The floor coverings offered are gaining increasing popularity in the market. liquid linoleum, better known in professional circles as polymer self-leveling flooring. Visually it is difficult to distinguish it from the most ordinary linoleum, but to the touch it looks more like ceramic tiles.
Nowadays, three types of self-leveling floors are mainly used: methyl methacrylate and epoxy, used mainly in industrial premises. And for household premises and in apartments the most common type is polyurethane. Its popularity lies in its properties - it is lightweight, durable, wear-resistant.
Laying liquid linoleum will not cause much trouble even if you do not use the services of specialists, but prefer to do all the work yourself. In addition, self-leveling floors can be laid on any surface, from concrete to floor tiles, and the quality of the resulting coating will not suffer at all.
What are the advantages of liquid linoleum over other types floor coverings?
Firstly, the floor surface does not have gaps and seams, which often spoil the appearance of the room and increase over time.
Secondly, the area and configuration of the room to which it will be used polymer coating it doesn’t matter, you don’t have to cut out extra pieces and worry about choosing a design.
The third advantage of liquid linoleum is unlimited quantity color solutions. A polymer self-leveling floor allows you to create a pattern of any complexity, and the dyes and decorative elements will make your floor unique. The floor surface can also be made matte, glossy, rough or smooth, depending on your taste and preferences.
The fourth indicator – strength and wear resistance – is of no small importance. If the thickness of the top layer of conventional linoleum reaches a maximum of 0.3 mm, then the thickness of the liquid floor is 1.5 mm, which significantly affects the durability of use. The service life of a polymer self-leveling floor is more than 50 years, which exceeds the service life of conventional linoleum by 2-3 times. Considering that the floor is a surface that we use almost around the clock, this factor plays a very important role when choosing floor coverings.
The fifth advantage is that the liquid floor is impact-resistant, so no matter what you drop on it, there will be no marks, dents or scratches. It is waterproof - now you don’t have to be afraid of sudden water leaks and damage to the flooring in the shower or kitchen.
Sixth, polymer flooring is non-flammable and non-toxic, as a result of which it is widely used in areas with a high fire hazard. And an important advantage of liquid flooring for housewives and those with small children in the house is its ease of cleaning and environmental friendliness.
Liquid linoleum is a floor covering - a new product and a real find for lovers of perfection in their interior and, in particular, an impeccable coating. Outwardly, this material is similar to ordinary linoleum, but it is not applied in layers, but literally poured onto the floor surface, after which it becomes even, smooth, without seams or any other flaws. This flooring can be used for almost all large rooms.
Advantages of liquid linoleum
1. Strength, which is also explained by its thickness, which is noticeably greater than the thickness of ordinary linoleum and reaches one and a half millimeters.
2. The absence of seams and gaps in the material will give an ideal appearance to your floor.
3. Liquid Lenolium is suitable for coating large areas.
4. You can choose the design and texture of your linoleum yourself, making it rough or smooth, matte or varnished, decorating it with decorative inclusions.
5. Liquid linoleum is waterproof, non-toxic, non-flammable, which is a big plus for the safety of any room.
6. If the floor covering is damaged, there is always the opportunity to “revive” liquid linoleum with the help of simple restoration.
7. Liquid linoleum is made from environmentally friendly materials, which helps create a favorable indoor microclimate.
Cons of liquid linoleum
1. The need for thorough preliminary preparation of the floor surface.
2. Some types of self-leveling floors turn yellow when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
3. Liquid linoleum is difficult to remove from the base if necessary.
4. Liquid linoleum - self-leveling flooring - is quite an expensive pleasure.
Laying liquid linoleum
Before laying, you need to carefully prepare the surface, clearing it of dirt and unevenness. Liquid linoleum can be laid not only on concrete, but also on wood, metal or even tile. The floor is covered with a primer and left to dry for several hours, then a polyurethane mixture is poured onto it and leveled over the floor. Hardening of the surface can be observed within a day, and liquid linoleum will acquire proper strength in a week.
Easy-to-use liquid linoleum is easy to install and has excellent quality, which will definitely be appreciated by thrifty buyers. A unique design self-leveling coating will decorate any room.
