ESTIMATING

ARCHITECTURAL
WORKS
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 4

(GROUP 6)
CABILING, JERRAH MARIE H.
DE LEON, JEROME
DELOS REYES, KAREN Q.
EVANGELISTA, ABBEY MARGARETH
INSIGNE, MARY JANE T.
ESTIMATING ARCHITECTURAL WORKS
WALL FINISHES
Cement plastered Finish It is prepared in
the form of mortar with cement, sand and
water in proper proportions and applied
on masonry manually to achieve a smooth
finish or sand faced finish.

Cement Textured Finish This is a

decorative finish and its mortar is
prepared in cement based material. It is
applied with sand faced plaster with a
trowel and after that it is coloured with
paint.
Plaster of Paris Finish Plaster of Paris
or simply plaster is a type of building
material based on calcium sulphate
hemihydrates. This is a smooth finish
achieved by plaster of Paris generally
applied on internal walls.
Gypsum Plaster Finish This just like
plaster of Paris finish but gypsum based
material is used to prepare mortar. It is
more durable and finer as compared to
Plaster of Paris Finish.
Gypsum plaster is made into several types of
boards used for many different applications.
Its major advantage over plastering is time.
Gypsum board is highly fire-resistant and
sound resistant when used in walls, ceilings
and floors. When used in partition walls, it is applied from the floor
to the ceiling or roofline creating barriers around heating equipment,
commercial kitchens and numerous high-risk areas. It is also used as a
fire and sound-resistant agent in areas such as joining walls in
restrooms, multi-unit apartment buildings and hospital rooms.
Some of the many types of gypsum boards are:

 Regular whiteboard---1/4 to3/4 inches thick; used in residential

and commercial applications
 Pre-decorated---board that has the finish applied Green board---
contains an oil-based additive in the paper that makes it water-
resistant; used in areas such as bathrooms, showers, locker rooms
and kitchens where there are high levels of humidity present

 Backer board---regular drywall; used

where more than one layer of board
is required such as between
apartments in a building or offices
and hospital rooms

 Core board---1” thick board used in

shaft walls to protect electrical,
mechanical and conveying equipment,
such as elevators and stairwells

 Linerboard---has a special fire-resistant core enclosed in a

moisture-resistant paper; used in stairwells, corridors, chaseways
and shaft walls

 Sound-deadening Board---made from wood fibers; used to suppress

noise levels

 Soundproof Board---a laminated drywall made from gypsum, other

materials and dampening polymers

 Blueboard---forms a strong bond with finish plastering providing

water and mold resistance Mold-resistant Board---paperless drywall;
can be used everywhere

 Enviroboard---made from recycles agricultural materials Lead-lined

Board---used around radiological equipment

 Foil-backed Board---used to control moisture

 Controlled Density (Ceiling Board)---available in only ½” thickness

and is significantly stiffer than regular white board

 Fiberboard---strong enough to support weight plus is more fire,

sound and moisture-resistant; is also stronger than regular gypsum
board, resists impact damage and mildew damage

 Cement Board---made with Portland cement; durable, water and

fireresistant backer for tile, slate and stone used in showers,
saunas, kitchens, baths, hot tubs and pools

During construction, the job is usually spilt in two. The “hangers”

come in first to attach the board to the ceilings and walls and the
“tapers” or “mudmen” will complete the job by finishing the joints and
covering the nail heads with drywall compound and tape.
 To start a job the hanger will mark out the measurements on the sheet
of drywall with a chalk line, cut the board to size by scoring down
the front with a utility knife, breaking it backwards along the score,
scoring down the break line on the back and finally finishing the
break by snapping it forward.

The hangers will attach the sized sheet of drywall to the ceiling or
wall, making sure to cut out holes for outlets, switches, and
lighting. It is then attached to the wall or ceiling with drywall
screws.
Nails will “pop” (come back out of the drywall) from the constant
movement that is common to a structure.
Drywall screws support the boards more securely and are less prone to
“pop” from the everyday movements of a building.
After the boards are attached to the ceiling joists or wall studs, the
second crew will conceal the joints by using joint tape and several
coats of joint compound.
The compound is allowed to dry and then sanded until a smooth finish
is achieved and the surface is ready to be decorated with another
finish.

Glass Mosaic Finish Glass mosaic tiles

are small 1”x1” on a cloth to get a
workable size 12”x12” and this tile is
pasted with an adhesive on wall
surfaces. It can also be pasted on
curved surfaces. It comes in different
colours and generally used in swimming
pools or water walls.

Designer Mirror Finish Designer mirrors

are obtained by small pieces on walls
to create mural like design.
Laminate Finish Laminate comes in
various colours and designs. It comes
in the form of sheet and is pasted with
fevicol on Plywood.

Marble Powder Finish This is a very

smooth finish. The finish looks like
Marble flooring. This finish is
obtained by mortar of marble powder,
white cement and water. It is applied
manually.
Stained Glass Finish It involves lot of
creative work. The glass is decorated
with itching, frosting, glass pasting
and finally colouring with suitable
colours according to the theme. The
stained glass panels are used on walls
and ceilings.
Pebbles Finish This a very simple and
attractive finish obtained by pasting
small pebbles on the walls with cement
mortar as an adhesive.
Pebbles finish is usually preferred for
exterior facade. It is also commonly
used to give nice flowing effect to the
waterfalls that are created especially
designed for Hotel Interiors or as a
part of Exterior Landscaping.
Flakes Finish It is a special material
used to enhance the elevation treatment
of the building. It is majorly used for
the exterior facade. It has also been
used for the interiors but to a very
small extent. Application of flakes
finish is avoided in the interiors
because chipping off of flakes is a trouble.
The flakes are applied with a trovel on walls over a coat of
adhesive.
Coral Finish Coral finish is similar
to Plaster of Paris Finish and Gypsum
Plaster Finish. Coral is the name of a
type of plastering material. It gives
a rough edgy finish.

