Floor coverings – which material to choose for the floor?
At first, after the repair, we often look at the floors. Do the floor coverings look beautiful? Are they combined with the interior? Then we evaluate their practicality. Moving the furniture, we look to see if there are any traces left. Is the dust very noticeable? Is dirt washed well? I don’t want to be disappointed at any of these stages. Therefore, try to approach the selection process as meticulously as possible. And we will help you understand some of the nuances.
In this article we will analyze the most popular types of floor coverings — laminate, tile, linoleum, self-leveling floor, parquet, parquet board, etc.
Types of floor coverings
What floor coverings are currently used in private homes and apartments in Russia?
- linoleum
- self-leveling floors
- parquet
- parquet board
- carpet
- tile
- porcelain
- tile cork flooring
- laminate
- quartz-vinyl laminate.
There are other, less popular options — natural stone, marmoleum, concrete, etc. Other types of coatings are used for the street at all, but today we will not talk about them. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of this or that common floor covering for the house.
Linoleum
Simple and affordable roll material. Can be used throughout the apartment.
Linoleums come in different classes:
- household – the thinnest and cheapest: it can be laid in the bedroom and other rooms with little traffic;
- semi–commercial – denser: suitable for living room and kitchen;
- commercial is the most durable and thick: it can be used in rooms where there are a lot of people, furniture often moves.
When working with linoleum, it is important to properly prepare and properly align the surface before spreading it. The linoleum itself needs to be unwrapped and left for a couple of days — so that it is straightened out. Then glue it with double-sided adhesive tape or special glue.
Linoleum is quite practical:
- not afraid of moisture;
- easy to clean;
- does not rot.
- It will please with an affordable price and a wide range.
But:
- quite soft, easily pushed through by furniture;
- non-ecological. Cheap linoleum can emit harmful substances.
Self-leveling floors
A popular floor in the bathroom, but can be done in other rooms. Three-dimensional drawings create a sense of presence and allow you to develop original design solutions. The floor is smooth, smooth, without joints.
Self-leveling floors can be:
- cement-acrylic
- epoxy
- methyl methacrylate
- polyurethane.
Their advantages:
- unusual design;
- moisture resistance;
- ease of use.
Disadvantages:
- the high cost
- is a time-consuming process of filling and dismantling.
Parquet
Classics are timeless. Perhaps the most elite flooring is parquet. It can be piece-made, typeset or panel. It is made of oak, ash, birch, pine, beech and about 50 other breeds.
Accordingly, the characteristics of the coating will largely depend on the type of wood used. Combinations of different breeds that create an interesting pattern look beautiful.
As a rule, wooden floors are chosen for the hall, living room and bedroom. Parquet is rarely used in damp rooms (kitchen, hallway). It is not applicable at all in the bathroom.
Advantages of parquet:
- Natural, environmentally friendly material.
- Long-lasting (it will last up to half a century or more).
- It looks expensive, aristocratic.
Disadvantages:
- High cost.
- Low moisture resistance and resistance to temperature changes.
- Complex styling that requires professionalism.