Which floor covering is best. Hit parade of floor coverings

A modern apartment is represented by a concrete box, which is subject to roughing or finishing. When deciding what the floors will be in the apartment and what to make them from, you need to pay attention to the fact that the work provides for insulation and sound insulation, preparation of the base in accordance with the established norms.

Installation of floors in the apartment

Most floor coverings require a flat, solid base. In some cases, high-quality slabs allow installation without preparation. The type of construction determines the reliability, practicality and durability of the created coating.

The rough screed acts as a special layer that provides favorable conditions for the use of the topcoat. The floors in an apartment in most cases consist of several layers:

1. W / w-overlap. Acts as the main material that is used in the construction of structures. Floor in an apartment from scratch is often difficult to make due to the displacement of the slabs relative to each other.
2. Thermal insulation. This layer protects the substrate from temperature extremes that can alter the properties of the finish.
3. Waterproofing. High humidity adversely affects the properties of many finishing materials, especially those made from wood.
4. Reinforced screed. The purpose is to evenly distribute the load, level the base and protect the intermediate materials from environmental influences.
5. Decorative coating. It fits last. Some technologies involve the use of additional leveling materials and adhesives.

Each technological layer has its own purpose. Therefore, when considering how to make floors in an apartment, it must be borne in mind that the absence of one of the layers causes a decrease in the operational life.

Varieties of screeds

The floor in the apartment is laid on a leveling screed, which can be created using various materials. It is created to ensure the required level of rigidity, leveling the base, and protecting the communications being laid. In some cases, a slope is created to drain water.

Modern floors are made using various types of screeds, the most common are wet, dry and semi-dry. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, manufacturing technology.

Wet screed

When considering what to make a floor from, it should be borne in mind that the most common technology is wet screed. It is characterized as follows:

1. A large amount of water is included in the composition, therefore, high-quality surface insulation must be carried out, otherwise the liquid may seep to the neighbors.
2. To create a waterproofing layer, coating compounds are used. When applied, a seamless coating is obtained. To simplify the procedure, polyethylene is used, which is laid with an overlap of at least 15 cm. The joints are carefully glued with a special tape.
3. Considered the cheapest option. You can do it yourself, there are self-leveling compounds on sale that are easy to use.

To prepare the solution, cement of a grade of at least M400 is used, which is mixed with sand and water. The addition of plasticizers changes the properties of the composition:

1. The mobility of the solution is increased to ensure high fluidity.
2. The strength of the composition is increased by 50%.
3. It is decided to make the floors on this screed due to the 20% savings in cement.
4. The degree of adhesion to the base increases by 1.5 times.
5. The amount of water in the composition is reduced.

When considering which floor is better to do in an apartment, several disadvantages of a wet screed should also be taken into account:

1. High labor intensity of work.
2. Getting a flat surface requires skills in working with beacons.
3. It takes at least 3 weeks for the composition to dry.
4. During the hardening process, wetting of the surface must be carried out, as otherwise cracks may appear.

The strength of the screed is ensured due to the thickness, which must be at least 2 cm. Modern floor coverings can be laid exclusively on a surface without defects, since even minor bumps or depressions will cause uneven distribution of the load.

Semi-dry screed

A sub-floor can be created using a semi-dry screed. This method is considered inexpensive and requires little water to operate. This screed is characterized as follows:

1. As a mixture, a composition consisting of sand, cement, a small amount of water is used.
2. A relatively small number of requirements are imposed on waterproofing, since a large amount of water is not used during operation.
3. The composition can be used in new and old apartments.
4. The use of a small amount of water during operation determines that the installation can be carried out on any floor.
5. Low likelihood of cracking in the composition.
6. A high degree of sound insulation is provided.
7. The applied composition provides high thermal insulation of the surface.
8. When laying communications, it is possible to protect them from environmental influences.
9. The screed creation process is accelerated due to the fact that it takes a little time to dry.
10. Relatively low cost of the composition.

Such a screed has disadvantages:

1. In the absence of experience, it is difficult to choose the right amount of water.
2. Due to the low fluidity, difficulties arise in obtaining an even coating. Various tools are used for alignment.
3. The height of the screed to ensure bearing capacity must be at least 4 cm.
4. When creating a layer of great thickness, a reinforcing mesh is used.

