZZO FLOORS:
 Cast in terrazzo floors are not as compact as pre-
cast tiled floors, hence are not as good for heavy
traffic areas.
 Cast in place terrazzo floors involve lengthy time
and are labor intensive.
2/12/2022 14
KHAPCHA FLOORING: (Palladiana Terrazzo floor)
In place of marble chips in terrazzo floors,
marble pieces of random shapes and sizes are
used with gaps of 1.5” to 2” all around the edges
of marble pieces. The gaps are filled with
terrazzo of marble chips with white cement
and white marble powder.
The flooring may be divided in smaller
panels by dividing strips.
Larger size of marble pieces add to the
beauty of the floor. This type of floor is
economical than regular marble floor.
2/12/2022 15
 KHAPCHA FLOOR /
PALLADIANA TERRAZZO

2/12/2022 16
 KHAPCHA FLOOR

2/12/2022 17
GRANOLITHIC FLOORING:
• For heavy use terrazzo floors, in place of marble
chips, granite chips are used.
• Granolithic flooring has granite chips of assorted
sizes. Among stones granite is very hard, therefore
granolithic flooring is hard wearing.
• For added strength, instead of white cement, gray
OPC is used.
• For light color a mixer of gray & white cements
may be used.
• As fine aggregate white marble powder not
exceeding 15% by weight of cement is used.
• Surface hardening additives may also be used if
needed.
2/12/2022 18
 Granolithic floor

2/12/2022 19
A-2 PRE-CAST TERRAZZO TILES:
 Cement surface can be white / gray /
pigmented.
 Marble / stone chips also add color like white /
black / green / golden / red / pink etc.
 White marble powder is used as fine aggregate
in place of sand @ < 15% of the cement to
avoid crazing in flooring.
 Size of chips varies from 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
+ & khapcha / terra-marble (individual chips
are not visible).
2/12/2022 20
 PRE-CAST TERRAZO TILES

2/12/2022 21
• Precast tiles are machine pressed, hence
concrete is dense / strong.
• Usual sizes are 8”x8” (20x20 cm), 12”x12”
(30x30 cm).
• These are made like sandwich of ¾” thick
c.c. base + toping ¼” thick, total thickness
is 1”.
• These tiles are laid on 1” thick mortar bed /
lime mortar.
• SHAPES: Square, rectangular, hexagonal,
octagonal.

2/12/2022 22
 PRE-CAST TERRAZZO TILES

2/12/2022 23
 Strength of toping depends on cement
ratios in toping plus hardness of the
marble / stone chips.
 Marble is generally weak flooring material
for heavy traffic. Stone chips are harder.
 Sometimes concrete surface hardener
admixture is also used.
 Floors are measured in square meters or
square feet area.
 1 square meter = 10.76 square feet.

2/12/2022 24
ADVANTAGES OF PRE-CAST
TERRAZZO / MOSAIC TILES:
 Pre-cast terrazzo tiles are mechanically
compressed while manufacturing.
 Therefore pre-cast terrazzo tiles are more
compact & durable than cast in place
concrete / terrazzo tiles.
 These tiles take good polish.
 Grinding & polishing renews the surface
even after 20 years.
2/12/2022 25
ADVANTAGES (coninued):
 These tiles have the advantage of
adaptability / customization.
 These tiles are economical than ceramic or
porcelain tiles.
 Pre-cast terrazzo tile floors are quicker to
lay & polish when compared with cast in
place terrazzo floors.
 Pre-cast tiled floors are ideal for fast track
projects.

2/12/2022 26
ADVANTAGES (coninued):
 Damaged portion of the floor can be easily
replaced with new tiles.
 It supports local industry & employment.
 Locally available from Muhammadi Tiles.

DISADVANTAGES:
 With passage of time, joints start showing
black lines.
 Tiles are wasted in irregular shaped rooms.
2/12/2022 27
FLOOR POLISHING PROCEDURES:
WAX POLISHING:
 Thick layer of colorless mansion polish
(wax) thinned with turpentine is applied to
washed, cleaned and dried floor surface.
 Floor polish is allowed about 3 days to dry.
In this period traffic is restricted over the
floor.
 Dried polish is mechanically rubbed to a
shine.
 Wax floor polish lasts for about 6 months.
2/12/2022 28
 TERRAZZO FLOOR POLISHING

2/12/2022 29
CHEMICAL POLISH:

 After three floor grindings & repairs etc, as

described above, floor is mechanically
rubbed by fine sand papers & water.

