FLOOR AND FLOOR FINISHES

Floors are both functional and decorative and play an important part in the cleaning and
maintenance program of any hotel. They cover a large area and are subjected to a great deal
of wear and tear. Clean and well-kept floors indicate the standard of cleanliness throughout
the establishment. Only in rare cases is the type of flooring chosen solely for luxury.
Common considerations while choosing flooring are: -Appearance – colour, design, cold,
warm Resistance to spills – water, grease, food, acid, etc. Ease of cleaning in relation to the
type and amount of soiling Sound and heat insulation Nature and condition of sub floor.
Hard floors are usually sealed to give a non-absorbent, semi permanent gloss or finish
which will wear off in time. Seal is applied on clean and dry floor. Before re-sealing any
remaining seal has to be stripped off. This is done with a chemical stripper, except in the case
of wood and cork where sanding is done.
In order to preserve the seal, polish should be applied to sealed flooring. Polishes are
usually spirit or water based. Spirit based floor polishes may be paste or liquid and require
buffing when dry to produce a shine. Water based polishes are liquid and dries after
application to give a shiny surface.

FACTORS FOR DETERMINING FLOOR SURFACES:

Appearance:
Colour, pattern and texture of the floor surfaces should be compatible to the size, décor and
activity of the room. Pale colours provide a cool appearance of warmth. Patterned surfaces
add interest to the room.
Comfort:
Foot fatigue should be reduced by use of soft resilient surfaces. Floor surfaces should not be
noisy or slippery.
Durability:
Grit, dragging of furniture and placement of equipment or circulation of heavy traffic should
not damage the floor surface. They should also not be affected by the cleaning reagents and
food spillages.
Life Expectancy:
Since floor surfaces are not changed frequently, they are expected to last for longer time.
Safety:
Safety to the guests and occupants must be considered. Fire resistance, slip resistance and
accident proof surfaces must be selected.
Ease of Cleaning:
Ease of maintenance and cleaning costs must be considered while selecting them.
Cost:
The cost of floor surface cost of laying and maintenance should be considered before
selection.

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Structure of the floor-

A good finishing will have the following characteristics-
a. Look attractive/beautiful
b. Comfortable and safe
c. Long lasting and able to prevent- i- high temperature, ii- fungi, iii- chemical
corrosion.

The floor is divided into three components-

a. Sub-base
b. Base concrete
c. Floor finish

The method of laying cement concrete flooring on ground floor of a building can be broadly
divided in the following steps.
(iii)Preparation of sub-base:
The earth filling in plinth is consolidated thoroughly so as to ensure that no loose pockets are
left in the whole area. A 10 to 15 cm. Thick layer of clean coarse sand is then spread over the
whole area. The sand layer a consolidated and dressed to the required level and slope.
(ii) Laying of base concrete:
The base concrete used under floors may be cement concrete or lime concrete laid to a
thickness varying from 75 to 10 cm. In case of cement concrete, the mix commonly used
is 1:5:10 (1 cement: 5 sand : 10 stone or over burnt brick aggregates 40 mm. Nominal size).
(iii) Laying the topping:
When the base concrete layer has fully set and hardened, its surface is thoroughly cleaned and
the entire area is divided into rectangular or square panels by use of 4 mm, thick glass strips
or 5 mm, thick plain asbestos strips. The size of panel is basically governed by the location of
floor (exposed or indoor), temperature and other climatic conditions, thickness of topping and
proportions of ingredients in concrete mix. Etc.

The surface is then smoothened and finally finished by means of steel trowels. In case glass
or plain asbestos strips are not required, the panels are formed by use of wooden or angle iron
battens.
The flooring should be cured for 10 days before use.

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Selection of flooring material-

a. Cleanliness- the floor should be capable of being cleaned easily, and it should be
non-absorbent
b. Resistance- should have effective resistance against absorption of oil, grease etc.
c. Durability- the flooring should have sufficient resistance to wear, temperature
changes, disintegration with time and decay. Tiles, marble, terrazzo, concrete,
mosaic, etc are considered to be of best types.
d. Hardness- it should be sufficiently hard to resist indentation marks, imprints etc.
Likely to be caused by shifting of furniture, equipments etc.
 e. Maintenance – flooring material should require least maintenance, repairs can be
done easily. Tiles, marble, terrazzo, concrete etc. require less maintenance.

