Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
≈SUBSTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
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≈SUBSTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 18
Grade code: 3.3.2.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 3.3.2.CS.2
Indicator code: 3.3.2.LI.2
Theme: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: ≈SUBSTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
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This lesson introduces the concept of floor finishes, the final layer we see and interact with in any building. In Ghana, from our homes and schools to our markets and hospitals, the type of floor finish used affects not only the beauty of the space but also its safety, durability, and how easy it is to keep clean. Understanding floor finishes is crucial for anyone involved in building, renovating, or simply making informed decisions about the spaces we live and work in. This knowledge is practical and directly applicable to our everyday lives and potential careers in the construction industry.
A. What is a Floor Finish?
A floor finish (or flooring) is the uppermost, final layer of a floor structure. It is the surface that we walk on, place furniture on, and see every day. It is applied over the structural floor, which is usually a concrete slab (the subfloor). The choice of finish is one of the most important decisions in building design. B. Functions of Floor Finishes
Every floor finish must perform several key functions. The importance of each function depends on the use of the room. Aesthetics (Appearance): To provide a visually attractive and pleasing surface that matches the overall design of the room. A polished porcelain tile floor in a living room looks very different from the simple red oxide cement floor on a veranda, and both are chosen for their appearance. Durability (Wear Resistance): To withstand foot traffic, the weight of furniture, abrasion (scraping), and impact (things being dropped). A floor in a busy school corridor needs to be much more durable than one in a bedroom. Safety: To provide a safe surface to walk on, primarily by being non-slip, especially when wet. This is critical in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor walkways. Hygiene and Ease of Cleaning: To be non-porous and smooth enough to be cleaned easily, preventing the build-up of dust, germs, and dirt. This is a top priority in hospitals, kitchens, and laboratories. Moisture and Chemical Resistance: To protect the structural floor from damage caused by water, cleaning agents, or other chemical spills. Comfort: To provide thermal insulation (feeling warm to the touch, like wood) or acoustic insulation (absorbing sound, like carpet). C. Common Types of Floor Finishes in Ghana
Here are some of the most common floor finishes you will find in buildings across Ghana, from simple homes to large commercial buildings. Cement Sand Screed Description: This is one of the most basic and common finishes. It is a mixture of cement and sand (typically in a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio) with water, applied over the concrete subfloor to a thickness of about 25-40mm. Appearance: It has a plain, grey, concrete look. It is often polished to be smooth and is frequently painted, most commonly with red or black 'red oxide' floor paint, to improve its appearance and seal the surface. Application Process: The concrete subfloor is cleaned and wetted. The cement and sand mixture is prepared and laid over the subfloor. It is levelled and smoothed with a tool called a float. It is left to cure (harden) slowly for several days, often kept damp to prevent cracking. Finally, it can be polished or painted. Common Uses: Verandas, corridors, affordable housing, schools, and utility rooms. Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles Description: These are manufactured tiles made from clay fired at high temperatures. Ceramic Tiles: Softer, more porous, and less dense. Best for indoor walls and floors with light foot traffic. Porcelain Tiles: Fired at higher temperatures, making them much denser, harder, and less porous (water-resistant). Excellent for all floors, including bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas. Application Process: Surface Prep: The subfloor must be clean, dry, and perfectly level. Adhesive Application: A special cement-based glue called tile adhesive (or thin-set mortar) is spread on the floor with a notched trowel. Tile Laying: Tiles are pressed firmly into the adhesive. Plastic spacers are used to ensure even gaps between tiles. Curing: The adhesive is left to dry for at least 24 hours. Grouting: A material called grout is mixed and forced into the gaps between the tiles to seal them and prevent dirt and water from entering. Cleaning: Excess grout is wiped off the tile surface. Common Uses: Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms in modern Ghanaian homes and offices. Terrazzo Description: A very durable and long-lasting composite material. It consists of small chips of marble, granite, quartz, or glass embedded in a cement or epoxy binder. Appearance: It has a distinctive, decorative speckled look. It is ground and polished to a very smooth, seamless finish. Application Process (Poured-in-place): Metal or plastic divider strips are placed on the subfloor to create patterns and control cracking. The wet terrazzo mixture is poured into the panels. It is levelled and left to cure. Once hard, it is ground down with heavy-duty polishing machines to expose the decorative chips. A final polish and sealer are applied to give it a high-gloss, protective finish. Common Uses: High-traffic areas like school corridors, hospitals, government buildings (e.g., Ministries), and bank halls. Vinyl Flooring (Tiles or Sheets) Description: Made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It comes in thin, flexible sheets or square tiles. It is often referred to as 'linoleum' or 'carpet tiles' in Ghana. Advantages: It is relatively cheap, water-resistant, soft to walk on, and available in many colours and patterns (some even mimic wood or tiles). Application Process: It is usually glued directly onto a very smooth and level subfloor. Common Uses: Offices, clinics, shops, and sometimes in kitchens or bedrooms as a low-cost option. Epoxy Resin Flooring Description: A liquid flooring system made of a resin and a hardener. When mixed, they chemically react to form a hard, plastic-like, seamless surface. Advantages: Extremely durable, completely waterproof, highly resistant to chemicals and stains, and very hygienic as there are no joints for bacteria to hide in. Application Process: The two components are mixed and poured over a prepared concrete subfloor, where it self-levels and hardens. Common Uses: Industrial kitchens, factories, hospitals, science laboratories, car garages, and modern showrooms.