What floors are the most practical in apartments. Types of flooring: pros and cons. Hard coatings are

Modern flooring for the home

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

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

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

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

What should be considered when choosing flooring?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parquet or parquet board

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

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

Ceramic tile

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

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

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

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

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

Vinyl laminate or laminate with polyurethane surface

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

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

Here, in order not to confuse anyone, it is immediately worth clarifying. Options vinyl laminate three:

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

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

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

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

The choice of linoleum is now simply huge.

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

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

Marmoleum or natural linoleum

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

Marmoleum - natural linoleum

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

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

cork floor

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

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

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

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

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

Sometimes modern carpet looks no different from natural carpets.

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

Vinyl flooring

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

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

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

Polymer floor or self-leveling decorative 3D floor

Such a seamless coating is poured directly onto the concrete, mixing with quartz sand different colors, so you can create a variety of flooring options. The polymer surface is durable, hygienic, does not burn and does not pass moisture, and is resistant to acids.

Wood-polymer composite or WPC WPC is used not only as a floor covering, but also for other types of work. For example, today this composition is used for the manufacture of window and door profiles, siding, balustrades, roofing, and many different floorings. In addition to construction, WPC is used in formwork for concrete work, in the production of railway parts, railings, piers, sidewalks, sea piles, noise barriers. This material can also be found in garden structures, as well as in furniture, pallets and even in equipment for children's and sports fields. How to choose floor color? Bright hues In order for the room to visually expand, it is necessary to bring more light into it and. Light shades of flooring are perfect for cramped rooms, creating the illusion of space and perfect order. The light floor can be combined with the most different colors in the interior, it harmonizes with cool tones in the wall decoration, and the wood flooring, made in such shades, creates interesting effects next to dark furniture. However, in combination with light walls a light floor can create an atmosphere of cold, facelessness in a room. If the tone of the walls is much darker, the horizontal lines of the interior will be highlighted. If you want to decorate the floor with a carpet, choose light or neutral tones to emphasize the texture of the material. Dark tones A room completely made in may seem shapeless. Such shades are able to expand the room, while making it visually lower. A combination of dark and warm colors brings a sense of comfort to the room. If the walls and floor are decorated in dark colors, in combination with a light ceiling, they can cause a well effect (light at the top). With the help of a dark floor, you can play on contrasts, alternating dark and light shades in decor elements. We'll probably end here. Some flooring options had not even been mentioned in this article (for example,), otherwise it would become truly gigantic. Having become acquainted with the main selection criteria and the range of floor coverings, you will be able to take into account all the nuances in order to purchase exactly the option that best suits your taste and requirements of the room.

It is quite difficult to answer the question “which gender is better”? After all, floor coverings differ from each other, at least in appearance. If you take out the decorative factor, you can compare the price, service life, advantages and disadvantages of each material. Let's try to find this way best coverage for the floor.

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What coverage to prefer, if the choice is so great?

Floor coverings can be conditionally divided into three large groups: wooden (parquet, board, solid board, cork), elastic (carpets, rubber coating), ceramic and stone. Which floors are better - decide for yourself!

1. Block parquet

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Most people under the word "parquet" mean exactly piece parquet.

2. Parquet board

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The parquet board forms ideally smooth, "seamless" floor surface.

3. Cork floor

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4. Massive board

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A solid wood floor does not look “homogeneous”: the chamfers on the board separate one plate from another.

coating	price	term services	solid board advantages	solid board disadvantages
massive board	30-200 USD sq/m	up to 50 years old correct styling	Nice natural finish. The massive board is universal, suitable for almost any interior. Very durable.	Requires a high-quality "rough" floor, when laying it is necessary to use a heavy-duty two-component adhesive(he is quite expensive himself). The massive board sharply reacts to the microclimate in the room: temperature and humidity.

5. Art parquet

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Art parquet is a work of art: it is made in a single copy.

coating	price	life time	dignity artistic parquet	disadvantages of artistic parquet
Art parquet	From 50-70 to 3000 USD sq/m	50-70 years old	Luxurious coating, the ability to create a unique pattern. It is difficult to think which floors are better and more status than artistic parquet.	High cost. Very "dictates conditions" to the rest of the interior.

6. Laminate

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In appearance, a high-quality laminate is difficult to distinguish from a parquet floor.

