IPS flooring: what Indian Patent Stone is and where to use it

A durable, economical cement floor used in Indian homes for decades.

Smooth grey IPS concrete floor in a utility area

IPS flooring stands for Indian Patent Stone flooring. It's a cement concrete floor laid in panels and finished smooth, often with a coloured topping. It's tough, economical and still used in utility areas, staircases, terraces and older homes.

Here are 10 things to know about IPS flooring.

Cream octagon floor tiles with blue dot inserts and a blue-striped border

01IPS full form

Indian Patent Stone: a cement concrete floor.

IPS floor being laid in panels

02How it's laid

Concrete laid in panels with dividing strips, then finished smooth.

Floral stone mosaic floor with a red flower and green scroll pattern

03Coloured topping

Pigments give red, grey or other colours.

IPS floor in a busy area

04Durability

Handles heavy use well.

IPS floor in a utility room

05Economical

Usually cheaper than tiles or stone.

IPS on a terrace

06Terraces and staircases

Common uses for IPS.

IPS base under tiles

07Sub-floor for tiles

IPS often serves as a base for tiles.

Hairline crack in IPS flooring

08Cracks

Can develop hairline cracks over time.

Polished IPS floor

09Polished IPS

Polishing gives a smoother sheen.

Microcement floor

10Modern alternative: microcement

A thinner, modern cement finish.

Replacing an old IPS floor with tiles or marble? See our flooring in Kolkata service.

What is IPS in construction?

IPS is a concrete floor finish, usually 25–40 mm thick, laid in panels over a base. It's used where durability and economy matter more than looks. For living areas, many homeowners now tile over IPS or choose microcement for a modern cement look.