To give the floor beauty and aesthetics, various are used. Modern manufacturers of building materials offer a huge selection of floor coverings: expensive and cheap, natural and artificial, tile, piece and roll, soft and hard, etc.
1. Linoleum and rubber. This is one of the most common types of flooring. Linoleum is most suitable for kitchen floors, in damp rooms. It is easy to clean, waterproof. For laying linoleum, an even base is required, then it will last a very long time.
2. PVC: This is a soft elastic embossed floor covering. Their service life is about thirty years. They consist of several layers and are designed for different loads, inexpensive and suitable for damp rooms, hardly flammable.
3. Cork: this type has high thermal insulation and sound-absorbing qualities. It is a natural material made from balsa bark. It is strong, durable, reliable. In some cases, it is necessary to varnish the floor in order to keep the cork in perfect condition. Some cork boards are already on sale finished with varnish or wax.
4. Laminate. Relatively recently, it began to be used on a mass scale. It perfectly imitates natural wood floors, but it is even better in strength and stability. At the same time, the price of the laminate is quite affordable and the installation is very simple. It is best not to use this material in wet areas. To reduce noise, a layer of soft liner is used under the laminate.
5. Ceramic tiles. This material is distinguished by a huge variety of types, shapes, sizes and colors. Unglazed tiles are more often natural grayish-reddish shades. It is more practical, it looks natural and strict. Glazed is more elegant, it is used for original and bright interiors. Has an unlimited number of colors.
There are also very durable ceramic tiles that are completely insensitive to any chemical attack. More porous, but also durable "half-press" tiles.
6. The stone is natural and artificial. These are the most durable floor coverings. They are heavy and cold enough for residential use. They create patriarchal tradition in the house, a special charm. They are great for antique-style fireplace rooms, in mansions that imitate ancient castles. The most expensive stone coating is marble. Moreover, the color palette of this material is wide enough.
7. Carpets. They can also be natural and artificial. The latter are more common today. They are resistant to moisture, do not fade from the sun, are easy to care for and are inaccessible to moths and rodents. There are a lot of options for flooring carpets, and their qualities can be very diverse.
Today, acrylic carpets, woolen, nylon, polypropylene, silk, plant fiber carpets and many other types are produced. There are also carpet tiles that can be easily installed and removed from the base. There are also a lot of color options.
8. Solid board and parquet. These are the most classic and traditional floor coverings. Their cost is relatively high. For such floors, a variety of types of wood are used, on which the strength and decorativeness of the floor largely depends. A wooden floor in any home creates incredible coziness, warmth and comfort.
9. Polymer: these are the so-called self-leveling floors, which are often used for finishing rooms with high mechanical and chemical stress. Polymer floors can be epoxy or polyurethane. Below we will dwell in more detail on the properties and advantages of some flooring materials.
Cork flooring
Modern and popular flooring material -. It can be in the form of rolls or slabs. It is especially beneficial to use it in rooms where a warm floor, silence, comfort and environmental friendliness are required. Main qualities:
- naturalness, environmental friendliness;
- floor insulation;
- noise absorption;
- high strength, durability;
- cork floors do not rot or mold;
- they are not spoiled by rodents, moths;
- when heated, they do not emit harmful compounds;
- do not support combustion;
- do not attract dust;
- hypoallergenic;
- do not accumulate static electricity;
- chemically inert;
- have high decorative qualities;
- moisture resistant;
- very light and tight;
- elastic and resilient;
- easy to install and operate;
- durable.
Rubber floor coverings
Very often today, polymer or rubber floor coverings are used for indoor and outdoor areas. Rubber tiles are quite capable of competing with asphalt or reinforced concrete tiles. Here are its main qualities:
- high strength;
- low cost;
- harmlessness to others;
- environmental friendliness;
- elasticity;
- elasticity;
- resistance to intense mechanical and chemical influences;
- the rubber coating does not crumble or break under the influence of impacts or temperature extremes;
- installation is quick and easy, there is no need to use heavy special equipment;
- such a coating eliminates trauma, providing reliable adhesion to the surface;
- ease of maintenance: it is enough to wash with plain water and any soap;
- high aesthetic qualities, it is possible to use a variety of colors and images;
- low thermal conductivity, etc.
