Ideal floor: which flooring to choose. What to consider when making the floor in the apartment

Choice of floor coverings modern market very wide. You can find materials for use in residential and public buildings. Commercial flooring differs from domestic flooring in the ability to withstand significantly more intense loads. The range of floor coverings for domestic purposes is also diverse. There are different types - carpet, laminate, tile, linoleum and others.

Coatings of the same type can be divided into classes according to strength, wear resistance. Different types floor coverings for apartments differ from each other in moisture resistance, hygiene, thermal conductivity and a number of other performance characteristics, not to mention the aesthetic side.

What to look for when choosing flooring

One of the main criteria that you need to focus on when choosing floor covering to the apartment - the purpose of the room where it is planned to install it. The premises are divided into residential (rooms) and non-residential (kitchen, bathroom, hallway). They differ in the level of humidity, permeability and a number of other characteristics.

Room traffic

The load on the floor largely depends on the size of the family, but there is another important factor - the patency of the room.

• High traffic - corridor, hallway, kitchen, bathroom
• Medium - living room, dining room (if it is separated from the kitchen), children's (the degree of load on the floor in the nursery depends on the number of children, their age, activity. Babies who still cannot walk and teenagers who spend most of the day at the desk have less load on the flooring)
• Low - bedroom, office of a person engaged in sedentary work

For rooms with high traffic and heavy floor load, a durable wear-resistant coating is suitable - semi-commercial laminate or linoleum with thick protective layer. You can use commercial coatings in such rooms, they will last longer.

The higher the permeability of the room, the more intensively the floor is polluted. Therefore, the coating must be non-staining. On a very light and very dark surface, especially a glossy one, the dirt is clearly visible, but the pattern, a colorful abstract pattern, hides them well.

A good choice would be a top coat that has anti-static properties and is less likely to attract dust. Caring for flooring in a high-traffic area should be as simple as possible.

Humidity level

In living rooms, the level of humidity is minimal, in the kitchen - increased, and in the bathroom, toilet - high. Floor coverings differ in moisture resistance. Moisture sensitive, parquet, conventional MDF-based laminate, conventional carpet.

Parquet and engineered boards (structures of 3 or 2 layers) are more resistant to moisture changes than single-layer massive boards, but it is not recommended to use them in wet rooms. Also available in waterproof parquet board impregnated with natural resins, but this is one of the most expensive floor coverings.

Average indicators of moisture resistance are characterized by a laminate based on HDF boards of increased density with special impregnation and water-repellent treatment of lock joints. Waterproof floor coverings include:

• Ceramic tile
• Vinyl (quartz-vinyl) tiles with a mineral component
• Vinyl (plastic) laminate
• Linoleum
• Short pile flocked carpet Flotex
• Cork
• Polymer self-leveling floor (epoxy and acrylic compounds)

If, in a room with a high level of humidity, the coating is laid by a floating rather than adhesive method, it is necessary to ensure maximum sealing of all cracks and joints so that moisture does not penetrate under the coating.

Health safety

For rooms where people spend a long time, children's bedrooms, you need to use the most environmentally friendly floor coverings, and if the family has allergies, small children and the elderly, their composition should be hypoallergenic. The most environmentally friendly natural flooring:

• Solid wood plank and parquet
• Natural linoleum (marmoleum)
• Cork floors
• Ceramic tiles (made from natural raw materials - clay)

Wood is usually treated with impregnations and covered with a protective layer on top, protective covering should be at the cork. It is necessary to pay attention to their composition, because of it environmental friendliness may decrease. In the manufacture of parquet boards, glue from natural ingredients should be used. Natural stone is rarely used in apartments due to the high natural radioactive background..

From an environmental point of view, PVC linoleum and other types of vinyl flooring are less preferred, but high-quality materials are non-toxic. Laminate is inferior to natural wood, but there is an E0 class laminate, with a minimum emission level, it is the safest for health.

If one of the tenants is predisposed to allergies, it is better to refuse carpet because it accumulates dust, which is an allergen. good decision There will be an anti-static coating that does not attract dust. The composition of the laminate and linoleum may include additives that prevent the growth of bacteria. Antibacterial coatings are the most hygienic, they are usually used in healthcare facilities, but they are also suitable for the kitchen, nursery.

IMPORTANT: It is generally accepted that natural materials are safer for health than synthetic ones. This is not true for carpet - natural can provoke allergies, and high-quality synthetic is hypoallergenic.

Other criteria

If the room needs high-quality sound insulation (room for music lessons, game room, home cinema), you need to choose a coating with good noise-absorbing characteristics - cork, acoustic linoleum on a thick foam substrate.

If the room is often barefoot (bedroom, children's room), the flooring should be pleasant to the touch, warm and/or soft. Finally, the flooring should not only correspond to the purpose of the room, but also fit into the interior, its style.

Living room, hall should impress guests, look rich but not flashy. Classic living room flooring options:

• Block parquet, artistic styling looks especially advantageous, but this is an expensive solution
• Solid or parquet board from precious woods
• Linoleum under a tree - a more democratic option
• carpet allows you to create a fairly comfortable environment

It is also a great option for the living room, but in Russia it is still exotic. For a luxurious interior in a palace style fit ceramic tiles or natural stone, but it is advisable to take care of heating such floors. The original version - self-leveling polymer floors with a 3D effect.

