11

Floors-I: Ground Floors

11.1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of a floor is to provide a level surface capable of supporting the

occupants of a building, furniture, equipment and sometimes, internal partitions. o
perform this function, and in addition, others which may vary according to the situation
of the floor in the building and the nature of the building itself, a floor must satisty
the following requirements
() Adequate strength and stability (iü) Adequate fire resistance.
(ii) Sound insulation (iv) Damp resistance
and (u) Thermal insulation.
The floors resting directly on the ground surface are known as ground floors,
while the other floors of each storey, situated above the ground level are known as
upper floors.
The problems of strength and stability are usually minor ones at ground and
basement levels since full support from the ground is available at all points. However,
and thermal insulation. Moisture
major problem of ground floors is damp exclusion
is generally present in the ground, which may pass into the building through the floor
unless measures are taken to check it.
The upper floors have the major problems of strength and stability since they
are supported only at their ends, on walls, beams etc. The structural design of a floor
has to be such as to support the loads set up by the use of the building, in addition
to the self weight and the weight of partitions etc. Upper floors do not have problems
of damp resistance, though sound insulation is generally an important factor in the
design. The problem of fire resistance does not arise for the lowest floor of a building,
Dut 1s often important for upper floors.

11.2. COMPONENTS OF A FLOOR

essential components:
Aloor is composed of two
(i) Sub-floor, base course or floor base
ü ) floor covering,
Floor base or simply, flooring.
The is a structural component, which supports the floor covering. For
ne ground floors, the object of floor base is to give proper support to the covering
30 that it does not settle, and to provide damp resLstançe and thermal insulation.

Ground floors may either rest directly_on the ground, or may be _supported a
(269)
 270 RUTLDING CONSTRUCTION

Floor finish
Cement concrete
D.P.C-
Lean concrete
Compacted
earth fll

FIG. 111,$OLID GROUND FLOOR.

Floor boards

Ground floor joists

Wall plate
Damp proof
course

Honeycomb
Air brick- X \X A
AL sleeper wall

Damp proof course T 7 V

7V.
Ground level

77 Surface concrete

Concrete foundation

FIG. 12.
SUSPENDED TIMBER GROUND FLOOR
little distance above the ground. The floors supported directly on the
as
solid floors (Fig. 11.1) while the floors supported above the ground are known
susperded floors .(Fig. 11.2). Suspended floors are ground level are called
generally
made of timber.
113. MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION
Materials used for construction of ground
() Cement concrete floor base are

() Lime concrete
iii) Stones
(iu) Bricks
(w) Wooden blocks (for
wooden
The floor base for a solid groundflooring only).
floor is shown in Fig. 11.1. The lowest
just above ground surface is that of compacted earth fill. The second layer may layer her
of lean cement concrete or lime
concrete or sometimes broken
brick bats r su
ramm properly. The third course may be either of cement concrete or of brickS
or
stones arranged and packed properly. The
third layer of cement concrete is more
since it gives proper rigidity to the com
floor finish or flooring is laid.
floor base. Over the third layer of floor ase,
pa
 FLOORS-I: GROUND FLOORS 271

