Types of flooring in the house. Modern types of flooring for apartments and houses

Today, no one needs to explain that the floor in the house contributes to the creation of coziness and comfort. Not a single element of the interior of your apartment needs more careful maintenance. Therefore, before choosing a floor covering, study all possible types of floors.

Subfloor preparation

Before you decide what kind of flooring you need, you should take care of the base. It should be smooth, not have height differences, protrusions and cracks. To do this, screed the floor in one of the following ways.

To date, the most common:

• Dry floor screed. It is used to level the surface with existing serious defects. Too thick a layer of such a screed does not always allow it to be used in apartments. This can be considered its only drawback. The advantages of this method include ease of coating, ease of installation, high quality. On a dry screed, you can immediately lay the top layer. The laying technology is very simple: a dry mixture is poured on a concrete base or polystyrene is covered, then gypsum fiber boards are laid on the floor.
• Semi-dry screed. This is the filling of the floor with a mixture of cement, water and sand. Alignment is carried out using special measuring instruments. Such a screed dries within five days.

Choosing floors. Types: design, technology, materials

Modern designers and manufacturers of finishing and building materials can offer customers many floor design options. They differ in manufacturing and installation technology, the material used and, of course, the price. Today we will introduce you to the most common types of floors so that you can make the right choice.

Self-leveling floors

In construction, this is the name of the type of screed and finish coating. When working, mixtures are used to level the surface, which are poured onto a layer of expanded polystyrene. Screeds of this type have earned the approval of experts for the small thickness of the coating, high strength and wear resistance. After the base has completely dried, you can proceed to the choice of the main floor covering.

At this point, many people have a question: “Which is better to choose floors?” Types, requirements, designs for all options are different. Which coating will last a long time, be durable and retain its original appearance as much as possible at a reasonable price?

There is no single answer to these questions. A variety of floor coverings gives scope for your imagination and at the same time complicates the choice. But back to flooring as a finish.

This is a relatively new invention. They are often referred to as "3D floors". Such coatings allow you to create real works of art in a single apartment (house). They are very effective.

Types of self-leveling floors are amazing. The cost of such coatings can not be called low. The technology for performing a self-leveling floor is very similar to the manufacture of a liquid screed.

When creating such a coating, the base should be carefully leveled, sanded, cleaned well and primed. Then a base coat should be applied. When it dries, you can draw.

How is screed applied?

In this case, the choice depends on the fantasies and preferences of the owner. Any textures, colors, small decorative elements (shells, pebbles, artificial plants, etc.) are used - all this will add originality to your floors.

Finally, the final layer is applied. The thicker the polymer that is applied to the drawing, the more voluminous the image will appear. There are other types of self-leveling floors. In addition to a transparent coating, you can consider other options - matte fills of different colors, ornaments, large drawings. This type of flooring has high strength and is a decoration of the room.

wooden floors

Many owners, considering the views, increasingly prefer a massive board. It is rightfully considered an alternative to parquet flooring. Massive board is great for large rooms.

This material is environmentally friendly, with proper care it will last for decades. In addition, it is distinguished by ease of installation, which is due to the size of the boards - their width is 10-20 cm, and the length reaches three meters.

A massive board is slightly thicker than parquet, so this material is considered more wear-resistant, durable and strong. Using modern technologies, manufacturers create a board of various colors, regardless of the type of wood. There are many modern paints and varnishes that not only protect the material, but also give the board an attractive look.

Production

Only high-quality solid wood is used to make the floorboard. Most often, this material is made from maple, oak, walnut, birch, cherry, ash. In addition, there is a board made of exotic wood - beech, mergau, bamboo, wenge, and so on.

Laying a massive board requires the preparation of the base. It cannot be placed on concrete. Usually wooden logs (rectangular bars) are used for this. Also, the coating can be laid on a plywood base. Its surface must be perfectly flat. We must not forget about the moisture barrier. It is laid on logs or on a plywood base. Foam can be replaced with mastics, primers and other special mixtures.

In apartments located on the lower floors, it is more expedient to insulate the floor by laying a heat-resistant material between the layers of the coating. Experts recommend keeping the boards before laying indoors for at least two days.

Parquet

When choosing floors, the types and requirements for which differ significantly, it is necessary to consider in which room you want to lay them. Surely you will not place ceramic tiles in the living room, and parquet in the bathroom. Each room has its own requirements.

Classic parquet is a strong, durable, environmentally friendly floor covering. It always looks immaculate. Today they are made out not only in the form of a "herringbone" or a traditional rectangular mosaic. Modern technologies have brought a variety of colors, shapes, textures and shades to the parquet world. Now you can lay out intricate drawings from wood.

Parquet is small wooden boards up to 20 mm thick, about 10 cm wide. Parquet is made from high quality solid wood. More often than others, walnut, oak, birch, ash, maple, larch are used. Demand today coating of beech, sandalwood, cypress, palm trees.

Parquet related to wooden floors, in turn, can be divided into several types - piece, parquet board, modular and artistic. I would like to dwell on the latter in more detail.

Artistic parquet, made by a qualified master, is a real thing. Incredible ornaments, very complex drawings, stunning patterns - all this is available thanks to modern equipment and the latest production technologies. The art parquet is a piece material. It is laid out in an intricate pattern.

Modular parquet can combine different colors, varieties and textures of wood. The process of laying such a coating is very laborious, requires a long time and highly skilled craftsmen.

The disadvantage of parquet, like other wood flooring, is the difficulty in maintenance. It must be monitored very carefully, protected from moisture, regularly treated with special compounds. Yes, and laying is a very complex process that requires the skill of professionals.

Floor tiles

There are floors whose types and designs are well known to our readers. First of all, this applies to floor porcelain tiles, which are made of durable and durable material. However, you are unlikely to want to have such a floor in your bedroom. This option is more suitable for rooms with high humidity - a hallway, kitchen or bathroom.

Before laying the tiles, the subfloor should be well leveled and dust free. All contact points must be degreased. The material is laid on a special glue. Care must be taken to ensure that the gaps between the tiles are uniform.

"Live tile"

This is brand new flooring. In order not to go into the intricacies of production technology, we can say that this is a multilayer tile, the pattern of which changes when you press on it.

Undoubtedly, this is an original and quite effective coating. It requires special conditions for installation and operation. Such a tile is installed on a completely flat horizontal surface. The smallest defects can cause its deformation, as a result of which it will lose its “magic” properties - the gel inside will simply leak out.