Vinyl flooring
It is more often produced in the form of tile materials with unique performance properties. The range of such products today is large enough to find a suitable option for any room. These are the main advantages of vinyl tiles that have made them popular in a very short time:
- it is very fashionable;
- vinyl tiles are very beautiful;
- it is easy to install and operate;
- very elastic, strong and tough;
- does not deteriorate from exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
- moisture resistant;
- environmentally friendly;
- has a wide variety of colors and textures;
- has a low weight;
- durable, abrasion resistant;
- affordable and economical;
Polymer
There are several varieties: epoxy, polyurethane, methyl methacrylate. They are used for rooms with high loads. Polymer coatings can be thin-layer, thick-layer, self-leveling, etc. They can also have a variety of characteristics:
- high wear resistance;
- chemical resistance;
- high decorativeness due to the use of colored chips and design options in 3D format;
- solidity, lack of joints;
- durability;
- dustlessness;
- harmlessness and safety due to the creation of a rough surface;
- hygiene;
- fire safety: most of them are non-flammable or self-extinguishing.
The choice of floor finishings largely depends on the type of room, its purpose, load intensity, temperature and humidity conditions, etc. Any kind can significantly decorate and refine a room with proper installation and maintenance.
There is a very large assortment of different types of floor coverings on sale. Coming to the store, it is quite possible to get confused before you make the only correct choice. However, you probably should not choose this or that, especially unfamiliar material, without knowing its characteristics, since some modern floor coverings for the house may not be entirely useful, especially for people prone to allergic reactions or suffering from asthma.
Floor coverings can have different prices, natural or synthetic base, different quality levels, different types of production (piece, tile or roll), can be soft, elastic and hard. In addition, materials vary in color and pattern.
To get a little familiar with the characteristics of flooring, you need to consider at least some of them.
Carpet floor coverings are used to calling one term - "carpet", although this material is divided into different types. It can be made from natural or artificial raw materials, on a textile or rubber base, have a high pile or not have it at all. It is with the "carpet" that you need to be extremely careful when choosing, since this coating tends to accumulate a large amount of dust and dirt in its structure, therefore, when laying it, you need to immediately purchase a powerful vacuum cleaner.
In terms of popularity, the first place among carpets is, of course, occupied by materials on a round basis, such as armeria and sisal. The second of them is distinguished by increased strength, and hence wear resistance. According to these characteristics, it can be compared with synthetic coatings - linoleum or polyvinyl chloride.
Sisal
Sisal is perhaps the most environmentally friendly carpet flooring, as it is made from natural fibers. It is produced in rolls and can have a variety of weaving patterns. The color scheme of the material is quite diverse, but all its shades are discreet and have soft, calm, pastel colors. The texture of sisal is pleasant for bare feet and gives a pleasant massage effect for the feet.
In appearance, sisal resembles a mat made from bamboo shoots, but the modern coating is much stronger, since it is based on agave, to which other natural fibers are added. These additives include wool, which reduces the coarseness of plant fibers, and jute, which adds durability to the coating.
The woven topcoat is usually placed on a latex backing - it provides a dustproof and good adhesion to the floor. It is latex that enhances the performance capabilities of sisal.
Sisal coating has gained popularity due to its many positive qualities:
- the main thing is, of course, the naturalness of the material;
- sisal is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, so it can be laid in any room, even if there are people with hypersensitivity to allergens in the house;
- compared to other carpets, sisal does not collect a large amount of dust, since it does not accumulate static electric charge and does not have a high pile;
- the material is wear-resistant and durable enough that it can be laid not only in residential but also in office premises;
- restraint in paints and excellent calm design also make it possible to use sisal for covering floors in workrooms- he will not cut his eyes and distract from business;
- This floor covering is easy to vacuum clean;
- ease of installation can also be called the advantage of the material, since almost any homeowner can do it independently, which means that you can save a decent amount on this;
- sisal has a low cost, therefore it is available for people with an average income.
The only drawback of this coating is its fear of excessive moisture, so it cannot be wet cleaned, as well as laid in the bathroom. If a large amount of water gets on the material, its fibers creep, and with constant humidity, they begin to rot.
In order to independently cover a room with sisal, you need to have some simple tools and materials: a sharp construction knife, a tape measure, for applying an adhesive - a notched trowel; hard roller for smoothing the laid material.
Sisal flooring technology
- After measuring the room and drawing up a floor diagram, calculate the amount of material.