The materials used for floor finish

1. Mud and Muram
or floor covering or flooring are
9. Granolithic finish
2. Bricks
10. Wood or timber
3. Flag stones
4.Concrete 11
12.
Asphalt
Rubber
5. Terrazzo 13.
6. Mosaic Linoleum flooring
14. Cork
7. Tiles
8. Marble-
15. Glass
16. Plastic or P.V.C.
114. SELECTION OF
FL00RING MATERIAL
Following are the factors
that affect the choice of a flooring materials
1. Initial Cost. The cost of the
material should be in conformity with the type
of building, and its likely use. Floor coverings of marble etc. are
very costly and may
be used only for residential buildings.
2. Appearance. Covering should give pleasing appearance, i.e.., it should produce
adesired colour effect and architectural beauty. Floorings of terrazzo, mosaic, tiles and
marble give good appearance.
3. Cleanliness. The flooring should be capable of being cleaned easily, andit
should be non-absorbent. It should have effective resistance against absorption of oil,
grease etc.
4. Durability. The flooring should have sufficient resistance to wear, temperature
changes, disintegration with time and decay, so that long life is obtained. From this
point of view, flooring of marble, terrazzo, tiles, concrete, mosaic etc. are considered
to be of best type.
5 Damp resistance. Flooring should offer sufticient resistance against dampness,
so that healthy environment is obtained in the building. Flooring of concrete, terrazzo,
nosaic ete are preferred for this purpose, while flooring of cork, wood, rubber,linoleum,
brick etc. are not suitable for damp conditigns.
Sound Insulation. Flooring should insulate the noise. Also, it should not
be such that noise is produced when users walk on it. Cork flooring, rubber flooring
and timber flooring_are good from this point of view
1. Thermal Insulation. The flooring should offer reasonably good thermal insulation
So that comfort is imparted to the residents of the building. Floor covering of wood,
Trubber, cork, P.V.C. tilesare better for this purpose
8. Fire resistance. This is more important for upper floors. Flooring material
hould offer sufficient fire resistance so that fire barriers are obtained between different
vels of a building. Concrete, tiles, terrazzo, mosaic, marble have good fire resistance.
Ork, asphalt, rubber and P.V.C. coverings, if used, should be laid on fire resistance
base only.
9. Smoothness. The flooring material should be smooth, and should have even
Surface. However, should not be slippery.
10. Hardness. It should be sufficiently hard so as to have resistance to indentation
uaTks, imprints etc. likely to be caused by shifting of furniture, equipment ete.
U Maintenance. The flooring material should require least maintenance. However,
 BUILDING ONSTRUCTIo
272
riON
can be done
should be such that repairs
.

whenever repairs are required, it

tiles, marble, terrazzo, concrete
sily, with
eteWith
possible expenditure. Hard coverings like etc. requir
least materials like cork,
wood etc.
less maintenance in comparison to
FLOORING
11.5. MUD FLOORING AND MURAM
Mud and Muram floorings are used only
in low cost housing, in . villages.
specially in
Mud flooring.
to construct and a
Such flooring is cheap, hard, fairly impervious, easy to
maintain. It has good thermal insulation property due to which itAÉmains
cool
and fairly warm in winter. The method of construction is very eaet
well-prepared ground, a 25 cm thick selected moist earth (mostly impervious) is preOver
asummer
and is then rammed well to get a compacted thicknéss of 15 cm. In order to
cracks due to drying, small quantity of chopped straw is mixed in the moist ew
before ramming. Sometimes, cow-dung is mixed with earth and a thin layer arth,
th
mix is spread over the compacted layer. Sometimes, a thin paintol_cement-cow-dung
ung
(1:2 to 1:3) is applied.
Muram flooring
Muram is a form of disintegrated rock with binding material. This flooring has
practically the same properties as that of mud flooring. To construct such a floor, a
15 cm thick layer of muram is laid over prepared subgrade. Over it, a 2.5 cm thiek
layer of powder muram (fine muram) is spread and water is sprinkled over it. The
surface is then rammed well. After ramming, the surface is saturated with à 6 mm
thin film of water. The surface is well-trampled under the feet of workmen till the
cream of muram rises to the top. The surface is levelled and then kept in that state
for
a day. and then rammed again with wooden rammers called thapies for 3
so that dry hard surface is formed. This surface is then smeared or rubbed with thin
days,
paste of cow-dung and rammed again for two days, during morning hours. Finally,
a coating of mud-cow-dung mix
or cement-cow-dung mix is applied over the surface
11.6. BRICK FLOORING
Such flooring is used in cheap construction, specially where good bricks are available.
This flooring is specially suited to ware- houses, stores,
godowns etc. Well-burnt bricks
of good colour and uniform shapes are used. Bricks are laid either flat or on edge»
arranged in herring bone fashion or set at
right angles to the walls, or set any ou er

good looking pattern.

