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Types of flooring: pros and cons. Which floor is better to choose for an apartment? The best flooring

Choose best coverage for floor

1. Linoleum

An option from the “cheap and cheerful” series. The most accessible and inexpensive synthetic material. There are no restrictions on colors and designs, it can be with or without insulation. It is customary to divide linoleum into three types depending on its strength: household, semi-commercial and commercial.If you decide to opt for linoleum, then for your home, take a semi-commercial one: it is much stronger, although a little more expensive than a household one.By the way, the same story happens with laminate, about which we'll talk a little later: for the home, laminate flooring is most often used, which is intended for public spaces.Linoleum can be laid in any home room, except for cold ones: in severe frost it will crack.Pros:

• Does not rot, is not susceptible to the harmful effects of moisture. With proper care, it has long term service - over 10 years.
• Good noise insulation properties
• Easy to care for
• A huge number of design and color options

Minuses:

• Linoleum is demanding on the base; it must be laid on a perfectly flat floor, then it will last a very long time. Otherwise, it will soon crack and “creases” will be visible.
• Not environmentally friendly: linoleum - completely artificial material, and noticeably loses in this regard to natural coatings.
• Low mechanical strength. Heavy furniture or even sharp heels can damage linoleum. Pets, especially large dogs, can destroy linoleum in a very short time.

2. Carpet and other carpeting

Another inexpensive and very common flooring option. It is low cost, easy to install and does not require special care. Synthetic carpets are absolutely not of interest to rodents and insects. Plus, there is a huge selection of colors and patterns, from classic “carpet” to radically avant-garde.Carpet can be used in any room except wet ones: kitchen, bathroom, toilet.Pros:

• Resistance to external influences- abrasion and various mechanical damage.
• Large selection of designs and colors
• High noise-absorbing qualities
• Excellent heat retention

Minuses:

Instability to fading and fading, especially in inexpensive types of carpet. Regular dry cleaning is required. If you choose carpeting, take care of a good vacuum cleaner. Dust accumulation. Carpeting is not recommended for use by people with a predisposition to allergies. Aesthetics (it is easy to deform)

3. Laminate

Laminate is the third most popular inexpensive and widespread flooring material. It consists of special panels made of fibreboard (fibreboard) and several layers of special thick paper. A pattern is applied to the paper (most often the texture of wood is imitated) and a special durable protective layer lamination. Hence the name - laminate.Pros:

Strength. Laminate copes well with any mechanical load, scratches, and so on. If you have pets, their claws will not be scary for him. Laminate perfectly tolerates high temperatures, and is able to withstand short-term contact with fire (for example, with a match accidentally falling on the floor). Laminate can be used together with underfloor heating systems, such as electric, and water ones. Affordable price. Laminate is more expensive than carpet or linoleum, but nevertheless cheaper than many other types of coating, for example, visually similar parquet boards

Minuses:

Fear of moisture. Despite its strength, laminate is contraindicated for prolonged contact with water and other liquids. From prolonged contact with water, its fiberboard base will swell, and the laminate will become unusable. Short service life, despite its mechanical strength. It is recommended to replace it every 5 - 7 years. Despite its apparent simplicity, laminate flooring is difficult to install without experience. It is better to hire professionals, and this is an additional amount to the cost of laminate flooring. It is easy to chip and cause defects for the design. This is a huge disadvantage, because laminate, unlike parquet boards or solid wood, cannot be restored.

4. Floorboard

Probably the most classic version of a floor made from natural materials is a floor made from wooden boards. Solid wood flooring is expensive, but it is one of the most reliable and eco-friendly species coverings.Modern solid wood flooring boards are made using special technology, dried and processed using special equipment. The boards have locking connections, simplifying installation - the floor is obtained without cracks and height differences, as was the case in grandma’s old apartment.Solid wood floors do not need to be painted: the boards are already ready for use, covered with pest repellent compounds and a layer of varnish.Pros:

Strength and durability. A solid plank floor can last more than 50 years without the need to replace the boards. This floor can be scraped and sanded as many times as you like - the thickness of the boards allows this. Easy installation. Although, as in the case of laminate, you should not do this yourself - it is better to hire specialists. Good heat and sound insulation

Minuses:

High price. Solid natural wood is much more expensive than other types of wood flooring. Sensitivity to moisture: with prolonged contact with moisture, a solid wood board can “sink.” Special protection against scratches is required. Solid board it must be sanded, scraped and varnished annually. It is necessary to regularly treat it with pest control, despite the initial treatment.

5. Parquet and parquet boards

Parquet made from solid parquet boards is an expensive pleasure. This type of parquet is used to lay floors in royal palaces and very rich houses. Modern parquet is cheaper, as it is made from composite materials: its base is thick plywood, and only the top layer of 3 - 5 mm is valuable wood.The parquet board has the same structure as inlaid parquet: thick plywood with a thin face layer. Because of this, both parquet and parquet boards today are quite affordable for people with average incomes (trick: take a three-strip parquet board, it is much cheaper).Pros:

Environmental friendliness. Parquet and parquet boards are, first of all, natural wood. Glue based on natural resins is used as internal binding materials. Long service life. Good parquet can serve you for up to 20 years. Parquet and parquet boards retain heat perfectly. Appearance. Inlaid parquet can become a real work of art (there is a name for this - artistic parquet). Using parquet from different types of wood, you can create original ornaments and patterns on the floor. It can be restored (this is a definite plus, but it only applies to parquet treated with oil. It is more difficult to restore varnish; you will have to replace the whole board).