- Then the skirting boards are removed.
- The purchased sisal is spread on the cleaned and primed surface - it should lie down for 20-30 hours and straighten out.
- Further, the coating is cut according to the drawn up scheme in compliance with the dimensions indicated on it. In areas of contact with the walls, it will be necessary to leave allowances of one or two centimeters.
- Then, the cover is rolled from one side of the room into a large, loose roll. Apply synthetic resin glue to the floors.
- The roll is unrolled and leveled in the area of the room covered with glue.
- Then the second edge of the cover is wrapped and the gluing procedure is repeated.
- Having leveled the sisal completely, you need to cut off its excess, which will be found on the wall and once again roll the edges around the entire perimeter. The glue dries for about three days, at which time it is not recommended to walk on the covering.
- The skirting boards at the edges are fixed last, after completely drying out.
Synthetic carpets
Artificial carpets have a wider range of colors and patterns than sisal. They can have a high or very small pile, which makes them either soft and fluffy, or quite tough. However, all of them are designed to create coziness and comfort in the premises. Synthetic coatings are divided into nylon, acrylic, silk and others - they are produced in the form of rolls and tiles.
Carpet is easy to install, just like sisal. Such a coating is wear-resistant and serves as a good heat and sound insulation for the floor, therefore it is no less popular than natural sisal. But it has significant drawbacks:
- the material is contraindicated in a house where there are tenants prone to allergies;
- the coating requires frequent cleaning, as it collects a large amount of dust in its fibers;
- a long pile of carpet in certain areas of the room is quickly crumpled, in this case, carpet tiles are more practical than a solid covering, since they can be partially replaced.
3D - self-leveling floors
One of the latest inventions of interior decorators is 3D flooring, which is used to decorate interiors in apartments and public buildings. This polymer coating consists of several layers and allows you to make the floors exclusive.
The masters offer a huge selection of volumetric patterns in various colors, so everyone can find exactly the option that is most suitable for a particular room. So, the obvious advantages of such a floor can be considered:
- The self-leveling floor can be easily selected and fit into any style solution of the room.
- Its perfect evenness will create flawless neatness, so as not required special efforts in order to put such a floor in order.
- The elegant and exclusive look of the floors will delight home owners for 10-25 years, as they are quite durable.
- The heat resistance of the coating will not allow a fire to occur, even if exposed to an open flame.
- The environmental friendliness of the material allows such a coating to be installed in any of the living quarters, since it does not emit vapors hazardous to health and does not cause allergies.
- Self-leveling 3D floors do not absorb, and therefore do not retain foreign odors.
- The cover is non-slip, so it can be laid in the bathroom and nursery, hallway, living room and even on the stairs.
This type of decorative flooring is made using airbrushing, photographs printed on film, colored mosaics, ornamental panels laid out from various objects, relief patterns, backlights and other all kinds of techniques. All these objects or images are placed between layers of polymer coatings. Moreover, to make the image visually appear more voluminous (3D), small objects or separate parts of the paintings are placed in different layers of the self-leveling floor. Rhinestones and stones, coins, old vinyl or CD-discs, stone chips or sand can be used as decorative elements.
Photographic images of landscapes of the depths of the sea or flames, favorite cartoon characters and much more are popular. Choosing a composition in essence limited only imagination and financial capabilities of the customer.
A polymer self-leveling floor is well suited for a balcony and garage, since it itself is an excellent waterproofing and this is another advantage of this technology. In such places, it is not necessary to choose deep drawings, you can perform the simplest one or do without it altogether, since the main aesthetic advantage in these rooms is, first of all, accuracy.
The process of working on the coating will take three to five days, depending on the number of layers and the quality of the applied material. It is possible to make this work of art independently only with good knowledge and experience, and if there are none, then it is better to entrust this process to the master.
Vinyl laminate
Another relatively new type of flooring is vinyl laminate, which has a polyurethane outer surface.
This type of material is well suited for rooms with high humidity and for those where frequent light cleaning is required - this can be a bathroom, hallway, kitchen or corridor. In bedrooms and children's bedrooms, as well as in the living room, it is undesirable to lay this coating, since it includes chlorine-containing substances, which means that at least minimal fumes will occur that will not benefit health.
This flooring has good characteristics specifically for the above-described premises:
It has high wear resistance and moisture resistance;
It is easy to clean;
The material is very pleasant to the feet and to the touch.
