Floor covering for the apartment. How to properly lay the floors in the apartment

A comfortable and beautiful home is everyone's dream. But the choice of materials is not an easy task, as many factors must be taken into account. To begin with, it would be nice to have a general idea of ​​​​all available materials - about their advantages and disadvantages. Let's discuss the types of flooring: what they are, how and how they differ, where they are best used.

In recent decades, technology has developed very rapidly. New materials constantly appear, and old ones acquire new properties and qualities. Today there are about a dozen types of floor coverings. Not the fact that in a couple of months new ones will not appear. In the meantime, here are the types of coatings available:

Choosing flooring for your home or apartment is not an easy task.

• Engineering board.
• Cork coating (glue and lock).
• Linoleum.
• Vinyl tiles (there are also names of PVC tiles, flexible parquet, Art vinyl).
• Ceramic tile.
• Porcelain tile.

Some types of flooring have been known for a very long time. For example, a plank floor or parquet. Others appeared just a few years ago - carpet and vinyl tiles. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages, and each must be considered separately.

How to choose flooring

The choice of flooring should be carried out according to the basic requirements that you impose on the coating. First of all, you should decide on the amount you are willing to allocate. When viewing options, consider not only the cost per square meter, but also the cost of laying materials, shipping costs. Some types of flooring - linoleum and carpet, per square meter have a very low price. Their installation is also easy. But the amount of waste can be large, and delivery is expensive. Especially if you need a 4 meter wide coverage. These are special rates.

Once you've decided on your price range, what types of flooring you can use, review the installation information and subfloor requirements. If your floor is far from ideal, it will need to be leveled, and this can result in a considerable amount. Most modern flooring is not too difficult to install. The exception is parquet, but you can lay it yourself. It's just that it will take a lot of time. If self-installation is not an option, professional services are added to the costs. And their prices are associated not so much with the complexity of installation, but with the cost of coverage. As a general rule, the higher the price of a floor covering, the higher the asking price for its installation.

Also, the selected species must be compared in terms of complexity / ease of care, durability, compatibility with, if you have one. So choosing a floor covering is not so easy.

The cheapest and most practical: linoleum, PVC tiles

If we talk about the most inexpensive type of flooring, then it is either linoleum or PVC tiles. If you look at prices per square meter, then linoleum comes out cheaper. But it is not so. In fact, the costs are equal for the following reasons:

• PVC tiles are easy to ship. Packs of tiles can be loaded into a passenger car, and a truck is needed to deliver linoleum.
• Scraps when laying linoleum are usually much larger. Unless you find the width of the linoleum exactly the width of the floor. PVC tile has a minimum of scraps, as it consists of small fragments.

These types of coatings are often viewed negatively. The highlights are the unnatural finish, which looks “cheap” and quickly loses its appearance. About unnaturalness. Firstly, there is natural linoleum - marmoleum. It is made on a natural jute basis from natural rubber resins, using natural dyes. Secondly, polyvinyl chloride - the same PVC that surrounds us every day. It packs products. So, despite the unnaturalness, it is safe.

If we talk about the “cheap” appearance, then there are very decent-looking coatings that cannot be distinguished from the laminate that is now fashionable. And linoleum looked “cheap” twenty or thirty years ago. When a strange-looking film with a wild pattern was applied to an incomprehensible base. Today, linoleum is a completely different coating. Both externally and technologically.

So or something like this modern linoleum looks like. By the way, its lifespan is 10 years.

Many people say that linoleum quickly wears out, goes in waves. This can happen if linoleum is laid with a violation of technology. It also needs a level ground. It can be not perfectly even, but without holes, “steps” and humps. Then there will be no problems with scuffs. And it also needs to be properly glued to normal glue (good PVA, at least). And you need to leave gaps around the perimeter of the room. In general, it is necessary to follow the technology, then there will be no waves-wrinkles.