The method of preparing the base course Brick
for brick flooring varies from place to place.
In one method, the
subgrade is compacted
properly, to the desired level, and a 7.5 cm
thick layer of sand is spread. Over this, a
course of bricks laid flat in mortar is built.
This forms the base course, over which the
ZL Y
brick flooring is laid in 12 mm thick bed of
cement or lime mortar, in the desired pattern.
Lean
In the second method, 10 to 15thick layer
cm
concrete
of lean cement concrete (1:8: 16) or lime con
crete is laid over the prepared subgrade. This FIG. 11.3. BRICK FLOORING.
 FLOORS-I: GROUND FLOORS
273
ms the base course, over which bricks are laid on edge (or flat) on 12 mm thick
aortar bed in such way that all the
a
joints The
ehe joints are rendered tlush and finished.
are full with mortar. In both the cases,
work is then properly cured.
11.7. FLAG STONE FLOORING
Flag stone is any laminated
sand stone available in 2 cm to 4 cn thickness
the form of stone slabs of square (30 cm
in
30. cm, 45 cm x 45 cm _or 60 Cm
60 cm) or rectangular size (45 x 60 cm) This type of work is
The stone slabs are
also called paving
laid on concrete base. The sub-soil is properly compacted, over
which 10 to 15cm thick ime concrete or lean cement_concreteis laid. This forms
the base course of the floor. The flag stones (stone slabs) are then laid over 20
25 mm thick layer of bed mortar (Fig. 11.4). In laying the slabs, work is started to
from two diagonally opposite corners and brought up from both sides. A string is stretchedd
between two corner slabs laid first to correct level. Other slabs are then so laid that
their tops touch the string. If any particular slab falls lower than the string level,
it is re-laid by putting fresh layer of stiff mortar. When the stone. slabs are properly-
set, mortar in thejoints is raked out to a depth of about 15 to 20 mm and then
fush pointed with 1:3 cement mortar. Proper slope is given to the surface for drainage.
The work is properly cured.

Flag
stones

15 mm mortar,
bedding Batten

1 0 to 15 cm concrete bed

FIG. 11.4. FLAG STONE FLOORING.