Minuses:

High price. And this is not only the cost of the material, but also the cost of installation work. If you want really high-quality parquet, you will have to spend money on a great parquet floorer. Parquet is susceptible to mechanical damage, so it is not recommended to use it in a house with large animals - their claws will render the parquet unusable in a very short time. Parquet is afraid of moisture. And although it is less susceptible to warping than solid wood, it is not recommended to allow prolonged contact with water.

6. Engineering board

Engineering board - relatively the new kind coverings. In essence, this is a parquet board, but made using a slightly different technology. Engineered board consists of two or three layers: a thick (up to 1 cm) layer of expensive wood, a layer of cheaper wood or plywood, and another layer of expensive wood (for a three-layer engineered board).Another difference between engineered wood and parquet: it contains only water-soluble glue that does not contain toxins, while some inexpensive varieties of parquet can also use synthetic compounds.Pros:

Strength and durability. Engineered board is much stronger than ordinary parquet, its service life is longer - 20 - 25 years. The thick top layer allows it to be scraped and polished large quantity times than parquet. Retains heat well. Less susceptible to moisture than regular parquet. Easy to install.

Minuses:

The price is still quite high: the cost of an engineered board is comparable to the cost of a good parquet. To install it, you need to prepare a good, level base and a backing made of plywood or fiberboard. Despite the increased moisture resistance, it is still not recommended to use an engineered board in wet rooms.

7. Cork floor

This is a natural coating with good heat-insulating and noise-absorbing properties, pleasant to the touch and easy to install. Made from pressed cork tree bark. Available in the form of slabs and rolls.Cork flooring is ideal for a nursery, bedroom or living room. It is absolutely environmentally friendly.Pros:

• Good thermal insulation. You can walk on this floor barefoot even in winter - it maintains room temperature.
• Good sound insulation. In professional recording studios, for example, the floors and walls are necessarily covered with cork panels.
• Resistance to deformation. Heavy furniture does not leave cork floor marks - dents self-level within a short time.

Minuses:

• Prices for the material and the cost of installation work are comparable to the cost of laying parquet - not the most economical option.
• Cork flooring can swell and deform during prolonged contact with water.
• Not recommended for use indoors with pets: claws will easily damage the cork floor. Also, avoid walking on cork floors in heels.
  

8. Ceramic tiles and natural stone

Surely in any apartment there is a room (and probably more than one) with a floor made of ceramic tiles. Most often this is a bathroom, toilet, kitchen, less often a hallway. Durable, abrasion-resistant and moisture-resistant tiles - perfect material for wet and walk-through areas.In principle, a ceramic or stone floor can be installed in both the living room and the bedroom, but in this case it is ideal to combine such a coating with a warm floor, otherwise your feet will simply get cold.To say that the range of tiles and artificial stone huge, probably not worth it - in any, even the smallest hardware store there are at least a dozen types tiles for every taste and budget. This gives unlimited possibilities in terms of room design.Pros:

• Affordable price. From the extensive range of ceramics, you can always find exactly the option that suits you both in price and quality.
• Strength. At correct installation Ceramic tiles can last forever. An example of this is ancient greek temples, whose floors are still finished with ceramics.
• Easy to care for. Ceramic tiles and artificial stone are easy to clean and are not afraid of moisture.

Minuses:

• Labor-intensive installation. Laying tiles or artificial stone requires long and thorough preparatory work.
• Presence of seams between tiles. No matter how hard the master tries, the seams will always remain. They must be carefully sealed, and this is also a rather labor-intensive process.
• The need to combine ceramic tiles with heated floor systems is an additional expense that increases the final cost of the coating.
  

9. Polymer coatings or self-leveling floors

Self-leveling floors in Lately give way to more environmentally friendly materials - wood, cork or parquet, but still remain in demand. Reasons - self-leveling flooring is very durable, not afraid of moisture and provides unlimited opportunities for realizing design ideas.The materials for such floors are cement-acrylic, epoxyurethane, polyurethane and epoxy compounds. In houses and apartments, the last two types are most often used. Self-leveling floors can be one-color, with a simple or three-dimensional pattern - the so-called 3D floors.Pros:

Self-leveling floors are not afraid of moisture, which is why they are most often installed in bathrooms and kitchens. Wide possibilities for design. Self-leveling flooring is perfect for installing heated floors. Durability. A properly made self-leveling floor can last up to 50 years. Resistant to fire and temperature. Easy to maintain.

Minuses:

High price. This includes not only the floor material itself, but also preliminary work on preparing the base, design, and so on. All this brings the self-leveling floor to the upper price category. Demands on rough coating. The quality of the self-leveling floor itself will depend on how well the rough preparatory work is done. Difficulty of replacement. If you get tired of the self-leveling floor and want to dismantle it, get ready for serious work and high costs.

The results of the hit parade

In our hit parade, we tried to briefly talk about all the most popular types of floor coverings that can be found on the market. Which of these do we recommend you choose?

If you are a supporter of eco-style and love experiments, try cork flooring. If you love classics and reliability, there is nothing better than a real solid wood floor or good parquet. Save money or don’t want to invest a lot of money in a rented apartment - take inexpensive linoleum, carpet or laminate .

In any case, the choice is yours. And we will help make your choice easy and pleasant. Live easy!

