Floor covering for the apartment. What floors are best for an apartment. Solid wood flooring

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

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

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

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

Linoleum - availability and ease of care

Advantages:

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

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

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

Ceramic tiles - environmental friendliness and durability

The positive aspects of the tile include:

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

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

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

Plank floor - nobility and a sense of comfort

Advantages:

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

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

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

Cork floor - naturalness and warmth

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

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

Disadvantages include low mechanical strength and short term operation. In addition, the cork needs subsequent varnishing, so such floors cannot be called budgetary.

Laminate - a wealth of choice and ease of care

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

1. The laminate is issued in very rich assortment. It can imitate the shades of almost all types of wood, natural stone, fabric, leather and so on.
2. The material is warm, in addition, under it you can lay the "warm floor" system.
3. Ease of care.
4. Moisture resistance.
5. Relatively not high price.
6. Ease of installation (products are equipped with locking systems, thanks to which they are easy to stack).

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

Porcelain stoneware - strength and practicality

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

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

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

Self-leveling floors

Self-leveling floor - aesthetics and uniqueness

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

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

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

Concrete

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

Concrete floor - strength and durability

Among the shortcomings can be identified big weight material, so it cannot be used in wooden houses. Also, to obtain a perfectly even coating, a specialized construction equipment and qualified operators to service it. Another disadvantage is the complexity of the work.

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

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

Natural stone - presentability and practicality

Among the advantages it should be noted:

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

But natural stone there are also disadvantages:

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

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

Mosaic - elegance and originality

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

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

PVC

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

PVC tiles - a wealth of choice and resistance to moisture

Among the advantages it should be noted:

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

Despite these advantages, there are also disadvantages:

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

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

Carpeting - comfort and sound insulation

Advantages:

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

Of the negative qualities can be identified:

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

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

Parquet - durability and warmth

If speak about positive aspects parquet, it should be noted:

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

Minuses:

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

Parquet is one of the best views floor coverings, but due to the high cost of material and work, it has not gained much popularity

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

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 coating. That is 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 technologies insulation and underlays.

Kinds

Floor coverings are hard or elastic. 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 smaller options block 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 that certain temperature regime and air humidity level

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 wood flooring options.

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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 technologies production. 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 floor covering.

bottom layer is a 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 affordable price 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 may have different design and drawing.

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 is 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 desired volume 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 for laying on strip foundation. Top stacked gypsum boards and attached to the profile. On such a screed, you can immediately mount any floor covering.

Warming

Floor insulation involves fixing wooden lag for 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. It's fast and effective method 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.

Often used as a substrate special cotton or other materials. 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 modern interior you can make a light floor from parquet or laminate. It is perfect for Provence and Classic styles. The right shade will be bleached oak. 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.

In most cases, a modern apartment is a concrete box, subject to rough and fine finishing. In the case of the floor, the homeowner needs to solve several fundamentally important issues - which rough design to choose, how to insulate and soundproof it, and also which topcoat to use in each of the rooms. Floors in the apartment - what to make them so that they are not only aesthetically attractive, but also safe, durable and practical. About this today's material.

For styling most decorative coatings a level, solid foundation is required. Sometimes the quality of the floor slab allows you to finish without pre-training, but more often it is required to level the base, its insulation and sound insulation. The type of floor construction ensures its reliability, practicality and durability. Therefore, it often consists of an intermediate (rough) floor mounted on a floor slab and a finishing floor (decorative), which must also have characteristics and properties corresponding to the purpose of the room.

A rough screed does not require special qualifications of the builder, but, nevertheless, it involves a large number of works associated with its creation. You will find device features and a calculator for calculating the amount of ingredients for a floor screed solution

Previously, laying the finishing material directly on the floor slab was practiced, but it soon became clear that decorative material in the form of linoleum, carpet or parquet does not provide the required level of heat and sound insulation, and hence the proper degree of comfort and safety for human health. In addition, the absence of a rough leveling structure affects the evenness of the coating and reduces its service life.

buy floor construction and get better at modern apartment is a complex multi-layer technological system in which each layer is thought out and technologically justified - hydro, sound, heat and vapor barrier.

Fundamentally, two types of black floor are distinguished - in the form of a screed and a structure with lags. Each variety has its own characteristics and advantages.

Varieties of screeds

In addition to the fact that the screed is designed to level the base for the finishing material, it affects the following factors:

1. Makes the base more rigid.
2. Forms a heat and waterproofing layer.
3. Allows you to create a slope for water drainage in rooms where it is needed.
4. Allows you to lay engineering communications and electrical networks in the floor structure.

When installing a floor in an apartment, one of three types of screeds are used:

1. Wet.
2. Dry.
3. Semi-dry.

Each of these varieties has its own characteristics, technology, advantages and disadvantages.

Wet screed

This traditional method screed device, a significant drawback of which is the presence of water in the composition of the solution in large quantities. Before pouring it, it is imperative to provide a high-quality waterproofing layer of the base (floor slab), otherwise moisture will seep through it. To create a waterproofing layer, coating compositions are used that make it possible to obtain a monolithic, seamless coating or ordinary dense polyethylene, which is overlapped at least 15 cm and carefully glued with a waterproof tape.

Important! Waterproofing is brought to the walls to the height of the screed.

A variety of this type of screed is one of the cheapest options. You can fill it yourself. And the issue of providing thermal insulation can be solved by laying foam in two layers with an offset. This will lead to an increase in the cost of the floor structure, but it will become much warmer.

