In Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, concrete flooring is used at the ground floor which previously functioned as warehouse. This kind of flooring is widely used during late 19 century for example Penang City Hall Building.(1)
Reason:
Concrete flooring is extremely tough and resilient, and is able to withstand the pressure from very heavy equipment such as trucks, forklifts, and stacked crates. That is why it is such a popular material for hard working commercial area. A sealed and properly maintain concrete floor can last for very long period.
Disadvantages:
Due to the heaviness of concrete tiles ,it need more labours to install it.
1) Concrete Tiles Flooring
2) Lime
In Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, lime mortar, lime plaster and lime wash were used. However, cement plaster can be found on the wall and column from the previous repair work.
Reason:
Lime allows the building to "breathe". As water can escape by evaporation, unlike cement where the only way the water can escape is by being absorbed into the bricks and therefore, risking damp and erosion of the building substrate.Lime is soft and flexible. It allows the building to”move“without cracking and letting water in ,unlike cement.
Disadvantages:
Since Wisma Yeap Chor Ee is located close to the sea (about 50 metres away), therefore the wall and column on ground floor experiences problems of rising damp (approximate 100m above ground level. This led to the problems of crumbling plasterworks on the wall and column on ground floor)
Lime Plaster
Patches of cement plaster from previous repair work.
3) Non-Porcelain Ceramic Tiles
In Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, non porcelain ceramic tiles are used for the flooring of balconies.
Reason:
Non-porcelain ceramic tile is among the most economical types of tile flooring. The installation of a ceramic tile floor is easy and it can lay over just about any type of subfloor. Ceramic tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic due to their resistance to abrasion and tread wear. Most importantly , the maintenance of ceramic tile flooring is much more easy compare to those natural stone tile flooring,such as,marble
Disadvantages:
Even with high durability, the surface of ceramic tiles will gradually deteriorate due to acid rain which is very common in Malaysia.
4) Timber
Timber are used in Wisma Yeap Chor Ee for the structure of flooring and roofing.
Reason:
Timber flooring is used because of the light weight. It has long shelf life if maintenance is done. Timber roofing (either Chengal or Balau timber)Other than that , timber can be easily cut and assemble on site so it provide an advantage when it comes to design options. For example, a special roof structure was designed to accomodate the design of Wisma Yeap Chor Ee with a curve angle.Timber window frame and doors (red meranti timber)Timber window frame and door has greater aesthethic value
Disadvantages:
Due to the light weight nature of timber, noise can be transferred between stories. Besides, , timber is subject to rot or warp, especially if exposed to the elements.. The rotten of floor boards can be seen in Wisma Yeap Chor Ee due to long term water stagnant.
Concrete tiles flooring
Non- Porcelain Ceramic Tiles
Roof truss
Timber window frame
Timber Joist