To give the floor beauty and aesthetics, various are used. Modern manufacturers building materials offer a huge selection floor coverings: expensive and cheap, natural and artificial, tile, piece and roll, soft and hard, etc.

1. Linoleum and rubber. This is one of the most common types of flooring. Linoleum is most suitable for kitchen floors, in damp rooms. It is easy to clean, waterproof. For laying linoleum, an even base is required, then it will last a very long time.

2. PVC: This is a soft elastic embossed floor covering. Their service life is about thirty years. They consist of several layers and are designed for different loads, inexpensive and suitable for damp rooms, hardly flammable.

3. Cork: this type has high thermal insulation and sound-absorbing qualities. it natural material made of balsa tree bark. It is strong, durable, reliable. In some cases, it is necessary to varnish the floor in order to keep the cork in perfect condition. Some cork boards are already on sale finished with varnish or wax.

4. Laminate. Relatively recently, it began to be used on a mass scale. It perfectly imitates natural wood floors, but it is even better in strength and stability. At the same time, the price of the laminate is quite affordable and the installation is very simple. It is best not to use this material in wet areas. To reduce noise, a layer of soft liner is used under the laminate.

5. Ceramic tiles. This material is distinguished by a huge variety of types, shapes, sizes and colors. Unglazed tiles are more often natural grayish-reddish shades. It is more practical, it looks natural and strict. Glazed is more elegant, it is used for original and bright interiors. Has an unlimited number of colors.

There are also very durable ceramic tiles that are completely insensitive to any chemical attack. More porous, but also durable "half-press" tiles.

6. The stone is natural and artificial. These are the most durable floor coverings. They are heavy and cold enough for residential use. They create patriarchal tradition in the house, special charm... They are great for antique-style fireplace rooms, in mansions that imitate ancient castles. The most expensive stone coating is marble. Wherein color palette this material is wide enough.

7. Carpets. They can also be natural and artificial. The latter are more common today. They are resistant to moisture, do not fade from the sun, are easy to care for and are inaccessible to moths and rodents. There are a lot of options for flooring carpets, and their qualities can be very diverse.

Today, acrylic carpets, woolen, nylon, polypropylene, silk, carpets from plant fibers and many other types. There are also carpet tiles that can be easily installed and removed from the base. There are also a lot of color options.

8. Solid board and parquet. These are the most classic and traditional floor coverings. Their cost is relatively high. For such floors, a variety of types of wood are used, on which the strength and decorativeness of the floor largely depends. A wooden floor in any home creates incredible coziness, warmth and comfort.

9. Polymer: these are the so-called self-leveling floors, which are often used for finishing rooms with high mechanical and chemical stress. Polymer floors can be epoxy or polyurethane. Below we will dwell in more detail on the properties and advantages of some flooring materials.

Cork flooring

Modern and popular flooring material -. It can be in the form of rolls or slabs. It is especially beneficial to use it in rooms where a warm floor, silence, comfort and environmental friendliness are required. Main qualities:

• naturalness, environmental friendliness;
• floor insulation;
• noise absorption;
• high strength, durability;
• cork floors do not rot or mold;
• they are not spoiled by rodents, moths;
• when heated, they do not emit harmful compounds;
• do not support combustion;
• do not attract dust;
• hypoallergenic;
• do not accumulate static electricity;
• chemically inert;
• have high decorative qualities;
• moisture resistant;
• very light and tight;
• elastic and resilient;
• easy to install and operate;
• durable.

Rubber floor coverings

Very often today, polymer or rubber covers for the floor. Rubber tiles are quite capable of competing with asphalt or reinforced concrete tiles. Here are its main qualities:

1. high strength;
2. low cost;
3. harmlessness to others;
4. environmental friendliness;
5. elasticity;
6. elasticity;
7. resistance to intense mechanical and chemical influences;
8. the rubber coating does not crumble or break under the influence of impacts or temperature extremes;
9. installation is quick and easy, there is no need to use heavy special equipment;
10. such a coating eliminates trauma, providing reliable adhesion to the surface;
11. easy maintenance: just wash plain water with any soap;
12. high aesthetic qualities, it is possible to use a variety of colors and images;
13. low thermal conductivity, etc.

Vinyl flooring

It is more often produced in the form of tile materials with unique performance properties. The range of similar products today is large enough to find suitable option for any room. Here are the main benefits vinyl tiles, thanks to which it became popular in a very short time:

• it is very fashionable;
• vinyl tiles are very beautiful;
• it is easy to install and operate;
• very elastic, strong and tough;
• does not deteriorate from exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
• moisture resistant;
• environmentally friendly;
• has a wide variety of colors and textures;
• has a low weight;
• durable, abrasion resistant;
• affordable and economical;

Polymer

There are several varieties: epoxy, polyurethane, methyl methacrylate. They are used for rooms with high loads. Polymer coatings can be thin-layer, thick-layer, self-leveling, etc. They can also have a variety of characteristics:

• high wear resistance;
• chemical resistance;
• high decorativeness due to the use of colored chips and design options in 3D format;
• solidity, lack of joints;
• durability;
• dustlessness;
• harmlessness and safety due to the creation of a rough surface;
• hygiene;
• fire safety: most of them are non-flammable or self-extinguishing.

