---
title: "Granite flooring, pros and cons"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_6/building_technology:granite-flooring-pros-cons"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/granite-flooring-pros-cons
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Granite flooring, pros and cons

Building Technology · Chapter 7: Flooring

- Asked in: 2081 Chaitra, 3+2 marks
- Video: [HOW TO DO THE GRANITE FLOORING AND ITS PROS AND CONS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_oxxGMvHQQ) — civil conclave
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/granite-flooring-pros-cons
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-7

## Question

Write construction process of granite flooring. Specify pros and cons of such flooring.

## Short answer

Granite flooring uses polished slabs on a 20-30 mm mortar bed (1:4) with thin joints, grouted, cured, and polished. Advantages: very hard, durable, stain/heat resistant. Disadvantages: expensive, heavy, slippery when wet, can crack.

## Answer

**Granite flooring** uses polished slabs of natural granite (a hard igneous rock), usually 18-20 mm thick, laid on a mortar bed.

#### Construction process
1. Clean and wet the base concrete; set levels and lines.
2. Spread a 20-30 mm bed of cement-sand mortar (1:4), stiff and level, and a thin coat of neat cement slurry on top.
3. Place granite slabs (soaked and cleaned) on the bed, tap them with a rubber mallet, and check line and level with a straight edge.
4. Keep joints thin (1-2 mm) and straight, or use spacers.
5. After 24-48 hours, fill joints with cement paste, matching the colour, or epoxy grout.
6. Cure for 7 days, then clean and buff with a polishing machine. Seal the surface if required.

#### Advantages
- Very hard, durable and scratch-resistant.
- Resistant to heat, stain and weather; suitable for kitchens and outside.
- Natural attractive patterns, easy cleaning, long life.
- Does not need frequent re-polishing.

#### Disadvantages
- Costly material and skilled labour needed.
- Heavy, so the structure carries more load.
- Cold, hard and slippery when wet.
- Can crack or chip if impacted; porous types may stain without sealing.
- Colour and pattern vary between slabs.

## Check yourself

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

1. What bed is used for granite slabs?
   A. 20-30 mm cement-sand 1:4 mortar
   B. Dry sand only
   C. Bitumen
   D. Clay
   Answer: A. A stiff bed with thin slurry coat. (Key point: Mortar bed)

2. Which is an advantage of granite flooring?
   A. Low cost
   B. Very hard, scratch-resistant and long-lasting
   C. Light weight
   D. Warm to touch
   Answer: B. Granite is durable. (Key point: Advantage)

3. Which is a disadvantage?
   A. Easily scratched
   B. Short life
   C. Heavy, costly and slippery when wet
   D. Not cleanable
   Answer: C. Weight loads the structure. (Key point: Disadvantage)

4. How are granite joints finished?
   A. Left open
   B. Filled with sand
   C. Filled immediately with clay
   D. Thin joints filled with matching cement paste or epoxy grout after 24-48 hours
   Answer: D. Joints are 1-2 mm. (Key point: Joints)

## Related in Building Technology

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- [Construction of terrazzo flooring](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aterrazzo-flooring) — Building Technology, chapter 7, asked 4×
- [Construction of mosaic flooring](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Amosaic-flooring) — Building Technology, chapter 7, asked 2×
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- [Flooring for low cost rural housing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aflooring-low-cost) — Building Technology, chapter 7
- [Suspended ground floor; tile flooring](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Asuspended-ground-floor-tile) — Building Technology, chapter 7

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