Arch 161

Building and Finish Materials

Lecture 8
FLOOR FINISHES
FLOOR FINISHING

Among the factor that will influence the

selection of floor finishing are as follows:
• Function of the floor
• Price
• Maintenance
• Comfortable
TYPES OF FLOOR FINISHING

• Concrete flooring (vacuum dewatered)

• Terrazzo (marble chips) flooring
• Glazed ceramic tiles
• PVC sheet flooring (vinyl flooring)
• Carpet
• Marble
• Wood parquet
• Mosaic
• Rubber flooring
• Linoleum flooring
• Glass flooring
A good finishing will have the following
characteristics:

• Look attractive / beautiful

• Comfortable & safe
• Long lasting & able to prevent
- high temperature
- fungi
- chemical corrosion
VACUUM
DEWATERED
FLOORING

What is vdf?
The Vacuum Dewatered (VD) Flooring method, is a system for
laying high quality concrete floors with superior cost-
effectiveness. The key to the use of this method is the
dewatering of concrete by vacuum process. Surplus water from
the concrete is removed immediately after placing and
vibration, reducing the water cement ratio to an optimum level.
Laying Method

The method involves the laying of concrete in the following sequence:

• Concrete in the conventional way but with a higher slump so that
the workability is good and concrete pouring and spreading is done
fast.
• Poker Vibration (specially on both sides of the panel) is always
essential for floor thickness of 100mm and above.
• Surface Vibration using Double Beams Surface Vibrator Leveling the
vibrated surface with a straight edge.
• Vacuum Dewatering using Vacuum Pump and Suction Mat Top
Cover & Filter Pads.
• Floating and Toweling of the concrete pavement using Skim
BENEFITS
• Monolithic, Shrinkage free pavements.
• Single panel without joints upto 100 sq. meters
(depending on design specifications)
• Very high splitting strength.
• Very high quality pavements in terms of strength of
the pavement is increased giving flexibility to adopt
wither leaner mix or design a slab of lesser thickness
giving the required strength.
• Controlled and uniform surface finish.
• Very high output exceeding 100 to 200 sq. meters. in
a day.
• Elimination of curling.
TERRAZZO MOSSAIC
TILES
Terrazzo as in situ and tile floors were
once very popular in India and are
still being used in middle class
houses. However, unless the tiles
are made of proper constituents and
are well cured, they tend to get
pitted. It also requires polishing after
it is laid so that enough time should
be given at the planning stage itself
for its laying with respect to the time
of completion of the building.
Sizes of terrazzo tiles

Terrazzo tiles should conform to IS 1237-1959.

The nominal sizes (together with the joints) are as follows:
1. 200 mm x 200 mm with 20 mm total thickness
2. 300 mm x 300 mm with 25 mm total thickness
3. 250 mm x 250 mm with 22 mm total thickness
BENEFITS
1 – Longevity
Hundreds sometimes thousands of people walk through a school, hospital,
or airport daily. Because terrazzo has a high compressive strength, it can
withstand heavy amounts of pressure caused by foot traffic or heavy
machinery.
2 – Low costs
3- Design capabilities
Terrazzo stands out from other building materials based on its speckled
appearance. In order to create terrazzo, an installer will combine any
selection of aggregates ranging from marble to glass chips with any choice
of resin color.
4 – Environmental friendliness
It is often regarded as the first “green” flooring since its creation in the 15th
century.
5. Resistant surface
It is rare to damage a terrazzo floor. Terrazzo resists against water damage,
fire damage, chemical spillage, and other stain risks.
GLAZED CERAMIC
TILES

Glazed ceramic tile has an impervious facial finish fused to a semi-

vitreous (3.0% - 7.0% water absorption) ceramic body. The color
of the tile is derived from the glaze layer, not from the tile body,
as the body color can differ from the surface color. Glazed ceramic
meets the needs of many installations at a reasonable cost.
BENEFITS
Ceramic tile may be the only flooring material that truly works in any room of
the house.

1 – Water-Resistance
Glazed ceramic flooring tiles have a hard protective top layer that makes
the tiles impervious to water and most stains, making them naturally
resistant to the ravages of high humidity conditions. This is the main reason
why tile is preferred for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry
rooms.
2 – Durability
Ceramic flooring is extremely tough, and the tiles are difficult to crack. A
quality installation can last for hundreds of years if the floor is well-
maintained.
3- Easy Maintenance
Ceramic flooring is fairly easy to care for. Dirt, stains, and liquids all rest on
the surface, allowing you to easily wipe or mop them away. Regular
maintenance consists of sweeping or vacuuming with a soft brush
attachment to keep the floor free of dirt and loose debris.
4 – Design Options
Solid tiles can be mixed-and-matched in patterns or accented with custom
designs or motifs. They can also be printed to credibly reproduce the look of
a number of hardwoods and natural stones. Finally, the tiles themselves can
be cut and shaped into triangles, rectangles, and planks.
5 – Cost
Ceramic tile can be one of the more affordable flooring materials, starting
at well below $5 per square foot for budget tile and DIY installation.