The choice of floor finishings largely depends on the type of room, its purpose, load intensity, temperature and humidity conditions, etc. Any kind can significantly decorate and refine the room when correct installation and care.

Modern floor coverings differ in purpose, structure, quality, installation complexity and cost, durability and many other important indicators. That is why the choice of floor is entirely determined by the specifics of the task at hand, the customer's capabilities and the design of the room. Below we take a look at the most popular types of flooring.

Laminate flooring or "laminate" (lat. Lamina - layered) is a further development of the idea of ​​a parquet board, but made in accordance with the most modern plastics technology. Externally, the laminate completely repeats the structure of wood, and is almost indistinguishable from natural parquet, inside it is a complex multi-layer structure, consisting of:

• protective face layer (overlay) - a boomoplast obtained by hot pressing separate layers of paper impregnated with melamine resin by adding corundum. The more corundum, the higher the wear resistance;
• a layer of decorative paper with a pattern;
• bearing layer - a base obtained from a solid fiberboard (fiberboard panel);
• a compensating layer of bumoplast, consisting of 2 - 3 layers of kraft paper and allowing to preserve the geometry a separate board when laminating it.

The overwhelming majority of brands of laminate produced today repeat the pattern natural wood, less often - stone, ceramic tiles, etc. In shape, the laminate is a board, 1200 ... 1300mm long, 190-200mm wide and 7-8mm thick. Laminate in the form of a square, rectangle, etc. is becoming more and more popular today. The variety of shapes and shades opens up room for imagination and the possibility of improvisation with a floor pattern, allowing you to choose an option for any interior and style. For example, country-style laminate floors, for example, very successfully imitate the texture of the floorboards of a country house.

It is a beautiful, durable and reliable floor covering that creates an atmosphere of comfort and coziness.

The main advantage of laminate is its low, in comparison with parquet made of natural wood price, high hardness... Fractions of natural corundum are added to the resin composition of the laminate - over durable material used in diamond cutting technology. Laminate flooring is easy to clean: the vast majority of dirt, including paint, grease and the like, can be perfectly removed with solvents and detergents. The decorative qualities of the outer coating of the laminate are not affected. It is easily laid on warm floors.

The service life of laminated flooring is on average 10 - 15 years. The wood-fiber composition is pressed before crystallization, and after that it is no longer amenable to deformation. The advantages of the laminate include impact resistance, abrasion resistance, ease of installation, non-combustibility. Laminate is not afraid of ladies' hairpins, dog's claws, pushing through furniture legs, etc. If you wish, you can lay it anywhere: in the bedroom, in the living room, in the nursery, in the hallway, etc. The significant disadvantages of laminate flooring include the low ability to absorb sound and the inability to use it in rooms with high humidity... And finally, those who are attracted by the advantages of laminate should know that this material is 100% artificial, and many of its brands are capable of releasing phenols and allergens harmful to the human body under the influence of sunlight.

Laminate flooring imitating wood of various species

Despite the fact that laminate flooring on the Russian market of building and finishing materials is widely represented, high quality products are not so easy to find, and such a laminate from 35S per 1 sq. M. and higher. What matters is the quality and geometry of the lock and the board itself, the quality of the application of the protective coating, which, if the technology is followed, should be applied not only to the outer layer, but also to all elements of the laminate, including the locks.

Like other floor coverings, laminate, in accordance with the requirements of European standards, is tested for abrasion resistance, light fastness, impact resistance, etc. before going on sale (a total of 18 tests). The data obtained as a result of tests allows us to classify the laminate as one of the classes (from 31 to 34). The higher the class, the correspondingly higher is the wear resistance of the coating, which means its durability.

Wood flooring

As a floor covering, it came into vogue at the court of the French kings of the 17th century. Since then, high-quality parquet has been perceived as evidence of the impeccable taste and special status of its owner. As time went on, woodworking technologies were improved and today natural wooden floor coverings are presented in 3 versions: parquet itself - inlaid or piece, solid floor board and parquet board.

Most expensive option in average terms is, of course, solid floor board- 100%, although there are exceptions here. So the cost of the square. m. single-strip parquet boards may exceed the cost solid board made of wood of the same species.

One of the main advantages of parquet is its durability. Thanks to the thick working layer, the parquet can be scraped, while renewing the surface many times. It has been proven that some hardwood floors can live 100 years or more.

Parquet really has few disadvantages, but it should be noted that in order to get high-quality and nice build You should find a real master of high qualifications. The services of such a specialist can be expensive, but taking into account the service life of the parquet, these costs are quite justified. A lot of consumables will also be required for laying the substrate: vapor barrier, primers, glue, plywood, for finishing you will have to stock up on a putty primer, varnish, have at your disposal professional grinders, etc. block parquet You will need to monitor the humidity level in the room, especially in heating season... Laying on warm floors is contraindicated.

