FLOOR & FLOOR COVERINGS

How to choose a floor

• Appearance

• Life expectancy

• Comfort

• Ease of cleaning

• Safety
HARD FLOOR FINISHES

• Durable
• Noisy
• Cold in appearance and feel
• Easily cleaned
• Fire resistant
• Stone
MARBLE FLOORING

They are laid in slab form and are very

expensive.

Obtained in white, black, green and brown

colour.

Used for foyers and luxury bathrooms.

CERAMIC TILES

• Made of clay and available in variety of

colours and size.

• Harder tiles are less absorbents but more

slippery.

• Should be laid close to prevent from dirt

and bacteria.

• Mostly used in the bathrooms.

WOODEN FLOOR FINISHES:
• Makes floor beautiful and durable.
• Hardwood has to be chosen to withstand
the wear, spills and dirt.
• Wood flooring should be sealed and
polished.
• Before polishing the floor should be dust
and dirt free.
• Oleo-resins.
SEMI-HARD FLOOR FINISHES

RUBBER FLOORING
• Obtained in tile and sheet form.
• During manufacture rubber is heated
without air to give a hard finish.
• Rubber floor is soft and comfortable to
walk.
• It is durable if properly maintained.
• Oil and grease resistance rubber tiles are
now available.
CORK TILES

• These are made from granulated cork, molded in blocks under pressure and
high temperature.
• They are warm, quiet, they are absorbent and can be burnt by cigarette
ends.
• Can be used in corridors.
GENERAL CARE AND CLEANING OF FLOORING

1. DAILY CLEANING: Sweeping, mopping, vacuum cleaning etc.

Buffing of any marks with damp clothes.

2. SPECIAL CLEANING: Removing dirt by scrubbing

Buffing

3. PERIODIC CLEANING: Stripping polish

Re-sealing
Re-polishing
SOFT FLOOR FINISHES

CARPETS

• Used mostly because of their

appearance, warmth, and sound

insulation.

• Originated in east. (handmade)

• Now a days (machine made)

 ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Adds decorative appearance • Holds dirt, careful cleaning required

• Luxurious appearance • Damaged by sharp articles

• Warm • Plain carpets shows stains

• Quiet • Cost is very high

• Non-slip
 CLEANING OF CARPETS

• Superficial dust can be removed daily by using carpet brush.

• Suction cleaning has to be done.

• Shampooing of carpets is done periodically (scrubbing machine).

 WALL COVERINGS
Wall coverings maybe purely decorative. They should suit the purpose and furnishing of the
room.
The type of wall covering selected depending upon the
 Contribution of décor
 Ease of cleaning
 State of existing surface
 Resistance to abrasion
 Stain resistance
 Life expectancy
 Insulation
 Cost
 TYPES OF WALL COVERINGS

1. PAINTS:
• Paints can be applied to almost any surface that is free from water, grease/ dust.
• Paints offer wide range of types, colours, degrees of gloss and designs.
• It is relatively cheap, easily applied and cleaned.
• Only disadvantage is it shows soil.
• There are many types of paints. They are:
a) Emulsion paint:
• They are tough, washable & wear resistant.
• They are quick drying, low in odour and suitable for
redecoration of rooms.

b) Alloy paints:
• These are used as primes & undercoat paints.
• Easy to apply & have better durability than any other paints.

c) Micro porous paints: these are rubberized based which gives little gloss.
d) Multi coloured paints:
• Multi colours are used.
• This should be applied by spraying.
• This helps in hiding imperfections.
• Usually applied on walls of corridors, sanitary accommodations, etc.

e) Textured paint:
• Texture is obtained after application of white
paint & using combs, palettes, knives etc., on
the paint while it is still wet.
2. WALLPAPERS:

• They maybe smooth or have textured surface.

