Liquid linoleum: what kind of material is it. Liquid linoleum: do-it-yourself self-leveling floor What is liquid linoleum

Revolutionary know-how in construction area and repairs have significantly increased the variety of room decor. Now the idea of ​​liquid linoleum is spreading rapidly. Acquaintance with a new type of flooring will provide an opportunity to discover another facet in the skill of design. By the way, if you need a high-quality vibratory plate, you can buy it on the website vibromash.com.

Comparative characteristic feature between a rolled product and liquid linoleum with a similar name, it allowed to find one and only unity - an integral panel. Distantly there is a similarity in appearance, until you touch the plane. To the touch, liquid linoleum resembles ceramic tiles. In another, there are differences in different directions, starting with the parameters and materials used, ending with the laying principle. More specifically, another name - self-leveling floors - reflects the essence of the coating.

At first, liquid linoleum was intended for industrial use. The task for the developers was to make a solid base, not subject to wear and tear, for production and warehouse-type premises. After unusual idea decorators beautifully decorate bulk-type floors with an individual image, the number of those seeking to decorate their own home with liquid linoleum according to the technologies of our time is growing exponentially.

Self-leveling floors, depending on the filler, can be:

  • cement-acrylic;
  • based on epoxy resins;
  • containing methyl methacrylic resins;
  • polyurethane.

The first three compositions of jellied floors are more necessary for production purposes, liquid bulk linoleum based on polyurethane is mostly used in residential premises. Regardless of the strength and resistance to wear of all categories, lightness is added to the advantages of a polyurethane floor, helping to create a beautiful coating. The thickness of the self-leveling floor varies in the range of 1-7 mm; according to the recommendations of professional craftsmen, it is acceptable for ordinary loads to make a layer of 1.5 mm. This is enough for the operation of the self-leveling floor for the next 30 years.

Distinguishing characteristics

Liquid linoleum has a lot of good qualities than disadvantages. Let us consider in detail all the essential points of the coating in the form of a self-leveling floor:

Comment! An indispensable requirement for the supply of moisture resistance is considered to be the correct production of waterproofing in the preliminary step.

Three moments can darken the emotions about the impeccability of liquid linoleum: the high price of materials, a long period of preparation work and the presence of only 12 colors when decorating a single-color plane.

In-house manufacturing process

Understand the technology of laying liquid linoleum with my own hands capable of every craftsman who has the ability to operate tools for construction works... Before proceeding to the description of the sequence of installation work, it is necessary to note one more priority of liquid linoleum - unpretentiousness when applied to different reasons... Only one condition that requires the necessary performance is to exclude the possibility of absorption of moisture by them. This is achieved by finishing concrete or cement surfaces with specialized primers; impregnations are provided for wood floors. Protective measures are aimed at preventing the absorption of expensive material, excluding its unplanned consumption and therefore reducing the total cost of production of liquid linoleum.

Liquid linoleum Is a floor covering in liquid form, which consists of a polymer and a hardener with the addition of resins. A feature of this material is that there are no joints, fasteners and seams. Also, it does not require glue and the arrangement of thresholds when moving from one room to another, you can fill the floor in several rooms at once.

A polymer floor called liquid linoleum was originally designed as a base for industrial premises and warehouses. But at some point, the developers decided to make the floor original, and put a beautiful pattern under it. This has led to an increase in the scope of this material.

Wear resistance is the main plus for technical rooms

This is due to the fact that it turns out to be not only original and beautiful, but also durable. The minimum service life guaranteed by the manufacturer is 30 years.

A liquid floor consists of polymer, hardener and resin. Depending on the type of resin, the composition is:

  • Epoxy;
  • Polyurethane;
  • Methyl methacrylic;
  • Cement acrylic.

This material allows you to create beautiful patterns

Most often, polyurethane floors are used in everyday life because of their aesthetics. Other types of flooring are commonly found in public and industrial areas.

The main characteristics of such a floor include:

  • More than 10 colors of a neutral shade;
  • Layer thickness 1-7 mm for industrial floors, 1.5-2 mm for apartments and houses;
  • The cost of linoleum depends on the thickness of the fill.

To install such a coating, it is necessary to carry out a complex process of preparing the subfloor. In this sense, ordinary linoleum is better for styling. It is best to produce liquid flooring on concrete, so that there is better adhesion to the base.

The base is preliminarily cleaned of dust, primed. After drying, you can proceed to the installation process.