It should be noted right away that three types of vinyl laminate are produced:
Laminate based on NDF
Vinyl laminate based on NDF has a thickness of 0.5 to 1 cm and consists of several layers: when viewed from above, the first is a protective film, the second is a decorative layer, third - interlayer vinyl, the fourth is an NDF board and the fifth is a heat and sound insulating cork backing.
The laminate can be given various external design - invoice different types of wood, the structure of polished stone, which has a natural color, or the material can be monochromatic, with a decorative layer without patterns.
Thanks to the protective film, the laminate is durable, resistant to mechanical, chemical, temperature and ultraviolet influences, does not accumulate static electricity, i.e. does not attract dust. In addition, it is easy to install and easy to clean.
Panels are held together with a friend with using the thorn-groove lock. With a monochromatic design of the coating, the seams of the joints are almost invisible, and in the presence of a structural pattern, only it determines the width and length of the panels.
According to external data, this version of the material differs little from the laminate based on NDF, but other components are used in its production, which make the coating moisture resistant. It also consists of several layers: the first, transparent is protective, the second is decorative, the third is vinyl, the fourth is composite plastic, the fifth is a substrate atylenevinyl citate... If NDF does not withstand high humidity and can swell, then plastic does not care about moisture. Thus, this type of material has all the above-described qualities of a laminate on NDF plus a pronounced moisture resistance.
Often it is given an interesting design with drawings that are performed using digital printing, or with a textured pattern in the form of a braid.
The moisture resistant version of vinyl laminate is also easy to install and has the same connection
Moisture resistant elastic laminate
This moisture resistant material can rather be called elastic vinyl tiles. It is similar in structure to a laminate (two top layers) and is difficult to distinguish when laid. Its thickness varies from 0.3 to 0.7 cm, but in terms of reliability it is not inferior to laminate, and linoleum is even superior.
To the benefits of vinyl flooring yet the following qualities can be attributed:
- the service life of the material is from 15 to 25 years;
- heat resistance;
- affordable price;
- withstands heavy loads;
- wear-resistant;
- ease of installation;
- heat and sound insulator;
- pleasant on the feet, therefore great for the bathroom;
- varied in colors and textured patterns;
For laying the material, you need to prepare an even and clean base, and if the old tiles in the bathroom are laid with high quality, then you can put the elastic laminate directly on it.
But in addition to positive qualities, it also has some disadvantages, which are also better to learn about in advance. So, with prolonged use, the seams sometimes diverge.
You need to know that the tiles are available in two versions - with or without a ready-made adhesive base - then you need to purchase a special glue for laying it. When buying such an elastic laminate, it is necessary to carefully check the integrity of the packaging and the date of issue, since the lower adhesive base may not correspond to the required quality due to long or improper storage.
Cork cover
This type of coating is not yet popular enough, although it has excellent qualities, and not only for flooring, but also for wall decoration.
The most important advantage of this material is its natural origin, since it is made from cork oak, or rather, from its bark. Cork is produced in rolls and in the form of slabs of various shapes. In addition, they differ in textured pattern - it can be composed of small crumbs or large pieces. All material has surprisingly warmth NS and a tight structure, which is confirmed when touched to the coating.
Plates of cork material can have a thickness of up to 1.2 cm. By the way, only 3 cm of such a coating in terms of sound insulation qualities are equal to 35-40 cm of brickwork.
The cork is good for arranging a nursery or bedroom, since it is they who need to be protected from extraneous sounds. So, cork has the following remarkable qualities:
- heat and sound insulation;
- environmental friendliness of the material;
- resistance to deformation - the material seeks to return to its original shape;
- the ability for good shock absorption, which is beneficial for the human musculoskeletal system;
- the coating is non-slip, which means traumatic.
What you need to consider if you decide to purchase just such a coverage:
- the material has a fairly high price;
- a poorly laid coating can rupture, therefore it must be laid, relying on the manufacturer's technological recommendations;
- it is undesirable to use laminated cork paneling in rooms with high humidity, although the cork itself is not afraid of water and is not subject to decay.
To properly place the cork on the floors, you need to proceed in stages:
- Surface preparation - it must be even and dry, so the best option is to arrange a base of plywood or other reliable and even materials under the cork cover. If the floors are well-arranged and there is linoleum on them, then you can put a cork directly on it.
