Building Materials& Construction Course Instructor : Meenu Priya

UNIT-IV
BASIC COMPONENT OF BUILDINGS
PURPOSE OF A BUILDING.
Buildings serve several needs of society primarily as shelter from weather, security, living
space, privacy, to store belongings, and to comfortably live and work. A building as a shelter
represents a physical division of the human habitat (a place of comfort and safety).
BASIC COMPONENT OF A BUILDING
All Buildings which are built on ground are two primary basic component
Super Structure
• The superstructure is that part of the building which is above the ground and which
serves the purpose of building’s intended use.
• It includes
• Plinth
• Wall and columns
• Beams
• Arches
• Roofs and slabs
• Lintel and arches
• Chajjas
• Parapet
• Steps and stairs
Substructure
• The substructure is the lower portion of the building, which is located below ground
level which transmits the load of the superstructure to the sub soil.
• it includes
• Foundations
1. FOUNDATION: The foundation plays an important role by allocating the entire load of the
building to the soil underneath in such a way to get rid of damaging settlements.
Therefore, the foundations should be built up on strong/solid ground.
2. PLINTH: A plinth is usually developed just over the ground level and instantly as soon as
the foundation is completed. It elevates the floor over the ground level and resists penetration
of surface water into the building.
3. DAMP PROOF COURSE (DPC): Damp proof course stands for a layer of water proofing
material like asphalt or waterproof cement. Walls are built up over the damp proof course.
o Damp proof course resists surface water from mounting into the walls.
o Dampness weakens the strength of the walls and produces hazardous living
conditions. Besides, it damages the paint and plaster and consequently the
maintenance cost is increased significantly.
o Damp proofing layer is not necessary where a plinth beam is built up since the
plinth beam already functions similar to a DPC.
4. PLINTH BEAM: A plinth beam is erected based on the type of the structure of the building
and character of the soil. It creates extra strength with regard to settlements of the building
and earthquake damages.
5. FLOOR: It is the surface where several activities are performed.
o Floorings are arranged over the filling of the plinth and on consequent floors.

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o Flooring is completed with several materials, but precaution should be taken to

ensure that the ground underneath the floor is properly compacted. The
purpose of flooring is to avoid dampness from expanding to the top and provide
a strong platform that can be provided hygienic and clean.
6. WALLS: Walls are the vertical members on which the roof finally stands.
o They are constructed with various materials like bricks, stones, mud, concrete blocks,
lateritic blocks etc. If the walls are too long, columns are arranged to sustain the load
of the roof.
o Walls offer privacy and enclosure as well as security and protection from natural
ingredients like wind, rain and sunshine.
o There should be openings in wall for access and ventilation.
7. OPENINGS: Openings are usually found in the walls as door, windows and ventilators.
o Doors offer access whereas the windows and ventilators offer light and ventilation.
o Lintels are built up just over the openings. It is generally formed with a stone slab or a
concrete slab.
o Sill is the section of the wall that is situated just under the window.
o Lintels are constructed to retain the walls over the openings. In the areas susceptible
to earthquake, a continuous lintel beam is arranged all over the walls.
8. STAIRS: A stair belongs to a series of steps and it is constructed to provide the means of
ascent and descent among the floors and landings.
o The apartment or room of a building where the stair is located is called staircase.
The space or opening captured by the stair is defined as a stairway.
o Several types of stairs are found in buildings which range from RCC stair,
wooden stair, metal stair, brick stair etc.
9. ROOF: The roof gives protection for the building and the people living in it. The roof stands
on the walls and needs perfect anchoring in order that wind and other mechanical impact fail
to damage it. A roof can comprise of several shapes but it is always either flat or sloping.
Roof is normally constructed with RCC, stone slab, tiles etc.
10. SURFACES / FINISHES: Exterior finishes stand for the outer most layer of protection,
which safeguard the structure against weathering. Internal finishes are the layers which are
provided on internal faces. They offer stability and attractive appearance to the inside.

