Types of flooring for the apartment. Which floor is better to do in an apartment: tips and solutions What flooring to choose for an apartment

A comfortable and beautiful home is everyone's dream. But the choice of materials is not an easy task, as many factors must be taken into account. To begin with, it would be nice to have a general idea of ​​​​all available materials - about their advantages and disadvantages. Let's discuss the types of flooring: what they are, how and how they differ, where they are best used.

In recent decades, technology has developed very rapidly. New materials constantly appear, and old ones acquire new properties and qualities. Today there are about a dozen types of floor coverings. Not the fact that in a couple of months new ones will not appear. In the meantime, here are the types of coatings available:

Choosing flooring for your home or apartment is not an easy task.

• Engineering board.
• Cork coating (glue and lock).
• Linoleum.
• Vinyl tiles (there are also names of PVC tiles, flexible parquet, Art vinyl).
• Ceramic tile.
• Porcelain tile.

Some types of flooring have been known for a very long time. For example, a plank floor or parquet. Others appeared just a few years ago - carpet and vinyl tiles. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages, and each must be considered separately.

How to choose flooring

The choice of flooring should be carried out according to the basic requirements that you impose on the coating. First of all, you should decide on the amount you are willing to allocate. When viewing options, consider not only the cost per square meter, but also the cost of laying materials, shipping costs. Some types of flooring - linoleum and carpet, per square meter have a very low price. Their installation is also easy. But the amount of waste can be large, and delivery is expensive. Especially if you need a 4 meter wide coverage. These are special rates.

Once you've decided on your price range, what types of flooring you can use, review the installation information and subfloor requirements. If your floor is far from ideal, it will need to be leveled, and this can result in a considerable amount. Most modern flooring is not too difficult to install. The exception is parquet, but you can lay it yourself. It's just that it will take a lot of time. If self-laying not an option, the services of specialists are added to the costs. And their prices are associated not so much with the complexity of installation, but with the cost of coverage. As a general rule, the higher the price of a floor covering, the higher the asking price for its installation.

Also, the selected species must be compared in terms of complexity / ease of care, durability, compatibility with, if you have one. So choosing a floor covering is not so easy.

The cheapest and most practical: linoleum, PVC tiles

If we talk about the most inexpensive type of flooring, then it is either linoleum or PVC tiles. If you look at prices per square meter, then linoleum comes out cheaper. But it is not so. In fact, the costs are equal for the following reasons:

• PVC tiles are easy to ship. Packs of tiles can be loaded into a passenger car, and a truck is needed to deliver linoleum.
• Scraps when laying linoleum are usually much larger. Unless you find the width of the linoleum exactly the width of the floor. PVC tile has a minimum of scraps, as it consists of small fragments.

These types of coatings are often viewed negatively. The highlights are the unnatural finish, which looks "cheap" and fades quickly. appearance. About unnaturalness. Firstly, there is natural linoleum - marmoleum. It is made on a natural jute basis from natural rubber resins, using natural dyes. Secondly, polyvinyl chloride - the same PVC that surrounds us every day. It packs products. So, despite the unnaturalness, it is safe.

If we talk about the “cheap” appearance, then there are very decent-looking coatings that cannot be distinguished from the laminate that is now fashionable. And linoleum looked “cheap” twenty or thirty years ago. When a strange-looking film with a wild pattern was applied to an incomprehensible base. Today, linoleum is a completely different coating. Both externally and technologically.

So or something like this modern linoleum looks like. By the way, its lifespan is 10 years.

Many people say that linoleum quickly wears out, goes in waves. This can happen if linoleum is laid with a violation of technology. It also needs a level ground. It can be not perfectly even, but without holes, “steps” and humps. Then there will be no problems with scuffs. And it also needs to be properly glued to normal glue (good PVA, at least). And you need to leave gaps around the perimeter of the room. In general, it is necessary to follow the technology, then there will be no waves-wrinkles.

Average price range

Not everyone likes linoleum or vinyl tiles, although they are, perhaps, the most budgetary coatings, and they are also convenient and durable in operation. I don’t want completely frank synthetics under my feet, but there is no intention to spend money on parquet or even more expensive cork. In this case, you can consider the types of flooring from the average price range. They, of course, with great difficulty can be called natural, but not quite synthetics either.

Consider medium-priced options

Laminate

If we talk about popular types of flooring, then today it is a laminate. At a price it is more expensive than linoleum, but cheaper than a parquet or engineered board. In appearance, they are very similar, but structurally completely different material.

Why was laminate placed in the middle price range? After all, there are inexpensive rulers ... Because in order for it to serve for a long time, it is worth taking a board high class(32 or 33), and even on a waterproof base. And these types are comparable in price to parquet and engineered boards.

Advantages and disadvantages of laminate

The laminate is based on high-pressure pressed cellulose - HDF. Everyone probably knows such material as MDF. So, HDF is also made, but pressed under higher pressure. A stabilizing layer is glued under the HDF base, often with moisture-resistant properties. On the other hand, a pattern imitating a natural coating is glued. A transparent polymer film is applied to the drawing. Sometimes it is even, but it can also be with an imitation of the texture of wood or stone.

There are a lot of different ones. And it's not just about appearance. There are they of different abrasion resistance, width, length, thickness. There are plenty to choose from. This is a great material if you are interested in inexpensive types of flooring. Also, its advantages include:

• Simplicity. Any person with hands "from where it is necessary" will cope.
• Stacking speed. In a day, even a beginner will lay one room.
• Maintainability. If the coating was not glued, everything can be disassembled and reassembled.