To create a solution, cement of a grade not lower than M400 is used, which is mixed with sand and water. In order for the components to form a stronger bond and the screed to be strong and dense, add. As part of the screed, this substance affects the following points:

1. Increases the mobility of the solution.
2. Increases mortar strength by 50%.
3. Increases the adhesion of mortar to reinforcement by 1.5 times.
4. Reduces cement consumption by -20%.
5. Reduces the amount of water in the solution.

The strength of the screed is also ensured by its thickness, which should not be less than 2 cm. This type of base is suitable for any finishing coatings, as well as for laying the "warm floor" system. Of the shortcomings of a wet screed, the following are noted:

1. The work is classified as labor intensive.
2. The process is associated with wet, "dirty" work.
3. To get an even layer, you need to have the skill of working with beacons, to know how to install them correctly.
4. Drying of the screed requires long time(at least 3 weeks).
5. The screed during the hardening process requires special care - wetting, in order to avoid the formation of cracks on its surface.

Semi-dry screed

This variety is an excellent alternative to wet screed. This method is also quite inexpensive and is distinguished by the use of a small amount of water. As a result, a certain mass is obtained, which in the circle of professional builders is called “carving”, which is sand mixed dry with cement and a minimum amount of water that barely moistens the mixture. The device of a waterproofing layer when laying such a composition on a floor slab, in fact, is only a convention.

The advantages of this type of screed include the following:

1. It can be used both in new and old apartments, in private houses and cottages.
2. The presence of a small amount of water allows the use of this type of screed, regardless of the height of the floor where the apartment is located - moisture does not penetrate into the lower apartment even without a waterproofing layer.
3. The ability to create a perfectly even base without air bubbles, which are removed during the tamping process of the semi-dry mixture.
4. Low probability of crack formation. If fiber is added to the composition, then the screed will acquire additional strength and will definitely not crack.
5. Formation of an excellent soundproof barrier between apartments.
6. The ability to make even the floor on an unheated loggia warmer.
7. It can be used in the "warm floor" system with water or electric coolant.
8. Reliably protects internal communications from mechanical impact.
9. Due to the low moisture content, the screed dries quickly, which allows you to generally speed up the repair process.
10. Availability and low cost of components.

Of the minuses of this semi-dry screed, the following are noted:

1. Without a certain work experience, it is difficult to add the optimal amount of water to the screed composition.
2. The low fluidity of the solution causes difficulties in laying the screed and forming a flat surface.
3. A high-quality coating is obtained using special tools for tamping.
4. The height of the screed should not be less than 4 cm.
5. When forming a high screed, a reinforcing mesh must be used.

Dry screed

For an apartment located in a multi-storey building, a screed made using this technology is an ideal option. This method can be called a screed, rather, it is a multilayer flooring that does not use water.

To form an even horizontal plane, as well as in the manufacture of other types of screeds, guide beacons are used. At the same time, the liquid solution is replaced by a dry granular heat-insulating backfill, which is also distributed by the rule. After that, to form a rigid base, two layers of gypsum fiber boards are laid. Such a screed is strong and reliable.

The advantages of a dry screed device include the following:

1. A significant reduction in the time of work - you can keep within one working day.
2. It is possible to qualitatively level differences of any height.
3. Laying the finish coat can be carried out immediately after the installation of the screed.
4. Dry backfill provides high-quality heat and sound insulation of the room.
5. "Clean" work process.
6. The low weight of the floor construction allows this screed to be used in rooms with weak ceilings, for example, in wooden houses or on balconies.
7. The dismantling of the structure is carried out quickly, which is especially important when laying communications and engineering networks inside the floor.

Lag floor construction

This technology for creating a rough base is also traditional and has been used for a long time. It is endowed with special advantages that make this method of arranging a rough foundation the most optimal for apartments:

1. When constructing such a floor, there are no “wet” processes.
2. The construction material is environmentally friendly and safe.
3. The installation process does not require special skills and tools.

Similar designs differ in the way the lag is laid and the type of flooring material. The lags can be simple and adjustable. They differ in the way they rest on the base. In the first case, bars or chocks are used to install the log, which must be selected in height so that all logs laid in increments of at least 50 cm are located in a single horizontal plane.

A modern and convenient way to arrange the floor along the logs is the method using adjustable supports in the form of studs and nuts. By rotating the latter, the required height of each beam is set. This technology is convenient and allows you to quickly mount the logs, but it costs more than the first option.

As a flooring material for the rough base, you can use:

1. Boards. Moreover, such flooring can be both rough and finish, if you use a top-class grooved board.
2. Plywood. Sheets are laid in two layers with spaced seams. It is smooth and durable, but quite expensive material.
3. OSB boards, fit like plywood, but are cheaper.
4. Chipboard. The most budget option for flooring. In terms of characteristics, it is inferior to the above options.

What should be the floor in rooms for different purposes

The finishing coating material is selected depending on the purpose of the room, where different requirements are imposed on it regarding the appearance and performance.

Floor in the bedroom

The bedroom is the quietest place in the apartment. Here a person should be able to fully relax after a working day, relax, sleep. The interior of the bedroom is usually decorated in soothing colors using environmentally friendly and, preferably, natural materials.