l1.8, CEMENT CONCRETE FLOORING

This is commonly used for residential, commercial and even industrial building,
to construct. The floor consists
Snce it is moderately cheap, quite durable and easy
0T two components: (i) base concrete, and (u) topping or wearing surface. The two
(i.e. topping laid immediately
cOmponents of the floor can be constructed either monolithically
atter the base course is laid) or non-monolithically. When the floor is laid monolithically,
obtained resulting in smaller over all thickness.
g0od bond between the two components is
three disadvantages0the topping is damaged
wever, such a construction hashair cracks are developed because of the settlement
unng subsequent operations, (ii) work progress is slow because
of reshly laid base course which has not set, and (uL)
ne workman has to wait atleast till the initial setting of the base course. Hence in
construction 1s preferred.
of the cases, non-monolithic
 274 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
The base course may be 7.5 to 10 cm thick, either in lean cement
(1: 3 : 6 to 1 : 5 concrete
10) or linme concrete containing 40% mortar of 1:2 limee
(or 1 lime: 1 surkhi: 1 sand) and 60% coarse aggregate of 40 mm norainal size m -sand
base course is laid over well-compacted soil, compacted properly and levelled to ra The
surface. It is properly cured.
ough
When the base concrete has hardened, its surface is brushed with stiff he
broom
and cleaned thoroughly. It is weted the previous night and excess water is drained
ed.
The topping is then laid in square or rectangular panels, by use of either elass or
plain asbestos strips or by use of wooden battens set on mortar bed. The panels may
be 1x1 m, 2x2 m or 1x2 m in size. The topping consists of 1:2:4 cement concrete
laid to the desired thickness (usually 4 cm) in one single operation in the panel. Alternate
panels are laid first. Prior to laying the concrete in the panel, a coat of neat cement
slurry is applied. This cement slurry laid on rough-finished base course ensures proper
bond of topping with the base course. Glass strips or battens should have depth equal
to thickness of topping. Topping concrete is spread evenly with the help of a straight
edge, and its surface is thoroughly tamped and floated with wooden floates till the
cream of concrete comes at the top. Steel trowel is used for something and finishing
surface. Further troweling is done when the mix has stiffened. Dusting of
the surface with neat cement and then troweling results in smooth finish at the top.
Other alternate layers are then laid after 72 hours, so that initial shrinkage of already
laid panels take place, thus eliminating the cracks. The prepared surface is protected
from sunlight, rain, other damages for 12 to 20 hours. The surface is then properly
cured for a period of 7 to 14 days.
When monolithic construction is laid, the topping is laid 1 hour to 4 hours after
placing the base concrete.
Granolithic finish.
In industrial building, hard wearing surface is sometimes required. This can be
achieved by applying granolithic finish over the concrete topping described above. Granolithic
finish consists of rich concrete made with very hard and tough quality coarse aggregate
(such as granite, basalt, quartzite etc.) graded from 13 mm to 240 No. LS. sieve. The
concrete mix proportion varies from 1:1:2 to 1:1:3 for heavy duty floors to 1:2
:3 for public buildings. The thickness of finish may be minimum 25 mm when laid
monolithically with the top concrete, and 35 mm when laid over hardened surface
However, for public buildings such as schools, hospitals etc. the thickness of the finish
may be 13 mm to 20 mm. using small size aggregate. If exceptionally hard surface
is required, sand may be replaced by fine aggregate of crushed granite, and/or abrasive
grit may be sprinkled uniformly over the surface 1 . 5 to 2.5 kg/m), during floating
operation.
11.9. TERRAZZO FLOORING
Terrazzo flooring is another type of floor finish that is laid in thin layer
concrete topping. It is very decorative and has good
over
wearing properties. Due to tni
it is widely used in residential buildings, hospitals,
offices, schools and other Pu
buildings. Terrazzo is a specially prepared concrete surface cement
containing (w
or grey) and marble chips (of different colours), in proportion to 1: 14 to 1:2. Wne
the surface has set, the chips are exposed by grinding operation. Marble chips
 FLOORS-: GROUND FLOORS 275

from 3 mm to 6 mm size. Colour can be mixed to white cement to set desirea

The flooring 1s, however, more
expensive.
The sub-base preparation and concrete base
explained
laying is done in a similar nmanner,
for cement concrete flooring. The top layer may have about 40 mm thickness,
e
as

consisting of (i) 34 mm thick cement concrete layer (1: :4) laid over the base concrete,
about 6 mm thick terrazzo
2
and ii) topping.
Before laying the flooring, the entire area is divided into suitable panels of pre
atermined size and shape. For this, aluminum or glass strips are used. The strips
have the same height as the thickness of the flooring (i.e. 40 mm). The strips are
iointed to the base concrete, with the help of cement mortar, and their tops are perfectly
et to level and line. Alternate panels are filled. The width of the strips may be 1.5
to 2.0 mm.

The surface of base concrete is cleaned of dirt etc. and thoroughly wetted. The
wet surface of the base concrete is smeared with cement slurry. Concrete of
grade
1:2:4 is then laid in alternate panels levelled and finished to rough surface. Whenn
the surface is hardened, the terrazzo mix (containing cement, marble chips and water)
islaid and finished to the level surface. Additional marble chips may be added
during
tamping and rolling operation, so that atleast 80% of the finished surface show exposedd
marble chips. The surface is then floated and trowelled, and left to dry for 12 to
20 hours. After that, the surface is cured properly for 2-3 days.
The first grinding is done, preferably by machine, using coarse grade (No. 60)
carborundum stones, using plenty of water. The ground surface is then scrabbed and
cleaned. Cement grout of cream-like consistency, of the same colour, is then
on
applied
the surface so that pores and holes etc. are filled. The surface is cured for 7
and then second grinding is done with carborundum stones of fine
days
grade (NO. 120).
The surface is scrabbed and cleaned thoroughly, and cement
grout is again applied.
Surface is cured for 4 to 6 days and final grinding is done with carborundum
stones of 320 grit size. The surface is thoroughly scrabbed and cleaned,
using plenty
of water. The floor is then washed with dilute oxalic acid solution. Finally, the floor
1s polished, with polishing machines the wheels of which are fitted with felt or hessian
bobs, to get fine shine. Wax polish is also applied with the help of the polishing machine,
to get final glossy surface.

