OXIDE FLOORING

4TH SEM B.ArchAnjali Murali

Malvika MundkurPreethi A.

Oxide flooring has been widely used for years especially across India. It is appreciated for its homely, rustic look and is a special favorite because of its affordability. Following are the steps involved in laying of an oxide floor.

LAYING During the foundation of the building, the

ground to be laid with oxide flooring is covered with red soil and well tampered. Once the walls are completed and the roofing is done, the tampered earth is bedded with concrete in two layers.1:4:8 plain cement concrete bedding which has 40 mm jelly and 10m sand, 4 inches thick in general or up to 6 inches thick for loose sand.1:2:4 plain cement concrete finishing which has baby jelly [12 – 15mm] and screened river sand,1 ½- 2 inches thick. Floor is plastered with 1:3 or 1:4 cement slurry. Fine sand is used (½ inch – 1 inch thick.). The oxide is mixed with cement in the ratio 1:3 and water is added to get the required consistency. The cement-oxide mix is coated on the plastered floor. The coating is 1-2 mm thick.

Note: 2 kg of oxide powder can be used to cover a floor area of 1 sq. ft.

TOOLSBasic tools used for laying oxide flooring include a wooden float (for leveling), trowel (for smooth finishing after floating), straight edge (shaping concrete edges), spirit level, pans and a thread.

CURINGIt is started the next day i.e. after 10 hrs of finishing the oxide floor. The best method to cure an oxide flooring is the flooding method, wherein a bund(1-1.5 inch high) is created around the floor area and then flooded with water. water is kept in place by the bund and is kept for 7 days.

PRECAUTIONS: PRECAUTIONS WHILE LAYING:

The time gap before coating the oxide and after the plastering should be >30 mins and <120 mins .If left for too long, the cement plastering will dry completely, making it difficult for the oxide to stick hence forming blisters. If not left for long enough, plastering will be too wet and the oxide coating will mix with it and change color. PREVENTION OF CRACKS:

The total floor area is divided into grids for laying. (grids maybe made after flooring is completed).Cracks can also be avoided by laying a few tiles at random locations.Cracks can also be avoided by embossing designs on the flooring. (done by holding a nylon thread of desired thickness over the wet oxide flooring along desired shapes or lines and then pressing the thread using a trowel)

POLISHING:Oxide flooring doesn’t require polishing as it ages beautifully with time. If required, the flooring maybe polished using jute, gunny, bags or polishing machines. Ancient and crude method of dried coconut pieces was also employed.

SOURCE:Red Oxide powder is most widely distributed and the basic mineral for steel plant with tremendous applications in building, construction, paint and the like. In India Red Oxide is mined in several regions and very good quality with high percentage of iron oxide is available.

ADVANTAGES: Affordable and suitable for residential purposes. Enviable longevity, does not chip easily. Low maintenance, only a mop is required. Laying takes a couple of days. Color exudes with every passing year. Joint free finish. Bright and non fading colors. Can also be used on exterior walls along with chuna or fevicol.

DISADVANTAGES: colors other than red, black or yellow should not be used outside. acid must not be used for cleaning or polishing.

LOCAL BRANDS and COST: Tata oxide powder-Rs 120/kg, Peacock brand-Rs 80-100/kg, Lancer Brand-Rs

90-100/kg, Stag and Apple brand.

CASE STUDY: Grey oxide- Hassan, Red oxide- Nandidurg road, Red oxide- Krishnarao Park, Green oxide- Gandhi bazaar,Red oxide- Hosakerahalli