Types of floors, designs, materials. Types of self-leveling floors. Types of flooring, their pros and cons All about the types of flooring

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

Peculiarities

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

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

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

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

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

Kinds

Floor coverings are hard or elastic. Separately, a group of wooden floor coverings is distinguished. Different manufacturers represent a variety of types of flooring, which differ in their functionality, quality and design. Wooden ones include:

• parquet;
• parquet board;

• laminate;
• wood mass;
• cork.

Flexible coatings include:

• linoleum;
• carpet.

Hard surfaces include:

• ceramic tile;
• stone floors;

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

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

Natural parquet

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

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

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

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

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

Not all apartments can be parquet. An important requirement is compliance with a certain temperature regime and the level of air humidity.

Parquet is a very expensive and noble flooring option.

parquet board

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

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

Boardwalk

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

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

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Cork

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

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

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

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

Cork is a practical material because it is completely immune to temperature changes.

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

Laminate

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

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

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

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

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

Laminate is an affordable yet practical material.

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

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

Linoleum

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

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

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

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

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

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carpet

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

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

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

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

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

Ceramic tile

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

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

This floor is suitable even for classic style interiors.

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

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

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

self-leveling floor

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

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

Which ones to choose?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Work technology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warming

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

Another option for insulation is a dry screed. This is a quick and effective way to insulate the floors in the apartment.

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

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

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

Beautiful examples in the interior

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

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

Floors are the basis of the interior of every house, apartment or office. To give the floors aesthetics and beauty, various types of coatings can be used. However, only the right floor covering can set the style of the room, create coziness and comfort in your home.

How to choose flooring

Manufacturers of modern building materials can offer a fairly large number of types of flooring: cheap and expensive, artificial and natural, rolled and piece, tile, hard and soft, in design, quality, and so on.

1. Linoleum and rubber flooring

These are the most common types of coatings. Most of all, linoleum is suitable in wet areas - for the floor in the kitchen.

PVC linoleums come in three types: household, commercial and semi-commercial. Commercial - the most dense, suitable for rooms where there is a lot of traffic (in offices, cabinets). Household hints that it should be used for the home, but semi-commercial is best suited here. It will be a little more expensive than a household one, but it will last much longer, it is stronger and thicker than a household one.

Linoleum

Advantages:

• Linoleum is waterproof.
• Easy to wash.
• Its cost is low.
• Easy to install.
• Doesn't rot.
• Doesn't make noise when you walk on it.
• Shelf life - 30-50 years.

Flaws:

• For its laying, you need a flat base, only in this case it will serve for a very long time.
• Linoleum is an artificial material, as a result, it is inferior to a wooden floor in terms of environmental friendliness, quality, and beauty.
• It can be pressed through if you put heavy furniture on it.
• Inexpensive linoleum can be sensitive to very low and very high temperatures - it cracks and deforms.
• Not expensive options look cheap, while expensive types can imitate wood, tiles, and so on.

2. PVC

Represent elastic soft relief floor coverings. The average service life is approximately thirty years. PVC floors are usually produced in tiles.

PVC tiles

Advantages:

• They are designed for a variety of loads and consist of several layers, are suitable for rooms with high humidity, are inexpensive and hardly flammable.
• Although the total thickness of PVC tiles is approximately 3-7 mm, however, in terms of reliability, it surpasses all types of linoleum, as well as other, denser floor coverings.
• Easily transported and stacked.
• It is a soundproofing material.
• pleasant and warm for the feet.
• It has a large number of textures and colors.
• It is not afraid of moisture and does not beat with time.

Flaws:

• To lay it, you need good preparation of the base, glue for PVC tiles, as well as laying skills.
• Seams may dry out during use.
• Fairly high price.
• In small towns there is a small assortment.
• If the tile is stored incorrectly, it may warp, which will interfere with installation. Therefore, you need to carefully check the packaging when buying.

3. Cork floors

This type of flooring has high sound-absorbing and heat-insulating qualities. It is made from natural material, it is based on cork tree bark. very popular and modern. They can be produced in the form of plates and rolls.

Cork floors are especially beneficial to use in rooms where silence, environmental friendliness, comfort and underfloor heating are needed.

Cork flooring

Advantages:

• Excellent thermal insulation properties (thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.03-0.04).
• Good level (sound absorption coefficient 0.85). It is great for panel houses.
• High resistance to deformation, convenient in the presence of heavy furniture - no traces remain after them.
• Good depreciation qualities, which has an excellent effect on human health, the musculoskeletal system, joints and back.
• The coating is non-slip.
• Resistant to aggressive chemicals (except for caustic alkalis), which makes it quite easy to care for them.
• Not affected by pests: rodents and wood-boring insects.

