05-May-21

Civil Engineering Construction & Graphics

(CE-205)
Spring Semester 2021

Floor Finish

Lecturer:
Engr. Muhammad Sohail Saleh
Sohail.saleh@iefr.edu.pk

Civil Engineering Department

NFC-IEFR, Faisalabad

Sequence of Presentation
Introduction
Ground Floors
Suspended Floors
Detail of Construction
Choice of Floor Finish
Types of Flooring
 Carpets and Rugs, PVC or Vinyl flooring, Wooden flooring,
Stone flooring, Brick flooring, Glass flooring
Homework

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Introduction
The aesthetic feelings we get when we enter a building very much
depend on the finish given to the floor and the walls.
Hence, much thought and planning should be given on the
selection of materials for flooring and painting of walls.
The use to which the floor is put and its specific requirements.
For example, in a residence, one may prefer to have only concrete
floors with red cement plaster finish if one's finances are modest.
Otherwise, one may go in for mosaic floors in bedrooms, marble in
drawing room, ceramic tiles in kitchen and bathrooms.
In a low-cost construction, we can go for a simple concrete floor
which is also popularly known as patent stone flooring.

Introduction
When considering construction of floor surfaces of a building, a
clear distinction must be made between the ground floors and the
basement floors, as against the upper floors (also called suspended
floors).
The ground and basement floors are laid on specially prepared
ground whereas the upper floors are laid nowadays on structural
RCC slab.
As there is no circulation of air under the ground floor, unless
specially provided for, there is always the possibility of rise of
capillary water in the ground floors and this should be specially
attended to by providing dampproofing.

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Introduction
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

Ground Floors

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Ground Floors
A sub-base consisting of hardcore materials such as dry brick
ballast mixed with Powdered rock, well compacted in place and a
sand layer on its top.
The sand layer is to be placed preferably above the hardcore and it
should not be less than 100 mm.
A base or subgrade course of 1 : 4 : 8 lean concrete not less than
100 mm thick.
In addition to the sand layer. a DPC may be given over lean
concrete to prevent the capillary rise of water.
The finished floor are prescribed when we use tiles such as mosaic
or ceramic tiles.
We lay them in cement slurry spread over a bed of mortar. But
when we prescribe in-situ mosaic, vinyl floors. wood floor. etc.

Suspended Floors
When one considers the top floors, the structural RCC slab itself
forms the base course on which the topping is laid in a layer or two
In places such as bedrooms and porticos, it may also be necessary
to provide a cushioning layer for noise reduction and formation of
slopes.
As there is no capillary rise of water in these floors, any type of
floor, if properly laid, will perform well.
However, wet areas such as bathroom floors should be properly
treated against water leaking through these floors

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Details of Construction
Preparation of sub-base.
In all ground floors. care should be taken to reduce capillary
suction of water through the floor by providing a layer of course
sand filling over the consolidated ground.
This consolidated ground is called a sub-base or hardcore.
The sub-base to be placed should be properly selected and
preferably be granular.
It may be stone ballast or brick bats mixed with powdered rock.
These layers are thoroughly compacted so that there will be no
loose pockets left.
Then the hardcore is covered with a layer of clear sand well
consolidated to a thickness of at least 100 mm and preferably not
less than 150 mm. (The sand layer may also be below the hardcore.)
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Details of Construction
Preparation of Base.
Usually over the sub-base, a layer of lime surki brick
jelly concrete (1 : 1 : 3~) or cement concrete (1 : 4 : 8 at
least) is laid in one layer and beaten down by wooden
rammers to the required level and grade.
The average depth of this layer should not be less than 10
ern, This layer is called the base coarse or sub-grade.
Over this base course, various types of floor surfaces are
laid.
The topping surface of the floor is laid during the final
stages only. (In suspended floors, the structural slab forms
the base concrete.)
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Choice of Floor Finishes

Economy
Appearance and fineness of joints
Resistance to abrasion to type of Traffic to which it is subjected to
 Light duty floors-floors subjected to traffic as in residences and hospitals.
 Medium duty floors-floors subjected to traffic as in offices, colleges and banks.
 Heavy duty floors as in railway stations and factories.
Freedom from slipperiness
Smoothness
Freedom from creation of dust from floor
Low thermal conductivity (warmth)
Resistance to chemicals and acids
Easiness of repair and maintenance
Durability on long time basis

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Types of Flooring

Carpets and Rugs

PVC or Vinyl flooring

Wooden flooring

Stone flooring

Brick flooring

Glass flooring

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Carpets and Rugs

The terms “carpet” denotes a large floor covering that can be cut to
suit any room.
The “rug” means a loose-laid piece of size and design determined
by the maker.