Types of floors from roll materials

Linoleum is perhaps the most financially affordable way to renovate a floor. On the domestic market of building and finishing materials today there are different types of this material:

• Natural, made from natural raw materials (linseed oil, pine resin, jute fiber, wood flour).
• PVC linoleum is made from synthetic materials. It is very durable, wear-resistant, has good flexibility. PVC linoleum is single-layer and multi-layer. Represented in the trade with a huge selection of colors and patterns.
• Rubber linoleum (relin) is a two-layer coating. The bottom layer is used rubber, and the top layer consists of a mixture of rubber, pigments and fillers.
• Alkyd linoleum contains alkyd resins and a fabric base. It has strong thermal insulation properties.

Types of linoleum floors in residential premises differ from coatings in office buildings, shops, clinics, etc.

Caring for carpet is quite simple. Latex or rubber-based coating allows wet cleaning. But in this case, it is necessary to ensure that the pile dries completely. Jute carpet requires dry cleaning.

Warm floor

In conclusion, I would like to say about the "warm floor" system. This is a great way to make your home cozy. This option is especially relevant for private houses and apartments on the lower floors. The essence of this method is simple: a special structure consisting of electrical wires is laid under the top layer of the floor covering. Some systems use water or gas pipes. Only regulators and temperature sensors remain on the surface. "Warm floor" can be combined with any coating.

Types of flooring - a list with a photo

Linoleum

Linoleum is a democratic, always in demand material for flooring. In fact, this is a fabric, once only natural, and now synthetic, impregnated with oils, covered with a layer of vegetable cement, resin and wood chips. Linoleum is produced in convenient rolls and comes in five types: natural, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose and alkyd.
Its service life depends on the type and ranges from 5 to 25 years of intensive use.
Most often, natural-based linoleum or PVC is used in home interiors.

The advantages of this coverage:

• low price;
• low flammability;
• resistance to moisture, alkalis and acids;
• high heat and sound insulation;
• a wide choice of colors and textures;
• ease of installation and operation.

Natural linoleum, moreover, is environmentally friendly, does not lose its brightness for ~ 20 years, while synthetic linoleum is resistant to mold and microorganisms. In addition, you can buy a special linoleum, with different coatings: protecting against dirt, anti-slip, bactericidal.

Consumers appreciate this coating for a wide decorative range. You can purchase not only rolls of different colors, but also with the texture of various types of wood, parquet, natural stone and even mosaics.

Disadvantages of linoleum:

• natural - "afraid" of low temperatures, becoming brittle in the cold, and also susceptible to decay;
• synthetic linoleum can emit a specific, chemical smell;
• all types of household linoleum are quite plastic, which is why furniture dents remain on it.

The most conservative, natural method of flooring, not losing recognition in the era of high technology.

Advantages of a wooden floor:

• impeccable environmental friendliness;
• versatility, which allows the use of wood in any premises and interiors, combined with other finishes;
• good level of thermal insulation, pleasant tactile sensations, comfort.

Disadvantages:

• such a floor absorbs moisture and dirt:
• combustible material;
• requires regular care using various protective equipment;
• natural wood, especially valuable species, is not affordable for everyone.

So that wooden floors do not swell from moisture, do not rot, do not dry out from heat, do not creak, do not suffer from insects, they are treated with a whole arsenal of special impregnations, cycled and protected. However, wood is worth it: after all, it is a “living” material, with a natural, unique pattern that gives the house a genuine cosiness.
With proper care, plank floors will last up to 25 years, and with proper care, even longer.

This is a special type of wooden floors, their elite, solemn version. There is a parquet in three guises: piece, panel, type-setting. For the manufacture of parquet, more than fifty types of wood are used.
Oak “bricks”, ash, beech, birch, and pine slabs were especially valued and are valued today. When laying, you can use intarsia and inlay, alternate textures and shades, making the floor resemble a patterned carpet.
Today, two ways of laying natural parquet are common - piece and massive board. In addition, parquet substitutes appeared, for example, laminate.

Parquet flooring has the same list of outstanding qualities as natural boards. In addition, parquet

• looks catchy and expressive, ennobles the interior, makes the atmosphere aristocratic;
• high-quality, properly laid parquet serves 40, 50 or more years;
• such flooring does not need heaters - at least in the southern regions.

Disadvantages of natural parquet:

• relatively high cost and complex installation;
• additional processing, grinding, varnishing, which are required after installation;
• sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity;
• the need for careful maintenance and regular repairs.

This, of course, is not about plastic caps (although craftsmen use them too). And about oak bark, from which corks for wine bottles are made.
There are three types of cork coverings: rolls, tiles and in the form of panels, which are assembled like a laminate.
The average service life of a cork floor is from 7 to 15 years.

Advantages of cork coating:

• cork flooring is environmentally friendly, like any wood;
• retains heat well, pleasant under bare feet;
• high level of sound insulation;
• not afraid of moisture and chemically inert;
• cork is indifferent to insects and rodents;
• the material is presented in a wide color palette and looks fresh, unhackneyed.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting:

• high price (the thicker the coating, the more expensive it is);
• mechanical strength (heavy furniture leaves traces on the cork floor);
• wear of the protective layer. In the corridor, for example, a path will be “trampled” quite quickly, so it is better not to use a cork in rooms with a high foot load.

It is called artificial parquet and there is a reason for this, because the laminate plates are based on dense wood fiber.
Thanks to a complex production technology and a 4-layer construction, laminated parquet surpasses its natural counterpart in a number of ways:

• it is quite moisture resistant
• has good thermal insulation;
• relatively easy to install
• undemanding to care;
• produced in a very wide range, imitating not only wood, but also stone, leather, sand, fabric;
• finally, laminate is considered a relatively budget finishing agent.

Of the shortcomings:

• only certain types of laminate can be laid in rooms with high levels of humidity. In this case, a special, for locks, sealant is used. Ordinary
• laminate should be protected from water: wipe dry as soon as it gets on it;
  the installation of laminate plates is a simple task, but its fasteners are often damaged in the process, so products are bought with a small margin.

For the care of the laminate flooring, you can not use the same preparations as for the parquet. Beeswax and glycerin, which gives natural wood shine, destroy the laminated film.
The duration of operation of laminated plates depends on their class and ranges from 6 to 30 years.