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HARD FINISHES

Granolithic
Granolithic flooring is nothing but a
final coat that are used over a cement
concrete floor for finishing purposes,
thus making the surface resistant to
wear and tear caused due to abrasion
action.
Granolithic is hard floor finish of
graded granite chips set in cement. It
is used for basement corridors,
storerooms, stairways and laundry. It
is usually laid in tile form.

Terrazzo
This is also a hard floor finish,
consisting of a mixture of marble and
other decorative chipping set in fine
cement that can be coloured. Marble
is a rock (limestone) mainly found in
Italy, and maybe white, black, green
or brown. When used as flooring it is
laid in slabs. Marble is very
expensive; terrazzo being only chips
of marble is much cheaper. To
prevent slipperiness self-polishing
emulsions are applied. Terrazzo is
used in foyers, cloakrooms and
kitchens.
Note- Cleaning regularly Avoid strong alkalis on terrazzo. Attend to cracks and loose
chipping immediately.
Magnesite
Magnesite flooring consists of wood
floor and other fillers mixed with burnt
Magnesite, and ‘laid in situ’ (on the spot) or
in form of small blocks. This finish is
extremely porous and washing should be
avoided as much as possible. It may be sealed
and /or polished to prevent the penetration of
water and dirt, but then it becomes very
slippery.
 Moderately warm
 Good appearance
 Cleaning is relatively easy
 Initial cost is low
 Hard and rather noisy
 Little choice of colour
 Becomes slippery when polished
 Easily harmed by water, acids, alkalis and abrasives.

Note-Clean regularly. Avoid frequent washing

Bitumastic
This is a type of asphalt rolled on to a solid subfloor, in a hot plastic state.
Conventionally found in black, red or brown colours only, it may have other colours
rolled in, or surface maybe painted. It is used mainly in bathrooms to protect the floor
from dampness.

 Coven edges facilitate cleaning

 Not effected by water and may have a drain incorporated.
 Very durable.
 It is vermin proof and impervious to dry rot.
 Initial cost is low.
 Non-slippery.
 Poor appearance
 Dents with heavy weight
 Softens to heat
 Harmed by spirits, oils and acids.

Note -Clean regularly. Use special floor paint to restore colour whenever necessary.

Ceramic tiles
Ceramics are clayware and its floor tiles are available in variety of qualities, colour and
sizes. Tiles with a particularly hard glaze are used as more decorative floorings. A wide
range of colours is available to harmonize with wall tiles. Tessellated tiles are small
ceramic tiles often used as mosaic, giving highly decorative floor.

 Removable pre-cast slabs can be made to

cover service pipes for ease of
maintenance.
 Coven edges facilitate cleaning.
 They are not affected by water and may
have a drain incorporated.
 Available in many qualities, colours and
size.
 Ridged and abrasive surfaced tiles can be
used for a less slippery floor.
 Very durable.
 One loose tile may be replaced or reset.
  Not affected by acids, alkalis or grease.
 They are vermin proof, impervious to dry rot and fire resistant.
 Cleaning is very easy.
 Hard and noisy
 Cold in appearance
 Slippery when wet or greasy.
 Under heavy weight, they crack or break easily
 Marks are difficult to remove
 Initial cost is average.

Note- Clean regularly. Attend to loose and broken tiles.

Marble
Marble is a natural stone, and when
properly finished can be transformed
into beautiful flooring. Marble
flooring is one of the most luxurious
and sophisticated floorings to install
in a home and adds a whole new
element of class. Different types of
marble will bring different looks to a
foyer, hallway, bathroom, or any
room where it is present – and there
are thousands of different types of
marble in nearly every color
imaginable. With hues in black, brown, green, red, white and even pink

This is a form of metamorphic rock-

 It is made up of calcium carbonate; it comes in numerous colors, white, grey, green,
ochre, and beige and is usually veined.