 Floor is thereafter mechanically rubbed /

buffed by soft pads and water mixed with
tin oxide.

 Chemical polish is long lasting.

2/12/2022 30
 B-1: MARBLE
(CALCIUM CARBONATE)
Marble QUALITY is judged by following criteria:
 Density
 Porosity
 Uniformity of color
 Pattern of veins and impurities
 Polish ability
 Hardness
 Availability
 Sizes
 Cost
2/12/2022 31
 Marble COST is related to:
o Size
o Thickness
o Color
o Quality
 Marble is quarried by blasting, peg expansion,
wire cutting.
 Marble is sawed in Peshawar in 1” thickness,
its section is less than ½” thick.
 Marble is sawed in Karachi in ¾” thickness, its
section is less than 3/8” thick.
2/12/2022 32
 STONE QUARRYING

2/12/2022 33
 STONE SPLITING BYPEG EXPANSION

2/12/2022 34
 Local marble is available with following
names:
o Malagori
o Swati white
o Moon white
o Badal
o Nowshehra pink
o Carrara
o Botecena
o Black

2/12/2022 35
 WHITE MARBLE FLOOR TILES

2/12/2022 36
 Imported marble comes in 10’x5’x1” thick
sheets.
 Maximum size for flooring marble tiles of
1” thickness is around 3’x3’.
 Marble is an expensive commodity. For the
sake of economy, many builders have 1” or
¾” thick marble sliced to less than ½” or
3/8” thickness tiles called “section” tiles.
 Maximum size for section tiles of ½” & 3/8”
thickness is 6”x24” due to circular saw
blade size limitation. Saw blade eats away
3/32” thickness.
2/12/2022 37
 COLORED MARBLE TILES

2/12/2022 38
 Section tiles are used in floors with light
traffic, and is also used for wall dado &
skirting.
 White marble section tiles are translucent &
color of sub floor / mortar bed shows thru.
Therefore slurry of white cement is spread
under section marble tiles before fixing.
 Marble is not hard enough for heavy foot
traffic.
 Marble should NOT be used for steps and
stairs in public use buildings.
2/12/2022 39
 PAKISTANI ONYX MARBLE

2/12/2022 40
 It reacts with acids and alkalis. It is
therefore not suitable for kitchen and lab
counter tops. Counter top surface should
therefore be sealed with sealant.
 It absorbs water to small extant. It is
therefore not suitable for bath rooms and
exterior floors.
 It is not good for exteriors. In vehicles
exhaust smoke sulfur dioxide is emitted. In
case of rain it reacts and makes diluted
sulfuric acid which corrodes marble.
2/12/2022 41
 B-2: GRANITE
 Granite is course or medium grained intrusive
rock that is rich in quartz and alkali feldspar.
 It is igneous rock, formed from magma (molten
lava) which slowly solidifies below earth
surface. It may later be exposed by erosion.
 Main constituent of granite is alkali feldspar.
 Feldspars are any of several common silicate
minerals that often occur as whitish to
variously colored glassy crystals. These are
mixtures of “sodium alumino silicate” and
“Potassium alumino silicate”. Both have distinct
forms & different structures.

2/12/2022 42
 PAKISTANI THAR GRANITE

2/12/2022 43
 These have light to medium gray colored
transparent to translucent grains or crystals.
Other minerals are also present in small
quantities.
 It is crystalline in texture. No internal
structures or planes, no weak spots.
 It is hard and tough with average density of 2.75
gm/cm³.
 It has negligible porosity of 0.2 to 4 %.
 It is thermally highly stable.
 It is impervious to weathering or air borne
chemicals.
2/12/2022 44
 PAKISTANI THAR GRANITE

2/12/2022 45
 It has variegation (consistency in color &
texture).
 It is difficult to work with & polish.
 It is used as flooring tiles, stairs steps in
public & commercial buildings &
monuments.
 Granite has excellent weathering
properties, it is therefore good for exteriors
and claddings.