Ceramic tile (tile)

One of the oldest methods of finishing (floors were decorated with tiles in ancient Babylon), which today is mainly used in kitchens, bathrooms and bathrooms. Ceramic flooring is squares or rectangles of fired, processed clay.
The positive qualities of such a coating include:

• affordability;
• environmental friendliness and safety;
• resistance not only to moisture, but also to chemicals;
• wear resistance;
• practicality;
• a wide range of colors and patterns.

Even an amateur can handle the installation of ceramic “puzzles”, and you can choose any shade and texture: marble or granite tiles, oak, alder or Karelian birch, as well as with an ornament.

The disadvantages of ceramic coating include:

• some types of tiles become slippery when wet;
• cold material (walking barefoot on such tiles will be unpleasant);
• brittleness (may shatter if dropped/impacted).

However, the first two problems are easy to overcome: in order for wet tiles to be stable, the smallest squares or rectangles are used: the seams between them prevent slipping. And for a more pleasant tactile sensation under the tiles, you can lay the "warm floor" system.

Carefully laid, high-quality tiles will serve faithfully for 50 years or more.

This is a type of terracotta tile. It is also made from kaolin, but quartz sand and feldspar are added to the composition, pressed under high pressure and fired at high temperatures. The result is a very dense material with minimal water absorption (significantly less than conventional ceramic tiles) and high frost resistance.
Porcelain stoneware may well compete with stone, from the advantages:

• the strength of the material is estimated at 9 points out of 10;
• long service life, up to 50 years;
• resistant to water and ultraviolet;
• non-combustible material;
• environmental friendliness;
• care practicality.

The disadvantages of the material include high cost, as well as:

• installation of such tiles will also be expensive;
• porcelain stoneware is a rather heavy material;
• The material is cold and therefore needs to be heated.

It would seem that stone coating should be widespread, because minerals and rocks are everywhere. But no, because even unpretentious sandstone (let alone marble) requires expensive, high-precision processing. This turns an ordinary stone into an exclusive finishing agent.

In addition to prestige, stone coating has many undeniable advantages:

• environmental cleanliness and safety;
• strength, durability;
• resistance to mechanical stress, ultraviolet, temperature fluctuations and moisture.

Of the minuses:

• fair weight;
• laboriousness and cost of installation;
• The material is cold and needs to be heated.

Although the stone coating, as a rule, does not need special care, cleaners will be needed, with the help of which lime stains, dirt, and mold will be removed. Without these products, the spectacular stone floor will become dull and scratched.
A floor made of natural granite, travertine, marble, dolomite, and other rocks is almost eternal and will delight more than one generation.

This is not only a method of covering the floor, but also a way of decoration, an opportunity to give the interior a special, “antique” chic.
Mosaic coatings are made from natural stone, ceramics, smalt, glass… The market also offers two color options: monochrome mosaic, in which all the particles are of the same color, but different shades, and motley, kaleidoscopic.

Advantages:

• the mosaic floor has a long service life and is resistant to mechanical stress, shock. True, these characteristics depend on the material from which the coating is made;
• mosaics can cover not only a perfectly smooth floor, but also irregularities, including rounded surfaces.

The disadvantages include the considerable cost of such a coating and its installation in particular. Do-it-yourself high-quality styling is not an easy task.
You need to have the flair of an artist and the taste of a stylist to dare to make a mosaic. Another thing is if such an idea belongs to a talented designer and is fully consistent with the concept of housing.
The shelf life of mosaic coatings is at least 15 years.

Concrete

Today, concrete screed is often the basis for other types of flooring: parquet, laminate, tiles and others. But modern methods of pouring and grinding make it possible to create a coating that is perfectly even and completely inert to water. In addition, the floors are durable and practical.

The disadvantages include the complexity of installation and the cost of raw materials. To obtain a smooth, mirror-like surface, both special equipment and qualified specialists will be required.

According to unwritten rules, they tend to cover the concrete floor with something “cozy”, carpet or laminate. But the trend is pristine concrete, as one of the elements of modern design.
Such a decorative concrete floor will last at least 15 years.

Carpet - fleecy, rolled material, monotonous or patterned.
It attracts with such qualities:

• carpet is a relatively inexpensive material;
• provides good sound insulation;
• coziness and comfort;
• wide range, you can easily choose the right color / shade.

A few words about the strength of the carpet. This indicator depends on the pile. The heaviest coverage is with thick, high down and bottom knit construction. A similar product will lie on the floor without losing its appearance for up to 10 years or more.
Not the last role is played by the base of the carpet. And it can be different: from wool, jute, nylon, polypropylene, polyester and even latex. Synthetics are more durable, more indifferent to moisture, however, wool is more environmentally friendly, safer for allergy sufferers.

As for the disadvantages:

• hygroscopicity;
• ability to absorb dust and accumulate debris;
• and as a consequence of the second point - mandatory care, requiring special tools, nozzles for a vacuum cleaner and time ...

Advantages of a self-leveling floor:

• not afraid of moisture, easy to clean, wash;
• long service life - up to 25 years;
• self-leveling floors can be of any color, with a pattern and even with a three-dimensional 3D pattern. Such a coating is a real picture under your feet, for example, the beach in the bathroom or the lawn in the kitchen.

There are few drawbacks to the self-leveling floor, but you can’t discount them: industrial-style interiors, and.
And there's also an ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) modular coating option - better known as soft floor. Quite practical and environmentally friendly flooring, it is often used in children's rooms.

PVC modules have a solid list of advantages:

• the tile is resistant to shock, pressure, moisture, electric current.
• PVC modules have a long service life;
• provide good sound insulation;
• variety of colors and textures.

Of the minuses:
- PVC modules can only be laid on a perfectly even, prepared base. Otherwise, all the flaws of the base will be reflected in the coating.

The technical characteristics of floor PVC modules depend on the premises for which they are intended.
The average service life is 10 years.

Quartz vinyl floor tiles are advanced PVC floor tiles. The composition of such tiles, in addition to polyvinyl chloride, includes quartz sand. The last component (quartz-vinyl layer) is not so small - 60-70%, while PVC and other additives, respectively - 20-30%. In a word, quartz vinyl tiles are closer in origin to the mineral quartz than to PVC.