- First you need to take the tiles out of the packaging and lay them in half, for about 24-36 hours - this is done for acclimatization and leveling.
- The baseless cork cover must be glued to the base using Novopren glue, specially designed for this material. It is applied with a spatula or roller and tiles are carefully laid on it, and passed from above with a hand roller. The floor should dry for at least a day, and at this time it is better not to walk on it.
- If a cork covering is laid, which is glued to the base and has a thorn-groove lock, then it is mounted in the same way as a regular laminate. To enhance its insulating qualities, you can lay a substrate from a roll of cork insulation from below, which is of a lower quality.
- It is imperative to leave a small gap between the wall and the covering for thermal and moisture expansion.
Video: another type of modern flooring
To choose the right flooring, you need to critically evaluate the surface of the floor on which it will be installed. Calculate all the pros and cons of this or that material according to its technical characteristics, and only then it will be possible to pay attention to its design. And the modern assortment of stores allows you to do this.
The floor covering is an important and integral part of the overall interior solution of the room. The choice of how to cover the floor in an apartment depends on many factors. Floor coverings that exist today are extremely diverse, they differ in purpose, quality, structure, cost, durability, maintenance conditions and installation complexity. Therefore, there is always the opportunity to choose the optimal flooring for each room.
Types of flooring: linoleum
The most common type of flooring - its versatility allows it to be used in any room - from bathrooms to the nursery. A variety of colors, textures of patterns (imitation of parquet, stone, wood, ceramic tiles, geometric and natural ornaments, etc.) allows you to fit it into any style - from country to high-tech. Linoleum easy to install and maintain, easy to clean, has good heat and sound insulating characteristics. Sufficiently durable. Disadvantages - loses color over time (especially in the sun), may crack at low temperatures.
Ceramic tile
Interesting! How to choose, what to look for, how to choose colors?
Covering for rooms, the main characteristics of which are high traffic and high humidity - kitchen, bathrooms, hallways (hall). A definite plus is the abundance of sizes, textures, colors and shades, various decor, which allows you to choose a tile for decorating a room in any style, it goes well with different finishing materials. In addition, with proper laying, the tiles allow you to optically adjust the size of the kitchen - visually lengthen / expand or vice versa, make it less elongated, here a lot depends on the skill of the designer. We also note other advantages:
practical - it is easy to care for it, it is easy to clean
durability - waterproof, resistant to moisture and chemicals, does not fade, does not wear out
At the same time, it also has a number of disadvantages:
- fragility - if you drop a heavy object, it can crack. However, especially durable types of ceramic tiles are produced especially for the kitchen.
- seams - even with the highest quality styling, they still remain visible. In addition, with poor grouting, the joints can become a place for the active development of mold and mildew.
- the tiles are not very pleasant for walking barefoot - they are cold. The problem can be solved by installing the "warm floor" system
- wet tiles are very slippery, there is a great risk of injury due to carelessness
Tiles are not suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms.
Stone covering
Outdoor stone covering(granite, marble, natural stone) are installed in places where the main requirement is wear resistance and strength, therefore they are most often laid in kitchens, hallways or bathrooms. They are easy to clean, not afraid of moisture, resistant to household chemicals, mechanical stress and temperature changes. But all their advantages are "compensated" by one drawback - a great price. In addition, the stone floors themselves are tactilely cold, although this problem is quite simple to solve - by installing a "warm floor" system. Which further increases costs.
Self-leveling floors
If earlier Self-leveling floors were used mainly in industrial and commercial and office premises, then recently they are widely in demand in the interiors of apartments and private houses, allowing you to get a perfectly flat, seamless surface. Their advantages:
- aesthetics - a variety and richness of colors, the ability to obtain 3D images
- durability - low abrasion, do not fade under sunlight
- durability - even the heaviest furniture will not leave marks and dents
- hygiene - easy cleaning, resistant to any chemistry, mold, bacteria and fungi do not appear on the surface, no fumes
- complete fire safety
- moisture resistance
The disadvantages include high requirements for the base, sufficient technological complexity of pouring and high cost.
Carpet
Perfect for a living room, nursery or bedroom, it can be made from both natural and artificial (synthetic) materials. Provides comfort for feet and comfortable walking even in winter. Carpet will add comfort and warmth to the interior, it has good soundproofing and heat-saving characteristics. In addition, an object that has fallen on the carpet does not create noise. Treatment with special substances excludes the appearance of moths or mites.