7. Natural linoleum, marmoleum

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Natural linoleum is made according to the old technology from "pure" materials.

8. Rubber flooring

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A not too well-known coating for the home, in appearance, the rubber floor is a cross between linoleum and self-leveling flooring. But much more environmentally friendly.

coating	price	life time	advantages of rubber flooring	disadvantages of rubber flooring
rubber coating	from 20 USD sq/m	From 25 years old	Extremely easy to install coating (tile or roll). It has good sound insulation, hardy (can be used even in gyms). The rubber floor is antistatic.	Rubber is sensitive to high and low temperatures. Despite the claims of manufacturers of special environmental friendliness, synthetic rubber (rubber) is often used.

9. PVC linoleum

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Modern technologies allow you to imitate almost any material with linoleum: a natural board or tile, as in the picture.

10. Carpet

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For those who like to walk barefoot, there is no better flooring for the home than pile carpet.

11. Modular carpet tiles

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Modular carpet tiles are an alternative to carpet.

12. Ceramic tiles

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Beautiful, bright, but not too warm. In our climate, only warm socks or slippers can be walked on ceramic tile floors.

13. Porcelain stoneware

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In the Russian climate, it is advisable to use floor porcelain tiles together with the "warm floor" system.

14. Stone floor

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A natural stone floor is great for halls and atriums in a house - it will remind you of the cobblestone pavement of medieval squares.

15. Self-leveling floor

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It is impossible to create a white glossy floor without a single seam otherwise - only the “self-leveling floor” technology is used.

16. Cement floor

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Cement floor - a godsend for designer interiors loft style.

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Not only the aesthetic side of the interior, but also the ecological and sanitary conditions depend on which floors will be chosen for residential premises. To know which floors are best for an apartment, you need to consider their basic technical and operational characteristics. Each of the rooms requires a different approach to the choice of flooring, and this should be taken seriously, as the material laid on the floors can positively or negatively affect the health of family members.

As a rule, the floors in the apartment have a concrete, fairly even base, and this fact is already a help for the construction of any of existing species coatings. Depending on what effect you want to get from the floor being arranged, its desired type and the material necessary for it are selected.

Concrete floors are strong and durable, but they have two significant drawbacks that all owners of modern apartments are trying to deal with - these are cold and high sound conductivity. To eradicate these shortcomings, you can resort to one of several methods of insulation and soundproofing. Since floor slabs are designed for a certain maximum weight, heavy loads on them are prohibited, and therefore light material should be chosen for these purposes.

Ways of heat and sound insulation

There are several ways to make heat and sound insulation in an apartment using the following materials:

1. The first, most well-known and used method is the laying of thin polyethylene foam under the decorative coating. But this method will not fully give the desired effect, it will only drown out the noise from below a little and make the floor a little warmer. Therefore, it is better to use polyethylene in combination with other materials that have the characteristics necessary to create comfort in an apartment.

2. Another, more effective way - with fixing wooden logs to the bedded thin polyethylene, between which foam plastic 50 ÷ 100 mm thick, expanded clay or mineral wool. Then, such a heat and sound insulating "fur coat" is closed from above with a floorboard or plywood, which, in turn, is covered with one of the decorative coatings.

3. The third way can be called a floor made from a dry screed. This type of thermal and sound insulation will perform well the tasks assigned to it. It is easy to install and perfectly protects the room from noise and cold.

4. Little known, but very effective way Insulation has recently been considered pleasant and light materials - ecowool, made on the basis of cellulose, and noise plastic, consisting of polystyrene foam, rubber and acrylic additives.

Video: sound and thermal insulation with noise plastic

5. Quite famous and in a simple way to achieve silence and warmth in the apartment is the laying of extruded foam directly on the concrete. If necessary and the ceiling height is sufficient, the material can be laid in several layers, and a hard decorative coating, such as parquet or laminate, is laid on top of it.

Flooring

Having decided on insulation or making a risky decision to leave the floor cold, you can move on to the next step - choosing and laying the finish flooring. It must be remembered that for each room it is necessary to choose its own material that will meet the requirements of staying in this room. In addition, much will depend on the base of the floor, which will be covered or filled with a decorative coating.

In the hardware stores today there is a huge selection of flooring from which you can choose suitable option for this or that room

So, you can choose from the following list:

• ceramic tile;
• laminate;
• carpet;
• linoleum;
• cork coating;
• batten.