For the bedroom, the best solution would be a natural, environmentally friendly floor covering with good acoustic characteristics, calm colors. Suitable for this room:

• Long pile natural (if no one is allergic) carpet on which it is pleasant to stand with bare feet. Synthetic carpet is colder to the touch
• Linoleum, marmoleum on a thick substrate
• If the budget allows - natural wood (board, parquet) or cork
• Laminate in the bedroom it is better to use a warm floor system, the main drawback of this coating is a booming sound

In the nursery, you need a hypoallergenic, safety (non-slip, preferably soft or elastic), resistant to dynamic loads and various damages, a coating that is well cleaned from dirt.

• Great option - cork floor with shock-absorbing, sound-absorbing abilities, its minus is high cost
• The most popular, although not ideal for a children's option - laminate. It is better to choose an antibacterial, zero emission class, and use a good substrate
• Good decision - marmoleum, under which a thick substrate is required
• If the children are small and spend a lot of time playing on the floor, a good choice would be short pile carpet- it is easier to clean, less dust accumulates in it
• PVC tiles
• - a novelty, ideal for children's play, colorful, soft, elastic, hypoallergenic, not afraid of pollution material. This is an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam modular tile.

In the kitchen, the floor covering must be moisture resistant, chemically inert, hygienic, and easy to clean.

• Ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles- the most popular option
• Can be used waterproof or moisture resistant laminate under a tree or under a tile, depending on interior style
• Suitable quality linoleum with a thick protective layer
• massive board looks spectacular, rich, but very whimsical to care for and requires careful handling
• cork floor can be used in the kitchen, but it needs high-quality protection with a layer of varnish
• Can do polymer poured floors

A fairly spacious kitchen is often zoned, tiles are used in the working area, and laminate and wood are used in the dining area.

It is customary to lay a wooden floor in the office(parquet, parquet board) or wood-like laminate of strict colors, imitating noble wood species.

Wear-resistant coatings are suitable for the hallway semi-commercial or commercial laminate, linoleum of non-marking colors, tiles are less commonly used. Another option is a long pile carpet, which will trap dirt and dust, but such a coating will often have to be changed, since it is difficult to clean it.

For the bathroom, a classic solution - ceramic tiles. Create original interior will allow self-leveling 3D floor. You can combine tiles with flocked carpet, using it in front of the bath, shower - in places where they often get barefoot.

Video

Impact of floor coverings on health. The safest and most dangerous materials.

Outcome

When choosing the optimal flooring for different rooms in the apartment, as well as the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, you need to focus on the degree of load on the floor, the likelihood of contamination and mechanical damage to the coating, the level of humidity in the room. They must be correlated with the strength, wear resistance, moisture resistance of the coating, and the features of caring for it.

You should also take into account the age and health of the residents, safety and hypoallergenicity of the coating. For any room, you can choose budget and elite, traditional and original solutions.

The floor in the apartment is its most important part. Firstly, furniture and most of the equipment are installed on the floor, washing machine, stove, bath, shower, toilet and other plumbing. A person constantly contacts the floor, walks on it, often barefoot. Sometimes you have to lie on the floor, even sleep. The floor must be well adapted for cleaning, as any debris falls on it, liquids and food remains are spilled. The floor separates us from the people living in the lower apartment, and comfort in the apartment depends on how well it is insulated.

That is, in addition to strength, it must protect the apartment from extraneous sounds and alien climate. It is a finished, well-executed floor that completes the apartment ensemble.

The device of the floor is an expensive undertaking. Nevertheless, variety of materials and methods of its device allows you to build a fairly comfortable and aesthetic floor based on the very modest budget.

Thus, the floor in the apartment carries the following functional loads, which must be taken into account when designing it:

1. Carrier.
2. Warming.
3. Soundproof.
4. Moisture-proof.
5. Aesthetic.

Floor construction in the apartment

The floor in the apartment is mounted on upper surface interfloor overlap and consists of two main layers:

• intermediate;
• flooring.

In the simplest cases, for example, Khrushchev's apartment intermediate layer missing. The floor covering in it, most often pvc tile, linoleum, or thin cotterless parquet planks glued directly to the top surface concrete slab overlappings with bituminous mastic, latex or PVA glue.

In the best case, the top surface of the board before gluing was smoothed thin layer cement screed. No wonder that in such apartments audibility and thermal qualities leave much to be desired. The horizontal plane of the floor in such apartments is also far from ideal.

IN modern houses inter-apartment floors are complex reinforced concrete or metal structures , equipped with layers of heat, moisture, sound insulation. In frame-monolithic structures, floors are most often poured from expanded clay concrete- excellent insulating material. In these cases, insulating layers should be installed in the intermediate layer if the insulating properties of the overlap are insufficient.

A timber beam may also contain thermal and moisture insulation. Most often it is mineral wool laid between the beams. A layer of waterproofing can also be provided there. Already on the beams, an intermediate layer is mounted, which may consist of logs, a subfloor, insulating layers of insulation and waterproofing, screeds, and a floor covering is placed on top. The wooden floor, which forms a single sheet thanks to the cottered boards, can be laid directly on the beams. If the beams are located far from each other, on logs attached to beams.

Overlapping may be absent, for example, in basements or basements. In this case, the floor is mounted on a screed, which covers specially prepared pillow, consisting of compacted layers of sand and gravel, lying on the ground.

