MOI UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY
NAME: OCHIENG STEPHEN PETER
REG : TED/116/17
COURSE CODE: BCT 311E
LECTURER: MR KEMBOI
TASK: TAKE AWAY ASSIGNMENT
DATE: 10/02/2019
QN: EVALUATE THE PROS AND CONS OF THE FOLLOWING FLOOR TYPES.

Pros and cons in other words means the advantages and disadvantages. Therefor we are to
find the advantages and disadvantages of the given type of floors which are:

a. SOLID GROUND FLOOR

A solid ground floor is one in which the whole floor area is in contact with the sub soil as shown

below.

The solid ground floor is comprised of the following:

a. Hard Core- it serves the following purposes

 Hardcore ensures consistent of materials over the whole floor area.

 Hardcore reduces capillary action of moisture from the ground because of the

voids within the hardcore layers.

 Hard core provides a clean dry and firm work surface.

 Hardcore makes up levels after removing topsoil and reduces level excavation.
 b. Dump Prove Membrane – it is an impervious layer which prevents moisture from

travelling through the floor to the inside of the building e.g. polythene sheeting.

c. Concrete Bed – it provides the solid level surface to which screed and finishes can be

applied.

advantages of solid ground floor

 Solid ground floor carries loads imposed on them. The load can either be dead loads or

live loads.

 Solid ground floor prevents dampness rising on them from the ground into the building.

 Solid ground floor provides a degree of thermal insulation.

 Solid ground floors provide a suitable wearing surface.

disadvantages of solid ground floor

• Hardness

The strength and durability of this material can also be liable. The surface of concrete floor is

very hard therefore falling into concrete floor will hurt and may seriously injure people or users

in general.

• Coldness

Concrete has little insulating value. On cold winter periods the surface of the floor becomes very

cold unless it has been installed in conjunction with radiant floor heating system. The inherent

coldness of concrete can cause health problems on the users.

 • Discomfort

The hardness of the concrete also makes it uncomfortable to stand on for a long period of time.

Concrete does not yield and if you are forced to stand on it for a long period of time, your feet

and legs will pay the price.

• Slipperiness

When concrete is highly polished or buffed, or when coated with a gloss sealer, the surface can

be very slippery especially when wet and this can cause injuries. Concrete in bathrooms,

kitchens and entryways are susceptible to this.

• Environmental concerns

A new floor requires manufacture of concrete, a process that requires significant expenditure of

energy and copious amount of carbon dioxide. This leads to environmental pollution.

b. SUSPENDED CONCRETE GROUND FLOOR

a suspended concrete ground floor system is a flooring system which comprises of flat precast

concrete planks generally 600mm wide and

150mm deep which can carry domestic loadings up to 5M clear span.

advantages of suspended concrete

floor  Durability.

Concrete flooring is extremely tough and resilient and is able to withstand pressure from very

heavy equipment such as cars, trucks, forklifts and stacked crates. There are minimal damages

from dropped items.

• Easy maintenance

Keeping a concrete floor to looking its best requires a minimum amount of maintenance.

Concrete floors are usually sealed or waxed every 3 to 9 month depending on the level of traffic,

in order to maintain the protective layer over its surface. A neutral cleaning agent can also be

used to clean the floor periodically.

 • Environmental friendly

A concrete subfloor already exists beneath another flooring material in both on grade and below

grade locations, therefore, installing concrete floor means uninstalling whatever has been placed

over it. There is no carbon footprint or depletion of resources.

• Versatility

As long as concrete is smooth and free from holes, bumps, and defects, you have the choice of

installing any floor surface covering over it at a later date. Concrete floor allows for a lot of

future design freedom.

• Long lasting

A sealed and properly maintained concrete floor can last indefinitely. Even in commercial

applications, concrete can survive under high traffic conditions for many decades.