Ceramic tile

This material can be laid on a concrete or wooden floor lined with plywood or moisture resistant drywall. The tile is intended mainly for flooring in bathrooms, hallways, kitchens or corridors, but if a warm floor is installed in the rooms, then it is suitable for any of them.

Ceramic tiles are available in various shades and patterns. So, for example, you can choose:

1. For a large room with a heated floor, an elegant floor panel will come in handy, which will give the room the look of a palace hall.
2. For the hallway and corridor, rich dark tones of the material are suitable, which can hide the dirt and dust brought from the street. In these rooms, it is better to lay unglazed tiles with a corrugated surface, in order to avoid the possibility of slipping and injury.
3. The floor in the bathroom and bathroom also needs to be laid out with corrugated or matte tiles, for better adhesion of bare feet to it when exiting from the shower. The color scheme can be chosen for every taste, and with its selection to the wall decoration.
4. The tile is also the best design floor in the kitchen, as it is easy to clean and does not absorb grease and oil that accidentally gets on its surface. The material is strong and durable, which is very important for flooring in the kitchen.
5. If the balcony is not insulated and is used only in summer time, the tile will be an excellent protection for concrete pavement from moisture. In this case, when choosing a tile, you need to pay attention to the frost resistance of the material.

Linoleum

Linoleum is one of the most popular coatings today, and largely due to the fact that it has affordable price, easy to install and varied in color and pattern.

1. This material can be made from natural materials and polymers. The first of them is used very rarely, since it has enough high cost, and basically the second version of the coating is purchased.

2. In addition to the first criterion, linoleum is divided into commercial and non-commercial types.

• the first of them is more durable, and is laid in public buildings with a high intensity of human flow, but it is categorically not suitable for residential premises, as it has harmful impurities;
• for an apartment, you need to choose only a non-commercial type of flooring. Its strength for home conditions is quite enough, and it will last for many years, subject to proper installation and careful operation.

3. Linoleum is produced without a base or on a warm and thick substrate, as well as on a medium-thick foam base.

The disadvantages of linoleum include the following points: unnaturalness, deformation during temperature changes and when heavy objects are installed on it.

Linoleum is laid on a concrete, plywood coating, most often using a polyethylene foam substrate. It is suitable for flooring in any of the rooms. The only place where it is not recommended to lay it is the bathroom, due to the fact that this room has high humidity, and ceramic tiles are more suitable for it.

The choice of linoleum design in color and pattern depends entirely on the tastes and preferences of the apartment owners.

Cork

Cork flooring is enough expensive pleasure, but it's worth it if you look at its characteristics. Cork is an environmentally friendly material, an excellent heat and sound insulator, has elasticity and resilience, is pleasant to walk in, and has the ability to create a cozy, favorable atmosphere in the room.

Cork is suitable for any of the rooms, except for the bathroom - because of its humidity. It can only be laid on a flat and hard surface, such as plywood. If you plan to lay directly on concrete, then you must definitely lay a substrate under it, otherwise, solid fragments will even small size may damage the material.

Cork flooring is available in three types:

1. Floor decorative option, which is produced in the form of rolls and slabs. Such material has a special impregnation of the top layer, which protects it from moderate moisture. In addition, often such a tile has an adhesive applied, which makes it easy to arrange it on the floor.
2. For a substrate under another floor covering, for example, linoleum or laminate, a technical version of the coating is used, which is of lower quality. It is used for thermal insulation and sound insulation of the floor. The substrate is produced in the form of rolled and tiled material.
3. In addition, MDF is covered with cork, which serves as the basis for it. Such a coating is produced in the form of panels measuring 18.5 × 90.0 cm, which have special locks for assembly into a common coating.

The material almost does not deform from temperature changes, withstands heavy loads, does not squeeze when heavy pieces of furniture are installed on it.

Laminate

IN last years In apartments and houses, flooring, called laminate, is increasingly appearing. It successfully imitates a parquet or natural board, but is much more affordable. Laminated panels are produced in standard sizes, most often - 25 × 150 cm, they have locks along the edges various designs, with which they are connected to a common plane.

Structurally, the laminate consists of four layers, each of which plays its role, and in the complex, a fairly reliable, durable and aesthetic material is obtained.