Parquet from different types of wood

beech	parquet flooring
nut	cherries

It is a three-layer glued construction, the lower and middle layer of which is made of wood conifers... The upper (working) layer in the overwhelming majority of cases is made of valuable types of wood - beech, walnut, oak or exotic species: jatoba, merbau, dussia, teak, etc.

Warm shades of wood give the room a special coziness and comfort, and the gloss of the finish coat gives rise to a feeling of well-groomed and impeccable cleanliness. Of the three options for wood flooring, parquet is, in general, the most democratic. Nevertheless, some variants of a parquet board with a top layer of increased wear resistance, both in terms of service life and in cost, can approach parquet. The pattern structure inherent in natural wood makes it possible to imitate the queen of flooring - solid flooring. You can also imitate block parquet.

The disadvantage is that the service life is shorter in comparison with it and parquet (up to 20 years), because the upper wear-resistant decorative layer is grinded and withstands the main load, the thickness of which is, on average, only 0.7 - 6 mm (depending on the thickness).

The service life of a parquet board with careful use is up to 20 years. You can grind no more than 2 times. Among undeniable advantages parquet boards should be considered low, in comparison with block parquet, the cost of the finished coating. The advantage is also a more loyal mode of permissible room humidity, which is ensured due to the specific design of the board, which can prevent the expansion of the outer layer in conditions of high relative humidity. Parquet boards are blocks that are completely ready for installation, so you can evaluate how the surface will look after installation at the time of purchase. The parquet board, as a rule, has already been opened with a layer of varnish or oil. Favorably distinguishes it from block parquet and assembly speed, the minimum number of consumables.

Before laying the parquet board, a polyethylene film with a thickness of 0.2 mm (overlapping) is laid on the pre-leveled floor. This is how the issue of waterproofing the coating is solved. Porous polyethylene with closed cells (substrate) is laid on top of the waterproofing layer. This layer acts as a micro-leveling sub-floor.

Technologically, the parquet board can be laid with glue and glueless methods (floating floors). The latter option involves connecting the boards according to the groove-comb principle (with or without glue). Please note: the strength of a glueless connection is higher than that of a glue one; over time, the locks do not even form subtle gaps. The method of laying parquet boards by the floating method is more technological, but, unfortunately, it is far from always applicable: in cases of large areas or in cases where special requirements are imposed on the rigidity of the base, the boards are laid by the glue method. It is also possible to lay parquet boards on logs.

In terms of quality - reliability solid floor board is practically perfect option, which explains the popularity of this flooring in the world. Historically, solid wood flooring is much older than parquet, it is recognized as the most environmentally friendly and durable coating, since it entirely consists of solid natural wood, which cannot be said about its counterparts - parquet board and laminate.

The solid floorboard differs from the block parquet mainly in size: the dimensions of the solid floorboard reach 6000mm in length and 200mm in width, while the block parquet board, on average, is 400 x 50mm.

This is one of the most expensive floor coverings and, provided professional installation and proper care, it will serve you up to 40 years. Solid floor board is easy to maintain and quite demanding on the humidity conditions in the room.

The flooring market offers you the richest choice. In addition to the aesthetic advantages that a solid floor board possesses, you should pay attention to the physical - chemical characteristics wood.

So, for example, such types of wood as merbau, iroko, dussia, oak, teak, even after drying, contain essential oils, which allows the coating to remain resistant to changes in humidity and temperature. But a massive board made of cherries, pears, and sweet cherries, on the contrary, is very demanding on the observance of the temperature and humidity regime, which becomes its "weak point". For the same reason, it is strictly forbidden to lay a massive board on a warm floor.

A massive board is mounted in most cases in the same way as block parquet. After installation, the massive floor is not used for 3 days. Caring for a solid board consists in periodically processing the surface of the wood with oil or wax (if it has not been varnished at the factory). Over time, cracks appear on the massive floor board, which are not considered a defect, but outwardly look very organic.

Assembling the floating floor to the substrate

Traditionally, a solid floor board assumes a reliable fixation to the base - on plywood, not less than 15mm thick. For this purpose, two-component glue and lateral (at an angle) fasteners for self-tapping screws or pneumatic pins with a pitch of 30 cm are used. On one side, two boards are connected to form a tongue. It is this type of laying that "pushes back" the moment of the formation of cracks and minimizes the risk of squeaking when walking. But, most importantly, everything is different: with such installation, there will be no problems during the restoration of the floor (grinding, scraping), that is, the main advantage of a massive floor board will be manifested as fully as possible - its durability.

Alternatively, laying a massive board directly on the screed, which, in general, is quite risky. In this case, the base (as in the case of laying parquet or laminate) must be perfectly leveled, remain sufficiently rigid and completely dry at the time of installation. Such requirements are explained by the properties of a massive floor board to repeat the relief, absorb / give off moisture, and, in addition, have a base as a support, which implies its rigidity.

Remember: The main conclusion from the above: no matter what type of flooring you are going to install - parquet or solid flooring, parquet or cork, the main condition for durability will be the "correct" floor covering.