Types of bases for the floor

The floor in the apartment, in contrast to the individual house, is arranged according to the existing floor "from the builders" in the new house, or according to beam ceiling in the old For this reason, before laying the floor, it is necessary thoroughly examine the cover. In old houses, it is necessary to raise the old floor and conduct an examination of the floor beams. Replace or reinforce damaged beams or replace them with new ones. The best solution would be to replace the beam covering with reinforced concrete.

Ceilings in new houses, depending on building technology, can be from reinforced concrete panel ceilings, or in monolithic-frame houses - solid expanded clay concrete.

As beams can be used:

• wooden beam;
• reinforced concrete beam;
• metal profile (tee or I-beam or rail).

Beams are mounted during construction straight into the wall or on concrete crossbars built into the wall.

Beams can be wooden and concrete. In Khrushchev's houses, most often used as a ceiling hollow panels, which served as the basis for the floor on one side and the ceiling on the other.

Ceilings from builders, except surface defects may have bias. Therefore, the floor surface is covered with a screed, which solves two issues:

• makes the surface smooth enough for the position of the floor covering;
• makes the surface horizontal.

Cement strainer

The simplest type of screed is a cement screed. The filling solution is being prepared cement grade 400 and river washed and screened sand. Currently, ready-mixed dry mixes are commercially available. But you can cook on your own. The composition of the mixture:

1. Sand - 3-4 parts.
2. Cement - 1 part.
3. Water - so much that the solution resembles sour cream.

The sequence of actions when installing a cement screed:

After completion of all work, during the entire curing time, it is necessary daily moisten the surface filling by sprinkling it with water. It is possible to cover the surface of the filling with polyethylene to preserve moisture.

The term of the final setting and drying of the screed 28−29 days.

Semi-dry cement screed

Recently, the semi-dry screed method has become widespread. Its main advantages are:

• short curing time of the mixture, sufficient for laying flooring;
• no risk of leakage to the lower floor;
• plasticity of the screed and, as a result, the absence of cracks and cavities after hardening;
• additional heat and sound insulating properties.

The composition of the mixture for laying a semi-dry screed differs significantly from a wet one. smaller water content. In addition, a significant amount of plasticizer is added to the solution - fiber, which keeps the screed from cracking.

The composition of the mixture is as follows:

1. Clean building sand, size modulus = 2.0; fraction up to 5 mm - 2 parts.
2. Cement brand 400D20 - 7 parts.
3. Water - 1 part.
4. Fiber - 700 gr. for 1 cu. m solution.

The laying procedure is the same as in the case of a cement screed, with the difference that:

The main advantage of a semi-dry screed is that it is already through 12 hours Hardens enough to walk on. After 42 hours, porcelain stoneware and tiles can be laid on it, and after 7 nights- laminate, PVC tiles or linoleum. The fact is that although a semi-dry screed gains strength very quickly, moisture evaporates little by little over the course of a month. Therefore, it is better to arrange a parquet floor on a fresh screed after a month of exposure, since even slight evaporation can damage dry parquet.

Dry screed

The main advantage of a dry screed is that it can be covered with a floor covering. immediately after installation. The intermediate layer of dry screed is formed as follows. Waterproofing is laid on the surface of the ceiling in the form of a polyethylene sheet 0.2 mm thick. From above, it is covered with expanded clay or sand, which is carefully leveled and compacted with a flat vibrator or roller.

A special layer is placed on the layer thus formed. metallic profile, which is covered from above with gypsum-fiber boards arranged in a checkerboard pattern, which are fastened mounting screws to this profile. If the backfill is more than 7 cm thick, the top layer is reinforced with another layer of gypsum fiber boards. On the finished screed, the floor covering is immediately laid.

Self-leveling floors

In the event that it is necessary to receive perfectly smooth horizontal surface, ready for laying linoleum, PVC tiles or laminate, the best intermediate layer can be obtained by pouring on well waterproofed the basis of a liquid solution of a certain composition. Such a solution is formed by dilution with water, in accordance with the instructions attached to each package. ready mix, a wide variety of which is currently available on the building materials market.

The mixture consists of cement, gypsum, fine sand type fillers and contains various chemical components, which contribute to the rapid and uniform spreading, plasticization and stabilization of the resulting coating. Ideal horizontal surface formed by itself under the influence of gravity. That is why these mixtures are called self-levelling. Various compositions are connected from various conditions and different thicknesses of the formed coating.

Before installing the floor, heat and sound insulation should be placed between the beams. It can be mineral wool, expanded clay or slag. Porous insulating material significantly loses its insulating properties when absorbing moisture or steam. Therefore, it must be carefully isolated waterproof film, such as polyethylene or roofing material. If the size of the film is insufficient, its sheets should be overlapped, sealing the edges with adhesive tape.

1. If the distance between the beams does not exceed 60 cm, then the floor can be laid directly on the beams. If not, then logs are laid on the beams perpendicular to their direction at a distance of 50–60 cm.
2. Logs are also placed directly on the reinforced concrete floor or screed.
3. Lagi is wooden bars section 50 × 100 from conifers tree. When laying, it is necessary to set the upper edge strictly horizontally using a level. The distance between the lags should not exceed 60 cm.

A cut-off is superimposed on the logs in advance batten, which, thanks to the cotter pin, forms a single floor sheet. It is necessary to install ventilation ducts in the walls, coming out of the walls at a distance of several centimeters from the plinth, closed with openwork hatches. These steps are necessary in order to ventilated the space between the joists and the underside of the board. For greater strength, the boards are attached to the joists with self-tapping screws inserted at an angle at the level of the cotter pin in order to hide their heads and be able to process a single floor surface with a polishing machine.

