Choose flooring for the apartment and house

Construction, reconstruction, repair work of any premises ends with its interior decoration. If the foundation is the base for the entire structure, then the floor is the basis of its separate part, room. From the base depends on the interior of a particular place as a whole.

The top layer (floor covering) not only decorates the floor, it protects it from moisture and mechanical stress. Given this circumstance, the owners will think about how to choose a floor covering for the room, which should be preferred. Some stop on linoleum, laminate, others choose natural raw materials - parquet, board. Only having considered all possible materials offered by the construction market, you can create an original design.

Floor requirements for different rooms

The peculiarity of the room, its functionality affects the choice of material for flooring. The floor in the bathroom can not be the same as in the bedroom, it is a room with different functions. The gym, office, warehouse, living space - they all require a separate, individual flooring. So, the top layer must meet the following general requirements:

  • Floor covering must match the overall interior design;
  • Consider the intended use of space;
  • Have good decorative qualities;
  • Do not create difficulties in its cleaning from dirt, dust;
  • To be insensitive to stress, shock;
  • Possess moisture-proof, noise-insulating, wear-resistant properties.


    

All decking can be divided into three groups: industrial, office, residential. For the premises of the company, the company requires low-wear materials. For rooms in the house or apartment has its own requirements:

Living rooms - living room, bedroom, nursery

All the inhabitants of the house most of the time spent in residential areas. Therefore, the flooring in these places should be durable. In the living room they take friends and acquaintances, the family members themselves while away the evenings here, respectively, the load on the floor is quite large. The material of the flooring is chosen taking into account its resistance to destruction, the occurrence of scratches, which can leave your favorite pets or furniture when it is rearranged.

Bedroom, children's room requires a responsible approach to the choice of flooring. It must be from natural raw materials so as not to cause allergic reactions or diseases in households. Children, in turn, love to have fun. They run, jump, make something, play games, draw with pencils, felt-tip pens. Their actions create a large dynamic load on the floor, which must be considered when choosing it. In addition to environmental factors, one should consider such properties as hardness, slip resistance. For children, a characteristic such as ergonomics is also applicable, so that the child does not receive an accidental injury.

An important requirement is the compliance of the floor with aesthetic properties and the overall style decision of the interior. For example, for the Arabic style characters are dark colors, African colors are shades of dry grass, scorched soil, Greek colors are green, lemon background.

    

Kitchen

The kitchen is not only a place for cooking, this concept fits much more. Here is a family meeting, a discussion of important topics, the adoption of serious decisions. Some even use this room for washing things, having a washing machine in it. Accordingly, the room should be comfortable for hanging out, and the floor should be practical, harmoniously fit into the general look, and meet the characteristic requirements.

The kitchen room has a high attendance, is a zone of intensive movement of households. Food is cooked here, so the temperature, humidity is constantly changing in space, and evaporation gets into the air. Accordingly, the genital layer should be:

  • Moistureproof. The presence of water on the kitchen floor is a fairly common scene. The liquid enters the formation of condensate, splashing from the utensils in which the food is prepared, remains after wet cleaning;
  • Waterproof. The material not only has to be resistant to water, its absorption is not allowed, the pass through itself. This condition must be observed because microorganisms can form under the coating, decomposing concrete or wood laid under the surface;
  • Wear resistant. A fatty layer often occurs around the slab, which has to be removed using chemicals and hard brushes. The coating must withstand such loads and not change its color and structure;
  • Do not slip. To prevent injuries, it is necessary to choose rough surfaces that do not allow the liquid to flow along the plane;
  • Shock resistant. The coating must withstand various impacts. Awkward movements can lead to accidental breaking of dishes, falling pots, pans.


    

When combining different materials, zoning the space, it is necessary that the combined coatings meet the listed requirements.

Entrance hall

The room from where each person goes to work, walk, go shopping. This is the first place in the house, which you enter upon entering the dwelling. It concentrates all the dirt brought on the shoes. Sand particles, clay are abrasive materials that can damage the flooring, so it must be protected from such exposure. In addition, women's heels, hand carts, bicycles, skis can also have a negative impact on him.

When it rains and snows, people bring moisture left on umbrellas, clothes, hand luggage, as well as various reagents used on the street to handle roads. Therefore, the characteristics of moisture resistance, the ability to withstand chemical effects for coating play a large role.