In the case of installing a massive board according to the so-called. "Floating" technology for flooring uses special brackets (clips) with minimum tolerances for the required size. The rigidity of this requirement is explained by the significant dependence of the geometric dimensions of the massive board on fluctuations in humidity in the room. Laying with staples has its advantages: the need to use plywood, glue is lost, the laying process is significantly accelerated (it is quite possible to assemble a floor in a medium-sized room in just 1 day). And what is important, the use of "floating" technology by orders of magnitude reduces the risk of cracks and creaks.

Advantages of floating installation:

• the possibility of laying on any base
• plywood, screed, old parquet, chipboard, logs, etc.
• due to the isolon or isopoline substrate, there are no sound bridges;
• compensation for shrinkage, cracks, squeak;
• simplicity, low cost (from 500 - 700 rubles / sq. m.) and high speed of installation.
• in the case of flooding the floor with water, followed by drying, the floor either falls into place by itself, or is partially reconstructed by replacing deformed boards.

Cons of the "floating" method:

• there is no way to assemble a curved board;
• the width of the room with this method of installation depends and is limited by the type of wood (oak, ash - 7m, larch - 5m, beech - 4m). There are no questions about the length;
• It is contraindicated to attach plinths, furniture, radiators to such a floor. The skirting board is fixed to the wall, the furniture is mounted on felt pads.

Cork flooring

Along with the development of modern technologies, the range of natural materials used as floor coverings is expanding. So recently it has been increasingly used cork, which has unique properties in comparison with other coatings. What kind of cork floors can modern technologies offer us and what are their advantages?

This type of cork flooring is made up of 100% cork slabs up to 12.7mm thick. Possessing excellent sound insulation properties, elastic and visually advantageous, such a floor covering is perfect for any room, including a nursery, living room, kitchen, where high humidity prevails.

Floating cork floors

The next type of cork covering is the so-called. floating parquet... Such a covering is installed as easily as a laminate by snapping on the lock, without glue. Floating cork is a multi-layer structure, upper layer which is a cork veneer protected by wear-resistant varnish or PVC. Underneath the veneer is a pressed cork and HDF layer, a gasket and a cork backing.

The solidity and sophistication of this comfortable and elegant finish will add exclusivity and style to any interior. Floating cork flooring is the perfect solution for those looking for a warm and environmentally friendly floor that is easy to install.

Benefits of cork flooring

Cork has many advantages and everyone will determine the most essential for themselves. Distinguishes cork:

• 100% ecological purity and chemical neutrality, which avoids allergic reactions, the development of pathogenic flora;
• Exceptional durability. The wear of the cork cover over 100 years will be only 5%;
• Lovely sound insulating properties... Cork is rightfully considered the best natural sound insulator, which is able to solve the problem of annoying sound reflected from the floor once and for all;
• The pleasant-to-touch structure of the cork is due to its orthopedic properties. The load on the spine when walking is reduced, it seems that each subsequent step is easier to take than the previous one;
• Thermal insulating properties will allow you to forget about the freezing sensation of contact with a cold floor. The cork almost completely returns the heat it gives off to the foot, which creates the feeling of heated floors;
• The high coefficient of elasticity allows, without worrying, to walk on the cork surface on the "hairpins". Due to the cushioning of pressure, the coating will very quickly take its original shape;
• The cork cover is easy and comfortable to maintain. It does not accumulate static electricity, which makes it possible to use the cork not only in residential premises, but also in computer rooms, offices ... Cork coverings do not accumulate dust and to bring them into perfect form, it is enough to wipe them with a rag or just vacuum them.

Harmonious design, an abundance of shades and artistic solutions reveal unlimited possibilities for the embodiment of the most daring creative ideas. If we take into account the exceptional quality characteristics, unique strength and practicality, the result is a floor that fully satisfies the requirements of the most demanding connoisseur of quality for truly exclusive floor coverings.

It should not be forgotten that cork floors, while being highly durable, are still natural floor coverings and therefore need to be properly maintained and maintained. certain rules exploitation. First of all, this is the observance of the modes of humidity and temperature.

Being a very durable and chemically completely neutral material, the cork does not lose its properties even after 100 years. unique properties therefore there are no statistics on cork life. Some coatings have been in service for over 50 years without losing their decorative appeal. The cork oak itself has an average lifespan of 150 years.

Summary table of the main performance characteristics of flooring

The floor covering is an important and integral part of the overall interior solution of the room. The choice of how to cover the floor in an apartment depends on many factors. Floor coverings that exist today are extremely diverse, they differ in purpose, quality, structure, cost, durability, maintenance conditions and installation complexity. Therefore, there is always the opportunity to choose the optimal flooring for each room.

Types of flooring: linoleum

The most common type of flooring - its versatility allows it to be used in any room - from bathrooms to the nursery. A variety of colors, textures of patterns (imitation of parquet, stone, wood, ceramic tiles, geometric and natural ornaments, etc.) allows you to fit it into any style - from country to high-tech. Linoleum easy to install and maintain, easy to clean, has good heat and sound insulating characteristics. Sufficiently durable. Disadvantages - loses color over time (especially in the sun), may crack at low temperatures.

Ceramic tile

Interesting! How to choose, what to look for, how to choose colors?