Innovative developments in the field of construction and renovation have made it possible to significantly expand the design options for premises. Recently, the idea of liquid linoleum has been spreading rapidly. Getting acquainted with a new type of flooring will allow you to discover another facet in the art of design.
Purpose of liquid linoleum
A comparative characteristic between liquid linoleum and a roll product with the same name made it possible to identify the only commonality - a solid canvas. There are distant similarities in appearance until you touch the surface. To the touch, liquid linoleum resembles ceramic tiles. Otherwise, differences are present in all areas, from the properties and materials used to the installation principle. Another name more accurately reflects the essence of the coating - self-leveling floors.
Initially, liquid linoleum was intended for industrial use. The developers were faced with the task of creating solid foundation, not subject to abrasion, for production and warehouse premises. After original idea designers to decorate self-leveling floors with an individual design, the number of people willing to decorate own home liquid linoleum modern technologies grows exponentially.
Depending on the filler, self-leveling floors are:
- cement-acrylic;
- based on epoxy resins;
- containing methyl methacrylic resins;
- polyurethane.
The first three compositions of self-leveling floors are more intended for industrial purposes; liquid self-leveling linoleum based on polyurethane is mainly used in residential premises. Despite the strength and wear resistance of all categories, the advantages of polyurethane flooring are added to its lightness, which contributes to the creation of an elegant coating. The thickness of the self-leveling floor varies in the range of 1-7 mm; according to the recommendations of experts, it is optimal to form a layer of 1.5 mm for standard loads. This will be enough to operate the self-leveling floor for the next 30 years.
Characteristics
Liquid linoleum has many more advantages than disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at all the essential nuances of self-leveling flooring:
Note! Required condition to ensure water resistance is correct production waterproofing at the preparatory stage.
Three points can overshadow the impression of the impeccability of liquid linoleum: high price materials, long period preparatory work and the presence of only 12 shades when decorating a single-color surface.
In-house manufacturing process
Every craftsman with operating skills can master the technology of laying liquid linoleum with his own hands. construction tools. Before going on to describe the sequence installation work, it should be noted one more advantage of liquid linoleum - unpretentiousness when applied to various substrates. The only condition that must be fulfilled is to exclude the possibility of them absorbing moisture. This is achieved by treating concrete or cement surfaces with special primers; impregnations are provided for wooden floors. Protective measures are aimed at preventing the absorption of expensive material, eliminating its unplanned consumption and, accordingly, reducing total cost production of liquid linoleum.
Work on the production of self-leveling floors includes the following stages:
There are many types of floor coverings on the construction market. Liquid linoleum, which appeared about five years ago, stands out. The period is short, but for this a short time Many masters have already paid attention to it.
This material is also known under another name – self-leveling floor. This coating is reliable. With it it is possible to create original drawings, which interior designers skillfully use.
This type of linoleum requires a specific type of installation, which differs from the installation technique of other types of coatings. This article will cover:
- Information about the types and characteristics of self-leveling floors. Their advantages and disadvantages.
- Application rules with instructions.
Types of self-leveling floors
So what materials are liquid linoleum made from? Of these, the following are popular:
- Methyl methacrylate. Prepared from the same name. It is characterized by high resistance to low temperatures, good tolerance ultraviolet radiation. Can be used for laying industrial sites and freezers. The material is also used outdoors, as it is resistant to external factors.
- Cement-acrylic. Positioned as a very durable liquid linoleum, which contains cement and acrylic compounds. Can be used in industrial workshops with heavy load on the floor. Not afraid high moisture and heat, tolerates temperature changes well.
- Polyurethane liquid linoleum. A relatively popular subspecies. Can be used in combination with many formulations. It tolerates high humidity normally, so it can be installed in the kitchen or bathroom.
- Epoxy. This composition is based on. Copes well with aggressive attacks chemicals, therefore can be used even in laboratory conditions. Among the disadvantages, there is low resistance to mechanical stress compared to other subtypes of the composition.
Pros and cons of self-leveling polymer flooring
Self-leveling polymer flooring has both advantages and disadvantages. Privileges include:
- High strength. This coating will not wear off and will not be damaged by mechanical impact.
- Wide scope of application. It performs well in residential buildings, industrial facilities and in places with an active flow of people.