    

The hallway is characterized by more solid flooring that can withstand shock loads. Different synthetic materials are also used - laminate and linoleum, less often ceramic tiles, natural stone, parquet. The main thing is that they do not emit harmful substances, have an attractive appearance.

Bathroom

Toilet, bathroom - the most demanding rooms when choosing decorative flooring materials. It is necessary to take into account the eternal humidity, temperature changes, as well as to combine the aesthetic properties of the coating with safety, to create a comfortable environment.

The layer of the selected raw material must match the room. The floor should be made warm. If ceramics is used, a self-leveling coating, then a water, electric heating system is installed for heating. With regards to the whole space, the fact of the constant availability of water, its penetration on all surfaces is taken into account, therefore there must be steam and waterproofing.


    

When choosing a coating, its ability to withstand loads in the form of a washing machine, shower, bath with water, toilet bowl and other useful items is taken into account. It is desirable to have a slope on the plane, this contributes to the collection of water in one place, does not allow it to spread around the perimeter of the room. It is important not to forget about the decor of the bathroom, the compatibility of the colors of all elements.

Balcony / Loggia

The feature of these rooms is the lack of heating. This fact leads to the fact that the temperature here is almost the same as the street temperature, constantly changing. Unglazed balconies are exposed to natural precipitation. Due to moisture, floors can rot, become fertile ground for the development of mold.

The floor on open balconies should be frost-resistant, non-flammable, do not slip, do not pass moisture, do not absorb it. Extending conditions reduce the types of materials used for the surface. Here you can leave the usual concrete flooring, cover it with ceramic, rubber tiles, ceramic granite, use the frost-resistant linoleum.


    

Closed balconies, loggias are less susceptible to sunlight, rain, snow. If you install heating, the room will differ little from residential, so you can cover the floor with any material. It is desirable that it was soundproof. On the unheated balcony, loggia without heating, cold-resistant flooring is laid.

The flooring options, their advantages and disadvantages

Country house, city apartment must have a solid, durable floor. Its base can be concrete, wood, covered with appropriate floor material. By the choice of raw material fit deliberately, it depends on the service life, the general appearance of the room. In contrast to the surfaces of walls and ceilings, which can be regularly updated (wallpapering, repainting, whitening), the floor is less affected. In addition to laborious work, it is still a rather expensive undertaking.

The materials used to cover the surface of the floor, differ in their properties, have different characteristics. The raw materials used are: concrete, stone, plastic, wood, polymers, rubber. Also, floorings are divided into piece, roll, tiled, self-leveling floor. The construction market offers a wide range of building materials, able to meet the needs of homeowners. Consider the characteristics of the most popular ones:

Batten

The profile board made of wood, by a production method is divided into massive and spliced. Depending on the type, products differ in characteristics, the method of attachment to the base.

The massive board turns out from solid wood on which quality the class of a finished product depends. There are only four of them. The first two are used for the main flooring. They are varnished, emphasizing the natural, natural pattern. The third, fourth grade contain knots, small defects. These boards are often used for roughing. When used as a finishing deck, they are painted. To obtain a flat plane of the floor, after the completion of installation work, the material is ground.

Spliced ​​board is obtained by gluing individual lamellae. It is characterized by the absence of defects, durability. The plane of such building materials does not require additional alignment.

The building material is environmentally friendly, has good wear resistance, it helps to keep the heat indoors, has high strength. The disadvantages of raw materials include poor sound insulation, low resistance to moisture.

    

Heavy furniture must be installed on additional rubber feet under the legs, thus avoiding dents in the wood.

Laminate

Building material is a four-layer structure. The bottom row protects the product from deformation. Surface - made of acrylic resin, less often melamine, which give the product shock resistance, wear resistance. The second layer - the main one, is represented by a fiberboard. The image is applied to the paper, which is the third layer. It can imitate wood, stone, another texture.

The laminate differs in the low price. It is resistant to stress, does not require constant care. It is an environmentally friendly material, it lacks substances that may be harmful to human health. In the presence of a special substrate, it can be mounted on the floors with water, electric heating. With proper operation can serve for 10 years.

The disadvantages include poor resistance to water. Laminate requires skills in laying, if the technology is broken, it swells. The coating should be laid on a very flat plane of the base, otherwise it will emit characteristic sounds (creak). It has many classes that define the ultimate load on the material.

