Different Types of Flooring: Materials, Construction Techniques, and Applications

What Is Flooring?

The purpose of flooring is to get a good hard, level, and beautiful surface for living. The floors directly resting on the ground are known as ground floors while the floors of every storey are called upper floors. Apart from giving a good finished surface, these floors should have good damp resistance.

The ground surface is rammed well, along with a layer of red earth or sand is placed, which can be compacted. A layer of broken bricks, stones, etc. are provided up to 150 mm below floor finish level and rammed. While ramming, the surface is kept moist to get good compaction.

Then 1: 4: 8 concrete of 100 to 150 mm thickness is provided as base course. Over this bed, the floor finish is laid.

Types of Flooring.

Different types of flooring are as follows.

1. Mud and Moorum Flooring.
2. Brick Flooring.
3. Flag-Stone Flooring.
4. Cement-Concrete Flooring.
5. Terrazo Flooring.
6. Mosaic Flooring.
7. Marble Flooring.
8. Tiles Flooring.
9. Timber Flooring.
10. Rubber Flooring.
11. P.V.C. Flooring.

#1. Mud and Moorum Flooring-

These floorings are used in the low-cost home, specially in villages. On the hard coating of earth, filling mud or moorum layer is provided. The floor requires a thin wash of cow dung at least once a weak.

#2. Brick Flooring-

This is also a cheap floor construction. It’s commonly utilized in godowns and factories. Bricks are laid flat or on edges. Bricks of very good quality ought to be used for the construction. Brick-layer is provided on a sand bed or onto lean concrete (1: 8: 16) bed. In both cases, joints have been rendered flush and finished with cement mortar.

#3. Flag-Stone Flooring-

Laminated sand-stones or slates of 20 mm to 40 mm thick at the kind of slabs of 300 mm × 300 mm or 450 mm × 450 mm or in the kind of rectangles of size 450 mm × 600 mm are used as floor finishes. The stone slabs have been laid on 20 to 25 mm thick mortar spread over a concrete bed. The joints must be finished with rich mortar.

#4. Cement-Concrete Flooring-

It’s a modestly cheap and durable floor and therefore, commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It consists of two courses-base courses and wearing a coat. The base course is laid within well-compacted soil.

Its thickness is usually 75 mm to 100 mm. It consists of a lean cement concrete mix (1: 4: 8) or lime concrete containing 40 percent of 1: 2 lime mortar and 60 percent of the coarse aggregate of 40 mm size. After base coarse is hardened, wearing a coat of 40 mm is laid. It consists of panels of 1 m × 1 m, 2 m × 2 m, or 1 m × 2 m.

Alternate panels are laid with 1: 2: 4 concrete using wooden, asbestos or glass strip separators of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm thickness. To get a good bond between base coarse and wearing coat cement, a slurry wash is given before laying wearing coat panels.

After 3–4 days of laying one set of the panel, another alternative panels have been laid. Top of these panels is finished by tamping the surface with wooden floats and tapping with trowels, till cement slurry appears on top. It needs curing for 7 to 14 days. To get a good appearance many times, a red-oxide finishing coat is provided.

#5. Terrazo Flooring-

Terrazo finishing coat is applied over concrete flooring to get a pleasing appearance. Terrazo finish consists of 75 to 80 percent of surface marble chips embedded in cement mortar. Marble chips are mixed in cement at the ratio 1: 1.25 to 1: 2, and about 6 mm terrazo toppings are laid. The top is tamped and rolled.

Additional marble chips have been spread during tamping to get a proper distribution of marble chips onto the surface. After drying it for 12 to 20 hours, it’s cured for 2–3 days.

Then grinding is made in the following three steps:

1. Ist grinding—Using coarse grade carborundum stones.
2. IInd grinding—Using medium grade carborundum stones.
3. IIIrd grinding—Using fine grade carborundum stones.
4. Plenty of water is used during grinding. After each grinding cement
5. Plenty of water is used during grinding. After each grinding cement grout of cream-like consistency is applied and cured for 6–7 days.
6. After final grinding and curing, the floor is washed with plenty of water and then with dilute oxalic acid solution. Then the floor is finished with polishing using machines and wax polish.

