Floors

Functions of floors

 To support all the loads (dead and live loads) imposed on the surface.
 To prevent dampness rising from the ground into the building.
 To prevent growth of vegetable matter in the building.
 To provide horizontal uniform surface
 To provide resistance to sound, fire and heat.
 To provide privacy to the dwellers.
 The upper floor acts as a ceiling to the lower floor.
 Space between floors and ceilings will accommodate the building
 Provide services for fixtures such as electrical, telephone wirings etc.

Functional requirements of floors

 Should be strong
 Should be stable
 Should be durable
 Should resist ground moisture
 Should provide thermal insulation
 Should provide sound insulation
 Should be fire resistant

Classification of Floor
• Floors can be divided into two sections:
a) Ground Floor
b) Upper floor

a) Ground Floor
• The ground floor is divided into two sections:
 Solid floor
 Suspended ground Floor

b) Solid Ground floor

Since a ground floor rests directly on the soil when not accompanied by a basement floor, its base
usually consists of the following layers.
1. Hardcore
2. Blinding
3. Concrete bed or slab.

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Types of floors

i. Solid floor/hollow floor

ii. Ground floor
iii. Suspended floor
Based on material
iv hollow timber floor
v reinforced concrete floor
vi hollow pot floor

Moisture prevention to floors

Water/moisture is prevented from entering the building so that :

 The floor does not rot (eg. Timber floor)

 Floor finishes do not get damaged
 Fungi does not grow
 Cleanliness and hygienic can be maintained.
 Timber furniture does not rot.

Water can enter the building through:

 Capillary action
 Water pressure in the soil below the ground floor
 Water vapour in the house.

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Way in which moisture is prevented from entering the floor:

 Using dpc on the ground floor

 Support the floor and not in direct contact with the soil.

Suitable materials for dpc membranes are:

 Polythene sheets
 Hot poured bitumen - 3mm thick minimum.
 Cold applied bitumen/rubber emulsions – 3 coats
 Asphalt/pitchmastic.

Floor finishes
A floor finish is a liquid, which is applied to a resilient tile floor and dries to a hard, durable and smooth film.
This film is about the thickness of waxed paper and is expected to protect and extend the life of the floor
while providing an attractive appearance and slip resistant surface.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF FLOORING

 It should be durable
 It should be easy to clean
 Noiseless
 Have Good Appearance
 Free from dampness
 Fire Resistant
 Low Maintenance cost

TOOLS USED FOR FLOOR FINISHES

Polishing machines Electrically operated machine used for polishing the tiles

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Chisels and Hammers : To cut and dress larger thickness of tiles.

Wooden Mallet For hammering of tiles to get proper line and level

Polishing Stone : Used to polish the cement based tiles and natural stone tiles.

Skirting Farma :Used to measure proper line and level of skirting tiles.
Set Square : To check the right angle of tiles at corners.
Measuring tape : For measuring works

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Line Thread : For layout and levels

Water Tube : To check levels

Trowel : Use for laying mortar
Plumb Bob : To check the verticality of the surface in case of fixing vertical tiles on vertical surfaces.

Floating rule- used to check the level of mortar

Tile Cutter-This is hand tool to cut the tiles manually wherever odd size gaps are required to be fixed.

Tile Spacer- to ensure uniform spaces between tiles

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Power Float : Over all height 980 mm, Floating speed 120 RPM, Over all length 980 mm ,Equipment weight
140 kg, Working diameter 890 mm Disc weight 30 kg
 Power Trowel: Over all height 980 mm, Floating speed 120 RPM ,Overall length 980 mm, Equipment
weight 145 kg ,Working diameter 890 mm, Disc weight 9 kg.
Types of floor finishes:
1) Natural stone floor finish

 slate
 Limestone and Sandstone
 Granite
 Marble
 Mosaic

Slate

 Slate is another form of metamorphic rock that consists of silica alumina and iron oxide.
 It is easily split into layers that provide a rugged rustic look.
 It has good abrasion resistance and high durability if it has been correctly cut.