Laying process in the room

You can also install a self-leveling floor on:

  • Tiles;
  • Metal;
  • Wood.

The only requirement is a flat, clean surface.

Using a wide trowel and roller, the material is applied to the floor surface like paint. After drying for 24 hours, you still need to give time (a couple of days) so that everything finally solidifies, and there are no traces of the furniture placed ahead of time.


An interesting way fill

Prices

The self-leveling mixture is gaining more and more fans who prefer it over conventional linoleum. Even high level dry mix prices do not stop you from buying. However, in the end, such spending justifies itself.

The price of work on pouring liquid linoleum is influenced by the area of ​​the room, as well as the condition of the base for laying. But in general, it fluctuates between 220-6000 rubles / m2.

Self-leveling floors on the market are represented by the following manufacturers: Osnovit, Prospectors, Ivsil, Litokol, Bergauf. The products of each of the companies have advantages and disadvantages, therefore, when choosing, you need to take into account the parameters important for liquid linoleum. These include: drying speed, efficiency, scope, ease of use.


Bergauf Boden Zement dry mix

Drying time is an important parameter, since in some rooms high humidity... For Bergauf Boden Zement it is 6 hours, for Osnovit 2-2.5 hours, for Ivsil Tie Rod-III - 4-6 hours, Prospectors - 4 hours, Litocol - 3 hours.

The best option for the ratio of material consumption is the cost of the Osnovit Skorline T-45 brand. Its consumption per 1 m2 is 13 kg with a layer thickness of 10 mm. At the same time, it will take 17 kg to cover with the Bergauf Boden Zement brand. Moreover, the cost of this manufacturer is 1.5 times higher.


Founding Skorline T-45

Ease of use is approximately the same for all manufacturers. It is important to understand which surface can be applied to this or that bulk mix... So, Osnovite is applied only to floors with a mineral base.

More adapted to our climatic zone are mixtures of Basin and Prospectors. This means that such mixtures have more long term service than similar foreign-made floors.

A self-leveling polymer floor has a number of advantages over other materials. These include:

  • Lack of joints and seams;
  • Ease of installation;
  • Wear resistance;
  • Impact resistance;
  • Security.

Self-leveling floor does not require thresholds

The polymer coating has no seams and joints, as it fills the entire room, forming a solid surface, which excludes the use of liquid welding to connect linoleum. At the same time, laying a liquid floor is quite simple, you do not need to adjust the drawing and lay out sheets if the room has protrusions and niches.

A liquid floor can be up to 1.5 mm thick and is itself a good protective layer, making it a durable floor.


Polyurethane flooring in the dental office

Bulk linoleum is safe: does not support combustion, does not emit harmful substances, which makes it an excellent material for use in medical and childcare facilities.

The uniqueness of the coating is that even the formed dents and cracks can be repaired. To do this, it is enough to fill the surface with a new layer of the mixture and level it.

disadvantages

Liquid linoleum has only a few disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that it has a small range of colors for the house, garage, household premises. Although 12 colors are not that little. To make up for the lack of colors, manufacturers make up for decorative effects.


Scanty range of colors is one of the disadvantages

After pouring the mixture, spread on top different shapes colored parts from acrylic paint(crisps). In a container with a mixture, they look like confetti, and on the floor, after pouring, they give the surface a similarity to natural stone or marble.

Another disadvantage is the lengthy process of surface preparation.

How to make liquid linoleum yourself

  • Containers with the desired composition;
  • Roller, brush;
  • Electric drill.

To obtain a solution for pouring a floor, you need to place the contents of a smaller container in a large jar. Then, using a drill with a nozzle, mix everything well. The self-leveling floor is ready for installation.

It is important to carefully prepare the base of the floor, otherwise, after pouring liquid linoleum, bubbles will appear on its surface, which will be difficult to remove.

The main points in the work:

  • Floor surface preparation;
  • Preparation of bulk mixture;
  • Fill;
  • Alignment;
  • Drying.

When pouring, a special needle roller is used, which evenly distributes the mixture over the floor, and does not allow air bubbles to form. It should be remembered that you need to work with liquid linoleum at a temperature of +5 - +25 degrees.

In order to decorate linoleum, you can add decorative elements that are glued to liquid nails. They are glued before the liquid floor is poured.

In pursuit of modern materials and new ideas for interior decoration can be found a lot. But the flooring should not only be modern, but also practical. Liquid linoleum is one of the most popular coatings today. In the article we will figure out what it is, what it costs, what are the advantages and disadvantages of this coverage.