    

Parquet and floorboard

Building material refers to the traditional flooring. It has a woody base, with a glued layer of valuable species. When laying the parquet, you can use several methods. It can be glued directly to an even screed, simply laid in a mosaic way, without using adhesive mixtures, having previously prepared the surface (the base is covered with waterproofing, the substrate is laid on top). The second method is less durable, however, it allows you to replace a damaged element.

The advantages of parquet are expressed in its durability and reliability. It consists of a tree that is neutral to humans. Well kept warm. Of the existing wooden coatings, building material is most in demand. It has a large number of different shades.

High price and deformation of the material - its main drawbacks. It also has a limited design, imitating only a woody structure. It requires additional treatment with special compositions that protect it from moisture, imparting wear resistance and resistance to mechanical damage.


    

Linoleum

Common type of coverage. The material is found everywhere. It is produced in rolls, there is also PVC tile. By type of application is divided into household, semi-commercial, commercial. The look determines its hardness and thickness, which affect the wear of the material. Fastening to the base is made in three ways. It can be glued, leveled and fixed with plinth, use adhesive tape.

The building material has a good protection from moisture, has a very long service life. It is easy to maintain, clean from contamination. Presented by a wide range of colors and textures. Cold-resistant options can be used in unheated rooms.

The composition of this product includes rubber, alkyd resin, polyvinyl chloride. These chemicals do not include the product in the category of environmentally friendly. With strong changes in temperature, the material changes its physical properties, it begins to crack, crumble. After spreading to the surface, it needs time to straighten, adapt to the surface, fit snugly to the screed.


    

Carpet

Soft cover, which, unlike the carpet, completely carpets the room. It is made of natural materials (wool, silk), also artificial (polypropylene, polyester, nylon). By analogy with linoleum, it can be produced in rolls, tile. Fastened with nails, clips, glue, double-sided tape.

The product has good sound insulation properties. The carpet is very soft, pleasant to move. Virtually no wear. It has many colors, can contain images, ornaments, drawings. Carpet, made from natural raw materials, environmentally friendly. This is the safest floor covering.

The product requires regular cleaning, otherwise the dirt is clogged among the fibers of the carpet, which creates inconvenience during operation. The material is sensitive to moisture, poorly tolerates exposure to solar radiation. It is not used in the kitchen, in the bathroom.

    

Marmoleum

Externally, the product is similar to linoleum, but marmoleum is made from natural ingredients. It consists of: flaxseed, hemp oil, wood flour and resin, limestone, jute. When coloring the top layer, get different options for textures. Release the finished product in the form of tiles, panels, twisted rolls.

The product gives a long warranty period, which is more than twenty years. This coating can be used even in the nursery, thanks to the natural components that make up it. The material is resistant to sunlight, has a high ignition threshold, is immune to temperature changes. It does not get wet, it fits well over old coatings, perfectly decorates the room.

The cons of marmoleum is its rigidity. The product is very fragile, it is impossible to re-roll it into a roll. Differs in big weight, complexity in installation. It has a higher price compared to unnatural counterparts.

Cork floor

The bark of evergreen oak (cork), growing among the states of southwestern Europe, also North Africa, is an excellent component for the creation of the finished product. Its production uses crushed raw materials or a more expensive option - veneer. The structure of the cork resembles a honeycomb, but instead of honey, they are filled with air.

The product has a non-standard structure. It has good elasticity, which is felt in a comfortable movement. Does not require additional insulation, thermal conductivity corresponds to mineral wool panels. It has good sound insulation (dampens sound waves). Differs in simple installation, has small weight.

The main disadvantages of the material are its brittleness, susceptibility to destruction, weak moisture resistance. Afraid of decking and direct rays emanating from the sun. The coating is poorly compatible with other materials, especially rubber.

Ceramic tiles

The product is represented by plates that are made of baked clay. It is obtained by casting, extruding, pressing. The color of the product becomes due to the application of a layer of glaze. The entire tile can be divided according to certain characteristics:

  • Type of raw materials. In the manufacturing process uses different clay (white, red, combined) with the addition of other minerals;
  • The porosity of the structure. Highly porous products are afraid of moisture;
  • Type of coverage. The presence of a layer of varnish on the surface of the material.

Стройматериал незаменим для санузла, кухни. Он нейтрален к перепаду температур, а при наличии системы теплый пол, плитку можно уложить даже в зале, спальне. Кафель отличается огромным выбором расцветок, его можно совместить с любым интерьером. It is also very durable, not afraid of water, after a dozen years does not lose its original appearance.