Laminate - a good choice if you are interested in average-priced types of flooring

Not everything is so rosy. The disadvantages of laminate are as follows. He does not tolerate high humidity and if he gets wet, original view is not restored. The second drawback is that the coverage is noisy. Noisy in the room, you can hear footsteps. Sounds are also transmitted to neighbors below, if we are talking about a multi-storey building. So that the problem is not so acute, substrates are used. And cork or expanded polystyrene foam is better, but then the coating does not fit into the budget. But then the laminate does not creak, the house is quiet, and even the floor is warmer.

Parquet and engineering board

Like it or not, we are used to the fact that there should be wood on the floor. And more budget types of floor coverings, basically, imitate it with more or less certainty. And if you want a more natural finish, but the parquet is not inspiring because of the difficult care? There is an intermediate option - the same parquet and engineered board. They are made in different ways, but after laying they are very similar to natural parquet. Only cheaper, easier to install and devoid of most of its shortcomings.

The engineering board consists of moisture resistant plywood and a layer of wood glued to it. Plywood is more stable in size, it will not lead, it does not dry out, it is less prone to warping. The parquet board is structurally more complex and consists of four layers (from bottom to top):

• pine seamless veneer;
• spruce or pine slats;
• a layer of precious wood;
• a layer of varnish, oil or wax.

Both types of flooring have a valuable type of wood on top. Both consist of fragments - rectangular or square, which are connected with locks or through a tenon-groove. That's just the engineering board after laying should be covered with a protective coating - varnish, oil or wax. And ready for use - it is varnished / oil / waxed at the factory. Conveniently. But only after the joints are left without protection and you need to be careful with water.

How to choose flooring that looks like wood but is less hassle? Consider parquet and engineered board

The advantages of these materials are as follows. It looks like parquet, at a significantly lower price, the complexity of laying is several times less, and the speed of installation is many times higher. What else is good - fewer problems with operation - less often creaks and cracks. Well, the disadvantage is, after all, not a completely natural coating. The design contains glue. Where to a greater extent, where to a lesser extent. How critical it is for you - decide for yourself.

Parquet

Parquet in its purest form is a set of boards from which the flooring is assembled. And not always these boards are of the same shape or size. Complex circuits are assembled from different pieces. The more of them, the more diverse and bizarre the pattern can be.

But in standard apartments or ordinary residential buildings and cottages, artistic parquet cannot be entered in any way. It is appropriate in large spacious rooms. And 20 squares is not the space on which something like this will look. In most residential interiors, parquet is laid with the usual flooring - a deck, there is also a herringbone or squares. And then, they no longer fit into all interiors. The modern style is very concise and even not too complex patterns can no longer be entered into it. Except in classic interior Yes, with appropriate furniture.

Not the most difficult drawing, but in ordinary apartment- explicit overkill

Parquet is glued on a perfectly flat base. It must be carefully prepared. Each plank sits on glue, but can also be additionally fixed with nails. Since the fragments are small, it takes a lot of time to lay the parquet. But the completion of the calculation is far from everything. There is still grinding to be done - four to five passes with sandpaper of different grits (from 600 to 1200). And then applying a protective layer - first a primer (two layers), and then varnishing (three layers) or oil impregnation (two layers is enough). When varnishing, intermediate sanding may still be required a couple of times. So by the time of laying 20 square meters may take a couple of months. Is it possible to lay parquet with your own hands? Quite. If the hands are from the right place and a lot of patience.

So, the advantages of parquet as a floor covering: beauty, naturalness. You can’t argue with beauty, although, in most cases, they lay the board with an ordinary deck flooring. Outwardly, it does not differ from the same engineering and parquet boards, but in terms of price and laboriousness of laying, it is very different. Although, it's beautiful. This is without a doubt. But a cheaper engineered board in the same decking looks no worse, but costs less.

It is also worth thinking about naturalness. The wood is natural - this is not disputed, but the coating itself is unlikely. The wood is glued. best glue for parquet now - polymer - unnatural. The parquet is covered with varnish - unnatural. Then the meaning is in the naturalness of the wood itself. Very doubtful. Prestigious, yes. Without a doubt. If the status of the coating is important to you, you definitely need parquet. In this he has no equal.

Soft types of floor coverings: carpet, carpet tiles

Carpet was at the peak of popularity about twenty years ago. Today it is not laid very often. If they put it, then in the bedrooms or children's rooms - here it is really very good. How appropriate the carpet in the living room will be depends on what you want to get. Low pile is easier to clean and easier to care for. The long one looks cozy and intimate, but difficult to clean. In general, both carpet and carpet tiles are a very good type of coverage if you are not allergic to dust. Warm, cozy, hides sounds. For the bedroom and nursery, this is perhaps best coverage for the floor.

Short pile carpet is the perfect budget flooring for the bedroom

It can be very simple: in small rooms it is simply rolled out and pressed with skirting boards. On a larger area, double-sided tape is used, pasted in strips on the floor every meter. If there are more than 20 squares, gluing with special glue or fixing is necessary (a special type of glue that creates a sticky layer on the floor like adhesive tape).

If we talk about carpet tiles, then it is even more convenient to install. It is not necessary to take out all the furniture. The base must be dry and level. A fixing adhesive is applied to it, after it dries, the tile is laid out. It's that simple.

For the price, the situation is similar to that which exists when comparing linoleum and vinyl tiles. If you look at the price per square meter, then carpet tiles come out more expensive. But there is less waste when laying, delivery is easier and cheaper. So the money spent in the end will not be more. And another plus of carpet tiles is that you can always fold it differently, it is easy to replace a damaged piece by simply removing the old one and installing a new one in its place. So if you choose, then carpet tiles are more practical.

So, the advantages of carpet and carpet tiles are low price, ease of installation, “quiet” coating. Disadvantages - difficult to clean, not suitable for allergy sufferers. In general, these are inexpensive and easy-to-install types of flooring.