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PVC or Vinyl Flooring

Types : Rolls and tiles
Finish : Matt
Durability : 4-5 years
Usage : Vinyl flooring is not as hard as marble or tiles and is water-
resistant. So, it’s suitable for children's room and the kitchen.
It can be easily applied with adhesive.
Installation time: 1-2 days
The flooring can be easily dented or scratched if you use or drag
heavy material.

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Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is a finished flooring material used primarily in
commercial and institutional applications.
Vinyl tiles are composed of colored vinyl chips formed into solid sheets of
varying thicknesses (1/8” is most common) by heat and pressure and cut into 12”
squares.
Tiles are applied to a smooth, leveled sub-floor using a specially formulated vinyl
adhesive that remains tacky but does not completely dry.
Tiles are typically waxed and buffed using special materials.
This flooring product is mostly used in INTERIOR Work and photo laborites,
airport, drg. Room, bedroom, offices water proof used in bathrooms

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Installing Vinyl Floor Tiles

Vinyl floor tiles one of the most versatile floors available . It is
quiet and warm underfoot, easy to clean like other hard surfaces. It
is great around water easy in installing
Materials needed for the job
Vinyl tiles, Adhesive, Trowel, Tape measure Utility knife, Self-
leveling compound Floor roller, Hammer, Chalk line
 Step 1- Measure the Floor
 Step 2- Prepare the Room
 Step 3- Center the Tile
 Step 5- Finish Up
 Step 4- Cut to Fit

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Vinyl Flooring Benefits

One of the main benefits of vinyl flooring is that it is easy to install
and cost effective and durable as well.
The maintenance cost as well as effort is quite low
Vinyl flooring is that it is water resistant and provides a great
support to the feet.
It is attractive.
This type of flooring is quick to install and replace, so you can
change it as and when you so desire, without much difficulty
Because of the wide variety available in the market today, you can
choose any products.

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Tiles
Types : Ceramic, vitrified and Porcelain.
Finish : Glossy
Durability : 10-15 years
Usage : Tiles are mostly used for exteriors such as lobby and
verandah and can be fitted with cement.
Installation time : 2 days
The tiles need to be laid down smoothly.
If uneven, air pockets between the tiles will lead to cracks.
Tiles are often used to form wall or floor coverings and can range
from simple square tiles to complex mosiacs.

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Tiles
They shall be flat and true to shape and free from blisters or other
imperfections detracting from their appearance.
The tiles shall be square or rectangular of nominal size such.
The thickness of the tiles shall be 7 mm as specified Tolerance in
Size.
The actual size of tiles supplied shall be 1 mm less so that with 1
mm joint, the tile when laid shall conform to the nominal size.
The top surface of the tiles shall be glazed, and the glaze shall be
either glossy or matt as specified.
The underside of the tiles shall not have glaze on more than 5% of
the area in order that the tile may adhere properly to the base.

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Preparation of Surface for Tiles

Base concrete or the RCC slab on which the tiles are to be laid
shall be cleaned, wetted and mopped.
The bedding for the tile shall be with cement mortar 1:4 or as
specified.
The average thickness of the bedding shall be 10 mm while the
thickness under any portion of the tiles shall not be less than 5 mm.
Over this mortar bedding neat grey cement slurry of honey like
consistency shall be spread.
Tiles shall be soaked in water washed clean and shall be fixed in
this grout.
The joints shall be kept as thin as possible and in straight lines or to
suit the required pattern.