Important

It is equally important to consider the number of floors of the apartment. I’ll explain why: if you live on the ground floor, then remember that there is an unheated basement below. This means increased humidity and cold. If you live on the second floor or higher, then below you there will be a residential heated and dry apartment.

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

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

WITH practical point I also advise you to choose flooring by zones. For example, you can use tiles for the kitchen and bathroom; you can lay wood, laminate, and the like in the bedroom.

Advice

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

Here's what zoning floors look like:

What base to use

The rough foundation in an apartment can be made from:

1. Wet screed.

2. Semi-dry screeds.

3. Dry screeds.

Wet screed

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

• There is a lot of dirt during the work process.

· On square meter there is a serious load that can reach up to 70 kg/m2.

· Shrinkage may occur as moisture evaporates.

• Serious labor costs are required.

• High strength.
• Relatively low cost.

· Various engineering systems can be installed in the screed.

· To achieve the required level, a thick layer can be poured without consequences.

Important

Provided that there will be at least three people pouring the screed: one on the batch, the second on the rule, the third on the tray, then on average you can fill the screed per working day with an area of ​​up to 50 m2 with a thickness of about 50 mm. In this case, it takes about a day to install the beacons.

The work of pouring a wet screed costs about 400 rubles. per m 2.

Semi-dry screed

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

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

• Difficult to implement on your own.

· Excellent quality is maintained at high speed.

· After time, cracks do not appear on the surface.

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

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

Important! One brigade traditional way Pouring semi-dry screed can fill up to 100 m2. If you use mechanized method, then up to 300 m 2 in one day.

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

Dry screed

Flaws:

· Hydrophilicity. Let me explain: if a pipe breaks under a dry screed, then the screed will have to be completely re-done, with preliminary dismantling work.

• Cannot be installed in a shower or bathroom.

Advantages:

• There are no wet processes at all.
• Sound insulation and thermal insulation are increased.
• Environmental friendliness.

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

• After installation, the floors are ready for use.

Important! In one day, a team of qualified specialists is capable of producing 50 m2 of dry screed.

The cost of installing Knauf dry screed per m2 ranges from 450 to 1300 rubles. The price depends on the manufacturing method and volumes. For example, dry floor screed up to 10 m2, which includes dry backfill and a floor element 1000 rub./m2. With a similar composition, a volume of 30 m3 or more will cost you 450 rubles. I advise you to compare offers from several construction companies at once to choose the best price.

Noise insulation

Styrofoam

Advantages:

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

• Highly flammable material.

· The presence of joints, which reduces sound insulation properties.

The cost of polystyrene foam per m 3 with a thickness of 10 mm is 280 rubles. (I couldn’t find a price for the work)

Mineral wool

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

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

· Throughout the entire service life, mineral wool retains its properties.

• Vapor permeability.

• Afraid of moisture.

· Difficulties during installation (it is necessary to wear protective clothing).

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

Important! Soundproofing installation cost mineral wool per m2 will cost 200 rubles.

Expanded clay

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

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

Positive sides:

• Low price.
• Natural product – environmentally friendly.

· Does not change its structure when temperature changes.

• Various microorganisms do not grow in it.
• Fireproof material.
• Sound insulation is provided by the porosity of its structure.

Negative sides:

• Due to porosity it is very fragile.

· Due to the low density, it is necessary to fill in a soundproofing cushion of a decent height. Impossible to implement in apartments with small ceilings.

• Ability to absorb moisture.

Insulation

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

Important

If a heated floor system is installed on the floor, then insulation of the floor is simply necessary. The insulation must have a reflective film on it. Due to this, all the heat generated will rise to the top of the apartment.

Used for insulation different materials.

Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene is sold in packages. Depending on the manufacturer, the price ranges from 1.1 to 4 thousand rubles. Work per m2 will cost you 150 rubles.

• Easy installation.
• Light weight.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Various microorganisms do not live in it.
• Does not allow moisture and heat to pass through.
• Service life 50 years and above.

• Flammable
• When the temperature reaches 90° it deforms.

Cork

A roll of cork 2 mm thick costs 1,200 rubles. The thickness of the cork is 6 mm and the price per roll is RUB 3,800. In my opinion, the use of this insulation is unjustified. There are much cheaper insulation materials. But in some cases it's the only thing optimal solution. The price for installation is 320 rubles. m 2.

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

• Difficult installation process.

· High price. But in my opinion, the quality is completely worth the price.

Ecowool

One of the modern solutions. In my opinion, the most effective method insulation of a wooden floor in an apartment. Cost 1 kg – 28 rubles. Work for 1m2 costs from 1600 rubles. ( wet method). In my opinion, perfect combination quality at low cost.

• Lets air through.
• Low cost.

· Does not grow mold, does not rot. It does not harbor insects and mice.

• Easy installation.
• Seamless insulation.

For your information

Cons: the main disadvantage is that after a while, dry laying of ecowool cakes. Therefore, when insulating the floor, I recommend compacting it thoroughly; on average, per 1 m 3 the consumption will be 50 kg.

Water heated floor

For many customers living in apartments, I advise making a warm water floor. However, this cannot always be done. For example, your apartment has low ceilings, and the heating pie can occupy at least 70 mm. It is not always possible to pour screed onto a water-heated floor due to weak overlap. It is also important to consider the choice of flooring. For example, all the heat is absorbed under the laminate and it will be difficult to achieve a comfortable temperature.