Flaws:

• Fairly high price. As a result, the final cost (including auxiliary materials) will be comparable to the cost of parquet.
• The strength of the cork floor is quite low "breaking". He can't stand heels, pet claws, sharp furniture legs.
• Low thermal conductivity does not make it possible to make a "" system, since the cork floor will not let heat into the room.
• Swelling of the floating floor. Under the influence of moisture, the cork floor can swell, which is caused by swelling of the MDF base. This eliminates the use of cork in the bathroom and bathroom, as there is a high level of humidity.

4. Laminate

Represents a panel made from fiberboard (Fibreboard) and several layers of paper. The texture (most often a pattern imitating parquet) is applied just on paper, on top of which acrylate or melamine resin and a protective film are applied. After pressing, it becomes resistant to mechanical damage, abrasion, exposure to sunlight, pollution. A stabilizing film on the bottom is responsible for maintaining its shape and protecting it from moisture.

Laminate for home

This material has become widely used relatively recently. Laminate perfectly allows you to imitate natural wood floors, while it can be better than it in terms of stability and strength. Its installation is simple, and the price is quite affordable. You can find out here. This material is not suitable for wet areas. When laying it, a layer of soft padding is used, made specifically for the laminate.

Advantages:

• Resistant to external influences (pressure, stress, abrasion). It does not leave dents and traces from heavy objects.
• Flame retardant and high temperature tolerance.
• Does not demand careful leaving, unlike a parquet.
• Environmentally friendly material, as it does not contain chemicals that are harmful to health, is not allergic, does not accumulate bacteria and dirt. It can be safely used in children's rooms.
• Easy to install, allowing you to lay on wooden floors, underfloor heating, linoleum, PVC floors and so on.
• Durability (can serve more than 10 years).
• Democratic prices.

Flaws:

• Laminate load. It is necessary to choose the correct load capacity. For an apartment, 21, 22, 23 classes are suitable. 23 - dining room, kitchen, hallway. 22 - living room, children's room. 21 (low load) - pantry, office, bedroom. The lower the class, the shorter the service life under loads and the lower its cost.
• The styling requirements are high.
• Fear of moisture, treatment with a waterproof solution is required. It is not advisable to use laminate in the kitchen, but if you decide, it is better to choose glue.
• Bubbling and swelling of the laminate, which is a consequence of a violation of the laying technology.
• The creak of the laminate, manifests itself with an uneven base.
• You can save only on a short-lived and cheap laminate.

5. Ceramic tiles

It is indispensable as a floor covering, especially in rooms with high humidity and traffic. At the moment, there are a large number of their types for decoration. Tiles differ in size, appearance, degree of slip, strength, water absorption and other parameters.

Ceramic tiles for home

In houses and apartments, floor tiles are used, as a rule, in kitchens, bathrooms, halls and hallways. Modern technologies make it possible to produce tiled material that is suitable for use in any premises. For example, wood-look tiles can look like laminate or parquet in appearance. It can naturally fit into the interior of bedrooms (heated floors are required here) and living rooms.

Advantages:

• A huge variety of colors and shades, decor. Tiles can be matched to almost all building materials.
• Allows you to create an original floor composition, lengthen or visually expand the room (how to lay tiles on the floor).
• Practicality and durability. The tile is not afraid of moisture, easy to clean, resistant to fading and wear, withstands any load.

Flaws:

6. Carpets

Today they have also gained popularity, as they are relatively affordable, diverse in color, inaccessible to rodents and moths, easy to care for, and easy to lay.

At the moment, acrylic carpets, nylon, woolen, silk, polypropylene and many other types are produced. There are also carpet tiles, they are easily laid on a special base and then removed from it.

Advantages:

• Durability.
• Great look.
• Reliability.
• Ecological purity.
• Low thermal conductivity.
• Properly laid and high-quality massive board, parquet will last for decades.

Flaws:

• Deformation of the material, since wood has the ability to breathe. It will shrink in winter and expand in summer.
• The cost is high.

Types of flooring - a list with a photo

Linoleum

Linoleum is a democratic, always in demand material for flooring. In fact, this is a fabric, once only natural, and now synthetic, impregnated with oils, covered with a layer of vegetable cement, resin and wood chips. Linoleum is produced in convenient rolls and comes in five types: natural, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose and alkyd.
Its service life depends on the type and ranges from 5 to 25 years of intensive use.
Most often, natural-based linoleum or PVC is used in home interiors.

