FLOOR FINISHES

Factors in Choosing Materials

A. Type of Building Involved Residential Industrial Commercial Light Foot Traffic Heavy Foot Traffic Wheeled Traffic

B. Type of usage to which the floor will be subjected

C. Special Requirements

Sound Absorption

- Resilience

-Color

-Smoothness

Resistance to Chemicals and Absorption - Manual

D. Cost -Labor

Solid Wood flooring is any product manufactured from timber that is designed for use as flooring, either structural or aesthetic. Wood is a common choice as a flooring material due to its environmental profile, durability, and restorability. Bamboo flooring is often considered a form of wood flooring, although it is made from a grass (bamboo) rather than a timber.

Solid Wood Flooring

Sofwood (Pine) A. Strip Flooring- Standard Strip is used for residences, offices and schools

- Heavy Strip is used for Industrial Uses, Bowling Alleys and Dance
Floors. Hardwood (Narra, Tanguile, Yacal) This material is Kiln dried and made with tongue-and groove edges and ends and usually has a channeled or grooved bottom surface. The purpose of the single or double channel or groove is to equalize moisture absorption and reduce cupping, thickness is from 3/8 up to 1 11/16 in. width is from 1 1/2, 1 3/4, 2, 2 1/4, 2 1/2, 2 3/4, 3 1/4 in.

B. Parquet Flooring-(Wood Tile) Consist of blocks or fillets of hardwood of various sizes which can be laid in any number. of patterns such as herringbone basket weave, and squares, common thickness is 25/32 in. and dimensions are 2 1/4 X 1 3/4 in 9, 11 1/4, 13 1/2, 15 3/4 and 18 in.; or 18 x 18 or 12 in. x 12 in. Small fillets of 3/8" thick by 9/10" width by 41i41ength are assembled into blocks usually 18"' with 16 squares of 3, 4, 5 or 6 fillets each, with a gummed paper backing which ill later removed upon installation. Parquet glue used for this flooring are the brands of stickwell.

Strip and Parquet Flooring

Parquet Flooring

Strip Flooring

Solid Wood Flooring

C. Block Flooring- Floor blocks are individual pieces of wood with edge-grain face made in a number of sizes a common one is 2 x 2 x 31/2'in. and laid down in mastic.

Laminated Wood Flooring

Laminate flooring (also called floating wood tile in the United States) is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials. There is a European Standard No. EN 13329:2000 specifying laminate floor covering requirements and testing methods.

Concrete Flooring
Concrete floors are done in the best of workmanship and materials since they are subjected to every kind of wear and abuse, such as impact, abrasion, attack by salts and aggressive liquids. It is the aggregate which lies at the surface of the floor that absorbs abrasion and impact, and must withstand the wear and the tear of traffic. a. Floors may be poured as single monolithic slabs or they may be composed of a base slab covered by a topping. The base slab must be well roughened surface to provide a good bonding surface for the topping mix.

b. A particularly hard surface can be achieved by introducing metallic aggregates into the topping. These consist of especially processed, size-graded iron particles, with ofte.n a cement dispersal agent added. Metallic aggregates are normally applied to the freshly ptiured surface as shake worked into the top by float and trowel.
c. Metallic-aggregate topping can be finished to produce a non-skid surface, Finishing with a wooden or cork float produces a surface as shown in the illustration. Nonskid surfaces can also be produced by using abrasive~t>(pe aggregate such as aluminum oxide and silicon carbide in the floor topping. This is also done in stair treads.

Concrete Flooring
D. Colored concrete floor'S are produced by adding some type of inorganic coloring agent to the topping mix or by shaking it over the surface and floating it into the top. One type of coloring agent consist of mineral oxides in powder form. The mix is 10 lb. or less per bag cement. Cobalt oxide produces Blue color. Brown oxide of iron produc~ Brown color. Synthetic yellow oxide of iron produces Buffs. Chromium oxide produces Green Red oxide of iron produces Reds Black iron axide produces Grays and Blacks E. Concrete is also used to make Floor tile (Cement Tile) by forcing the concrete into molds by hydraulic pressure and by allowing it to set and cure. Sometimes tile are made in two layers, the upper one being made of mortar with white cement and marble chips as aggregate. The upper layer can also be made of colored mortar. After curing, the tiles are surface-ground to produce a smooth finish.

Concrete Flooring

Plain Cement Finish

Cement is made from limestone, calcium, silicon, iron, and aluminum, among other ingredients. This mixture is heated in large kilns to about 2,700 F (1,482C) to form a product known as clinkers, which roughly resemble marbles. These are ground into a powder and gypsum is added, creating the gray flour-like substance known as cement. When water is added to cement, it triggers a chemical process that allows it to harden.

