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Types of flooring, overview, advantages and disadvantages. Types of flooring: pros and cons What are the types of flooring

Floors and walls in the apartment play an important role. But it is the floor coverings that set the stylistic design and perform the function of sound insulation, and also help to retain heat. Therefore, it is important to know how to choose the right quality flooring.

Peculiarities

The temperature regime in the room, as well as some characteristics of the room, will depend on the choice of floor material. In addition, the flooring greatly affects the stylistic design of the room. Therefore, when choosing, you should weigh the pros and cons of each floor covering and choose the most suitable for each specific area.

The floor covering allows you to set the basis for the aesthetic design of the premises. In addition, it makes the room more cozy and comfortable for residents. The choice of floors varies depending on the purpose of the premises, since the individual functional areas of the apartment involve different loads and effects on the floor. That's why it is better to consider all the options, and only then make a choice in favor of one or another option.

The specifics of floors for an apartment may vary depending on the floor. For the first, it is better to choose a moisture-resistant coating. For high floors, floors with a light texture are needed. If you are installing flooring in a panel house, then pay attention to models with thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics.

An important feature of laying floors is additional base. Some materials require a special leveled subfloor or even a subfloor, while others can be laid over plain concrete floors.

Also, some apartment residents prefer insulated floors, while using different insulation technologies and substrates for coatings.

Kinds

Floor coverings are hard or flexible. Separately, a group of wooden floor coverings is distinguished. Different manufacturers represent a variety of types of flooring, which differ in their functionality, quality and design. Wooden ones include:

parquet;
parquet board;

laminate;
wood mass;
cork.

Flexible coatings include:

linoleum;
carpet.

Hard surfaces include:

ceramic tile;
stone floors;

porcelain stoneware;
expanded clay;
bulk floor.

Each type of flooring should be discussed separately, since they all have important characteristics and properties.

Natural parquet

This is a classic version that is traditional and very popular. This classic never goes out of style. This coating will emphasize the high social status of the owners of the apartment. Parquet is made only from valuable tree species.

As a rule, parquet elements have a natural wood pattern. You can find small-sized versions of piece parquet. They allow you to lay out an interesting composition.

So, with the help of it, you can independently make a drawing on the floor, for example, a Christmas tree.

Parquet is made from durable and reliable species, the wood of which is characterized by high density. For its manufacture, oak, beech, maple, ash, larch are used. This flooring is considered the most durable. It can last up to 50 years if you take good care of it.

Any parquet is completely environmentally friendly and completely safe. A feature of the installation of such a floor is that under it it is necessary to install draft floors. Only after that it will be possible to lay piece parquet.

Not all apartments can be parquet. An important requirement is compliance with a certain temperature regime and the level of air humidity.

Parquet is a very expensive and noble flooring option.

parquet board

This is another option for natural wood flooring. The parquet board differs from the previous type in that it is quite large in size. The difference is the composition of such boards. Thus, parquet board lamellas consist of three layers, securely connected to each other. They have convenient lock fasteners and are easier to install. Their size allows easy installation and easy dismantling.

Manufacturers present models of various colors and designs, some of them have a ready-made pattern. It is easier to care for a parquet board than for piece models. Such a coating is quite expensive, but more budgetary than piece parquet. The slats can serve over 20 years Besides, they are not so whimsical in care.

Boardwalk

Such floors involve laying ordinary boards on logs. It looks simple but natural. It is used in apartments infrequently, because it is quite heavy. But the big advantage of plank flooring is that it is 100% environmentally friendly and very practical. With it, you can create interesting stylistic solutions for rooms.

The floor is pleasant to the touch and comfortable to walk barefoot on. Plank flooring is more affordable. At the same time, according to external characteristics, it is not inferior to other options for wooden floors.

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Cork

Cork floors belong to the elite floor coverings. They are suitable for laying in almost any room, except for rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom, if there is not good ventilation. But the cork can only be laid on a hard and even surface. Most often, plywood is installed under it. Under no circumstances should it be laid on bare concrete floors., otherwise even small particles can ruin the flooring.