 Being a natural stone, marble is known for its porous surface. To keep it looking as
good as new, it’s important to seal marble surfaces every six to twelve months.
 Polished marble can be quite slick, even more so if it’s wet. So while it is a great
choice for bathrooms, bath mats and rugs should be placed in these locations to
prevent dangerous slipping.
 Because of its unique vein patterns, marble tiles can be difficult to match. All tiles
should come from the same stone to keep the floor consistent. The best way to make
sure the tiles match together is to lay out of the flooring before it’s permanently
installed.
 Marble acts a base, so if anything acidic were to come into contact with it, there will
be a chemical reaction. Spills like orange juice, harsh cleaners, or any other acidic
liquids need to be cleaned up immediately. Leaving spills to sit for too long and you
can do irreversible damage to your marble floors.
 It is a hardwearing beautiful product, expensive to purchase and lay as it is heavy and
comes in slab form.
Cement concrete flooring
It is composed of cement and sand. Pigments may be added to provide colour. This floor
can withstand large weights but is damaged by acids and alkalis. It is suitable for stores,
sub-floors, laundry, staircase etc. Concrete is extremely porous, hard and soiled easily. A
scale may be applied to make it stain resistant. These floors are suitable in halls, lounges,
corridors, and bathrooms and as tabletops.

o Smooth and pleasing in appearance.

o It is economical and has the advantages of costlier types of floors.
o It possesses good wearing properties and can be easily maintained clean.

Merits of cement concrete flooring:

o It is non-absorbent and thus it is very useful for water stores.
o It is durable and hence it is commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, schools,
hospitals, drawing rooms etc.

Demerits of cement concrete flooring:

o Detects in carelessly made floor cannot be rectified, and as such, it
requires proper attention while laying.
o Cannot be repaired properly.
Mosaic:
They are made of glass, silica and clay. They may be set directly on the floor or made as
tiles and laid on a sub floor unaffected by pests or fungi and the glass can be retained for a
long time.

Wooden Floor Surfaces:

These floors are used in all types of establishments for corridors, dance floors, bar areas,
dining halls, game rooms etc. They are more attractive than stone but are very porous and
easily damaged by moisture and pests. A ceiling polish must be applied to increase
durability. Strips of wood are cut into varying lengths and laid on a sub floor. The colour
of the floor will depend upon the type of wood used. Oak and teak are the common types
of wood used for flooring. Designs can be created by varying the colour of wooden tiles
(blocks) and arranging them in different patterns

Strip wood flooring

Strip wood flooring consists of lengths of narrow strips (under 4”wide) of hard
wood of good appearance. E.g. Maple. The boards are fixed to joists or to timber insets in
concrete. This construction together with the length of strips, gives the floor it’s resilience
properties and makes it suitable for dance floors. A sprung floor has springs under the
joists to increase the resilience.

Wood block flooring

A wood block flooring consists of rectangular blocks (e.g. 9”x3”or 12”x2”) laid
with an adhesive on a level concrete base. Blocks are generally laid to form a pattern.
Wood used is generally oak, teak, jarrah, missanda, etc. When used in linen rooms, store
rooms or staff halls, it is chosen for its durability and insulation rather than for their
appearance.

Parquet flooring
In appearance parquet
flooring resembles wood block
flooring. It also consists of
rectangular pieces of wood but the
blocks are much thinner (less than
3/8”in thickness) and are pinned
and glued to a wooden subfloor,
often in a herring bone pattern. It is
used in foyers and lounges in
conjunction with rugs. Cheaper
parquet flooring may only have a
veneer of a good quality wood on
the surface and thus form a much
less hardwearing surface.

Wood mosaics
Wood mosaics are generally made up in panels (18”sq formed of four ½”squares in
basket pattern). It is backed with felt or aluminum. It is laid directly on concrete with an
adhesive or as an overlay on an existing floor.