Clay- Tile Flooring

Clay tile are made by a process similar to manufacturing trick. Tiles are made into either:

a. Glazed Tile-a Tile composed of ceramic materials fused into the body of the Tile. The body may be nonvitreous, semivitreous or impervious, and either white or colored.
(VITREOUS)-descriptive of that degree of vitrification evidenced by low water absorption; generally signifies less than 0.3 percent absorption except for floor and wall tiles for which it signifies less than 3.0 percent absorption .. b. Unglazed Tile-a hard, dense ceramic Tile for floor or walls~ of homogenous composition throughout, deriving its color and texture, from the materials of which the body is made and from the method of manufacture.

Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tile is simply "a mixture of clays which have been shaped and fired at high temperatures, resulting in a hard body." The ceramic tile is often glazed and may have undergone color adjustments.

Quarry Tiles and Pavers

Quarry tile is a type of unglazed tile which is known for being inexpensive, very durable, and natural. This type of tile is often used in industrial settings, but it is also appropriate for homes as well. Quarry tile comes in a range of shades which can pair well with a wide variety of design schemes; many flooring suppliers carry quarry tile and they are happy to provide interested customers with samples of the products they stock. The manufacturing process for quarry tile involves blending clays with other materials like shale to create a coarse mixture which is run through an extruder to create very dense tiles. After the tiles are cut, they are fired at high temperatures, changing the chemical composition of the clay and creating a heavy, hard tile which is extremely strong. Common shades for quarry tiles are reds and oranges, although grays and sometimes greens are also available.

Slate Stone Tiles

Natural stone tiles can be any type of tile that is manufactured from stone that has been harvested from the earth. These types of tiles are often prized for either their durability, their unique beauty or both. Different types of natural stone tiles have different attributes from hardness to look and all of them can be cut to specified sizes and shapes. Among the various types are granite, marble, slate and travertine. Slate is another type of natural stone tile. This type of metamorphic rock is composed of volcanic ash or clay. It is a durable stone that offers a less-showy yet attractive look than granite and marble. Though slate is most commonly gray in color, it also can be red, green, purple or beige. Slate is slip-proof and absorbs water slowly, so slate tiles are often used in flooring or roofing, but they also can be used for other tiling needs

Marble Stone Tiles

Marble also can be used for making natural stone tiles. It is a metamorphic rock that is composed of calcite. The material comes in an array of colors, such as white, gray and green, and it often has striations that run through it. Like granite tiles, marble tiles are also commonly used for flooring, counter tops, backsplashes and showers, but the material is less durable than granite

Granite Stone Tiles

Some natural stone tiles are made from granite stone. Granite is an igneous rock and is the second-hardest material on Earth, next to diamond. It comes in a variety of colors, from black to pink; some varieties are also variegated. Its hardness, color palette and lustrous finish makes it an ideal tile choice for a variety of areas, including floors, counter tops, backsplashes and showers

Terrazzo Standard
Marble grit floor tiles were first seen at the end of the 19 th century in parallel with the invention of cement, used as a binder for the chips obtained from crushing the most varied types of marble (hence the vast range of colours that characterise the production of marble grit floor tiles) to form the mixture subsequently pressed into moulds.

Terrazzo Venetian
Terrazzo is a flooring technique that results in an attractive and durable floor that is easy to maintain. Created with the use of pieces of marble or stone chips, terrazzo is an excellent option for a number of different decorating schemes. A cement binder provides the medium for arranging the stone or marble chips, making it possible to create terrazzo floors that are unique in color composition and design. Traditional terrazzo flooring is created onsite, rather than prepared elsewhere and then installed. Any existing flooring in the space is removed or prepared to receive the layer of concrete that forms the basis for the terrazzo. After smoothing the wet cement into place, the surface is embedded with colorful stones and marble chips. At this juncture, the arrangement of the stones and chips can be very free form, or carefully placed to follow a specific design idea. Part of the beauty is that it is possible to use as many pieces of stone or marble as desired.

Vinyl Tiles
Vinyl tile is a flooring material that is generally inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to maintain. Made primarily from polyvinyl chloride resins and plasticizers, these flooring tiles are waterproof and very durable. A floor covered with vinyl tile, if maintained properly, can last a very long time without appearing old or worn. There are many styles of vinyl tile available on the market. In addition to basic colors and patterns, vinyl floor tiles are now being manufactured to simulate the looks of other types of more expensive flooring, such as wood strip, marble, and inlaid wood design. These tiles are made in a variety of textures to match the flooring style they imitate. Some vinyl flooring does a very good job of disguising itself as its more expensive counterpart. It is sometimes difficult to tell that a floor is made out of vinyl tile and not, for example, marble or wood.