Canfor Finish Canfor finish is also

known as Faux finish. This material is
used for the interiors of residences.
It adds a unique aesthetic appeal to
the place. It comes in 6mm thickness
and in different designs.
This finish is chosen when a false
finish is to be given. It gives a stone
wall or brick wall effect.
Tile Cladding Different tiles, for
example, granite, marble, glazed tiles
or vitrified tiles are used for tile
cladding. Tiles are available in a
variety of colours and shapes. The
selection of tiles depends on the place
where it is to be applied i.e. interior
facade or exterior facade.

Wood Panelling It is a decorative

treatment done with wooden panels on
the walls in various designs. The
material used can be plywood or wood
covered with veneer or laminate.

Sand Textured Finish Sand Textured

finish is used to give fine texture to
the wall. This wall finish is not very
commonly used because of its grains
coming out.
Paint is an opaque coating made from a
mixture of solid pigment and a liquid
medium. The liquid medium consists of a
volatile solvent (thinner) and a binder
that bonds it all together during the
drying process. Applying an opaque coating
will hide the grain and texture of the
substrate. Roll, brush or spray paint onto
the substrate.

Primer is an opaque coating that

must be applied to the bare
surfaces of the substrate (wood,
drywall, plaster). The primer soaks
into the substrate so that
subsequent coatings will bind to
its surface allowing for better
coverage and durability.
The intermediate coat is applied over the primer and the top coat
finishes the three-step application of paint. Depending on the color,
the condition of the substrate and the amount of pigment in the paint
that is chosen more than one top coat may be required.
In the case of smoke or water damage to the substrate, a sealer that
will eliminate the odor from the smoke or the stain that water damage
creates can be used before or after the primer coat is applied thereby
keeping the odor and stain from bleeding through the final top coat.
Many paints can be selected when determining the conditions of the
substrate:

 oil-based paints that harden to form a tough elastic film

 alkyd paints that have an alkyd resin added to them
 latex paints that have a binder of acrylic resin
 epoxy paints that have an epoxy resin that acts as a resistor to
chemicals, corrosion or abrasion
 rust-inhibiting paints with anticorrosion pigments
 fire-retardant paints with silicone, polyvinyl chloride or other
substance
 intumescent coatings that when heated turns into a thick layer of
inert foam that slows the spread of flame and silicone resin used
in areas exposed to high temperatures

Another coating is varnish made from a natural resin dissolved in

alcohol (spirit varnish) or oil (oil varnish).
New varnishes available are made from synthetic resins (plastic) like
alkyds, polyurethane, silicone, epoxy, acrylics and phenolics.
Natural varnishes fall into three basic types;

 linseed oil varnishes,

 tung oil varnishes and spirit varnishes or shellac.
 Turpentine, mineral spirits, naphtha and benzene are used as a
solvent for varnish.
Varnishes are usually dark in color and can be brushed, rolled or
hand-rubbed onto a wood substrate.

Lacquer is another synthetic coating that dries with a very high gloss
finish. Most lacquers are sprayed on and many coats are required. It
is widely used on cabinets, casework and furniture as a finish.
Special purpose coatings are those formulated to meet a special need
such as bituminous, asphalt, reflective and fire-retardant coatings.

 Bituminous coatings mix up natural bitumens in an organic solvent

that
 can be used to coat roofs because it is water-resistant.

 Asphalt coatings, made from petroleum, have good water-resistance

and are often used on driveways and exterior foundation walls.

Coatings on signage, stairs and walkways use reflective coatings that

absorb light and reflect it back.

Pigmented and intumescent fire-retardant coatings are applied to any

type of wood-based substrates and delays contact between the flames
and the substrate-giving occupants more time to evacuate.

 Stains provide color to wood substrates. They are blends of oil,

driers, resins, a wood preservative, mildewcide, waterrepellant,
and coloring pigment.
 Stains are available as oil based or water based.
 Stains can be applied with brushes, rollers or hand-rubbed.
 Stains do not raise the wood grain
Wall Coverings Wall coverings may
include different styles of paneling
finished in wood veneer, natural
finishes, like marble and granite,
leather, or synthetic finishes
designed to be used in a variety of
usages.

 Water-resistant panels can be

used in commercial and
residential situations. Wallpaper is another type of wall
covering used in both commercial and residential applications.
 Wallpaper can be applied to practically any substrate when
properly prepared. Rolls of wallpaper come with the pattern pre-
printed on one side and are pre-pasted on the other side.

