11 Different Types of Flooring used in Construction You Must Know

Introduction

The lower enclosing surface of spaces within buildings is referred to as ‘flooring.’ This may be a structural component of the floor, such as the upper surface of a concrete slab or floor boards, but it is usually a permanent covering laid over the floor. The term ‘flooring’ can also refer to the process of laying flooring material.

The goal of flooring is to create a hard, level, and aesthetically pleasing surface for living. The floors directly above the ground are referred to as ground floors, while the floors of each story are referred to as upper floors.

11 Different Types of Flooring used in construction You Must Know

1. Mud and Moorum Flooring: These floorings are commonly found in low-income housing, particularly in villages. A mud or moorum layer is placed over the hard layer of the earth. A thin wash of cow dung should be applied to the floor at least once a week.

2. Brick Flooring: This is another low-cost floor construction option. It is commonly found in warehouses and factories. Bricks can be laid flat or on their edges. For the construction, high-quality bricks should be used. The bricklayer works on a sand or lean concrete (1:8:16) bed. In both cases, the joints are flushed and finished with cement mortar.

3. Flag Stone Flooring: As floor finishes, laminated sandstones or slates 20 mm to 40 mm thick are used in the form of 300 mm or 450 mm slabs or rectangles of size 450 mm 600 mm. The stone slabs are laid on a concrete bed with 20 to 25 mm thick mortar. Rich mortar will be used to finish the joints.

4. Cement Concrete Floors: It is a reasonably priced and long-lasting floor widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It consists of two courses: base courses and coat wearing. The base course is installed over compacted soil. It is typically 75 mm to 100 mm thick.

It is made up of a lean cement concrete mix (1: 4: 8) or lime concrete (40% lime mortar and 60% coarse aggregate of 40 mm size). Following the hardening of the base coarse, a coat of 40 mm is laid. It is made up of 1 m x 1 m, 2 m x 2 m, or 1 m x 2 m panels. Alternate panels are laid with 1: 2: 4 concrete and 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm thick wooden, glass, or asbestos strip separators. Before laying wearing coat panels, a cement slurry wash is applied to ensure a good bond between the base coarse and the wearing coat.

Other alternate panels are laid after 3-4 days of laying off one set of panels. The surface of these panels is finished by tamping with wooden floats and tapping with trowels until a cement slurry appears on top. It must cure for 7 to 14 days. Many times, a red-oxide finishing coat is provided to achieve a good appearance.

5. Terrazo Flooring: A finishing coat of terrazzo is applied over concrete flooring to give it a nice appearance. The Terrazo finish is made up of 75-80% surface marble chips embedded in cement mortar. Marble chips are mixed with cement in a 1: 1.25 to 1: 2 ratio, and a 6 mm terrazzo topping is laid. The top is rolled and tamped. Additional marble chips are spread during tamping to ensure proper marble chip distribution on the surface. It is cured for 2-3 days after drying for 12 to 20 hours.

The grinding process is then completed in three steps: First, coarse grade (No. 60) carborundum stones were used for grinding. Second grinding—Use medium grade (No. 120) carborundum stones. Third grinding—Use fine grade (No. 320) carborundum stones. During grinding, a lot of water is used. After each grinding, cream-like cement grout is applied and cured for 6-7 days. After final grinding and curing, the floor is washed thoroughly with water and then with a dilute oxalic acid solution. The floor is then polished with machines and wax polish.

6. Mosaic flooring is made up of a finishing coat of small pieces of broken China glazed or marble tiles arranged in various patterns and set in lime-surkhi or cement mortar. The base coarse is concrete flooring with a 30 to 40 mm mortar layer on top.

Broken pieces of China glazed or marble are set on this mortar layer to create various attractive patterns. After drying for 20 to 24 hours, the top is rubbed with a carborundum stone to achieve a smooth and polished surface.

7. Marble Flooring: Marble slabs are cut into 20 to 25 mm thick marble tiles. They have been installed on floors in the same way that other tiles are. The surface is polished with a power-driven machine to achieve an even and shiny finish. This flooring is commonly found in hospitals and temples.

8. Tiled Flooring: This is an alternative to terrazzo flooring that is commonly used in residential, office, and commercial buildings. Standard-sized clay, cement, or terrazzo tiles are manufactured in factories under controlled conditions. On the concrete base, 25 mm to 30 mm thick mortar is laid, and the tiles are placed and pressed with a trowel or wooden mallet. Before laying tiles, make sure that a neat cement slurry is applied to the bottom and sides of the tiles to ensure a good bond. The next day, the joints are cleaned of loose mortar and raked to a depth of 5 mm.

The top surface is then filled with a colored cement slurry to achieve a uniform color. After 7 days of curing, grinding and polishing are performed in the same manner as with terrazzo flooring.

9. Timber Flooring: Timber flooring is commonly found in dance halls and auditoriums. Timber plates can be installed directly on a concrete bed or over a timber framework. In the latter case, proper ventilation beneath the floor is required. This flooring is pricey.

10. Rubber Flooring: Rubber tiles or sheets with fillers like cotton fibers, asbestos fibers, or granulated cork are available in a variety of patterns and colors. These sheets or tiles can be installed on concrete or wood floors. These floors are both visually appealing and soundproof. They are, however, expensive.

11. PVC flooring: Poly-Vinyl-Chloride (PVC) is a plastic that comes in a variety of hues and tones. These days, tiles made of this material are commonly used. Both the underside of PVC tiles and the concrete base are coated with adhesive. Once the adhesive is visible, the tile is gently pressed with a 5 kg wooden roller. After the adhesive has flowed off, the floor is cleaned with warm, soapy water. The floor’s finish is lovely, easy to clean, and smooth. However, it is pricey and slippery.