And here are its benefits:

• high level of wear resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• fire safety;
• antistatic;
• good soundproof qualities;
• the possibility of piece replacement of tiles, in case of damage;
• a wide selection of colors and textures.

Among the shortcomings, the following can be distinguished:

• the need for careful preparation of the foundation;
• because the material is elastic, heavy furniture will leave dents over time.

The service life of such a coating is ~ 20-25 years.

Rooms and flooring requirements

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

Hallway. A room with a high foot traffic, which quickly accumulates dust and dirt. The floor covering in this room should be as durable and practical as possible.
The most suitable options for the hallway will be: natural stone, mosaics from it, ceramic and porcelain tiles, linoleum (with a sufficient thickness of the protective layer, from 0.25 mm), quartz vinyl tiles, high-class laminate, epoxy self-leveling floor.

Living room. In the living room, the load is no less than in the hallway, but the conditions are a little more gentle. Nevertheless, the coating material is selected reliable, aesthetic and strong, able to withstand foot traffic and numerous furniture.
Actual options for the living room: wood (boards or parquet), ceramic tiles, laminate, quartz-vinyl tiles, concrete or self-leveling floor (often based on polyurethane), PVC modules, carpet.

Bedroom. The floor covering for this room must meet at least two mandatory requirements: environmental friendliness and comfort.
A good choice would be: natural wood, cork floor, carpet.

Children's room. In the nursery, an environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic coating is also appropriate. It also needs to be practical. Suitable carpet, natural linoleum, cork, designer soft floor, quartz vinyl.

Kitchen. In the kitchen and dining room, it is wiser to use materials that do not absorb moisture, repel grease and dirt. Rational solution - tiles, concrete, self-leveling floor.

Bathroom. In the bathroom / washroom, the flooring should be practical and resistant to moisture. Recommended mosaic, tile, self-leveling floor.

Balcony. The conditions in this room are close to outdoor ones, so the products must be practical, resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity.
It is worth paying attention to tiles, PVC modules and concrete.

The modern market of building and finishing materials offers a huge range of floor coverings with a wide variety of properties and characteristics. Both modest budget options and expensive luxury finishes are available for sale.

One of the most common types of flooring. Materials for household, semi-commercial, as well as commercial purposes are available for sale. Classification is carried out in accordance with the strength indicators of linoleum. The best option for a home is semi-commercial, not household linoleum - it is slightly more expensive, but it lasts much longer.

Advantages

1. Unpretentiousness and ease of care.
2. No noise when walking.
3. Rot resistance.
4. Long service life.

disadvantages

1. Foundation requirements. The rough floor must be even - only in this case you can count on a long service life of the coating.
2. Relatively low environmental friendliness. In this regard, linoleum, as an artificial material, noticeably loses to natural varieties of finishes.
3. Low resistance to mechanical stress. The weight of a person and small interior items is supported by linoleum, but under the pressure of heavy furniture and large-sized equipment, the material is pressed through.
4. Weak resistance to temperature extremes. Actual for cheap and low-quality linoleum. Such a finish is quite quickly deformed and covered with cracks.

PVC coatings

They are produced in the form of tiles and panels with an adhesive base and a lock connection. Also on sale are tiles mounted using third-party adhesive mixtures. Modern vinyl floors look more aesthetically pleasing and are characterized by significantly improved performance and performance compared to their old Soviet-made counterparts.

Advantages

1. Resistant to various kinds of loads.
2. Ease of installation.
3. Moisture resistant.
4. Good soundproof performance.
5. Nice outer texture.
6. Large selection of colors and textures.
7. Long service life.

PVC tiles. Specifications

disadvantages

1. Foundation requirements. The subfloor must be even, otherwise, over time, all defects will appear on the vinyl. Substrate moisture should not exceed 5%.
2. Demanding to the conditions of storage and laying. Vinyl should be allowed time to adapt to environmental conditions before use. In addition, the temperature intervals recommended by the manufacturer must be observed during the finishing process and after its completion.
3. Poor UV resistance. Actual for cheap vinyl. Direct sunlight causes the color to fade and yellow spots appear on the surface of the coating.
4. Unnatural composition. Vinyl is a man-made material. When burned, it releases substances that are toxic to humans. At the same time, a cheap and low-quality coating distinguishes them even in a “resting state”. When buying, be sure to ask the seller to present certificates of quality.

Cork flooring

Natural coating with high heat and noise insulation and performance. At the heart of the finish is the bark of a cork tree. It is produced in the format of rolls and plates. Perfect for finishing floors in rooms that need environmental friendliness, silence and comfort.

Advantages

1. High thermal insulation performance.
2. Good soundproofing.
3. Resistance to deformation influences. There are no traces left on the cork field even from heavy furniture and equipment.
4. High depreciation properties.
5. No slip.
6. Normal tolerance to various chemical influences, with the exception of aggressive alkalis.
7. Resistance to various pests.

disadvantages

1. High price. As a result, taking into account the costs of various additional materials and the work itself, the price of a cork floor is comparable to the cost of buying and laying a good parquet.
2. Low tensile strength. Sharp furniture legs, pet claws, heels and other similar things adversely affect the condition of the "cork".
3. Low thermal performance. Using cork in combination with a floor heating system will not work, because. The "cork" simply does not let heat through.
4. Tendency to swell on contact with water. This moment excludes the possibility of arranging a cork floor in bathrooms and other rooms with a high level of humidity.

Laminate

A panel made on the basis of fiberboard and supplemented with several layers of thick paper. A texture is applied over the paper (the most popular option is parquet imitation), and protective materials are applied on top of it. The production technology ensures the resistance of the panels to abrasion, sunlight, various kinds of damage, deformation and pollution.

Laminate is relatively easy to install and has a long service life. The only restriction is that the panels cannot be laid in bathrooms and other rooms with a high level of humidity. The installation technology requires preliminary laying of a special substrate.

Advantages

1. Resistance to external influences.
2. Good tolerance to elevated temperatures.
3. Comparative unpretentiousness in leaving.
4. Environmental Safety. The composition of the panels does not contain substances that can harm human health. Bacteria do not accumulate in the material, it does not cause allergies and is perfect for finishing the floor, even in a children's room.
5. Ease of installation.
6. Can be combined with floor heating systems.
7. Long service life.
8. Relatively affordable cost.

disadvantages

1. Weak moisture resistance. The material is not recommended for use even in kitchens. If you decide to finish the kitchen floor with this material, give preference to its adhesive variety.
2. The risk of bubbles and other blisters in case of violation of the installation technology.
3. Creaking when walking when laying on a poorly leveled subfloor.
4. Low quality cheap varieties.