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Area Considerations:
1. Building Site and Orientation: Assuming that the building site has already been
determined and all the analyses related to the location have been completed,
consideration must now be given on how the building must be oriented on the site.
The correct orientation of the building takes advantage of the natural vistas
afforded by that location. It also takes advantage of micro-climates, natural
drainage, topography and takes into consideration how the use of the building will
affect neighbouring properties.
2. Building Height: Thought must be given to the size and scale of buildings located
in the area when determining the maximum height of the structure. There may
also be statutory limitations that must also be considered.
3. Building Setbacks: This is the distance which a building must be set back from
property boundaries at ground and/or upper floor levels. There are standards that
govern minimum setbacks and they are applied in order to provide an adequate
buffer zone between buildings, minimize fire hazards by providing access for
firefighting equipment and prevent discharge of rainwater from roofs to adjoining
properties.
4. Vehicular Access: Consideration to how vehicles will enter and exit the proposed
site, access to minor and major roads. Right of way, road signs and traffic light
considerations. For example, where a building is located on a corner plot between
a minor and a major road, access off the minor road is preferable.
5. Pedestrian Access: Entrances and exits of a building should be designed so as to
provide convenient access to parking areas, walk-ways and adjacent streets, with
particular attention being given to the needs of the physically handicapped.
6. Landscaping: Landscaping can be regarded as an essential feature of any
development since it serves to enhance and complement the appearance and visual
appeal of built features on the site. The ease of future maintenance is an important
consideration in the planning of the site and will influence the choice of trees and
materials to be used.
7. Type & Availability of Materials: In examining the possibility of using sustainable
building technology the use of alternative building materials should also be
considered. Slag and fly ashes as a substitute for cement, recycled aggregates, metal
scraps, timber, etc are desirable but must be considered on the basis of their cost
and availability. Are the materials available locally? Will the supplier provide
transport? Are the materials plentiful or rare? Are the materials renewable or non
renewable? Is the material fire resistant? Is the material strong and durable? Does
the material contribute to energy efficiency? What is the cost to maintain the
material during its lifecycle?
8. Labor Requirements: Building Construction is the most labor intensive discipline, thus
human resources is one of the most important of the planning considerations. If the
required labor is in short supply or insufficiently skilled, then constraints such as Time and
Quality will be put in jeopardy. Specialist skills that are critical to various project teams
must be considered in terms of their availability on the market and their remuneration
packages. Choice of sub-contractors, operatives, administrators etc. in terms of who is
required when and how many personnel is needed must all be planned well in advance.

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9. Safety and Security: In a modern construction site safety and security is mandatory. The
Health and Safety of workers on the site is a standard that needs to be strictly adhered to.
To ensure compliance to the Occupational Safety and Health Act a safety team must be
established to formulate, implement and monitor a safety policy. The hazards and risks
onsite will be continually assessed and recommendations made on how to mitigate these
risks. These recommendations are then progressively implemented.
CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS
Group Occupancy Sub divisions
A Residential A1 Lodging or rooming houses
A2 One or two family dwellings A3 Dormitories
A4 Apartments A5 Hotels
B Educational Building used for colleges, schools, day care
purpose involving assembly for instructions,
education etc

C Institutional C1 Hospitals and sanatoria

C2 Homes for aged, orphans C3 Prisons, mental
hospitals

D Assembly D1 Theatres with fixed seats for more than 1000

D Assembly
persons
D2 Theatres with fixed seats for less than 1000
persons
D3 Halls with capacity to hold more than 300
persons but with no permanent seating
D4 Halls for less than 300 persons but with no
permanent seating
D5 All other assembly buildings not covered above

E Business E1 Office, banks, professional establishments for

F Mercantile
G Industrial
doctors, engineers, lawyers
E2 Laboratories and research E3 Computer
installations
F1 Shops, stores, markets with area up to 500m2
with storage incidental to sales
F2 Underground shopping centres/ departmental
stores with area more than 500m2 with storage and
services incidental to sales
G1 Buildings used for low hazard industries
G2 Buildings used for moderate hazard industries
G3 Buildings used for high hazard industries