Disadvantage:
1- Coldness
2- Weight
3- Installation
PVC SHEET
FLOORING

PVC flooring is popularly known as vinyl flooring. It is more

suitable for the cold climate. Vinyl flooring is composed of
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and are made in layers. It is available
as tiles, planks, or sheets form. PVC or vinyl flooring comes in
many different patterns and styles such as wood, carpet, etc.
BENEFITS
It is suitable for low traffic areas. Vinyl flooring is a perfect choice for areas
that are prone to spills and moisture such as kitchens, bathrooms,
laundry rooms, etc.

1 – Durability
PVC flooring is durable as it is easy to clean and maintain. It has resistant to
water and moisture as compared to other types of flooring. However, with the
heavy loads, it can be damaged by sharp and heavy objects.

2 – Easy Installation
Vinyl flooring installation is easy as compared to other types of flooring. It can
be installed over concrete, hardwood or plywood.

3- Water Resistant
Vinyl sheet flooring is resistant to water and moisture as compared to any
other types of flooring. Basically, there are no joints that allow water to seep
in and damage the sub-floor.
4 – Easy to Clean
PVC flooring is stain resistant. Any spillages like oil, grease, acids, etc. are easy
to clean with damp cloth.
5 – Light Weight
Vinyl flooring is light weight as compared to other types of flooring and hence
it is easy to install.
6- Maintenance
It requires very little maintenance. You just need to sweep regularly and use a
damp mop to keep your floors sparkling.

DISADVANTAGE
1 – Fading
Colors can fade with exposure to too much direct sunlight and floors can also
get damaged by extreme temperatures.
2 – Health Concern
Vinyl flooring emits high Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) which is harmful
for human health.
CARPET
FLOORING
Carpet is typically installed wall-to-wall to eliminate the
maintenance of hard flooring surfaces around the edge of a carpet.
Rugs, on the other hand, are often used to accentuate a tile or wood
floor. In areas where there is heavy foot traffic, rugs can be used to
equalize wear and help prevent tracking onto other floor coverings.

Carpet offers a number of benefits over hard and resilient flooring

materials. Carpet prevents slipping; it provides an additional
source of insulation, it has acoustical properties that can
effectively lower noise levels; and it is the most resilient of all
floor coverings, which is a major benefit to individuals who must
remain on their feet for extended periods.
MARBLE
FLOORING

Marble is one of the most elegant flooring materials you can

choose. All natural, it is harvested from the belly of a
mountain in great slabs of stone, which are then sliced down
and refined into the individual tiles, slabs, and mosaics that are
used in standard construction processes.
BENEFITS
1 – Style
The biggest advantage of marble floor tile is that it can instantly elevate the
appearance of a space, giving it a regal bearing that is hard to imitate. At the
same time marble is available in multiple colors, and even in stunning
multicolor mixes, providing flexible options for a variety of decorative
schemes. Tiles can also be cut to rectangles, and triangles of varying sizes, in
order to create complex mosaic piece installations.
2 – Unique
Because it is a product of the earth, every single piece of marble tile used in
every single floor is a one of a kind, and there is no other like it anywhere in
the world.
3- Natural
The look of a marble floor can bring the stunning power and dignity of a
flowing mountain range into an interior space.
4- Translucence
It has a natural translucent property that allows light to penetrate through it
slightly. This can make a statue, or even floor tiles seem to almost glow when
the sun hits them just right.
5 – Polish
Unlike most natural stones, marble is able to take a very high polish, getting
silky smooth and shimmering when treated properly. This is a look of
sophistication and glamour.
6 – Radiant Heat
Marble is a great conductor of heat, making it eligible for a variety of below
surface radiant heating systems to be installed.

DISADVANTAGE
1 – Scratches
marble is actually a relatively soft material that can be scratched, scraped, and
chipped under the wrong conditions.
2 – Acid Stains
Marble is a base on the PH scale, which means that it will have a chemical
reaction whenever it comes in contact with acidic substances. This can include
a wide variety of foods, sauces, beverages, and cleaning products.
3 – Cracks
Being relatively soft, marble floor tiles can suffer from cracking,
breaks, and chips. If the floor is improperly installed this can be a
particular problem.
4 – Slippage
When polished, marble can be an extremely slick and slippery
surface, that may be a hazard for accidental falls. This is especially
true if the material gets wet due to environmental concerns or
spillage.
5 – Price
Marble floors are a premium architectural element, and they are
priced accordingly. Generally, they fall on the high-end range as
far as natural stone costs, while having a shorter lifespan than
harder, more durable materials like slate and granite.
WOOD
FLOORING