It is made from many different grades of paper or cloth and the

finishes can be anything from a single pattern that does not need to
be matched to extremely detailed finishes using natural materials like
leaves or dried flowers
Plaster is one of the oldest
materials known to be used as a
building material. Some tools used
to apply plaster include, floats,
screeds, trowels, hawks,
scratching tools, hammers, utility
knives, nails and lath. Long
before metal lath became common,
wood lath was used. Wood lath are
narrow pieces of straight-grained wood, usually one inch wide that are
cut into short lengths to suit the distances at which the studs were
placed.
The lath strips are usually no
longer than 4’-5’ because the
plaster needed a break joint to
minimize cracking during the
curing process. Wood laths are
butted end to end around the room
from floor to ceiling at 3/8”
apart.
Wall screeds, which are narrow
strips of plastering, have to be
formed, plumbed and leveled in
which to create a form that will
be used as a guide that will help
achieve a vertical or horizontal
surface in which to apply the
second coat. Before finishing, the second coat requires a scouring
process that consolidates all the materials, helps harden it and
prevents it from cracking. Then to achieve perfect adhesion with the
third coat, the surface is passed over with a wire brush or nail
float. The third coat is a setting coat, which is about 1/8 inch thick
that prepares the wall for further decorating when completed.

Veneer Plaster In some

circumstances a veneer plaster,
used over “Blueboard”, a drywall
whose paper is a blue-gray in
color, may be formulated as a
finish plaster and added to this
process. Veneer plasters can be
used as a thin monolithic base
coat over which another finish
plaster is applied. Veneering is sometimes used in place of the
taping, spackling and sanding process used by most drywall
contractors. It reduces material costs but labor costs are greatly
increased.

FLOOR FINISHES
Tile Flooring Tile flooring is
very old, common and popular
types of flooring. The tiles are
mostly coloured and glazed. They
are available in many types like
vitrified tiles, ceramic tiles,
etc.
Tiles have been known to maintain
their integrity for centuries.
Tiles are hand-made from natural clay or a manufactured composition
made of other ceramic materials, quarry stone or metal. They are
relatively thin in relation to their facial area. Tiles can be
textured, smooth, embossed, patterned, sculptured, or engraved and are
available glazed or unglazed. They are available in many types, sizes
and shapes and can be cut into nearly any configuration.

Tiles are fired in kilns at very high temperatures that result in a

material that is tough, dense and durable enough to be water-
resistant. A tile is difficult to stain, easy to clean and its colors
rarely fade.
Tiles are suited to be used in nearly every facet of construction
including residential, commercial, institutional and industrial
buildings. Interior usage of tile can be found being used on floors,
walls, ceilings, fixtures and furnishings.

There are two popular application processes called the thinset process
and the thickset process.
The thinset process requires the tile to be bonded to a continuous,
stable backing with a thin coat of mortar or an organic adhesive. The
backing should be gypsum plaster, gypsum board or plywood except in
wet areas where concrete backerboard should be used instead. If
applying to a masonry surface, it should be clean, in good condition
and free of efflorescence.

In the thickset process, the tile is applied over a bed of Portland cement
mortar. Using a thick bed of mortar allows the tile to be accurately sloped
toward drains and away from corners. Setting bed is from 1-1/4”-2” thick on
floors and ¾”-1” thick on walls. Either the thinset or thickset process can
be used on floors and walls depending on the tile being set.

 Types: ceramic, vitrified and glass mosaic

 Finish: glossy
 Durability: 10-15 yrs.
 Usage: tiles are mostly used for exteriors such as lobby and
verandah and can be fitted with cement.
 Installation time: 2 days
 Cost(per sq. ft.)ceramic: Rs 15-40; vitrified: Rs 32-150; glass
mosaic: Rs 275-1,200
 Labour cost: Rs 10-25 a sq. ft.
 Installation cost for a 12’x12’ room Rs 5,120
 The tiles need to be laid down smoothly. If uneven, air pockets
between the tiles will lead to cracks.

There are four different types of tiles to choose from.

a. Glazed Ceramic Glazed ceramic tiles have a glossy coating that gets
applied before they’re the le. This creates a glass-like nish and
makes them easy to maintain.
b. Quarry Tile If you don’t care for the shiny look, quarry tile might
be the right choice for you. These are unglazed tiles that get their
color from pigments added directly to the clay mixture.
Quarry tiles usually have a slightly rough texture and provide more
resistance against slips and falls when they are wet than glazed
tiles.
c. Porcelain Tile Porcelain tiles are available in both glazed and
unglazed varieties and are one of the most durable tile choices. They
are red at very high temperatures making them harder than other tile
types.
d. Terracotta Tile
Terracotta tile is another variety of unglazed tile that’s common in
outdoor spaces or homes with earthy or rustic decor schemes. This is
the least durable type of tile, and if you choose to install it,
you’ll want to seal it periodically to guard against staining over
time.
With so many different options in ceramic tile, it’s difficult to
estimate pricing. Some tiles sell for $1 per square foot, while others
may cost $100. If you want professional installation for your project,
you’ll pay $4 to $12 per square foot depending on the level of
difficulty.

Stone Flooring Stone flooring is

natural, beautiful, and always
stylish. Natural stone tiles also
come in different types like
limestone, granite, marble,
sandstone, slate, travertine, etc.
The naturally cool, hard surface is
ideal for warm climates.

 Usage(residential) it is the perfect, permanent solution for

covering basement, garage, and patio concrete floors even in
flood prone areas.
 The under layer of the flooring shall be 1:1:2(cement: fine
aggregate: coarse aggregate)
 Basic types of natural stones, limestones, sandstones, quartzites
stone, slatestone, cobblestone, pebblestones.