H Storage buildings Used for storage or sheltering of goods, vehicles,

animals
Warehouses, grain stores, garages, stables

I Hazardous Used for storage, handling, manufacturing and

processing of corrosive, toxic, inflammable,
explosive materials

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CLASSIFICATION AND FIXATION OF AREAS- SIZE OF PLOTS

1. Residential
Type of development Minimum Plot size (m2) Frontage (m)
Detached building Above 250 Above 12
Semi detached building 125-250 8-12

Row type 125 4.5-8

2
2. Industrial building- 300m with width not less than 15m
3. Assembly halls/ cinema theatres Based on seating capacity @ 3m2 per seat
4. Community halls Size of plot not less than 1000m2
5. Petrol filling station With service bay- 37m ´ 31m Without service bay -
31m ´ 17m
CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLE:

Environmental
Construction work should be environmentally friendly and pollution free.
Protection

Construction work has to be carried out in safety and comfort, with a method
Safety
that implements the highest safety criteria.

Construction work should be completed in the shortest possible period of

Speed
time.

Construction work must be done rationally with an inventive mind to

Economy
overcome all constraints at the lowest cost.

Construction work must proceed smoothly and the finished product should
Aesthetics
portray cultural and artistic flavour.

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METHODS FOR LAYOUT-BUILDING

1. BASELINE
A baseline is a straight reference line with respect to which corners of the building are located
on the ground. It may be outer boundary of a road or curb or boundary of the area or simply
a line joining any two points.

2. HORIZONTAL CONTROLS
Horizontal controls are the points that have known co-ordinates with respect to a specific point.
These points are then used to locate other points such as corners of a layout using various
techniques. There should be plenty of control points so that each point of foundation plan can
be located precisely on the ground.

3. VERTICAL CONTROLS

In order that design points on the works can be positioned at their correct levels, vertical
control points of known elevation relative to some specified vertical datum are established. In
practice, 20mm diameter steel bolts and 100mmlong, with known reduce levels driven into
existing steps, ledges, footpaths etc. may serve as vertical controls.

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4. BATTERBOARDS AND OFFSET PEGS

Once points specifying the layout are located on ground pegs are driven in the ground at that
spot. Once excavations for foundations begin, the corner pegs will be lost. To avoid these extra
pegs called offset pegs are used. Batter boards are normally erected near each offset peg and
are used to relocate the points after the excavation has been done.

5. LAYING OUT A RECTANGULAR BUILDING SITE

Starting from a baseline (line AB in Figure 4-1) that is parallel to construction, establish the
maximum outer borders (AB, CD, AC, BD) of the building area.

Suppose we know the co-ordinates(x,y) of the points X with respect to point A then we can
locate it by measuring their x distance along line AB and y distance along line AC and BD
respectively to locate them. These two points can be joined to make line XX. To locate point G
and H, straight line are set out using 3-4-5 triangle rule and distance XG and XH which is
known is marked on those lines. After the four corners (X, X, G. and H) have been located,
drive stakes at each corner. Dimensions are determined accurately during each step.
6. LAYING OUT AN IRREGULAR BUILDING SITE

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Where the outline of the building is other than a rectangle, the procedure in establishing each
point is the same as defined for laying out a simple rectangle. However, more points have to
be positioned, and the final proving of the work is more likely to disclose a small error. When
the building is an irregular shape, it is sensible to first lay out a large rectangle which will
includes the entire building or the greater part of it. This is shown in Figure 4-2 as HOPQ When
this is established, the remaining portion of the layout will consist of small rectangles, each of
which can be laid out and shown separately. These rectangles are shown as LMNP ABCQ,
DEFG, and IJKO in Figure
7. EXTENDING LINES
Since the corner pegs of the building are to be removed during excavation these points are
transferred outside that periphery by extending lines and driving pegs in the ground. The
following procedure applies to a simple layout as shown in Figure 4-4, page 4-4, and must be
amended to apply to different or
more complex layout problems:

Step 1: After locating and dipping stakes A and B. erect batter boards 1, 2, 3, and 4. Extend a
chalk line (X) from batter board 1 to batter board 3, over stakes A and B.
Step 2: After locating and dipping stake C, erect batter boards 5 and 6 Extend chalk line Y from
batter board 2 over stakes A and C to batter board 6.
Step 3: After locating and dipping stake D, erect batter boards 7 and 8 Extend chalk line Z from
batter board 5 to batter board 7, over stakes C and D.
Step 4: Extend line O from batter board 8 to batter board 4, over stakes D and B.
Where foundation walls are wide at the bottom and extend beyond the outside dimensions of
the building, the excavation must be larger than the laid-out size. To lay out dimensions of this
excavation, measure out as far as required from the building line on each batter board and
stretch lines between these points, outside the first layout.
Procedure for Setting Out a Building Plan on Ground

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Fig.1: Example plan to be set out on the ground

1. From the plan (fig 1), the centre line of the walls are calculated. Then the centre lines of the
rooms are set out by setting perpendiculars in the ratio 3:4:5. Suppose the corner points are a,
b, c, d, e, f and g which are marked by pegs with nails on top.
2. The setting of the corner point is checked according to diagonals ac, bd, cf and eg.
3. During excavation, the centre points a, b, c, d, e, f, g may be removed. Therefore the centre
lines are extended and the centre points are marked about 2m away from the outer edge of
excavation.
Thus the points A1, A2, B1, B2 and likewise, are marked outside the trench. Centre line are
shown clearly by stretching thread or rope. The centre points fixed 2m away from the
excavation are marked with sit out pegs.
4. From the plan details, the width of excavation to be done is also marked by thread with pegs
at appropriate positions.
5. The excavation width is then marked by lime or by with furrow with spade.
6. If the plan is much to complicated and follows a zigzag pattern, then the centre pegs are
kept at suitable positions according to site conditions.
DAMP-PROOFING AND WATER-PROOFING COURSE
❑ Dampness a common problem in buildings.
❑ It refers to access and penetration of moisture content into buildings through its walls,
floors, roof etc.
❑ It is important to take measures to prevent dampness.
❑ Such measures is called damp proofing.
❑ Water proofing is a treatment of the surface or structure in a building to prevent
leakage.
Causes :
❑ Moisture from ground:-The materials used for the foundation and floors absorb
moisture from the soil and it rises up the surface of the building,
❑ Splashing of rain:-When rain splashes on external walls dampness may enter the
interior.
❑ Exposed top wall:-dampness enters from the top if the tops of parapet walls are not
given sufficient damp proofing course.
❑ Condensation: dampness is caused due to condensation of atmospheric moisture,
deposited on walls and ceilings.
❑ Construction defects:- Improper planning, lack of proper slope in roof, defective pipe
fittings, improperly sealed construction joints are constructive defects.
Effects:
• Ugly patches on walls and ceilings.
• Plaster softens and crumbles.
• Materials used for wall decorations are damaged.
• Stones ,bricks and tiles disintegrate due to efflorescence.
• Floor finishing may be damaged
• Woodworks decays due to dry rot.
• Metal components of building corrodes.
• Electrical fittings are damaged,
• Dampness leads to breeding of mosquitoes, growth of termites and germs carrying
diseases such as tuberculosis, it also aggravates asthma.
Requirements of ideal materials for damp proofing:-
They should be :-
▪ Impervious.