The cork can be decorative. It is presented in the form of rolls or plates. The top layer is impregnated with a special composition that has moisture-proof properties. Manufacturers supplement the cork floor in the form of slabs with an adhesive that has already been applied, which simplifies the installation of this floor covering.

Cork is also used as an option for the subfloor. It is placed under linoleum or under laminate. In this case, it has a slightly different composition and significantly reduced quality. As a rule, cork provides the necessary level of heat and sound insulation. Such a substrate can be presented in the form of rolls, it is convenient to spread it on the floor.

The cork floor can be presented in the form of MDF panels. As a rule, these are rather large lamellas, which include other materials, including synthetic ones. Each panel measures approximately 19 x 90 cm. They are comfortable and easy to lay on their own. Installation is facilitated by lock fasteners.

Cork is a practical material because it is completely immune to temperature changes.

In addition, it withstands high physical loads and impacts. Even the heaviest furniture can be placed on it. Cork can be quite interesting in design thanks to modern production technologies. Manufacturers present models of different shades. In addition, it is not a static material on which dust and hair do not accumulate.

Laminate

This is a high-quality and reliable floor covering that can imitate any other types of floors. It can be an imitation of parquet, natural boards and other wood, tiles, marble, natural stone and even brick. The slats can have different sizes, but the standard boards are 25 by 150 cm. The slats have a lock, which, as a rule, is located either on two or on all four sides of each board.

These lamellas are easy to install and maintain. By itself, the laminate board includes four layers. Each of them has a specific functional purpose. Together, they all make up a high-quality and reliable option for flooring.

The bottom layer is paper soaked in resin, which performs a moisture-proof function. Thanks to this, the laminate board will not be damaged during a flood. The lower substrates of some models can also perform a heat or sound insulating function. No sills are needed to cover.

The penultimate layer is the most basic and thick, on average, its thickness is from 5 to 9 mm. It is a compressed wood, as well as locks built into this level, which are based on spikes and grooves.

The next layer is decorative. It is a patterned coating that imitates wood and other materials. From above, it is covered with a transparent layer, which makes the coating more beautiful and decorative. In addition, it performs protective functions and prevents rapid rubbing and damage to the laminate. As a rule, the transparent layer is made of acrylic or melamine.

Laminate is an affordable yet practical material.

It perfectly conveys the texture of many materials and looks very aesthetically pleasing. The marble version looks elegant.

Laying this floor option is within the power of even a beginner in the field of installation. Laminate can be divided into classes depending on its strength. The higher the grade, the higher is its strength and thickness. Most often, for domestic purposes, options from 21 to 33 classes are used.

Linoleum

In Russia, this is the most popular flooring. It is very easy to install and yet affordable. Almost no maintenance required, it is enough only to periodically carry out wet cleaning. The material is completely moisture resistant and not subject to external influences. Such coatings can look very beautiful.

Manufacturers present a variety of options that differ in their pattern and shades. As a rule, these floor coverings are sold in the form of rolls. It is enough just to roll them on the floor. There is also a slab option.

Linoleum is mounted using a special adhesive, and it can be installed on almost any floor. In the manufacture of linoleum, both natural materials and polymers are used. Models with natural substances in the composition are more expensive, therefore less popular. The service life of linoleum is approximately 10 years, but it is most often used in apartments for much longer.

Linoleum can be thin, or it can be insulated with a backing. Foam-based options are also popular. But such a coating has several disadvantages. So, it can shrink and change its external qualities when exposed to elevated temperatures. In addition, heavy furniture leaves traces and damage on it.

Linoleum can be laid in absolutely any room, even in an unheated one, for example, on a balcony.

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carpet

Outwardly, it is a covering similar to carpets, which differs from other floor coverings in a number of features. Models can be soft or quite hard to the touch. They are often placed in children's rooms, since they are not at all traumatic. In their manufacture, manufacturers use both natural and artificial materials.

The coating can be presented in the form of rolls or tiles. Sheet models are easy to mount on their own without assistance. Only glue is needed for installation. The material looks very presentable. Manufacturers present options that differ in their texture, pile length, color and pattern.