The flooring in the bedroom must meet the following requirements:

1. The surface should be pleasant to the touch, as often in the bedroom you have to walk barefoot, going to bed or getting up early in the morning. Natural coatings have a more suitable surface - board, parquet, cork and soft carpet.
2. The coating must absorb noise when walking on it, especially if it is a spouse's room - excess noise can interfere with the rest of the second person. For the same reason, the coating should not creak. Cork and carpet meet this requirement to a greater extent.
3. Particular attention is paid to the aesthetics of the coating. It should match the style and color scheme of the room, take into account the level of illumination in it, contribute to the creation of a cozy, warm atmosphere.
4. An optimal microclimate should be created in the sleeping room, so preference should be given to natural, “live” finishing materials. In the case of the floor - natural wood and products made from it.
5. The floor surface must be antistatic - this quality will ensure fresh air and the minimum amount of dust in the room. This quality is especially important in a room where people suffering from asthma and other diseases of the respiratory system live.
6. The coating must be wear-resistant, even and durable. Despite the fact that the bedroom is a room with a low level of traffic - this way the coating will last longer.

Children's room

On the surface of the floor in the nursery there are serious dynamic loads, there is a possibility of mechanical damage, getting wet and dirty. At the same time, the floor must retain heat, be easy to clean and maintain its aesthetic appearance throughout the entire service life.

There are several requirements:

1. The material must be of high quality, meet all safety standards.
2. The coating must have soundproofing properties.
3. The surface of the material must be non-slippery, hygienic, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, free of odors and dyes.
4. The material must withstand repeated wet cleaning, exposure to detergents and cleaners. Also, the coating should not absorb dirt.
5. The coating must be antistatic (the property not to accumulate dust on its surface).
6. It is important that the material is cushioned when walking on it - this property will protect the child from injury when falling and reduce the load on the spine.

Floor in the living room

The living room is a room where all family members meet, spend family holidays, receive guests. Sometimes, the room performs several functions, being a living room and dining room, living room and study, living room and bedroom. All this must be taken into account when choosing a floor covering.

Of the basic requirements for the floor in the living room, the following are noted:

1. The coating should be aesthetically attractive, organically combined with the rest of the finish and furniture, emphasizing the style of the interior.
2. When choosing a floor covering, take into account the shade of the cashing of the door and window opening.
3. The surface of the floor must be wear-resistant and durable - so the coating will last longer.
4. The living room can be called the hallmark of the house, so the flooring here is chosen to be expensive, creating a presentable appearance of the interior.
5. The coating should be easy to care for and durable, especially if children and pets live in the house.

Floor in the kitchen

The kitchen area has special operational characteristics. The floor material here is exposed to various adverse effects:

1. The floor surface is exposed to the greatest wear in working area kitchens.
2. The indoor climate is characterized by high humidity and temperature fluctuations.
3. The coating must withstand repeated wet cleaning with detergents because it is subject to frequent contamination.
4. The floor surface must be solid because heavy or sharp objects often fall on it.
5. In addition to strength and durability, the floor in the kitchen must have aesthetics.
6. The floor must not absorb dirt or liquids.
7. The hygiene of the coating will ensure the absence of pores and relief on the surface.
8. The material must be moisture resistant.

floor in the hallway

The entrance hall is the room that is most exposed to negative and even aggressive influences. This is where most of the sand, dirt, water gets. The coating is subject to mechanical stress and wear.

The floor material in the hallway must have the following properties:

1. The aesthetic appearance of the coating plays an important role.
2. Preference should be given to coatings on the surface of which scratches and dirt are less visible.
3. The surface must withstand mechanical stress and abrasives.
4. The material is chosen to be moisture resistant, on the surface of which water can stand for some time without harming the coating.
5. The material must be resistant to aggressive cleaning agents.
6. It is desirable that the floor surface has dirt-repellent properties.
7. The high strength of the material will protect the coating from shock loads.

Bathroom floor

The floor cake in rooms with high humidity necessarily includes a layer of waterproofing. The most reliable type is the coating method, which forms a monolithic sealed coating. The main features of the coating in the bathroom include the following:

1. Moisture resistance.
2. Durability.
3. Hygiene.
4. Mechanical strength.
5. Not slippery surface.
6. Simple care.
7. aesthetic appeal.
8. The minimum number of joints or their careful sealing.

Types of floor coverings and their characteristics

All floor coverings that can be used in an apartment differ in the way they are laid, the requirements for preparing the base, appearance and performance. Consider the most popular options.

grooved board

Wood flooring is a traditional way of creating a warm, natural feel. For finishing, a special type of board is used, which is called grooved. In addition to the fact that it is equipped with a groove and a ridge, there are grooves on the back side that provide natural ventilation of the flooring.

Important! The tongue/groove lock ensures even distribution over the flooring surface.

Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages of boardwalk

Advantages

Flaws

1. Natural wood is a natural, environmentally friendly and safe material. 2. The tree "breathes", and therefore affects the creation of an optimal microclimate in the room. 3. With proper care and right choice wood flooring will last for many years. 4. The surface can be subjected to a variety of treatments - staining, varnishing, brushing, oiling and waxing. 5. The wooden floor creates a cozy, warm atmosphere in the interior.

1. When compared with other materials, wood has a higher cost. 2. Natural wood is unstable to mechanical stress and cannot be restored if severely damaged. 3. Periodically, treatment with antiseptic compounds is required. 4. The material is combustible, so it is additionally treated with antiperm. 5. Periodic renewal of the decorative layer is required. 6. Wood is afraid of moisture, so it can not be installed in every room. It is also worth performing a thorough waterproofing of the base when installing a wooden floor on the ground floor above an unheated underground.