The best floor boards are mahogany and oak, but most often they are made from softwood. Optimal ratio price quality have boards made of Siberian larch.

After polishing, the floor can be varnished or painted. In both cases it is necessary follow instructions for painting and, if necessary, pre-priming with special primers. This will significantly lengthen life span paint layer.

A subfloor can also be laid on the logs, on which PVC tiles, linoleum, and laminate can be laid as a floor covering. For this, the subfloor is covered additional leveling sheet material, such as fiberboard. Coating of tiles or porcelain stoneware on wood flooring is possible only if a reinforcing layer is applied on top. reinforced screed.

The draft floor can be assembled from a floorboard, chipboard, OSB. In this case, additional leveling layer not needed. Parquet is laid on the subfloor.

Types of flooring

Floor coverings complete the laying of the floor. This is exactly the material that will be addressed to a person, will be with him contact directly and which will take on all external influences.

Board

To cover with a wooden board, a tongue-and-groove floorboard is used. She represents planed board in the form of a regular parallelepiped, on one of the narrow faces of which a comb (tongue) is milled for the entire length, and on the other, opposite, corresponding groove. This form allows, by assembling the boards so that the tongue of one enters the groove of the other, and form a strong solid flooring.

The thickness of the floorboards varies from 25 to 45 mm. The thicker the board, the less it “plays”, that is, the floor bends. The thinner the floorboard, the smaller the distance between the joists should be. For example, with a board 25 mm thick, the distance between the lags cannot exceed 60 cm. When installing, the floor from the floorboard must be leave a gap between the wall and the edge of the floor at least 1 cm for expansion from moisture and temperature.

The board must be well dried(at least 10% humidity). After installation, the wooden floor can be polished, varnished or painted. The gap near the walls, at the end of the installation, is covered with a plinth. The floorboard is not made of linden and alder.

Parquet and laminate

Parquet, in fact, is a small floorboard with grooves and cotter pins on all sides in pairs. That allows you to assemble the floor from the dies of a relatively small size.

Parquet is undoubtedly the most human-friendly floor covering. However, he has significant drawback. When even a small amount of moisture gets in, it warps, and when flooded, it “suspends”.

An alternative to parquet is an unpretentious laminate. Externally, the laminate is very similar to parquet. In fact, this is a parquet board, but made not from solid wood, but from a four-layer material, the main, carrier layer which is a thin fibreboard impregnated with resins. A mounting layer is glued on it from below, providing rigidity, paper on top, with a printed pattern, as a rule, imitating natural wood coated with another layer of melamine or acrylic resin for durability. Structurally, the laminate board repeats tongue and groove lock parquet, which allows you to easily, quickly and reliably assemble the flooring.

Linoleum and PVC tiles

Linoleum is probably the most common and most universal coating of all currently in existence. The first linoleum was a jute burlap, on which a cork crumb material was applied, pressed with linseed oil as binding material. It has proven itself over the years as a flooring, wall and countertop material. The current linoleum has retained the basic idea of ​​two layers, fabric and surface, but both have undergone many changes.

Basically, in modern linoleum, various woven and nonwovens, felt type, serving at the same time base and insulation. Numerous wear-resistant materials are used as the surface layer, such as PVC in various versions and compositions. Modern technological capabilities make it possible to imitate on the surface of linoleum any material and texture and paint it with incredible patterns.

All this made it possible to incredible range strength, insulation and other features. But hallmark linoleum, which distinguishes it favorably from ceramic tiles and stone, is its "warmth" in feeling and some softness. Dishes that fall on a linoleum floor are not so unambiguously broken. And bruises when falling on linoleum will not be so painful.

PVC tile is a tile made from a special multilayer composite material, which is based on crushed natural stone and very durable vinyl. It is available in a variety of colors. Thanks to its modularity and variety of colors, it allows you to get an incredibly designer decor on the floor. Its main advantages:

• ease of installation on bituminous mastics and adhesives;
• ease of installation and dismantling makes it easy to replace damaged tiles;
• and cheapness - to change the boring pattern;
• The tile is extremely wear-resistant and adheres well to the surface.

PVC tiles - the most democratic material for flooring.

Ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles

Ceramic tiles are one of the oldest facing materials. There used to be two varieties:

• facing tiles covered with glaze and having underglaze painting;
• metlakh, glazeless, rough, for the floor.

Now also exist ceramic tiles variety of sizes and purposes. Their main advantage is the strength of the material and resistance to any aggressive influences. However, in the manufacture of tiles, the material and heat treatment modes.

Such tile-producing countries as Spain, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic have proven themselves perfectly. By choosing tiles from new market entrants such as Turkey and China, you can win on the budget but lose in quality. However, these manufacturers also have quality products, which allows you to save on cladding. The disadvantages of tile flooring are slipperiness when wet, brittleness when struck by a heavy object, "coldness" in sensation, hardness, which leads to the fact that the fallen glassware and ceramics break into small fragments, which can represent some danger for children and pets.