- Waterproof. This coating has a one-piece water-repellent layer. Copes with direct water ingress. The characteristics are most similar to tiles.
- Seamless. The visibility of seams often spoils the overall impression of a renovation. If you don’t want to observe such shortcomings, then pay attention to self-leveling floors.
- Design variations. Liquid, as opposed to rolls, allows you to fully express your creativity. From original drawings to hand-painted or 3D renderings.
- Resistance to high temperatures. The composition is positioned as heat-resistant. It is not afraid of combustion, so it is often used in industrial areas.
- Harmlessness. All components are non-toxic, and therefore they are completely safe for the health of the master.
- Easy to care for. Any floor can be washed household chemicals, and all the dirt is wiped off from them in a couple of minutes.
But liquid linoleum also has its disadvantages:
- relatively high price;
- difficulty in application;
- limited range of colors.
In which rooms is it used?
Such floors have found their application in any room. Many people still treat such material with suspicion, but in vain.
By comparison, laminate and other floor coverings are damaged quickly. Self-leveling floors, on the contrary, can be installed in the kitchen or bathroom without the risk of deteriorating for many years. The stable monolithic surface does not absorb liquid, which means the risk of swelling of the material is reduced to zero.
On what surfaces can it be laid?
This composition works well with most floor coverings. Lay liquid linoleum on a wooden floor, on concrete, on tiles, porcelain tiles and other surfaces.
As you can see, manufacturers do not set any restrictions in this direction. The only caveat: when laying on any type of surface, take into account all the manufacturer’s recommendations for its pre-treatment.
Popular brands
These mixtures are mainly sold in construction stores. For example, liquid linoleum in Leroy Merlin represented mainly by products of the following brands:
- Streamline Chemicals;
- Texil;
- Epital.
They differ in the composition and design of the drawings. By technical specifications the products of these brands are equivalent to each other - no better and no worse.
How much does it cost and where to buy?
Self-leveling polymer flooring is expensive building materials. The exact price of the composition varies depending on its exact subtype.
For example, a thin coating of epoxy resin will cost about five hundred rubles per square meter. The same polyurethane version is sold in stores for 300 rubles per square. The price of a thickened epoxy floor starts from a thousand rubles. As you can see, the polyurethane subtype will again not be so expensive - from 800 rubles per square meter.
The highest prices are placed on methyl methacrylate floors with a thickness of three millimeters or more. For one square meter of such a floor you will have to pay from one and a half thousand rubles.
Buyers' choice
According to statistics from hardware stores, self-leveling polymer flooring made of polyurethane is purchased more often than other types. Buyers are attracted by the price of coatings made from this material - it is lower with the same unusual design.
In second place in demand is coating based on epoxy resin. These flooring surfaces are also durable and do not cost too much.
Before you prepare liquid linoleum with your own hands, you need to determine what type of purchased composition it is. Conventionally, it is divided into two categories:
- One-component. Positioned as a self-leveling screed. No pre-preparation is required before application.
- A two-component one is already needed for finishing. Such compositions are made from different materials. The most popular ones are polyurethane. Before application, pre-treatment of the base is required.
The preparation of liquid linoleum is done according to the manufacturer's instructions. Before applying the composition, be sure to clean the surface.
Technique for laying liquid linoleum
Laying liquid linoleum is carried out in strict compliance with the following instructions:
- We prepare the rough foundation. Debris and dust are removed from it. If the base has cracks and depressions, then it is leveled by filling it with a self-leveling compound. Allow 48 hours for the floor to dry completely.
- We prime the base. We prepare two-component bases according to the manufacturer's instructions. The primer is applied with a roller so that all areas are carefully worked. This will help remove any residue from the coating. construction dust and will significantly increase the adhesion of the compounds.
- Additional leveling with epoxy resin putty. The mixture is kneaded, then poured onto the floor and leveled with a spatula. If any unevenness remains, it is recommended to sand them and go over the coating with a vacuum cleaner.
- Mix the mixture to fill the floor strictly according to the instructions on the package. First you need to make a base layer white. Apply the composition to the base and level it. Important: you can move through such a mixture only in shoes called “paint shoes.” There are special spikes on their soles.
- Processing of the filled layer. To do this you will need a roller with needles. The purpose of the task is to remove excess air, the bubbles of which may remain inside.