2/12/2022 46
 PAKISTANI GRANITE

2/12/2022 47
 Granite is good for kitchen counter tops, it
resists scratches and action of many
chemicals.
 It is polished to high and lasting gloss.
 It is honed (a smooth hard fine grained
stone used for sharpening instruments).
 It is also flamed by a welding torch to
obtain an un-polished, rough textured, slip
free surface. It looks rustic and natural for
out doors use.

2/12/2022 48
 GRANITE FINISHES

2/12/2022 49
 LEATHERED GRANITE

2/12/2022 50
 FLAMED GRANITE

2/12/2022 51
 Besides imported granite, it is also quarried
in Thar (Sindh), some parts of Baluchistan
& Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
 Color of granite is chiefly influenced by
feldspar.
 Bigger than 2/5” feldspar grains makes
course grained granite.
 Between 1/5” to 2/5” feldspar grains makes
medium grained granite.
 Less than 1/5” feldspar grains makes fine
grained granite.

2/12/2022 52
 B-3: STONE FLOORING
• Stone floors are natural, beautiful, and
always stylish. The naturally cool, hard
surface is ideal for warm climates and does
not harbor dust or allergens.
• The amount and size of pores in a stone,
referred to as porosity, affects its strength
and stain resistance. Softer, more porous
stones, such as marble, limestone, and
travertine, require regular applications of
sealants and frequent cleaning to prevent
staining and pitting.
2/12/2022 53
 TRAVERTINE MARBLE

2/12/2022 54
• Stone Types: Natural stones have incredible
range of colors and patterns. As with gemstones,
rare colors and patterns cost the most. Here are
some characteristics of the popular varieties:
• Limestone: Known for its natural, earthen
appearance, limestone is formed from
sedimentary materials, such as coral and shells.
When limestone is cut from the same slab, it has
little color variation from tile to tile. The stone
can be sanded perfectly smooth for a soothing,
refined look, or machine-tumbled for a worn
look. Seal this porous material every few years
in a room where acidic liquids might spill.
2/12/2022 55
 LIME STONE

2/12/2022 56
• Slate: A rustic classic available in geometric
pieces and irregular shapes, slate is usually
found in dark gray, soft red, and medium
green.
• Travertine: This crystallized, partially
metamorphosed limestone is often mistaken
for marble.
• Stone Tiles: Stone tiles are made by slicing
boulders and slabs of rock into thin squares
or rectangles. The appearance of stone varies
from tile to tile due to veining, natural
imperfections, and even fossils. Color
palettes also vary by the type of stone and
location of the quarry.

2/12/2022 57
 NATURAL STONE FLOORS

2/12/2022 58
• A proper substrate, the surface on which the
stone tile will be laid, is critical. With concrete
subfloors, apply the mortar directly onto the
subfloor and then simply lay the tile.

• Quality stone sealers fill spaces between the

crystals and minerals in stone tiles, so they
resist water and stains, rather than just
covering the surface.

2/12/2022 59
 B-4: SLATE FLOORING /
QUARTZITE FLOORING
Slate flooring is one of the most
desirable types of stone flooring
available today. As a building
material, slate has many good
qualities, not the least of which
is its incredible durability. In
flooring, it is most effective in
places that will receive a lot of
traffic or will be subject to a
significant amount of moisture.
2/12/2022 60
Benefits of Stone Flooring:
• Stone flooring is extremely durable. When
compared to wood, tile, or linoleum, stone
flooring requires less maintenance to look
good and lasts longer in almost any
condition.
Slate Flooring Characteristics:
• Slate flooring, will have different grades of
quality. The finest slate is found underground
and must be mined. Lower quality slate is
located on the ground’s surface; it costs less
because it is less expensive to extract.
2/12/2022 61
 Slate / Quartzite Flooring