If earlier the installation of tiles was carried out on the solution, then with the development of the industry of building adhesives, installation is carried out with their help. The main tool is wide spatula with cutouts for applying glue. Glue is applied to the tile and then the tile is fixed on the prepared surface. We must not forget to leave a small gap between the tiles, for which there is a simple and affordable tooling. This gap is necessary to compensate for the thermal expansion of the tile when changing ambient temperature. The seam is then sealed with special grouts and improves the aesthetic perception of the surface.

Porcelain stoneware is very similar to tile, but has slightly different qualities. Porcelain stoneware was obtained in Italy in the late 70s and is produced ceramic sintering method and natural minerals at very high temperatures and pressures. This process is very similar to the natural processes that occur in the bowels of the earth during the formation of granite. The end result was incredible. durable material, superior in strength to granite and approaching corundum.

Technologies make it possible to color it in such a way that tiles from it not only imitate all known gems and semi-precious stones, but also allow you to get any color and pattern, moreover, distributed throughout the thickness, and not located only on the surface. In addition, the material is lighter natural stone and has additional thermal insulation properties. It is well polished and somewhat warmer ceramic tiles.

The most important advantage of porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles is their absolute hygiene, making them an indispensable floor covering for bathrooms and kitchens.

Conclusion

The topic of flooring is very broad. It's obvious that variety of materials and technology makes it possible to build a comfortable, functional and beautiful floor for every taste and for any money. Nevertheless, I would like to note that, despite the simplicity and clarity of the floor installation procedures, this responsible work is better trust a professional as to obtain a good result, a synthesis of knowledge, experience and practical skills of a person constantly engaged in work in this important direction is necessary.

The floors in the apartment are often judged on the wealth and taste of the owner. In addition to the aesthetic function, they must have high performance and long service life. Therefore, it is important to know what to make the floors in the apartment from, how to choose the right screed for the base and flooring.

Types of floor coverings in rooms with high humidity

On the construction market big choice floor coverings. To make the right choice, you need to know what floor coverings are, their main characteristics and purpose.

One of the high-quality durable coatings is ceramic tile. It is most often placed in damp rooms or those subjected to significant mechanical stress, for example, in a bathroom, hallway, kitchen and other rooms. Its main characteristics:

• high wear resistance;
• easy care;
• a large selection of colors and patterns;
• does not lose properties at high humidity;
• resistant to temperature extremes;
• durability.

For damp rooms, it is better to choose corrugated or rough tiles, they should not be slippery.

Porcelain stoneware is similar to ceramic tiles in its composition, but a special technology is used in its manufacture. This is a very durable coating, which has increased frost resistance and wear resistance. The material is stronger than natural stone, it is not afraid even of hammer blows. Porcelain tile is produced with varying degrees surface smoothness, with imitation of marble, mosaic, granite, natural stone, etc.

Durability and beauty - laminate and parquet flooring

The parquet board has become a worthy substitute for parquet. A special manufacturing technology has increased the service life of the coating. The parquet is varnished after laying, the parquet board is varnished at the factory. The board is produced in the form of multilayer lamellas. The appearance of the board is given by the top layer, for which valuable species of wood (oak, beech, maple, etc.) are used.

Laminate flooring has become increasingly popular in recent years. It can also act as a substitute for parquet. It can be used by those for whom a wooden floor is not affordable. The range includes laminate, imitating marble, tiles and other materials. It is made of chipboard and covered with paper on which the drawing is applied. From above the boards are covered with a protective layer. Expensive coating options have increased protection against moisture, they can be used even in wet areas.

Cork, linoleum and carpet - alternative types of coating

Cork - expensive coverage but its characteristics make it one of the best options for flooring. It is an environmentally friendly natural material. It is an excellent sound and heat insulator, has an elastic and elastic surface. Cork is not suitable only for wet rooms. It is laid on a flat base, usually on plywood. Cork coverings are decorative, in the form of panels with an MDF base, used as a substrate for another covering.

Carpet is the perfect flooring for a bedroom. A large selection of colors makes it possible to create coziness in the room. It has good sound and heat insulation properties. It's nice to walk on it with bare feet in the morning. Carpet is produced from both natural and artificial materials, with different pile lengths. The disadvantage of such a coating is the fragility and complexity of care. The pile is quickly crushed, overwritten. Dust accumulates in the pile surface, so the carpet requires frequent cleaning preferably with a powerful vacuum cleaner. More practical and durable nylon carpet, but it comes at a high price.

A cheap and popular flooring is linoleum. Artificial linoleum has a reputation for being a short-lived material. This cover is made from natural materials(corks, resins, linseed oil, jute fabric, etc.), durable, resistant to moisture, mechanical stress. A dropped cup won't break on a floor like it does on ceramic tiles. Linoleum is easy to install and easy to maintain. The construction market has a large selection of colors and patterns. Especially in demand is a coating that imitates expensive materials: parquet, marble, ceramic tiles.

How to choose the right coverage

Floors should have not only a beautiful attractive appearance, but also high performance that meets the purpose of the room. Therefore, it is important to know what exactly to make the floors from, taking into account the purpose of each room in the apartment.

In bathrooms and bathrooms, the floor must be resistant to damp environments. At the same time, it must correspond to the general style of the room. Requirements for coating in the kitchen are almost the same as for the bathroom. In addition to resistance to moisture, floors must be wear-resistant and well tolerated by mechanical stress.

Various liquids are often spilled in the kitchen, so the floors must be washed well, be resistant to chemical substances, have anti-slip properties. Floors in the hallway should have high resilience.