Covering for rooms, the main characteristics of which are high traffic and high humidity - kitchen, bathrooms, hallways (hall). A definite plus is the abundance of sizes, textures, colors and shades, various decor, which allows you to choose tile for decorating a room in any style, it goes well with various finishing materials. Moreover, for correct styling, the tile allows you to optically adjust the size of the kitchen - visually lengthen / expand or vice versa, make it less elongated, here a lot depends on the skill of the designer. We also note other advantages:

practical - it is easy to care for it, it is easy to clean

durability - waterproof, resistant to moisture and chemicals, does not fade, does not wear out

At the same time, it also has a number of disadvantages:

• fragility - if you drop a heavy object, it can crack. However, especially durable types of ceramic tiles are produced especially for the kitchen.
• seams - even with the most quality styling, they are still visible. In addition, with poor grouting, the joints can become a place for the active development of mold and mildew.
• the tiles are not very pleasant for walking barefoot - they are cold. The problem can be solved by installing the "warm floor" system
• wet tiles are very slippery, there is a great risk of injury due to carelessness

Tiles are not suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms.

Stone covering

Outdoor stone covering(granite, marble, natural stone) are installed in places where the main requirement is wear resistance and strength, therefore they are most often laid in kitchens, hallways or bathrooms. They are easy to clean, not afraid of moisture, resistant to household chemicals, mechanical stress and temperature differences. But all their advantages are "compensated" by one drawback - a great price. In addition, the stone floors themselves are tactilely cold, although this problem is quite simple to solve - by installing a "warm floor" system. Which further increases costs.

Self-leveling floors

If earlier Self-leveling floors were used mainly in industrial and commercial and office premises, then recently they are widely in demand in the interiors of apartments and private houses, allowing you to get a perfectly flat, seamless surface. Their advantages:

• aesthetics - a variety and richness of colors, the ability to obtain 3D images
• durability - low abrasion, do not fade under sunlight
• durability - even the heaviest furniture will not leave marks and dents
• hygiene - easy cleaning, resistant to any chemistry, mold, bacteria and fungi do not appear on the surface, no fumes
• complete fire safety
• moisture resistance

The disadvantages include high requirements for the base, sufficient technological complexity of pouring and high cost.

Carpet

Perfect for a living room, nursery or bedroom, it can be made from both natural and artificial (synthetic) materials. Provides comfort for feet and comfortable walking even in winter. Carpet will add comfort and warmth to the interior, it has good soundproofing and heat-saving characteristics. In addition, an object that has fallen on the carpet does not create noise. Treatment with special substances excludes the appearance of moths or mites.

Disadvantages:

• poor moisture tolerance
• requires constant care, accumulates dust, in the presence of pets - wool
• removing stains will require the use of special products or dry cleaning.
• tendency to burn out when exposed to direct sunlight

Parquet

Classic floor covering, durable and sustainable, available in three types: piece elements, solid wood and parquet board... Depending on the type of wood, the size and shape of individual elements, methods of installation, you can create various compositions in harmony with the stylistic features of the room. Scraping (for parquet the working layer is several millimeters) allows you to repeatedly renew the surface, returning its color and attractiveness. Due to its low thermal conductivity, parquet is a good heat insulator. There are two main disadvantages: cost and complexity of installation. To this should be added sensitivity to moisture and seasonal deformation - parquet floors expand in summer, and dry out in winter. Parquet is not suitable for laying together with a "warm floor".

Floor board

Solid board (grooved board made of natural wood) allows you to get a reliable, beautiful and durable floor covering with good thermal insulation. This option is good for living rooms(where the emphasis in the design is on the naturalness and naturalness of the finish), verandah and balconies. The board is resistant to deformation, but very sensitive to moisture, requires additional processing (protection).

Today it is no longer necessary to explain to anyone that the floor in the house contributes to the creation of coziness and comfort. Not a single element of your apartment's interior needs more careful maintenance. Therefore, before choosing a flooring, study all possible types floors.

Sub-floor preparation

Before deciding what kind of flooring you need, you need to take care of the base. It should be flat, free of height differences, protrusions and cracks. To do this, the floor is screed in one of the following ways.

Today, the most common:

• Dry floor screed. It is used to level the surface with existing serious defects. Too thick layer of such a screed does not always allow its use in apartments. This can be considered her only drawback. The advantages of this method include the ease of coverage, ease of installation, high quality. The top layer can be applied directly to the dry screed. The laying technology is very simple: a dry mixture is poured onto the concrete base or polystyrene is covered, then gypsum fiber boards are laid on the floor.
• Semi-dry screed. This is filling the floor with a mixture of cement, water and sand. Alignment is carried out using special measuring instruments... This screed dries up within five days.

Choosing floors. Types: design, technology, materials

Modern designers and manufacturers of finishing and building materials can offer customers a variety of floor design options. They differ in the technology of manufacture and installation, the material used and, of course, the price. Today we will present you the most common types of floors so that you can make the right choice.