One of the most popular flooring materials. The tile is especially well suited for flooring in rooms with heavy traffic and high humidity. A huge range of tiles is available for sale, differing in size, design, strength and a number of additional characteristics.

In private housing construction, ceramic coatings are most often used in bathrooms, as well as hallways, bathrooms and kitchens. In general, you can choose a tile that fits perfectly into the interior of any room, but in bedrooms, living rooms and other similar rooms, it is better to combine ceramics with floor heating systems, otherwise it will be cold.

Advantages

1. The widest choice of design solutions.
2. Almost limitless scope for the implementation of a wide variety of ideas. With the help of tiles, you can create unique compositions and visually change the proportions of the room.
3. Strength.
4. Ease of care.

disadvantages

1. The complexity of installation.
2. The presence of seams. You won't be able to completely remove them. The width of the seams directly depends on the skill of the stacker.
3. Cold. Walking on such material with bare feet is a pleasure for an amateur. To be comfortable, ceramics must be combined with an underfloor heating system, which leads to additional costs.

This popular type of flooring is characterized by a relatively affordable cost, ease of installation and an almost limitless range of design solutions. Modern carpets are not interested in rodents, insects and other pests, they are easy to care for and durable.

Carpets made from acrylic, wool, polypropylene, nylon, silk and many other materials are available for sale.

Advantages

Among the advantages of modern carpeting, the following characteristics should be noted:

• resistance to various adverse effects, including abrasion;
• a wide selection of colors and design solutions;
• low creasing;
• decent sound insulation in the case of carpets with soft and elastic pile.

disadvantages

If carpets have flaws, namely:

• poor resistance to direct sunlight. This is especially true for cheap models. Carpets lose color and generally presentable appearance;
• poor tolerance to water and use in conditions of high humidity;
• tendency to accumulate dust between the villi. If you prefer carpeted flooring, be prepared to often use a broom and a vacuum cleaner.

The classic version of expensive and high quality flooring. The performance characteristics and appearance of the material directly depend on what kind of wood was used to make it. In houses with wooden floors it is always warm, comfortable and cozy.

Advantages

1. Excellent appearance.
2. Long service life.
3. Complete environmental safety.
4. Low thermal conductivity.

disadvantages

1. tendency to deform. In summer, wood expands, in winter, on the contrary, it shrinks. In view of this, technological gaps must be left when laying the panels.

Decorative floor 3D. 3D image on your floor

This category includes self-leveling floors loved by many. The coating can be made on a cement-acrylic, epoxy, as well as polyurethane and methyl methacrylate basis. Suitable for use in a wide variety of environments. In residential buildings and apartments, polyurethane-based 3D floors are most often used. The compositions fit perfectly into the interiors of bathrooms and kitchens. Characterized by aesthetics and exclusivity of appearance, high resistance and long service life.

Advantages

The main advantages of self-leveling floors include the following characteristics:

• resistance to high humidity;
• attractive design;
• long service life;
• good tolerance of chemical influences;
• high adhesive performance;
• resistance to fire, temperature extremes;
• excellent hygiene;
• ease and unpretentiousness in care.

disadvantages

The material also has its weaknesses, namely:

• high price;
• comparative difficulty of dismantling. Over time, even the most beautiful 3D floor can get bored by the owner, and considerable efforts will have to be made to remove the coating;
• exactingness to the draft floor;
• the complexity of the arrangement.

The cost of different coatings

For many buyers, choosing the right finish option, the decisive indicator is the cost of the material. Of course, this point also needs to be taken into account, which you are invited to do using the following table.

Table. Average flooring prices

You are now aware of the key features, strengths, weaknesses and average prices of the most popular floor finishes. This information will help you think carefully and make the best choice.

Video - Types of floor coverings

Any work to repair an apartment or house ends with laying the floor. Sometimes its installation can be performed before the start of the main work. In any case, you need to choose a specific floor covering. Today, the market is filled with many different materials, and all of them have both advantages and certain disadvantages. An ordinary person who has started repairs can be confused among such a variety, because in general, all types of flooring are popular in use to one degree or another. Basically, buyers pay attention to their appearance and how they harmonize with the rest of the finish. But first you need to figure out what floor coverings are, what properties they have and what kind of floor covering to choose for a particular room in the house.

Ceramic tile

This option is the most common when it comes to the bathroom, kitchen or hallway. Many prefer tiles because they are wear-resistant, easy to clean, and do not lose their merits when exposed to temperature changes and high humidity. To cover the floor, you need to choose non-slip tiles. It is better that it be rough, but not with the effect of "aged" ceramics, as you will have to constantly clean its cracks and dents. For the floor, the most suitable is embossed tiles: no one will slip on it.

Embossed ceramic floor tiles

Fans of stylish collections can purchase tiles imitating marble, wood, river pebbles, as well as mirror tiles with polished metal inserts.

Porcelain stoneware

In its composition, porcelain stoneware is similar to ceramic tiles, but it is made using a different technology and, as a result, acquires increased wear resistance and special frost resistance. Porcelain stoneware is even stronger than natural stone: you can safely hit it with a hammer. Porcelain tile is distinguished from the usual one by its cut: it is painted to the full depth, since the coloring pigment is added to it at the beginning of production.

Porcelain stoneware - durable and effective flooring

Porcelain tile is produced polished, semi-polished, matte, anti-slip (with a relief surface). The range of porcelain stoneware products is extensive - it is stylized as marble, granite, mosaic, wood and even leather. The porcelain stoneware floor looks very impressive. This coating is used for kitchens and living rooms, bathrooms and hallways.

Mosaic

Those who consider ordinary tiles a banal solution can lay out the floor with various mosaics - Florentine, smalt, Murano glass or marble. Florentine mosaic is a composition of natural stones, including rare rocks - marble, onyx, jasper. The stones are carefully turned, fitting them to each other. This work, of course, is not easy, exclusive, and therefore it is not cheap.

Laying a mosaic floor is a complex and exclusive job

Smalt is powdered glass mixed with dyes, which is pressed and baked at a high temperature. In terms of strength, this material is similar to diamond and has a rich color. When laying the compositions, the smalt shimmers, as if it is illuminated from the inside.