Advice! As my practice shows, water heated floors are ideally combined with ceramic tiles. She has high level thermal conductivity, which allows not to delay thermal energy in the body of the screed.

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

Floor materials

The modern market offers big choice floor finishing materials. I propose to compare the most common facing materials.

Parquet

• Ease of use.
• Durability is about 100 years.
• Beautiful appearance.
• Ideally matches any interior style.

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

• It needs polishing from time to time.
• It makes a lot of noise when walking.

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

Laminate

There are many laminate manufacturers, and accordingly the cost of laminate varies. I push away from the class. For an apartment, I recommend purchasing a laminate class of at least 33. So the price per m2 is in the range from 300 to 2400 rubles/m2. The cost of installation is on average 350 rubles/m2.

Advantages of laminate:

· Packaging is convenient for transportation and hand carrying.

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

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

• Does not breed mold and mildew.

Disadvantages of laminate:

· It is impossible to restore the top layer in case of wear. A complete replacement is required.

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

· The presence of formaldehyde calls into question environmental friendliness.

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

Linoleum

The cost of linoleum ranges from 200 to 1.5 thousand rubles/m2. The cost is affected by its class, for example, commercial, household, etc. For an apartment, I recommend buying linoleum for no less than 500 rubles/m2. Installation cost: with glue 320 rub./m2, without glue 250 rub./m2.

• Relatively inexpensive flooring.

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

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

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

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

Tree

In my opinion, wood is the most win-win option when finishing the floor in an apartment. just keep in mind that it fits on logs. Therefore, the height of the ceilings should allow such luxury. The cost of a wooden floor per m2 varies depending on the thickness of the board. average price 450 rub./m2. Laying boards over joists will cost 400 rubles/m2.

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

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

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

· New flooring can be laid over an old wooden floor.

• Easily repairable.

· Difficulties during installation. There are many nuances to consider.

• It is impossible to achieve a perfectly flat floor.
• If the installation technology is not followed, they creak.

Tile

The cost of ceramic tiles varies depending on its collection. You can find tiles for 400 rubles/m2, and there are collections for 17 thousand rubles/m2. The cost of work is within 1000 rubles/m2.

• Hard and reliable coating.
• Does not allow moisture to pass through, unless there is a flood.
• Long lasting service life services.
• Hygiene.
• Easy to clean.
• Resistance to temperature changes.
• Resistant to aggressive chemicals.

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

• Harmful if exposed to moisture.
• High price.
• Difficulties in installation.

Rating of flooring materials

Floor material	Appearance (10 points)	Material price	Installation cost	Price with work	Durability	Time until restoration
		950 – 2000 rub.
		300 – 2400 rub.
Linoleum		200 – 1500 rub.	For glue – 320 rubles. Without glue – 250 rub.
		400 – 17,000 rub.

Tsugunov Anton Valerievich

Reading time: 6 minutes

Every person wants his apartment to be cozy, comfortable and beautiful. In solving this problem, the choice of flooring plays an important role. And since the floors in the apartment are subject to serious stress, the selected material must not only be attractive, but also meet the requirements of safety, wear resistance and ease of maintenance. Let's look at the most popular flooring options and find out which one would be better suited for installation in an apartment.

Today's market for flooring materials is replete with variety. Parquet, laminate, linoleum... Which one is better is a difficult question.

All coatings can be divided into three conditional groups:

1. Wooden - parquet and parquet boards, solid wood, cork, laminate.
2. Elastic - linoleum, carpet.
3. Ceramic or stone - ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, self-leveling floors.

Wooden group

A place of honor among materials for finishing The floors are occupied by floor coverings in the manufacture of which wood is used.

Parquet is a classic flooring material. It has not gone out of fashion for many years and is an indicator of the well-being and excellent taste of the apartment owners. Today's parquet looks like a finished shield enough big size, made of valuable wood with a pattern already on it. It also occurs piece parquet. You can use it to create unique compositions. It is most often made from durable wood:

• oak;
• beech;
• maple;
• ash

Whatever type of parquet is chosen, when proper care it will last at least 50 years.

Parquet is environmentally friendly and completely safe, but requires the preparation of a high-quality subfloor, is an expensive material and requires maintaining a certain temperature and humidity in the room.

Natural wood is also used to make parquet boards, but each lamella is not a solid piece of wood, but a firmly glued three-layer structure. This type of coating will be cheaper than parquet and is easier to install and maintain. Parquet boards are presented in different shades, they can be combined and composed. This type of floor will last about 15–20 years.

Solid wood plank covering

Floors made from ordinary wooden planks laid on joists do not lose their popularity. Despite their apparent simplicity, they have many advantages:

• 100% environmentally friendly;
• accessibility, practicality;
• the ability to create the interior of a room in a certain style;
• This flooring is pleasant on the feet and looks great.

With proper care, this coating will delight its owners for about 30 years.

Cork

The cork coating is close to ideal:

• It is natural, warm, quite durable, pleasant on the feet and good for health.
• Cork floors come in a variety of shades, allowing you to create interesting compositions.
• This material does not accumulate static electricity at all.

The cork can be coated with special oils and varnishes, or it can be used without coating. The service life of cork floors is from 5 to 20 years.

Important! Keep in mind that strong mechanical impact may leave marks on a cork floor.