11.10 MOSAIC FLOORING

Mosaic flooring is made of small pieces of broken tiles of china glazed or of
ement, or of marble, arranged in different pattern. These pieces are cut to desired
pes and sizes. A concrete base is prepared as in the case of concrete flooring, and
rcan t 5 to 8 cm thick lime-surkhi mortar is-epread and Jesaled,_over an area which
De completed conveniently within working period so that the moptar may not get
Pbetore the floor is finished. On this, a 3 mm thickgementing_material, in the
oof paste of two parts of slaked lime, one part okowdered marble and one_part
ni olana material, is spread and is left to dry for aboutA hors. Thereafter, small
has of broken tiles or marble_pieces of diflerent _calours are-aprbnged in definite
patter and hammered into the cementing layer. The surface is gently rolled by
ston
ste roller of 30 cm_dia. and 40 to 60 cm_long, sprinkling water over the surface,
Aat
cementing material comes up through the joints, and an even surface is obtained.
276 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
The surface is allowed to dry for 1 day, and is, thereafter, rubbed with
stone fitted with a long wooden handle, to get smooth and polish surface, Thce
e
floor
is allowed to dry for two weeks before use.

11.11. TILED FL0ORING.

Tiled flooring is constructed from square, hexagonal or other shapes, mad
are available in different sie
of
pottery), cement concreteor terrazzo. These
clay
hicknesses. These are commonly used in residential houses, offices, schools, hoen
and other public buildings, as an alternative to terrazzo tlooring, specially wherepitals
#
the
floor is to be laid quickly. The method of laying tiled flooring is similar to that for
flag stone flooring except that greater care is peguired.(Over the concrete base
25
to 30 mm thick layer of lime mortar 1 3 1 lime and 3 sand or Zurkhi) is SDrad
to serve as bedding. This bedding mortar is allowed to harden for 12 to 24 irs.
Before laying the tiles, neat cement slurry is spread over the bedding mortar and
the tiles are laid flat over it, gently pressing them into the bedding mortar ith the
help of wooden mallet, till levelled surface is obtained. Before layáng tke tiles thin
paste of cementis applied on their sides, so that the tiles have a thin eeet-efeemem
mortar over the entire perimeter surface. Next day, the joints between adjacent tiles
are cleaned of loose mortar etc. to a depth of 5 mm, using wire brush, and then
grouted with cement slurry of the same colour shade as that of the tiles. The slurry
is also applied over the flooring in thin coat. The flooring is then_cured-for 1 days
and then grinding and polishing is done in the same manner as that for terrazzo
flooring.
11.12. MARBLE FLOORINNG
It is a superior type of flooring, used in bath-rooms and kitchens of residential
buildings, and in hospitals, sanitoriums, temples etc. where extra cleanliness is an essential
requirement. Marble slabs may be laid in different sizes, usually in rectangular or
square shapes. The base concrete is prepared in the same manner as that for concrete
flooring. Over the base concrete, 20-mm thick bedding mortar of either 1:4 cement
:sand mix or 1 (lime putty)_ surkhi:1 coarse sand mix i_ spread under the
area of each individual slab, The marbleslab is then laid over jtgently pressed with
wooden mallet and levelled.The marbleslabis then again lHfted up, and freshmartar
isadded to the hollows of the bedding morfar. The mortar is allowed to harden slightly,
cementslurry is spread over it, the edges of already laid slabs are smeared with cement
slurry paste, and then the marble slab in question is placed in position. It is gently
pushed with wooden mallet so that cement pastes oozes out from the joint which shou
be as thin as possible (paper thick). The oozed out cement is cleaned with cloth. Tne
paved area is properly cured for about a week.