Among the shortcomings can be identified cold, coming from the surface. It is difficult to lay to achieve a flat plane. The seams are always very visible on the surface, regardless of the skill of the person who made the installation.


    

Self-leveling floor

The main criterion that determines the quality of the flooring is a flat surface, its strength. Liquid solution meets these requirements. The self-leveling floor has a monolithic structure consisting of three layers. Images, including 3D, which can be obtained using this building material, unlimited.

The surface obtained from a liquid solution has many advantages. Self-leveling floor has a high performance load. There are no seams on the plane, it is even, resistant to shock loads. This material does not burn, providing fire safety. Due to adhesion, it adheres well to other foreign surfaces.

Among the shortcomings can distinguish the price of flooring. When pouring, there is very little time to work with the material in the liquid state, you have to work very quickly, so it’s problematic to do the installation yourself.


    

Table of flooring, their parameters

CoatingDeclared service life, yearsDecorative qualitiesMoisture resistancePresence of stitchesApplication area
Linoleum5-10Large area of ​​decors++The whole house, except for the nursery
Laminate5-15Limited to wood texture+-+Hall corridor
Parquetup to 40+-++In addition to the bathroom
Floorboard, lining15-20-++Do not use in the bathroom, in the kitchen of unheated balconies
Board (parquet)15-20+-++In addition to the bathroom
Carpet5-10Natural colors, variety of drawings-+In addition to the kitchen, bathroom, balcony
Self-leveling floor25-45Huge selection of colors, different abstractions, images, 3D+-Bathroom, dining room, hallway, corridor
Ceramicsup to 20Many colors, small drawings++Bathroom, dining room, balcony
Bungto 10Small selection of colors-+In addition to the bathroom, bathroom, hallway
Marmoliumup to 20Natural colors, textures++Everywhere
Liquid linoleumbefore 18Small selection+-Bathroom, dining room, hallway

How to prepare the floor before finishing

Building construction of the floor consists of several layers: finishing, draft. The first is the flooring. The second is the basis for the final flooring, which includes several rows (interlayer, screed, additional waterproofing, soundproof, heat-insulating layer). Materials for the draft layer can be:

  • Wooden joist floors. To lay such a base is better in a private house, it is also suitable for a terrace. Such designs differ in low weight, which allows you to work with them personally. Wooden beams, bars laid on a concrete base, they can themselves serve as a base. Alignment using wedges, slivers is unacceptable, so that the floor does not subside, enclose the metal. At the final stage, wood is treated with antiseptics, covered with sheet material (fiberboard, chipboard, OSB, plywood).
  • Cement strainer. A budget option. It can be put on heating, layers of heat, waterproofing. It consists of cement mixed with water and sand. After pouring, the solution is leveled with a rule; it is allowed to dry. After cover the final layer.
  • Semi-dry screed. It is a semi-dry concrete or standard cement mortar with a minimum amount of moisture. To prevent cracks in it, fiber is added at the rate of 80 grams per bucket of water.
  • Dry screed. Different materials are used: expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite. The density of such bases is less than that of traditional ones, but it is sufficient even for intensively used rooms. Laying is carried out by backfilling on the rough floor of dry raw materials. Then it is leveled and covered with sheets of hardboard, chipboard.

Floor insulation

Non-heated floor will drain the room. It is the coldest place in the house, since warm streams always rise upwards. In winter, to exist in such conditions is generally uncomfortable. To solve this problem, use special insulation: glass wool, ecowool, polymer (foam, polystyrene foam). They can be used in the hall, kitchen-studio, hallway. The only place where they will not be proc - unglazed balcony. Consider several options for insulation:

  • Styrofoam. Its main volume is gas, so it has good thermal insulation properties. Lay it on any basis. Most suitable for placement above basements, open ground. It is possible to warm concrete floors.
  • Mineral wool. The list of works with the material (as well as with foam plastic) is reduced to laying insulation between wooden bars, over which the floor covering is mounted.

Conclusion

Design solutions in interior design lead to the search for the best materials for flooring. The construction market offers a wide range of finished products. There are even such options for finishing the coating, as vinyl or polycarbonate. So, if you wish, the presence of a huge variety of materials, you can give the original look to any room of your own home.

Watch the video: How to Choose Flooring (March 2024).

Leave Your Comment