1. The upper transparent layer not only emphasizes the decorative effect of the laminate, but also plays a protective role for the underlying ones, guaranteeing them moisture resistance and protecting them from mechanical damage and abrasion. This part of the laminate is made of acrylic or melamine resins, which contribute to the protective functions.
2. The second layer is precisely the decorative layer that imitates a particular pattern - it can be not only the texture of wood, but even various breeds stone or sand.
3. Pressed wood fiber makes up the third layer, which is the basis of the entire panel, as it has the largest thickness - from 4 to 8 mm. It is at the level of this layer that the locking elements that fasten the panels together are located - a spike and a groove.
4. Most bottom layer consists of a special resin-impregnated paper, which is designed to protect the material from moisture that can damage the material from below. Some types of laminate are also equipped with a heat and sound insulating waterproof underlay.

This flooring is divided into operational classes, and for laying in residential premises, 21-23 laminate classes are mainly used.

Laminate cannot be called an environmentally friendly material at 100%, since phenol-formaldehyde resins are used in its production. But each manufacturer can use them in different proportions, and the norm is when the content of formaldehyde does not exceed 0.01 mg, and phenol 0.003 mg - these data can be found on the packaging of the flooring.

Laminate is well suited for laying in the living room, hallway and kitchen, but it is better to refuse from the flooring of its children's room or bedroom for the reasons described above.

carpet

Carpet is a floor covering made of synthetic or natural fibres. It can be long-haired or even not have a pile at all. This coating is made on a rubber, felt or jute basis.

Carpet is good only when it is new, but it gets old very quickly.

1. The material is pleasant to walk on and aesthetically pleasing, but only when he's new. Quite quickly, he loses these attractive qualities of his - the pile is crumpled in places and becomes not so soft and beautiful. In addition, a lot of dust collects in the carpet, so when buying this coating, you immediately need to purchase a powerful vacuum cleaner.
2. It is tempting to lay carpet in the bedroom or nursery, especially since the range of such options is rich. But you need to remember that in addition to heat and sound insulation, this coating can also bring allergies, which will be difficult to get rid of. Therefore, in these rooms it is better to choose a coating that can be subjected to regular wet cleaning.
3. It is not recommended to lay carpet in the hallway and corridor, as it will look beautiful for a very short time and will quickly become clogged with street dust brought on shoes.
4. If there is a great desire to have carpet in at least one of the rooms, then the living room is best suited for it. But you need to remember - you will have to clean it very often.

Wooden floor

The wooden floor will be the most comfortable of all the presented coatings if it is laid on logs and insulated with mineral or eco cotton. Due to its structure, wood is a warm material, and when laid in combination with insulation, it will make the floors absolutely comfortable.

Video - Wooden flooring with insulation

Video - Wooden flooring. step by step

The environmental friendliness of such a coating allows you to lay it in the nursery and bedroom. Its soundproofing properties will make the rooms calm and conducive to relaxation.

Wooden floors should not be laid in the kitchen, bathroom and hallway.

1. A lot of smells “hover” in the kitchen, which tend to be absorbed into the floor and wall coverings, and the tree is predisposed to the perception of various aromas. But their mixture over time can lead to the fact that the smell will be very unpleasant and indestructible. Therefore, in the kitchen, it is best to use a neutral material for the floor - ceramic tiles, laminate or epoxy self-leveling floors.
2. Due to high humidity, it is not necessary to arrange floors from boards and plywood in bathrooms. The tree absorbs well not only odors, but also moisture, from which it swells and deforms, so it is better to refuse this idea.
3. The floors in the hallway are on the same level as the floors in the entryway. If you install lags and floorboard, then they will rise at least five centimeters, and you will get an uncomfortable step, and if the door opens inward, then it will have to be reinstalled or replaced. That's why the best option will cover the hallway with laminate, tile or linoleum.

In addition to the floor coverings described above, there are others, such as epoxy 3D floors, parquet boards, polymer tiles and, of course, the well-known parquet.

For more information on how to make self-leveling floors with a 3d effect, read the publication.

Video: unfamiliar to many quartz-vinyl flooring

The material from which the floor is made depends on how warm it will be in the rooms. In addition, the flooring has a special influence on the design of its entire interior. Therefore, it is very important to approach this issue with all seriousness, to calculate all the pros and cons so that the floor covering lasts a long time, and also does not harm the residents of the apartment.