Sandstone

 The entire range is acknowledge for

perfect finish, high tensile
strength, breaking resistance and
durability thereby widenly used for
all types of interior and exterior
applications depending on the
imagination of the architect.
 Every slab shall be chisel-dressed
on all sides to minimum depth of
20mm
 Further, it is available in different sizes and finishes lie
natural, calibrated, honed, polished and flamed.
  Specifications: standard sizes of Sandstone,
o 30 x 30 cm ( 12 x 12 inch)
o 40 x 40 cm (16 x16 inch)
o 60 x 30 cm ( 24 x 12 inch)
o 60 x 40 cm (24 x 16 inch)
o 60 x 60 cm ( 24 x 24 inch)
o 90 x 30 cm ( 36 x 12 inch)
o 90 x 60 cm ( 36 x 24 inch)
 Finishes: natural, honed, calibrated, sawn, sandblast
o Forms: tiles, slabs, blockes.
 Standard Thickness: 10-20 mm
Quartzite flooring

 This fireproof and non-slippery

stone is widely used in wall-
cladding, roofing, flooring and
for all types of interior as
well as exterior decoration.
 Standard Sizes:
o 30 x 30 cm ( 12 x 12 inch)
o 40 x 40 cm (16 x16 inch)
o 60 x 30 cm ( 24 x 12 inch)
o 60 x 40 cm (24 x 16 inch)
 Finish: honed, natural cleft, polished, calibrated, any cut to
size.
 Forms: tiles
 Standard thickness: 10-15 mm

Cobblestone

 Usually used for roads, also

basically used to make pathways,
pavements and for landscaping,
cobblestones are fireproof, need
little maintenance and no paint
 Standard sizes:
o 10 x 10 x 8 cm (4 x 4 x 3
inch)
o 14 x 14 x 16 cm (5 x 5 x 2 inch)
o 14 x 14 x 8 cm ( 5 x 5 x 3 inch)
o 14 x 20 x 8 cm (5 x 8 x 3 inch)
o 20 x 10 x 8 cm (8 x 4 x3 inch)
 Finish: all sides natural (hand dressed). Top surface can be
honed, flamed
 Forms: sandstone cobbles, limestone cobbles, granite cobbles
  Standard thickness: 6-8 cm / 2-3 inch.

Slate stone

 A slate stone ( thin stone flakes,

colored gray to dark gray variants)
 Suitable for exterior and interior
applications such as wall-cladding,
roofing, flooring, hearths,
fireplaces, kitchen, landscaping,
driveways, pools etc.
 Standard sizes:
o 30 x 30 cm ( 12 x 12 inch)
o 40 x 40 cm (16 x16 inch)
o 60 x 30 cm ( 24 x 12 inch)
o 60 x 40 cm (24 x 16 inch)
o 60 x 60 cm ( 24 x 24 inch)
 Finished: natural, calibrated, honed, polished
 Forms: tiles
 Standars thickness: 10-15 mm

Pebblestone

 Pebblestone (an aggregate) are

used as decorative landscaping
stones in homes, artificial ponds,
fountains, posh lounges open air
theaters, aquaria, parks, out of
houses and gardens.
 Example of floor finish
specifications: pebble wash-out
flooring.
 Specifications: standard sizes,
o 15 mm – 30 mm
o 25 mm – 50 mm
o 50 mm – 100 mm
 Finishes: dry tumbled pebbles, wet trouble pebbles, natural river
pebbles. The finished surface varies as dry tumbling provides the
pebbles a polished and smooth finish in comparison to the wet
tumbled stones.
 Forms: round, flat, oval
 Standard thickness: 15 mm ( 4 inch in diameter)
Travertine tile flooring Travertine
is a natural stone, and depending
on what region / quarry it is mined
from the tiles will have different
looks because of the diverse
geographical areas of different
countries Turkey, Iran, China, Peru
and Mexico is where this tile is
imported from.
Shades of travertine tile vary from beige, browns, mocha, silver,
mahogany tones, and golden to red tones. Travertine tiles are cheaper
than marble and stone. The tiles are durable and easy to replace. They
can add value and beauty to your home.
There are some disadvantages to travertine. It is very porous, if you
spill wine on it, it may stain.
It is a lot of work to get the stains out and any acidic liquid should
never go near travertine for cleaning. You should purchase specific
cleaning products for cleaning travertine tile.
It is environmentally friendly, meaning it can be used in any climate
condition all over the world. Consider using these tiles in the
bathroom, kitchen and outdoor areas where water is around.
Travertine tiles will stand up to almost anything, as it is a heavier
tile.
Different natural strands of colors in this tile can make it quite
unique; therefore it is considered one of the most beautiful choices
to beautify your floors.
The tile is commonly used on walls too. If you are flooring your
bathroom using it on the walls will increase your home’s value and
beauty, not to mention stunning looks.
Costs per sq. ft. can start at $5.00. Costs for installation are
approximately $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot for basic travertine
tile.

Wood Flooring or Timber Flooring

Wood flooring is a very old type of
floor, but it has never been
outdated. It is used under special
circumstances such as in hilly
areas and in damp places. With
proper care and maintenance, wood
flooring can last a long time.

Wood flooring needs to be installed properly over subfloors that may be

concrete slabs, OSB (oriented strand board), plywood, or cellular steel
floors with concrete slabs. Be aware of the acoustical requirements, building
codes, fire-resistance ratings, heating requirements, traffic loads, color,
textures and finish materials specified by the owner or occupancy
requirements.
Wood flooring is a finish flooring material made from both hardwoods and
softwoods. The associations that control the grading of wood flooring
products specify requirements for kiln drying, grading, control of moisture
levels and establish standard sizes for the flooring.