Cork flooring

Another type of flooring that is called natural is cork. In fact, it is a pressed cork, which is available in the form of tiles or in rolls. There are two types of cork flooring. The first is called "adhesive" - ​​it is glued to a flat and dry base and filled with several layers of varnish. It turns out something similar to parquet, but with a different texture.

The second type of cork can be compared to laminate. The same base is HDF, on which a cork layer is glued, and a protective polymer film is applied on top of it. Both styling and problems are the same as for laminate. It is easy to install, you need to be careful with liquids in operation. To be on the safe side, some lock plugs are also filled with varnish, so that there are no problems with filling.

If we talk about the pros, then cork is the warmest coating. It is comfortable to walk on it, even if it is varnished, the porous material absorbs sounds. So for quiet rooms - a bedroom and a nursery - a good floor covering. But, since cork is a soft material, furniture must be selected on wide legs so that it does not squeeze through. The second point: it should not be placed on a heated floor. Very low thermal conductivity, heating will be extremely inefficient. The floor will be warm, but the costs will be high. Other types of flooring work better with underfloor heating. There is a special laminate, even carpet or carpet tiles. But the cork is perhaps the most inefficient option.

Disadvantages of cork coating - high price, high abrasion. Adhesive cork is more expensive (thicker), lock - cheaper. But, compared to other materials, the price is still high.

The basic interior issues include deciding how to make the floors in the apartment, which determines the overall style of each of the rooms.

Not only the artistic part is important, but also resistance to wear, ease of cleaning, environmental component and just a feeling of comfort underfoot.

The desired effect will be achieved by choosing a material that is appropriate in its characteristics and observing the technology of its installation.

Main elements of the device

Repair the concrete base before finishing the floor

Regardless of the decision on how to cover the floor in the apartment, whether new floors are being laid or the floor is being replaced in the apartment with one's own hands, work starts from the concrete base.

The slab may already have a high-quality screed, otherwise you will have to do it - concrete large drops and fill it with a self-leveling compound. The horizontal plane will give sure support to all sections and layers of future beautiful floors.

If the floors are not insulated, it is necessary to lay insulation

The structure of the floor for the apartment is a sequential alternation of the following levels:

• concrete floor slab;
• waterproofing (for bathroom, kitchen, toilet);
• thermal insulation (simultaneously performing the task of sound insulation);
• flooring (includes additional technological accessories - plinth, ventilation grilles for a wooden floor on logs).

It is necessary to determine which floor in the room is better to make (PVC tiles or parquet) for each room separately, depending on its purpose. A children's room, a bedroom, a corner for sports activities differ in terms of loads and intensity of impact on the entire structure to the very foundation.

Protective level

A crucial step in the work is to calculate what to put on the screed under the selected floor, which material is better to use as a heater.

Each type has certain characteristics, including the minimum thickness at which they appear in standard values ​​and determine which floors are best done in an apartment.

It is necessary to consider the brand and type of insulation for various options for finishing the floor according to the following characteristics:

• thermal conductivity (an important indicator for the first floors, cottages with non-residential basement levels with low air temperature);
• recommended thickness;
• noise absorption;
• water absorption coefficient, vapor permeability;
• fire resistance;
• weight, ability to withstand load (density);
• application technology, consumption per 1 m², amount of waste;
• health safety.

The difference in floor levels between rooms is not desirable (not safe), with the exception of sanitary and hygienic premises, in which it is provided for by building codes in case of accidents with water spills.

Material

Foamed polyethylene combine with other materials

Before you make the floor in the apartment with your own hands, you need to calculate the expected effect in comparison with the budget and the availability of harvesting the selected material for various types of finishes:

In rooms where it is planned to lay ceramic tiles, it is advisable to use the "warm floor" technology.

Surface layer

In all the variety of coatings, you need to figure out which floors are best made for each specific situation (concrete floor or parquet).

So, what to use to cover the floor, which room the material will correspond to, is chosen from the following main positions:

• wooden board;
• parquet;
• ceramic or polymer tiles;
• laminate;
• linoleum;
• carpet;
• cork sheet.

A visual comparison in terms of performance can be seen from the table:

The flooring materials shown may cover a concrete, wood base lined with plywood sheets or moisture resistant drywall. Manufacturers produce products for finishing the floor in an apartment, having a variety of colors, textures, patterns and entire compositions, panels.

Linoleum

A modern manufacturer offers a wide selection of colors and properties of this finishing material.

It is one of the most popular coatings today. Easy to fit, waterproof, reasonably priced, with a wide variety of colors and patterns. It can be insulated with fibrous underlays, made on a foamed bottom layer, to be immediately laid on the concrete floor in the apartment.

The material is quite soft, subject to residual deformation from heavy objects, and needs to be treated with care. Of all the options with which you can cover the finished base, the fastest.

Linoleum is made using a natural or polymer base. According to its purpose, it is divided into 2 types: commercial (heavy loads in office, industrial buildings) and household (non-commercial).

In comparison, which flooring to choose, the first type wins in terms of wear resistance, but you need to pay attention to the fact that it was not originally designed for small rooms and poor ventilation.

The commercial type has a higher content of harmful components, so it is not recommended to use it in residential premises.

Laminate flooring

Laminate boards imitate any textures and colors

The natural wood was replaced by floor finishing with multi-layer types of artificial boards with increased operational characteristics. The invoice and drawing successfully imitate a parquet, a stone, valuable breeds of wood and many other things.

At the same time, laminate is much more affordable and easier to install than parquet. Standard size is 0.25 × 1.5 m;

For rooms for various purposes when asked which floor to choose, use the material of the appropriate strength class (marked with a two-digit number starting with 2 for domestic use or 3 for commercial).

carpet

It is a common decision when choosing which floor is best done in a recreation area, a children's (play) room. The cloth is made of synthetic, natural threads.