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.

Most decorative flooring requires a level, solid base. 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, it was practiced to lay the finishing material directly on the floor slab, but it soon became clear that the 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 structure allows the use of this screed 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 must match the style color scheme premises, 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 coating of block parquet. 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 various materials and invoices. 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.

In appearance, the 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

The choice of floor coverings on the modern market is very wide.. You can find materials for use in residential and public buildings. Commercial flooring differs from domestic flooring in the ability to withstand significantly more intense loads. The range of floor coverings for domestic purposes is also diverse. There are different types - carpet, laminate, tile, linoleum and others.

Coatings of the same type can be divided into classes according to strength, wear resistance. Different types floor coverings for apartments differ from each other in moisture resistance, hygiene, thermal conductivity and a number of other performance characteristics, not to mention the aesthetic side.

What to look for when choosing flooring

One of the main criteria that you need to focus on when choosing a floor covering for an apartment is the purpose of the room where it is planned to be installed. The premises are divided into residential (rooms) and non-residential (kitchen, bathroom, hallway). They differ in the level of humidity, permeability and a number of other characteristics.

Room traffic

The load on the floor largely depends on the size of the family, but there is one more important factor- patency of the room.

• High traffic - corridor, hallway, kitchen, bathroom
• Medium - living room, dining room (if it is separated from the kitchen), children's (the degree of load on the floor in the nursery depends on the number of children, their age, activity. Babies who still cannot walk and teenagers who spend most of the day at desk, exert less load on the flooring)
• Low - bedroom, office of a person engaged in sedentary work

For rooms with high traffic and heavy load on the floor, a durable wear-resistant coating is suitable - semi-commercial laminate or linoleum with a thick protective layer. You can use commercial coatings in such rooms, they will last longer.

The higher the permeability of the room, the more intensively the floor is polluted. Therefore, the coating must be non-staining. On a very light and very dark surface, especially a glossy one, the dirt is clearly visible, but the pattern, a colorful abstract pattern, hides them well.

A good choice would be a coating with top layer, which has antistatic characteristics, it attracts less dust. Caring for flooring in a high-traffic area should be as simple as possible.

Humidity level

In living rooms, the level of humidity is minimal, in the kitchen - increased, and in the bathroom, toilet - high. Floor coverings differ in moisture resistance. Moisture sensitive, parquet, conventional MDF-based laminate, conventional carpet.

Parquet and engineered boards (structures of 3 or 2 layers) are more resistant to moisture changes than single-layer massive boards, but it is not recommended to use them in wet rooms. Moisture-resistant parquet board impregnated with natural resins is also produced, but this is one of the most expensive floor coverings.

Average indicators of moisture resistance are characterized by a laminate based on high-density HDF boards with special impregnation and water-repellent treatment of lock joints. Waterproof floor coverings include:

• Ceramic tile
• Vinyl (quartz-vinyl) tiles with a mineral component
• Vinyl (plastic) laminate
• Linoleum
• Short pile flocked carpet Flotex
• Cork
• Polymer self-leveling floor (epoxy and acrylic compounds are usually used in residential areas)

If in a room with high level humidity, the coating is laid floating, and not by the adhesive method, it is necessary to ensure maximum sealing of all cracks and joints so that moisture does not penetrate under the coating.

Health safety

For rooms where people spend a long time, children's bedrooms, you need to use the most environmentally friendly floor coverings, and if the family has allergies, small children and the elderly, their composition should be hypoallergenic. The most environmentally friendly natural flooring:

• Solid wood plank and parquet
• Natural linoleum (marmoleum)
• Cork floors
• Ceramic tiles (made from natural raw materials - clay)

Wood is usually treated with impregnations and covered with a protective layer on top, cork should also have a protective coating. It is necessary to pay attention to their composition, because of it environmental friendliness may decrease. In the manufacture of parquet boards, glue from natural ingredients should be used. Natural stone is rarely used in apartments due to the high natural radioactive background..

From an environmental point of view, PVC linoleum and other types of vinyl flooring are less preferred, but high-quality materials are non-toxic. Laminate is inferior to natural wood, but there is an E0 class laminate, with a minimum emission level, it is the safest for health.