The advantages of this coverage:

• low price;
• low flammability;
• resistance to moisture, alkalis and acids;
• high heat and sound insulation;
• a wide choice of colors and textures;
• ease of installation and operation.

Natural linoleum, moreover, is environmentally friendly, does not lose its brightness for ~ 20 years, while synthetic linoleum is resistant to mold and microorganisms. In addition, you can buy a special linoleum, with different coatings: protecting against dirt, anti-slip, bactericidal.

Consumers appreciate this coating for a wide decorative range. You can purchase not only rolls of different colors, but also with the texture of various types of wood, parquet, natural stone and even mosaics.

Disadvantages of linoleum:

• natural - "afraid" of low temperatures, becoming brittle in the cold, and also susceptible to decay;
• synthetic linoleum can emit a specific, chemical smell;
• all types of household linoleum are quite plastic, which is why furniture dents remain on it.

The most conservative, natural method of flooring, not losing recognition in the era of high technology.

Advantages of a wooden floor:

• impeccable environmental friendliness;
• versatility, which allows the use of wood in any premises and interiors, combined with other finishes;
• good level of thermal insulation, pleasant tactile sensations, comfort.

Flaws:

• such a floor absorbs moisture and dirt:
• combustible material;
• requires regular care using various protective equipment;
• natural wood, especially valuable species, is not affordable for everyone.

So that wooden floors do not swell from moisture, do not rot, do not dry out from heat, do not creak, do not suffer from insects, they are treated with a whole arsenal of special impregnations, cycled and protected. However, wood is worth it: after all, it is a “living” material, with a natural, unique pattern that gives the house a genuine cosiness.
With proper care, plank floors will last up to 25 years, and with proper care, even longer.

This is a special type of wooden floors, their elite, solemn version. There is a parquet in three guises: piece, panel, type-setting. For the manufacture of parquet, more than fifty types of wood are used.
Oak “bricks”, ash, beech, birch, and pine slabs were especially valued and are valued today. When laying, you can use intarsia and inlay, alternate textures and shades, making the floor resemble a patterned carpet.
Today, two ways of laying natural parquet are common - piece and massive board. In addition, parquet substitutes appeared, for example, laminate.

Parquet flooring has the same list of outstanding qualities as natural boards. In addition, parquet

• looks catchy and expressive, ennobles the interior, makes the atmosphere aristocratic;
• high-quality, properly laid parquet serves 40, 50 or more years;
• such flooring does not need heaters - at least in the southern regions.

Disadvantages of natural parquet:

• relatively high cost and complex installation;
• additional processing, grinding, varnishing, which are required after installation;
• sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity;
• the need for careful maintenance and regular repairs.

This, of course, is not about plastic caps (although craftsmen use them too). And about oak bark, from which corks for wine bottles are made.
There are three types of cork coverings: rolls, tiles and in the form of panels, which are assembled like a laminate.
The average service life of a cork floor is from 7 to 15 years.

Advantages of cork coating:

• cork flooring is environmentally friendly, like any wood;
• retains heat well, pleasant under bare feet;
• high level of sound insulation;
• not afraid of moisture and chemically inert;
• cork is indifferent to insects and rodents;
• the material is presented in a wide color palette and looks fresh, unhackneyed.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting:

• high price (the thicker the coating, the more expensive it is);
• mechanical strength (heavy furniture leaves traces on the cork floor);
• wear of the protective layer. In the corridor, for example, a path will be “trampled” quite quickly, so it is better not to use a cork in rooms with a high foot load.

It is called artificial parquet and there is a reason for this, because the laminate plates are based on dense wood fiber.
Thanks to a complex production technology and a 4-layer construction, laminated parquet surpasses its natural counterpart in a number of ways:

• it is quite moisture resistant
• has good thermal insulation;
• relatively easy to install
• undemanding to care;
• produced in a very wide range, imitating not only wood, but also stone, leather, sand, fabric;
• finally, laminate is considered a relatively budget finishing agent.

Of the shortcomings:

• only certain types of laminate can be laid in rooms with high levels of humidity. In this case, a special, for locks, sealant is used. Ordinary
• laminate should be protected from water: wipe dry as soon as it gets on it;
  the installation of laminate plates is a simple task, but its fasteners are often damaged in the process, so products are bought with a small margin.

For the care of the laminate flooring, you can not use the same preparations as for the parquet. Beeswax and glycerin, which gives natural wood shine, destroy the laminated film.
The duration of operation of laminated plates depends on their class and ranges from 6 to 30 years.