The pile can be long or absent, like a carpet. The basis is rubber, felt or jute.

The carpet structure can be wrinkled under load, clogged with dirt, absorb liquids. Carpeting requires careful handling, careful maintenance, and cleaning. Therefore, you should not start them in the hallway, use them in the kitchen, but rather lay them in the living room or bedroom.

Cork

Available in 2 types: decorative and technical (for the substrate). It is available in rolls and slabs. About the pros and cons of cork flooring, see this video:

Cork has a full set of desired qualities in all respects, except for the price. The material is environmentally friendly, has excellent thermal resistance, low sound conductivity, mechanical strength at a small thickness.

The roll is unfolded, cut to size, laid on a base prepared with an adhesive. The plate is laid end to end. When laying directly on a concrete floor, a softening substrate is needed so as not to push through small particles.

Modern flooring for the home

The floor is not only an indispensable part of the design of any building, but also one of the most important elements of interior design, and therefore the choice of the only right option for flooring should be taken with all responsibility. The design of the room, the atmosphere that reigns 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.

Market finishing materials today it is replete with a variety of 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 of our homes.

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 from 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 not advisable 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 a major role in general design 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 heat in the house qualitatively and serving as an obstacle to noise coming from 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. The laminate is able to resist abrasion, shockproof, resistant to 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. Weakness 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 front surface 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. There are three options for vinyl laminate:

• 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 striking example of HDF vinyl laminate can be products from Floover (Switzerland);
• Vinyl moisture resistant laminate- outwardly an ordinary slab of a standard laminate, but based on a panel of composite plastic with an outer covering of vinyl. 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 skin 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 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, as it includes jute fiber, linseed oil, natural dyes, tree 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.

With time protective layer, covering the cork, is worn 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 disadvantages of cork coating 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 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

This seamless coating is poured directly onto concrete, mixed with quartz sand of various colors, making it possible to 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 concrete formwork, 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.

Manufacturers of modern finishing materials and floor coverings offer a serious and extensive range of products. Diversity price categories, color and pattern spectrum, as well as texture designs allows you to choose the material for the floor in the apartment, which fully meets the user's needs. In addition to a huge number of mass-produced offers, there are narrow-profile workshops where you can select and order custom-designed floor coverings made from natural or artificial materials of the highest quality. We offer you to get acquainted with the most common types of finishing products and their prices.

Linoleum and rubber flooring

The type of coatings that are best for laying floors in wet areas: kitchen, walk-through corridors, bathrooms. There are three types of material:

• Commercial. The densest type, ideal for high traffic areas. Price from $40;
• Household is designed for laying in apartments, it is thin and flexible. Price from $20;
• semi-commercial. More durable linoleum, ideal for low traffic office and home flooring. The price from $ 30 is slightly higher than that of a household one, but the quality differs for the better.

The advantages of the material are the following factors:

1. Waterproof;
2. Ease of cleaning;
3. Affordable cost;
4. Not subject to decay, decomposition;
5. Ease of installation;
6. Absorbs noise;
7. Resistance to mechanical stress;
8. Huge period of use. Natural linoleum can withstand up to 50-60 years of operation.

It is also worth noting the maintainability of the coating. The material is easy to cut, so you can always replace a leaky piece with a new one, cutting it exactly to size. In addition, linoleum often comes with a substrate and does not require subfloor coating, the roll is glued to any base with an adhesive composition and does not move during operation.

But the best coating in its lineup has drawbacks:

• Requires perfect evenness of the base. Any debris, chip or tubercle will lead to the fact that it is in this place that the coating will wear out, thin out and break through.
• The material of artificial origin is inferior in environmental friendliness to wooden coatings. However, it surpasses the latter in many qualitative and aesthetic features.
• With prolonged stationary heavy point loads, it is pressed through.
• Linoleum of low price and reduced quality is sensitive to high and low temperatures: it melts from heat, cracks from cold. Therefore, when choosing options for covering the floor of an apartment, it is better to give preference to more expensive and high-quality goods, in the end, “wastefulness” will pay off with a long service life and beauty of the finish.

Cheaper products in the line look unpresentable, while expensive flooring is presented in a huge variety of colors, textures and imitations of natural and artificial materials.

PVC coatings

These are soft, elastic floor materials with an average service life of at least 30 years. Featuring a variety of colors, textures and designs, PVC cladding is ideal for all areas of the apartment, not only for the floor space, but also wall panels. The price of products starts from $ 15, which means that each user can choose what and how to cover the rooms in the house, apartment or on the balcony.

Positive qualities of PVC coatings:

Inexpensive price, layering, non-susceptibility to point loads, fire safety, assortment variability - the user can choose the types of floor finishes for different rooms;
• Small thickness (no more than 3-7 mm) does not increase the height of the floor in the apartment, however, the floor cladding is reliable, surpassing all types of linoleum;
• Ease of transport and installation;
• The tile has a body-, soundproofing qualities;
• Pleasant tactile sensations and additional floor insulation;
• Large assortment of textures, imitations, colors;
• The softness and plasticity of the material eliminate the risk of damage from breaking or cracking;
• Ease of care;
• High-quality PVC cladding options are not susceptible to chemicals and fine abrasive pastes.

It would seem, what more could you want? But PVC cladding has some disadvantages:

1. You need a perfectly even base, adhesive composition, some styling skills;
2. With improper care, there is a risk of drying out of the seams;
3. High-quality types of PVC products with the desired characteristics are high in cost;
4. Improper storage threatens with deformation of the elements, which makes installation difficult.