Average price range

Not everyone likes linoleum or vinyl tiles, although they are perhaps the most budgetary coatings, and they are also convenient and durable in operation. I don’t want completely frank synthetics under my feet, but there is no intention to spend money on parquet or even more expensive cork. In this case, you can consider the types of flooring from the average price range. They, of course, with great difficulty can be called natural, but not quite synthetics either.

Consider medium-priced options

Laminate

If we talk about popular types of flooring, then today it is a laminate. At a price it is more expensive than linoleum, but cheaper than a parquet or engineered board. In appearance, they are very similar, but structurally completely different material.

Why was laminate placed in the middle price range? After all, there are inexpensive rulers ... Because in order for it to serve for a long time, it is worth taking a high-class board (32 or 33), and even on a waterproof base. And these types are comparable in price to parquet and engineered boards.

Advantages and disadvantages of laminate

The laminate is based on high-pressure pressed cellulose - HDF. Everyone probably knows such material as MDF. So, HDF is also made, but pressed under higher pressure. A stabilizing layer is glued under the HDF base, often with moisture-resistant properties. On the other hand, a pattern imitating a natural coating is glued. A transparent polymer film is applied to the drawing. Sometimes it is even, but it can also be with an imitation of the texture of wood or stone.

There are a lot of different ones. And it's not just about appearance. There are they of different abrasion resistance, width, length, thickness. There are plenty to choose from. This is a great material if you are interested in inexpensive types of flooring. Also, its advantages include:

• Simplicity. Any person with hands "from where it is necessary" will cope.
• Stacking speed. In a day, even a beginner will lay one room.
• Maintainability. If the coating was not glued, everything can be disassembled and reassembled.

Laminate is a good choice if you are looking for mid-range flooring.

Not everything is so rosy. The disadvantages of laminate are as follows. It does not tolerate high humidity and if it gets wet, the original appearance is not restored. The second drawback is that the coverage is noisy. Noisy in the room, you can hear footsteps. Sounds are also transmitted to neighbors below, if we are talking about a multi-storey building. So that the problem is not so acute, substrates are used. And cork or expanded polystyrene foam is better, but then the coating does not fit into the budget. But then the laminate does not creak, the house is quiet, and even the floor is warmer.

Parquet and engineering board

Like it or not, we are used to the fact that there should be wood on the floor. And more budget types of floor coverings, basically, imitate it with more or less certainty. And if you want a more natural finish, but the parquet is not inspiring because of the difficult care? There is an intermediate option - the same parquet and engineered board. They are made in different ways, but after laying they are very similar to natural parquet. Only cheaper, easier to install and devoid of most of its shortcomings.

The engineering board consists of moisture resistant plywood and a layer of wood glued to it. Plywood is more stable in size, it will not lead, it does not dry out, it is less prone to warping. The parquet board is structurally more complex and consists of four layers (from bottom to top):

• pine seamless veneer;
• spruce or pine slats;
• a layer of precious wood;
• a layer of varnish, oil or wax.

Both types of flooring have a valuable type of wood on top. Both consist of fragments - rectangular or square, which are connected with locks or through a tenon-groove. That's just the engineering board after laying should be covered with a protective coating - varnish, oil or wax. And ready for use - it is varnished / oil / waxed at the factory. Conveniently. But only after the joints are left without protection and you need to be careful with water.

How to choose flooring that looks like wood but is less hassle? Consider parquet and engineered board

The advantages of these materials are as follows. It looks like parquet, at a significantly lower price, the complexity of laying is several times less, and the speed of installation is many times higher. What else is good - fewer problems with operation - less often creaks and cracks. Well, the disadvantage is, after all, not a completely natural coating. The design contains glue. Where to a greater extent, where to a lesser extent. How critical it is for you - decide for yourself.

Parquet

Parquet in its purest form is a set of boards from which the flooring is assembled. And not always these boards are of the same shape or size. Complex circuits are assembled from different pieces. The more of them, the more diverse and bizarre the pattern can be.