Ceramic tile (tile)

One of the oldest methods of finishing (floors were decorated with tiles in ancient Babylon), which today is mainly used in kitchens, bathrooms and bathrooms. Ceramic flooring is squares or rectangles of fired, processed clay.
The positive qualities of such a coating include:

• affordability;
• environmental friendliness and safety;
• resistance not only to moisture, but also to chemicals;
• wear resistance;
• practicality;
• a wide range of colors and patterns.

Even an amateur can handle the installation of ceramic “puzzles”, and you can choose any shade and texture: marble or granite tiles, oak, alder or Karelian birch, as well as with an ornament.

The disadvantages of ceramic coating include:

• some types of tiles become slippery when wet;
• cold material (walking barefoot on such tiles will be unpleasant);
• brittleness (may shatter if dropped/impacted).

However, the first two problems are easy to overcome: in order for wet tiles to be stable, the smallest squares or rectangles are used: the seams between them prevent slipping. And for a more pleasant tactile sensation under the tiles, you can lay the "warm floor" system.

Carefully laid, high-quality tiles will serve faithfully for 50 years or more.

This is a type of terracotta tile. It is also made from kaolin, but quartz sand and feldspar are added to the composition, pressed under high pressure and fired at high temperatures. The result is a very dense material with minimal water absorption (significantly less than conventional ceramic tiles) and high frost resistance.
Porcelain stoneware may well compete with stone, from the advantages:

• the strength of the material is estimated at 9 points out of 10;
• long service life, up to 50 years;
• resistant to water and ultraviolet;
• non-combustible material;
• environmental friendliness;
• care practicality.

The disadvantages of the material include high cost, as well as:

• installation of such tiles will also be expensive;
• porcelain stoneware is a rather heavy material;
• The material is cold and therefore needs to be heated.

It would seem that stone coating should be widespread, because minerals and rocks are everywhere. But no, because even unpretentious sandstone (let alone marble) requires expensive, high-precision processing. This turns an ordinary stone into an exclusive finishing agent.

In addition to prestige, stone coating has many undeniable advantages:

• environmental cleanliness and safety;
• strength, durability;
• resistance to mechanical stress, ultraviolet, temperature fluctuations and moisture.

Of the minuses:

• fair weight;
• laboriousness and cost of installation;
• The material is cold and needs to be heated.

Although stone surfaces generally do not require special maintenance, cleaners will be needed to remove limescale, dirt, and mold. Without these products, the spectacular stone floor will become dull and scratched.
A floor made of natural granite, travertine, marble, dolomite, and other rocks is almost eternal and will delight more than one generation.

This is not only a method of covering the floor, but also a way of decoration, an opportunity to give the interior a special, “antique” chic.
Mosaic coatings are made from natural stone, ceramics, smalt, glass… The market also offers two color options: monochrome mosaic, in which all the particles are of the same color, but different shades, and motley, kaleidoscopic.

Advantages:

• the mosaic floor has a long service life and is resistant to mechanical stress, shock. True, these characteristics depend on the material from which the coating is made;
• mosaics can cover not only a perfectly smooth floor, but also irregularities, including rounded surfaces.

The disadvantages include the considerable cost of such a coating and its installation in particular. Do-it-yourself high-quality styling is not an easy task.
You need to have the flair of an artist and the taste of a stylist to dare to make a mosaic. Another thing is if such an idea belongs to a talented designer and is fully consistent with the concept of housing.
The shelf life of mosaic coatings is at least 15 years.

Concrete

Today, concrete screed is often the basis for other types of flooring: parquet, laminate, tiles and others. But modern methods of pouring and grinding make it possible to create a coating that is perfectly even and completely inert to water. In addition, the floors are durable and practical.

The disadvantages include the complexity of installation and the cost of raw materials. To obtain a smooth, mirror-like surface, both special equipment and qualified specialists will be required.

According to unwritten rules, they tend to cover the concrete floor with something “cozy”, carpet or laminate. But the trend is pristine concrete, as one of the elements of modern design.
Such a decorative concrete floor will last at least 15 years.

Carpet - fleecy, rolled material, monotonous or patterned.
It attracts with such qualities:

• carpet is a relatively inexpensive material;
• provides good sound insulation;
• coziness and comfort;
• wide range, you can easily choose the right color / shade.

A few words about the strength of the carpet. This indicator depends on the pile. The heaviest coverage is with thick, high down and bottom knit construction. A similar product will lie on the floor without losing its appearance for up to 10 years or more.
Not the last role is played by the base of the carpet. And it can be different: from wool, jute, nylon, polypropylene, polyester and even latex. Synthetics are more durable, more indifferent to moisture, however, wool is more environmentally friendly, safer for allergy sufferers.

