---
title: "Granite and tile floor finishes"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_6/building_technology:granite-tiles-finishes"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/granite-tiles-finishes
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Granite and tile floor finishes

Building Technology · Chapter 7: Flooring

- Asked in: 2078 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [Basic Knowledge About Flooring | Tiles | Marble | Granite at House || By CivilGuruji](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ovVI5LMB28) — The Institute of Construction Managment 
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/granite-tiles-finishes
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-7

## Question

Explain in brief granites and tiles floor finishes.

## Short answer

Granite floor finish uses polished slabs on mortar bed (1:4), grouted and polished; very durable but costly and slippery. Tile finish uses ceramic/vitrified tiles laid on mortar or adhesive with grouted joints; moderate cost, hygienic, but can crack under impact.

## Answer

#### Granite floor finish
Granite is a hard, natural igneous rock cut into polished slabs (18-20 mm). Slabs are laid on a 20-30 mm cement-sand mortar (1:4) bed with thin joints, then grouted, cured and polished. It is very durable, stain-resistant and gives a rich look. The disadvantages are high cost, weight and a slippery surface when wet. Used in lobbies, kitchens, staircases and public buildings.

#### Tile floor finish
Tiles are thin factory-made units of ceramic, vitrified, mosaic or terracotta, in sizes such as 300 x 300 and 600 x 600 mm.

- **Laying:** the base is cleaned and a 20-25 mm cement-sand mortar (1:4) bed spread. Tiles, soaked if ceramic, are pressed into a skim of cement slurry (or adhesive for a thin bed) and levelled with a mallet. Joints of 2-3 mm are kept with spacers.
- **Finishing:** joints are grouted with cement or coloured grout after 24 hours; excess is wiped off; the floor is cured for 3-7 days.
- **Merits:** wide variety of colours, easy cleaning, moderate cost, hygienic. **Demerits:** can crack under heavy impact, joints hold dirt.

```text
   tile (8-10 mm)   =========
   adhesive/slurry  ~~~~~~~~~
   mortar 1:4       .........
   PCC base         ---------
```

## Check yourself

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

1. Granite slabs are typically
   A. 2 mm
   B. 18-20 mm thick
   C. 60 mm
   D. 100 mm
   Answer: B. Laid on a 20-30 mm 1:4 mortar bed. (Key point: Slab thickness)

2. Why are spacers used for tiles?
   A. To raise the tiles
   B. To save mortar
   C. To keep joints of 2-3 mm
   D. To bond tiles
   Answer: C. Spacers give uniform joints. (Key point: Spacers)

3. Why are ceramic tiles soaked before laying?
   A. To soften them
   B. To colour them
   C. To cut them
   D. So they do not absorb water from the mortar
   Answer: D. Water absorption would weaken the bond; the answer says tiles are soaked for ceramic. (Key point: Soaking)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Short note: Floor and wall tiles](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Afloor-wall-tiles) — 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
- [Tile hanging versus stone cladding](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Atile-hanging-stone-cladding) — Building Technology, chapter 9

## Related in other subjects

- [Floor tiles and over burnt brick](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Agood-floor-tiles-overburnt-brick) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 3
- [Tile size (2 cm/day) and spacing (3 cm/day)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Alateral-tile-size-and-spacing-3cmday) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 9, asked 2×
- [Slab panel 2 for BM and SF (floor plan)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdesign_of_rcc_structure%3Aslab-panel-2-for-bm-and) — Design of RCC Structure, chapter 9
- [Tile size for laterals, 2 cm/day](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Alateral-tile-size-2cmday-grade03) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 9, asked 2×