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▪ Durable
▪ Capable of bearing the load
▪ Dimensionally stable
▪ Flexible
▪ Free from sulphates, chlorides and nitrates.
▪ Inexpensive
▪ Hot bitumen :-hot bitumen,3mm thick may be applied on bedding of mortar or
concrete.
▪ Mastic asphalt:-semi rigid material obtained by heating asphalt with sand and mineral
fillers. It is laid on mortar or concrete bed.
▪ Bituminous felt:-flexible material available in rolls. It is laid on flat mortar finished
surfaces.
▪ Metal sheets:-sheets of lead, copper and aluminum membranes may be used in damp
proofing. Lead is the most ideally suited material.

Combination of sheets and felts:-economical and drabble damp proofing sheet is obtained by
sandwiching a lead sheet and bituminous felt.
• plastic sheets:-a relatively cheap method of damp proofing is by laying 0.5-1.0mm
thick plastic sheets made of black polythene. This is not a permanent method.
• Bricks:-quality bricks absorbing water less than 4.5% of their weight may be used for
damp proofing. These bricks are laid in 2-4 courses in cement mortar.
• Mortar:-cement mortar in the ratio 1:3 is used for bedding layers over damp proofing
course. It may be mixed with slaked lime to improve its workability.
• Cement concrete course:-a cement concrete course of proportion 1:2:4 and thickness
75-150mm is laid on masonry at plinth level.
General principles to be followed in damp proofing are:-
❑ Mortar bed prepared to receive damp-proof course should be leveled.
❑ The horizontal damp proofing course should cover the full width of wall excluding
rendering.
❑ If sheets or mastic asphalt are used, the gap should not be less than 100mm at any
point.
❑ At joints and corners. Damp proof course should be continuous.
❑ Damp proofing course should not be kept exposed on the wall surface.
❑ At vertical and horizontal junctions, damp proof courses should be continuous and a
cement mortar fillet of about 75mm should cover joints.
Different types of treatments are used for preventing dampness in different parts of the
building:-
• Foundations:-this is method of protecting foundations of outer walls. An air drain is
constructed parallel to the wall. The drain is covered with RCC slab, and gratings are
provided at regular intervals, horizontal and vertical damp proof courses are also provided.

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• Treatment for floors:-

if there is no damp soil, a layer of coarse sand,75-100mm thick is provided over entire area
under the flooring. Then 1:4:8 concrete of 100mm thickness is laid. This layer serves as DPC.
the usual flooring is provided over this,If soil is wet, a membrane DPC is provided over the
floor area, over which a layer of flat bricks is laid. The usual flooring is then provided.

• Treatment for walls:

• the plinth level should preferably be 450mm above ground level.DPC should be
provided over a concrete bed of thickness 100-200mm.the top of the parapet should
be provided with capping over the DPC. the wall also needs DPC at the edge of the
roof slab.

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Termite Treatment :
o Termite control in building is very important as the damage likely to be caused
by the termite is huge.
o Termites damages the cellulosic materials (Like wood) at faster rate because
cellulose forms their nutrients .
o Termites also known to damage non cellulosic material in their search for food
According to their habits, termites are classified into two well defined groups:-
1. Subterranean :-Termites which builds their nests in the soil.
2. Non Subterranean:- These type of termites are wood nesting ,which live in wood
with no contact to soil.

o Pre-construction anti-termite treatment is considered as most effective way to

prevent termite invasion in buildings or homes.
o In this soil under the foundation is treated with chemicals. A chemical barrier
is formed between ground and brickwork of the foundation to avoid termites
access to the building.
o Post construction anti-termite treatment is conducted after the completion of the
construction of the building. This normally consists of re-using termiticides to the soil
around the foundation. Also treat the floors of the rooms by making holes under floors
and fill them with chemicals for Termite Control.
Anti Termite Treatment :
1. Pre construction
2. Post construction
I. Pre construction
The various operation involved in this treatment are as follows
I. Site preparation
II. Soil treatment
III. Structure barriers
• The site preparation consist of removing the stumps, roots, logs, waste woods
etc from the site where the building is to be constructed.
• If the termite mounds are detected within the plinth area of the building they
should be destroyed by the use of insecticide solution.
✓ To make the soil treatment effective the chemical water emulation is applied
in required dosage on entire area of ground covered by the building.