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Preparation of Surface for Tiles

The surface of the flooring during laying shall be frequently
checked with a straight edge about 2 m long, to obtain a true surface
with the required slope.
Where full size tiles cannot be fixed these shall be cut (sawn) to the
required size, and their edge rubbed smooth to ensure straight and
true joints.
Joints shall then be flush pointed with white cement added with
pigment if required to match the color of tiles.
The floor shall then be kept wet for 7 days. After curing, the
surface shall be washed and finished clean.
The finished floor shall not sound hollow when tapped with a
wooden mallet.

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Installation of Tiles
Remove any baseboards and shoe molding.
Level the subfloor.
Install the underlayment.
Spread the adhesive with the smooth side of the trowel. Make sure
it covers the area evenly and does not cover your reference lines.
Lightly press and twist the ceramic when setting to make sure the
adhesive sticks. Don’t push so hard that the adhesive is forced out
from under the ceramic.
Once a row is in place, level the tile with a rubber mallet and level.
Grouting
Finishing Touches

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Ceramic Tiles
Tile defined as ceramic uses a coarser clay with a smaller ratio of
fine kaolin clay, and it generally lacks some of the additives used in
porcelain clay.
Ceramic tile is fired at lower temperatures, generally no more than
1,650 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ceramic tile can be slightly more prone to water infiltration than is
porcelain tile, though these differences are minimal if the ceramic
tile is glazed.

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Advantages of Ceramic Tiles

Aesthetically much better. as it is available in various shades and
textures.
Easy to maintain.
Laying is easy and less time taking.
Available in various sizes
Tiles are fire resistant.
High wear resistance with low density.
Corrosion resistance at high temperatures.
Easy to clean and water-proof.
Resistant to stains and spillages.

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Vitrified Tiles
Vitrified tiles are made by fusing 60% silica and 40% clay.
They gain a glass-like texture in the process. Durability, low porosity, scratch
resistance, and low maintenance are some characteristics of vitrified tiles.
Vitrified tiles are ceramic tiles with high percentage of vitrification and less
amount of water absorption.
Vitrification is nothing but a development of glass phase inside the tile during
firing process.
This is mainly due to melting of some constituent in the body.

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Ceramic Vs Vitrified Tiles

Ceramics are made using earthen clay while vitrified tiles contain a
mixture of silica and clay.
Ceramic tiles have a coarser texture than vitrified tiles.
ceramic tiles have a more natural and earthy look than vitrified
tiles,
The process of vitrification makes vitrified tiles stronger than
ceramic tiles.
vitrified tiles absorb very little water when compared to ceramic
tiles.
Vitrified tiles are more scratch and stain resistant than ceramic tiles.
Ceramic tiles are easier to install.
vitrified tiles cost more than ceramic tiles

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Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile has a water absorption rate of 0.5 percent or lower
Kaolin clay mixture is used, which is finer and purer than most ceramic clay.
It usually contains notable levels of quartz and feldspar mixed in.
Porcelain tiles are fired at temperatures ranging from 2,200 to 2,500 F.
It is dense, fine-grained, smooth
Porcelain tile virtually always receives a surface glazing treatment
It is more impervious than ceramic tile and is thus subject to less water
infiltration.

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Porcelain Tile

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Ceramic Vs Porcelain Tiles

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Wooden Flooring
Types : Laminated, grooves, rough, parquet and real wood.
Finish : Satin
Durability : 5-6 years
Usage : Wooden flooring is mostly used in bedrooms or stairs.
It helps keep the room cool in summers and warm during
winters, and can be easily laid on the existing floor by using
foam.
Installation time : 1 day
One can use a damp cloth or mop, but never drain it with water
for cleaning it.

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Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a compressed fibreboard plank, covered with
a photographic image of wood with a protective overlay.
High traffic areas that will need frequent cleaning, such as living
rooms, studies and playrooms.
Some products include a waterproof core, which manufacturers
claim are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens.