If one of the tenants is predisposed to allergies, it is better to refuse carpet because it accumulates dust, which is an allergen. A good solution would be an anti-static coating that does not attract dust. The composition of the laminate and linoleum may include additives that prevent the growth of bacteria. Antibacterial coatings are the most hygienic, they are usually used in healthcare facilities, but they are also suitable for the kitchen, nursery.

IMPORTANT: It is generally accepted that natural materials are safer for health than synthetic ones. This is not true for carpet - natural can provoke allergies, and high-quality synthetic is hypoallergenic.

Other criteria

If the room needs high-quality sound insulation (music room, game room, home cinema), you need to choose a coating with good noise-absorbing characteristics - cork, acoustic linoleum on a thick foam substrate.

If the room is often barefoot (bedroom, children's room), the flooring should be pleasant to the touch, warm and/or soft. Finally, the flooring should not only correspond to the purpose of the room, but also fit into the interior, its style.

Living room, hall should impress guests, look rich but not flashy. Classic living room flooring options:

• Block parquet, artistic styling looks especially advantageous, but this is an expensive solution
• Solid or parquet board from precious woods
• Linoleum under a tree - a more democratic option
• carpet allows you to create a fairly comfortable environment

It is also a great option for the living room, but in Russia it is still exotic. For a luxurious interior in a palace style, ceramic tiles or a natural stone, but it is advisable to take care of heating such floors. original version- self-leveling polymer floors with 3D effect.

For the bedroom best solution there will be a natural, environmentally friendly floor covering with good acoustic characteristics, calm colors. Suitable for this room:

• Long pile natural (if no one is allergic) carpet on which it is pleasant to stand with bare feet. Synthetic carpet is colder to the touch
• Linoleum, marmoleum on a thick substrate
• If the budget allows - natural wood (board, parquet) or cork
• Laminate in the bedroom it is better to use a warm floor system, the main drawback of this coating is a booming sound

In the nursery, you need a hypoallergenic, safety (non-slip, preferably soft or elastic), resistant to dynamic loads and various damages, a coating that is well cleaned from dirt.

• Great option - cork floor with shock-absorbing, sound-absorbing abilities, its minus is high cost
• The most popular, although not ideal for a children's option - laminate. It is better to choose an antibacterial, zero emission class, and use a good substrate
• Good decision - marmoleum, under which a thick substrate is required
• If the children are small and spend a lot of time playing on the floor, a good choice would be short pile carpet- it is easier to clean, less dust accumulates in it
• PVC tiles
• - a novelty, ideal for children's play, colorful, soft, elastic, hypoallergenic, not afraid of pollution material. This is an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam modular tile.

In the kitchen, the floor covering must be moisture resistant, chemically inert, hygienic, and easy to clean.

• Ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles- the most popular option
• Can be used waterproof or moisture resistant laminate under a tree or under a tile, depending on interior style
• Suitable quality linoleum with a thick protective layer
• massive board looks spectacular, rich, but very whimsical to care for and requires careful handling
• cork floor can be used in the kitchen, but it needs high-quality protection with a layer of varnish
• Can do polymer poured floors

A fairly spacious kitchen is often zoned, tiles are used in the working area, and laminate and wood are used in the dining area.

It is customary to lay a wooden floor in the office(parquet, parquet board) or wood-like laminate of strict colors, imitating noble wood species.

Wear-resistant coatings are suitable for the hallway semi-commercial or commercial laminate, linoleum of non-marking colors, tiles are less commonly used. Another option is a long pile carpet, which will trap dirt and dust, but such a coating will often have to be changed, since it is difficult to clean it.

For the bathroom, a classic solution - ceramic tiles. Create original interior will allow self-leveling 3D floor. You can combine tiles with flocked carpet, using it in front of the bath, shower - in places where they often get barefoot.

Video

Impact of floor coverings on health. The safest and most dangerous materials.

Outcome

When choosing the optimal flooring for different rooms in the apartment, as well as the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, you need to focus on the degree of load on the floor, the likelihood of contamination and mechanical damage to the coating, the level of humidity in the room. They must be correlated with the strength, wear resistance, moisture resistance of the coating, and the features of caring for it.

You should also take into account the age and health of the residents, safety and hypoallergenicity of the coating. For any room, you can choose budget and elite, traditional and original solutions.