Table 2. Board laying process

Image	Description
	The first board is laid with a groove to the wall at a certain distance, forming a gap of at least 1 cm.
	They are fixed on a self-tapping screw so that the fastener head is subsequently behind the plinth.
	For further installation of the flooring, you can use long self-tapping screws that exceed the thickness of the lamella by 2 times. Self-tapping screws are screwed into the boards at the lag locations. The fastener caps are subsequently masked with a special putty.
	The second method involves screwing self-tapping screws into the tenon of each board. This method provides a tighter fit of the boards and allows you to hide the fasteners.

Parquet

One of the varieties of wooden flooring is block parquet. You can also install modular parquet, which looks like a tile with a geometric pattern of several dies.

Important! Parquet differs from other materials in that it is made of solid wood, so its cost is quite high. However, this coating has a very long service life.

The presence of a groove and a ridge on each plank ensures their snug fit, in addition, the elements are attached to the adhesive during installation. For the manufacture of parquet, such wood as oak, cherry, ash, beech, maple is used.

Table 3. Advantages and disadvantages of parquet

Advantages

Flaws

1. The use of hard rocks for the manufacture of dies allows you to get a durable, reliable coating. 2. Due to the unique natural pattern, the coating has a unique, aesthetic appearance. 3. When repairing, you can replace a single fragment without disassembling the entire coating. 4. The coating is environmentally friendly and safe. 5. The large thickness of the dies makes them resistant to mechanical stress and allows them to be repeatedly polished. 6. The coating has excellent heat and sound insulation properties.

1. Is the most expensive way to finish the floor. 2. For laying, it is required to hire a specialist with experience in carrying out such work. 3. The material is more demanding of microclimatic conditions than others. 4. Like any wood material, it is afraid of moisture.

Piece and modular parquet differ in cost and, if desired, you can choose the material at a fairly affordable price.

Table 4. Average cost of parquet

Name and image of material brand Papa Carlo	Average cost as of September 2018, rubles
	880
	680
	920
	2800
	3600
	3600
	2500

parquet board

The parquet board is a three-layer floor material with a lock joint, like a laminate, but differs from it in that the front layer, like all the others, is made of natural wood. Therefore, the parquet board looks noble and natural. The slats are highly durable due to the fact that the middle layer of the slats is located perpendicular to the outer one - the lower plywood and the front decorative, impregnated with a protective compound.

Externally, a parquet board can imitate a parquet flooring. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the front layer of one lamella looks like it is assembled from 2, 3 or 4 rows of dies.

Table 5. Advantages and disadvantages of a parquet board

Advantages

Flaws

1. Lamels are made of natural wood. 2. Affordable cost compared to parquet. 3. Simple installation and strong connection of lamellas due to the presence of a locking system. 4. A wide variety of shades and types of wood. 5. A variety of optional processing methods. 6. Variability of laying methods. 7. Can be used in the "warm floor" system. 8. Nice surface. 9. The ability to absorb noise. 10. Durable, even coating that does not require complex maintenance. 11. The possibility of creating a collapsible cover.

1. Vulnerability to moisture. 2. Vulnerability to chemicals and overheating when used in a floor heating system. 3. In case of mechanical damage, the entire lamella must be replaced.

Table 6. Laying parquet board

Illustration	Description
	The material, without unpacking, is left for 48 hours.
	First, a substrate is laid with the institution of the material on the wall along the perimeter of the room.
	The boards of the first row are cut on one side, removing the locking element. A gap is left between the wall and the first row of lamellas by inserting special spacer plastic wedges into the gap.
	For a snug fit, the slats use the technology of tapping on them with a hammer through a special bar.
	An electric jigsaw is used to cut the lamellas.
	The locking system allows the installation of the coating in a short time.
	Spacer wedges are installed around the entire perimeter of the room. This laying method is called floating and ensures the integrity of the coating when the material expands during a period of temperature fluctuations.
	To lay the board in the area of ​​​​the doorway, the lamella itself and the door frame are cut.
	IN doorway install a threshold with a hidden fastening to match the coating.
	At the final stage, a plinth is mounted around the perimeter of the room.

Laminate

Laminate is a coating consisting of multilayer lamellas, the front decorative layer of which imitates any type of wood, as well as other natural and artificial materials.

Lamellas from different manufacturers can have arbitrarily technological layers that improve the performance properties of the laminate. The simplest instance consists of the following layers:

1. Lower stabilization paper layer with melamine impregnation.
2. The bearing and the thickest layer based on HDF - plates with a locking connection at the ends.
3. Decorative paper layer with natural material texture pattern.
4. A protective polymer layer that determines the wear resistance (class) of the laminate. For residential premises, material of class 32 is purchased.

Table 7. Advantages and disadvantages of laminate

Advantages

Flaws

1. Castle type connection of the lamellas ensures their tight fit and quick installation. 2. The possibility of creating a collapsible coating for floating laying. 3. The front layer resistant to mechanical stress and the moisture resistance of some models allows the use of the material in hallways and kitchens. 4. Waterproof laminate (PVC) can be used in bathrooms. 5. The coating can be used in any room, as it is environmentally friendly and safe. 6. Affordable cost and a wide range of colors and textures make this material quite popular. 7. The coating is not afraid of UV and does not need additional processing. 8. Material with a special marking can be used in the "warm floor" system.

1. Some varieties are afraid of moisture. 2. Is not a natural material. 3. The surface is not as warm as natural wood. 4. A very sonorous material that requires the organization of high-quality sound insulation of the base.

PVC laminate is environmentally friendly and safe for humans and environment. You can find a detailed list of the advantages of PVC panels.

Laying laminate is carried out according to the same principle as parquet boards - in a floating way.