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Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring

Pros
 Cheap and hard wearing
 Click-lock designs are simple to install
 Wide range of imitations of natural materials available
Cons
 Even the best laminates won't look or feel exactly like the real
thing
 The joins wear over time and laminate is easily swollen by
moisture.
 Once the surface is damaged it's hard to fix
 Poorly laid laminate can put off homebuyers

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Solid Wood Flooring

It is made from a single piece of wood, typically 18-20mm thick.
It is usually fitted using tongue-and-groove.
All types of wood have a hardness score, which indicates how easily they can
be damaged, dented or worn by everyday wear and tear.
Solid wood flooring can be sanded back to restore the finish
the number of times you can do this is determined by how deep the tongue is set
from the top of the board.
Anywhere with a relatively consistent humidity.
Particularly in hallways and living areas where you can show it off.

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Pros and Cons of Solid Wood Flooring

Pros
 Has a classic look and feel
 Appealing to buyers/tenants if you decide to sell or let your home

Cons
 Solid wood flooring swells in damp conditions and shrinks in dry
 It’s tough to install because it has to be glued or nailed down.
 Fitting the individual boards together can be difficult because they change
shape after they’ve been manufactured
 New solid wood flooring has a more expensive starting price than other
wood flooring options
 Solid wood floorboards can amplify sound, so rugs are a good option if
you have boards upstairs

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Engineered Wood Flooring

It consists of three or four layers of wood, glued together to create a plank
around 14mm thick.
It has a real-wood veneer of around 4mm thick on top, which means it can be
sanded back and treated to restore the original finish if it becomes scuffed, worn
or damaged.
It's sometimes available with a 'click-and-lock' installation, which doesn't
require any adhesive. Tongue-and-groove versions will need to be glued into
place.
Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens. While it's more resistant to
warping than solid wood, It can be tricky to achieve a good finish around
corners, too – for instance, around sink pedestals.

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Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Flooring

Pros
 It is more stable than a piece of solid wood, and less prone to
changes caused by a room’s temperature or humidity
 Can be more attractive than laminate flooring
 Cheaper than comparable solid-wood planks
Cons
 Tongue-and-groove planks are harder to install than click-
lock ones
 Can be a lot more expensive than laminate

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Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Reclaimed wood flooring is timber that has been used in another,
older property and has been salvaged to be reused.
Reclaimed timber flooring can be installed anywhere, but it's best
avoided in bathrooms where moisture may cause the timber to
swell and crack.

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Pros and Cons of Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Pros
 Reusing existing wood is one of the more environmentally friendly
flooring options
 Vintage wood is aesthetically pleasing and will add overall value
 Reclaimed wood can be painted, white-washed or stained any color
 Generally very durable.

Cons
 Can often cost four or five times more than new floorboards
 Woodworm. Look out for asymmetrical holes and wood that crumbles
when touched
 Can contain hidden dangers like protruding nails, unless you purchase it
from a company that will process it for you
 Solid wood floorboards can amplify sound, so rugs are a good option if
you have boards upstairs
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Parquet Flooring
Easily recognizable, parquet flooring is formed of short wooden
blocks or strips arranged into a geometric pattern; usually
herringbone or basket weave.
Parquet flooring is suitable throughout a property but best avoided
in humid areas like bathrooms.

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Pros and Cons of Parquet Flooring

Pros
 Can be used to create interesting patterns
 Durable and can handle high levels of traffic.
Cons
 Expensive and fiddly to install
 Can fade in direct sunlight and be damaged by moisture

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Bamboo Flooring
Technically a grass rather than a wood,
Bamboo forms its own unique grain pattern and can be worked
into extremely hard-wearing floorboards that look and feel very
similar to natural hardwood.
Bamboo reaches maturity in a quarter of the time of hardwood
trees, which means it's more sustainable to harvest
Bamboo works well in most rooms. Although it's more water
resistant than hardwood, it's not waterproof.