But this coating, with external presentability, has a number of negative properties. Yes, it has short service life. In addition, it is considered the most not waterproof of all floor coverings. It requires special care and systematic cleaning, otherwise the coating will lose its former gloss. The basis of the carpet is jute, felt or rubber.

Such a coating is completely unsuitable for floors in the hallway or bathroom. Some stains may be impossible to get rid of.

This option is not suitable for allergy sufferers, as it can provoke an allergic reaction.

Ceramic tile

This is a very dense and solid option, which involves flooring only in some areas of the apartment. So, they put it in the bathroom, toilet, hallway, kitchen, corridors. This coating is cold, so it is not suitable for other rooms. But if you plan to install underfloor heating, then in other rooms you can make flooring in the form of tiles.

Ceramic tile is a versatile option that has a number of advantages. It can be placed on any floor, including on concrete, wood, plywood, drywall, soil. Ceramic tiles can have different designs and patterns.

This floor is suitable even for classic style interiors.

Tiles can be matte or glossy. Due to its texture, this material is able to hide dust and dirt. In addition, it is quite easy to care for her. It is waterproof and practical.

Manufacturers present corrugated tiles that you can step on with wet feet. That's why This cover is perfect for the bathroom. You won't have to worry about slipping.

The color scheme of this finishing material can be absolutely any. The tile itself is very strong and durable. These are high-quality vapor barrier and non-combustible floors. The tile is attached with glue and lasts a very long time. But the coating is solid, so it is traumatic. It is not comfortable to walk barefoot on cold tiles.

self-leveling floor

Previously, such a coating was most often used as a subfloor, while new self-leveling floors are excellent decorative coatings. The design assumes the presence of three-dimensional drawings and patterns that are covered with a polymer layer. Bulk floors can be polyurethane or epoxy. By themselves, they are of high quality and environmentally friendly.

The service life of such floors is quite long. They can look very presentable, especially for glossy models with patterns. These are waterproof and easy to care for. Their disadvantage is that before laying, you need to perfectly level the surface and dry it otherwise, irregularities may appear.

Which ones to choose?

The choice of flooring is a very important part of any renovation. In this case, one should take into account in which functional area or in which room it will be located. For each of the zones, you need to select materials based on what qualities they have and what loads they can endure. In addition, family composition should influence the choice of sex.

Some coatings are completely unacceptable for children. If you have small children, then the floors should be less traumatic and completely environmentally friendly. In addition, such floors should be easy to care for. If you have pets at home, then the coating must withstand mechanical stress, such as scratches.

When choosing, you should also evaluate your financial condition, since some flooring options are very expensive and require special care. If your apartment is on the first floor, then you should purchase the most moisture-resistant materials. This is because the closer to the apartment the basement, the higher the level of humidity in it.

Not all apartments can install some types of coatings. So, in panel apartments it is not always possible to insulate the floor, since an unacceptable level of load on interfloor partitions may occur, this is permissible only in good new buildings or private houses. Thus, you will have to choose models that do not require a concrete screed.

As for individual rooms and functional areas, there are a number of requirements. So, the hallway area is always the most accessible and dirty. It involves a large load on the floor covering and many external influences in the form of moisture, dust and dirt. If you have children, then you will put strollers and children's sleds there, which can damage the coating.

That is why only the most solid and high-quality option is suitable. Moreover, it should look presentable and complement the interior of the apartment as a whole. The most acceptable for such premises will be ceramic tiles. It serves for a very long time and endures all of the above effects.

Linoleum is also often placed in the hallway, but at the same time, the hardest models with an additional substrate are acquired. Another option for the hallway is laying laminate flooring. But in this area of \u200b\u200bthe apartment it is better to select durable models of class 31-33.

For the bedroom, you can choose other floor coverings. Considering that it is in this room that you will most often walk barefoot, therefore, the coating should be warm and pleasant to the touch. For this, parquet, parquet board is perfect.