2/12/2022 62
Slate Flooring Drawbacks:
• Though it takes a significant amount of
impact, it is possible to crack or chip slate.
These occurrences are rare, however,
because the material is generally harder
than those that might fall onto it.
• Slate flooring comes in a few different
colors, but the variety you have to choose
from is far less than that of other types of
flooring. The color variation comes from the
various minerals that are naturally present
in the area where the slate was mined.
2/12/2022 63
 Some companies may not keep slate mined
in one area separate from that mined in
another area, which creates a floor that
contains many different colors. Those
concerned with this should ask if the slate
you purchase will all come from the same
quarry.
• The biggest drawback of slate flooring for
most people is the price. Slate is one of
the most expensive flooring materials on
the market. Purchasing good quality slate is
costly, but its performance is, without a
doubt, a worthy investment.
2/12/2022 64
 B-5: WOOD FLOORING
• Termites attack soft white wood, especially
on ground floors.
• Soft wood floors also sustain dimples from
hard pointed heels and scratches from
heavy and rough use.
• Hard wood is therefore used for wooden
flooring.
• Keekar and Sheesham woods are locally
grown / native hard woods, and are ideal
for wooden floors.
2/12/2022 65
 Acasia & Sheesham woods

2/12/2022 66
 PARQUET FLOORING

• Brick Pattern Half Bond Diagonal Basket

2/12/2022 67
• The trunks and branches of these trees
grow in short twisted form, therefore it is
rare to obtain straight wood in sufficient
lengths.
• Smaller pieces in the shape of tiles of local
hard woods are therefore used for flooring
purposes, as parquet patterns.
• Imported hard woods like Teak and Oak
are often available in sufficient straight
lengths in the local market.

2/12/2022 68
 PARQUET FLOORING

Square Basket Open basket

2/12/2022 69
• Hard wood floors made out with long
planks is possible with imported wood.
• Tongue and groove joints are used for wood
floors to lock the pieces together; to
restrict warping, expansion & contraction
movement; and keep the floor surface in
level.
• Most of the hard woods have dark colored
heartwood, and lighter colored sapwood.
Heartwood is useable, whereas sapwood is
softer, and attracts termites.

2/12/2022 70
 PARQUET FLOORING

• Square Herring Bone Single Herring Bone

2/12/2022 71
• In Sheesham, sap wood is considered
wastage.
• Substrate is concrete. Often wood flooring
is placed on small wooden strips called as
“sleepers”, otherwise flooring is often
nailed to wood substrate (plywood sheets,
or wooden decking).
• Because wood is very susceptible to
moisture, allowance must be made for
movement and ventilation.

2/12/2022 72
 PARQUET FLOORING

• Double Herring Bone Floor Boards

2/12/2022 73
• Allow expansion at perimeters.
• Vapor barriers below concrete slabs are
necessary.
• Use termite protection sprays on wooden
substrates.
• Three types of wood flooring is used:
a. Strip
b. Plank
c. Block (such as parquet)

2/12/2022 74
PARQUET
PATTERNS

2/12/2022 75
2/12/2022 76
2/12/2022 77
 PARQUET FLOORING

2/12/2022 78
 PARQUET FLOORING

2/12/2022 79
 PARQUET FLOORING

2/12/2022 80
 PARQUET FLOORING

2/12/2022 81
 PARQUET FLOORING

2/12/2022 82
C: SYNTHETIC / MANUFACTURED
FLOOR FINISHES
C-1: CERAMIC TILES:
FORMATION OF BODY SLIP:
Raw materials such as clay, feldspar, sand,
dolomite and quartz with 30% of water are
blended & grounded in a ball mill to get body
slip.
SPRAY DRYING OF BODY SLIP:
After formation of body slip, it is spray dried and
heated at high temperature, which transforms it
into powder with 6% moisture.
2/12/2022 83
 PRODUCTION OF BISCUIT:
Powder is compacted in to dies thru press
with pressure of several hundred pounds
per square foot. The biscuit is then dried at
high temperature. This process removes
the remaining moisture from the biscuit.
Strength and stability of the ceramic tile
floor depends upon the raw materials and
density.
2/12/2022 84
 GLAZING PROCESS:
The glazing process results in color, weight,
viscosity and density of the ceramic tile
flooring. Glazes are applied by silk screen
patterns, spray glazes, waterfall glazes,
brushes and roto screens etc. These glazes
enable a beautiful finish. The now glazed but
unfired ceramic tile is called “green-ware”.