What is liquid linoleum

It contains polymer, hardener and resins. Depending on which resin is used in the manufacture, the following types of bulk liquid linoleum are distinguished:

  • polyurethane;
  • epoxy;
  • methyl methacrylic;
  • cement-acrylic.

For domestic premises, in particular for apartments, polyurethane liquid floors are the most suitable in terms of their properties. But the cost of this type of liquid linoleum is much higher due to its heat-efficient properties. The rest of the types are used mainly in commercial and industrial premises.

Polyurethane liquid floor
Methyl methacrylic liquid floor

Epoxy self-leveling floor
Cement acrylic floor

Advantages of a liquid (polyurethane) floor

Compared to many other floor coverings, liquid polyurethane linoleum has a number of advantages. Let's take a closer look at the advantages of this material.

  • High strength. The optimum thickness of the self-leveling floor is 1.5 cm. It is several times thicker than ordinary linoleum. This determines the high strength of the liquid floor.
  • Durability. Subject to the right technology installation of a self-leveling floor can last up to 50 years.
  • The surface of this coating is perfectly flat and smooth, there are no joints or seams.
  • Good anti-slip properties.
  • Hygienic coating and antibacterial effect. The self-leveling floor is not susceptible to the development of fungi and mold (like, say, tiles, more precisely, the seams between them).
  • Safe for health, as it does not contain toxic substances.
  • Excellent shock resistance. Liquid bulk linoleum will survive in any conditions and will not deform. Heavy furniture, falling dishes, sharp heels - all this is not scary to bulk linoleum.
  • Not afraid of temperature changes. Well compatible with underfloor heating, can be laid on an unheated balcony.
  • Waterproof. Even a significant amount of water will not spoil this coating. This is ensured, first of all, by the composition of the self-leveling floor, as well as by the solidity of its surface.
  • It has antistatic properties and therefore does not attract dust.
  • Easy to clean. Polymer floor like "liquid linoleum" does not need maintenance. It does not need to be varnished, rubbed, sanded - it just serves you and that's it.
  • You can update the coating, as well as repaint in other colors.

It should also be taken into account that it is possible to make an exclusive design of the self-leveling floor. For example, decorate the surface with some kind of drawing or photograph. True, here you will most likely need the help of professionals.

Cons of liquid linoleum

Anyone building material there are downsides. And if they are not there, then it is very expensive, which is already automatically its disadvantage. Price per square meter liquid linoleum may not please everyone. But it is much cheaper than parquet and many other floor coverings. The disadvantages of liquid linoleum relate more to its installation.

  1. Installation of liquid linoleum requires strict adherence to the process technology, accuracy and speed of action. In addition, before pouring the floor, it is necessary to level the surface as much as possible (wood, metal or concrete screed).
  2. It is very difficult to dismantle the self-leveling floor. Therefore, if you really want to get rid of it, then it will be easier to put another floor covering on top of the self-leveling one.
  3. Polyurethane floors can fade in the sun over the years. But this problem can be solved by renovating the floor with paint. In addition, there are special varnishes on sale that protect against exposure to sunlight.

The disadvantages of liquid linoleum are not so significant and in general it has excellent characteristics... Of course, in the bedroom or children's room there is no particular point in making a self-leveling floor. For these rooms, you can choose something more cozy and soft. But for the kitchen, bathroom and corridor it will be great option, a good alternative to ceramic tiles.

Installation of a liquid floor
Liquid linoleum in the kitchen

In addition, the use of liquid linoleum is relevant if the room has complex shape(rounded, with columns, etc.). In this case, you do not need to adjust or cut anything. Therefore, there will be no waste of materials and forces.

Not every person planning a renovation knows what liquid linoleum is. This kind flooring appeared on construction market quite recently, and began to rapidly gain popularity, which is explained by his original design, high performance and durability.

What is liquid linoleum

The self-leveling floor on the basis of polyurethane was named "liquid linoleum" due to its external resemblance to the traditional roll material... But to the touch, the surface is more like ceramic tiles, hard and smooth.

This coating was originally intended for interior decoration. industrial use... Its developers set themselves the task of creating a permanent floor that would be easy and quick to install and at the same time have a presentable look. With a thickness of only 1.5 mm, liquid linoleum can last at least 30 years.