As for the disadvantages:

• hygroscopicity;
• ability to absorb dust and accumulate debris;
• and as a consequence of the second point - mandatory care, requiring special tools, nozzles for a vacuum cleaner and time ...

Advantages of a self-leveling floor:

• not afraid of moisture, easy to clean, wash;
• long service life - up to 25 years;
• self-leveling floors can be of any color, with a pattern and even with a three-dimensional 3D pattern. Such a coating is a real picture under your feet, for example, the beach in the bathroom or the lawn in the kitchen.

There are few drawbacks to the self-leveling floor, but you can’t discount them: industrial-style interiors, and.
And there's also an ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) modular coating option - better known as soft floor. Quite practical and environmentally friendly flooring, it is often used in children's rooms.

PVC modules have a solid list of advantages:

• the tile is resistant to shock, pressure, moisture, electric current.
• PVC modules have a long service life;
• provide good sound insulation;
• variety of colors and textures.

Of the minuses:
- PVC modules can only be laid on a perfectly even, prepared base. Otherwise, all the flaws of the base will be reflected in the coating.

The technical characteristics of floor PVC modules depend on the premises for which they are intended.
The average service life is 10 years.

Quartz vinyl floor tiles are advanced PVC floor tiles. The composition of such tiles, in addition to polyvinyl chloride, includes quartz sand. The last component (quartz-vinyl layer) is not so small - 60-70%, while PVC and other additives, respectively - 20-30%. In a word, quartz vinyl tiles are closer in origin to the mineral quartz than to PVC.

And here are its benefits:

• high level of wear resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• fire safety;
• antistatic;
• good soundproof qualities;
• the possibility of piece replacement of tiles, in case of damage;
• a wide selection of colors and textures.

Among the shortcomings, the following can be distinguished:

• the need for careful preparation of the foundation;
• because the material is elastic, heavy furniture will leave dents over time.

The service life of such a coating is ~ 20-25 years.

Rooms and flooring requirements

Depending on the purpose of the room, there are certain requirements for flooring:

Hallway. A room with a high foot traffic, which quickly accumulates dust and dirt. The floor covering in this room should be as durable and practical as possible.
The most suitable options for the hallway will be: natural stone, mosaics from it, ceramic and porcelain tiles, linoleum (with a sufficient protective layer thickness, from 0.25 mm), quartz vinyl tiles, high-class laminate, epoxy self-leveling floor.

Living room. In the living room, the load is no less than in the hallway, but the conditions are a little more gentle. Nevertheless, the coating material is selected reliable, aesthetic and strong, able to withstand foot traffic and numerous furniture.
Actual options for the living room: wood (boards or parquet), ceramic tiles, laminate, quartz-vinyl tiles, concrete or self-leveling floor (often based on polyurethane), PVC modules, carpet.

Bedroom. The floor covering for this room must meet at least two mandatory requirements: environmental friendliness and comfort.
A good choice would be: natural wood, cork floor, carpet.

Children's room. In the nursery, an environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic coating is also appropriate. It also needs to be practical. Suitable carpet, natural linoleum, cork, designer soft floor, quartz vinyl.

Kitchen. In the kitchen and dining room, it is wiser to use materials that do not absorb moisture, repel grease and dirt. Rational solution - tiles, concrete, self-leveling floor.

Bathroom. In the bathroom / washroom, the flooring should be practical and resistant to moisture. Recommended mosaic, tile, self-leveling floor.

Balcony. The conditions in this room are close to outdoor ones, so the products must be practical, resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity.
It is worth paying attention to tiles, PVC modules and concrete.

In order for the housing of a modern person to be cozy and practical, it is very important to equip a house or apartment with comfort. Floor coverings play an important role in providing comfort. Their selection is huge! All floor coverings differ among themselves in structure, quality, prices, durability and functionality.

You need to carefully select coating materials that will meet your requirements, based on the available budget. Do not forget that the floor should protect the apartment from temperature changes and extraneous sounds.

Floor coverings

Therefore, you need to consider such features when choosing a floor covering:

1. Warming.
2. Soundproof.
3. Carrier.
4. Aesthetic.

Before deciding on the best flooring, consider the main types and types of flooring for an apartment.

Floor coverings should be divided into groups:

• monolithic, which are cast on the spot entirely on the basis of polymer and concrete mixtures;
• sheet, convenient for transportation to the installation site and able to cover large areas;
• piece, which are made of wood or tiles and are assembled on the spot in a certain order.

