Liquid linoleum or polymer self-leveling floor - relatively the new kind flooring with unique characteristics. After drying, it forms a monolithic surface without seams or gaps and can have various colors and patterns.
By appearance such a liquid floor reminds regular linoleum, and according to tactile sensations - the smooth surface of ceramic tiles. This polymer seamless coating is used both for industrial purposes and for private homes and apartments.
Main characteristics of liquid linoleum:
- more than 10 primary colors that are used to fill the background (usually neutral shade– beige, gray, blue);
- the filling width can be 1–7 mm; at home, it is optimal to fill with a width of 1.5–2 mm;
- the price of liquid linoleum depends on the thickness of the poured layer (for private purposes, a layer of 1.5–2 mm is sufficient, and a liquid floor with a thickness of more than 2 mm is intended for commercial and industrial purposes).
Liquid linoleum has several varieties (epoxy, methyl methacrylate, cement-acrylic, polyurethane), but in household premises and apartments usually use self-leveling polyurethane flooring. Other types of liquid linoleum are intended for indoor use industrial purposes(freezers, underground parking, production workshops, open areas, etc.).
Advantages and disadvantages: weighing the pros and cons
Self-leveling polyurethane floors have many advantages compared to other types of floor coverings, including:
1. Liquid linoleum allows you to obtain a monolithic, smooth floor surface with a pleasant shine that does not fade over time. This is exactly what does liquid linoleum the best flooring in the kitchen.
2. A wide palette of colors allows you to create a complete picture and get a unique design of any complexity in accordance with your tastes and wishes. Self-leveling polyurethane floors can have a matte or glossy surface, rough or smooth texture.
3. The floor surface does not have seams and gaps, which can increase over time and serve as a place for debris and dust to accumulate.
4. High strength, wear resistance and durability. Liquid linoleum has a service life of 40–50 years, which is several times longer than the service life of conventional linoleum.
5. Impact resistance. Self-leveling polyurethane flooring is not afraid of mechanical damage: there will be no marks or scratches on such a coating if you drop something on it.
6. Waterproof and non-flammable.
In addition, liquid linoleum is easy to clean - just wet cleaning as needed. This type of floor is easy to repair: you need to dismantle the damaged piece and fill it new line-up, suitable in color and pattern.
But liquid linoleum also has its disadvantages, which you need to familiarize yourself with before purchasing and pouring such a floor:
- Compared to self-leveling floors, they are more expensive.
- The durability of liquid linoleum is, of course, a plus, but after 30–40 years the same texture, pattern and color can become very boring. In addition, remodeling a room or changing the interior of a room may require replacing the floor much earlier, which can negatively affect your budget.
- Before pouring the floor, it is necessary to carefully prepare the base - liquid linoleum requires an almost ideal surface.
Also, the disadvantages of self-leveling polymer floors include their unnatural composition and the difficulty of dismantling in case of replacement.
If you have weighed all the pros and cons of liquid linoleum and decided to make a self-leveling polyurethane floor, then pay attention to some nuances before purchasing such a floor covering.
What do you need to know before purchasing?
- with chips - paint particles of different shapes, sizes and patterns that complement polymer composition and allow you to obtain an imitation of natural materials;
- , which are applied to the base coat and coated with varnish on top (the design can be applied manually or using a stencil);
- transparent, matte or glossy.
The 3d floor deserves special attention when there is a layer underneath polyurethane coating a three-dimensional image is laid out (coins, shells, pebbles and other three-dimensional objects can be used).
do not have UV protection and may turn yellow when exposed to sun rays. Therefore, for installation in rooms with windows, you should choose liquid linoleum, the packaging of which has a mark on its resistance to ultraviolet radiation.
Pouring technology: how to make a self-leveling floor with your own hands
You can pour liquid linoleum yourself; you only need to have certain skills and follow our recommendations. Before this you need to prepare:
1. Two jars with the necessary components.
2. Needle roller and brush.
3. Electric drill with attachments, as a rule.
To prepare a polyurethane mixture, you need to pour the contents of a smaller container into a larger jar and stir using electric drill with nozzle. After this, the liquid linoleum is ready to be poured.