 It is impervious to water, cold hard and noisy under foot and can be slippery.
 A non-slip variety is available.
 It is difficult to lay as the product is quite brittle and heavy.
 It is usually laid into a bed of cement over concrete.

Limestone and Sandstone

 These are derived from sedimentary rocks; deposits of sediment being laid down under water or air
formed these.
 Sandstone comes from deposited sand grains i.e. quartz, pressed and held together by silica, calcium
carbonate or other cements.
 Limestone comes from deposited organic origin materials i.e. bones shells and consists mainly of
calcium carbonate.

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  Limestone is rarely used for floors today as it becomes slippery when it is worn and not all products
are hardwearing.
 It is grey or beige in color.
 Sandstone - is used more in outdoor paving than indoor, but looks great in an area that flows to the
outdoors such as a conservatory.
 Its irregular natural pattern is its best feature and can range from a grainy timber look to stripes and
speckles.
 It is beige, brown, reddish brown, in color and some stones are hardwearing.

Granite

Granite used for steps to a commercial building entry.

 Granite is a form of Igneous Rock, created by the cooling of molten magma.

 It is made up of feldspar quartz and mica.
 This is a luxury floor covering and one that needs careful consideration before specification, as it is an
expensive product.
 The floor structure needs consideration, as it is very heavy.
 Once laid, it will last for a very long time, as it is hardwearing and resistant to chemicals.
 It has a timeless look.
 If highly polished it is slippery, but a honed finish provides a more manageable finish.
 It comes in limited colors - black, red, green, grey, blue, pink.
 It is supplied in a slab form and is cold and noisy underfoot. But it looks great!
 Marble
 This is a form of metamorphic rock, a combination of igneous and sedimentary rocks undergoing a
major change due to extreme influences of heat or pressure.

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  It is made up of calcium carbonate; it comes in numerous colors, white, grey, green, ochre, beige and
is usually veined.
 It is a hardwearing beautiful product, expensive to purchase and lay as it is heavy and comes in slab
form.
 It is cold and noisy underfoot.
 From a designers point of view like granite it has a timeless quality.

Marble used of floor and walls of a hotel bathroom, very stylish.

2) Artificial semi hard floor finishes

 Linoleum
 Rubber
 Cork
 Flexible vinyl

Linoleum
Linoleum is made up from natural ingredients, linseed oil, ground cork, resin, fillers and pigments. These are
baked slowly at high temperatures and pressed onto a jute or Hessian backing.
It is a misunderstood product as in its early form it was thin and brittle but with new production methods and
design development it is fast becoming a popular flexible flooring choice. It is available in numerous color
combinations and can be plain, patterned or in a marbleized look.
It is warm and quiet underfoot. It requires sealing with a polish as if water penetrates under the surface it will
lift. It comes in sheet or tile form and is fixed to the floor with an adhesive.

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Rubber
Rubber is made from natural or synthetic rubber, fillers and pigments. It is available in single colors with
relief patterns or marbled. It comes in sheet form or tiles cut from sheets. The sheet form is available with
foam rubber backing which provides a form of sound insulation. It has good wear properties, is resilient and
tough, warm and quiet underfoot. It can be loose laid on concrete.
Cork
Cork is a natural product that comes from the bark of the evergreen oak. It is most commonly available in
tiles. These are cut from blocks of granulated cork that has been compressed with binders Cork is a natural
product that comes from the bark of the evergreen oak. It is most commonly available in tiles. These are cut
from blocks of granulated cork that has been compressed with binders
3) Artificial hard floor finishes

 Cement Resin
 Terrazzo
 Concrete Screeds
 Epoxy Resin
 Polyester Resin
 Polyurethane Resin
 Cement Resin

This comprises of cement polyester resin and an aggregate (crushed stone or sand). It can be laid over
concrete or a timber base. It provides a hardwearing non-slip surface, which has a slight texture.

Terrazzo
This is a composite material made up of cement and marble aggregate, it is then mixed and poured in situ onto
a concrete base. It is then ground waxed and polished. It has a mosaic look. It can also be premade and is
available in slabs or tiles. It is very hard wearing, if it is polished or wet it is very slippery. It is a suitable
product to be used with under floor heating.

