Flooring it the Indian Way


Flooring is a major feature that sets the mood of a home. The selection of the right kind of flooring involves thinking at multiple levels - the most important being the kind of aesthetic disposition that one has, besides durability, safety, hardiness, and the tactile feel of the floor. While imported marble, wooden floors and vitrified tiles are quite popular, there is a growing trend of using Indian marble, granite and other stones.

Types of Indian Stones

Stones available in India can be classified broadly into the following categories: 1). Marble; 2). Granite; 3). Sandstone; 4) Limestone; 5). Slates and Quartzite. Most stones go by the name of its source.

Marble: Most marble comes from Rajasthan followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The current varieties from Rajasthan include Rajnagar Marble and Abu Black. Gujarat produces a variety called Ambaji White while Madhya Pradesh yields the popular Katni marble.

Granite: Most granite quarries are found in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha. Some of the popular shades are Sadarahalli Grey, Sira Grey, Magadi Pink, Madurai Gold, Ivory Fantasy, Kashmir White, Jet Black and Galaxy Black. Granite is dense and hard and therefore makes for excellent floors for interior and exterior applications.

Sandstone: Many types of sandstone are also great flooring options. Examples are Dholpur Beige, Agra Red, White Mint, Kandla Grey, Teak and Rainbow. Natural quarry finish sandstone can be used for landscape paving, pool surrounds, patios and verandahs. Finished versions can be used for interior spaces.

Limestone: Popular varieties are Jaisalmer Yellow, Eta Gold, Kota Blue and Cudappah Black. These are available as slabs and tiles and make for excellent interior flooring applications.

Slate and Quartzite: Slate stones are sourced from metamorphosed sedimentary rocks and have strong layer separations. This makes it tricky to work with and if cut expertly along the layers; they will yield flat slabs that can be used for flooring. They are available in a variety of colours and textures. Sources for slate include Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.

Finishes

A variety of finishes are available. Typically they can be classified as polished and semi-polished. The semi-polished stones come in various categories: 1). Honed; 2). Leather; 3). Antique; 4). Flamed 5). Bush-hammered and so on. Finishes can be selected based on the function and aesthetics. The polished stones are easier to clean and maintain but cannot be used in areas prone to wetness. 

Typical uses

Success of the flooring depends on a deep understanding of the material properties and the uses that they could be put to. Here is a typical list of stones that could be used in different spaces.

Entrance Verandah: Entrance lobbies are subject to a fair amount of rough use and maximum traffic. Dark coloured granites are a great choice here. A texture-finished granite (flamed/honed/leather) with anti-skid properties works great if it is prone to some spray from the rain. Slate and stones can also be used very well.

Lobby, Living, Dining: The number of options open up here. Light coloured flooring (like Eta Gold, Jaisalmer) would look great. If one has a step down living, it would be advisable to contrast that space with a darker/lighter coloured stone. This would avoid accidents as it increases the awareness of differing floor levels. One can also use leather-finished floors that give a tactile feel if one walks barefoot.

Kitchen & Bathrooms: Indian kitchens handle a multitude of spices and oils. It is important for the floor to be dense in nature to prevent any absorption on spillage. The best option is dark granite. Do not use Sadarahalli and Sira granite, as they tend to absorb and retain moisture.  The same rule applies to bathrooms. All other stones could be used for wall finishing. It would be advisable to choose an anti-skid semi-polished finish for bathroom floors.

Bedrooms & Staircases: In most homes architects would prefer light coloured stones in bedrooms. Most types of stones would be suitable for bedrooms and stairs.

Thickness and Calibration

Granite and marble slabs come in 20mm thickness. Many granite shades come in 10mm thickness as tiles measuring 1 foot x 2 feet or lesser. Tiles are cheaper than slabs. Stones other than marble and granite come in smaller sizes (typically 22inches x 22 inches). One must ensure that these tiles are calibrated for right angle corners and for an almost uniform thickness. It is also important to ensure that a qualified building professional inspects the lot for defects before selection and purchase.

Workmen

Ensure that the workmen who would lay the material are proficient in doing so. A good marble layer may not necessarily be able to handle slate well and vice versa. It is best to take references from their clients and visit their finished works before appointing them. It is worth the time, effort and money.

Sealers and Grouts

Most natural stones are porous in varying degrees and hence all tiles, stones, grouts and masonry surfaces may be protected from stains of water/oil/food by applying a penetrating sealer that also provides a “wet look”. It is also important to use the right kind of colour matching grouts that last longer than the usual cement grout. 

Natural Materials

It is natural to have variations in colour and texture between stones or slabs in the same lot. It is advisable to dry lay the floor in order to ascertain the pattern that emerges. It is best to celebrate this variety than to shun it in favour of a uniform shade. Much like how 2 human beings do not resemble each other, it is difficult to find uniformity in stones – there is beauty nevertheless. This beauty enriches and endows character to the spaces.

 Note: Published in Times Property section of The Times of India on 6th June, 2014.




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