Rubber Tiles
Rubber tiles comes in a number of styles and colors that are likely to suit any home decor. While rubber tiles were once reserved for industrial spaces, many homeowners are installing these non-slip tiles inside of high traffic home areas. Selecting rubber flooring is really a matter of understanding the different types of materials that are available, and then decided which tiles will work best in your home. Round stud rubber flooring is perfect for slippery spaces. This type of flooring includes small round studs that prevent any kind of slippage. While round stud flooring may not be aesthetically appealing, these rubber tiles create the perfect sturdy floor. Rubber stud flooring is usually used in industrial spaces such as movie theaters, car showrooms, and restaurants, though it can be used inside of a home as wel

Carpet Tiles
Carpet tiles are square sections of carpeting that are sometimes used in place of rolled carpeting. Available in a variety of designs and styles, these simple make the process of installing carpeting in a room much less messy and complicated. Along with easy installation, carpet tiles also can be replaced easily in the event that a section of tiles are stained or worn over time, without having to replace the entire carpet. Carpet tile sections are uniformly constructed as squares that are eighteen by eighteen inches. The carpet tiles on the market today are offered with both adhesive and non adhesive backs. Versions that feature adhesive backs are installed by peeling off the protective sheeting on the backing, and affixing the carpet tiles in position on the flooring. Non-adhesive models can be placed in position with the use of double sided carpet tape.

Asphalt Flooring
ASPHAlTIC TilES-are COMPOSed of asbestos fibers bound together by a blend of selected asphaltic binders. Pigments are added for color and in some cases polysterene plastic is added to produce a stonger tile. The ingredients are machinemixed and formed into sheet of i/8 or 3/16 in. thick under pressure. The sheet are then cut into tiles of 9 x 9, 12 x 12 in., and 18 x 24 in. Floor Patterns are done due to unlimited colors and designs. Asphalt tile can be laid over a wood, asphaltic mastic, or concrete base using an asphaltic adhesive. The surface must be smooth and even, those tiles are highly resistant to water but not to organic acids or petroleum solvents not preferable for industrial use.

Asphalt Flooring

Magnesite Flooring
Made from calcined magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride. These materials are mixed into a plastic state and applied to the floor in two separate coats, totaling 1/2 to in. thick. A considerable quantity of ~oarse, fibrous filler is mixed with the first coat to give it strength and flexibility. The second coat has no fiber, but color pigment is mixed with it to produce any color or colors required. Magnesite flooring is applied over either a wood or concrete base. Sometimes metal lath is laid over a wood base to produce a better bond. Marble chips may be added to the freshly poured surface and rolled in to produce magnesite terrazzo such flooring is quiet, resilient, non-slip and fireproof but not completely water resistant.

Magnesite Flooring

Cork Flooring
Cork-isused as a basic ingredient in two types of flooring. a. linoleum -linseed oil is used as the binder in the manufacture of linoleum. It is oxidized by air treatment until it becomes a tough plastic substance somewhat like rub ber. Powdered cork, resin gum, wood flour, and color pigments are then mixed with it and the resulting mixture is spread over a burlap backing and rolled into sheets. three grades are grade A - 3/32 in.

grade AA - 1/8 in.

grade AAA - 1/4 in. It is produced in rolls 6 ft. and as 9 x 9 in. linoleum tiles. Two types of roll linoleum are made: Plain -one single color Inlaid-made ~p . of several colors which extend through the burlap backing~ linoleum can be laid on any wood Floors above grade and can be laid over sus pended concrete Floors, providing they are dry.

C0rk Flooring
Two types of roll linoleum are made: Plain -one single color Inlaid-made up . of several colors which extend through the burlap backing~ linoleum can be laid on any wood Floors above grade and can be laid over suspended concrete Floors, providing they are dry. Two types of linoleum cement abused. a. Plsin - for ordinary installation. b. Waterproof-for kitchens and bathrooms. linoleum and linoleum tile should be laid over a thick feet paper base, which can be bonded to the subfloor with the same cement.

Cork Flooring
b. Cork Tile -Made by mixing cork shavings with resin and compressing the plastic mixture into molds. Tiles are baked to set the resin. Two thicknesses of tile are produced, 3/16 and S/ 16 in. sizes include 6, 9 and 12 in. squares and,6 x 12 in. and 12 x 24 in. rectangles. They are laid on Floors above grade in a special adhesive and rolled down with a heavy roller. The surface of sanded and given a coat of filler and finally waxed.

Cork Tile are warm quiet and resilient but as durable as other materials. They resist water but not oils and grease.
Resilient Floorings-The group of flooring materials which includes asphalt, vinyl,

yinyl-asbestos, cork, rubber and linoleum (resilience_: The capacity of a material to recover its original size and shape after deformation)

Cork Flooring

Pebble Washout
Pea sized sandstones or pebbles either no. 5, no, 10 or no. 15 are mixed with cement mortar. This is spread on the surface with or without brass strips. Before the cement dries water is spread to remove the cement on the surface of the stone or by Rubbing sponge to seep the water of excess cement. This is done until all the pebble stones are clearly exposed recommended for balconies, walks, stair ways where slippery floor is being avoided.

Group 1 Pajel. Igno. Peralta. Aguila. Baybay

2-Archi. Building Tech