When choosing a PVC coating, it makes sense to pay attention to the packaging, it is even better to open the pack and carefully inspect the tile for defects. Remember that if one element has a lack of paint, a scratch, a bend or other imperfections, then there will definitely be a couple more of these tiles in the pack. Therefore, you need to take the lining with a margin.

Floor cork

What coating can be eternal and not get bored? Of course, a cork. Soft to the touch, retaining its aesthetic and practical qualities, breathable and does not need additional decorations, it perfectly hides noise and warms regardless of the thickness of the layer. The elements produced in rolls or tiles are an environmentally friendly product and are indicated for installation in rooms where there are increased requirements for cleanliness and hypoallergenicity.

Advantages:

1. Extremely low heat transfer coefficient 0.03-0.04;
2. Maximum sound absorption, with a coefficient of 0.85, cork is the best floor covering for panel houses, famous for their sound permeability;
3. Facing withstands point loads, resistant to deformation;
4. Springy qualities (depreciation) have a beneficial effect on the human support system;
5. There is no danger of slipping.

A pleasant color, the warmth of natural material, the ideal atmosphere in the apartment - all this is a cork, but the cladding has significant disadvantages and these are:

• Difficulty in care. Natural cork is demanding on cleaning and detergent substances, but is not afraid of abrasives and household chemicals, with the exception of alkali;
• Very high price (from $ 150);
• Low tensile strength. You will have to give up thin heels, sharp furniture legs, all this can scratch the flooring, like the claws of pets;
• The cork will not let heat through if you want to make a system of underfloor heating;
• Moisture absorption will not allow you to cover the bathroom with a cork.

In fact, there are many advantages of cork, but the disadvantages can be minimized if you make a choice in favor of artificial turf, while having protective film. Manufacturers offer cladding at a price of $70, which will help save money. However, the level of hygroscopicity, breathability and environmental friendliness will be reduced.

Laminate

One of the most popular floor coverings in the apartment. Opting for laminate means buying the best flooring for your entire space. The main thing is to decide on the type and types of material, take into account practical and aesthetic characteristics.

Advantages:

1. Resistance to any external influences, ranging from chips and scratches to point physical impacts;
2. Does not wear out, does not become thinner with time;
3. Easy to care for;
4. Perfectly tolerates high and low temperatures, fire resistant;
5. Practical types of expensive laminate are environmentally friendly, since no chemical compounds are used in the production. Moreover, you can cover the floors with laminate in the nursery, as the product is hypoallergenic;
6. Ease of installation and affordable prices (from $ 40) make the material extremely democratic;
7. The durability of the coating while maintaining the quality and aesthetic characteristics is the best you could wish for from the cladding, and the service life of the laminate is from 10 years.

Separately, it is worth noting that the range of goods is sufficient to make a choice not only in terms of practical indicators, but also textural ones, as well as to choose a color, determining which shades of the palette are suitable for a particular interior. Moreover, laminate collections ideally imitate parquet, natural massive boards, other natural and artificial materials. If you lay the floors in the apartment with laminate, you can easily make a heating system, but it is important to know which product to choose, given a number of disadvantages of facing:

• High requirements for installation: evenness of the base, the presence of a substrate and much more, which can be avoided by choosing another product;
• The need for very careful selection.

A minimum of minuses still makes users think about buying a product. The price of laminate flooring starts at $40, which makes the product line affordable. However, you need to know the classiness of the cladding, be able to lay it correctly and understand which laminate is suitable for the kitchen and which for the bedroom. With laminate, as with parquet, there are no cheap high-quality products, so if you choose this particular product, you need to carefully read the characteristics and it is better to buy a collection from the manufacturer so as not to get a fake instead of a high-quality product. But the color, texture and imitation can be selected in any assortment, both at an affordable price and in the segment of expensive goods.

Ceramic tiles

The product is indispensable for floor cladding in rooms with high humidity and high traffic. Differing in size, color, shape, texture and other indicators,

The choice of goods is mandatory with the familiarization of such indicators as: water absorption, slip, hygroscopicity and strength. Modern manufacturers make it possible to carefully select the lining not only in the bathroom or bathroom, but also in the kitchen, it depends on which particular nuances to prioritize, and what can be abandoned. For example, for shower rooms, the non-slip index is important, but in the bedroom, texture tiles for wood or a certain color of the room design are suitable. By the way, the elements fit well on the underfloor heating system, so there will be no problems with the installation of heating. Price from $18.

Advantages:

• A large assortment color solutions, allowing to decorate the surface of not only floors, but also wall panels in an original way;
• Practicality, resistance to loads, ease of maintenance and transportation;
• Non-susceptibility to deformation, fading, abrasion and temperature fluctuations;
• Water resistance, incombustibility.

You can make a whole composition from tiles, which will give the house a personality, while saving money, for example, by purchasing scattered elements of collections. But it is important to remember some disadvantages:

1. The product belongs to the "cold" type, so it is important to take care of heating;
2. Improper laying of the cladding threatens with difficulties in updating and repairing;
3. Installation requires skills, otherwise the seams will turn out uneven.

And, most importantly, a good tile cannot be cheap (from $ 5-7). Such a low cost means that the product was produced in violation of technology, the pattern will wear out, lose color, and the elements themselves will not withstand even the minimum load.

Carpet coverings

Quite popular coatings, affordable (from $ 18), color, texture and other practical characteristics. When choosing a cladding, you need to decide on the basis of the product, today manufacturers offer carpets made of nylon, wool, silk, polypropylene and other materials that can satisfy not only aesthetic, but also high-quality user requests. The main advantage is ease of installation. Roll or sheet elements are flexible, they are easy to cut and, by the way, the same factor is responsible for the maintainability of the lining: in case of damage to a piece of carpet, it can be easily replaced by cutting and pasting a piece.