But in standard apartments or ordinary residential buildings and cottages, artistic parquet cannot be entered in any way. It is appropriate in large spacious rooms. And 20 squares is not the space on which something like this will look. In most residential interiors, parquet is laid with the usual flooring - a deck, there is also a herringbone or squares. And then, they no longer fit into all interiors. The modern style is very concise and even not too complex patterns can no longer be entered into it. Unless in a classic interior, but with appropriate furniture.

Not the most difficult drawing, but in an ordinary apartment - a clear bust

Parquet is glued on a perfectly flat base. It must be carefully prepared. Each plank sits on glue, but can also be additionally fixed with nails. Since the fragments are small, it takes a lot of time to lay the parquet. But the completion of the calculation is far from everything. There is still grinding to be done - four to five passes with sandpaper of different grits (from 600 to 1200). And then applying a protective layer - first a primer (two layers), and then varnishing (three layers) or oil impregnation (two layers is enough). When varnishing, intermediate sanding may still be required a couple of times. So in terms of time, laying 20 square meters can take a couple of months. Is it possible to lay parquet with your own hands? Quite. If the hands are from the right place and a lot of patience.

So, the advantages of parquet as a floor covering: beauty, naturalness. You can’t argue with beauty, although, in most cases, they lay the board with an ordinary deck flooring. Outwardly, it does not differ from the same engineering and parquet boards, but in terms of price and laboriousness of laying, it is very different. Although, it's beautiful. This is without a doubt. But a cheaper engineered board in the same decking looks no worse, but costs less.

It is also worth thinking about naturalness. The wood is natural - this is not disputed, but the coating itself is unlikely. The wood is glued. The best glue for parquet now - polymer - not natural. The parquet is covered with varnish - unnatural. Then the meaning is in the naturalness of the wood itself. Very doubtful. Prestigious, yes. Without a doubt. If the status of the coating is important to you, you definitely need parquet. In this he has no equal.

Soft types of floor coverings: carpet, carpet tiles

Carpet was at the peak of popularity about twenty years ago. Today it is not laid very often. If they put it, then in the bedrooms or children's rooms - here it is really very good. How appropriate the carpet in the living room will be depends on what you want to get. Low pile is easier to clean and easier to care for. The long one looks cozy and intimate, but difficult to clean. In general, both carpet and carpet tiles are a very good type of coverage if you are not allergic to dust. Warm, cozy, hides sounds. For the bedroom and nursery, this is perhaps the best flooring.

Short pile carpet is the perfect budget flooring for the bedroom

It can be very simple: in small rooms it is simply rolled out and pressed with skirting boards. On a larger area, double-sided tape is used, pasted in strips on the floor every meter. If there are more than 20 squares, gluing with special glue or fixing is necessary (a special type of glue that creates a sticky layer on the floor like adhesive tape).

If we talk about carpet tiles, then it is even more convenient to install. It is not necessary to take out all the furniture. The base must be dry and level. A fixing adhesive is applied to it, after it dries, the tile is laid out. It's that simple.

For the price, the situation is similar to that which exists when comparing linoleum and vinyl tiles. If you look at the price per square meter, then carpet tiles come out more expensive. But there is less waste when laying, delivery is easier and cheaper. So the money spent in the end will not be more. And another plus of carpet tiles is that you can always fold it in a different way, it is easy to replace a damaged piece by simply removing the old one and installing a new one in its place. So if you choose, then carpet tiles are more practical.

So, the advantages of carpet and carpet tiles are low price, ease of installation, “quiet” coating. Disadvantages - difficult to clean, not suitable for allergy sufferers. In general, these are inexpensive and easy-to-install types of flooring.

Cork flooring

Another type of flooring that is called natural is cork. In fact, it is a pressed cork, which is available in the form of tiles or in rolls. There are two types of cork flooring. The first is called "adhesive" - ​​it is glued to a flat and dry base and filled with several layers of varnish. It turns out something similar to parquet, but with a different texture.

The second type of cork can be compared to laminate. The same base is HDF, on which a cork layer is glued, and a protective polymer film is applied on top of it. Both styling and problems are the same as for laminate. It is easy to install, you need to be careful with liquids in operation. To be on the safe side, some lock plugs are also filled with varnish, so that there are no problems with filling.