- Decoration. To create the desired design, you need to print wide-format images. There should be an adhesive layer on one side of the picture. It will attach to the base of liquid linoleum.
- Fill the drawing on top finishing layer, it must be transparent. It is applied according to the same principle as the base ball.
Try to work quickly. A sluggish process will cause the polyurethane material to harden too quickly, and you will not have time to correct all the defects.
You can use a frozen self-leveling floor no earlier than two days after its installation. In this case, it is necessary to provide the room with maximum protection from vibrations and air currents.
Before complete hardening, it is strictly forbidden to enter the room and subject the floors to mechanical stress. Do not attempt to speed up the cure time with a hair dryer or other heating devices. This will cause cracks to form in the floor covering.
One of the main problems when working with such material is the difficulty in choosing a design. Therefore, we advise you to look at what liquid linoleum looks like in the photo. Here are a few interesting ideas, which can actually be implemented in many houses or apartments.
In Moscow, you can buy liquid linoleum in construction markets. When purchasing, check the expiration date of the product and compliance with its storage conditions. Read the instructions from the material manufacturer. It contains valuable tips on how to properly interact with the composition. This is the only way you will achieve effective results.
To better navigate proper preparation and applying the mixture, we recommend studying video tutorials. A visual demonstration of the algorithm of work, where the masters reveal their secrets correct installation liquid linoleum will help you understand all the intricacies:
Do you know other ways to install self-leveling floors? Share them in the comments to the article to help readers find best method of all those proposed.
Not every person planning a renovation knows what liquid linoleum is. This type of flooring appeared on the construction market quite recently and began to rapidly gain popularity, which is explained by its original design, high performance qualities and durability.
What is liquid linoleum
Self-leveling flooring based on polyurethane was called “liquid linoleum” due to its external resemblance to traditional roll material. But to the touch the surface is more like ceramic tiles, hard and smooth.
Initially, this coating was intended for finishing industrial premises. Its developers set themselves the task of creating an indelible floor that would be easy and quick to install and at the same time have a presentable appearance. With a thickness of only 1.5 mm, liquid linoleum can last at least 30 years.
Over time, interior designers adopted the new coating. This is how they appeared original options design:
- 3D drawings;
- patterns;
- photographs;
- natural materials and other decorative elements.
Liquid linoleum can be used in any of the following rooms:
- office;
- bathroom;
- living room;
- kitchen;
- garage;
- medical institutions;
- industrial premises.
Application technology
The material is a seamless polymer coating based on epoxy, polyurethane and cement-acrylic components. The installation process consists of the following steps:
- Leveling the surface. For these purposes, use a one-component polymer composition allowing you to quickly achieve a perfectly smooth base. The subfloor is cleaned, primed and filled with mortar. If drying out concrete screed you need to wait about a month, in this case the finished coating is received in a week.
- Padding. The product is applied in 2 layers with complete drying every two days.
- Leveling with putty. If there are rough spots left on the floor after priming, they are cleaned and further processed special composition based on epoxy resin.
- Pouring and processing the base. The process of preparing the mixture depends on the type of liquid linoleum. The floor is covered with the composition and passed over it with a special roller with spikes to remove air bubbles. While working, they wear special shoes with thin needles on the soles.
- Decoration. Depending on the chosen design option, images and additional elements are laid on the surface.
- Filling the finishing layer. At the end of the work, the floor is covered with a transparent composition. The application technology is similar to pouring the base.
The work is carried out quickly, so certain skills are required. Sluggish activity will lead to partial hardening of the polyurethane coating, as a result of which it will be impossible to correct the defects.
You can enter a room with a floor covered with liquid linoleum only after the composition has completely hardened. The process cannot be accelerated by exposure to hot air: this will lead to cracking of the polymer.
Advantages and disadvantages of use
Compared to some other types of flooring, liquid linoleum has significant advantages:
- abrasion resistance;
- seamlessness;
- variety of designs;
- waterproof;
- fire safety;
- impact resistance;
- resistance to aggressive substances;
- non-toxic;
- ease of care.
The disadvantages of the material are complexity self-installation and relatively high cost.
If the rules of installation and operation are followed, liquid linoleum will last for decades without losing its presentable appearance and excellent quality.