On balconies and loggias, the floor covering must withstand temperature fluctuations over a wide range. In addition, it experiences significant mechanical stress and must be sufficiently wear-resistant and durable. It is better to choose stone or ceramic options for these rooms.

In living rooms, the floor should be beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly, especially in the nursery. The floors should be in harmony with the furniture, wallpaper, that is, correspond to the style of the room. Wooden floors and parquet make the room most comfortable. These are expensive materials, but they can be perfectly replaced with a laminate that imitates various types of wood, or a parquet board. good option for living rooms is carpet.

The basis of the floor is the key to its durability

Almost all floor coverings require a perfectly level base, so you need to level the floor surface before installing them. The question arises, which screed is better to do in the apartment? When choosing, you need to consider in which rooms the screed will be performed. Depending on the installation location, it can perform the following functions:

• levels the surface and makes the base more durable;
• serves as a heat, sound and waterproofing layer;
• hides communications;
• with a screed, you can make the necessary slope in the bathroom or bathroom to drain water.

There are several types of screeds, from which you need to choose, taking into account the purpose of the room and the type of flooring:

• Concrete. It is rarely used in an apartment and takes a lot of time. It is done wet.
• Semi-dry. The screed uses less water and dries faster than concrete. The use of a small amount of water makes the screed less durable.
• Dry. It is carried out using dry mixes. Often used to level the base in the apartment.
• Combined. This is the best way to level surfaces with significant irregularities. If you use only a cement screed, then it will be too heavy, as you have to do thick layer.
• . They are poured with a layer of 3 cm. This allows you to reduce the weight of the base.

When choosing a screed for the floor, you need to consider the following points:

1. 1. The time for which the repair must be completed. It will take at least two weeks for a traditional concrete screed.
2. 2. When installing a warm floor, it is better to use a screed that can be dismantled so that there is access to the heating elements. In addition, it must be resistant to temperature extremes.
3. 3. Type of interfloor overlap. With large gaps between the slabs, a wet screed can leak between the slabs and create problems with neighbors living on the floor below.
4. 4. Cost.

Making a self-levelling screed

Self-levelling screed is used if you want to get a perfectly flat floor surface. The process itself consists of the following steps:

1. 1. First you need to prepare the floor surface by cleaning it of debris, dirt and dust.
2. 2. Next, you need to prime the floor surface.
3. 3. The solution is prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. To stir the solution, you can use a construction mixer or a drill with a special nozzle on.
4. 4. The mixture should be saturated with oxygen, so it is allowed to stand for 5-7 minutes.
5. 5. Pour the mixture along the wall, starting from the corner that is farthest from the door.
6. 6. The mixture is leveled with a needle roller and a metal brush.
7. 7. Completely the floor dries up within 3-5 days. To obtain a high-quality screed, it must be protected from drafts, direct sunlight, sudden changes in temperature and moisture ingress.

If the manufacturing technology is observed, a hard and durable surface will be obtained, almost not absorbing moisture.

In order for the floors to please with their beautiful appearance for a long time, you need to choose the right floor covering, make a solid, even base under it and properly care for them.

All work can be done independently, but if there is no experience and desire, it is better to trust professionals who will perform all the work quickly and efficiently.

Self-leveling floor in a private house

Beautiful, durable and modern floors in the apartment can decorate any interior. And the variety of floor coverings is very large. This is ordinary linoleum, laminate, massive board, carpet, tiles and more various options. But top coat- it's just top part floors. Their main and most important part is hidden from view under decorative materials.

For some, it is enough that the floor is even and strong. Others attach great importance decorative qualities of the coating. Modern industry makes it possible to choose any options. Some of them are very original. If you decide to change the floor in the apartment, what material to choose and what is the best way to cover the floor in the apartment?

Always in fashion and always in demand. You should not compare modern parquet with what was known to us many decades ago. The usual parquet lined with a herringbone pattern is no longer found in apartments today. Modern parquet- these are rather large shields, on which there is already a pattern laid out of precious wood.

Of course, there is also piece parquet, from which you can create original and even highly artistic compositions. For it, oak, beech, maple, ash, and other wood species are used. Image design is usually done on a computer. Calculations of the number of lamellas are also performed there. different color. But piece parquet is not only very expensive, but also requires special care.

parquet board

This material is also made from natural wood, but it is cheaper, easy to install and easy to care for. A wide single-strip board can be made with a double or triple row of dies in the top layer. There are also options with a selected chamfer and others. Parquet boards can be different shades, which designers often combine in an apartment. This type of flooring can be cycled, updated several times.

The parquet board is made according to the principle of a floating floor, that is, on lock connections without gluing.

Laminate: affordable and excellent in quality and reliability floor material. Laminate perfectly conveys the appearance of wood: color, texture. It can also be made to match any other material: stone, tile, leather code, etc. Most original variants can be generally multi-colored, for example, blue or green.

Laminate can be very different. There are types made under parquet. They are specially designed with a bevel. Laminate can be smooth, shiny, matte, embossed, moisture resistant. It fits with the help of locking systems.

mats

Often, when creating a minimalist interior, mats are used as flooring. These are quite fashionable today carpets woven from natural materials- cane, flax fibers, jute, hemp and others. These coatings are antistatic, can have a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Their additional advantage is the massage effect on the feet.