If we talk about the pros, then cork is the warmest coating. It is comfortable to walk on it, even if it is varnished, the porous material absorbs sounds. So for quiet rooms - a bedroom and a nursery - a good floor covering. But, since cork is a soft material, furniture must be selected on wide legs so that it does not squeeze through. The second point: it should not be placed on a heated floor. Very low thermal conductivity, heating will be extremely inefficient. The floor will be warm, but the costs will be high. Other types of flooring work better with underfloor heating. There is a special laminate, even carpet or carpet tiles. But the cork is perhaps the most inefficient option.

Disadvantages of cork coating - high price, high abrasion. Adhesive cork is more expensive (thicker), lock - cheaper. But, compared to other materials, the price is still high.

The basis of the interior of any house, apartment or office space is the floor. Today, there are a large number of floor coverings that you can choose exactly for your room design. Someone stops at the most famous and relatively inexpensive materials, such as linoleum, laminate, carpet or tile. Others prefer the latest in the world of flooring or more expensive options - marmoleum, self-leveling floors or parquet.

When choosing a floor covering, it is necessary to consider in which room it will be laid. After all, different materials carry different characteristics and properties. That is, the floor coverings in the bedroom and the hallway should be different, since the traffic in these rooms is different.

Individual features of floor coverings in different rooms

Before moving on to an overview of the different types of flooring, you first need to consider what features the floors have in each individual room.

In addition to the main characteristics, it is also worth paying attention to the price categories for each coating and ease of installation.

Types of floor coverings in the apartment

Today, the market is filled with a variety of models and types that will suit every taste and budget. All of them will differ among themselves in characteristics, composition and place of use.

Floorboards

Fix linoleum to the floor in 3 different ways:

• just with skirting boards,
• on double-sided tape;
• using special glue.

Advantages linoleum are as follows: it has good moisture protection, it is easy to clean, there are no great difficulties in laying, it does not rot, it has a low cost among all floor coverings, a large selection of colors, and has a long service life of several decades.

disadvantages consider low ergonomics and often a long process of preparing for laying. In order for linoleum to serve for a long time, it is necessary to lay it on a completely flat surface. In addition, before fixing, it should lie unfolded for several days for maximum adhesion to the base. It is also less environmentally friendly than wood. With large temperature fluctuations, it can crumble or crack.

Laminate

Laminate is a MDF panel treated with special resins, with layers of paper glued to them, and varnished.

This product appeared on the building materials market not so long ago, but has already won a large number of buyers. In its coloring, it imitates real wood floors.

This coating is divided into several classes depending on the degree of strength of the panels. Less durable and wear-resistant grades 21-23.

Such a laminate should be laid in living rooms. 31-33 classes are stronger and more reliable, they are usually laid in hallways and kitchens.

Benefits of laminate lot. This material is considered resistant to such influences as pressure, loads, abrasion. It does not leave recesses from heavy furniture. It tolerates high temperatures well and is fire resistant. Laminate does not need to be carefully looked after, unlike parquet. Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic, as it is produced without harmful chemicals. Pretty easy to install laminate flooring. Suitable for covering underfloor heating systems. Service life more than 10 years. Sold at affordable prices.

However there are downsides too. Not suitable for rooms with high humidity. It is advisable to treat with a special waterproof solution or wax after laying.

Before laying, a lot of preparatory work is required. If the laying technology is broken, then swelling of the boards or bubbling of the surface is possible.

If the surface is not properly leveled, the laminate will start to squeak.

PVC floors

These coatings are in the form of soft elastic embossed materials. They include several layers. They have a long service life - about 30 years. Withstand heavy loads and do not burn well.

In addition to this, to Advantages of PVC flooring it can be attributed that their strength is higher than that of linoleum or laminate. Their transportation is easy. They have good soundproofing and moisture-proof properties. Great variety in colors and textures.

disadvantages are that laying skills and a well-prepared surface are required. Seams can dry out over time. This is not cheap material, and in small towns it is not always on sale. If stored incorrectly, the tiles may warp, which will cause difficulties during installation, so it is necessary to carefully check all packages before purchasing.