Laminate floors

Laminate is gaining increasing popularity due to its outstanding characteristics:

• It is affordable, practical and quite reliable.
• Laminate perfectly conveys the color and texture of natural wood, stone, and tiles.
• Laminate boards are equipped with a locking system.
• Even a beginner in renovation can cope with laying such a floor.

Laminate has several strength classes. The higher the class, the stronger and more expensive the material.

Elastic coatings

These include two materials: linoleum and carpet.

Is the absolute leader among floor coverings:

• affordable;
• easy to install and maintain;
• absolutely not afraid of moisture;
• looks beautiful.

Linoleum can have a wide variety of shades and patterns, and is sold in sheets, rolled, or in the form of tiles. This coating is attached to base floor special adhesive compositions. After 5-10 years it will have to be replaced.

It can be called a relative of the carpet, which has its own characteristics:

• Carpet can contain both artificial and natural fibers.
• Sold in rolls or as carpet tiles.
• It is very easy to install and is attached with glue.
• Diverse in texture and color, safe from injury.

The disadvantages of such flooring are its relatively short service life, lack of moisture resistance and difficulty in cleaning and cleaning.

But they also have disadvantages:

• The coating turns out to be hard, traumatic and cold.
• It is better to install heating systems under it, otherwise walking on the floor without shoes will be uncomfortable.
• Before installation, special preparation of the base is required.

Self-leveling floor

Modern self-leveling floors are used not only as a rough screed. They can become an excellent finishing coating and contain highly artistic three-dimensional designs and various decorations under polymer layer. Self-leveling polymer floors are:

• epoxy;
• polyurethane.

Both materials are environmentally friendly and durable, are not at all afraid of water and other liquids, and do not require any special cleaning.

The disadvantage of this type of flooring is that it is particularly demanding on the surface on which it is laid. The base under them must be perfectly flat, dry and clean.

Important points when choosing coverage

Each person decides for himself how to make the floor in the apartment. But when choosing a material, you should not miss a few fundamental points.

The main criterion for choosing a coating is the room in which it will be installed. The entire apartment can be roughly divided into zones:

• area for receiving guests and relaxation (these are bedrooms, living room, children's room);
• “wet” area (kitchen, bathroom);
• passage area (hallway, corridor).

For each of these zones it is necessary to select your own material based on their functional features and loads carried by the floor.

• The lifestyle of the family and its composition influence which gender to choose. What is suitable for a single married couple is not always suitable for a family with children. When there are children in the house, the floor must be safe, hygienic and easy to clean. The coating must meet the same requirements if there are animals in the apartment.
• Material security also plays a role. For example, floors made from natural materials are quite expensive. Families with limited incomes will most likely not be able to afford them.
• An apartment located on the ground floor will limit the choice of flooring due to its high humidity and proximity to the basement.
• In some apartments it is impossible to make the floor heavier due to the formation of additional load on interfloor ceilings. Consequently, from floors that require the device concrete screed, will have to refuse.

Glossy tiles will not fit in the hallway. When snow gets in, it becomes very slippery, which can cause injury.

Linoleum is also a good option for a hallway, the main thing is not to settle for cheap varieties. It is better to choose a material with natural composition, commercial or semi-commercial: such coatings can withstand almost anything.

If the choice falls on laminate, you need to pay attention to its strength class. For the hallway, coverage from class 32 is suitable.

How to make a floor in the bedroom

What floor should be in the bedroom? Everyone who renovates an apartment faces this question. The bedroom is a relaxation room; people most often walk barefoot here. Therefore, the floor should be warm, pleasant to the feet and beautiful.

• From natural coatings Solid wood, parquet and cork can handle these tasks perfectly.
• From the Arsenal synthetic materials Carpet is perfect. It is pleasant to the touch, walking on it is soft and comfortable. In addition, it has good sound insulation, which cannot be achieved from other artificial materials.
• Laminate is also often used for bedroom flooring. It is durable, beautiful, but it is not very pleasant to walk on it with bare feet, so it is better to put small rugs on the floor near the bed.

Whatever flooring material is ultimately chosen, let it please its owners for many years to come.

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The basis of the interior of any house, apartment or office space– floors. Today there are a large number of floor coverings that you can choose specifically to suit your room design. Someone stops at the most famous and relatively inexpensive materials, such as linoleum, laminate, carpet or tile. Others prefer new products in the world of flooring or more expensive options - marmoleum, self-leveling floors or parquet.

When choosing a floor covering, you must consider the room in which it will be laid. After all, different materials carry different characteristics and properties. That is, the floor coverings in the bedroom and hallway should be different, since the traffic in these rooms is different.

Individual characteristics of flooring in different rooms

Before moving on to a review of the different types of floor coverings, you first need to consider what features the floors have in each individual room.

In addition to the main characteristics, it is also worth paying attention to the price categories for each coating and ease of installation.

Types of floor coverings in an apartment

Today the market is filled with a variety of models and types that will suit every taste and budget. All of them will differ in characteristics, composition and place of use.

Floorboards

Fix linoleum to the floor in 3 different ways:

• just using skirting boards,
• on double-sided tape;
• using special glue.

Advantages linoleum boils down to the following: it has good moisture protection, it is easy to clean, there are no great difficulties in installation, it is not susceptible to rotting, it has a low cost among all floor coverings, a large selection of colors, and has a long service life of several decades.