Modern types of flooring

Let's look at what modern types of flooring are more suitable for use in apartments.

The most popular type of coating is laminate. Its main advantage is ease of installation. Any novice master can lay a laminate flooring.

Laminate has a wide variety of colors, low cost, has great endurance. If you choose this material for flooring in an apartment, it is better to lay a laminate floor in the living room or bedroom. The disadvantage of laminate is low sound insulation and the inability to use in a damp, damp place.

Linoleum flooring has been popular for a long time. This material is suitable for kitchen, balcony, hallway. Linoleum is easy to clean and retains its appearance for a long time. It must be fate that to cover the floors with linoleum, the surface must be even and smooth.

Polymer self-leveling floors have now become fashionable. This is a great option for a nursery, living room or kitchen. You will not install such a floor on your own, you will have to turn to professionals. Feels like a rubber floor, in the end you get a perfectly smooth surface. The disadvantage of this floor is its rapid burnout.

Another new product on the market is cork flooring. This natural material has proven itself well due to its excellent sound and heat insulation. It is made from crushed cork oak bark. The disadvantage of a cork floor is deformation under heavy load.

Seamless floors

In general, the following types of flooring can be distinguished:

• concrete floors;
• parquet;
• linoleum;
• laminate;
• Self-leveling floors;
• cork floors;
• carpet;
• ceramic tile.

Let us dwell in more detail on the description of seamless floors. These include types of coatings such as concrete mix floors and self-leveling floors.

self-leveling floor

Concrete or cement monolithic floors are used in industrial premises. These coatings are made in one layer 0.5 cm thick. The basis for them is prepared from sand and gravel. If you add colored stone chips to such floors and sand it after drying, you will get mosaic floors. They are usually laid in commercial premises, halls and lobbies.

For apartments, seamless self-leveling floors are used. Polymer self-leveling floors are a wear-resistant synthetic coating with a variety of colors. The basis of such seamless floors is concrete, on which a polymer is sprayed on top.

Bulk floors, in turn, are divided into cement-acrylic, epoxy and polyurethane. The most environmentally friendly and inexpensive of them are cement-acrylic coatings.

The advantages of such floors:

• durability;
• ease of care;
• absence of microorganisms.

• a perfectly flat base is required;
• hard cold surface.

Roll floors

Floors made of linoleum and pile coatings are rolled floors. They are used in places with low traffic, as they are easily erased.

Linoleum is usually produced in the form of rolls from 1 to 6 meters long and up to 5 millimeters thick. According to the material of manufacture, linoleum is divided:

• polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
• rubber;
• nitrocellulose;
• alkyd.

The lowest quality material will cost three times cheaper than more or less durable linoleum. The most popular and inexpensive type of it is PVC - polyvinyl chloride linoleum. You can learn how to choose linoleum from.

Consider the pile flooring market. It is represented by carpets and carpeting. The mass use of pile coverings in apartments became possible after the invention of synthetic fibers.

A big plus of these floor coverings is their excellent sound insulation and thermal conductivity. Disadvantages - low environmental friendliness, high allergenicity, short service life and difficulty in cleaning.

Carpet is produced in the form of rolls, glued to a flat surface with the help of special tools. Carpet, which is made from synthetic materials, will be 2-3 times cheaper than the same coating made from natural fibers.

Sheet floors are types of floor coverings that are made from plywood or chipboard. These materials are used as a subfloor, and on top of it there is a floor covering made of linoleum, tiles or parquet. To prevent such floors from creaking, they cannot be fixed too tightly.

piece floors

Floor coverings include:

• parquet;
• laminate;
• floors from solid boards;
• floors from any kind of tiles;
• glass floors.

Parquet and solid board are classics of the genre. Parquet is the most durable material, it has been used in homes for decades and can withstand many scrapes. In rooms with parquet floors, there must be a stable level of humidity.

Parquet installation

A parquet board is a cheaper analogue of parquet, it consists of three parts, and the main lower part is made from the cheapest wood species. The upper part of the massive board imitates parquet. The disadvantage is that the service life is much shorter than that of real parquet.

Now very popular is this type of flooring, like ceramic tiles. It is recommended to cover the floor with tiles in rooms with high humidity. But it is laid not only in bathrooms and kitchens, but sometimes around the entire perimeter of the living space. Tiled material is now available with patterns that resemble both parquet and laminate.

Benefits of tile flooring:

1. The ability to choose floor tiles for other building materials during repairs.
2. Resistance to wear, moisture, deformation.
3. Flexible pricing policy.