11.13. TIMBER FL0ORING

Timber flooring is used for carpentry halls, dancing halls, auditoriums, ete
are not commonly used in residential is
buildings in India, because timber
t100r
also quite costlier. However, in hilly areas, where timber is
and where temperature drops very low, timbor cheaply and readily availabie
ajor
in timber
flooring quite common. One the ne
is
problems flooring is the damp prevention. This can be done by
ucing
introa
D.P.C. layer below the flooring.
FLOORS-I: GROUND FLOORSs 277

Timber floors caneither be of 'suspended type'

(i.e.. supported above the ground)
or 'solid type (ruly supported on the ground). The suspended type timber flooring is
shown in Fig. 11.2. An alternative sketch of 'suspended' or
is shown in Fig. 11.5. The hollow space between 'supported' timber flooring
the flooring and over site concrete
is kept dry and well-ventilated by providing air bricks in the outer
in the sleeper wall. The flooring consists of
walls, and voids
boarding supported on bridging or floor
ioists of timber, which are nailed to the wall plates at their ends. Sleeper walls are
not spaced more than 1.8 to 2 m.

Boarding
Air wwwwiwwwwYITIIITwwwwww.mwwwIwww
bricks

D.P.C
Wall plato Sleeper
D.P.C plate
Joists
Void
G.L Sleeper
wall

Concrete bed

Voids Sleeper wall

(a) (b)
FIG. 11.5. SUPPORTED TYPE TIMBER FLOOR.
Where the problems of dampness is not acute, timber floors may be supported
on the ground all along. For this type of construction, base concrete is first laid in
15 to 20 cm thickness. Over it, a layer of mastic asphalt is applied. Wooden block
flooring is then laid over it, as shown in Fig. 11.6. Wooden bloeks are short but thick

Wooden
blocks asphaltlayer

Mastic

Mostic
Compacted asphalt layer
soil sub-base

Concrete base

BLOCK-FLOORING
FIG. 11.6. WOODEN
278 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
with sizes 20 x 8 cm to 30 x8 cm and thickness 2 to 4 cm) and are laid ir suitahl.
designs. In order to fix the wooden floor on concrete slabs, longitudinal nailing strin
with bevelled section, are embedded in concrete at
suitable interval. Sometimes, sner
concrete, called nailing concrete may be used as an alternative to the nailing stri
ips.
nails used for nailing down the flooring.
Special flooring are