The carpet is very soft and aesthetic, so it is ideal for the sleeping area. At the same time, it performs well the function of sound insulation, which is so necessary for sleeping quarters. Laminate can be laid in this area, but rugs will have to be placed near the bed, because without a substrate in the form of warm floors, the laminate is cold.

Work technology

The floor of the apartment has two layers - intermediate and directly flooring. In the thinnest prefabricated houses, there is no intermediate layer, and the flooring is laid on a bare surface. For this option, when laying with your own hands, it is necessary to smooth the DSP before installing the grout. To do this, it is better to use the thinnest layer of cement screed - the so-called "pie". So you can increase the level of noise and heat insulation.

When repairing the floor, wooden beams are also used as a base. So you can make heat and sound insulation. From above they can be covered with a layer of insulation from moisture. An intermediate layer is placed on the floor. It may consist of a log, a subfloor, additional insulating and waterproofing substrates, a thin concrete screed. And already on top of these layers, you can lay the floor covering.

If you choose a wooden floor from boards, then it is already placed on beams without a subfloor. In their quality, reinforced concrete products, timber, metal profiles are used.

When repairing, the cement screed method is often used. This is one of the easiest types of installation. At the same time, a special cement mortar is made. Initially, the surface of the floors is cleaned from old concrete. After that, the floor is cleaned of dust and dirt. Then it is important to measure the slope and calculate the required volume of cement mortar. You can buy a mixture ready-made or make it yourself.

After you have received the finished solution, you need to mix it well. Then you can set beacons and guides that will allow you to fill the floors well and evenly. Cement must be evenly distributed over the entire surface and smoothed to the desired level. The preparation of the base must be carried out, while it is still damp and not hardened. This is necessary so that the floors last longer and do not crack. The screed dries out for about 30 days.

Another option is laying a semi-dry screed. This option dries out much faster and at the same time better protects against moisture and does not release heat. There is much less water in it and there are special fibers that prevent cracking. The technology of its laying is approximately the same as in the previous version.

You can also use the dry screed method. On such a floor, you can put a coating immediately after installation. Polyethylene sheets must be placed on the floors, and then covered with sand and leveled. The layer must be compacted and covered with a metal profile. This method is suitable when laying on a strip foundation. Gypsum boards are laid on top and fixed to the profile. On such a screed, you can immediately mount any floor covering.

Warming

Floor insulation involves fixing wooden logs to polyethylene. Styrofoam or mineral wool is laid there. The thickness of such a layer can vary from 5 to 10 cm. From above, this heat-insulating level is covered with plywood or a board, and a decorative coating is already applied on top.

Another option for insulation is a dry screed. This is a quick and effective way to insulate the floors in the apartment.

The substrate is also a fairly popular way of warming. It involves laying sheets of foamed polyethylene under a decorative coating. This is not the most efficient, but very easy to install method. Since the substrate is quite thin, it allows you to keep air and does not let it through between the plates or lamellas that make up the decorative coating. It involves a little soundproofing and insulation. As a rule, such a substrate is used in combination with other protective measures.

As a substrate, special cotton wool or other materials are often used. They do a good job with the function of heat and sound insulation. These heaters may include cellulose, noise plastic, rubber, acrylic elements and expanded polystyrene.

Another option for the substrate is the laying of extruded foam. It can even be placed on concrete. To achieve the best effect, the substrate is placed in several layers. From above, you can use flooring from any decorative coating. It is better if it is of high quality and durable.

Beautiful examples in the interior

In a modern interior, you can make a light floor from parquet or laminate. It is perfect for Provence and Classic styles. The shade of bleached oak will be suitable. You can complement it with a rug in the form of an animal skin.

For apartments in the style of a classic or modern, a parquet brown floor under wenge or oak is perfect. This cover looks noble and elegant.

Modern flooring for the home

The floor is not only an indispensable part of the design of any building, but also one of the most important elements of interior design, and therefore the choice of the only right option for flooring should be taken with all responsibility. The design of the room, the atmosphere that reigns in it, to a large extent will depend on what material you prefer, as well as on the structure of the flooring, color, pattern, its compatibility with other decor elements.