Advantages:

• Abrasion resistance (except for high pile carpets);
• Large range of products;
• High sound absorption capacity;
• Pleasure in touch.

There are few disadvantages of the product:

1. Accumulation of dust;
2. Sensitivity to UV rays, moisture;
3. The need for frequent cleaning.

Parquet and solid wood

The most traditional coatings, which differ not only in beauty and environmental friendliness, but also in price. When choosing which flooring is best, you should pay attention to the cost: good wood boards cannot be cheap, so the price is below $ 70, this is not natural wood, but its derivatives.

Advantages:

• Long service life;
• Aesthetics;
• Practicality and reliability;
• Low thermal conductivity;
• Environmental friendliness.

Minus one - some deformation of the elements. Since wood "breathes", parquet and board will shrink a little at low temperatures, and expand at high temperatures. But this is an insignificant fact given that the tree fills the house with a unique atmosphere and cleanliness.

Important! Wood flooring requires careful selection. The protective impregnation against moisture, fire, exposure to UV rays and mechanical stress is important.

Polymer materials

Such floors are called self-leveling. Divided into groups (epoxy, methyl methacrylate, polyurethane, cement-acrylic), the cladding is diverse in application and aesthetic characteristics, while practical qualities always remain on top. The cost of the compositions is from $ 150, which makes the products quite expensive, but a long service life without the slightest loss quality characteristics pays for the cost in full.

Floors and walls in the apartment play an important role. But it is the floor coverings that set the stylistic design and perform the function of sound insulation, and also help to retain heat. Therefore, it is important to know how to choose the right quality flooring.

Peculiarities

The temperature regime in the room, as well as some characteristics of the room, will depend on the choice of floor material. In addition, the flooring greatly affects the stylistic design of the room. Therefore, when choosing, you should weigh the pros and cons of each floor covering and choose the most suitable for each specific area.

The floor covering allows you to set the basis for the aesthetic design of the premises. In addition, it makes the room more cozy and comfortable for residents. The choice of floors varies depending on the purpose of the premises, since the individual functional areas of the apartment involve different loads and effects on the floor. That is why it is better to consider all the options, and only then make a choice in favor of one or another option.

The specifics of floors for an apartment may vary depending on the floor. For the first, it is better to choose a moisture-resistant coating. For high floors, floors with a light texture are needed. If you are installing flooring in a panel house, then pay attention to models with thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics.

An important feature of laying floors is additional base. Some materials require a special leveled subfloor or even a subfloor, while others can be laid over plain concrete floors.

Also, some apartment residents prefer insulated floors, while using different insulation technologies and substrates for coatings.

Kinds

Floor coverings are either rigid or flexible. The group is separated wood flooring for the floor. Various manufacturers presents a variety of floor coverings that differ in their functionality, quality and design. Wooden ones include:

• parquet;
• parquet board;

• laminate;
• wood mass;
• Cork.

Flexible coatings include:

• linoleum;
• carpet.

Hard surfaces include:

• ceramic tile;
• stone floors;

• porcelain stoneware;
• expanded clay;
• bulk floor.

Each type of flooring should be discussed separately, since they all have important characteristics and properties.

Natural parquet

This classic version which is traditional and very popular. This classic never goes out of style. This coating will highlight the high social status apartment owners. Parquet is made only from valuable tree species.

As a rule, parquet elements have a natural wood pattern. You can find small-sized versions of piece parquet. They allow you to lay out an interesting composition.

So, with the help of it, you can independently make a drawing on the floor, for example, a Christmas tree.

Parquet is made from durable and reliable species, the wood of which is characterized by high density. For its manufacture, oak, beech, maple, ash, larch are used. This flooring is considered the most durable. It can last up to 50 years if you take good care of it.

Any parquet is completely environmentally friendly and completely safe. A feature of the installation of such a floor is that under it it is necessary to install draft floors. Only after that it will be possible to lay piece parquet.

Not all apartments can be parquet. An important requirement is that certain temperature regime and air humidity level

Parquet is a very expensive and noble flooring option.

parquet board

This is another option for natural wood flooring. The parquet board differs from the previous type in that it is quite large in size. The difference is the composition of such boards. Thus, parquet board lamellas consist of three layers, securely connected to each other. They have convenient lock fasteners and are easier to install. Their size allows easy installation and easy dismantling.

Manufacturers present models of various colors and designs, some of them have a ready-made pattern. Per parquet board easier to care for than piece models. Such a coating is quite expensive, but more budgetary than piece parquet. The slats can serve over 20 years Besides, they are not so whimsical in care.

Boardwalk

Such floors involve laying ordinary boards on logs. It looks simple but natural. It is used in apartments infrequently, because it is quite heavy. But the big advantage of plank flooring is that it is 100% environmentally friendly and very practical. With it, you can create interesting stylistic solutions for rooms.

The floor is pleasant to the touch and comfortable to walk barefoot on. Plank flooring is more affordable. At the same time, according to external characteristics, it is not inferior to other options for wooden floors.

photos

Cork

Cork floors belong to the elite floor coverings. They are suitable for laying in almost any room, except for rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom, if there is not good ventilation. But the cork can only be laid on a hard and even surface. Most often, plywood is installed under it. Under no circumstances should it be laid on bare concrete floors., otherwise even small particles can ruin the flooring.

The cork can be decorative. It is presented in the form of rolls or plates. The top layer is impregnated with a special composition that has moisture-proof properties. Manufacturers supplement the cork floor in the form of slabs with an adhesive that has already been applied, which simplifies the installation of this floor covering.