Laying is carried out on a flat and clean base on the substrate, leaving a compensation gap along the perimeter between the coating and the wall.

Linoleum

Linoleum is one of the common types of flooring that can be used in rooms of any purpose and degree of traffic. Its popularity is associated with many factors, one of which is the moisture resistance of the material and the possibility of using it in wet areas.

Linoleum can be with or without a base. According to the structure, it is divided into homogeneous (single-layer) and heterogeneous (multilayer). The composition can be natural and artificial (PVC). According to the field of application, the material is divided into:

1. Commercial.
2. Domestic.
3. Semi-commercial.
4. Special.

More often in residential premises, three-layer linoleum is used for semi-commercial purposes. It has higher performance properties, resistance to mechanical stress and abrasion. It consists of the following layers:

1. Protective polyurethane layer 0.4-0.6 mm thick.
2. Decorative (front) plain or multi-colored layer.
3. The bottom layer is in the form of a foamed PVC substrate.

Table 8. Advantages and disadvantages of linoleum

Advantages	Flaws
1. Low price. 2. A rich variety of colors, imitations of various materials and textures. 3. Wear-resistant front layer. 4. Durability. 5. Resistance to moisture. 6. Resistance to mechanical stress. 7. Monolithic coating that does not absorb odors and dirt. 8. Doesn't slip. 9. Suitable for underfloor heating system. 10. Does not require complex maintenance.	1. Unnatural material. 2. There may be a specific smell in the first 2 weeks. 3. There may be black sole marks. 4. Requires a level ground. 5. When damaged, it cannot be repaired.

Before you start laying linoleum, the base must be prepared. If installation is done according to cement screed or reinforced concrete slab, then its surface is cleaned of debris and primed. Also, laying can be done on wooden (plywood) flooring.

Table 9. Laying linoleum

Illustration	Description
	At the first stage, the roll is rolled out in the room and allowed to rest for some time.
	Linoleum is cut along the perimeter of the room, adjusting it to size.
	After a day, you can begin to fix the canvas with double-sided tape. The adhesive tape is first fixed on the floor, having previously unbent a part of the linoleum.
	After the surface of the tape is smoothed with a paint roller, the protective layer is removed, releasing the outer sticky side of the adhesive tape.
	Linoleum is carefully returned to its place, fixing in a given position. Do the same with the second half of the canvas.
	At the final stage, the plinth is fixed.

Marmoleum

The natural variety of linoleum is modern material- marmoleum. It contains only natural ingredients:

1. Pine resin.
2. Linseed oil.
3. Jute fibers.
4. Wood flour.

Important! To the touch, in terms of environmental friendliness and degree of depreciation, marmoleum can be compared with cork.

Marmoleum can be rolled and slab. The rolled material must be laid on an insulated or heated base, as it does not have additional layers. Another option is slab, which is distinguished by a multilayer structure, when a strip of marmoleum is fixed on a supporting HDF-plate with a lock, and a cork substrate is attached from below. Laying of such plates is carried out quickly, and the locking method of connection ensures a snug fit of the elements and eliminates the occurrence of cold bridges.

Table 10. Advantages and disadvantages of marmoleum

Advantages

Flaws

1. The material is environmentally friendly and safe. 2. The material is hypoallergenic with bactericidal properties. 3. Affordable cost compared to other natural coatings. 4. It has sound and heat insulation properties. 5. Not subject to shrinkage and deformation, moisture resistant, retains its dimensions throughout the entire service life. 6. Does not absorb dirt. 7. Resistant to point loads. 8. Has a long service life. 9. Has an antistatic surface. 10. Does not burn, support or promote the spread of fire. 11. Can have any shade and imitate the textures of various materials. 12. Easy to install.

1. The edges of marmoleum are fragile, which requires careful handling during transportation, storage and installation. 2. The material is difficult to cut, so it is recommended to trim the marmoleum only at the junction with the wall, provided that the cut will be hidden behind the plinth.

Laying marmoleum is easy and does not require special skills.

Table 11. The process of laying marmoleum

Illustration	Description
	The base must be free of dirt and dust.
	Markings are applied to the floor surface, the middle of the room is marked, taking into account the distance from the wall along the perimeter of the room at a distance of at least 6 cm.
	Apply adhesive with a spatula.
	A spatula with teeth level the solution, forming grooves.
	A fragment is laid out from a marmoleum tile.
	Excess adhesive is removed immediately with a damp sponge.
	With the help of a rolling roller, the tile is pressed in a predetermined position, passing in two directions.
	The cut line when cutting tiles is indicated with a sharp clerical knife.
	The fragment is cut at an angle of 45 degrees using a special tool.
	After gluing the cut fragment, it is also rolled with a roller in two directions.

Video - Do-it-yourself marmoleum laying

Tile

This material occupies a special niche among floor coverings - according to technical specifications it is more suitable than others for rooms with special operating conditions and requirements for floor hygiene (kitchen, bathroom, hallway).

Table 12. Advantages and disadvantages of tiles

Advantages	Flaws
1. High hardness, density and strength. 2. Hygiene. 3. Hypoallergenic. 4. Moisture resistance. 5. A wide range of shades, patterns, textures, sizes and shapes. 6. Biological passivity. 7. Fire resistant. 8. Dielectricity. 9. High thermal conductivity. 10. Wear resistance. 11. UV resistant. 12. Durability.	1. The material is fragile, so it requires careful handling during transportation, storage and installation. 2. Not resistant to point shock loads. 3. It is characterized by low soundproof properties. 4. The coating surface is cold and unpleasant to the touch. 5. Glossy varieties slide. 6. Difficult dismantling. 7. Require experience when laying.