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✓ The watering can or and operated compressed air sprayer can be used to ensure
distribution of the chemical emulsion.

Pre-construction anti-termite treatment

❑ The structure barriars may be provided continually at plinth level to prevent

entries of termites through walls.
❑ The cement concrete layer 5 to 7.5 cm thick may be provided projecting 5 to
7.5 cm on both the side.
❑ The metal barriers consist of non corrodible sheets of copper or galvanized iron
of 0.8 mm thick may be provided on both the side.

II. Post Construction:

This treatment is applied to existing buildings which are already attacked by
termites.
The termites even after their entries in the building they maintain regularly
contact with their nest in the ground.
In case of sever attack the soil around and beneath the building is treated with
chemical emulsion.
The wood work which is badly damaged by termites may be replaced by new
timber brushed with oil or kerosene based chemical emulsion.
The wood work which is not attack by termites may be sprayed over with
chemical emulsion to prevent the possible attack .

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Chemicals used :
Chloropyriphos 20% Bearing ISI Certification
Dilute 1 Part Of Chloropyriphos 20% With 90% Of Water
Indian Pest Control Association Aproved Chemicals
Stair & Staircase
o A stair is a set of steps, leading from one floor to other , provided to afford the
means of ascent or descent between the various floors of building.
o The room or enclosure of building in which the stair
is located is known as stair-case.
STEP: It’s a portion of stair which permits ascent or descent it is comprised of a trend and a
riser

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FLOORING
❑ Floor covering is a term to generally describe any finish material applied over a floor
structure to provide a walking surface.
❑ Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of
installing such a floor covering. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor
covering refers more to loose-laid materials.
❑ Materials almost always classified as floor covering include carpet, area rugs, and
resilient flooring such as linoleum or vinyl flooring. Materials commonly called
flooring include wood flooring, laminated wood, ceramic tile, stone, terrazzo, and
various seamless chemical floor coatings.
STEPS OF FLOORING
1. BASE- Lay Base Coat Of 100 Mm Thick In The Ratio Of Cement Concrete 1:8:16 ( 1
Part Of Cement, 8 Parts Of Fine Sand And16 Parts Of Brick
Blast) Or 1:4:8 On Compacted Earth Under The Floor. The base is same for all types of floors.
2. FINSHING- Then finishing of the floor is carried on, for different flooring materials.
As we will discuss here the finishing of terrazzo, brick, stone and cement concrete floor.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FLOORING
• It should be durable
• It should be easy to clean
• Noiseless
• Have Good Appearance
• Free from dampness
• Fire Resistant
• Low Maintenance cost
TYPES OF FLOORING
1. Mud flooring
2. Brick flooring
3. Stone flooring
4. Cement Concrete flooring
5. Terrazzo or Mosaic flooring
6. Marble flooring
7. Tile flooring
8. Wooden flooring