Cork flooring

This is a completely environmentally friendly material, as it is made from cork tree bark in the form of compressed chips or veneer plates. Produced in the form of plates or rolls. The coating is laid on MDF panels and fixed with glue.

This type of flooring many advantages. Cork floors have very good heat and sound insulation properties. Resistant to deformation, so heavy furniture is not terrible for this type of coating. The coating does not slip, has a positive effect on the human musculoskeletal system due to its shock-absorbing qualities. It can only be affected by caustic alkalis, which are not used at home. Does not attract rodents and insects.

disadvantage First of all, the high price is considered. Heels, pet claws, sharp furniture legs can damage the surface.

Due to the low thermal conductivity, it is impractical to install a floor heating system under this coating. Not suitable for rooms with high humidity, as the MDF base may swell.

Parquet board and parquet

Classic flooring. Parquet is a valuable type of wood glued onto a wooden base, it looks like small planks.

Laying takes place in a mosaic way on the base, which is prepared in advance. Fix with glue or mastic.

To benefits certainly include environmental friendliness and durability of the material. With the right laying technology, parquet will last for decades.

disadvantages are high cost and a small selection, limited to types of natural wood.

carpet

Another popular type of flooring material is carpet. They can contain both natural ingredients and artificial ones. The latter are more common. Carpets can be purchased at affordable prices. Huge selection of colors. There are no difficulties in care. Also, rodents and moths do not show interest in them. Just like linoleum, carpet is produced in the form of rolls and tiles.

To their benefits include good sound insulation, which provides an elastic and soft pile. Carpet is abrasion resistant.

Wherein disadvantage is that carpets can fade in the sun. High humidity can cause mold to form. Due to the accumulation of dust in the pile, frequent vacuuming is necessary.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles have long been used by mankind as a floor covering.

Most often it is placed in rooms with high traffic and humidity. Today there is a huge number of different in appearance ceramic tiles. The differences are in size, appearance, strength, water absorption, degree of slip, etc.

Most often, it is placed in bathrooms and in the kitchen due to its certain characteristics. But recently, it has often been laid in bedrooms and living rooms due to its good thermal conductivity, installing a floor heating system under it.

Advantages of ceramic tiles are its durability, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, strength and ease of operation.

To shortcomings include difficult installation and dismantling, the presence of seams. If the floor heating system is not installed, then it will be cold to walk barefoot on such a coating.

Marmoleum

New to the flooring market.

The composition of this coating includes only natural ingredients: linseed oil, ground lime, wood flour and resins.

Available in rolls, panels or tiles.

Marmoleum has a large range benefits. The most important of them is an environmentally friendly product.

It is laid without any particular difficulties, while there are no special requirements for leveling the base, as, for example, for laminate or linoleum.

Service life from 20 to 30 years. Resistant to fire, does not absorb moisture. A damp cloth is sufficient to clean the cover.

Main flaw- brittleness of the material when cutting. Therefore, the cut parts are hidden under the baseboards. At the same time, the material is solid, and this property increases over time, so it is given a high level of injury risk.

Polymer floors

This coating is also called self-leveling or liquid floors. According to the components in the composition, they are divided into several types: cement-acrylic (the most environmentally friendly), epoxy, methyl methacrylate (the most expensive) and polyurethane.

This new type of coating is gaining great popularity. They are used not only in residential premises, but also in enterprises, trading floors, and sports facilities.

In apartments, most often a self-leveling floor can be found in the bathroom. They have an unusual design of 3D images on the floor.

big row benefits helps to make more and more choice in favor of self-leveling floors. First of all, it is their appearance, beautiful and unusual. They are durable, resistant to moisture, fire and aggressive chemicals. They are easy to clean and wash.

However, the pleasure of having a self-leveling floor is quite expensive. The preparation of the base and the laying process itself require professional skills. And liquid floors consist entirely of artificial materials.