Cork

Ideal: natural, warm, durable, easy to install and maintain, durable. It is very pleasant to walk barefoot on it. In addition, it reduces the load on the spine, gently springing underfoot. There are also many design options for such a coating; you can choose various patterns and colors. can remain without additional coating or protected by varnishes and oils. When performing repairs, a complete replacement of the floor in the apartment is not required. It is enough to change the damaged area.

Ceramic tile.

More often used in the bathroom, on, in the hallway. There are also options for using different tile options, such as porcelain stoneware. This is one of the most traditional types floor coverings. Their design knows no boundaries, providing designers with great opportunities to create interiors. The tile floor is not afraid of moisture, very strong, durable, beautiful.

Linoleum.

And yet, linoleum can be considered the most common flooring in apartments today. This material combines the best qualities of all floor coverings. It is very cheap, its installation is very simple, it is not afraid of moisture, it looks beautiful, etc.

Wooden

One of the traditional floor coverings in apartments is an ordinary wooden board on logs. Using a wooden warm floor is not only profitable, but also convenient. Such floors are eco-friendly, affordable, practical, and look good. wooden boards Can be used as a rough or finish coat.

Massive and multi-layered wooden floors fit perfectly into the interior. Properly selected options allow you to visually adjust the size of the room and shape. In addition, with the help of individual types of boards, you can create an interior in a certain style.

The tree is able to create special and comfort in the house. It is pleasant to walk barefoot on natural boards, such a floor is never cold. Service life at the correct operation about thirty years.

Fashion trends

Designers are dealing with the problem: how to make floors in apartments fashionable? The most fashionable shades of wood today are even, very dark colors, or, conversely, very light ones.

The most popular is also considered to be unfinished rough wood. Of course, such wood, on the contrary, requires very careful processing. She just looks rough and embossed. And it is very smooth to the touch. Such a tree retains all its useful qualities.

Warm floor

One of the rather pressing issues for residents is the issue of heating in the off-season and additional heating in winter. Additional heating is required for low-quality public services as well as in rooms where central heating not provided. For example, in the bathroom, in the hallway, on the loggia.

To date, the best solution to this problem are underfloor heating systems. Of course, you can use conventional heating electrical devices. But the use of a warm floor is much more efficient and functional.

Underfloor heating systems may well be used in apartments with any floor coverings. In addition, there will be no additional batteries, pipes, interchanges in the rooms. All components are hidden under the finish.

Self-leveling floors

They are becoming more and more popular. Such systems are durable, strong and suitable for cladding with any materials. Cement-sand, leveling screeds, as well as self-leveling bulk floors can be used as self-leveling floors.

Self-leveling floors can be made not only as a rough screed and for leveling the base, but also as independent species floor covering. They can contain both volumetric drawings and other decorations under the finishing layer of polymers. It is the polymer that is most in demand today due to its unique decorative possibilities.

Polymer self-leveling floors are resistant to any aggressive substances and influences. They can be polyurethane or epoxy.

Warming

If the housing is located on the ground floor or in an old dilapidated house, then the question arises: how to insulate the floor in the apartment. Most often, the cold floor causes colds.

A properly insulated floor will not only preserve the health of the household, but also give the apartment more comfort, general warmth, protect against condensation, mold, freezing of corners, and also protect furniture and interior items from damage. There are several options for insulation.

• Use insulation under the main floor in the form of glass wool, stone or mineral wool. Additionally, waterproofing and vapor barrier materials are used.
• Use expanded polystyrene instead of mineral wool insulation. Seams and joints are glued with mastic. A vapor barrier is also required.
• Use a spray of polyurethane foam that creates monolithic surface with high thermal insulation properties. The thickness of the application is 50-100 millimeters. In this case, waterproofing is not required, but the sound insulation of the floor increases.
• For insulation, heat-insulating materials such as isolon, screened polyethylene foam, fibreboard and many others.
• There is also the option of warming with a special warm linoleum with an additional layer of insulation.

Floor repair

You should not save on repairs: it is on the whole atmosphere of the apartment that is kept. And the comfort and warmth in the room largely depends on it. If floor replacement is required, all stages of work must be completed. You need to start with the implementation of the screed, thermal insulation, waterproofing, etc. Finished with top coat.

It is worth asking the professionals: how to make the floors reliable and warm. Can be used for different various technologies and materials. In most cases, self-leveling floors can be used as a screed. At the same time, finishing materials can be absolutely any.

The most important thing when performing repairs is to purchase only high-quality materials and carry out their installation, strictly adhering to the technology.

In order to correctly choose the flooring in the apartment, you first need to find out what materials it is made from and consider all the pros and cons of different types.

Laminate

The laminate is based on MDF panels, carefully pressed with a paper layer and varnished.

Depending on the thickness of the panels, the quantity and quality of the primary material, the laminate can be of several strength classes. How to choose a substrate for a laminate -.

Benefits of this flooring:

• simple installation with or without glue (in the second case, it is always possible to replace damaged panels);
• resistance to mechanical stress;
• fire safety;
• easy care due to the antistatic layer applied on top;
• durability (provided that the wear resistance class is selected correctly);
• an extensive range;
• affordable price.

Of the shortcomings of the material note:

• fear of moisture;
• insufficient environmental friendliness due to the use of resins, varnishes, impregnating chemicals in the production.

An overview of the different floor coverings can be seen in the following video:

Linoleum

The coating intended for a residential apartment is a multilayer system. Heterogeneous linoleum, which is presented in stores, consists of the following layers:

1. Frame (fiberglass), impregnated with PVC paste.
2. Pigment, which determines the color and pattern of the final product.
3. Protective.