The surface of a floor ceramic tile happens opaque and glossy. More secure, with a pleasant embossed, porous structure is a matte tile. It does not slip, therefore it is recommended for bathrooms. It is easier to remove dirt from a glossy surface, its gloss visually makes the room brighter and more spacious. One of the options for floor cladding is mosaic, but its disadvantage is the large number of joints, which are the most vulnerable spot susceptible to pollution, so the best place for its application there will be a bathroom.

Important! When choosing tiles for the floor, take into account the operational features of the room and the load. We will show you how to choose the right floor tiles.

self-leveling floor

The bulk floor is different in composition. In this regard, its surface can be:

1. Matte.
2. Semi-matte.
3. Glossy.
4. Semi-gloss.

By appearance floors are multi-color or plain, with a pattern and pattern or . Self-leveling floor makes it possible to use the most different ways their decoration - the use of a canvas with a pattern, the introduction of decorative inclusions into the solution, the filling with a transparent composition of saw cuts of wood, stone, coins and other elements.

They entrust professionals with experience, as there are many manufacturing technologies for the composition, depending on the components and methods for creating a decorative coating.

Table 13. Advantages and disadvantages of self-leveling floor

carpet

Carpet is roll material with different thickness and height of the pile, shade and pattern, which allows you to choose a coating for any interior. The thickness of the material varies from 5 to 10 mm.

Note! Any carpet consists of a backing for fixing the pile (woven or non-woven), a fixing layer based on latex, a secondary backing in contact with the floor, endowing the coating with elasticity, heat and sound insulation qualities, wear resistance, and pile.

Carpet is different:

1. Manufacturing material.
2. Manufacturing technology.
3. The length and quality of the pile.
4. base material.

According to the material of manufacture, carpet can be natural and synthetic. The first is more whimsical in care and is more expensive.

Table 14. Advantages and disadvantages of carpet

cork floor

Cork is made from natural raw materials by pressing. This floor is distinguished by high shock-absorbing properties, due to the porous structure. Cork is pleasant to the touch, so it is often used in children's rooms. When using cork in rooms with a high load and traffic, the front layer is varnished.

There are several varieties - in the form of a material with an adhesive base or plates (laminate) with a thorn-groove lock. The latter may have different thicknesses. Tiles less than 6 mm are laid on any flat surface and fixed with glue. Material up to 12 mm thick can be mounted by the floating method on wooden flooring, screed or linoleum.

Table 15. Advantages and disadvantages of cork coating

Summary table of materials for the floor in the apartment

Summing up, it should be indicated which coatings are appropriate in certain areas of the apartment.

Table 16. What coatings are appropriate in certain rooms

Index	Bulk floor	Laminate	Parquet board	Array. board	Cork	Linoleum	Ceram. tile	Carpet. coating
Service life, years	10 – 30	5 – 15	15 – 30	up to 40	Up to 50	3 – 7	5 – 15	1 – 5
Environmental friendliness	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
naturalness	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Not really	Yes	Not really
decorative	high	low	low	low	low	low	average	low
Care	easily	medium	medium	medium	medium	easily	medium	hard
Resistance to mechanical load	high	average	average	average	low	average	average	average
maintainability	high	No	low	low	No	No	No	No
thermal insulation	low	low	high	high	high	low	low	average
moisture resistance	high	low	low	low	low	high	high	low
Price	average	average	high	high	high	low	average	average
For which rooms is recommended	Hallway Living room Bathroom Kitchen	Hallway Living room Kitchen	Living room Bedroom Children's	Living room Bedroom Children's	Bedroom Children's	Hallway Living room Bathroom Kitchen	Hallway Bathroom Kitchen	Bedroom

Important

It is equally important to consider the number of storeys of the apartment. I'll explain why: if you live on the first floor, then remember, there is an unheated basement below. And that means high humidity and cold. If you live on the second floor and above, then under you there will be a residential heated and dry apartment.

When choosing a floor covering, I also recommend considering the height of the room. Some technologies are simply unrealistic to introduce into an apartment, for example, wooden floors on logs if the ceiling height is 220 cm. Another point is the floor difference between rooms. We level the floors at all our facilities.

If in your apartment wooden floor, then I do not advise pouring a concrete screed. There will be a heavy load on him. On the contrary, choose a coating that is light in weight, such as laminate or linoleum. Well, it is important to pay attention to aesthetics.

From a practical point of view, I also advise you to choose flooring by zone. For example, tiles for the kitchen and bathroom, wood, laminate and the like can be laid in the bedroom.

Advice

Zone the area. Separate it with a color, it's beautiful and convenient.

Here's what the floors look like with zoning:

What basis to use

The draft base in the apartment can be made from:

1. Wet screed.

2. Semi-dry screed.

3. Dry screed.

Wet screed

· Long drying time. After pouring, about 30 days or more should pass for complete hardening.

• There is a lot of dirt in the process.

· On square meter there is a serious load, which can reach up to 70 kg / m 2.

Shrinkage may occur as moisture evaporates.

• Serious labor required.

• High strength.
• Relatively low cost.

· Various engineering systems can be laid in the screed.

· To achieve the required level, you can fill in a thick layer without consequences.

Important

Provided that at least three people will pour the screed: one on the batch, the second on the rule, the third on the tray, then on average it is possible to pour the screed for a working day with an area of ​​​​up to 50 m 2 with a thickness of about 50 mm. at the same time, it takes about a day to install beacons.