Wood flooring is available in quartersawed, cut across the grain and

plainsawed, cut with the grain, and is produced in four basic types: strips,
planks, parquet, and solid end-grain blocks.

Strips are usually cut to a standard pattern that can be side-matched or

end-matched. The top is usually a bit wider than the bottom so when installed
the tops fit snugly and the bottoms are slightly separated. Strips are
usually 2-1/4” wide by 25/32” thick and come in random lengths.
Planks are made the same as strips but come in widths from 3-1/2” to 8” wide.

 Parquet consists of usually small individual strips of wood or

blocks that has been made into a decorative geometric design and
is usually installed with mastic.
 Solid end-grain blocks come in variable sizes with a 9” block
being the most common. The unit block is made of short pieces of
strip flooring that are joined edgewise to form square units.
 Laminated blocks use three or more plies of veneer laminated
together until the desired thickness is achieved.
 Slat blocks use narrow slats of wood preassembled into patterns
to make blocks from 9” to 30” in size.

To begin installation, contractors will chalk line a starting point

remembering to allow space around the perimeter of the wall to accommodate
the natural movement that the floor will encounter due to changes in
temperature and relative humidity.
Then the contractor will start laying the wood flooring at a corner along the
chalk line, blind nailing through the tongue that will be facing into the
room away from the wall.
This allows the individual pieces to be aligned accurately and creates a
tight fit with level joints.

 Types: laminated, grooves, rough, parquet and real wood.

 Finish: satin
 Durability: 5-6 yrs.
  Usage: wooden flooring is mostly used in bedrooms or stairs. It
helps keep the room cool in summer and warm during winters, and
can be easily laid on the existing floor by using foam.
 Installation time: 1 day
 Cost (per sq. ft.): laminated: Rs 40-60:; grooves (4”x8”) Rs 175-
200; rough (4”x8”): Rs 200-350; parquet: Rs 50-60; real wood: Rs
300-1,200.
 Labour cost: Rs 10-15 a sq.ft.
 Installation cost for a 12’x12’ room: Rs 7,560
 One can use a damp cloth or mop, but never drain it with water
for cleaning it.
Harwood Flooring is made from one
single piece of hardwood cut from
a tree of your choice. Most
commonly, you’ll nd oors made from
oak, cherry, or walnut, but there
are several additional solid wood
options to choose from.
Generally, planks are three-
quarters of an inch thick, but
width can vary. The standard width
is between three and ve inches, and most retailers will call this a
“medium” or “standard” plank. Another popular style is wide planks
which measure in at between ve and ten inches and look beautiful in
living spaces throughout the home.
Hardwood oors come nished in one of two ways.
Pre-nished wood will already have the nish applied before you install
the planks. Unnished hardwood will need to be sanded down and nished
so that it is both shiny and moisture resistant after installation.
While all solid hardwood oors are hard, different species of wood will
have different levels of hardness. Choosing a wood type that matches
the amount of foot trac that the room experiences is very important to
ensuring your oors don’t experience excessive wear and tear.
The Janka hardness rating scale provides information on the most
popular wood species which will help you to choose one that best
matches what you need in a specic area of your home.
Expect to pay between $3 and $8 per square foot for hardwood. Exotic
varieties could cost up to $14 per square foot. Installation costs
vary depending on your area but average $5 to $12 per square foot.
Engineered hardwood Flooring is a more affordable alternative to solid
hardwood. Made by combining a top layer of genuine hardwood with
multiple layers of ply plank that run in different directions beneath,
they look like solid hardwood but have better resistance to moisture.
Engineered hardwood is a good choice
in areas of your home where you might
be concerned about true hardwood
warping due to high humidity levels,
like in a damp basement. Additionally,
as engineered hardwood oors use less
expensive solid wood, they are
typically a more cost-effective
option.
One drawback to engineered wood is that it’s not able to be sanded
down or renished as frequently as you could with true hardwood oors
because of the thin top veneer. However, you can apply the same high-
quality coatings to engineered wood oors that you can to traditional
hardwood, making them very resistant to wear and tear.
Just like with hardwood oors, you can choose from a variety of species
of wood like oak, cherry, and hickory. The plank sizes and nishes are
also identical.
Bamboo flooring Although it
falls under the general category
of hardwood, most manufacturers
put bamboo in a class of its
own. The sustainable option has
a comparable hardness to oak and
is an eco-friendly option for
your home.
Natural bamboo produces oors with a very light wood color, but
processing treatments are available to give the material a darker nish
and make it look like other stained wood options.
The majority of bamboo hardwood is made from Moso bamboo imported from
China. The plants, which are actually in the grass family and not a
tree, can grow up to over 70 feet high in less than 60 says.
The environmentally friendly plant doesn’t require water, pesticides,
or herbicides to thrive. The pant fully matures in around ve years,
compared to 20 of more in other hardwoods.
Additionally, because bamboo is part of the grass family and not an
actual tree, there isn’t a costly and time-consuming replanting
process to grow more. It germinates via
12/1/2018 11 Different Types of Flooring And Other Options (Definitive
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underground rhizome, making it grow back quickly and prevent soil
erosion around the crop.
Because it’s so environmentally friendly, many types of bamboo oors
qualify for the prestigious LEED Certication.
In terms of cost, bamboo is comparable to hardwood ooring at between
$3 and $8 per square foot on average. Installation is between $7 and
$12 per square foot.
Terrazzo (Marble Chips) Flooring
Terrazzo flooring is other types
of popular flooring, commonly
recommended for bathrooms, dining
rooms, offices, hospitals, etc.
Terrazzo is a concrete surface
with a special type of marble
chips embedded in it.