 Design flexibility

In some cases, coloration is mixed directly into the concrete before the slab is placed. For already

installed floors, you can acid-stain the surface, use an appropriate dye or staining advent.

disadvantages of suspended concrete floor

• Hardness
The strength and durability of this material can also be liable. The surface of concrete floor is

very hard therefore falling into concrete floor will hurt and may seriously injure people or users

in general.

• Coldness

Concrete has little insulating value. On cold winter periods the surface of the floor becomes very

cold unless it has been installed in conjunction with radiant floor heating system. The inherent

coldness of concrete can cause health problems on the users.

• Discomfort

The hardness of the concrete also makes it uncomfortable to stand on for a long period of time.

Concrete does not yield and if you are forced to stand on it for a long period of time, your feet

and legs will pay the price.

• Slipperiness

When concrete is highly polished or buffed, or when coated with a gloss sealer, the surface can be

very slippery especially when wet and this can cause injuries. Concrete in bathrooms, kitchens

and entryways are susceptible to this.

• Environmental concerns

A new floor requires manufacture of concrete, a process that requires significant expenditure of

energy and copious amount of carbon dioxide. This leads to environmental pollution.
  Susceptible to moisture

If not properly sealed on both top and bottom surfaces, concrete is easily penetrated by moisture

especially when installed over bare soil. this moisture can lead to growth of mold and mildew in

a home.

c. SUSPENDED TIMBER FLOORS

A suspended timber floor is a floor that consist of the finished timber floorboards being attached

to floor joints,

which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation, and are raised above the subfloor on

small supporting walls called tassel walls.

advantages of suspended timber floors.

 Timber floors are beautiful as each floor has unique look. You can also easily choose

what color your timber is. Noting beats, the beauty of wooden floor.
 Timber use is environmental friendly i.e. the timber can be recycled and be further used

for further purposes.

 There are very many variety of timber types some of which includes laminates, bamboo,

solid timber, or engineered timber.

 The use of suspended timber for flooring is economically friendly. This is due the facts

that timber can be easily be recycled after it has been use thus saves on the cost of

acquiring new timbers for flooring purpose.

Disadvatages of timber floors

 Timber floors require a lot of maintenance than other type of flooring. This is because the

timber may need to be re-sealed from time to time and may require re-staining as well.

 Timber floors can also feel colder underfoot during the winter month this can result to

health defect for the users.

 Timber floors especially solid timber is not suitable to be used for suspended floors in wet

areas tis because wet areas has moisture which can cause warping and swelling.

 Timber can be expensive to lay and if not properly installed by the qualified professional

can bring about poor quality performance.

b. PRECAST CONCRETE UPPER FLOORS

A precast concrete is a construction product generated by casing concrete in a reusable mold or

form which is then treated in a controlled environment conveyed to the construction site and

lifted into place.

advantages of precast concrete upper floor.

 Precast concrete upper floors has high performance when it comes to durability, acoustic

separation, thermal comfort and resistance to flood and water.

 Highly flexible in shape, form as well as available finishes.

 Precast concrete upper floor are inherent structural capacity and strength able to

accommodate engineering standards for a wide range of housing and construction needs.

 Precast concrete upper floor has ability to in cooperate services like plumbing and

electrical in precast elements.

 Precast concrete upper has higher thermal mass that provides energy cost saving benefits.

 Precast concrete upper floor has high structural efficiency as well as low wastage on

sites.

 Precast concrete upper floor is easy to erect.

Disadvantages of concrete upper floor

 In concrete upper floor each panel variation bracing inserts, openings, as well as

lifting inserts requires specialized and complex engineering

 Tends to be more expensive than conventional construction method and materials.

 Building services like power, water, conduits and gas outlets must be cast in the

design.

 High level site access as well as sufficient maneuvering space for cranes and other

machinery is required.

 Erection calls for skilled trades and equipment.

References

• Work man flooring by Jason Pedersen

• Concrete at home: innovative forms and finishes by Eric Olsen

 Sanding and finishing hardwood floors by Don Bollinger.