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Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring

Pros
 It's a sustainable resource. Bamboo grows quickly,
 Strand-woven bamboo is tougher than oak flooring, making it very durable
 Good for allergies as bamboo is inhospitable to dust mites and repels dust and
pollen
 Bamboo is water resistant so less likely to develop mould and mildew
 Easy to clean
Cons
 In some bamboo, the adhesive used contains formaldehyde, a toxic substance
that can release small amounts of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) over time
 Water resistant but not waterproof – too much water can leave unsightly spots
and cause flooring to warp
 Darker bamboo has been through a carbonization process, which weakens the
material, making it softer and more prone to damage . Prone to scratching

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Wood effect Tiles

Combining the beauty of natural wood with the durability of tiles,
wood effect tiles are affordable and practical
Wood-effect tiles are waterproof and much more resistant to wear,
and tear compared with hardwood and laminate floors,
Ideal in bathrooms, kitchens and high traffic areas like hallways.
Some companies make matching indoor and outdoor tiles.

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Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring

Pros
 Suitable in any room, even the bathroom.
 They won't rot or warp when they get wet
 Easy to maintain - wipe clean and stain resistant
 A wide range of colours and styles to choose from
Cons
 Can be cold without underfloor heating
 Don't absorb sound, so can be noisy to walk on
 Tiles require grout, which can be a trap for dirt and debris

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Installation of Wooden Flooring

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Precautions of Wooden Flooring

You should vacuum or sweep your wooden floor since small
stone and gritty dirt will scratch your floor quickly.
keep mats or rugs in the doorways leading to a room with
wooden flooring. These doormats should be cleaned regularly .
The wooden floor can be wiped with a dampened sponge.
Immediately followed by wiping with a dry terry towel cloth.
Another coat of surface finish should be applied to the wooden
flooring when the cleaning the shine, or when the cleaning no
longer restore the shine or when the floor has been heavily used.
Excess water damages wood, so avoid wetting the floor.
Exposer to the sun can cause the wooden floor to warp or
change color. So, use appropriate sun-blocking drapery in the
room with wooden flooring.

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Marble Flooring
Types : Sandstone, composite, Kota stone and white marble.
Finish : Satin, though you can opt for a glossy one by polishing it or a matt
finish through a honed polish.
Durability : 25 years
Usage : Marble is fitted with cement and is suitable for both the exterior and
interior of a house.
Installation time : 8-10 days
It needs regular maintenance and can be easily damaged by acidic chemicals or
liquids. It's also slippery when wet.

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Laying of Marble Flooring

Before laying the tiles thin paste of cement slurry (4.5 kg/m2) is
spread
Tiles are lid flat over it by gently pressing them into the bedding
mortar with the help of wooden mallet till levelled surface is
obtained.
The flooring is then cured for seven days, then grinding and
polishing is done in the same manner.
These days glazed tiles are commonly used in houses.

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Granite Flooring
Types : Crystal, honed, polished. It also comes in various colors.
Finish : Glossy
Durability : Lasts a lifetime with good care.
Usage : It's handy for the kitchen as it is resistant to oil spills, sugary
drinks and acid. Honed granite is good for the bathroom.
Installation time : 3-4 days
Though it doesn't crack or damage easily, it needs regular cleaning.
Polished granite is very slippery when wet.

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Stone Flooring
Usage(for residential)- it is the perfect, permanent solution for
covering basement, garage, and patio concrete floors even in flood
prone areas.
The under layer of the flooring shall be-1:1:2 (cement: fine
aggregate: coarse aggregate)
Basic types of natural stones
 Lime stones,
 Sandstone,
 Quartzites tone,
 Slate stone,
 Cobble stone,
 Pebble stones.

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Types of Stone Flooring - Limestone

 Recognized for its great strength as it does not blister upon exposing it
to water
Well suited for flooring and paving purposes
Also be used in any weather, as extreme degree of temperature, cold or
hot, hardly affects the color and texture of limestone
Generally used as limestone tiles, limestone blocks, limestone slabs,
limestone chips in flooring, wall cladding, countertops, fireplace mantels
and for pavement of floors of large commercial complexes, hospitals,
airports, shopping malls, railway stations, parks etc

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Types of Stone Flooring - Sandstone

The entire range is acknowledged for perfect finish, high tensile
strength, breakage resistance and durability thereby widely used for all
types of interior & exterior applications depending upon the imagination
of an architect.
Every slab shall be chisel-dressed on all sides to minimum depth of
20mm
Further, it is available in different sizes and finishes like natural,
calibrated, honed, polished and flamed.