Modern day terrazzo is a matrix of mostly marble or granite chips, Portland

cement and water or a synthetic resin. It is placed over a concrete underbed,
steel decking or wood sub-floor that is structurally sound. After this matrix
has hardened but not completely cured the surface is ground or chemically
peeled to expose the aggregate, then polished to a smooth finish.
Terrazzo provides a dense, extremely durable, smooth surface whose coloring
is controlled by the size and color of the aggregates and binder.
There are four types of toppings classified by their appearance:

 Standard Terrazzo with small chip sizes

 Venetian Terrazzo, featuring large chips with small chips as
fillers
 Palladian, made of random fractured slabs of marble up to 15” in
length and small chips as fillers
 Rustic Terrazzo, a uniformly textured finish in which the matrix
is depressed, exposing the aggregates, but is not ground or
polished
This condition is referred to as being unbonded where a bonded underbed is
rigidly attached to the sub-floor supporting the finished terrazzo. Metal
reinforcement is required for the underbed in most cases. The reinforcement
should be corrosion-resistant welded wire fabric at least 16 ga. Thick with
wires spaced no more than 2” o.c

Because it is expensive to hand assemble the decorative topping chips for

large areas or to create a specific design, the tesserae (stone, vitreous
enamel or marble) is assembled in a shop and mounted on paper, then placed on
top of the matrix while it is still wet.
After the paper is removed, joints are grouted and the entire installation is
ground and polished.
Curing is necessary so that the topping can develop maximum wear properties.

Materials used for this purpose are polyethylene film, non-staining, non-
asphaltic, water-resistant building paper and clean water. Spray on curing
compounds can be used to help cure surfaces except on slabs that are going to
use a thinset, chemically bonded or monolithic topping because it may prevent
bonding of the underbed and the topping. To complete the finish, a
penetrating sealer should be used.

Marble Flooring Marble is a natural

stone, and when properly finished it
can be transformed into beautiful
flooring. Marble flooring is one of
the most luxurious and sophisticated
floorings to install in a home.

 Types: sandstone, composite,

kota stone and white marble.
 Finish: satin, though you can opt for glossy one by polishing it
or a matt finish through a honed polish.
 Durability: 25 yrs.
 Usage: marble is fitted with cement and is suitable for both the
exterior and interior of a house.
 Installation time: 8-10 days
 Cost (per sq. ft.) sandstone(2”x2”) Rs 22-25; kota stone: (2”x2”)
Rs 25-28; composite: Rs 175-600; white marble (9”x9”): Rs 60-80
 Labour cost: Rs 10-50 a sq. ft.
 Installation cost fo a 12”x12” room: Rs 7,488
 It needs regular maintenance and can be easily damaged by acidic
chemicals or liquids. Its also slippery when wet.

Mosaic Flooring 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.
PVC Flooring PVC means Polyvinyl
Chloride. These tiles are colourful,
having a very smooth top surface and a
rough lower surface. PVC flooring has a
shiny, modern appearance and is popular
for its cost-effectiveness, quality and
durability.

 PVC or vinyl
 Types: Rolls and tiles
 Finish: matt
 Durability: 4-5 years
 Usage: vinyl flooring is not as hard as a marble of tiles and is
water resistant. So its suitable for childrens room and the
kitchen. It can be easily applied with adhesieve.
 Installation time: 1-2 days
 Cost (per sq. ft.): roll 6x50’’ Rs 22-25, tile 4x8’’ Rs 60-90
 Labor cost: Rs 10-15 @ sq. ft.
 Installation cost for 12’’x 12’’ room: Rs 4,986
 The flooring can be easily dented of scratch if you use or drag
heavy materials.

Glass Flooring Glass flooring types of the

floor are not very common, but can be used
in aristocratic buildings both residential
and public particularly to have smooth and
pleasing surface. Glass flooring is
generally bacteria and dirt resistant.