2/12/2022 85
 FIRING THE “GREEN-WARE”:
The green ware is placed in a roller hearth
kiln for firing, where temperatures reach
2,100°F over a period of 45 minutes. During
firing the tile shrinks up to 15%. There are
two types of firing processes resulting in
two main categories of ceramic tile
flooring.
2/12/2022 86
 MONO COTTURA:

Production time of ceramic floor tiles is

reduced to a matter of hours. In this
process ceramic tiles are glazed and fired at
the same time which produces a dense and
durable tile.

2/12/2022 87
 BICOTTURA:

In this process firing is done in two phases. The

clay is fired once, then again with glaze added
to the top layer of ceramic tile. In this tiles may
be fired several times, and are generally less
durable than mono cottura ceramic tiles.
Bicottura tiles should be applied to indoor wall
locations because of their softer body and glaze.
2/12/2022 88
C-2: PORCELAIN TILES:
RAW MATERIALS:
The primary components of porcelain are
china clay, feldspar or flint and silica, all
characterized by small particle size.
Combination of these raw materials in
varying proportions produces different
properties of fired & unfired green ware.

2/12/2022 89
 All CLAYS vitrify (develop glassy qualities)
at extremely high temperatures, unless they
are mixed with materials whose vitrification
threshold is lower.
Unlike glass, however clay is refractory,
meaning that it holds its shape when it is
heated, making it both easy to form and ideal
for domestic use. The principal clays used to
make porcelain are china clay and ball clay,
which contain mostly Kaolinate, a hydrous
aluminum silicate.
2/12/2022 90
 FELDSPAR (aluminum silicate) and flint
(hard quartz) functions as fluxes in the
porcelain body of mixture. Fluxes reduce
the temperature at which liquid glass forms
during firing between 1,835° and 2,375° F,
(1,000° and 1,300° C). This liquid phase
binds the grains of the body together.

2/12/2022 91
 SILICA resembles glass / quartz (its
crystaline form), opal (its amorphous
form), and sand (its impure form). Silica is
the most filler used to facilitate forming
and firing of the body, as well as to improve
the properties of the finished product.

2/12/2022 92
 THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS:
The raw materials are crushed, purified and
mixed . This mixture is subjected to one of
the four forming processes to make biscuit:
1. Soft plastic forming,.
2. Stiff plastic forming,
3. Pressing, and
4. Casting.
The choice depends upon the type of ware
being produced. The biscuit is fired and then
glazed.
2/12/2022 93
 GLAZING:
Glaze is a layer of decorative glass applied
to and fired onto a ceramic body. Glaze
slurry is prepared by mixing ingredients
with water. Different types of glazes can be
produced by varying the proportions of the
constituent ingredients.

2/12/2022 94
 FIRING FOR GLAZING:

Firing is done in one of the two types of

kilns:

1. A periodic kiln,

2. A tunnel kiln.

Green-ware is heated to 1,295° to 2,015° F,

(700° to 1,100° C).
2/12/2022 95
 HARDNESS:

Vitrification makes it extremely hard. It is

suitable for high traffic public places, it has
tremendous resistance to wear and tear. It is
ideal for kitchen counters, it has very low
water absorption <0.5%. It resists chemicals &
scratches. It is low maintenance & easily
cleaned with a damp mop.
2/12/2022 96
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
a. Unglazed / un polished (through body
porcelain)

b. Glazed with salts absorption.

c. Harder & denser.

d. Frost resistant

e. High breaking strength

f. Low water absorption

2/12/2022 97
C-3: TERRA COTTA TILES
• Terracotta is a type of ceramic made from
special red and brown clays. This material is
shaped into the desired tile design and then
is allowed to dry. After that, it is fired, either
in kiln or in a combustible pit .
• Firing the clay makes it hard, and durable,
allowing it to serve as flooring. It can be
glazed to make it impervious to stains,
sealed to protect it from damage, or left
untreated in its natural state.
2/12/2022 98
2/12/2022 99
• The mix of red and earthen hues is due largely to the
iron deposits contained within the clay used in their
manufacture. It is this rustic beauty that makes terra
cotta so desirable as a flooring option.
• Terracotta is very porous in its natural shape. Water
and liquids seep into its core, causing mold and
stains to appear permanently on it.
• Natural terracotta is treated with a sealant to protect
it against those hazards. Surface burnishing during
the manufacturing process can cut down its
absorbency to some extant.
• When glaze is poured over terracotta, it gets hidden
beneath a glass layer, that makes it impervious to
stains, but also removes its rustic elegance.
2/12/2022 100
Minimal
wall
cladding