#6. Mosaic Flooring-

It is made up of a finishing coat of small pieces of broken tiles of China glazed or of marble arranged in different patterns set in lime-surkhi or cement mortar. The base coarse is concrete flooring, and onto it, 30 to 40 mm mortar layer is provided.

With this particular mortar layer, broken pieces of china, glazed or marble, are set to get different attractive patterns. Following 20 to 24 hours of drying, the top is rubbed with a carborundum stone to get a smooth and polished surface.

#7. Marble Flooring-

Marble slabs are cut to get marble tiles of 20 to 25 mm thickness. They’re laid on floors similar to other tiles. Using a power-driven machine, the surface is polished to get shining and even surface. This type of flooring is commonly used in temples and hospitals.

#8. Tiles Flooring-

This is an alternative to terrazo flooring, used commonly used in residential, office, and commercial buildings. Tiles of clay, cement, or terrazo of standard sizes are manufactured in factories under controlled conditions.

On the concrete base, 25 mm to 30 mm thick mortar is laid, and these tiles have been placed and pressed using a trowel or wooden mallet. Before placing tiles, care is taken to see that the neat cement slurry is applied to the bottom side and sides of tiles to get a good bond.

Next day joints have been cleaned of loose mortar and raked up to 5 mm depth. Then that’s filled with a coloured cement slurry to get a uniform colour on the top surface. After curing for 7 days polishing and grinding are made as in the case of terrazzo flooring.

#9. Timber Flooring-

Timber flooring is used in dancing halls and in auditoriums. Timber plates might be directly placed on a concrete bed or might be provided over timber frame-work. In the latter case, it’s necessary to provide proper ventilation below the floor. This flooring is costly.

#10. Rubber Flooring-

Tiles or sheets of rubber with fillers like cotton fibers, asbestos fiber, or granulated cork are manufactured in a variety of patterns and colours. These tiles or sheets might be fixed to concrete or timber floors. These floors are attractive and noise proof. But they are costly.

#11. P.V.C. Flooring-

Poly-Vinyl-Chloride (PVC) is a plastic that’s available in different colour and shade. These days, tiles of this material are used widely. Adhesives are applied on a concrete base as well as on the bottom of PVC tiles. Then the tile is pressed gently with a 5 kg wooden roller till the oozing of adhesive is seen.

The oozed out adhesive is wiped, and the floor is washed with warm soap water. The floor finish is smooth, attractive, and can be easily cleaned. But it’s slippery and costly.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) that could be included in your article about flooring:

What factors should I consider when choosing flooring for my home?

Consider factors like durability, maintenance requirements, cost, aesthetics, and suitability for the room’s purpose.

Which type of flooring is best for high-traffic areas?

Materials like ceramic tiles, vinyl, or hardwood with a strong finish are ideal due to their durability and ease of cleaning.

How can I maintain and prolong the life of my flooring?

Regular cleaning, using appropriate cleaning products, placing mats at entrances, and addressing spills promptly can help maintain flooring.

What are the advantages of using tiles over other flooring options?

Tiles are durable, water-resistant, and available in various designs, making them suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas prone to moisture.

Is hardwood flooring suitable for all climates?

Hardwood can be affected by humidity, so it’s essential to monitor indoor humidity levels to prevent warping or shrinking.

What are the benefits of using PVC flooring in residential settings?

PVC flooring is easy to install, maintain, and clean, making it a popular choice for homes. It also comes in a wide range of colors and patterns.

How can I choose the right flooring material for a sustainable building project?

Look for materials with low environmental impact, such as bamboo or cork, and check for certifications like LEED or GreenGuard.

What are some innovative flooring trends in modern architecture?

Trends include eco-friendly materials, mixed-material designs (like combining wood and metal), and smart flooring options that integrate technology.

What should I know about installation costs and timelines for different types of flooring?

Installation costs and timelines vary based on the material complexity and the size of the area. It’s advisable to get quotes from multiple contractors.

How do I address common flooring problems like cracks or moisture damage?

Depending on the issue, solutions may include patching with filler, applying sealants, or consulting a professional for extensive repairs.