 Glass flooring usually employs toughened/tempered glass for load

bearing floors
 Usages: residential (floor, stairs,) commercial

Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring is

created by fusing several layers of material
together. It is easy to clean and more
durable and can resist scratches and
chipping. Laminate flooring is stain free
and fades resistant.
Linoleum flooring When most people picture
linoleum oors, they picture kitchens from
the 1970’s with the slick looking surface.
Luckily, the option has come a long way
since then, and there are many attractive
choices available.
Made from renewable, biodegradable materials like linseed oil and
cork, linoleum is considered an environmentally friendly material.
It comes in sheets, and to install it you glue them directly to the
floor. The sheets feature mineral pigments that create a variety of
rich colors and patterns, and they may be sealed with a protective
coating to prevent staining and wear.
If the linoleum you purchase includes this protection, it can last a
long time. Without it, plan to relish your floors around every two
years to keep them looking fresh.
Depending on the type of linoleum you like best, you’ll pay between $2
to $5 per square foot. With installation, the cost comes in at between
$7 and $12 per square foot.
Carpet Flooring In carpet flooring, the
carpet is made from wool or from synthetic
fibers, such as polypropylene, nylon, or
polyester. It is the most versatile of all
flooring options, featuring more colours
and textures than any other types of
flooring. It resists moisture, crushing,
mildew, etc.
Carpeting can be made from a variety of materials, though will is most
common. Here are the other choices.
a. Wool Considered the standard of quality for carpet, wool is a
naturally moisture resistant material that’s both durable and able to
ward off stains. It feels good against hands and feet and is the most
popular choice.
b. Nylon Another option that stands up well against wear and tear,
Nylon is a synthetic ber known for being strong. It is known for
building up static electricity, so be sure that the product you buy
has been treated to reduce those effects.
c. Acrylic A second synthetic option, Acrylic closely mimics the
properties of wool. It stands up well against wear and mildew, and
naturally wards off insects.
d. Polyester Polyester is a popular material if you’re looking for
carpeting in bold, bright colors. It’s moisture resistant, but if you
stain it, beware that it will be dicult to remove.
e. Polypropylene If you’re looking for an option that can stand up to
indoor/outdoor living, a carpet made from polypropylene might be the
right choice. It’s the most resistant to stains, moisture, and mildew,
and if you install it without a carpet pad, it will work well in an
outdoor space.
Depending on the material and quality you choose, you’ll pay between
$2 and $12 per square foot for carpeting. Installation is more
affordable than many of the other options and will cost between $1 and
$2 per square foot including padding.
Brick Flooring Brick flooring is one of
the oldest types of flooring materials.
It is used in courtyards, stores,
godowns, etc. Brick flooring is durable
and provides sufficiently hard floor
surface. It provides a non-slippery and
fire resistant surface.
Concrete flooring Concrete flooring is
one of the most important floors. It is
very commonly used throughout the world
for all types of buildings. Concrete
flooring is extremely strong and is able
to withstand the pressure from very
heavy equipment such as cars, trucks,
etc.
Mud Flooring Mud flooring is most
suitable for Indian conditions and
climates. It is commonly constructed in
villages. Mud flooring is cheap and
hard. It is fairly impervious, easy to
construct and easy to maintain.
Cork Flooring It is a natural material
obtained from the outer bark of cork oak
tree. It is available in the form of
coloured tiles or sheets. These types of
flooring materials are not commonly used
in India.
Rubber Flooring Rubber flooring is not
common in India. It is noiseless,
comfortable in walking, and very
durable. The initial cost of rubber
flooring is a little bit high. It gives
excellent wearing surface.
Granite flooring

 Types: crystal, honed, polished it also comes in various colors.

 Finish: glossy
 Durability: lasts a lifetime with good care
 Usage: its handy for the kitchen as it is resistant to oil
spills, sugary drink and asid. Honed granite is good for bathroom
  Installation time: 3-4 days
 Cost (per sq. ft.): grey Rs 70-120, pink or white Rs 70-110,
black Rs 110-190, earthen Rs 175-300
 Labor cost: Rs 10-50 @ sq. ft.
 Installation cost for 12x12’’ room: Rs 14,400
 Through it doesn’t crack or damage easily, it needs regular
cleaning. Polished granite is very slippery when wet.

Magnesite Flooring Magnesite

flooring consists of calcined
magnesite, magnesium chloride, wood
dust, ground quartz or silica and
fine powdered wood waste; used as
finishing surface on concrete floor
slabs. It is also known as the
composition of a jointless floor. These types of flooring, though not
very common, is cheap, gives a smooth surface and can be laid
jointless on the rough surface as the material is flexible.
Resinous flooring has become more popular as the chemical technology
that it takes to produce it has improved. It is applied in its liquid
form and when cured provides a uniform surface that is flexible and
seamless. Although the flooring is thin, it has excellent bonding
features, is strong and is resistant to impacts and abrasion.
Parquet means pattern and parquet
flooring consists of pieces of wood
flooring put together to form a
decorative pattern.
There are many geometric designs
including those that use diamonds,
triangles, squares, round and
rectangular shapes. Most parquet
floors are formed into a block as a solid unit or as a layer of veneer
laminated to a plywood base with adhesive.
Most solid units and laminated blocks are tongued on two adjoining
sides or opposite edges while the other two sides are grooved assuring
alignment with other blocks to form the larger pattern.
These blocks have the same conditions as any wood flooring. They must
be treated as so and installed properly.

Resilient flooring is commonly used

in all types of buildings as an
economical, reliable and long
lasting product produced in tiles or
sheets. It is a product that springs
back into place after being
compressed by being walked on and
can easily be cleaned without the use of chemicals or specialty
products.

Resilient flooring can withstand most permanent deformations or damage

but heavy furniture may cause damage without the use of adequate
protection.

Resilient flooring is resistant to a number of chemicals, such as

alcohols, oils and grease. Because it is a resilient material, it
maintains its integrity and appearance.
Since resilient flooring comes in varying hardness of finish
materials, from soft to hard, heavy furniture without proper support
under the legs may cause permanent damage to the flooring if the wrong
finish is chosen or poor installation of the product is done.

Resilient flooring also has the ability to resist the spread of fire,
static electricity and water that makes it one of the top two most
used floor coverings.

Resilient tiles are usually made from solid vinyl, a vinyl composition
or rubber. Sheets are made from similar materials but provide fewer,
if any, joints in the installation process.

Both tiles and sheets are installed with an adhesive applied directly
to the clean and level subfloor whether wood or concrete. Since the
tiles and sheets are thin, usually 3/32”, all holes and blemishes in
the subfloor must be filled, sanded and leveled before installation of
the flooring.
Any debris or abrasive left on the surface of the subfloor can cut
through the resilient flooring over time.