Conclusion

Everyone who wants to replace the flooring at home will find among all this variety of species exactly the option that suits him best. When choosing, it is worth remembering such characteristics as strength, heat and sound insulation, fire and wear resistance, chemical inertness, hypoallergenicity.

If you take the issue seriously and carefully study the flooring market, you can get a result that exceeds expectations.

Finishing the floor is one of the last stages of repair in an apartment or private house. It can be carried out using various materials, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.

Depending on the purpose of the room, there are certain requirements for materials:

• Hallway. A room with a high foot traffic, in which a large amount of dust and dirt accumulates. The flooring should be as durable and non-marking as possible.
• Bathroom. In this room, the floor covering is constantly in contact with water, so the material must be moisture resistant and easy to clean.
• Kitchen. It also needs a material that is not exposed to moisture and does not absorb fat.
• Balcony. The conditions in such a room are close to outdoor ones, so the products must be resistant to low temperatures and humidity.
• Living room. This is a room with a high foot load, so the main characteristic of the material is mechanical strength.
• Bedroom. In this case, the floor covering must be environmentally friendly.
• Children's. The material should combine the characteristics of products for the two previous rooms.

This material is used for laying floor coverings in rooms of any purpose. Linoleum was especially popular during the Soviet Union, now it is not so common, but still holds certain positions.

Linoleum - availability and ease of care

Advantages:

1. Wide range of. The material for the floor is made in various colors and may have patterns and ornaments on the front. Modern rolled materials imitate the surface of stone, wood, parquet and so on.
2. Moisture resistance.
3. Mechanical strength.
4. High rates of sound and heat insulation.
5. Easy installation and aftercare.

Of the shortcomings, too high plasticity should be noted; dents remain on the linoleum after furniture and other heavy objects. Some models emit harmful substances, this can be determined by a strong chemical smell.

Another classic flooring option. Most often, the material is used for arranging floor coverings in kitchens and bathrooms.

Ceramic tiles - environmental friendliness and durability

The positive aspects of the tile include:

• Resistant to chemicals, water, UV and abrasion.
• A wide range of colors and sizes of products. Materials are also produced that imitate the color and texture of natural wood, stone and others.
• Ease of maintenance.
• Health safety.

Tile is considered almost ideal for floors in the house, but the material is cold, which makes it unpleasant to walk barefoot on it. Some types become slippery when wet, and the tile is also quite fragile and easily breaks when hit or dropped by an object.

Wood is now experiencing a new wave of popularity. With its help, floors are laid in rooms for any purpose, including kitchens.

Plank floor - nobility and a sense of comfort

Advantages:

1. Noble appearance.
2. Environmental friendliness.
3. Feeling of comfort and coziness.
4. Can be used in almost any interior and combined with other materials.

Of the disadvantages, exposure to water should be noted, therefore, measures must be taken to protect the coatings. Because of this, finishing floors requires more time and money. The ability to absorb moisture makes wood very brand, spilled juice, tea or coffee will leave a mark on the coating.

Also, the tree requires regular cycling, because over time, burrs appear on the surface. In addition, high-quality natural materials are quite expensive. If they are not processed correctly, they can swell or dry out, which will lead to deformation. Do not forget about rodents and insects that prefer to settle in such an environment.

Cork floor - naturalness and warmth

Such floor materials allow you to create a truly original coating. Products are made from cork tree bark, so they are completely natural and environmentally friendly.

• Comfort when walking barefoot.
• The coating is non-slip and non-marking.
• Cork is well protected from moisture.
• The material is easy to care for.
• Wide range of colors and textures.

Among the shortcomings, one can single out low mechanical strength and a short service life. In addition, the cork needs subsequent varnishing, so such floors cannot be called budgetary.

Laminate - a wealth of choice and ease of care

These products were invented to replace natural wood. Some of its characteristics are much higher than those of wood:

1. The laminate is issued in very rich assortment. It can imitate the shades of almost all types of wood, natural stone, fabric, leather and so on.
2. The material is warm, in addition, under it you can lay the "warm floor" system.
3. Ease of care.
4. Moisture resistance.
5. Relatively low cost.
6. Ease of installation (products are equipped with locking systems, thanks to which they are easy to stack).