In this case, the floor cake should also have several layers, each one responsible for its own functions.

Dry screed

You can make a screed using a dry compound. Its advantages are as follows:

1. The amount of time required for the substrate to dry is significantly reduced.
2. Differences of almost any height can be effectively evened out.
3. Laying the topcoat can be carried out almost immediately after the foundation is created.
4. The dry material has high insulating properties.
5. Due to the low weight of the screed, the load on the supporting element is reduced. Therefore, the technology can be used when creating a base on a balcony or loggia.
6. There is an opportunity to lay communications.

You can lay the screed yourself. There are a large number of different versions of this material on sale.

Floor construction on logs

When constructing floors in the carriage, a technology can be used that provides for laying a log. These materials are characterized by high environmental friendliness.

The technology for creating such a base provides for the division of lags into simple and adjusting ones. The resulting space can be used for isolation or laying communications.

Heat and sound insulation methods

When considering how to properly make a floor, it should be borne in mind that a variety of insulation materials can be used. They are divided into sheet, tile and coating. Most often, leafy ones are used. Coating coatings provide a seamless finish.

What should be the floor in rooms for different purposes

What kind of flooring to choose for an apartment should be considered taking into account the purpose of the premises. There are different requirements for the living room and bedroom, which are reflected in the choice of material.

Bedroom floor

You need to choose a floor for a bedroom taking into account the fact that this room is the quietest in the apartment. The material must meet the following requirements:

1. It is recommended to make a floor in the bedroom that dampens noise when walking.
2. An optimal microclimate for relaxation should be created in the room.
3. The surface must be antistatic.
4. The material selected must be highly wear resistant.

Various types of flooring are suitable for the criteria under consideration.

Children's room

Many people think how to lay the floor in the nursery, since there are a large number of different materials on sale. The floor requirements for this room are as follows:

1. High quality.
2. Good soundproofing.
3. The surface must be non-slip and hypoallergenic.
4. Must withstand wet cleaning.

The materials used should be well cushioned, which will reduce the likelihood of injury if the child falls.

Living room floor

When considering what kind of floors can be made in the living room, it should be borne in mind that in this room a high mechanical impact is exerted on the material, so the coating must be durable.

Natural materials are often chosen for the living room, as they look more expensive than artificial ones. This category includes cork and parquet

Kitchen floor

In the kitchen, the floor is exposed to the most wear and tear. The indoor climate is characterized by high humidity and constant temperature fluctuations.

A combination of several materials is often used in the kitchen. They must be highly moisture resistant and must not absorb contaminants.

Hallway floor

It is possible to cheaply decorate this room using various materials. The following criteria are taken into account:

1. Aesthetic look.
2. High resistance to mechanical stress.
3. Resistant to aggressive chemicals.

The high strength of the surface layer must protect the coating from impacts.

Bathroom floor

Materials for the bathroom floor are selected taking into account the resistance to high humidity and constant temperature changes typical for this room. In addition to moisture resistance, the main selection criteria are hygiene, mechanical strength and ease of maintenance. The surface should not be slippery, as this could lead to a fall and injury.

Types of flooring, their characteristics and installation features

When deciding what to lay on the floor in an apartment, you need to pay attention to the applied laying technology, the requirements that apply to the base.

Tile and mosaic

Beautiful coverings can be created using tiles. It is characterized by the following positive qualities:

1. High hardness.
2. Resistant to moisture and temperature extremes.
3. Fire resistance.
4. Wear resistance.

It can be used for most rooms, but is expensive and not suitable if there is a risk of being exposed to pinpoint impacts.

Carpet, linoleum and marmoleum

Linoleum, marmoleum and carpet are the most common materials. The relatively low cost allows them to be used in various premises. Linoleum has high insulating qualities; carpet is often installed in the bedroom.

When using these materials, it is possible to create a seamless coating effect.

Laminate and parquet

Most living quarters have laminate and parquet floors. The question often arises as to which parquet floor is better to choose for an apartment. When choosing a material, the type of wood used, the number and type of layers, as well as the lock with which the individual boards are connected, are taken into account.