There is nothing quite as attractive as the warmth and richness of

wood floors. Most hardwood floors are made from oak, but
other popular woods include ash, beech, birch, hickory, maple,
teak, and walnut. In addition to its attractiveness, hardwood
floors are extremely durable if they are properly finished and
maintained.
 WOOD
FLOORING
Unfinished wood floors will quickly deteriorate under even
light use, as wood is an extremely porous material.
Unfinished woods are susceptible to dirt lodging in the grains,
splintering of the wood fibers, abrasions caused by normal foot
traffic, and of course, moisture, the bane of wood floors.
Too much moisture will cause a wood floor to warp, while
too little humidity will cause wood floors to shrink and
crack.
To help forestall damage, most wood floors made today receive
factory applied finish.
WOOD
FLOORING
Since there is a degree of resiliency in even the hardest of
hardwood floors, precautions should be taken to protect
the floor from furniture legs that may dent the flooring.
Wood floors are particularly susceptible to metal or
hard plastic rollers and to those small metal domes that
are often found on the legs of office furniture .
PARQUET

• Parquet flooring is a floor

composed of short strips or blocks
of wood forming a pattern,
sometimes with inlays of other
woods or other materials.

• Parquet flooring is a series of wood flooring pieces that create

a geometric design.

• Parquet offers a variety of design options.

• Timber used for Parquet floor is Jati & Kempas.

MOSAIC

Mosaic flooring is very old types of flooring. Floor mosaics are made
from small round pieces of stones. They form design pattern and give
a beautiful look to the room.
BENEFITS
1 – Elegant Design
Probably the biggest benefit of using mosaic in a flooring application is the
beauty that can be achieved with a proper installation.
2 – Easy to Clean
Glass tiles are resistant to stains, mold, and mildew. They tend to show
dirt very easily so you will always know when it's time to clean.
3- A Green Product
It takes roughly half the energy to produce a mosaic tile as compared to a
ceramic tile of similar size. You also have the option of using recycled mosaic
tile, which are made from reclaimed glass refuse.
4- Luminous Appearance
All but the darkest glass tiles will tend to reflect light rather than absorb
it. This can make the mosaic pieces seem to glow with a luminous radiance.

5- Durability
DISADVANTAGES
1 – High Cost
One of the biggest drawbacks to using mosaic glass tiles is the price. You may
find a bargain for 500 or 600 tk a square foot but the really attractive colors are
going to be closer to 2400 or 3200 tk.
2 – Difficult Installation
Unlike ceramic or natural stone tile, mosaics are particularly difficult to
install. If you are not careful, the adhesive will show through the tile.
3- Susceptible to Scratches
While glass mosaics are durable and resistant to stains, they are
susceptible to scratches. Over time, scratches will accumulate in a glass
mosaic floor, and after several years the installation will need to be replaced.
4- Breakage
While glass flooring tiles are quite durable, there are occasions when
dropping something heavy from a great height will crack or chip
a tile.
5- Slippery
RUBBER
FLOORING
All modern rubber floors are made from synthetic rubber, such
as styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). Rubber tiles are cured or
vulcanized by the application of heat. Rubber floors are
nonporous, waterproof surfaces. One major advantage is
that they are quite resilient and will remain resilient over a
considerable temperature range.
Rubber flooring is susceptible to alkalines, oils, grease,
solvents, ultraviolet light, and ozone in the air. When
attacked by these components, a rubber floor will often become
tacky and soft. It will then become brittle and begin to crack
and powder. Rubber tiles often have knobs in the surface or
will have a tread pattern to improve traction, especially if
liquids are frequently spilled on the surface.
LINOLEUM
FLOORING
In modern buildings, the use of vinyl has replaced linoleum,
but on occasion, linoleum floors can still be found in older facilities.

Linoleum was composed of oxidized linseed oil, resins,

embedded cork, and wood flour with pigments pressed
on a backing.
LINOLEUM
FLOORING

It is available in rolls of width about 1.80 meters or 3.60

meters. The thickness varies from 2mm to 6mm. Linoleum
flooring is also available in form of tiles. Linoleum flooring should
be laid over an effective damp-proof area.
 LINOLEUM FLOORING

Its properties included in a remarkable degree of resiliency.

Next to cork and rubber, and of course, padded carpeting,
linoleum is considered to have the greatest degree of resiliency.
Linoleum was quite durable, was resistant to oil and
grease, and do not shrink.

The negative aspects of linoleum was that it is highly

susceptible to water. The linoleum would absorb water
and would then soften, causing it to lose its abrasion
resistance and become more susceptible to indentation.
Even high humidity would have a negative effect upon
this material.
GLASS
FLOORING
Glass is a practical and beautiful material that is strong
enough to be used structurally, even as flooring.
Floor panels are usually manufactured from two or more
layers of annealed glass laminated together.
Sandblasting or screen printing to the top surface not only
gives anti-slip properties but also design opportunities.