Self-leveling floors

In construction, this is the name of the type of screed and topcoat. During work, mixtures are used to level the surface, which are poured onto a layer of expanded polystyrene. Screeds of this type have earned the approval of specialists for their small coating thickness, high strength and wear resistance. After the base is completely dry, you can start choosing the main floor covering.

At this moment, many people have a question: "Which floor is better to choose?" Types, requirements, designs for all options are different. Which coating will last a long time, be durable and retain its original appearance as much as possible for a reasonable price?

There is no definite answer to these questions. The variety of floor coverings gives your imagination room and at the same time complicates the choice. But back to floor floors as to the topcoat.

This is a relatively new invention. They are often referred to as "3D floors". Such coatings allow you to create real works of art in a single apartment (house). They are very effective.

The types of self-leveling floors are amazing. The cost of such coatings cannot be called low. The technology for making a self-leveling floor is very similar to the manufacture of a liquid screed.

When creating such a coating, you should carefully level the base, grind it, clean it well and prime it. Then you should apply base layer... When it's dry, you can paint.

How is self-leveling floor applied?

In this case, the choice depends on the owner's fantasies and preferences. Any textures, colors, small decorative elements(shells, pebbles, artificial plants, etc.) will add a touch of originality to your floors.

Finally, a finishing layer is applied. The thicker the polymer that is applied to the drawing, the more voluminous the image will appear. There are other types of self-leveling floors. In addition to the transparent coating, you can consider other options - matte fills of different colors, ornaments, large drawings... This type of flooring has high durability and is a decoration of the room.

Wood floors

Many owners, considering the species, increasingly prefer a solid board. It is rightfully considered an alternative to parquet flooring. Solid wood is great for large spaces.

This material is environmentally friendly and with proper care it will last for decades. In addition, it is distinguished by the ease of installation, which is due to the size of the boards - their width is 10-20 cm, and the length reaches three meters.

Solid board is slightly thicker than parquet, so this material is considered more wear-resistant, durable and strong. Using modern technologies, manufacturers create boards in various colors, regardless of the type of wood. There are many modern paints and varnishes that not only protect the material, but also give the board an attractive look.

Production

Only high quality solid wood is used to make the flooring. Often this material made from maple, oak, walnut, birch, cherry, ash. In addition, there is a board made of exotic woods - beech, mergau, bamboo, wenge, and so on.

Laying solid boards requires preparation of the substrate. It cannot be placed on concrete. Typically used for this wooden logs(rectangular bars). The cover can also be laid on a plywood base. Its surface should be perfectly flat. We must not forget about the moisture-proof layer. It is laid on logs or on a plywood base. The foam can be replaced with mastics, primers and other special mixtures.

In apartments located on the lower floors, it is more expedient to insulate the floor by laying a heat-resistant material between the layers of the coating. Experts recommend keeping the boards indoors for at least two days before laying them.

Parquet

When choosing floors, the types and requirements for which differ significantly, it is necessary to consider in which room you want to install them. Surely you will not place ceramic tiles in the living room and parquet in the bathroom. Each room has its own requirements.

Classic parquet is a strong, durable, environmentally friendly floor covering. It always looks flawless. Today they are decorated not only in the form of a "herringbone" or a traditional rectangular mosaic. Modern technologies have brought a variety of colors, shapes, textures and shades to the parquet world. Now you can lay out intricate designs from wood.

Parquet is small wooden planks up to 20 mm thick and about 10 cm wide. Parquet is made of high quality solid wood. Most often they use walnut, oak, birch, ash, maple, larch. Covers made of beech, sandalwood, cypress, palm trees are in demand today.

Parquet related wood floors, in turn, can be divided into several types - piece, parquet board, modular and artistic. I would like to dwell on the latter in more detail.

Artistic parquet made by a qualified craftsman is real Incredible ornaments, very intricate designs, stunning patterns - all this is available thanks to modern equipment and the latest technology production. Artistic parquet is a piece material. It is laid in an intricate pattern.

Modular parquet flooring can combine different colors, varieties and textures of wood. The process of laying such a coating is very laborious, requires a long time and highly skilled craftsman.

Lack of parquet, like other wood covering, can be called the difficulty of leaving. It must be monitored very carefully, protected from moisture, regularly treated with special compounds. And styling is a very complex process that requires the skill of professionals.

Floor tiles

There are floors, types and designs of which are well known to our readers. First of all, this applies to floor porcelain stoneware slabs, which are made of durable and durable material. However, you hardly want to have such a floor in your bedroom. This option is more suitable for rooms with high humidity- entrance hall, kitchen or bathroom.

Before laying the tiles, the subfloor should be well leveled and free of dust. All points of contact must be free of grease. The material is placed on a special glue. Make sure that the gaps between the tiles are uniform.

"Live tile"

This is a completely new floor covering. In order not to go into the intricacies of production technology, we can say that this is a multi-layer tile, the pattern of which changes when pressed on it.

Undoubtedly, this is an original and quite effective coating. It requires special conditions for installation and use. Such a tile is installed on an absolutely flat horizontal surface. The smallest defects can cause its deformation, as a result of which it will lose its "magic" properties - the gel inside will simply flow out.