• Smooth finishes are more resistant to dust & dirt.
• But they show more stains than rough textures.
• There are many types of paints. They are:
a) Surface printed wall paper:
• Wide range of colours – smooth surface finish.
• Paper is not washable, damp wiping should be done with care.
• Soiled & stained easily.

b) Sponge able wall paper:

• Similar to surface printed paper but specially treated
during manufacturing to withstand water.

c) Washable wall paper:

• Similar to surface printed paper but it has plastic
coating which gives stain resistance and easily
washable.
d) Anaglyptas Wall paper:
• It is an embossed paper. (inexpensive)
• It is painted after hanging.
• Stain resistance is depends upon the paints used.

e) Lin crust wallpaper:

• These are heavily embossed paper.
• Plastic coating is done.
h) Food grain paper:
• Photographic reproduction of various food grains waxed
during manufacture.

i) Paper backed hessian wall papers.

• Strands of hessians fixed to a paper backing.
• It is not washable but surface can be damp wiped.
• It is easily stained and damaged by abrasion.
 j) Paper with backed woven grass:
• Pieces of grass are fixed by adhesives to a
backing of paper or silk

k) Paper backed wool wallpaper:

• Fine or coarse strands of wool in natural colours or
bright dyes are laid in a parallel fashion on a paper
backing.
• They give a warm effect and provide good
insulation.
 ADVANTAGES OF WALLPAPER DISADVANTAGES OF WALLPAPER

• Contribution to décor • Costly

• Ability to cover poor surfaces • Limited use

• Insulation • Not abrasive material

• Stains easily

• Difficult to clean

• Not very durable

 PVC CLOTHS

• They are woven cotton finished with a layer of PVC, used to

form decorative panels on walls or doors.

• Gives luxurious effect and improves sound and thermal

insulation.

• Expensive.
 PLASTIC WALL COVERINGS

• They are available in large variety.

• They are easily cleaned.
• Growth of molds is higher.
LEATHER WALL COVERINGS

• Extremely expensive but decorative.

• They are not usually used to cover the whole

wall.
 FABRIC WALL COVERINGS

• It is possible to cover the wall with

any fabric and its durability depends

on the type o fabric used.

• They are divided into 2 categories:

1. tapestries

2. Woven fabrics
TAPESTRIES ORIENTAL CARPET
 WOODEN WALL COVERING

• These coverings are hard and gives decorative

appearance.

• Most commonly used types are – oak,

mahogany, teak etc.

• It is solid and finished with a wax polish.

• It lasts for years with proper maintenance.

• Usually found in entrances, staircases,

restaurants, boardrooms.
 GLASS WALL COVERING

• Glass can be used in the form of decorative

tiles, bricks or full sheet.

• Opaque glass sheets are used in bathrooms.

• Mirror tiles are used to reflect light to alter

the size of the room or corridor.

 METAL WALL COVERINGS

• Metals can used as wall coverings for their hygienic

purpose.

• Copper & aluminum are decorative and used in bars.

• Stainless steel is used in tile form in kitchens.

• Metal foil can be used as a wall covering.

 CLEANING PROCEDURES

PAINTED SURFACE WALL PAPERS

• Remove light dust.

• Remove dust from the surface.
• Damp wipe or wash (if permissible)
• Remove marks by rubbing or sponging.
• Never apply wax polish or oil to gloss
• Attempt to remove grease.
painted surface.

• Do not use harsh abrasives, strong

chemicals.
 FABRIC WALL COVERINGS WOODEN PANELING’S

• Remove surface dust.

• Remove surface dust.
• For hangings remove and send for dry
• Polish if necessary.
cleaning.
• When paneling is dirty wipe with spirit or
• Hessain's stuck to the wall, scrub lightly.
vinegar and water.
(warm water and detergent)
• Dark oak can be wiped with beer.
GLASS WALL COVERINGS METAL WALL COVERINGS LEATHER WALL COVERINGS

• Dust or wipe with a damp

• Dust or wipe with damp cloth. • Remove surface dust.
chamois leather. • Polish if necessary. • Apply polish and tub well.
• While cleaning take care

that the damp does not go

into the glass back.