The market of finishing materials today is replete with a variety of floor coverings, which, of course, allows you to choose the option that suits you specifically, but at the same time, the richness of the assortment can be confusing: how to decide what exactly is required? You need to know at least a little about each of the offered flooring options and study the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular types of flooring.

Parquet and laminate flooring have been improved so much that they can now be installed almost directly in front of the shower. PVC, always considered unreliable, was quietly renamed CV (cushioned vinyl - soft vinyl). However, this did not help him in the fierce competition with polyurethane (PU or PUR). Being more hygienic and completely safe for health, this artificial material is gaining more and more square meters of our homes.

So let's start short overview of the flooring market and some guidelines for their use. Consider what criteria should be followed when choosing a floor, as well as evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various types of coatings.

What should be considered when choosing flooring?

Worth it in the first place take into account the purpose of the room for which you are going to purchase flooring. If we are talking about an apartment, there are no such strict requirements for the strength of the floor as in the case of industrial or commercial space.

The floor must be safe for everyone who live in the premises, complying with sanitary and hygienic standards. For example, synthetic materials (and maybe natural ones) can cause allergic reactions, as well as adversely affect the health of people from the "risk group", especially the elderly and children.

If there are animals in the house, you should abandon carpet, cork or other soft materials in favor of stone, tile, laminate. On parquet made from hardwood, pet claw marks, as a rule, do not remain, but the varnish layer still suffers, which must also be taken into account.

The floor covering, if there are animals in the apartment, should be with a durable surface layer, but not slippery

Depending on the specifics of operation, it is worth evaluating the degree of moisture resistance of your future floor. For example, when choosing a material for a bathroom, it is inappropriate to consider options such as parquet or carpet. Although some options for modern parquet and even some types of laminate are quite suitable for the bathroom.

Coating aesthetics plays one of the main roles in the overall design of the space. Imagine how organically the option you like will fit into the decor of the room, whether it will fit the furniture and walls.

No less important are aspects such as access to communications that lie under its surface, as well as the temperature that the coating will have to withstand. The latter refers to, for which it is recommended to choose a specially designed laminate that transmits heat better than usual.

Parquet or parquet board

Natural and ecological parquet today is synonymous with quality. It creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort even in a high-tech room. New technologies expand the artistic possibilities of this material, offering new wood species, original ways of laying. with proper care, it will serve for a long time, keeping the heat in the house qualitatively and serving as an obstacle to the noise coming from the neighbors below.

However, parquet is tricky to handle, requires regular maintenance, and also suffers from solid particles brought from the street, studs and animal claws. In order for the parquet floor to last longer, a flooring should be made at the entrance to the room, which would hold back small stones and sand that can scratch it. However, the combination of aspects such as moisture-resistant woods (eg merbau), installation method by full adhesion to the surface of the substrate, allows it to be used even in splash areas.

Ceramic tile

The main characteristics of ceramic tiles are durability and reliability, so it can be used in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. . Thanks to this, such ceramic tiles, firstly, are laid in a floating way; secondly, it can be easily removed and replaced if necessary.

This material is much cheaper than parquet and has excellent functionality, thanks to which it has become widespread. Laminate is able to resist abrasion, impact-resistant, resistant to household chemicals, moisture, high temperatures, easy to install and hygienic.

In order for the laminate to last longer, it is recommended to choose those types that belong to the increased strength class (34 or 33), since only these classes can boast good wear resistance and load resistance. Laminate should be laid on a perfectly flat surface, otherwise it is quickly deformed, gaps form between the joints, into which moisture can get.

It is the appearance and reasonable price that makes such materials the clear favorites of residential premises that you want to make cozy and comfortable. A good laminate looks no different from real wood. At the same time, it is stronger and more durable than a floor made of real wood. But there are also disadvantages: instability to scratches and the practical impossibility of grinding.

Among the disadvantages of the laminate and its low soundproofing. The weak point of all multilayer materials is poor resistance to moisture. That is why until now it was not possible to use laminate and parquet boards in bathrooms. But time passes and everything changes. differs in that this material is protected from all sides by plastic, due to which it is moisture resistant.