2/12/2022 101
2/12/2022 102
• Machine cut terracotta tiles are produced in a
factory based process that fires , cuts, into
geometric forms. These tiles are consistent in
shape and size making it easier to install them.
• This is contrary to hand made tiles .
• Terracotta tends to have an old world charm, as
rustic flooring, that is both rugged and
subdued all at once. It is popular in living
room floors.
• It gives feeling of warmth more than stone or
glazed ceramic tiles.
• Terracotta tiles are not good for outdoors use,
due to freeze thaw - cycle.
2/12/2022 103
2/12/2022 104
BRICK
FLOORS

2/12/2022 105
 BRICK FLOORS

2/12/2022 106
 BRICK FLOOR

2/12/2022 107
 BRICK FLOOR

2/12/2022 108
 BRICK FLOOR

2/12/2022 109
 BRICK FLOOR

2/12/2022 110
 C-4: CONCRETE PAVERS
• Concrete pavers are pre-cast concrete blocks
of inter-locking type.
• Thickness of these blocks vary from 2”” to
3”. Thicker pavers can sustain more traffic
loads.
• These pavers may be of regular one size and
shape only, and sometimes of multiple
modular sizes, fitting into each other to
form a repeated pattern.
• These pavers may either be of gray concrete
color, or colored as red, yellow, green and
other colors.
2/12/2022 111
• Earth is filled up and compacted to required
levels or slopes.
• A bed of dry sand 1.5” thick is spread over
compacted earth.
• Pre-cast concrete pavers are laid over sand
bed, arranged in to desired patterns.
• A plate compactor is rolled over arranged
concrete pavers.
• Pavers settle down to required levels and
slopes.
• Loose sand rises through the vertical crevices
between the pavers.
2/12/2022 112
2/12/2022 113
• Excessive oozed up sand is swept away from
the pavers.
• After use, if any part of the pavement settles
down, pavers from the affected area are taken
out, and additional quantity of sand is spread
over the affected / settled area, and same
pavers are placed back into their positions /
locations.
• Advantages of using concrete pavers are:
o Paving operation is quick and time saving.
o Subsequent repairing / maintenance is
easy.
2/12/2022 114
 o Concrete pavers are machine compressed,
therefore these are quite dense, strong,
durable and long lasting. The compressive
strength is often in the range of 8,000 psi.
o Making of different patterns in color and
arrangements is quite easy, and pleasing.
o It does not need elaborate soling / or sub-
floors.
o Concrete pavers and sand bed resist rising
dampness.
o It works out economical when compared
conventional concrete pavements.

2/12/2022 115
 C-5: VITRIFIED TILES

• Vitrified tile is a ceramic tile with very low

porosity. It is an alternative to marble and
granite flooring. Vitrified tiles are often
used outdoors due to their water and frost
resistance. There are four types of Vitrified
tiles - Soluble salt, Double charge, Full
Body, Glazed.

2/12/2022 116
2/12/2022 117
 C-6: VINYL FLOORING:
• Rubber tiles came about 12th & 13th centuries.
• Around 18th century red clay floor tiles were
used.
• Cork floor tiles were introduced around 1904.
• Linoleum flooring became popular & stayed
well into the second word war.
• Vinyl was first used in 1930 as shock absorber
seals.
• In 1933 first vinyl tiles were used in public at
the Century Exposition in Chicago.