But the most responsible and labor-intensive process in in this case The foundation will be prepared for pouring the floor. It is necessary to perfectly level the rough surface, remove all irregularities, potholes and cracks. Regardless of the base material (stone, concrete, tile, wood, etc.), the base for pouring liquid linoleum must be perfectly flat and water-repellent.
Important! If the subfloor is uneven, then on the surface self-leveling coating Bubbles form that are difficult to remove.
Main stages of work:
1. Preparing the base, priming and laying waterproofing.
2. Mixing components.
3. Filling. The finished liquid linoleum is applied in parts to the floor surface using a special needle roller. The pouring thickness is 1.5–2 mm for residential premises, otherwise the use of a self-leveling floor will be economically unprofitable.
4. The polyurethane mixture is distributed using a rule, and a needle roller allows you to remove bubbles from the surface of the new floor.
5. Drying. At normal humidity, the drying process takes about a day.
Note! The use of liquid linoleum is possible at temperatures from +5 to +25 degrees and air humidity of 60%.
If several layers are used, then you need to wait 2 days between applying them, and then finishing– about 14 days for the coating to completely harden.
Thus, liquid linoleum is a modern, durable flooring material, which allows you to create an exclusive floor. And if you have certain knowledge and skills, you can do all the work yourself.
Liquid linoleum video - technology basics
Which will satisfy every member of a family living in a private house or apartment quite often becomes very difficult. Given the modern range of materials on our shelves, this is natural. But, as it turned out, there is the possibility of a compromise between lovers of exclusivity and supporters of conservatism. We are talking about liquid linoleum. Many have now asked themselves the question: what is this? Today our editors decided to answer this question and, together with the reader, try to figure out whether such flooring should be considered a priority.
Read in the article
What is liquid linoleum: main characteristics of the material
Speaking specifically in terms of composition, liquid linoleum can be compared with self-leveling floors, which have been presented on the Russian market for several years. The main difference between similar materials is only that it serves as a rough material, which is intended to level the surface. It turns out that in appearance these compositions are identical, but, in fact, they are intended for different purposes, which means that the methods of their use, as well as surface preparation, are strikingly different.
The characteristics of this material are truly amazing. The name here is completely inappropriate, especially when we are talking about more expensive mixtures. The only parameter by which these two materials can be compared is the need to level the surface before laying (application).
Features of laying the mixture: possible difficulties
Laying liquid linoleum cannot be called elementary. The main difficulty lies in preparing the rough coating for pouring. It's not enough to just sweep. Experts also recommend that you then wash it with water and any soapy mixture. The fact is that the slightest debris that remains on the rough fill will subsequently float to the surface. This will lead to unevenness and roughness on the finishing surface. The last stage floors in 2 layers with intervals of 6-7 hours between applications.
Helpful information! It is quite possible to lay liquid linoleum on wooden surfaces. However, here you will need to pay special attention to the quality of waterproofing.
Nuances of decorating self-leveling coatings
Often liquid linoleum is laid in office premises, wherein, special attention No one pays attention to decoration. Simply adding a certain color is enough. But this question is more important. In these cases, after laying the main layer, they begin to apply a decorative one, which can be ordinary glitter. desired color. But the most complex (at the same time, the most beautiful) will be the option in which a colored or monochromatic pattern serves as such a layer. It is printed on a printer.
After the decorative layer is applied, a transparent layer is laid, consisting of quick-drying, which gives gloss and strength to the floor covering. Despite the fact that the resin mixed with the hardener dries in a few hours, it is not recommended to use the surface for several more days. Depending on the composition and thickness of the layer, this period can reach 20-25 days.
Interesting to know! Quite often, the method of applying a design yourself is used for decoration. In this case, you can get an exclusive coating, but this method requires skill. Professional artists are often hired for such purposes.
Possible mistakes made by novice craftsmen when pouring
Very often on the Internet you can find negative reviews about one or another composition of liquid linoleum. Such problems arise not through the fault of the manufacturer, but only due to non-compliance with the technology of pouring or drying the coating. It makes sense to consider in more detail the main mistakes that can be made when carrying out such work.
Failure to comply with the proportions and method of mixing the mixture
The packaging of the composition must indicate the exact proportions of the components used in the preparation of the composition. If they are not met, you don’t have to think about any quality of the final result. But, even if everything is done in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, the composition can be spoiled if the mixing speed is too high or, conversely, slow. This parameter is also indicated on the packaging (if it matters for a specific composition).