Disadvantages:
- poor moisture tolerance
- requires constant care, accumulates dust, in the presence of pets - wool
- removing stains will require the use of special products or dry cleaning.
- tendency to fade when exposed to direct sunlight
Parquet
Classic floor covering, durable and sustainable, available in three types: piece elements, solid wood and parquet board... Depending on the type of wood, the size and shape of individual elements, methods of installation, you can create various compositions in harmony with the stylistic features of the room. Scraping (for parquet the working layer is several millimeters) allows you to repeatedly renew the surface, returning its color and attractiveness. Due to its low thermal conductivity, parquet is a good heat insulator. There are two main disadvantages: cost and complexity of installation. To this should be added sensitivity to moisture and seasonal deformation - parquet floors expand in summer, and dry out in winter. Parquet is not suitable for laying together with a "warm floor".
Floor board
Solid board (grooved board made of natural wood) allows you to obtain a reliable, beautiful and durable floor covering with good thermal insulation. This option is good for living rooms (where the emphasis in the design is on the naturalness and naturalness of the finish), verandah and balconies. The board is resistant to deformation, but very sensitive to moisture, requires additional processing (protection).
Floors are the backbone of the interior of every home, apartment or office. Various types of coatings can be used to give the floors aesthetics and beauty. However, only a properly chosen floor covering can set the style of the room, create coziness and comfort in your home.
How to choose a floor covering
Manufacturers of modern building materials can offer a fairly large number of types of flooring: cheap and expensive, artificial and natural, roll and piece, tile, hard and soft, in design, quality, and so on.
1. Linoleum and rubber-based coatings
These are the most common types of coatings. Most of all, linoleum is suitable in damp rooms - for the floor in the kitchen.
PVC linoleums are of three types: household, commercial and semi-commercial. Commercial - the most dense, suitable for premises where there is a large traffic (in offices, offices). Household hints that it needs to be used for the home, however, a semi-commercial one is best suited here. It will be a little more expensive than a household one, but it will last much longer, it is stronger and thicker than a household one.
Linoleum
Advantages:
- Linoleum is waterproof.
- Easy to clean.
- Its cost is low.
- Easy to install.
- Does not rot.
- Doesn't make noise when you walk on it.
- The shelf life is 30-50 years.
Disadvantages:
- For laying it, you need an even base, only in this case it will serve for a very long time.
- Linoleum is an artificial material, as a result, it is inferior to a wooden floor in terms of environmental friendliness, quality and beauty.
- Can be squeezed if heavy furniture is placed on it.
- Inexpensive linoleum can be sensitive to very low and very high temperatures - it cracks and deforms.
- Not expensive options look cheap, while expensive types can imitate both wood and tiles, and so on.
2. Polyvinyl chloride
They are flexible soft relief floor coverings. Average service life is approximately thirty years. PVC floors are usually produced in tiles.
PVC tiles
Advantages:
- They are designed for a wide variety of loads and consist of several layers, suitable for rooms with high humidity, inexpensive and hardly flammable.
- Although the total thickness of PVC tiles is about 3-7 mm, it surpasses all types of linoleum in terms of reliability, as well as other, denser floor coverings.
- Easy to transport and stack.
- It is a sound insulating material.
- pleasant and warm for the feet.
- Has a large number of textures and colors.
- It is not afraid of moisture and does not break over time.
Disadvantages:
- To install it, you need good preparation of the base, adhesive for PVC tiles, as well as laying skills.
- Drying of the seams may occur during operation.
- Quite a high price.
- There is a small assortment in small towns.
- If the tiles are not stored correctly, they can bend, which will interfere with installation. Therefore, you need to carefully check the packaging upon purchase.
3. Cork floors
This type of flooring has high sound-absorbing and heat-insulating qualities. It is made from natural materials and is based on cork bark. very popular and modern. They can be produced in the form of slabs and rolls.
Cork floors are especially beneficial to use in rooms where silence, environmental friendliness, comfort and warm floor are needed.
Cork floor coverings
Advantages:
- Excellent thermal insulation properties (thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.03-0.04).
- Good level (sound absorption coefficient 0.85). It is great for panel houses.
- High resistance to deformation, it is convenient in the presence of heavy furniture - there are no traces after them.