Linoleum can also be equipped with an additional layer - the substrate, which determines its sound and heat insulation properties, and also hides floor irregularities.

Linoleum is sold either in rolls 1–6 m wide and 1.5 to 5.0 mm thick, or in the form of tiles (another name is PVC tiles). The floor surface is carefully prepared, and then the linoleum is laid on a special glue.

The advantages of linoleum:

• ease of installation;
• ease of care;
• variety of design;
• excellent moisture resistance;
• wear resistance;
• low price;
• soundproofing.

Of the minuses - insufficient environmental friendliness, sensitivity to temperature extremes, a tendency to bursting under intense loads.

It is worth noting that there is another type of linoleum made from natural materials - flax oil, pigments, additives. The complexity of the production of such coatings makes their cost quite high, so they are not widely used.

carpet

In the context, this coating is represented by the following components:

1. Pile.
2. The base is the primary lining.
3. Secondary lining plus a fixing layer (most often it is latex).

The materials themselves can be artificial - nylon (polyamide), polypropylene, polyacryl, polyester, and natural - wool or a mixture of materials with 10-30% wool.

Laying is done on glue, like linoleum.

Benefits of carpeting:

• ease of installation;
• ergonomics;
• safety;
• a large selection of colors;
• long-term operation.

There are few disadvantages:

• rabies;
• the difficulty of cleaning.

The environmental friendliness of the product will depend on the materials underlying the carpet. Accordingly, and price category natural and synthetic coatings are different.

Self-leveling (liquid) floors

Bulk floor - a novelty in the world of modern floor coverings.

The composition of the liquid floor may include different substances:

• polyurethane;
• epoxide;
• methyl methacrylate;
• cement and acrylic.

The last name is the most environmentally friendly option, and the most expensive self-leveling floor is methyl methacrylate.

Advantages of self-leveling floors in their:

• durability (perhaps one of the largest for flooring);
• environmental friendliness;
• strength;
• water resistance, as well as resistance to chemicals, oil, solvents, etc.;
• ease of maintenance.

Such floors are especially demanding on the surface for installation, and their laying is quite complicated. Of the negative aspects, the owners also note a tendency to burn out in the sun. For the price - the option is quite affordable.

Tile

The most popular are ceramics. They are durable, passable and water resistant. By appearance ceramic tiles are very diverse, they can imitate wood or other natural materials.

From tiles, you can create a real work of art on the floor, it becomes possible to zone the room and visually optimize the size of the room. At the same time, you do not have to worry about mechanical loads on the floor, exposure to sunlight, high humidity. Excellent wear resistance is another plus of ceramic tiles.

Of the shortcomings:

• complexity of installation and subsequent repair;
• the presence of seams;
• cold (this problem is solved by installing a warm floor under the tile).

cork floor

It is a plate measuring 90.0 by 18.5 cm and a thickness of 9 mm (sometimes it can also be found in the form of rolls), based on veneered or pressed chips of natural cork bark.

Other layers may include wood dust on resins (function - imparting strength and rigidity) and face finishing (increases wear resistance and provides an aesthetic appearance).

The cork floor has a lot of advantages over the above coatings, in particular, this material:

• environmentally friendly and natural;
• provides soundproofing in the room;
• has a variety of models;
• keep warm;
• pleasant to the touch;
• able to absorb mechanical pressure;
• has a long service life (warranty is not less than 10 years);
• water resistant;
• does not slip.

The negative point is the complexity of laying, because before that it is necessary to carefully level the base, and the price is quite high.

Another environmentally friendly option.

A parquet board is made from a wooden base, pasted over with a layer of valuable species (thickness 3–5 mm).

They are usually laid by gluing the panels to the base. The base is prepared in advance.

In addition to the fact that a natural wooden floor will create special comfort and coziness in the house, it has other merits:

• durability and reliability;
• ease of cleaning;
• ease of installation;
• low thermal conductivity.

The disadvantages are related to the naturalness of the material - wood can be deformed, because in cold weather it decreases somewhat in volume, and in summer, on the contrary, it expands. Due to the naturalness and high cost of the material.

How to choose the right flooring for your room: professional advice

When choosing a floor covering for a living room, it is necessary to focus on the following criteria:

• room humidity;
• demanding for frequent cleaning;
• frequency and type of mechanical impacts;
• temperature difference;
• environmental friendliness.

Video tips for choosing an environmentally friendly floor covering:

Based on these parameters, rooms will be especially demanding for coverage:

• hallway;
• kitchen;
• bathroom;
• children's;
• loggia.

For these rooms, flooring should be selected with great care. So, in the living room (bedroom, living room) you can put a laminate of class 21-23, and in the hallway and in the kitchen - more durable, class 31-33.

The bathroom and kitchen should be equipped with moisture-resistant floor coverings, such as linoleum, tile or self-leveling floor.

The most environmentally friendly materials are usually chosen for the nursery. From floor coverings it can be a cork floor, parquet, carpet.

Different styles of interiors are demanding on the choice of flooring. Hi-tech style successful options there will be tiles, parquet or laminate (more details -), and in a room decorated for shabby chic - wooden parquet (on our website).

Remember that a properly selected floor in the room will not only be strong and durable, but will also give warmth, comfort, and a complete look to the entire interior.