Cork is also used as an option for the subfloor. It is placed under linoleum or under laminate. In this case, it has a slightly different composition and significantly reduced quality. As a rule, cork provides the necessary level of heat and sound insulation. Such a substrate can be presented in the form of rolls, it is convenient to spread it on the floor.

The cork floor can be presented in the form of MDF panels. As a rule, these are rather large lamellas, which include other materials, including synthetic ones. Each panel measures approximately 19 x 90 cm. They are comfortable and easy to lay on their own. Installation is facilitated by lock fasteners.

Cork is practical material because it is completely insensitive to temperature changes.

In addition, it withstands high physical exercise and impact. Even the heaviest furniture can be placed on it. Cork can be quite interesting in design thanks to modern production technologies. Manufacturers present models of different shades. In addition, it is not a static material on which dust and hair do not accumulate.

Laminate

This is a high-quality and reliable floor covering that can imitate any other types of floors. It can be an imitation of parquet, natural boards and other wood, tiles, marble, natural stone and even bricks. The slats may have different size, but the standard boards are 25 by 150 cm. The slats have a lock, which, as a rule, is located either on two or on all four sides of each board.

These lamellas are easy to install and maintain. By itself, the laminate board includes four layers. Each of them has a specific functional purpose. Together, they all make up a high-quality and reliable option floor covering.

The bottom layer is paper soaked in resin, which performs a moisture-proof function. Thanks to this, the laminate board will not be damaged during a flood. The lower substrates of some models can also perform a heat or sound insulating function. No sills are needed to cover.

The penultimate layer is the most basic and thick, on average, its thickness is from 5 to 9 mm. It is a compressed wood, as well as locks built into this level, which are based on spikes and grooves.

The next layer is decorative. It is a patterned coating that imitates wood and other materials. From above, it is covered with a transparent layer, which makes the coating more beautiful and decorative. In addition, it performs protective functions and prevents rapid rubbing and damage to the laminate. As a rule, the transparent layer is made of acrylic or melamine.

Laminate is affordable price yet practical material.

It perfectly conveys the texture of many materials and looks very aesthetically pleasing. The marble version looks elegant.

Laying this floor option is within the power of even a beginner in the field of installation. Laminate can be divided into classes depending on its strength. The higher the grade, the higher is its strength and thickness. Most often, for domestic purposes, options from 21 to 33 classes are used.

Linoleum

In Russia, this is the most popular flooring. It is very easy to install and yet affordable. Almost no maintenance required, it is enough only to periodically carry out wet cleaning. The material is completely moisture resistant and not subject to external influences. Such coatings can look very beautiful.

Manufacturers present a variety of options that differ in their pattern and shades. As a rule, these floor coverings are sold in the form of rolls. It is enough just to roll them on the floor. There is also a slab option.

Linoleum is mounted using a special adhesive, and it can be installed on almost any floor. In the manufacture of linoleum are used as natural materials as well as polymers. Models with natural substances in the composition are more expensive, therefore less popular. The service life of linoleum is approximately 10 years, but it is most often used in apartments for much longer.

Linoleum can be thin, or it can be insulated with a backing. Foam-based options are also popular. But such a coating has several disadvantages. So, it can shrink and change its external qualities when exposed to elevated temperatures. In addition, heavy furniture leaves traces and damage on it.

Linoleum can be laid in absolutely any room, even in an unheated one, for example, on a balcony.

photos

carpet

Outwardly, it is a covering similar to carpets, which differs from other floor coverings in a number of features. Models can be soft or quite hard to the touch. They are often placed in children's rooms, since they are not at all traumatic. In their manufacture, manufacturers use both natural and artificial materials.

The coating can be presented in the form of rolls or tiles. Sheet models are easy to mount on their own without assistance. Only glue is needed for installation. The material looks very presentable. Manufacturers present options that differ in their texture, pile length, color and pattern.

But this coating, with external presentability, has a number of negative properties. Yes, it has short service life. In addition, it is considered the most not waterproof of all floor coverings. It requires special care and systematic cleaning, otherwise the coating will lose its former gloss. The basis of the carpet is jute, felt or rubber.

Such a coating is completely unsuitable for floors in the hallway or bathroom. Some stains may be impossible to get rid of.

This option is not suitable for allergy sufferers, as it can provoke an allergic reaction.

Ceramic tile

This is a very dense and solid option, which involves flooring only in some areas of the apartment. So, they put it in the bathroom, toilet, hallway, kitchen, corridors. This coating is cold, so it is not suitable for other rooms. But if you plan to install underfloor heating, then in other rooms you can make flooring in the form of tiles.

Ceramic tile is a versatile option that has a number of advantages. It can be placed on any floor, including on concrete, wood, plywood, drywall, soil. Ceramic tiles can have different designs and patterns.

This floor is suitable even for classic style interiors.

Tiles can be matte or glossy. Due to its texture, this material is able to hide dust and dirt. In addition, it is quite easy to care for her. It is waterproof and practical.

Manufacturers present corrugated tiles that you can step on with wet feet. That is why This cover is perfect for the bathroom. You won't have to worry about slipping.

The color scheme of this finishing material can be absolutely any. The tile itself is very strong and durable. These are high-quality vapor barrier and non-combustible floors. The tile is attached with glue and lasts a very long time. But the coating is solid, so it is traumatic. It is not comfortable to walk barefoot on cold tiles.

self-leveling floor

Previously, such a coating was most often used as a subfloor, while new self-leveling floors are excellent decorative coatings. The design assumes the presence of three-dimensional drawings and patterns that are covered with a polymer layer. Bulk floors can be polyurethane or epoxy. By themselves, they are of high quality and environmentally friendly.