Work on pouring a wet screed costs about 400 rubles. per m 2.

Semi-dry screed

We use this option in all our facilities. You can read more about the technology on our second website - http://qualityfloor.ru/

· Dependence on weather conditions. At sub-zero temperatures, work is prohibited.

• Difficult to implement on your own.

· Excellent quality is maintained at high speed.

After a while, cracks do not appear on the surface.

· Eliminates the possibility of water leakage into the lower room.

· Unlike a wet screed, a semi-dry screed is 15% cheaper.

Important! One team in the traditional way of pouring a semi-dry screed is able to pour up to 100 m 2. If you use a mechanized method, then up to 300 m 2 in one day.

The cost of materials: cement M500 50 kg - 350 rubles, washed sand 1 m 3 - 1100 rubles. The cost of work, which includes work by the rule and by helicopter, reaches up to 150 rubles. per m 2.

Dry screed

Flaws:

· Hydrophilicity. I explain: if a pipe breaks under a dry screed, then the screed will have to be made completely anew, with preliminary dismantling work.

• Cannot be installed in the shower and bathroom.

Advantages:

• Wet processes are completely absent.
• Increased sound and thermal insulation.
• Environmental friendliness.

· Little weight. Three times lighter than concrete wet screed.

• After installation, the floors are ready for use.

Important! In one day, a team of qualified specialists is able to produce 50 m 2 of dry screed.

The cost of installing a dry screed "Knauf" per m 2 ranges from 450 to 1300 rubles. The price depends on the method of production and volumes. For example, a dry floor screed up to 10 m 2, which includes dry backfill and a floor element 1000 rubles / m 2. With a similar composition, a volume of 30 m 3 will cost you 450 rubles. I will advise you to compare the offers of several construction companies at once in order to choose the most favorable price.

Noise isolation

Styrofoam

Advantages:

• Easy installation.
• Easy to cut.
• Elastic and strong material.
• Service life up to 25 years.
• Not afraid of moisture.

• Flammable material.

· The presence of joints, which reduces the soundproofing properties.

The cost of foam plastic per m 3 with a thickness of 10 mm is 280 rubles. (I didn't find the price for the job)

Mineral wool

In my opinion, mineral wool is one of the best building materials providing excellent floor sound insulation. However, mineral wool cannot be poured with concrete. It is only suitable for wooden floors. For example, laying between floor beams.

• The ability to absorb sound waves.
• Does not burn.
• Does not emit harmful and dangerous toxic gases.
• The ability to cope with temperatures up to +1000°C.
• Possibility of laying without a cold bridge.
• Service life up to 25 years.
• Mineral wool is resistant to various aggressive environments.

· Throughout all term of operation mineral wool keeps the properties.

• Vapor permeability.

• Afraid of moisture.

· Difficulties during installation (protective clothing must be worn).

The cost of mineral wool per package differs based on its thickness. For example, mineral wool 100 mm thick 600 × 800 mm costs 450 rubles. Mineral wool 600 mm thick 600 × 100 mm costs 650 rubles.

Important! soundproofing installation cost mineral wool per m 2 will cost 200 rubles.

Expanded clay

If a screed is poured, then in my experience and practice, expanded clay is the most The best decision. Its price is much lower. The price depends on the faction. It is sold in bags. For example, a fraction of 10–20 mm with a volume of 0.05 m 3 costs 85 rubles, and a fraction of up to 5 mm with a volume of 0.05 m 3 costs 140 rubles.

Important! The cost of backfilling expanded clay per m 2 is 60 rubles.

Positive sides:

• Low price.
• Natural product - environmental friendliness.

· Does not change its structure when the temperature changes.

• It does not start various microorganisms.
• Refractory material.
• Noise isolation is provided by the porosity of its structure.

Negative sides:

• Very brittle due to porosity.

· Due to the low density, it is necessary to fill up a soundproof pillow of a decent height. In apartments with small ceilings, it is impossible to implement.

• The ability to absorb moisture.

Warming

As for the floor insulation in the apartment, I advise all my customers not to miss this opportunity. Especially when the apartment is on the first floor and there is an unheated basement under you. Floor insulation will eliminate heat loss.

Important

If a floor heating system is laid on the floor, then floor insulation is simply necessary. There should be a reflective film on the heaters. Due to this, all the heat emitted will rise up the apartment.

Various materials are used for insulation.

Styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene is sold in packages. Depending on the manufacturer, the price ranges from 1.1 to 4 thousand rubles. Work for m 2 will cost you 150 rubles.

• Easy installation.
• Light weight.
• Environmental friendliness.
• It does not contain different microorganisms.
• Does not pass moisture and heat.
• Service life of 50 years or more.

• combustible
• Upon reaching a temperature of 90 ° is deformed.

Cork

It costs a roll of cork 2 mm thick - 1200 rubles. The cork thickness of 6 mm has a price per roll - 3800 rubles. In my opinion, the use of this heater is unjustified. There are much cheaper heaters. But in some cases this is the only optimal solution. The price of work for installation is 320 rubles. m 2.

• Long service life.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Does not rot, does not spread mold.
• After a while, it does not lose its characteristics.
• Lets air through.

• Difficult installation process.

· High price. But in my opinion the quality justifies the price.

Ecowool

One of modern solutions. In my opinion, the most effective way to insulate a wooden floor in an apartment. The cost of 1 kg is 28 rubles. Work for 1m 2 costs from 1600 rubles. (wet method). In my opinion, the perfect combination of quality at low cost.