Parquet

Despite the fact that new materials and technologies are becoming more widespread, wooden floors are still popular. After all, no floor covering can create such an atmosphere of comfort and warmth as natural wood.

Parquet creates a true atmosphere of coziness and comfort

But, unfortunately, parquet does not tolerate moisture and temperature changes, so it is not recommended to put it in houses with high humidity or unstable temperature conditions. This also applies to kitchens, hallways and, of course, bathrooms. But the parquet is ideal for the living room.

And in order for the parquet to serve for a long time, it must be patiently looked after. The legs of the furniture should be covered with felt heels, the parquet should be washed with a barely damp cloth using special detergents. Parquet floors covered with mastic are periodically treated with special oil, and varnished floors are polished every six months.

Block parquet is made of natural wood blocks, the laying of which resembles a jigsaw puzzle: with the help of various tree species and color shades, any pattern can be assembled. For lovers of palace interiors with decent means, artistic parquet is suitable, which is made using high-precision laser cutting.

Artistic parquet in the palace interior

Such a floor pattern is not cheap, but if the parquet is laid with high quality, it will last for several generations.

Parquet board and laminate

Parquet board is a democratic multi-layer parquet substitute. These are boards (lamellas) 2-2.5 m long, consisting of several layers: the upper one is made of valuable tree species (beech, maple, acacia, oak), and the lower ones are mainly made of coniferous species. If the parquet is varnished after laying, then the parquet board is varnished in the factory. Parquet boards are easier to install thanks to a simplified butt and snap joint system. In addition, when laying it, the requirements for the “subfloor” are not so strict, so the floor from the parquet board costs almost half the price of parquet.

Parquet floor

Today, a parquet board is offered with a variety of shades, which depend on the species used for the top layer of wood. Among the most popular shades is classic aged oak.

Laminate is another affordable substitute for parquet. It is used by those who love wood flooring but cannot afford it. In addition to wood, laminate can also replace tiles, marble, exactly imitating the texture of the joints. At first glance, you can't tell until you touch it with your hand.

Laminate floor - a democratic substitute for parquet

The basis of the laminate is high-density fiberboard, the surface of which is covered with paper with an imitation pattern and a transparent protective layer. When choosing this coating, you need to keep in mind that cheaper types do not have protection from moisture and temperature changes. But a high-quality laminate can last for decades, and damaged individual panels can be easily replaced.

Linoleum

To date, linoleum remains the best-selling floor covering, although back in Soviet times it had a reputation for being unnatural and short-lived. You need to pay attention to the fact that initially linoleum is a natural material that is made from cork, resin, jute fabric, chalk and linseed oil. Such linoleum is not afraid of water, dirt, dents and scratches, it is a good option for people prone to allergies. But, like any natural material, linoleum requires special care: periodically it must be wiped with a special mastic.

Linoleum is one of the best-selling floor coverings.

The advantages of linoleum in the kitchen are especially noticeable. For example, a cup that has fallen on a linoleum-covered floor may remain intact, while only fragments will apparently have to be collected from a tiled floor. And if a heavy object falls, a pan, for example, then the tile may crack, but this definitely does not threaten linoleum. It is easy to install, easy to clean, and relatively inexpensive. And what a variety of textures, patterns and colors are now - eyes run wide! The most popular are collections that imitate more expensive floor coverings: parquet, marble, mosaic, ceramic tiles.

Cork

Cork flooring is another type of natural flooring. So far, such coatings are not yet so common, although this material has a lot of advantages. It is very practical and perfect from an environmental point of view. The cork is warm to the touch, it is very pleasant to walk on it barefoot, it significantly increases sound insulation, eliminates the sound of steps. It is an elastic and resilient material, which, compressing under the load of furniture, is restored completely after removal of this load. In addition, cork flooring does not absorb odors, does not attract static electricity, and therefore does not collect dust.

Cork floors - warm and pleasant to the touch

Despite the apparent fragility of cork, its durability deserves respect: the warranty period for vinyl-coated products is 20 years. Cork flooring is produced in the form of tiles or parquet boards, in most cases with a lock connection. Cork floors allow you to create unique interiors.

carpet

Carpet is ideal for the bedroom, because it is in this room that you want the comfort and warmth of natural materials. Natural carpet based on jute mat, woven from wool and other natural fibers, will allow you to safely step on the floor with bare feet in the morning. Well, if you need a coating for a nursery, where indelible stains can always appear, then look for high-quality artificial carpet, and not ordinary, but mosaic. It consists of modules that can be easily replaced in case of damage.

Carpet - soft and warm flooring

The most durable carpet, but also the most expensive is nylon carpet. More democratic price for coatings made of polyester, acrylic or polypropylene. The most reliable in terms of manufacturing method is woven carpet: in it the threads are intertwined with a jute base. Needle-stitched and needle-punched models are less durable, since the threads in them are fixed with glue. The carpet is laid on adhesive tape.

Polymer self-leveling floors

Initially, self-leveling floors appeared as a convenient option for flooring in public spaces. However, their advantages (decorative, high wear resistance, lack of electrostatic, ease of maintenance) make them quite attractive for use in private interiors.

Self-leveling floors are readily used in home interiors

The self-leveling seamless coating is easily updated, its surface can be roughened, bright colors, unusual texture. With the help of epoxy compounds, you can recreate a picturesque three-dimensional canvas. The polymer material is poured directly into the base and in just a few hours the floors dry out and become usable.

Which flooring to choose for your home?

This question is asked most often when buying flooring for various areas of the house. The advice here cannot be universal, the choice depends largely on the budget, specific needs, the functionality of the room, comparing the quality of flooring and personal preferences. You can only listen to some recommendations of experts.

So, linoleum, cork or ceramic tiles are suitable. They are moisture resistant and easy to care for.

And bedrooms? Of course, soft and warm carpet or anti-allergic natural cork flooring, as well as solid wood. They are easy to clean and maintain a long service life.

Carpet is the perfect flooring for the hall. Often floor coverings are combined in the living room: wooden floors (parquet, laminate, cork) are laid, and carpets are laid on top.

Relatively, we can say that here the most popular flooring is ceramic tiles. It is the best suited for this room, because it is very moisture resistant and easy to clean.

We hope that the above information and recommendations will help you successfully choose flooring for your home that will serve you for many years.