Disadvantages consider low ergonomics and often a long process of preparation for installation. In order for linoleum to serve for a long time, it is necessary to lay it on an absolutely flat surface. In addition, before fixing it, it should lie unfolded for several days to ensure maximum adherence to the base. It's also less environmentally friendly material than wood. With large temperature changes it may crumble or crack.

Laminate

Laminate is MDF panels treated with special resins, with layers of paper glued to them, and varnished.

This product appeared on the building materials market not so long ago, but has already won big number buyers. By its color it imitates real wooden floors.

This coating is divided into several classes depending on the strength of the panels. Less durable and wear-resistant grades 21-23.

This laminate should be laid in living rooms. Classes 31-33 are stronger and more reliable; they are usually installed in hallways and kitchens.

Advantages of laminate a lot of. This material is considered resistant to influences such as pressure, loads, and abrasion. There are no indentations left by heavy furniture. He tolerates it well high temperatures and fire resistant. Laminate flooring does not require careful maintenance, unlike parquet. Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic, as it is produced without harmful chemicals. A fairly simple procedure for laying laminate flooring. Suitable for covering underfloor heating systems. Service life more than 10 years. Sold at affordable prices.

However There are also disadvantages. Not suitable for rooms with high humidity. It is advisable to treat it with a special waterproof solution or wax after installation.

Before installation, large preparatory work. If the laying technology is violated, then the boards may swell or the surface may bubble.

If the surface is not leveled properly, the laminate will begin to creak.

Polyvinyl chloride floors

These coatings are in the form of soft elastic embossed materials. They consist of several layers. They have a long service life - about 30 years. They can withstand heavy loads and burn poorly.

In addition to this, to advantages of polyvinyl chloride floors It can be attributed to the fact that their strength is higher than that of linoleum or laminate. Their transportation is easy. They have good soundproofing and moisture-proof properties. Wide variety of colors and textures.

Flaws are that installation skills and a well-prepared surface are required. The seams may dry out over time. This is not a cheap material, and is not always on sale in small towns. At improper storage The tiles may become warped, causing difficulties during installation, so please check all packaging carefully before purchasing.

Cork flooring

This is a completely environmentally friendly material, as it is made from cork tree bark in the form of compressed chips or veneer plates. Produced in the form of slabs or rolls. The covering is laid on an MDF panel and fixed with glue.

This type of flooring has many advantages. Cork floors have very good heat and sound insulation properties. They are resistant to deformation, so heavy furniture is not a problem for this type of coating. The coating does not slip and has a positive effect on the human musculoskeletal system due to its shock-absorbing properties. It is susceptible to exposure only to caustic alkalis, which are not used at home. Does not attract rodents and insects.

Disadvantage First of all, the high price is considered. Heels, pet claws, and sharp furniture legs can damage the surface.

Due to the low thermal conductivity, it is not advisable to install a heated floor system under this coating. Not suitable for rooms with high humidity because MDF base may swell.

Parquet board and parquet

Classic flooring. Parquet is a valuable type of wood glued onto wooden base, looks like small planks.

Laying occurs in a mosaic manner on a base that is prepared in advance. Fixed with glue or mastic.

TO benefits certainly include the environmental friendliness and durability of the material. At the right technology Once installed, parquet will last for decades.

Disadvantages are high cost and small selection, limited to types of natural wood.

Carpet

Carpet is another popular type of flooring material. They may contain both natural and artificial ingredients. The latter are more common. Carpets can be purchased at affordable prices. Huge selection of colors. There are no difficulties in care. Also, rodents and moths do not show interest in them. Just like linoleum, carpet is produced in the form of rolls and tiles.

To their benefits include good sound insulation, which is provided by elastic and soft pile. The carpet is abrasion resistant.

Wherein disadvantage is that carpets can fade on sun rays. At high humidity Mold may form. Due to the accumulation of dust in the pile, frequent vacuuming is required.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles have long been used by mankind as flooring.

Most often it is placed in rooms with high traffic and humidity. Today there are a huge number of ceramic tiles of different appearance. The differences lie in size, appearance, strength, water absorption, degree of slip, etc.

Most often it is placed in bathrooms and kitchens due to its certain characteristics. But recently they have often begun to install it in bedrooms and living rooms due to its good thermal conductivity, installing a heated floor system underneath it.

Advantages of ceramic tiles are its durability, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, strength and ease of operation.

TO shortcomings include difficult installation and dismantling, the presence of seams. If a heated floor system is not installed, then walking barefoot on such a surface will be cold.

Marmoleum

New to the flooring market.

This coating contains only natural ingredients: linseed oil, ground lime, wood flour and resins.

Available in the form of rolls, panels or tiles.

Marmoleum has a large range benefits. The most important of them is an environmentally friendly product.

It can be installed without any particular difficulties, and there are no special requirements for leveling the base as, for example, for laminate or linoleum.

Service life from 20 to 30 years. Resistant to fire, does not absorb moisture. Enough to clean the coating wet cleaning with a rag.

Main flaw– fragility of the material when cutting. Therefore, the cut parts are hidden under the baseboards. At the same time, the material is hard, and this property increases over time, so it is given a high level of injury risk.

Polymer floors

This coating is also called self-leveling or liquid floors. Based on the components contained in the composition, they are divided into several types: cement-acrylic (the most environmentally friendly), epoxy, methyl methacrylate (the most expensive) and polyurethane.

This new type of coating is gaining great popularity. They are used not only in residential premises, but also in enterprises, trading floors, and sports facilities.