11.14. ASPHALT FLOORING

Asphalt flooring are of many types

() Asphalt mastic flooring

(i) Asphalt tiles flooring,
(ii) Asphaltie terrazzo,
and (iv) Acid proof mastic flooring
1. Asphalt mastic flooring.
Asphalt mastic is a mixture of sand (or grit) and asphalt in the ratio of 2:
1, mixed hot and then laid in continuous sheets. It can also be applied cold, by mixing
with mineral oil and asbestos. The thickness of the asphalt mastic may be 2.5 cm
for ordinary construction. It is laid on cement concrete base course. The mix is poured
on the oconcrete base, and is spread by means of trowel to get levelled surface. On
the top of the surface, a thin layer of sand is spread, which is then rubbed with
a trowel. The joints of mastic asphalt laid on successive days are properly lapped.
2. Asphaltic tiles.
These are prepared from asphalt, asbestos fibres, inert materials and mineral
pigments, by presing the mix in different sizes (20 cm square to 45 cm square), with
thickness varying from 3 to 6 mm. These tiles are either directly cemented to concrete
base or are fixed to wooden floors by using an intervening layer of mastic asphalt
or asphalt saturated felt. Asphaltic tiles are cheap, resilient, sound proof, non-absorbant
and moisture proof.
3. Asphaltic mosaic.
This is prepared similar to mastic asphalt, except that marble chips are used
in the place of sand/grit. Asphalt may be either in black or other suitable colour,
and is laid in hot condition.
4. Acid proof mastic flooring.
Acid proof blocks of asphalt are available, which are manufactured from moulding
acid proof asphalt and inert crushed rock aggregate under high pressure. The asphalt
blocks are first laid on concrete base then acid proof asphalt is uniformly spread over
the surface of the blocks. Find sand is spread over the liquid asphalt before it hardens
11.15. RUBBER FL0ORING
It
consists of sheets tiles of rubber,
or in variety of patterns and colours
thickness varying from 3 to 10 mm. The sheet or tile is manufactured by mixing pur
with
rubber with fillers such as cotton fbre, granulated cork or asbestos fibre. The sheets
or tiles are fixed to concrete base or wood by means of appropriate adhesives. rubber
floorings are resilient and noise proof. However, they are costly.They are used
in office or public buildings.
 FLOORS-IGROUND FLOORS 279

a LINOLEUM FLOORING (COVERING)

Strictly speaking, it
is covering
which is available in rolls, and which is
directly on rete
concret or wooden spread
flooring. Linoleum sheet is manufactured by mixing
ed linseed oil in gum, resins, pigments, wood flour, corkdust and other filler materials.
o x i d i z e d

The s h e e t s are either plain or printed, and are

available in 2 to 6 mm thickness,
nto m wide rolls. Linoleum tiles are also available,
4
glued) to c o n c r e tee base or wood
which can be fixed (or
floor, in different patterns. Linoleuun sheet is either
ad as such, or also may be glued to the base by inserting a layer of saturated
Tinoleum covering are attractive, resilient, durable and cheap, and can
easily. However, it is subjected to rotting when kept wet or moist for somé be cleaned
time.
cannot, therefore, be used for bath-rooms, kitchens etc.
11.17. CORK FLOORING
Such type of flooring is perfectly noiseless, and is used in
libraries, theatres,
art galleries, broadcasting stations etc. Cork, which is the
outer bark of cork oak tree,
is available in the form of cork carpet and cork tiles. It is fixed to concrete base
by inserting a layer of saturated felt.
Cork carpet is manufactured by heating
of cork with linseed oil and compressing it by rolling on canvass. granules
Cork tiles are manufactured
from high grade cork bar or shearings compressed in moulds to a thickness of 12 mm
and baked subsequently.
They are available in various sizes (10 cm x 10 cm to 30 cm x 90 cm), various thick-
nesses (5 to 15 mm) and various shades.
11.18. GLASS FLOORING
This is a special purpose flooring, used in circumstances where it is
desired to
transmit light from upper floor to lower floor, and specially to
admit light at the basement
from the upper floor. Structural glass is available in the form of tiles
or slabs, in
thicknesses varying from 12 to 30 mm. These are fixed in closely
that glass and the frame can sustain
spaced frames so
anticipated loads. Glass flooring is very costly,
and is not
commonly used.
11.19. PLASTIC OR P.v.c. FLOORING
t is made of plastic material, called Poly-Vinyl-Chloride (P.v.C.), fabricated in
the form of tiles of different sizes and different colour
shades. These tiles are now
wIaely used in all residential as well as non-residential buildings. The tiles are laid
n concrete base. Adhesive of specified make is applied on the base as well as on
ne back of P.V.C. tile with the help of a notched trowel. The tile is laid when the
Dsve has set sufficiently (say within 30 minutes of its application); it. is gently
PESSed with the help of a 5 kg weight wooden roller and the oozing out adhesive
is of The floor is washed with warm soap water hefore use. P.V.C. tile flooring
Sent, smooth, good looking and can be easily cleaned. However, it is costly and
pery, and can be
damaged very easily when in contact with burning objects..