Vinyl laminate or laminate with polyurethane surface

When it comes to artificial flooring materials, many people think of PVC roll materials, but not necessarily. Vinyl flooring is durable, water-resistant and comfortable to walk on, but it is also unhealthy due to the chlorine content. PVC is used in areas where the floor needs to be waterproof and easy to clean, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

A fairly new floor covering meets these requirements perfectly - polyurethane floor. It has the same positive characteristics as a PVC floor: it is pleasant to walk on it, it has high wear resistance, and this is not a self-leveling field, as you might think. In fact, this laminate with polyurethane face or as it is also called vinyl laminate. But also a polyurethane floor can be self-leveling, but more on that below.

Here, in order not to confuse anyone, it is immediately worth clarifying. There are three options for vinyl laminate:

Elastic moisture resistant laminate, also known as flexible vinyl (PVC) tile. Therefore, although it is called a laminate for a very similar appearance, it would be more correct to attribute it to plastic tiles (section below). Examples include Contesse Floor products;
- a full-fledged, familiar and understandable laminate, a panel 5-10 mm thick, based on high-density fiberboard (HDF - High Density Fiberboard), with a variety of vinyl coating and cork backing. A striking example of HDF vinyl laminate can be products from Floover (Switzerland);
Vinyl moisture resistant laminate- outwardly an ordinary slab of a standard laminate, but based on a panel of composite plastic with an outer covering of vinyl. For example, Floover products;

In particular, Floover's laminate flooring comes in several fundamentally different designs: the laminate flooring can be made from an HDF panel or a composite plastic panel and can have many different skin layers. It can be natural leather or varnished cork, or a decorating layer of digital photo printing, or a woven layer of vinyl, or a layer of natural linoleum.

Vinyl Laminate Based on HDF Panel

A few examples of the use of modern laminate from the Floover collection:

This material is distinguished by the widest variety of colors, the absence of difficulties in laying and an affordable price. In addition, it is a dielectric, does not rot, is practical, does not require special care and can be used in any type of premises.

The choice of linoleum is now simply huge.

Modern linoleum can be divided into five main types: natural linoleum (marmoleum), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linoleum, glyptal (alkyd) linoleum, colloxylin (nitrocellulose) and rubber (relin) linoleum.

Linoleum is a synthetic material, consisting entirely of artificial components, and although under normal conditions this does not affect its environmental safety in any way, the floor still does not breathe. At low temperatures, it can break and crack, and is also unstable to fire, acetone and other solvents.

Marmoleum or natural linoleum

This modern flooring environmentally friendly, as it includes jute fiber, linseed oil, natural dyes, tree resins and other components of natural origin. Due to its antibacterial properties, it is perfect for use in hospitals and kindergartens. Such material does not accumulate dust and dirt, and its wear resistance only increases over the years.

Marmoleum - natural linoleum

It is produced, like ordinary linoleum - in rolls, but there are also marmoleum tiles with locking joints, which are laid similarly to laminate - Marmoleum Click. Unlike ordinary linoleum, marmoleum tiles have a very large variety of colors.

However, during transportation, natural linoleum must not be bent, otherwise it may break. It is recommended to lay marmoleum on a perfectly flat surface, and in the first week after laying point loads on the floor should be avoided (for example, heavy furniture and high heels should not be placed).

cork floor

Cork is a fairly young, but already widespread type of flooring. In addition to its environmental safety, it is resistant to moisture, does not rot, retains heat and noise well, and is easy to clean. It is pleasant to the touch, soft, slightly springy underfoot. Cork is not eaten by rodents and insects, does not destroy microorganisms.

Over time, the protective layer covering the cork wears out, traces of furniture may remain on the surface, and in those places where the movement is especially intense, a path is formed. Among the disadvantages of cork coating and its high cost.

Cork flooring elements can be equipped with click connections. As a result, this material has the same features as laminate and parquet board: without additional external processing, it is not advisable to use cork in rooms with a high level of humidity, such as bathrooms, but, nevertheless, as in all rules and there are also exceptions here - the cork can be used in the bathroom and in the toilet room. After all, the cork itself is moisture resistant, very warm, elastic, environmentally friendly and antistatic.