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 Examples of terrazzo floors

It is very useful in commercial situations i.e. malls and shopping centers as it is very durable and easy to
clean.
Over large expanses control joints are required to reduce the risk of cracking. It is expensive but worth it in
these situations. It can be used to great effect in design work, using brass strips to define the edges with the
use of different colored terrazzo between can be very effective.
Concrete Screeds
These are usually used as a base for other floor finishes. There are many forms, monolithic, laid over the
concrete base within a few hours of the base being laid. Bonded - existing concrete base with aggregate
exposed has a cement screed laid over it. Unbounded - a cement screed is laid over a plain existing concrete
base. Floating - is laid over thermal or sound insulation materials.

Coloured Concrete Screed in a mall situation.

Epoxy Resin
Produced by combining epoxide resin, fillers, aggregate and hardener. It can be laid over a cement screed,
plywood or other surfaces. It provides a thin hardwearing layer available in numerous colors and textures. It
can be made non-slip if required.
Polyester Resin
Produced by combining polyester resin, aggregates, fillers, glass fibers pigments and catalyst. It can be laid
over a cement screed or plywood. It is a hardwearing product with a wide color range.
Polyurethane Resin
Produced by combining polyurethane resin and fillers. It can be laid over a cement screed or plywood. It
provides a hardwearing non-slip surface available in numerous textures and colors.

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All the hard flooring examples above are joint less liquid floor finishes. They start as a liquid form then
harden to form the desired finish. Terrazzo and cement screed floors are required to be laid in bays with
control joints to reduce the possibility of cracking and shrinkage. The majority of these products are best
suited for commercial industrial and institutional applications.

4) FALSE FLOORING :
A FALSE FLOORING is also called raised floor (also raised flooring) is a type of floor used in office
buildings with a high requirement for servicing, such as IT data centres, to carry cables, wiring, electrical
supply and sometimes air conditioning or chilled water pipes. Additional structural support and lighting are
often provided when a floor is raised enough for a person to crawl or even walk beneath.

This type of floor consists of a gridded metal framework or under structure of adjustable-height legs called
pedestals, that provide support for individual floor panels which are usually 2×2 feet or 60×60cm in size. The
height of the legs/pedestals is dictated by the volume of cables and other services provided beneath, but
typically arranged for a clearance of at least six inches or 15cm.

MATERIALS FOR FALSE FLOORING :

 Steel Clad Particle board with cementations internal core.

 Carpets
 High Pressure laminates
 Marble stone

Concrete Floor Finishes

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Interior concrete is commonly covered with carpet, vinyl, or other flooring materials. For exterior surfaces,
materials like slate, granite, or brick are preferred to standard concrete when budgets allow.
An increasingly popular alternative to covering concrete is to make the surface both decorative and functional.
Concrete can be treated with stains or colorants to create a rich variety of hues and textures, or stamped with
patterns to mimic natural
surfaces from marble to wood planks. The resulting floor finishes combine beauty and creativity with the
economy, durability, and practicality of concrete.
The life expectancy of concrete slabs far exceed that of flooring materials often used to cover them. Carpeting
and vinyl are subject to tears, staining, damage from flooding, and general wear. Persons with allergies may
also have concerns about dust or molds that may be harbored in carpet fibers. In addition, many floor
coverings need to be replaced every few years.
Decorative finishes can be applied to existing or new slabs. The finish can last the lifetime of the concrete,
and are durable, sanitary, and easy to maintain. A wide range of effects is possible. The treatment may be as
simple as coloring walkways to match architectural features or blend into the landscape. If the look of natural
materials is preferred, a slab might be stamped to create the appearance of slate or granite, complete with
subtle color shifts, surface texture, and real grout placed in the formed joints between pavers. A stained and
scored surface can imitate terra cotta tile, or present a colorful palette of abstract intersecting shapes .