In apartments, self-leveling flooring can most often be found in the bathroom. They have unusual design 3D images on the floor.

Big row benefits helps to make more and more frequent choices in favor of self-leveling floors. First of all, this is their appearance, beautiful and unusual. They are durable, resistant to moisture, fire and aggressive chemicals. They are easy to clean and wash.

However, the pleasure of having a self-leveling floor is quite expensive. Preparation of the base and the installation process itself require professional skills. And liquid floors consist entirely of artificial materials.

Conclusion

Anyone who wants to replace the flooring in their home will find among this variety of types exactly the option that suits them best. When choosing, it is worth remembering such characteristics as strength, heat and sound insulation, fire and wear resistance, chemical inertness, and hypoallergenicity.

If you take the issue seriously and carefully study the flooring market, you can get results that exceed your expectations.

A modern apartment is represented by a concrete box, which is subject to rough or finishing processing. When deciding what the floors in the apartment will be like and what to make them from, you need to pay attention to the fact that the work involves insulation and sound insulation, preparation of the base in accordance with established standards.

Installation of floors in the apartment

Installation of most coatings requires a level and solid base. In some cases quality slabs allow installation without preparation. The type of structure determines the reliability, practicality and durability of the coating being created.

The rough screed acts as a special layer that provides favorable conditions operation of the finishing coating. The floors in an apartment in most cases consist of several layers:

1. Reinforced concrete floor. Acts as the main material used in the construction of structures. It is often difficult to make a floor in an apartment from scratch due to the displacement of the slabs relative to each other.
2. Thermal insulation. This layer protects the base from temperature changes that can change the properties of the finish.
3. Waterproofing. High humidity negatively affects the properties of many finishing materials, especially those made of wood.
4. Reinforced screed. The purpose is to distribute the load evenly, level the base and protect intermediate materials from environmental influences.
5. Decorative coating. It is laid down last. Some technologies involve the use of additional leveling materials and adhesives.

Each technological layer has its own purpose. Therefore, when considering how to make floors in an apartment, you need to take into account that the absence of one of the layers causes a decrease in service life.

Types of screeds

The floor in the apartment is laid on a leveling screed, which can be created when using various materials. It is created to ensure the required level of rigidity, leveling the base, and protecting the laid communications. In some cases, a slope is created to drain water.

Modern floors are made using various types of screeds, the most common are wet, dry and semi-dry. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and manufacturing technology.

Wet screed

When considering what to make a floor from, you need to take into account that the most common technology is wet screed. It is characterized as follows:

1. The composition includes a large amount of water, so you need to high-quality insulation surfaces, otherwise liquid may leak to neighbors.
2. To create a waterproofing layer, coating compounds are used. When used, a seamless coating is obtained. To simplify the procedure, polyethylene is used, which is laid with an overlap of at least 15 cm. The joints are carefully taped with a special tape.
3. Considered the cheapest option. You can do it yourself; there are self-leveling compounds on sale that are easy to use.

To prepare the solution, cement of a grade of at least M400 is used, which is mixed with sand and water. Adding plasticizers changes the properties of the composition:

1. The mobility of the solution increases to ensure high fluidity.
2. The strength of the composition increases by 50%.
3. They decided to make floors on this screed due to saving cement by 20%.
4. The degree of adhesion to the base increases by 1.5 times.
5. The amount of water in the composition is reduced.

When considering which floor is best to install in an apartment, you should take into account several disadvantages of a wet screed:

1. High labor intensity of work.
2. To obtain a flat surface, skills in working with beacons are required.
3. It takes at least 3 weeks for the composition to dry.
4. During the hardening process, the surface must be wetted, otherwise cracks may appear.

The strength of the screed is ensured by its thickness, which must be at least 2 cm. Modern floor coverings can only be laid on a surface without defects, since even minor bumps or depressions will cause uneven distribution loads.

Semi-dry screed

A subfloor can be created using a semi-dry screed. This method is considered inexpensive and requires a small amount of water. This screed is characterized as follows:

1. The mixture used is a composition consisting of sand, cement, and a small amount of water.
2. There are relatively few requirements for waterproofing, since the work does not use a large amount of water.
3. The composition can be used in new and old apartments.
4. The use of a small amount of water during operation means that installation can be carried out on any floor.
5. Low probability of cracks forming in the composition.
6. Provides a high degree of sound insulation.
7. The composition used provides high thermal insulation of the surface.
8. When laying communications, it is possible to protect them from environmental influences.
9. The process of creating a screed is accelerated due to the fact that it takes a short amount of time to dry.
10. Relatively low cost of the composition.

This type of screed has disadvantages:

1. It's hard to choose without experience correct amount water.
2. Due to low turnover, difficulties arise in obtaining smooth surface. Various tools are used for leveling.
3. Screed height to ensure load-bearing capacity must be at least 4 cm.
4. When creating a thick layer, a reinforcing mesh is used.

In this case, the floor pie should also have several layers, each responsible for its own functions.

Dry screed

You can make a screed using a dry compound. Its advantages are as follows:

1. The amount of time required for the base to dry is significantly reduced.
2. Changes in almost any height can be effectively leveled.
3. Laying of the finishing coating can be carried out almost immediately after the foundation is created.
4. Dry material has high insulating properties.
5. Due to the low weight of the screed, the load on the load-bearing element is reduced. Therefore, the technology can be used to create a base on a balcony or loggia.
6. It is possible to install communications.