Incorrectly prepared surface, or incorrect assessment of one’s capabilities
The need for thorough preparation of the subfloor has already been mentioned, but labor productivity is also worth noting. The fact is that ready-made composition polymerizes quite quickly. Therefore, when mixing an excess amount of it, the master may simply not have time to work it out or even it out. But correcting a mistake is much more difficult than preventing it.
This kind of mistake is made most often. Typically, such mixtures are recommended to be dried at temperatures from 5ºC to 25ºC and humidity 60-65%. If the percentage is less than 50%, drying will occur much faster, which will lead to cracking of the surface. Increased temperature will lead to the same result.
Separately, it is worth noting the presence of drafts in the room. They will lead to unevenness and fragility of the finishing floor covering.
Low quality rough floor screed in terms of strength
Such an omission will not allow liquid linoleum to withstand mechanical damage. As a result, this will lead to the floor covering becoming unusable long before the expiration date guaranteed by the manufacturer. That is why experts recommend completely removing and replacing it if its strength does not inspire confidence.
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Advantages and disadvantages of liquid linoleum over regular
To make it more convenient for the reader to navigate the difference between floor coverings, we will analyze their pros and cons in tabular form. Let's start with the positive aspects.
How can you be sure positive qualities liquid linoleum has much more. Its only disadvantage is the high cost of the material, which often scares away the consumer.
Let's sum it up
Despite the many nuances and rather high complexity of laying liquid linoleum, such material is becoming increasingly in demand among Russian consumers. This is due not only to high performance characteristics modern compositions, but also the aesthetic appearance of the final result. We can only hope that in the near future the cost of liquid linoleum will gradually decrease.
On construction market There are many types of floor coverings. Liquid linoleum, which appeared about five years ago, stands out. The period is insignificant, but in this short time many masters have already managed to pay attention to it.
This material is also known under another name – self-leveling floor. This coating is reliable. With him 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 to 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. It is not afraid of high moisture and heat, and tolerates temperature changes well.
- Polyurethane liquid linoleum. A relatively popular subspecies. Can be used in combination with many formulations. Tolerates normally high humidity, 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 is 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. Such floor surfaces are also durable and not too expensive.
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 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. There are indicated valuable advice for proper interaction with the composition. This is the only way you will achieve effective results.
To better understand how to properly prepare and apply the mixture, we recommend watching 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.
Among floor coverings, consumers increasingly prefer liquid linoleum. Professionals call it a polymer self-leveling floor. its appearance is practically no different from its rolled counterpart, and to the touch it is very similar to ceramic tiles. If we take into account quality characteristics, then it becomes clear that this material has nothing in common with linoleum, so it is not clear to many why it received such a name.
Under the name of liquid linoleum, self-leveling flooring based on polyurethane is used. This type of flooring has lightness and great possibilities for interior decoration. That is why liquid linoleum gained its popularity so quickly.
The original purpose of liquid linoleum is to provide a durable and indelible coating in industrial or warehouses. But smart designers began to use this material in residential buildings and apartments. The result pleased many owners, because in addition to its visual appeal, this floor has a very long warranty period. The manufacturer provides a 30-year warranty, although in practice the floor can last much longer.
Depending on the purpose, there are 3 types of liquid floor. IN industrial premises The methyl methacrylate and epoxy types are used, and in residential buildings the polyurethane type is used.
Strengths of liquid linoleum
The second advantage of liquid linoleum is the use of the material on a surface of any size. Here you no longer need to painfully select a design or lay out some elements in separate pieces of coating.
The third undeniable quality is the presence of a large amount of building materials on the market color options liquid linoleum, which allows you to create original designs and various combinations of shades. In addition, you can also choose the desired texture of the future coating (matte, glossy, rough or smooth).
It is durable and resistant to various impacts. Its thickness is on average 1.5 mm, while the thickness of a regular one is about 0.3 mm. This suggests that the liquid floor is more durable and has high level wear resistance. Also, the quality of this coating is evidenced by a long service life (about 50 years), which exceeds the corresponding characteristic of ordinary linoleum by almost 3 times.
The liquid floor is impact-resistant and waterproof. Having such a coating in your home, you no longer need to be afraid of sudden water leaks or accidental falls of massive objects.
