Code of practice for laying hardwood parquet and wood block floors
1969 Edition

According to the provisions in Clause 4.1.1 and Appendix A of this standard, timber species are recommended based on their hardness relative to teak, which is assigned a value of 100. Selection aims to maintain consistent hardness across the flooring to prevent uneven wear. Commonly suggested hardwoods include Teak (Tectona grandis), Sal (Shorea robusta), Mahogany, Rosewood (Dalbergia species), and occasionally Chir (Pinus roxburghii) for some blocks, although Chir is softer. It is advised not to mix species with widely differing hardness to avoid differential deterioration. Refer to Appendix A for detailed hardness values and species listings.

For sub-floor preparation, concrete bases should be 5 to 7.5 cm thick, smooth, level, and free from any unevenness as per Clause 7.5a. Timber sub-floors require 50 to 75 mm thickness, planed for flatness, securely nailed, and stabilized dry conditions before installation (Clause 6.2.3a). Moisture protection mandates a continuous damp-proof membrane impervious to liquid and vapor moisture underneath the entire floor area (Clause 5.4), with materials and application methods conforming to IS 1609-1966. Wood blocks used in flooring typically measure 25 to 30 cm by 7.5 cm with thickness between 2.5 and 4 cm and are often coated in a thin bitumen-based mastic to enhance adhesion to the cement bed.

Fabrication requires selecting hardwood with uniform moisture content, accurately cutting pieces with smooth, straight edges, and maintaining consistent dimensions typically between 50 and 100 mm in width and 10 to 25 mm in thickness. Surfaces must be planed flat and defect-free. Installation involves preparing a clean, level, and dry base, laying blocks or parquet in chosen patterns such as herringbone or basket weave with tight joints, securing them using specified adhesives or nails, leaving expansion gaps around edges to accommodate dimensional changes, and sanding and finishing surfaces post-installation to achieve smoothness and durability.

Timber used for flooring must be thoroughly seasoned in accordance with IS 1141-1958 prior to use. After seasoning, it should be treated with chemical preservatives as specified in IS 401-1967 to prevent decay and insect damage. Termite protection is mandatory, especially for ground-level timber floors, and must comply with applicable standards such as the IS 6313 series. If the building site or structure has been treated with anti-termite chemicals, the timber itself may not require additional chemical treatment. This approach ensures comprehensive protection against biological degradation.

Finishing processes start with applying a suitable floor sealant that penetrates timber pores to reduce surface porosity and promote adhesion of subsequent finishes, as described in Clause 7.1. The type of sealant should correspond to the intended floor usage. Moisture protection includes installing a damp-proof membrane beneath the floor (Clause 5.4). Installation steps involve fitting border pieces first, laying inner pieces dry, fixing parquet elements with mastic compliant with IS 3037-1965, driving nails before the mastic hardens, scraping or planing the surface to evenness, filling nail holes with putty, and polishing using power sanding equipment. These procedures ensure a durable, moisture-resistant, and visually appealing floor surface.