The choice of flooring is one of the most pressing issues for those who have started renovations in the house. What should be the floor to create comfort in the room and at the same time make the interior stylish and attractive? And so that in 2-3 years you don’t have to change it again or restore the worn surface. The price factor is no less important, because any repair involves high costs, which means that you need to use every opportunity to reduce these costs a little.

Consider how to choose flooring from the many options on the market.

Floor coverings are produced in a very wide range, for every taste and budget. Some of them are more in demand, others are less, there are even exotic options for connoisseurs of unusual interiors. Depending on the materials of manufacture, floor coverings are usually divided into two types - artificial and natural. The first group includes linoleum, laminate, carpet and similar products, the second - wood, cork, ceramic tiles, stone. To choose the best coverage option for your home, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each material, compare their minuses and pluses.

Laminate

Laminate is one of the best selling floorings. It is a multilayer panel based on dense wood boards, superior in strength and wear resistance to natural wood. Thanks to the decorative layer on the front surface, the laminate can imitate wooden flooring, parquet, natural stone or ceramic tiles. The coating is distinguished by a rich palette of colors and shades, a wide choice of patterns.

The whole laminate is divided into two types. The first is a household type, not designed for high loads, and used in residential buildings. Its service life usually does not exceed 6 years, and it is suitable only for dry rooms.

The second type is commercial, with improved characteristics. Such coatings are highly resistant to wear, moisture, temperature extremes, and their service life is many times longer - up to 20 years, depending on the class. Commercial laminate is equally widely used in both public and residential areas.

Tarkett laminate prices

Tarkett laminate

Coverage benefits:

• relatively low price;
• a large selection of models;
• good thermal insulation properties;
• light weight;
• ease of care;
• installation does not require special skills.

• laying requires the most even base (height differences should not exceed 3 mm);
• low soundproofing.

Laying features: the panels are connected to each other using a special lock - a special form of a spike and a groove along the perimeter of each plank. There are two types of lock - click and lock. The first type is considered simpler and more convenient and allows for small irregularities on the rough base. The lock allows you to lay the panels only on a perfectly even base, in addition, the laying process itself requires more skill and physical effort.

Between the laminate and the subfloor, a waterproofing film and a soundproofing PVC foam or cork underlay are laid.

Linoleum

Among the budget coatings, linoleum is considered the most popular. There are many varieties of it on the market that differ in the material of manufacture and performance characteristics, but PVC linoleum on a foam and felt basis is most in demand. The coating is highly decorative: manufacturers offer linoleum of various colors with patterns, ornaments, imitation of artificial and natural materials.

There are three types of linoleum, depending on the strength characteristics. The household type is designed for laying in rooms with low traffic and lasts up to 5 years. Semi-commercial is more resistant to wear, so it can be used in any domestic and public buildings. Its service life reaches 20 years.

The commercial type is the most wear-resistant and is suitable for industrial premises with heavy floor loads. The service life of such a coating reaches 25 years.

Tarkett linoleum prices

linoleum Tarkett

• affordable cost;
• ease of installation;
• a wide selection of patterns and colors;
• ease of care;
• good heat and sound insulating properties.

• the material becomes brittle in the cold, therefore it is not suitable for unheated rooms;
• in case of mechanical damage, it is not always possible to eliminate defects imperceptibly;
• linoleum of low quality for a long time after laying emits a sharp unpleasant odor.

Laying features: linoleum is laid in strips end-to-end. To avoid web shifts and the formation of air bubbles, it is recommended to glue the coating to the subfloor.

In small rooms, double-sided tape can be used for these purposes; in spacious rooms, special mastic or glue is used - bustilat for a felt base, acrylate for a synthetic one.

The rough floor under the linoleum should be smooth and even, since the coating has a small thickness and all the irregularities show through well on the surface. During operation, scuffs and tears appear very quickly in these places.

carpet

Carpet combines the characteristics of linoleum and carpet. It can be laid on a finished floor (laminate, tile, parquet) and on a concrete screed. Carpet is produced on a single-layer and two-layer basis, most often made of wool, polyamide or propylene. Natural wool covering is the most expensive, but wears out too quickly, unlike synthetic options. The basis is jute fabric, rubber, artificial fibers.

• the coating is warm and pleasant to the touch;
• muffles sounds well;
• easy to fit;
• wide range of colors;
• can be laid on any base.

• high price;
• tendency to dirt and dust accumulation;
• not suitable for allergy sufferers;
• should not be installed in rooms with high humidity.

Laying features: like other roll coverings, carpet is laid in a continuous sheet over the entire area of ​​​​the room. The coating strips are laid end-to-end. To avoid displacement, the carpet is fixed around the perimeter of the room with skirting boards.

Natural wooden floors have always been highly valued, so even now solid wood flooring is in high demand. Manufacturers offer a wide choice of material from oak, walnut, ash, larch, wenge and other species with an attractive texture pattern. A standard solid wood board has a thickness of 15-22 mm, a width of 125 to 190 mm and a length of 0.6 to 6 meters. The most popular option is boards 1.5-1.8 m long.

• environmental friendliness;
• attractive appearance;
• low thermal conductivity;
• durability;
• the possibility of restoration or replacement of individual elements.

• high price;
• sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity in the room;
• tendency to decay and damage by insects;
• drying out of wood and the appearance of cracks in the floor;
• the need for protective treatment after laying and periodically during operation.

Laying features: modern solid board is available with a tongue-and-groove or click-joint system, so it is laid like a laminate. The coating itself is mounted in two ways - on logs and on wooden flooring, where a layer of plywood acts as a base. The laying process requires at least basic construction skills and the ability to handle tools.

Video - Laying a massive board

Parquet

Natural parquet looks very solid and gives the interior a noble and at the same time cozy look. Parquet is made from wood of classic and exotic species - oak, ash, walnut, cherry, wenge, bamboo, merbau and others.

Standard parquet planks are 14-22 mm thick, 30-90 mm wide, and 15 cm to half a meter long. The smaller the elements, the more difficult it is to lay the coating.

There are several ways of laying, the most popular of which are deck, wicker, herringbone, Dutch.

• environmental friendliness;
• external attractiveness;
• durability;
• low thermal conductivity;
• good sound insulation;
• the possibility of restoration and replacement of individual slats.