Types of floors made of roll materials

Linoleum is perhaps the most affordable way to renovate your floor. On the domestic market of construction and finishing materials today different types of this material are presented:

• Natural, made from natural raw materials (linseed oil, pine resin, jute fiber, wood flour).
• PVC linoleum is made from synthetic materials. It is very strong, wear-resistant, and has good flexibility. PVC linoleum is single-layer and multi-layer. It is presented in the trade with a huge selection of colors and patterns.
• Rubber linoleum (relin) is a two-layer coating. The lower layer is used rubber, and the upper one consists of a mixture of rubber, pigments and fillers.
• Alkyd linoleum contains alkyd resins and a fabric base. Has strong thermal insulation properties.

Types of linoleum floors in living quarters differ from coatings in office buildings, shops, clinics, etc.

Carpet maintenance is quite simple. Latex or rubber based coating allows wet cleaning... But in this case it is necessary to ensure that the pile dries out completely. Jute carpets require dry cleaning.

Warm floor

In conclusion, I would like to say about the "warm floor" system. This is a great way to make your home cozy. This option is especially relevant for private houses and apartments on the lower floors. The essence of this method is simple: a special structure consisting of electrical wires is placed under the top layer of the floor covering. Some systems use water or gas pipes... Only regulators and temperature sensors remain on the surface. "Warm floor" can be combined with any coating.

Any renovation work on an apartment or house is completed by laying the floor. Sometimes its installation can be carried out before the start of the main work. In any case, you need to choose a specific floor covering. Today the market is overflowing with many of the most different materials, and they all have both advantages and disadvantages. Undertaking repair a common person can get confused among such a variety, because in general, all types of flooring are popular in use to one degree or another. Most buyers pay attention to their appearance and how they blend in with the rest of the finish. But first you need to figure out what kind of floor coverings are, what properties they have and what kind of flooring to choose for a particular room in the house.

Ceramic tile

This option is the most common when it comes to the bathroom, kitchen or hallway. Many people prefer tiles, because they are durable, easy to clean, and do not lose their advantages in case of temperature extremes and high humidity. To cover the floor, you need to choose non-slip tiles. It is better that it be rough, but not with the effect of "aged" ceramics, since you will have to constantly clean its cracks and dents. The most suitable for the floor is embossed tiles: no one will slip on it.

Embossed ceramic floor tiles

Fans of stylish collections can purchase tiles imitating marble, wood, river pebbles, as well as mirrored tiles with polished metal inserts.

Porcelain stoneware

In its composition, porcelain stoneware is similar to ceramic tiles, but it is made using a different technology and, as a result, acquires increased wear resistance and special frost resistance. Porcelain stoneware is even stronger than natural stone: you can safely hit it with a hammer. Porcelain stoneware tiles are distinguished from ordinary tiles by their cut: they are painted to the full depth, since the coloring pigment is added to it at the beginning of production.

Porcelain stoneware - a durable and effective floor covering

Porcelain stoneware is produced polished, semi-polished, matte, anti-slip (with a relief surface). The range of porcelain stoneware products is extensive - it is styled like marble, granite, mosaic, wood and even leather. The porcelain stoneware floor looks very impressive. This coating is used for kitchens and living rooms, bathrooms and hallways.

Mosaic

Those who consider ordinary tiles to be a trivial solution can lay out the floor with various mosaics - Florentine, smalt, Murano glass or marble. Florentine mosaic is a composition of natural stones, including rare species - marble, onyx, jasper. The stones are carefully grinded, adjusting them to each other. This work, of course, is not easy, exclusive, and therefore not cheap.

Mosaic flooring is a complex and exclusive job

Smalt is glass crushed into powder, mixed with dyes, which is pressed and baked at a high temperature. In terms of strength, this material is similar to diamond and has a rich color. When laying the compositions, the smalt shimmers, as if it were illuminated from the inside.

Parquet

Despite the fact that new materials and technologies are becoming more common, wood floors are still popular. After all, no floor covering can create such an atmosphere of comfort and warmth as natural wood.

Parquet flooring creates a true atmosphere of coziness and comfort

But, unfortunately, parquet does not tolerate moisture and temperature changes poorly, so it is not recommended to lay it in houses with high humidity or unstable temperature conditions. This also applies to kitchens, hallways and, of course, bathrooms. But parquet is ideal for the living room.

And in order for the parquet to serve for a long time, it must be patiently looked after. The legs of the furniture should be covered with felt heels, the parquet is washed with a barely damp cloth, using special detergents. Parquet floors covered with mastic are periodically treated with special oil, and varnished floors are polished every six months.

Block parquet is a piece of natural wood, the laying of which resembles a jigsaw puzzle: with the help of various types of trees and color shades, you can assemble any pattern. For lovers of palace interiors with decent funds, artistic parquet is suitable, which is made using high-precision laser cutting.

Artistic parquet in the palace interior

Such a floor pattern is not cheap, but if the parquet is laid with good quality, it will last for several generations.