Laminate is used more often because it is much cheaper and can withstand environmental influences.

Self-leveling floor

The self-leveling floor is created in various rooms. It has an attractive appearance and high mechanical stability, providing reliable insulation. It is difficult to make such a floor covering on your own, since a special technology is used for this.

Polyvinyl chloride

Modern materials can withstand environmental influences, such as polyvinyl chloride. Low cost allows it to be used for decoration of various premises in the case when a small budget is allocated for work.

Due to the low degree of environmental friendliness, polyvinyl chloride is rarely used in the decoration of residential premises.

Cork floor

This coating is made from natural raw materials. The cork floor is pleasant to the touch and has high shock-absorbing properties.

There are several types of cork floors on the market, they are made using various technologies.

Tongue-and-groove board

The grooved board belongs to environmentally friendly materials. It can last for several decades.

You can lay the grooved board yourself. To protect the coating, it is treated with various compounds.

Summary table of floor materials in the apartment

The summary table is used to select the most suitable material. It was created to compare the main indicators.

The choice of flooring on the modern market is very wide... You can find materials for use in residential and public areas. Commercial flooring differs from household flooring in its ability to withstand much more intense loads. The range of floor coverings for household use is also varied. There are different types - carpet, laminate, tiles, linoleum and others.

Coatings of the same type can be divided into classes according to their strength and wear resistance. Different types of floor coverings for apartments differ from each other in moisture resistance, hygiene, thermal conductivity and a number of other performance characteristics, not to mention the aesthetic side.

What to look for when choosing a floor covering

One of the main criteria that you need to be guided by when choosing a floor covering for an apartment is the purpose of the room where it is planned to be laid. Premises are divided into residential (rooms) and non-residential (kitchen, bathroom, hallway). They differ in the level of humidity, permeability and a number of other characteristics.

Room passability

The floor load largely depends on the size of the family, but there is another important factor - the permeability of the room.

• High traffic - corridor, hallway, kitchen, bathroom
• Medium - living room, dining room (if it is separated from the kitchen), nursery (the degree of stress on the floor in the nursery depends on the number of children, their age, activity. less stress on the floor)
• Low - bedroom, office of a person engaged in sedentary work

For rooms with high traffic and intensive floor load, a durable, wear-resistant coating is suitable - a semi-commercial laminate or linoleum with a thick protective layer. Commercial coatings can also be used in these areas, they will last longer.

The higher the permeability of the room, the more intensively the floor becomes dirty. Therefore, the coating must be non-marking. On a very light and very dark surface, especially a glossy one, the contamination is clear, but the pattern, the colorful abstract drawing hides them well.

An antistatic topcoat is a good choice as it attracts less dust. Maintaining the floor covering in a high traffic area should be as simple as possible.

Humidity level

In living rooms, the level of humidity is minimal, in the kitchen - increased, and in the bathroom, toilet - high. Floor coverings differ in moisture resistance. Sensitive to moisture, parquet, ordinary laminate based on MDF board, ordinary carpet.

Parquet and engineered boards (constructions of 3 or 2 layers) have a higher resistance to moisture changes than a single-layer solid board, but it is not recommended to use them in humid rooms. A moisture-resistant parquet board impregnated with natural resins is also available, but this is one of the most expensive floor coverings.

Laminate based on HDF board of high density with special impregnation and water-repellent treatment of the locking joints is distinguished by the average indicators of moisture resistance. Waterproof floor coverings include:

• Ceramic tile
• Vinyl (quartz-vinyl) tiles with a mineral component
• Vinyl (plastic) laminate
• Linoleum
• Short-pile flocked carpet Flotex
• Cork
• Polymer self-leveling floor (epoxy and acrylic compounds are usually used in residential premises)

If, in a room with a high level of humidity, the coating is laid with a floating, and not glue method, it is necessary to ensure maximum sealing of all cracks and joints so that moisture does not penetrate under the coating.