• high cost of the material;
• complexity of installation;
• the tendency of the coating to dry out and deform;
• susceptibility to decay;
• the need for competent and regular care.

Laying features: for high-quality installation, a perfectly even base is required, therefore it is recommended to level the subfloor with a leveling mixture or make plywood flooring. Each plank is glued to the base according to the selected layout method. Without special skills, it is quite difficult to cope with this, so it is better to entrust such work to a professional. After the glue dries, the coating is sanded and treated with protective compounds - oil, waterproof impregnation, varnish, natural wax.

parquet board

In appearance, the parquet board almost does not differ from piece parquet, and in many respects it surpasses it in terms of performance. Its multi-layer structure provides high resistance to mechanical stress, and the protective layer retains an attractive appearance of the coating for a longer time. The front layer can consist of one or more dies, on the basis of which four types of parquet boards are distinguished - one-strip, two-strip, three-strip and multi-strip.

• aesthetic appearance;
• low thermal conductivity;
• unlike parquet, this material is less demanding on humidity and temperature conditions;
• long service life;
• good sound absorption;
• relative ease of installation;
• the material does not need additional processing after laying;
• carelessness.

• rather high price;
• poor resistance to scratches and impacts;
• the difficulty of restoration in case of damage.

Installation features: there are two ways to install such a coating - adhesive and floating. The first method is more laborious and is almost never used. With the floating method, the boards are connected using a tongue-and-groove system, and joints are glued for greater tightness of the coating. Between the subfloor and the parquet board, a layer of waterproofing film and a substrate of heat-insulating material must be laid.

Video - Laying parquet boards

Cork flooring is still gaining popularity, although in some respects it is superior to traditional wood floors in many respects. They are made by heat treatment and pressing of crushed cork oak bark. Cork flooring is available in the form of slabs and panels of various thicknesses.

Depending on the structure, the coating is divided into two types - lock and adhesive. The first is multilayer panels with a fibreboard core. The thickness of such panels is on average 10 mm, width - up to 30 cm, length 90-100 cm. Most lock-type modifications have a protective coating of vinyl film, acrylic or varnish. More budget options need to be treated with protective equipment on their own, after laying the floor. The adhesive type is most often produced in plates with a thickness of 4-6 mm and dimensions of 60x30 and 30x30 cm.

• light weight;
• environmental friendliness;
• antistatic properties;
• high heat capacity;
• moisture resistance;
• the floor looks very presentable;
• the material is hardly flammable;
• The cover is pleasant to the touch.

• high price;
• the need for special care.

Mounting features: the locking coating is laid on the substrate and connected like a laminate, using the tongue and groove system. The base must be dry and even, with a maximum height difference of up to 3 mm. For adhesive coating, the subfloor must be perfectly flat. Laying of plates is carried out from the center of the room, while the glue is applied not only to the back side of the tile, but also to the base.

Ceramic tiles and stone

Artificial and natural stone, tiles, porcelain stoneware are among the most durable and durable floor materials. Properly selected color and texture can completely change the interior, make it more solid or give an original look. The range of such coatings includes tiles of various sizes, colors and textures, including those with imitation of natural materials.

• wide price range;
• resistance to moisture, abrasion and temperature extremes;
• attractive appearance;
• ease of care;
• long service life.

• styling requires a certain skill;
• fragility;
• the material is cold to the touch;
• the complexity of the restoration and replacement of damaged elements.

Laying features: the tile is attached to the base with glue, which is applied with a notched trowel. In the process of work, it is necessary to strictly observe the width of the seams, using special plastic crosses. Laying is carried out in several ways: straight, staggered, checkerboard and others. Facing takes a lot of time and requires patience and accuracy in work.

Elite and non-standard coatings

In addition to the traditional options, many are interested in floor coverings that are unusual for the floor, which give the room a memorable and spectacular look.

Choosing a coating

So, having studied the characteristics of various floor coverings, we proceed directly to the choice. Here you need to take into account the cost of the material, appearance, compliance with operating conditions and the complexity of installation, if you plan to do the installation yourself.

Step 1. Determine the budget for laying the floor. First of all, you should evaluate your financial capabilities so that during the repair process you do not have to save on other materials or limit yourself to something else. The most practical options are semi-commercial linoleum and class 31-32 laminate. These are not the cheapest coatings, but they have excellent characteristics and a long service life. In addition, they can be matched to any room in the house.

Step 2 We choose the material according to the method of installation. Two criteria are important here - the complexity of laying and the duration of the workflow. If there is no building experience, it is best to choose roll coverings (linoleum, carpet), laminate, parquet board or cork. They are also suitable if you need to make repairs as soon as possible. Solid wood floors will require more time and skill, the same goes for parquet and ceramic tiles.

Step 3 We choose a design. The color and pattern of the floor should be in harmony with the overall decoration of the room. For classic interiors, discreet tones with a discreet texture are suitable, for rooms in a modern style, you can take a coating with a clearly defined pattern and contrasting shades. In any interior, a coating with imitation of parquet or a plank floor looks advantageous, an excellent option is a laminate with a chamfer.

Step 4 Having roughly decided on the main criteria, we select the coverage option separately for each room. In the bedroom, environmentally friendly material is most appropriate - a solid board, cork or parquet. But it is better not to lay carpet or linoleum in the bedroom: the first one collects a lot of dust, the second one can emit an unpleasant odor.

Parquet in the bedroom - photo

Step 5 Choosing a floor for the living room. Most of the coatings described above will fit here. To add coziness, you can lay carpet, parquet and laminate will make the interior more solid, the most budget option is linoleum with a wood pattern or beautiful ornaments.

Step 6 We go to the children's room. This requires an environmentally friendly material with high wear resistance. The ideal option is cork floors, a parquet board or a laminate of class 31-32 is also well suited.

Step 7 Now we will select the coating for the kitchen and the corridor. In these rooms, the floor is subjected to increased loads, pollution, and moisture, so the coating should be as resistant to wear as possible, moisture resistant and easy to clean. To the greatest extent, these requirements are met by tiles and porcelain stoneware, linoleum on a foam base of class 33 or 34 is also suitable.

Step 8 Tiles are traditionally used in the toilet and bathroom. She is not afraid of high humidity, temperature changes, frequent cleaning with the use of chemicals. In addition, a large assortment allows you to choose a finish for every taste, even the most extraordinary.

Video - How to choose a floor covering