You can install the screed yourself. There are a large number on sale various options this material.

Floor construction based on joists

When installing floors in a kartire, a technology that involves laying joists can be used. These materials are characterized by high environmental friendliness.

The technology for creating such a base involves dividing the lags into simple and adjustable ones. The resulting space can be used for insulation or laying communications.

Methods of heat and sound insulation

When considering how to properly make a floor, it should be borne in mind that various insulating materials. They are divided into sheet, tile and coating. Leaf ones are most often used. Coatings allow you to get a seamless coating.

What should the floor be like in rooms for different purposes?

Which flooring to choose for an apartment should be considered taking into account the purpose of the premises. The living room and bedroom have different requirements, which are reflected in the choice of material.

Bedroom floor

You need to choose a floor for the bedroom taking into account the fact that this room is the quietest in the apartment. The material must meet the following requirements:

1. It is recommended to make a floor in the bedroom that absorbs noise when walking.
2. The room should create an optimal microclimate for relaxation.
3. The surface must be antistatic.
4. The selected material must have high wear resistance.

Suitable for the criteria under consideration different kinds floor coverings.

Children's room

Many people think about how to lay the floor in a nursery, since there are a large number of different materials on sale. The requirements for the floor in this room are as follows:

1. High quality.
2. Good sound insulation.
3. The surface must be non-slip and hypoallergenic.
4. Must withstand wet cleaning.

The materials used should be well cushioned, which will reduce the likelihood of injury if a child falls.

Living room floor

When considering what floors can be made in the living room, it is worth considering that in this room the material is exposed to high mechanical stress, so the coating must be wear-resistant.

Often chosen for the living room natural materials, since they look more expensive than artificial ones. This category includes cork and parquet

Kitchen floor

In the kitchen the floor is exposed greatest wear. The indoor microclimate is characterized by high humidity and constant temperature changes.

A combination of several materials is often used in the kitchen. They must have high moisture resistance and not absorb pollutants.

Hallway floor

This room can be finished inexpensively by using various materials. The following criteria are taken into account:

1. Aesthetic appearance.
2. High resistance to mechanical stress.
3. Resistant to aggressive chemicals.

The high strength of the surface layer should protect the coating from impacts.

Bathroom floor

Materials for the bathroom floor are selected taking into account their resistance to high humidity and constant temperature changes characteristic of this room. In addition to moisture resistance, the main selection criteria are hygiene, mechanical strength and ease of maintenance. The surface should not be slippery, as this may result in a fall and injury.

Types of floor coverings, their characteristics and installation features

When deciding what to lay on the floor in an apartment, you need to pay attention to the installation technology used and the requirements for the base.

Tiles and mosaics

Beautiful coatings can be created using tiles. It is characterized by the following positive qualities:

1. High hardness.
2. Resistance to humidity and temperature changes.
3. Fire resistance.
4. Wear resistance.

Can be used in most environments, but is expensive and not suitable if there is a risk of exposure to pinpoint impacts.

Carpet, linoleum and marmoleum

Linoleum, marmoleum and carpet are the most common materials. The relatively low cost allows them to be used in various rooms. Linoleum has high insulating qualities; carpet is often installed in the bedroom.

When using these materials, it is possible to create the effect of a seamless coating.

Laminate and parquet

Laminate and parquet are installed in most residential premises. The question often arises as to which parquet flooring is best to choose for an apartment. When selecting the material, take into account the type of wood used, the number and type of layers, as well as the lock with which the individual planks are connected.

Laminate is used more often because it is much cheaper and can withstand environmental stress.

Self-leveling floor

Self-leveling floors are created in various rooms. It has an attractive appearance and high mechanical stability, providing reliable insulation. It is difficult to make such a floor covering yourself, since a special technology is used for this.

Polyvinyl chloride

Modern materials can withstand environmental influences, such as polyvinyl chloride. Its low cost allows it to be used for finishing various premises in cases where a small budget is allocated for the work.

Due to its low degree of environmental friendliness, polyvinyl chloride is rarely used for finishing residential premises.

Cork floor

This coating is made from natural raw materials. Cork flooring is pleasant to the touch and has high shock-absorbing abilities.

There are several types of cork floors on sale; they are made using different technologies.

tongue and groove board

The tongue and groove board is environmentally friendly clean materials. It can last for several decades.

You can install tongue and groove boards yourself. To protect the coating, it is treated with various compounds.

Summary table of materials for flooring in an apartment

The pivot table is used to select the most suitable material. It was created to compare key indicators.

Index	Laminate, parquet	Self-leveling floor	tongue and groove board	Cork	Linoleum	Ceramic tile	Polyvinyl chloride
Service life, years	5-15	10-30	Up to 40	Up to 50	3-7	5-15	2-5
Decorativeness	low	high	low	low	low	average	average
Environmental friendliness	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Care	average	easily	average	average	easily	average	average
Repairability	No	high	average	No	No	No	No
Thermal insulation	low	low	high	high	low	low	low
Moisture resistance	low	high	low	low	high	high	high
Application area	hallway, living room, kitchen, bedroom	bathroom, kitchen, hallway, living room	living room, hallway, children's room, bedroom	living room, children's room, bedroom	hallway, living room, bathroom, kitchen	hallway, kitchen, bathroom, living room	hallway, utility rooms