2/12/2022 118
• Vinyl flooring soon became popular due to its
durability, cost effectiveness and safety
features.
• It is springy & “bounces back”.
• It has great sound deafening property,
therefore it is ideal for hospitals & offices.
• It is resilient & durable.
• Vinyl flooring has design flexibility in terms
of shapes, sizes, colors, patterns etc.
• It needs very little maintenance.
• Pulling very heavy furniture over vinyl floors
should be avoided, it produces scratches.
2/12/2022 119
• It is a good alternative to wooden flooring.
• It is ideal flooring for gymnasiums, exercise
rooms.
• It has shock absorbing surface which is safe
for falling bodies.
• It provides less leg fatigue.
• Vinyl flooring is easily maintainable & hard
to destroy.
• It is good choice for hospital environment,
and helps in sterile conditions.
• Plain, multi-colored, printed, textured etc
vinyl floor tiles or sheets are available.
2/12/2022 120
• Vinyl compound is produced in pellet
form.
• Additives are:
o PLASTICISORS: These are oily liquids
which make vinyl to yield & make it
more flexible.
o STABILIZERS: These additives
minimize deterioration of color from
heat & light.
o PIGMENTS: There is great variety of
colors.
o FILLERS: Limestone or clay is added to
make bulk.
2/12/2022 121
2/12/2022 122
• Vinyl components are melted at high
temperatures.
• It is poured in moulds of desired sizes &
shapes.
• Calendaring: To make vinyl sheets,
constituents are passed thru series of
rollers which gradually squeeze the
material to desired and uniform gauge.
• Thicknesses from 3 to 5mm are common.
• Flooring sheets are normally 12 to 15 feet
wide, and come in rolls. Vinyl sheets for
flooring produce less joints and are
preferred in hospital etc for cleanliness.
2/12/2022 123
2/12/2022 124
• Tiles of required sizes and shapes are cut out
of sheets.
• Vinyl tiles or sheets are glued to concrete sub
floor, wooden floor or even existing floor.
• Vinyl sheet floors are suitable for irregular
shaped rooms.
• Vinyl tiles or sheets are NOT suitable for wet
areas like toilets, kitchens etc or outdoors.
• Geometrical and floral patterns with
different colored sheets or tiles are possible.
• A damp mop is required to restore the clean
and polished surface.
2/12/2022 125
 C-7: EPOXY FLOORING
• Epoxy is a term that's come to represent a
class of materials and the act of using those
materials.
• Epoxy “systems” are based on a combination
of resins and hardeners.
• When mixed together, the resin and
hardener chemically react to form a rigid
plastic material.

2/12/2022 126
• The final material is strong, durable,
resistant, and bonds extremely well to most
base layers.
• Epoxy floors are so strong that they’re often
used in heavy traffic areas such as industrial
environments, hospitals, or sports facilities.

2/12/2022 127
Self-Leveling Epoxy Floors – Self-leveling
epoxy is applied over new, old, cracked, or
damaged concrete floors to create a smooth,
seamless, durable, and low maintenance
flooring surface. Colors are used to make
decorative designs, denote traffic patterns,
or highlight work zones in industrial
settings.
• It is best suited for manufacturing facilities,
warehouses, showrooms, commercial
garages, kitchens, aircraft hangars, athletic
facilities, and more.

2/12/2022 128
Epoxy Mortar Floors – Ultra-tough, this is the
strongest epoxy floor system available. This
high-build, seamless system is made with 100%
solids epoxy and graded sand or quartz sand
and then troweled into place. Mortar systems
are highly impact and chemical-resistant. This
system is also effective in repairing old floors
because of its high-build process.
• It is best suited for: manufacturing plants,
mechanical rooms, warehouses, commercial
kitchens, restaurants, garages, and service areas
where heavy equipment, such as forklifts, would
be used.
2/12/2022 129
Quartz-Filled Epoxy Floors – Quartz epoxy
flooring systems combine high-
performance epoxy polymer resin with
colored quartz grains. The result is a multi-
functional floor that’s decorative, sanitary,
slip-resistant, and exceptionally durable.
• It is best suited for: locker rooms, restrooms,
schools, cafeterias, showrooms, light
manufacturing, lobbies, offices, and more.

2/12/2022 130
Anti-Static Epoxy Floors (ESD Resistant
Floors): Electro-static charge (ESD) can be
extremely dangerous in many work
environments. Anti-static epoxy flooring helps
to reduce static hazards. This flooring system
typically contains a conductive material that
accumulates static electricity to drain, ground,
or dissipate any potential discharge. It’s highly
recommended in environments that contain
flammable materials.
• It is best suited for: Healthcare facilities,
electronic, chemical or pharmaceutical
manufacturing facilities; areas that use
flammable gases or liquids or risk combustible
dust buildup.