The service life of such floors is quite long. They can look very presentable, especially for glossy models with patterns. These are waterproof and easy to care for. Their disadvantage is that before laying, you need to perfectly level the surface and dry it otherwise, irregularities may appear.

Which ones to choose?

The choice of flooring is a very important part of any renovation. In this case, one should take into account in which functional area or in which room it will be located. For each of the zones, you need to select materials based on what qualities they have and what loads they can endure. In addition, family composition should influence the choice of sex.

Some coatings are completely unacceptable for children. If you have small children, then the floors should be less traumatic and completely environmentally friendly. In addition, such floors should be easy to care for. If you have pets at home, then the coating must withstand mechanical stress, such as scratches.

When choosing, you should also evaluate your financial condition, since some flooring options are very expensive and require special care. If your apartment is on the first floor, then you should purchase the most moisture-resistant materials. This is because the closer to the apartment the basement, the higher the level of humidity in it.

Not all apartments can install some types of coatings. So, in panel apartments it is not always possible to insulate the floor, since an unacceptable level of load on interfloor partitions may occur, this is permissible only in good new buildings or private houses. Thus, you will have to choose models that do not involve concrete screed.

As for individual rooms and functional areas, there are a number of requirements. So, the hallway area is always the most accessible and dirty. It involves a large load on the floor covering and many external influences in the form of moisture, dust and dirt. If you have children, then you will put strollers and children's sleds there, which can damage the coating.

That is why only the hardest and quality option. Moreover, it should look presentable and complement the interior of the apartment as a whole. The most acceptable for such premises will be ceramic tiles. It serves for a very long time and endures all of the above effects.

Linoleum is also often placed in the hallway, but at the same time, the hardest models with an additional substrate are acquired. Another option for the hallway is laying laminate flooring. But in this area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe apartment it is better to select durable models of class 31-33.

For the bedroom, you can choose other floor coverings. Considering that it is in this room that you will most often walk barefoot, therefore, the coating should be warm and pleasant to the touch. For this, parquet, parquet board is perfect.

The carpet is very soft and aesthetic, so it is ideal for the sleeping area. At the same time, it performs well the function of sound insulation, which is so necessary for sleeping quarters. Laminate can be laid in this area, but rugs will have to be placed near the bed, because without a substrate in the form of warm floors, the laminate is cold.

Work technology

The floor of the apartment has two layers - intermediate and directly flooring. In the thinnest panel houses there is no intermediate layer, and the floor covering is laid on a bare surface. For this option, when laying with your own hands, it is necessary to smooth the DSP before installing the grout. To do this, it is better to use the thinnest layer of cement screed - the so-called "pie". So you can increase the level of noise and heat insulation.

When repairing the floor, wooden beams are also used as a base. So you can make heat and sound insulation. From above they can be covered with a layer of insulation from moisture. An intermediate layer is placed on the floor. It may consist of a log, a subfloor, additional insulating and waterproofing substrates, a thin concrete screed. And already on top of these layers, you can lay the floor covering.

If you choose a wooden floor from boards, then it is already placed on beams without a subfloor. In their quality, reinforced concrete products, timber, metal profiles are used.

When repairing, the cement screed method is often used. This is one of the most simple types installation. At the same time, a special cement mortar is made. Initially, the surface of the floors is cleaned from old concrete. After that, the floor is cleaned of dust and dirt. Then it is important to measure the slope and calculate the required volume of cement mortar. You can buy a mixture ready-made or make it yourself.

After you have received the finished solution, you need to mix it well. Then you can set beacons and guides that will allow you to fill the floors well and evenly. Cement must be evenly distributed over the entire surface and smoothed to the desired level. The preparation of the base must be carried out, while it is still damp and not hardened. This is necessary so that the floors last longer and do not crack. The screed dries out for about 30 days.

Another option is laying a semi-dry screed. This option dries out much faster and at the same time better protects against moisture and does not release heat. There is much less water in it and there are special fibers that prevent cracking. The technology of its laying is approximately the same as in the previous version.

You can also use the dry screed method. On such a floor, you can put a coating immediately after installation. Polyethylene sheets must be placed on the floors, and then covered with sand and leveled. The layer must be compacted and covered with a metal profile. This method is suitable for laying on strip foundation. Gypsum boards are laid on top and fixed to the profile. On such a screed, you can immediately mount any floor covering.

Warming

Floor insulation involves fixing wooden logs to polyethylene. Styrofoam is laid there or mineral wool. The thickness of such a layer can vary from 5 to 10 cm. From above, this heat-insulating level is covered with plywood or a board, and a decorative coating is already applied on top.

Another option for insulation is a dry screed. It's fast and effective method insulate the floors in the apartment.

The substrate is also a fairly popular way of warming. It involves laying sheets of foamed polyethylene under a decorative coating. This is not the most efficient, but very easy to install method. Since the substrate is quite thin, it allows you to keep air and does not let it through between the plates or lamellas that make up the decorative coating. It involves a little soundproofing and insulation. As a rule, such a substrate is used in combination with other protective measures.

As a substrate, special cotton wool or other materials are often used. They do a good job with the function of heat and sound insulation. These heaters may include cellulose, noise plastic, rubber, acrylic elements and expanded polystyrene.

Another option for the substrate is the laying of extruded foam. It can even be placed on concrete. To achieve the best effect, the substrate is placed in several layers. From above, you can use flooring from any decorative coating. It is better if it is of high quality and durable.

Beautiful examples in the interior

In a modern interior, you can make a light floor from parquet or laminate. It is perfect for Provence and Classic styles. The shade of bleached oak will be suitable. You can complement it with a rug in the form of an animal skin.

For apartments in the style of a classic or modern, a parquet brown floor under wenge or oak is perfect. This cover looks noble and elegant.