 Available in varying colours and grains

 Give a good appearance when used in strips or parquet.
 Hardwearing and does not require frequent repairs.
 Surface can be sanded and fresh surface exposed.
 Very good as heat insulator.
 Noisy Inflammable and susceptible to dry rot.
 Splinters if heavy item is dragged on it If not sealed, they are absorbent and
cleaning can become laborious and expensive.
 Initial cost is high
 Clean regularly and polish with wax polish.
 Attend to loose blocks and splinters.
 Resurface by sanding when necessary
 Available in variety of colours.
 Very durable and Easy to clean.
 Hard and hence noisy.
 Cold in appearance.
 Slippery when wet.
 Easily harmed by spirits, grease and coarse abrasives.
 Dent with heavy weights and soften with heat.
 Scratches occur with grit and sharp edges.
 Gets badly marked, especially with rubber heels.
 Clean regularly.
  Use water base polish, not spirit based ones.
 Replace loose or broken tiles as soon as possible.
 Relatively non-slip.
 Have great resistance to wear and tear, especially the flexible type.
 Generally grease and oil resistant.
 Resistant to acids and alkalis.
 More resistant to point load than thermoplastic tiles.
 Not easily scratched.
 Can be easily washed and polished.

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Semi Resilient floor

Linoleum:
This is made up of lignum,
i.e. flax and ileum in oil.
Ground corkwood, linseed oil
and resins (gum) are pressed
on to jute backing. This is
prepared in sheet or tile form.
Plain colours marbling or
patterns may be applied for
decorative effect. Linoleum
may crack if laid on poor quality sub floor. It is hard wearing, resilient and warm, but
may peel, rot and gets destroyed by alkalis. It is non-flammable but burn marks can be
seen. This is suitable in the linen room, store pantry, kitchen stores.

Rubber:
Rubber floors are usually made by a combination of natural and synthetic rubber. They
may be laid in sheets or tile form. They may be coloured and mottled with inlaid
patterns. The floor is hard wearing, resilient, quiet and waterproof. It is non-slip and
may be grease resistant. Damage may occur due to alkalis, acids and spirits. They are
not affected by mould, bacteria and pest infestation. It is commonly used in kitchens,
bathrooms, health clubs, near swimming pools etc.

Thermoplastic Floors:
 These are made of asphalt, fibres, mineral fillers and pigments or synthetic resins with
vinyl binder. The tiles are usually dark coloured and quite durable. They have good
thermal insulation and are resistant to water. They are damaged by heat, acids and
alkalis. They are useful in canteens, corridors, shops and offices. PVC may be added to
make hard thermoplastic more flexible.

Vinyl:
Vinyl is made from asbestos, fibres,
mineral pigments and PVC. They are very
hygienic and deal in hospitals, kitchens,
dining area, nurseries, common rooms,
lifts etc. They are water and oil resistant
and can be made slip resistant. They are
damaged by cleaning gels, high
temperature and acids.

Advantages and disadvantages of PVC flooring

Vinyl flooring is durable and stands up well to heavy foot traffic. It is comfortable under
foot and reduces noise, which can be important for owners with kids or pets. It is also less
expensive than many other flooring options and is easy to install and maintain. Vinyl
flooring comes in a broad range of colors and patterns to match every decor, including a
variety of lifelike wood grains.

On the other hand, vinyl floors do not stand up well to heavy loads and can be damaged by
sharp objects. Also, colors can fade with exposure to too much direct sunlight and floors
can be damaged by extreme temperatures. For that reason, vinyl is not recommended for
outdoor or indoor/outdoor uses.

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The flooring is an important part of any interior design, which is why whenever an
architect or an interior designer is working on the blueprints of any building, whether a
resident, a commercial or an industrial building, the flooring is one of the major aspects
that he will have to specify. It has to be beautiful and add a sense of personality to the
space and it is also very practical so it can meet the demands of the customer. For instance,
for residential buildings, the beauty and elegance are main aspects, on the other hand, for
industrial building, the wear resistance and the functionality is the main priority.
Nonetheless, the cost effectiveness of the flooring is also one of the main aspects of the
flooring for everyone. Due to the importance of the flooring, one should take an extra
amount of time when making the decision to pick the right type of flooring which is
durable, cost effective and beautiful.
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