Over time, the new coating was adopted by interior designers. This is how original options clearance:

  • 3D drawings;
  • patterns;
  • photographs;
  • natural materials and other decorative elements.

Liquid linoleum can be used in any of the following areas:

  • office;
  • bathroom;
  • living room;
  • kitchen;
  • garage;
  • medical institutions;
  • industrial premises.

Application technology

The material is seamless polymer coating based on epoxy, polyurethane and cement-acrylic components. The laying process consists of the following steps:

  1. Leveling the surface. For these purposes, a one-component polymer composition is used, which allows you to quickly achieve a perfectly smooth base. The subfloor is cleaned, primed and poured with mortar. If drying out concrete screed you need to wait about a month, then in this case finished coating receive in a week.
  2. Padding. The product is applied in 2 layers with complete drying every two days.
  3. Leveling with putty. If, after priming, roughness remains on the floor, they are cleaned and additionally processed. special composition based on epoxy resin.
  4. Filling and processing of the base. The mixing process depends on the type of liquid linoleum. The composition is used to cover the floor and pass over it with a special roller with spikes to remove air bubbles. During work, they move in special shoes with thin needles on the sole.
  5. Decorating. Depending on the chosen design option, images and additional elements are laid on the surface.
  6. Fill the finishing layer. At the end of the work, the floor is covered transparent composition... The application technology is similar to pouring the base.

The work is carried out quickly, so certain skills are required. Sluggish activity will lead to partial solidification of the polyurethane coating, as a result of which it will be impossible to correct the deficiencies.

You can enter a room with a floor covered with liquid linoleum only after the composition has completely solidified. It is impossible to accelerate the process by exposure to hot air: this will lead to cracking of the polymer.

Advantages and disadvantages of using

Compared to some other types of flooring, liquid linoleum has significant advantages:

  • abrasion resistance;
  • seamlessness;
  • variety of patterns;
  • waterproofness;
  • fire safety;
  • impact resistance;
  • resistance to aggressive substances;
  • non-toxicity;
  • ease of care.

The disadvantages of the material are the complexity. self-assembly and relatively high cost.

Subject to the rules of installation and operation, liquid linoleum will last for more than a dozen years, without losing its presentable appearance and excellent quality.

Liquid linoleum, better known in professional circles as a polymer self-leveling floor, is gaining increasing popularity in the market of offered floor coverings. Visually, it is difficult to distinguish it from the most ordinary linoleum, but to the touch it looks more like ceramic tiles.

Now, three types of self-leveling floors are mainly used - methyl methacrylate and epoxy are used mainly in industrial premises. And for household premises and in apartments, the polyurethane type is most common. Its popularity lies in its properties - it is lightweight, durable, and durable.

Laying liquid linoleum will not cause much trouble even if you do not use the services of specialists, but prefer to do all the work yourself. In addition, self-leveling floors can be laid on any surface, from concrete to floor tiles, the quality of the resulting coating will not suffer at all.

What are the advantages of liquid linoleum over other types of flooring?

Firstly, the floor surface does not have gaps and seams, which often spoil appearance premises and increase over time.

Secondly, the area and configuration of the room to which the polymer coating will be used does not matter, you do not have to cut out unnecessary pieces and suffer from the selection of the pattern.

The third advantage of liquid linoleum is unlimited color solutions... A polymeric self-leveling floor allows you to create a pattern of any complexity, and the dyes and decorative elements added to the original composition will make your floor unique. Also, the floor surface can be made matte, glossy, rough or smooth, depending on your taste and preferences.

The fourth indicator is of no small importance - strength and durability. If the thickness of the top layer of ordinary linoleum reaches a maximum of 0.3 mm, then the thickness of the liquid floor is 1.5 mm, which significantly affects the durability of use. The service life of a polymer self-leveling floor is more than 50 years, which exceeds the service life of ordinary linoleum by 2-3 times. Considering that the floor is a surface that we operate almost around the clock, this factor plays a very important role when choosing floor coverings.

The fifth advantage is that the liquid floor is shockproof, so that no matter what you drop on it, there will be no marks, dents or scratches. It is waterproof - now you don't have to worry about sudden water leaks and damage to the floor covering in the shower or kitchen.

Sixth - the polymer floor is non-flammable and non-toxic, as a result of which it is widely used in premises with increased fire hazard. And an important advantage of a liquid floor for housewives and in the presence of small children in the house is its ease of cleaning and environmental friendliness.