• Lets air through.
• Low cost.

· Does not breed mold, does not rot. Insects and mice do not start in it.

• Easy installation.
• Seamless insulation.

For your information

Cons: the main drawback is that after a while, dry laying of ecowool becomes caked. Therefore, when insulating the floor, I recommend tamping it well, on average, 1 m 3 will consume 50 kg.

Water heated floor

For many customers living in an apartment, I advise you to make a warm water floor. However, it is not always possible to do so. For example, your apartment has low ceilings, and a heating cake can take up at least 70 mm. It is not always possible to pour the screed onto a water-heated floor, due to weak overlap. It is also important to consider the choice of flooring. For example, under the laminate all the heat is eaten up and it will be difficult to reach a comfortable temperature.

Advice! As my practice shows, a water-heated floor is ideally combined with ceramic tiles. She has high level thermal conductivity, which allows not to retain thermal energy in the body of the screed.

· Lining insulation (which are which are cheaper and better, briefly describe)

Floor materials

The modern market offers a large selection of outdoor finishing materials. I propose to compare the most common facing materials.

Parquet

• Ease of use.
• Durability about 100 years.
• Beautiful appearance.
• It matches perfectly with any style of interior.

· High price. Especially when exotic wood species are used.

• Needs to be polished from time to time.
• There is a lot of noise when walking.

The cost of a piece parquet is 950 rubles/m2, and a parquet board is from 800 to 2000 rubles/m2. The work will cost 1000 rubles. per m 2.

Laminate

There are many manufacturers of laminate, respectively, the cost of the laminate is different. I take off from the class. For an apartment, I advise you to purchase a laminate class of at least 33. So the price per m 2 is in the region from 300 to 2400 rubles / m 2. The cost of installation is on average 350 rubles / m 2.

Benefits of laminate:

· Packing convenient for transportation and manual carrying.

• Simulates various building materials.
• Easy care.
• Wear resistance (depending on the class).
• Relatively simple and quick installation.
• Can be installed in different rooms.

· Resistant to negative effects of UV, does not fade. Some planks are even moisture resistant.

• Does not breed mold and fungus.

Cons of laminate:

・Unable to recover upper layer in case of wear. A complete replacement is needed.

• Makes a lot of noise when walking.
• Unnatural tactile sensations.
• Rigidity.

The presence of formaldehyde calls into question the environmental friendliness.

· Without deformation joints, the coating will spread or swell.

Linoleum

The cost of linoleum ranges from 200 to 1.5 thousand rubles / m 2. The cost is affected by its class, for example, commercial, household, and so on. For an apartment, I recommend buying linoleum no cheaper than 500 rubles / m 2. Installation cost: for glue 320 rubles/m 2 , without glue 250 rubles/m 2 .

• Relatively inexpensive flooring.

Resistant to moisture and steam. Actual for rooms in an apartment with high humidity, for example, a kitchen.

• Wear-resistant (depending on the class).
• Easy installation. You can use glue or not.
• Does not slip when wet.
• Easy care.

· Linoleum has a specific smell. It goes away after two weeks.

• Weak wear resistance to punctures.
• A perfectly flat floor surface is required.

Tree

In my opinion, the tree is the most a win-win when finishing the floor in the apartment. just keep in mind that it fits on the logs. Therefore, the height of the ceilings should allow such luxury. The cost of a wooden floor per m 2 varies based on the thickness of the board. The average price is 450 rubles / m 2. The flooring of the board along the logs will cost 400 rubles / m 2.

• Excellent aesthetic appearance.
• Pleasant tactile sensations when walking.

· In addition, wooden floors insulate the base. You can walk barefoot.

· Easy to operate. Once every 5 years, a coat of paint / varnish is applied and the floors are like new.

· A new floor covering can be laid on the old wooden floor.

• Easily repairable.

Difficulty in installation. Many nuances must be taken into account.

• It is impossible to achieve perfect evenness of the floor.
• If the installation technology is not followed, they creak.

Tile

The cost of ceramic tiles varies based on its collection. You can find tiles for 400 rubles / m 2, and there are collections of 17 thousand rubles / m 2. The cost of work is within 1000 rubles / m 2.

• Hard and durable coating.
• Does not let moisture through, unless there is a flood.
• Long service life.
• Hygiene.
• Easy to clean up.
• Resistant to temperature extremes.
• Resistant to chemical aggressive agents.

· High thermal conductivity. It's cold to walk on tiles without underfloor heating.

• Harmful in case of moisture.
• High price.
• Installation difficulties.

Rating of floor materials

floor material	Appearance (10 points)	Material price	Installation cost	Price with work	Durability	Time before restoration
		950 - 2000 rubles.
		300 - 2400 rubles.
Linoleum		200 - 1500 rubles.	For glue - 320 rubles. Without glue - 250 rubles.
		400 - 17000 rubles.

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

Laminate

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

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

Benefits of this flooring:

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

Of the shortcomings of the material note:

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

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

Linoleum

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

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

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

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

The advantages of linoleum:

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

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

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

carpet

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

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

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

Laying is done on glue, like linoleum.

Benefits of carpeting:

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

There are few disadvantages:

• rabies;
• the difficulty of cleaning.

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

Self-leveling (liquid) floors

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

The composition of the liquid floor may include different substances:

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

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

Advantages of self-leveling floors in their:

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

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

Tile

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

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

Of the shortcomings:

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

cork floor

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

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

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

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

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

Another environmentally friendly option.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video tips for choosing an environmentally friendly floor covering:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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