Despite the fact that there are models with a moisture-proof coating, it is better not to use laminate for the kitchen or bathroom. You will also need to lay a layer of waterproofing. It should be noted that the laminate is quite fragile: prolonged contact with water and mechanical stress leave traces on it. In addition, during installation there is a risk of damaging the locking joints, so products must be purchased with a margin.

Porcelain stoneware - strength and practicality

This material is very similar to ceramic tiles, but is produced using a slightly different technology. At the same time, it resembles a natural stone. In the modern world, porcelain stoneware products are popular due to the following advantages:

• The strength of porcelain stoneware is rated 9 points out of 10.
• Surfaces can last up to 50 years.
• Does not emit harmful substances when heated and wet.
• Ease of maintenance.
• Resistant to sunlight and water.
• Does not burn and does not support combustion.
• Wide range of.

The main disadvantage is the high cost, and this applies to prices for both materials and installation work. Polished porcelain tiles are too slippery for use in kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, it is cold, so it needs to be heated. In some cases, it is impossible to cover the floor with such material due to the large weight.

Self-leveling floors

Self-leveling floor - aesthetics and uniqueness

This type is considered relatively new, it has not yet gained popularity among users, but it has a number of undeniable advantages:

1. The presence of polymer compounds in the composition provides high moisture resistance, so it is easy to wash.
2. Self-leveling floors can last about 20 years.
3. Seams are not formed on the surface, so it looks aesthetically pleasing. The same feature protects the coating from the appearance of fungus.
4. Attractive appearance.

Among the shortcomings, the high cost of the material and the need for serious preparatory processes should be noted. In addition, the coating cannot be repaired locally. That is, if the floor crumbles in some place, you will have to completely remove the coating and fill in a new one.

Concrete

Previously, concrete was used only for arranging floor coverings in utility rooms, garages, and so on. Now a concrete screed is very often the basis for other products: parquet, laminate, tiles and others. But modern methods of pouring and grinding make it possible to create a perfectly even, visually attractive (as you can see in the photo) and absolutely inert to water coating. In addition, the floors are strong and durable.

Concrete floor - strength and durability

Among the shortcomings, a large weight of the material can be distinguished, so it cannot be used in wooden houses. Also, to obtain a perfectly even surface, specialized construction equipment and qualified operators are required to maintain it. Another disadvantage is the complexity of the work.

On a note! If the floor is finished with concrete, then it is subject to mechanical stress. Despite the strength, the material can crumble when an object falls on it from a height.

Once this material was the main product for construction, but now it is considered a sign of wealth and luxury. The fact is that the stone itself is cheap, but its processing requires high-tech, and therefore very expensive, equipment and consumables.

Natural stone - presentability and practicality

Among the advantages it should be noted:

1. High mechanical strength.
2. Resistance to almost any influence (precipitation, sun, impacts).
3. Almost unlimited service life.

But natural stone also has disadvantages:

• Significant weight, which makes it difficult to work with, it is not suitable for all floors.
• The stone is cold, so you will have to install a "warm floor" system.
• The installation process is quite expensive.
• The material requires special care.

Another material for arranging floors, which has been known to mankind since antiquity. It is also considered expensive because it is quite difficult to install. It is made of glass or natural stone.

Mosaic - elegance and originality

The main advantage of the mosaic is that it turns out to finish even curved surfaces, while you can create any patterns and patterns using multi-colored elements. For ease of installation, manufacturers pre-attach mosaic fragments to the grid, forming a pattern. The master can only stick it on the floor. In terms of performance, the mosaic resembles a tile.

Of the shortcomings, the high price of the material itself and the work on its installation should be noted. In addition, the mosaic coating will not suit modern interiors, it looks better in a classic or antique style. It should also be noted that only an artist or a person with a developed taste and imagination can cope with laying mosaics on their own.