Creative decorative concrete surfaces

Brief descriptions of several methods used for creating decorative concrete surfaces the treatments become
permanent elements of the concrete slab:
Chemical Staining - Special stains are formulated to chemically react with the concrete's lime content. They
lightly etch and bond color into the concrete surface. This method can be used on new or old concrete slabs.
Scoring - Shallow-cuts can be made in existing concrete surfaces to suggest tile grout lines or simply create
geometric designs and patterns to separate colours.

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Integrally Coloured Concrete - Colorant added to concrete during the mixing process produces uniform
tinting throughout the slab and consistent results from batch to batch.
Coloured hardeners- Involves use of hardening agents in powder form which consist of colored, finely-
ground, cementitious aggregates that are sprinkled (or "broadcast") onto freshly placed concrete. Moisture
seeps from concrete into the powder to activate and monolithically bond it, creating a denser, harder finished
surface.
Colour release agents- Pigmented powder or liquid agents are used with pattern stamps to reduce friction
and facilitate their removal from fresh concrete surfaces. Applicators may choose release agent colors that
contrast or compliment hardener colours to produce a mottled patina or "antique" look on the patterned
surface. Unlike the other methods these pigments do not penetrate the concrete surface and must be protected
by sealers or wax finishes.
Sealers and Waxes - Colour materials are used to seal and waterproof concrete surfaces, materials used
include waxes for interior floors to industrial sealers for high traffic exterior settings.

6) Wood Flooring :
Wood flooring is a type of flooring made from the timber of hardwoods, or of spruce or hard pine.
Thickness of the hard wood is 19mm by 10mm and 8mm.
Hard wood finished with polyurethane or metal oxides like titanium dioxide for better wear resistance.

Types of wood floor finishes

a) Oil-modified urethane is generally the most common surface finish and is easy to apply. It is a
petroleum base with a blend of synthetic resins, plasticizers and other film forming ingredients that
produces a durable surface that is moisture-resistant. It is a solvent-base polyurethane that dries in about
eight hours. This type of finish ambers with age and comes in different sheen levels.

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b) Moisture-cured urethane is a solvent-base polyurethane that is more durable and more moisture resistant
than other surface finishes. Moisture-cure urethane comes in non-yellowing and in ambering types and is
generally available in satin or gloss. These finishes are extremely difficult to apply, have a strong odor
and are best left to the professional. Curing of this type of finish is by absorbing minute quantities of
moisture vapor from the air, which causes them to dry and harden. The curing process is very dependant
on relative humidity
c) Water-based urethane is a water-borne urethane with a blend of synthetic resins, plasticizers and other
film forming ingredients that produces a durable surface that is moisture-resistant. These finishes are clear
and non-yellowing and are different sheen levels. They have a milder odor than oil-modified finishes
have and they dry in about two to three hours. Water-based urethanes are generally more expensive.
d) Converstion-Varnish Sealers-(Swedish Finishes)- A two-component acid-curing, alcohol-based sealers.
Because of their origin (country), conversion varnish sealers are often referred to as Swedish finishes
e) Penetrating Sealers - These sealers are spread on the floor and allowed to penetrate and are solvent
based. The excess sealer is removed with rags or buffed in with synthetic or steel wool pads. This type of
finish often have a color and can be used to stain and seal the wood floor. Penetrating Oil Sealers are
made from tung or linseed oil, with additives improve drying and hardness.
f) Paste Wax- The oldest, and in some ways the best. Wax is the easiest to apply, least expensive, fastest
drying, easiest to repair, and with proper care will survive forever. Wax over a penetrating stain, and the
system is in the wood so you wear the wood, not the finish. Wax is spread in thin coats for a surface
protection after the stain and/or sealer is applied, then buffed to the desired sheen.
g) Varnish- Vinyl-alkyd varnishes have superseded natural varnish made from vegetable oils. This product
was commonly used before urethane finishes where introduced.
h) Lacquer - The flammability and incompatibility of this floor finish is NOT a recommended by many
manufacturers. This finish should avoided.
i) Shellac- This product (natural shellac) contains wax and is not widely used for top coating in today's
wood flooring market. Dewaxed shellac is becoming used more and more for a wood floor sealer.

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