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Types of Stone Flooring – Quartzite

This fireproof and non-slippery stone is widely used in wall cladding,
roofing, flooring and for all types of interior as well as exterior
decorations

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Types of Stone Flooring – Cobble Stone

Cobblestone usually used for old roads
cobblestone is used basically to make pathways, pavements and for
landscaping, cobbles stone are fireproof, need little maintenance and no
paint.

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Types of Stone Flooring – Slate Stone

Slate stone (thin stone flakes, colored gray to dark gray variants)
Suitable for exterior and interior applications such as wall-cladding,
roofing, flooring, hearths, fireplaces, kitchen, landscaping, driveways,
pools, etc.

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Types of Stone Flooring – Pebble Stone

Pebbles stones (an aggregate) are used as decorative landscaping stones
in homes, artificial ponds, fountains, posh lounges, open air theaters,
aquaria, parks, out houses and gardens.
Example of floor finish specifications: Pebble wash-out flooring.

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Installation of Stone Flooring

Ensure that the tiles are of regular shape
Base mortar 1:5 or 1:6 with low water cement ratio.
Min. thickness of base mortar is 25mm
Fix the marble tiles temporarily then press it using wooden handle of the
hammer to bring them in a level.
After fixing them in pattern remove the tiles and spread white cement
slurry(2:1) and refix the tiles.
Press with wooden handle.
Fill up joints with white cement.
First grinding min. after 5 days of fixing.
Apply white cement slurry over marble floor after first grinding and
cure for a day.
Minimum 3 grindings required
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Brick Flooring
Brick products have been used for many centuries throughout the
world for applications such as roads, flooring, monuments, side
walks and building structures.
Bricks are the oldest manufactured building material that has been
trusted throughout history because of its durability, versatility and
practical attributes.
standard size of brick is used in flooring which is used in wall
construction

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Patterns for Brick Flooring

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Application of Brick Flooring

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Advantages of Brick Flooring

There are various reasons for the benefits that brick flooring products provide
in visual terms, their strength and ability and their practical purposes.
Here are some of the benefits of what brick flooring will provide when used
as paving:
They provide elegance and character with the old world look rustic charm
They are fade resistant
They resist wear and tear
They are slip resistant
They are recycled products, so you are helping the environment
They are very durable with long lasting attributes
They are fire resistant
They are maintenance free
They will not crack or chip

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Glass Flooring
Glass floors are made with transparent glass when it is useful to view
something from above or below; whereas translucent glass is used
when there is no need to view through.
In either case, toughened glass is usually chosen, for its durability and
resistance to breakage.
Glass as a flooring material is used in both residential and commercial
structures.
Special hollow glass blocks known as '"glass pavers" are often used in
combination with a metal frame.
Glass floors are often lit from below with natural or artificial light, or
may be treated as ordinary floor surfaces illuminated from above.
Glass flooring usually employs toughened/ tempered glass for load
bearing floors
Usages- residential( floors, stairs) commercial

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Installation of Glass Flooring

Floor panels are constructed of laminated layers of tempered, or heat
strengthened glass.
Laminated glass flooring requires a rigid support with a deflection of L/500
Minimum support depth should be 20- 30mm. joints should be more than
4mm.wide joints used of 6mm
Glass flooring is very expensive to replace once installed
keep the panel clean. A soft, clean, non-abrasive cloth and a mild detergent, or
non-abrasive glass cleaning solution is suitable for cleaning.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, bleach, scouring powder or pads which can
scratch and damage glass flooring.
heat strengthened glass is approximately twice as “strong” as ordinary glass,
and fully toughened glass is roughly four to five times as strong.
using fully toughened glass would dramatically reduce the thickness of the
glass to be used in glass flooring laminates

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Applications of Glass Flooring

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Homework

Study Chapter 14-20 of the book

“Building Construction Illustrated” 4th
edition by Francis D.K. Ching.

Write down the Review Questions given

at the end of the Chapters

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Thank you !

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