Disadvantages of tile coatings:

1. Cold floor.
2. Installation difficulties.
3. Difficulty in hiding the seams between tiles.

Well, recently there was such a novelty - glass floors!

glass floors

Modern technologies make it possible to create such an unusual solution in a residential interior as a transparent glass floor. Such a variety of these original designs has already appeared that they can be divided according to shape and appearance:

• glass floor for the length of the entire room;
• backlit glass ribbons;
• glass niches suitable for accommodating various decorations;
• glass aquarium with real fish;
• glass ceilings;
• outdoor podium.

It is worth noting that glass floors are still an expensive pleasure. The cost of the glass itself is very high, plus installation and finishing materials are not cheap. But recently the popularity of this interior decoration has increased greatly, and there is a tendency to reduce the cost of this original product.

Warm floor

Many people who do not tolerate cold are thinking about installing underfloor heating in their homes and apartments. Installations of warm water and electric floors have been widely used for a long time.

A water floor is a system that heats a room using heated water in pipes built into the floor screed. This special system is able to completely replace standard heating. More suitable for private houses.

The warm water floor is heated with the help of special heating devices. In turn, these devices, or boilers, are divided into several types, namely, according to the principle of operation - solid fuel, liquid fuel, gas, etc.

The advantages of water floors are savings on heating and electricity.

Disadvantages - you need a special coating, the floors cannot be covered with carpets.

Warm electric floors are installed using special mats that are laid under the floor covering. When laying it, major repairs are not required, because it does not need to be laid in a screed. The method of installing infrared floors is the simplest - the emitter is placed immediately under the laminate. It is even recommended to lay a carpet on such a floor.

Electric or infrared floors are one of the cheapest methods of residential heating. The influence of the infrared floor has a very positive effect on human health.

Pros of electric floors:

• the ability to install in any room without any delay with neighbors;
• ease of troubleshooting;
• temperature regulation.

Cons of electric floors:

• additional power consumption;
• too fast heating of the floor can sometimes lead to deformation of the coating.

Floors are the main foundation of the interior of every living space. To give them beauty, a variety of floor coverings are now used, which is described in this article. Choose the right coating from the current huge range that is just right for you! It will create a special coziness and comfort in your home for many years.

The modern building materials market is able to offer a myriad of floor coverings, which differ in the type of materials used, the installation method, as well as technical and decorative characteristics. This article will consider all types of floors, so that the consumer will be able to decide on the best coating option suitable for specific operating conditions.

Types of coatings

What are the floor coverings? The classification of floor coverings is conditionally divided into the following categories:

Roll:

• linoleum products;
• carpets;
• cork materials.

Seamless:

• mastic products;
• concrete coverings;
• mosaic building materials;
• xylolite surfaces.

• parquet (laminated);
• cork modules;
• linoleum surfaces;
• polymer plates;
• board coverings.

Tiled:

• ceramic products;
• concrete tiles;
• natural stone coverings.

In addition, the types of flooring are distinguished by the degree of "load" of the floor. In this connection, the following classification arose:

• Industrial products. They are used at manufacturing enterprises with specific conditions (high humidity, constant temperature changes, the presence of chemical influence);
• public coverage. Lay in public places with high traffic. Such products have increased wear resistance and abrasion resistance;
• Household floors. They are used at objects with moderate exploitation, therefore they do not have enhanced technical indicators.

Such a variety of floor coverings is due to the peculiarities of the microclimate in the premises, as well as the requirements that apply to products depending on the type of structures where the floor is planned to be laid. To understand what advantages and disadvantages each of the models has, it is worth considering in more detail the features of each type of coverage.

Monolithic building materials and their features

As a rule, monolithic seamless products are used in enterprises. Special requirements are imposed on this type of coating, namely:

• increased impact resistance;
• chemical inertness;
• the ability not to accumulate static electricity;
• moisture resistance;
• heat resistance;
• tightness.

Types of floor coverings:

1. Mastic. Made from polymer compounds. Their feature is the increase in strength over time, which improves the technical qualities of the material: abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and tightness. All this is possible due to the evaporation of excess moisture;
2. Concrete. Produced from a cement mixture with various fillers. Types of concrete floor coverings are determined depending on the admixtures used:
   • basalt;
   • diabase supplements;
   • granite.
3. Mosaic. They are made of marble chips, due to which the floor acquires increased wear resistance, as well as chemical inertness. Industrial products contain not only marble chips, but also colored concrete. This mixture has high moisture resistance and strength;
4. Xylolithic. Floors made from wood-based materials, magnesium solution, as well as caustic magnesite. The basis for pouring the mixture can be a concrete, wooden or reinforced concrete base. They are used in industrial enterprises with increased fire safety requirements.

