---
title: "Types of flooring"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_6/building_technology:flooring-types"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/flooring-types
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Types of flooring

Building Technology · Chapter 7: Flooring

- Asked in: 2073 Bhadra; 2069 Bhadra, 3 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Floor Finishes in Building Construction | Types of Flooring Materials Explained | Lecture 11 Part C](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-sVgjA1YM) — Dr. KS Academy 
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/flooring-types
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-7

## Question

What are the types of flooring? (Give a list of materials commonly used as floorings with a brief description of each.)

## Short answer

Common flooring materials include mud/earthen, brick, stone, cement concrete, terrazzo, mosaic, marble, granite, ceramic tiles, timber, glass, rubber/PVC/linoleum, asphalt, and carpet. Each has distinct material composition and usage.

## Answer

**Flooring** is the finished surface of a floor, laid over the structural base to give a hard, durable, level and good-looking surface. The common types are listed below.

| Flooring | Material and brief description |
|---|---|
| **Mud/earthen floor** | Rammed earth and cow-dung plaster; cheapest, rural houses |
| **Brick floor** | Bricks on edge or flat in sand or mortar; low cost |
| **Stone floor** | Slate, sandstone, kota stone slabs on mortar; durable |
| **Cement concrete floor** | 1:2:4 concrete with a cement-sand punning; strong, cheap |
| **Terrazzo floor** | Cement and marble chips, ground and polished |
| **Mosaic floor** | Small marble or china pieces in cement, polished |
| **Marble floor** | Polished marble slabs on mortar; expensive, elegant |
| **Granite floor** | Hard polished granite slabs; very durable |
| **Ceramic/vitrified tile floor** | Glazed tiles on mortar or adhesive; hygienic, used in kitchens and baths |
| **Timber floor** | Boards or parquet on joists or fixed to a base; warm |
| **Glass floor** | Thick glass blocks; lets light through |
| **Rubber, PVC, linoleum, vinyl** | Sheet or tile; hospitals, offices |
| **Asphalt/bitumen floor** | Mastic asphalt; damp-proof, industrial |
| **Carpet** | Wool or synthetic fibre; comfort and sound control |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which floor is the cheapest?
   A. Marble floor
   B. Granite floor
   C. Carpet
   D. Mud/earthen floor
   Answer: D. Mud floors use rammed earth and cow dung. (Key point: Cheapest floor)

2. Terrazzo is made of
   A. Cement and marble chips, ground and polished
   B. Mastic asphalt
   C. Wool fibre
   D. Glass blocks
   Answer: A. Ground and polished topping. (Key point: Terrazzo)

3. Which flooring suits damp-proof industrial use?
   A. Timber floor
   B. Asphalt/bitumen floor
   C. Carpet
   D. Glass floor
   Answer: B. Mastic asphalt is damp-proof. (Key point: Asphalt floor)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Flooring and its types; special floor finish](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aflooring-types-special) — Building Technology, chapter 7
- [Flooring for low cost rural housing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aflooring-low-cost) — Building Technology, chapter 7

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