Parquet board and laminate

Parquet board is a democratic multilayer parquet substitute. These are boards (lamellas) 2-2.5 m long, consisting of several layers: the upper one is made of valuable tree species (beech, maple, acacia, oak), and the lower one is mainly of coniferous species. If the parquet is varnished after installation, then the parquet board is varnished at the factory. The parquet board is easier to install thanks to the simplified docking and snapping system. In addition, when laying it, the requirements for " rough floor»Are not so hard, therefore a parquet flooring costs almost half the price of parquet.

Parquet floor

Today, parquet boards are offered in a wide variety of shades, which depend on the type of wood used for the top layer. Among the most popular shades is classic aged oak.

Laminate is another democratic substitute for parquet. It is used by those who love wood flooring but cannot afford it. In addition to wood, laminate can also replace tiles, marble, exactly imitating the texture of the joints. At first glance, you cannot tell until you touch it with your hand.

Laminate flooring - a democratic substitute for parquet

The basis of the laminate is high-density fiberboard, the surface of which is covered with paper with an imitation pattern and a transparent protective layer. When choosing this coating, you need to keep in mind that cheaper types do not have protection against moisture and temperature extremes. But quality laminate can serve for more than a dozen years, and damaged individual panels can be easily replaced.

Linoleum

Today, linoleum remains the best-selling floor covering, although back in Soviet times, it has a reputation for being unnatural and short-lived. You need to pay attention to the fact that linoleum is originally a natural material that is made from cork, resin, jute fabric, chalk and linseed oil... Such linoleum is not afraid of water, dirt, dents and scratches, it is a good option for people prone to allergies. But, like any natural material, linoleum requires special care: periodically it must be wiped with a special mastic.

Linoleum is one of the best-selling floor coverings

The advantages of linoleum in the kitchen are especially noticeable. For example, a cup that has fallen on a linoleum-covered floor may remain intact, while some fragments will probably have to be collected from a tiled floor. And if a heavy object, a saucepan, for example, falls, then the tiles may crack, and this is definitely not a threat to linoleum. It is easy to fit, easy to clean, and relatively inexpensive. And what a variety of textures, patterns and colors nowadays - eyes run up! The most popular are collections that imitate more expensive floor coverings: parquet, marble, mosaics, ceramic tiles.

Cork

Cork flooring is another type of natural flooring. While such coatings are still not so common, although this material has a lot of advantages. It is very practical and environmentally friendly. The cork is warm to the touch, it is very pleasant to walk on it barefoot, it noticeably increases sound insulation, eliminates the sound of footsteps. It is an elastic and resilient material that, being compressed under the load of furniture, is completely restored after the removal of this load. In addition, cork flooring does not absorb odors, does not attract static electricity, and therefore does not collect dust.

Cork floors - warm and pleasant to the touch

Despite the seeming fragility of the cork, its durability deserves respect: the warranty period for products with vinyl coated is 20 years old. Cork flooring is produced in the form of tiles or parquet boards, in most cases with a lock connection. Cork floors allow you to create unique interiors.

Carpet

Carpet is ideal for a bedroom, because it is in this room that you want comfort and warmth natural materials... Natural carpet on the basis of a jute mat, woven from wool and other natural fibers, will allow you to boldly step on the floor in the morning bare feet... Well, if you need a covering for a nursery, where permanent stains can always appear, then look for a high-quality artificial carpet, and not ordinary, but mosaic. It consists of modules that can be easily replaced in case of damage.

Carpet - soft and warm floor covering

The most durable carpet, but also the most expensive is nylon carpet. A more affordable price for coatings made of polyester, acrylic or polypropylene. The most reliable in terms of manufacturing method is woven carpet: in it, the threads are intertwined with a jute base. Needle-pierced and needle-punched models are less durable, since the threads in them are fixed with glue. The carpet is laid on adhesive tape.

Polymer self-leveling floors

Initially, self-leveling floors appeared as a convenient option for flooring in public areas. However, their advantages (decorativeness, high wear resistance, lack of electrostaticity, ease of maintenance) make them quite attractive for use in private interiors.

Self-leveling floors are readily used in home interiors

Self-leveling seamless coating is easy to renew, its surface can be roughened, bright colours, unusual texture. With the help of epoxy compounds, you can recreate a picturesque volumetric canvas. The polymer material is poured directly into the base and in just a few hours the floors dry out and become usable.

How to choose flooring for your home?

This question is most often asked when buying floor coverings for various areas of the house. The advice here cannot be universal, the choice depends largely on the budget, specific needs, room functionality, comparison of the quality of flooring and personal preferences. You can only listen to some of the recommendations of experts.

So, linoleum, cork or ceramic tile... They are moisture resistant and easy to clean.

And the bedrooms? Of course, soft and warm carpet or anti-allergenic natural cork, and solid wood... They are easy to clean and maintain a long service life.

Carpet is the perfect floor covering for the hall... Often, floor coverings are combined in the living room: wooden floors (parquet, laminate, cork) are laid, and carpets are laid on top.

Relatively, we can say that the most popular flooring here is ceramic tiles. It is the best fit for this room, since it is very moisture resistant and easy to clean.

We hope that the information and recommendations presented above will help you to successfully choose floor coverings for your home that will serve you for many years.