Characteristics of piece materials

Piece building materials are distinguished by their low cost along with good technical and aesthetic qualities. What floor coverings are available?

• Laminated parquet. Made from synthetic and wood-based materials. Outwardly, it can imitate the surface of a parquet made of natural material. The product consists of three main layers: chipboard, decorative and protective layers;
• Cork modules. The raw material for the manufacture of this coating is oak bark, processed using a special technology. Such floors are waterproof, resilient and practically not afraid of impacts. In addition, they are hypoallergenic;
• Linoleum surfaces. Produced from synthetic compounds with increased strength. They can be used for both commercial and domestic purposes. Through the use of kraft paper, it is possible to imitate various surfaces of natural materials;
• polymer boards. They are not afraid of high humidity and practically do not have a linear expansion, therefore they can be used in a specific microclimate. Due to the addition of various pigmenting substances, such floor coverings have good decorative qualities;
• Board coverings. Ideal flooring options for wood floors. They can be laid immediately on the logs without prior screeding. They have increased heat and sound insulation. Boards treated with special compounds are not afraid of high humidity and the influence of aggressive chemicals.

Reference: Natural floor coverings, represented by cork slabs and plank products, can be laid in private homes, since they do not contain harmful components that can cause an allergic reaction. They are somewhat more difficult to care for, but this disadvantage is compensated by the attractive appearance of the models and their durability.

Characteristics of roll floors

Roll building materials are synthetic and, as a rule, are based on a felt layer. Carpet floor coverings are used in public premises, as well as in private dwellings:

• Linoleum products. Can be laid on reinforced concrete floor or cement screed. They are glued to the base with special waterproof adhesives. Suitable for laying in corridors, offices, laboratories and other premises;
• Carpets. Soft floor coverings, depending on the type of synthetic fabric, can be mounted on a screed treated with a primer at a relative humidity of 4-5%. The bottom layer can be either woven or spongy. Pile flooring is a good alternative to linoleum, they are also glued to the base, after which they are fixed with skirting boards around the perimeter of the room;
• Cork materials. They are distinguished by high elasticity and strength, as well as excellent decorative qualities. This is a relatively new type of flooring, which is often used in the arrangement of hotels, embassies and other commercial facilities. In addition, it is a good alternative to carpet and linoleum, the cost of which is still higher.

The photo shows all the options for roll building materials that can be used not only for commercial, but also for home purposes. Obviously, they all have increased decorative performance, thanks to which it is possible to create interesting and unusual interiors.

Pros and cons of tile materials

What kind of floor coverings are there? Tiled products outwardly differ little from wall tiles, but they are made with a greater thickness, which ensures the strength of the floor. In addition, flooring materials can be different, which affects the technical qualities of the tiles:

• Ceramic products. In terms of their performance, they are not inferior to natural granite. It is often used in bathrooms, corridors, kitchens and other rooms with an aggressive environment. The surface is resistant to abrasion, moisture and thermal expansion;
• Concrete tiles. It is used in private and commercial construction. Well proved, thanks to the increased durability. This type of tile-type flooring is characterized by low cost along with good technical properties;
• Natural stone coverings. It is used for arrangement of terraces and closed areas. Sufficiently wear-resistant products, but are afraid of the influence of moisture. The composition of the tiles may include igneous rocks of stone, such as syenite or basalt.

All of the above floor options have anti-slip properties and frost resistance, so they can be laid even in unheated rooms. Below we consider the main manufacturers, their flooring, pros and cons.

Manufacturers of floor building materials

Comparison of floor coverings by technical and decorative qualities will allow the consumer to decide on the best product option. However, it is also worth considering the rating of the best manufacturers who have proven themselves well in the flooring market:

• Avantex. Russian manufacturer of inexpensive carpets. Is the market leader in geotextiles;
• Forbo Flooring Systems. Specializes in the production of floors from "flexible" materials. It is one of the best manufacturers of piece and roll models, distinguished by a reasonable price and good quality of the materials used;
• Balterio. Well-known Belgian company engaged in the production of piece models. The quality of all products meets European standards, which is due to the use of high-tech equipment for the production of floors;
• Amtico. Pioneer in the manufacture of PVC floors, as well as polymer coatings. Let out production can be used at the commercial enterprises, and also industrial objects;
• COBBLESTONE PAVING. Australian manufacturer of industrial and decorative flooring. "bribes" consumers with a variety of colors and textures of building materials.