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Timber
Given that each piece is different, the unique aesthetic of timber is one of the main
appeals for its use as flooring. It can also be very durable although it may scratch and is prone
to movement. As timber is hygroscopic (sponge-like), it can unsuitable for use in rooms that
may be exposed to humidity or moisture, although treatment of the timber can make it
resistant to moisture.
There are several options for finishing timber, such as wax, oil or lacquer. The two main types
of timber flooring are:
▪ Solid: Each board is made from a single piece of wood, typically 18-20mm thick, usually
fitted using tongue-and-groove.
▪ Engineered: Each board consists of three or four layers of laminated timber, held
together at right angles by glue to create a plank typically of around 14mm
thickness.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is a compressed fibreboard plank covered with an image of
a material such as timber, stone, tiles and so on that is then given a protective coating.
Laminates can be suitable for rooms that wish to benefit from the aesthetics of a
‘natural’ floor but at a lower cost, with easier installation, and without the risk of being
damaged by scratching. Good quality laminates are durable and may have a 20-year warranty.
They require minimal maintenance and may be installed with under-floor heating.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring can be supplied in rolls or tiles and is generally fixed by gluing. It can
be manufactured in a very wide range of colours and profiles (for example studded) and as
with laminate flooring can simulate the appearance of other materials.
The advantages of using vinyl flooring include:
▪ It is durable.
▪ It is easy to maintain and keep clean.
▪ It is capable of getting wet without buckling, making it suitable for use
in bathrooms, kitchens, and so on.
▪ It is easy to instal.
▪ It can be relatively inexpensive.
Bamboo
Rather than being wood, this is grass that has been compressed into a floor material,
and is nailed down or glued together. It has the advantage of being a renewable resource
and water resistant.
Cork
Cork is a water-resistant, renewable material that is suitable for a range of spaces,
including basement and bathroom installations. Cork can be clicked together in the same way
as laminates or can be glued. Cork floors are warm and flexible although they can be damaged
easily by sharp objects.
Tile (porcelain or ceramic)
There are many options in terms of colour, texture, shape and finishes of tiles. Because
of their hardness they are difficult to scratch or dent, and are also suited to wet environments.
However, they are difficult to instal and can break if there is a lack of support beneath the tiles.
Tile (natural stone)
These are generally more expensive than porcelain or ceramic options, but can be
more aesthetically pleasing. They need to be properly sealed when installed, a process that will
need repeating occasionally to keep the tiles protected.

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Carpet
Carpet is made of an upper layer of pile attached to a backing. The pile is usually wool
or fibres such as nylon, polyester or polypropylene that are heat-treated after having been
twisted together into tufts or woven. There are many varieties of
texture, style and colour available and generally carpet is both durable and easy to
maintain. Carpet also has insulating properties in terms of both heat and sound.
However, carpets can stain quite easily and can be damaged by water and damp.
Rubber
Rubber flooring is made from natural or synthetic materials, including
recycled rubber tyres. It is categorised as a type of resilient flooring, since it exhibits
characteristics of elasticity or ‘bounce’. This also makes it suitable for dance floors, restaurants
or other high traffic areas where foot fatigue and slippage can occur. Rubber flooring is also
becoming a popular option for domestic installations. It’s being used for children’s playrooms,
shower and bath rooms, garages, home gymnasiums and other applications that tend to
require moisture and stain resistance, sound absorption, durability, elasticity
and temperature stability.
Poured floors (mastic asphalt and polymeric)
Mastic asphalt and polymeric floors are poured as liquids and spread out across
surfaces to harden and cure. This creates a finish without seams.
While asphalt and polymer flooring options are not especially common, they do have
advantages in both commercial (especially industrial) and domestic applications
where water protection and durability are high priorities.
For more information, see Mastic asphalt flooring and Polymeric flooring.
Domestic flooring
It is most common for domestic flooring to be installed on a room-by-room basis rather than
using one material throughout. Different rooms have different requirements from
their floorings.
▪ Bedroom: The most popular choice is carpet, although wood, laminate, or vinyl are
suitable.
▪ Kitchen: Vinyl is a popular choice as it isn’t affected by water, is easily cleaned and
has durability. Tiles and laminate flooring are also options.
▪ Lounge/dining room: The flooring decision is likely to be down
to aesthetic preferences, as all floor types are suitable.
▪ Landings/stairs: The majority of upstairs areas are carpeted as occupants will most
likely be walking around without shoes and harder flooring can be noisy.
▪ Bathroom/wet areas: Untreated timber is unsuitable for these rooms, and carpets can
become wet and unhygienic. Vinyl and tiles are ideal as they are unaffected
by water and require minimum maintenance. Good quality vinyl with an R10 rating
is slip resistant and therefore ideal for wet rooms.

CIVIL ENGINEERING