2/12/2022 131
Epoxy Flake Floors: Flake floor systems are
made when colored chips or flakes are placed
within the epoxy to create vibrant, multi-hued,
seamless, resilient surfaces. The chips are not
only aesthetically pleasing, but their slightly
rough surface reduces slips and falls. The
flakes are available in an endless variety of
colors, styles, textures, and sizes and can be
mixed into the combination of your choice.
• It is best suited for: commercial kitchens, locker
rooms, sports venues, automotive showrooms,
veterinarian clinics, Laundromats and more.
2/12/2022 132
 EPOXY FLOOR

2/12/2022 133
 CORIAN
Corian is a brand of solid surface material
created by DuPont.
• Its primary use is as a countertop / bench
top surface, though it has many other
applications.
• It is composed of acrylic polymer
and alumina tri-hydrate (ATH), a material
derived from bauxite ore.
• Corian is the original material of this type,
created by DuPont scientists in 1967.

2/12/2022 134
• A number of direct solid surface
competitors to Corian have emerged since
the expiration of DuPont’s patent on solid
surfaces.
• Corian is manufactured in three
thicknesses: 6, 12, & 19 mm.
• Cross-section cuts show consistent color
and particulate patterning evenly
distributed throughout the material, giving
rise to the category name “Solid Surface”.

2/12/2022 135
Corian is:
• Non-porous,
• Stain resistant,
• Seamless appearance: In the fabrication
process, joints can be made nearly invisible
by joining the relevant pieces with Corian's
own color-matched two-part acrylic
adhesive. The pieces are clamped tightly
together in order to express any excess
adhesive. After the adhesive dries, the area
is sanded and polished to create a near-
seamless joint. This seamless appearance is
a signature characteristic of the material.

2/12/2022 136
• Repairable and renewable: Cuts and
scratches can be buffed out with a Scotch-
Brite pad or orbital sander.
• Thermoformable: Flexible when heated,
Corian can be shaped and molded into
generally limitless forms which can be used
in commercial and artistic projects through
a process called thermoforming.

2/12/2022 137
• Heat resistance: the material is heat
resistant up to 100 °C (212 °F), but can be
damaged by excess heat. DuPont
recommends the use of trivets when the
material is installed in kitchens.
• Scratches: The material can be scratched,
with scratches particularly noticeable on
darker colors.
• Corian does not lose its visual appearance or
fade for many years, sometime decades.

2/12/2022 138
• Safety of installed material: Corian meets or
exceeds current emissions guidelines
for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs),
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) and is
"Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified".
• Corian is nontoxic and non-allergenic to
humans. Its hygienic properties make it
popular in installations where maintaining
sanitary conditions is important (e.g.
hospitals and restaurants).

2/12/2022 139
 CORK FLOORING
The Cork Oak Tree is unique among trees in
that only the bark is used to make wood
products. It is not cut down and then
replanted like most forestry efforts. Instead
the bark is harvested from the tree every 9
years and it re-grows more bark. This leaves
the tree and the forest undamaged to protect
the soil and native animal and plant
biodiversity.

2/12/2022 140
 When the bark is trimmed off, the tree can
absorb 3 - 5 times more carbon than it could
before the harvest! Its not unusual to have a
200 -300 year old tree still producing cork
bark.
A beautiful cork floor is good for health as
well as the environment. With its great
thermal and acoustical insulative properties,
cork tiles are suitable for floors, walls or
ceilings. Cork flooring is comfortable,
resilient anti-allergenic, easy to maintain and
durable.
2/12/2022 141
2/12/2022 142
 CORK FLOORING

2/12/2022 143
 CORK FLOORING

2/12/2022 144
 CORK FLOORING

2/12/2022 145
 CORK FLOORING

2/12/2022 146
 CORK WALL PANELLING

2/12/2022 147
 Marble floor polishing materials
Carborundum = Silicon carbide very hard
black rock, it is broken, grinded sieved to
different fineness and is used as abrasive grit
for floor grindings.
Minerals / chemicals used for grinding /
polishing:-
Nitride oxide, Gallium carbide, sapphire
wafers, Gallium arsenide, Cadmium zinc,
Indium phosphide, rock / soil.

2/12/2022 148
 CARBORUNDUM

2/12/2022 149