- Good shock-absorbing qualities, which has an excellent effect on human health, the musculoskeletal system, joints and back.
- Non-slip coating.
- Resistance to aggressive chemicals (except for caustic alkalis), which makes it easy to take care of them.
- Not susceptible to pests: rodents and wood-boring insects.
Disadvantages:
- Quite a high price. As a result, the final cost (including auxiliary materials) will be comparable to the cost of parquet.
- The tensile strength of the cork floor is rather low. He does not tolerate heels, pet claws, sharp furniture legs.
- Low thermal conductivity does not make it possible to make the "" system, since the cork floor will not let heat into the room.
- Swelling of the floating floor. Moisture can cause cork floors to swell, which is caused by swelling of the MDF base. This excludes the use of cork in the bathroom and toilet, as there is a high level of humidity.
4. Laminate
It is a panel made of fiberboard (fibreboard) and several layers of paper. The texture (most often a drawing that imitates parquet) is applied exactly to the paper, on top of which an acrylate or melamine resin and a protective film are applied. After pressing, it becomes resistant to mechanical damage, abrasion, exposure to sunlight, pollution. The stabilizing film on the bottom is responsible for maintaining its shape and protecting it from moisture.
Laminate for home
This material has become widely used relatively recently. Laminate perfectly allows you to imitate natural wood floors, while in terms of stability and strength it can be even better than it. Its installation is simple, and the price is quite affordable. You can find out here. This material is not suitable for wet rooms. When laying it, a layer of soft pad made specifically for the laminate is used.
Advantages:
- Resistant to external influences (pressure, stress, abrasion). There are no dents or traces of heavy objects.
- Flame retardant and high temperature tolerance.
- Does not require careful maintenance, unlike parquet.
- Environmentally friendly material, as it does not contain chemicals that are harmful to health, is not allergic, does not accumulate bacteria and dirt. It can be easily used in children's rooms.
- Easy to install, allowing installation on wood floors, underfloor heating, linoleum, PVC floors and so on.
- Durability (can last more than 10 years).
- Affordable prices.
Disadvantages:
- Laminate load. It is necessary to correctly select the permissible loads. For an apartment, classes 21, 22, 23 are suitable. 23 - dining room, kitchen, hallway. 22 - living room, nursery. 21 (low load) - closet, study, bedroom. The lower the class, the shorter the service life under loads and the lower its cost.
- The styling requirements are high.
- Fear of moisture, requires treatment with a waterproof solution. It is not advisable to use laminate in the kitchen, but if you decide, then it is better to choose glue.
- Bubbling and swelling of the laminate, which is the result of a violation of the laying technology.
- Laminate creak occurs when the base is uneven.
- It will be possible to save only on a short-lived and cheap laminate.
5. Ceramic tiles
It is irreplaceable as a floor covering, especially in rooms with high humidity and traffic. At the moment, there are a large number of their types for decoration. Tiles differ in size, appearance, degree of slip, strength, water absorption and other parameters.
Ceramic tiles for home
In houses and apartments, floor tiles are used, as a rule, in kitchens, bathrooms, halls and hallways. Modern technologies make it possible to produce tile material that is suitable for use in any premises. For example, wood-like tiles may look like laminate or parquet in appearance. It can naturally fit into the interior of bedrooms (here you need underfloor heating) and living rooms.
Advantages:
- A huge variety of colors and shades, decor. Tiles can be matched to almost all building materials.
- Allows you to create an original floor composition, lengthen or expand the visual space (how to lay tiles on the floor).
- Practical and durable. The tile is not afraid of moisture, easy to clean, resistant to fading and wear, withstands any stress.
Disadvantages:
6. Carpets
They have also gained popularity today, as they are relatively affordable, varied in color, inaccessible to rodents and moths, easy to care for, and easy to lay.
At the moment, acrylic carpets, nylon, woolen, silk, polypropylene and many other types are produced. There are also carpet tiles, they are easily laid on a special base and then removed from it.
Advantages:
- Durability.
- Great appearance.
- Reliability.
- Ecological cleanliness.
- Low thermal conductivity.
- Correctly laid and high-quality solid board, parquet will serve for decades.
Disadvantages:
- Deformation of the material, since wood has the ability to breathe. In winter, it will shrink, and in summer it will expand.
- The cost is high.