Another advantage of this material- simple repair and restoration. You just need to remove the damaged part of the floor and pour in a new mixture of a suitable color.
Liquid linoleum is non-toxic and non-flammable. This aspect is very important for those who have small children.
Liquid linoleum laying technology
Of course, professionals will not be able to cope with laying liquid linoleum. special labor. But beginners do not need special skills to cope with this task. You just need to read the instructions in detail and follow all the recommendations regarding the installation steps.
Liquid linoleum is perfectly applied to any base (wood, concrete, etc.). The only one important nuance- the surface on which installation will be carried out should not absorb moisture. To do this, it is imperative to treat the base additional means. A primer is suitable for concrete or cement, and a special impregnation for wood.
Laying a liquid floor consists of several stages. Firstly, you need to level the base on which liquid linoleum will be poured. The surface is cleaned of dust and other contaminants and then primed. All small cracks or crevices should be repaired using cement mortar. Only after this you need to start pouring the leveling mixture, distributing it with a spatula and leveling it with a needle roller.
Second phase- this is a primer. As soon as the leveling mass has dried, the base must be coated with 2 layers of primer, maintaining a six-hour time interval between layers. Then a special primer is applied to the self-leveling floor itself - a small amount of floor is applied to the base with a brush. This treatment must dry for at least a day.
Next stage- production decorative covering. There are three ways to decorate liquid linoleum. The first is adding dye, the second is placing small items, and the third is applying the design. It is worth noting that all objects are glued to the base using the same liquid floor.
After decoration, you can proceed directly to pouring the polymer floor. To do this, you need to prepare a mixture of 2 components of liquid linoleum. The mass is poured onto the floor and then evenly distributed with a spatula. The layer thickness should be about 2 mm.
The surface should be leveled with a needle roller. All manipulations must be done quickly so that the mixture does not have time to harden. The floor takes a long time to dry (2-3 weeks). You should not speed up this process by heating the room, as cracks may form. Walking on the surface or exposing it to other types of mechanical impact is also prohibited.
Floor coverings on modern market presented visibly and invisibly. Have you ever heard that floors are not laid, but poured? This type of flooring is called self-leveling flooring or liquid linoleum.
Indeed, in appearance, the self-leveling polymer floor resembles linoleum, and to the touch, it is similar to smooth tiles. It differs from other coatings in its solidity, smooth surface, and has no seams or gaps. Color shades varied: self-leveling polymer flooring “Liquid linoleum” can be bought mainly in neutral, calm tones - light green, gray, beige, light brown. The service life of the self-leveling floor is more than forty years. There is no need to lay carpets on liquid linoleum. The floor is magnificent in beauty and thermal performance, light and sophisticated. In addition, this self-leveling polymer floor is safe for health, which makes it possible to actively use it in residential buildings. True, the cost of self-leveling polymer flooring “Liquid Linoleum” cannot be called cheap.
Liquid linoleum can be mounted on concrete, cement screed, ceramic tiles, wooden base. The surface must be flat. This can be checked using a level in all horizontal directions. The permissible deviation is considered to be 4 mm. To prepare the floor you need:
Dismantle the baseboards;
By using grinder or use a metal brush to get rid of the old coating;
check wood covering for humidity, it should be no more than 10%;
Clean all cracks and sand the floor coarsely. sandpaper to ensure stronger adhesion between layers, then lay large cracks construction mixture;
Remove dust and debris with an industrial vacuum cleaner and wash the floor with cleaning powder to degrease;
Check horizontality using a level.
Upon completion of surface preparation, it must be primed. Porous and dry surfaces are primed several times to completely close the pores. The primer is applied using a wide brush or roller. The next layer only after the previous one has completely dried. A day later, the floor is “poured” onto the resulting base. The consumption of self-leveling polymer flooring "Liquid linoleum" in residential premises is 1.5 kg/m2 with a coating thickness of 1 -1.15 mm.
In order for the self-leveling floor to spread well over the surface, you need to adhere to the proportions specified by the manufacturer in the instructions. You can buy self-leveling polymer flooring “Liquid linoleum” with home delivery. Correct plasticity of the solution is the key to good spreading.
Too thin a solution can cause cracks and chips, interfere with the drying of the floor and reduce its strength. Therefore, it is recommended that the self-leveling polymer floor be poured by specialists.