PVC

Products from this material are produced in the form of tiles with an adhesive base or interlocking. There are also cheaper varieties that need to be laid on a layer of tile adhesive. Modern PVC coatings are produced in a wide range of colors. Previously, tiles made from this material were also used for laying flooring, many remember these blue and green squares, now the products look more aesthetically pleasing.

PVC tiles - a wealth of choice and resistance to moisture

Among the advantages it should be noted:

1. Easy and fast styling.
2. Ease of care.
3. High soundproof characteristics.
4. A wide range of colors, shapes and sizes.
5. Long service life.

Despite these advantages, there are also disadvantages:

• High requirements for the preparation of the base. The rough coating must be perfectly even, otherwise all defects will eventually be reflected on the tile. It is also important to take into account that the moisture content of the base cannot be higher than 5%.
• Before laying the floor with such material, it is necessary to hold the tile in the room for several days so that it adapts to the conditions. In addition, each manufacturer indicates the temperature and humidity conditions that must be observed during installation.
• Changes color and breaks down when exposed to sunlight.
• PVC is a synthetic material, so it releases harmful substances when burned. As for fire safety, it also leaves much to be desired.

This is a fairly popular option for finishing floor surfaces. It is a soft and warm material with a long or short pile, which is laid on a prepared base and covered with a plinth. The result is a coating that resembles an ordinary carpet, but which is covered over the entire area of ​​​​the room.

Carpeting - comfort and sound insulation

Advantages:

1. Relatively low cost.
2. Comfort and coziness.
3. A wide range of design solutions.
4. Long service life and resistance to various kinds of influences.
5. High level of sound insulation.

Of the negative qualities can be identified:

• Cheap product options are not protected from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.
• High hygroscopicity and susceptibility to water.
• Accumulate debris and dust.
• Difficulty in care.
• Light products are very easily soiled.
• Foundation preparation requirements. Under the carpet must be a layer of reliable waterproofing.

Last on the list, but not least, flooring option. Represents high-quality and at the same time elite covering. Performance indicators directly depend on the type of wood used in the manufacture, as well as production and processing methods.

Parquet - durability and warmth

If we talk about the positive aspects of parquet, it should be noted:

1. Attractive appearance. Like other natural wood products, parquet boards look noble.
2. Long service life. With proper installation and regular sanding, the coating can last about 30-40 years.
3. High thermal insulation qualities. In warm regions, there is no need to lay insulation under the parquet.

Minuses:

• Susceptibility to various deformations. Wood expands in summer and contracts in winter, so expansion joints must be left when laying.
• High price. Parquet is significantly superior to laminate or linoleum in this indicator.
• The need for regular repair and replacement of the protective varnish layer.

Parquet is one of the best types of flooring, but due to the high cost of material and work, it has not gained much popularity.

There are many different materials available for flooring. Craftsmen even use coins or cardboard to decorate the floors. Most products can be laid by yourself to save some money on hiring specialists. But there are those that require qualifications and the use of a professional tool.

The floor in the apartment is its most important part. Firstly, furniture and most of the equipment, washing machine, stove, bath, shower, toilet and other plumbing are installed on the floor. 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. However, 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, in Khrushchev's apartment intermediate layer is absent. The flooring in it, most often PVC tiles, linoleum, or thin cotterless parquet planks, are glued directly to the top surface concrete floor slab with bituminous mastic, latex or PVA glue.

In the best case, the top surface of the board before gluing was smoothed with a 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, 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 an apartment, unlike an individual house, is laid on the existing floor "from the builders" in the new house, or on the beam floor in the old one. 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, particle 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 with different 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 loses its insulating properties to a large extent when moisture or steam is absorbed. 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. Logs are wooden bars with a section of 50 × 100 made of coniferous wood. 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 floorboard, 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 disadvantage. 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, on top, printed paper, usually imitating natural wood, covered with another layer of melamine or acrylic resin provides 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, which was covered with cork crumb material, 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 non-woven materials, such as felt, are used as a fabric base, serving simultaneously 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 the hallmark of 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 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, too, there are ceramic tiles of various 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 than 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.