Cork is an ideal material for the bedroom, it can also be used in the kitchen. Cork is not recommended for the hallway, because in this area it will wear out very quickly. However, in the bathroom it can still be used if it is completely glued to the surface of the base, and coated on top with a protective composition - varnish. When laying a completely new material, such as mosaic cork, all joints and edges must be carefully sealed with a special elastic mortar.

This material creates a feeling of warmth and comfort, is easy to clean and maintain, durable, has sound and heat insulation. The carpet is environmentally friendly, does not wrinkle, does not attract dust, is resistant to ignition, and also has a wide range of colors and a variety of patterns.

Sometimes modern carpet looks no different from natural carpets.

Such a coating is relatively short-lived: from 5 to 8 years, and can also quickly lose its appearance. Before laying requires careful leveling of the floor. Carpet made from natural ingredients can scare away with its high price.

Vinyl flooring

This coating is a mixture of vinyl with natural fine stone. Vinyl flooring is affordable, durable, moisture resistant, easy to clean, resilient, available in a wide range of colors and easy to install. It can also be used to decorate walls.

Such a coating can become a luxurious and very original element of the interior. It is not necessary to install it on the entire surface: it is allowed to highlight some sections of the floor with glass.

The glass floor is increasingly used by architects and decorators in their projects of private houses and apartments.

Durable glass, from which the coating is made, is durable, moisture resistant, has a presentable appearance. The glass floor is difficult to install, needs constant cleaning, scratches, and is also expensive.

Polymer floor or self-leveling decorative 3D floor

This seamless coating is poured directly onto concrete, mixed with quartz sand of various colors, making it possible to create a variety of flooring options. The polymer surface is durable, hygienic, does not burn and does not pass moisture, and is resistant to acids.

Among the disadvantages of polymer flooring, it is worth noting the need for special skills in its installation, therefore the creation of a self-leveling floor is best left to professionals.

Wood-polymer composite or WPC

It is called "liquid wood" because it consists of a polymer and wood. With a high content of wood filler, the coating externally approaches MDF or fiberboard, with a low content - to plastic. Possessing the properties of wood, the material is moisture resistant, does not burn, does not rot or mold, has a smooth surface without defects, and is also more durable. WPC is great for regions with low temperatures. This modern surface can be sawn, planed, stained, lined with natural or synthetic materials.

WPC is used not only as a floor covering, but also for other types of work. For example, today this composition is used for the manufacture of window and door profiles, siding, balustrades, roofing, and many different floorings. In addition to construction, WPC is used in concrete formwork, railway parts, railings, piers, sidewalks, sea piles, noise barriers. This material can also be found in garden structures, as well as in furniture, pallets and even in equipment for children's and sports fields.

How to choose floor color?

Bright hues

In order for the room to visually expand, it is necessary to bring more light into it and. Light shades of flooring are perfect for cramped rooms, creating the illusion of space and perfect order. A light floor can be combined with a variety of colors in the interior, harmonizes with cool tones in the decoration of the walls, and the wood flooring, made in such shades, creates interesting effects next to dark furniture.

However, in combination with light walls, a light floor can create an atmosphere of cold, facelessness in a room. If the tone of the walls is much darker, the horizontal lines of the interior will be highlighted. If you want to decorate the floor with a carpet, choose light or neutral tones to emphasize the texture of the material.

Dark tones

A room completely made in may seem shapeless. Such shades are able to expand the room, while making it visually lower. A combination of dark and warm colors brings a sense of comfort to the room. If the walls and floor are decorated in dark colors, in combination with a light ceiling, they can cause a well effect (light at the top). With the help of a dark floor, you can play on contrasts, alternating dark and light shades in decor elements.

We'll probably end here. Some flooring options had not even been mentioned in this article (for example,), otherwise it would become truly gigantic. Having become acquainted with the main selection criteria and the range of floor coverings, you will be able to take into account all the nuances in order to purchase exactly the option that best suits your taste and requirements of the room.

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.