Floor Covering- Tiling in Building Construction

Tiling in building construction is used as flooring, platform, partition, etc. Various types such as granite stone, Kota stone, glazed tiles, ceramic tiles, etc. are used for the floor covering. Here, the laying of different types of floor covering are described.

• Laying Marbo granite vitrified tiles

The surface should be cleaned and prepared before laying the tiles. 1st quality of Marbogranite vitrified tiles of 600 x 600 mm or 800 x 800 mm size of 75 or 100 mm, high skirting of approved make, colour, and shade is to be laid in the flooring as per Architects.  20 mm thick mortar bed consists of 1 portion of cement and 3 portions of sand are prepared and a layer of cement mortar is to be laid on the floor. The marbogranite vitrified tiles should be cut into the required size and the tiles are laid on the cement mortar. The joints should be filled with epoxy paint filler of approved colour & shade at all levels and all heights. The flooring should be kept wet for at least 7 days and the surface should be cleaned with a soft cloth or brush after laying of tiles as directed by the Engineer in charge.

• Laying Granite stone slab

A granite stone slab is to be laid on the mortar bedding of 30 mm thick in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 4 parts of sand. The base concrete should be cleaned and leveled before the process of laying granite stone. The granite stone should be cut to the required sizes and provision for holes should be made. 20 mm thick polished granite stone slab should be laid for flooring and skirting. The joints should be grouted with matching colour cement. The flooring should be cured for at least 7 days and the top surface should be machine polished after laying as per the instruction of the Engineer in charge.

• Laying blue Kota Stone

The mortar mix of 25mm thick in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 4 parts of sand is prepared and spread. The surface on which kota stone is to be laid should be cleaned before the laying process.  Each stone should be dressed along the sides for a straight edge and the edges should be rubbed before paving. 25mm thick polished machine-cut edge blue Kota Stone of size 600 x 450 mm should be laid for flooring and skirting. Provision for holes for pipes should be made and the joints should be grouted with matching colour cement. The flooring should be cured for at least 7 days and the top surface should be machine polished after laying as per the instruction of the Engineer in charge

• Laying Kota Stone for staircase

25 mm thick Kota stone slab is to be laid on 12 mm thick cement mortar for staircase treads, risers, and landings in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 3 parts of coarse sand. The Kota stone slab should be paved to the required size before laying. For treads, a single-piece Kota stone slab to full length and width of treads should be provided. The nosing should be half rounded and 3 parallel grooves of 5 X 5 mm behind the nosing edge should be provided to avoid skidding. The joints should be finished with white cement slurry mixed with pigment to match the shade of the slabs. The surface should be true to levels, lines, and shapes as instructed by the Engineer in charge.

• Laying Ceramic tiles

The surface should be brushed, cleaned, and prepared before laying the tiles. Ceramic tiles of approved make are to be laid in flooring, skirting, and dado over 12mm thick cement mortar mix bed in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 3 parts of coarse sand to proper level or slope. The ceramic tiles should be fixed with 3mm wide spacers where ever required as per the drawing. The joints should be filled with epoxy paint filler of approved colour & shade at all levels and all heights. The floor should be kept wet for at least 7 days and it should be cleaned as directed by the Engineer in charge.

• Laying Glazed tiles

Screen printed glazed tiles of the required size of approved make, colour and shade is to be laid on the mortar bed. The mortar mix of 25mm thick in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 3 parts of sand is prepared. The screen-printed glazed tiles should be fixed with 3mm wide spacers where ever required as per the drawing. The joints should be filled with epoxy paint filler of approved colour & shade at all levels and all heights. The floor should be cured and it should be cleaned as directed by the Engineer in charge.

• Laying stone for Door or window Jambs & sill

One side polished stone of minimum 1500 mm long is provided for 300 mm wide Door or window Jambs & sill with half-round edge polish on one side and edge polish on the other side. The stone should be cut into two pieces of the required size and fixed in a staggered manner. The stone should be overlapped with adhesive material as required. The joints should be filled with white cement and curing should be done. The measurements shall be per running meter of total laid length only. The rate shall include laying in the proper position, painting with white cement, curing and cleaning, etc.

• Laying Granite Stone slab & Kota Stone for kitchen platform

The base should be cleaned and leveled before the laying process. The cement mortar mix of 25 mm thick in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 4 parts of sand is prepared and laid on the kitchen platform. 20 mm thick one side polished Granite stone slab is laid on the top and 25 mm thick polished kota stone is laid on the bottom of the sandwich-type kitchen platform. 3 numbers of vertical sandwich support comprising 2 number of Kota stone is to be provided at each support.  The walls should be chased and provision for holes for sinks should be made. The top surface should be polished after laying and it should be cured as per the instruction of the Engineer in charge.

• Laying of Granite Stone slab & Kota Stone for washbasin

The washbasin counter should be constructed of machine polished 20mm thick granite stone over 25 mm thick Kota stone. The stone is to be laid with cement sand mortar in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 4 parts of sand. The holes for the washbasin, bibcock, and pipelines should be cut neat and clean. The edges should be moulded as directed by the Architect or Engineer in charge. The connection for the water inlet should be made and the joints should be grouted with white cement.

• Laying polished Granite slabs

A granite slab of 18 to 20 mm thickness is to be fixed in the wall on the sides of the platform. Jari should be filled with cement mortar in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 3 parts of coarse sand. The base surface should be cleaned before the process of laying the granite slab. The granite slab should be cut neat to the required sizes and chamfered as required. The joints should be grouted with matching colour cement and the top surface should be polished after laying as per instruction of the Engineer in charge. The measurement shall be taken as per the net plan area of the granite slab fixed.

• Laying Granite for partition wall

A granite stone of 18 mm thickness is to be fixed in the partition wall on a clean leveled surface. The granite stone should be machine cut to required sizes and the edges should be polished on both sides as well as on edge with a rounded top. The brickwork should be chased and the joints should be finished with cement mortar in the ratio of 1 part of cement and 3 parts of coarse sand. The top surface should be polished after laying and cured as per the instruction of the Engineer in charge.

• Laying China Mosaic flooring

The terrace should be cleaned thoroughly with water and extra mortar accumulated on the terrace should be chiseled. Brickbats should be fixed and cement mortar is spread in required proportion with a waterproofing compound. China mosaic pieces are to be laid on the mortar bed uniformly and after laying of china mosaic, it should be moulded to achieve a uniform surface. White cement @ 4.0 kg./ sqm is applied over the joints of the surface with different matching coloured glazed tiles. The surface is cleaned to remove excess white cement and it is cured for at least 7 days. The only plan area is to be taken for measurement purposes.