CEILING FINISHES
Ceilings are often the largest uninterrupted space around us, and
although they can have a huge impact on a room's ambiance, we rarely
mention them when describing a space. The material used for a ceiling
should be appropriate for the room's purpose, and there is no shortage
of ceiling materials to choose from. Some common choices are drywall,
plaster, wood, tile and metal.
Drywall Drywall ceilings are usually
fastened directly to the ceiling joists
and their joints are taped and mudded
to make them invisible. Such a large,
flat surface can be a source of echoes
if left smooth, so the drywall ceiling
is often textured to deaden sound and
to cover any imperfections in the installation. Common textures are
popcorn, splatter and orange peel.
Plaster Prior to the 1930s and 40s,
lath and plaster was the most common
material of choice for walls and
ceilings. Plaster is a very versatile
material and can be applied over all
sorts of substrates, such as stone,
brick or wood, and it can be easily
molded and stenciled into decorative shapes and patterns. Like
drywall, it is often textured and for the same reasons.
Plaster is a traditional material for covering a ceiling that has been
used for centuries. Creating a plaster ceiling involves applying
several layers of a plaster paste over strips of wood. It creates a
smooth, hard, attractive surface that is easily decorated with paints
or more plaster. Plasterboard is made from a similar material, but is
cheaper and easier to install because it does not require waiting for
several coats of plaster to dry. Plasterboard is prefabricated into
sheets that attach to the ceiling with screws or nails and then are
sealed.
Wood and Wood Beams Wood ceilings can
add a dramatic accent to a room,
whether it is a simple covering of
tongue-and-groove planks or a series of
wood beams. Drywall or plaster ceilings
are often highlighted by the addition
of decorative wood beams, and if it is
practical, structural wood beams are often left exposed for their
effect. Exposed or decorative beams give a space the feeling of
solidity and permanence.
Wooden boards are commonly used for the general structure of a home,
and are thus typically a component of the ceiling. However, decorative
planks are often used to cover the ceiling, as well. An entire ceiling
may be covered in planks, just like a wooden floor, or may have
strategically placed planks to add interest to an otherwise plain
ceiling. Many types of decorative molding are also made from wood.
Tile Mineral fiber acoustical ceiling
tiles suspended in a metal frame is the
most popular ceiling treatment for
commercial buildings. The same system
is often used in private residences,
especially in basements, to lower the
ceiling or to cover wiring and
plumbing. Acoustical tiles may also be attached directly to ceiling
joists, furring strips or a substrate such as drywall.
Ceiling tiles are different from floor or wall tiles in that weight is
an issue when decorating a ceiling. Ceiling tiles are lightweight and
made from a wide variety of materials, such as plastic, metal,
fiberglass, mineral fiber, wood fiber, vinyl-coated gypsum and even
cork. Most tiles are designed for installation in a suspended ceiling
system, though some are designed to stick to a ceiling and are ideal
for decorating a plain ceiling that is in good condition. Along with
their decorative purpose, ceiling tiles are often designed to control
noise levels in a room.
Metal Stamped metal ceilings are highly
decorative and can give a home a
historic look. They were popularized in
the United States shortly after the
Civil War, and they are enjoying a new
popularity . Durable and easily
installed, they are usually stamped
with a three-dimensional pattern that
can be painted or left as is. Tin, copper, brass and chrome finishes
are now available from a large number of suppliers.
Metal is often used as both a structural and decorative component in a
ceiling. A drop or suspended ceiling is a ceiling that hangs below a
pre-existing ceiling and often hides unattractive features, such as
pipes in a basement, or to control sound in a noisy location, such as
an office. These ceilings are typically composed of wires and a metal
grid that holds ceiling tiles. However, metal is also used as a
decorative covering for a ceiling, usually found in embossed tiles or
sheets.
Metal lath is also used to finish ceilings, as furred metal lath
attached to steel joist or as metal lath suspended from steel joists.
When using the first method consideration must be given to the
deflection and movement of the structure to prevent cracking of the
plaster ceilings. In the second method, the metal lath is supported
by framing channels and furring channels suspended with wire hangers
from the roof. The channels are usually spaced up to 4” o.c.
perpendicular to the joists and the lath is attached to the channels.
Acoustical ceiling tiles are made
from soft, sound absorbing
materials like cork, wood fibers,
sugarcane fibers, mineral wool,
gypsum, and fiberglass. Most
ceiling tiles are perforated to
allow more sound absorption and
less deflection. Another type of
ceiling panel is known as a
baffle. Baffles are acoustical panels hung from the ceiling to reduce
airborne noise that can be generated in a school gymnasium, auditorium
or restaurant. Other ceiling tiles are designed to be glued, nailed
or stapled directly to a gypsum board ceiling or to furring strips
attached to the ceiling joists.
Suspended ceilings using a grid system are the most common form of
installing an acoustical ceiling. Common suspended ceilings fall into
three types; the exposed grid, semi-exposed grid and concealed grid.
Exposed grids have the main runner and cross runner exposed. This
type of grid can enhance the ceiling design depending on the finish
applied to the grid system. The semi-exposed system has the main
runner exposed but the cross runner is concealed giving the finished
ceiling a very linear look with all the parallel lines. The concealed
system has no runners exposed giving the impression that the ceiling
is attached to rather than suspended from the roof or ceiling joists.