Health safety

For rooms where people spend a long time, for children, bedrooms, you need to use the most environmentally friendly flooring, and if there are allergy sufferers, small children and the elderly in the family, their composition should be hypoallergenic. The most environmentally friendly natural floor coverings:

• Solid wood board and parquet
• Natural linoleum (marmoleum)
• Cork floors
• Ceramic tiles (made from natural raw materials - clay)

The wood is usually treated with impregnations and covered with a protective layer on top, and the cork should also have a protective coating. It is necessary to pay attention to their composition, because of it, environmental friendliness may decrease. In the manufacture of parquet boards, glue from natural ingredients must be used. Natural stone is rarely used in apartments due to the high natural radioactive background..

From the point of view of environmental friendliness, PVC linoleum and other types of vinyl coverings are less preferable, but high-quality materials are non-toxic. Laminate is inferior to natural wood, but there is an E0 class laminate, with a minimum level of emission, it is the safest for health.

If one of the tenants is predisposed to allergies from carpet, it is better to refuse as dust accumulates in it, which is an allergen. An anti-static coating that does not attract dust is a good solution. Laminate and linoleum may contain additives that inhibit the growth of bacteria. Antibacterial coatings are the most hygienic; they are usually used in healthcare facilities, but they are also suitable for kitchens and children.

IMPORTANT: It is generally accepted that natural materials are safer for health than synthetic ones. This is not true in relation to carpet - natural can provoke allergies, and high-quality synthetic is hypoallergenic.

Other criteria

If a room needs high-quality sound insulation (music room, playroom, home cinema), you need to choose a coating with good sound-absorbing characteristics - cork, acoustic linoleum on a thick foam backing.

If the room is often barefoot (bedroom, nursery), the coating should be pleasant to the touch, warm and / or soft. Finally, the floor covering should not only correspond to the purpose of the room, but also fit into the interior, its style.

Living room, hall should impress guests look rich, but not flashy. Classic flooring options for the living room:

• Block parquet, artistic styling looks especially advantageous, but this is an expensive solution
• Solid or parquet board from noble wood species
• Linoleum under a tree - a more democratic option
• Carpet allows you to create a rather cozy environment

It is also an excellent option for a living room, but in Russia it is still exotic. For a luxurious interior in a palace style, ceramic tiles or natural stone are suitable, but it is advisable to take care of heating such floors. The original version is self-leveling polymer floors with a 3D effect.

For a bedroom, the best solution would be a natural, environmentally friendly floor covering with good acoustic characteristics and calm colors. Suitable for this room:

• Natural long-haired (if no one suffers from allergies) carpet, on which it is pleasant to stand with bare feet. Synthetic carpet is colder to the touch
• Linoleum, marmoleum on a thick substrate
• If the budget allows - natural wood (board, parquet) or cork
• Laminate in the bedroom it is better to use a warm floor with the system, the main drawback of this coating is a booming sound

In the nursery, you need a hypoallergenic, trauma-safe (non-slip, preferably soft or elastic), resistant to dynamic loads and various damages, a coating that is well cleaned of dirt.

• An excellent option is cork floor with shock-absorbing, sound-absorbing abilities, its minus is high cost
• The most popular, although not ideal for children, is laminate... Better to choose an antibacterial, zero emission class, and use a good underlay
• Good decision - marmoleum, for which you definitely need a thick substrate
• If the children are young and spend a lot of time playing on the floor, a good choice would be short pile carpet- it is easier to clean, less dust accumulates in it
• PVC tiles
• - a novelty, ideal for children's play, colorful, soft, elastic, hypoallergenic, pollution-free material. This is EVA foam modular tile

In the kitchen, the floor covering must be moisture resistant, chemically inert, hygienic, and easy to clean from dirt.

• Ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware- the most popular option
• Can be used waterproof or moisture resistant laminate under a tree or under a tile, depending on the style of the interior
• Good quality linoleum with a thick protective layer
• Solid board looks impressive, rich, but very whimsical to care and requires careful handling
• Cork floor can be used in the kitchen, but it needs high-quality protection with a layer of varnish
• Can be done polymer self-leveling floors

A fairly spacious kitchen is often zoned, tiles are used in the work area, and laminate and wood in the dining area.

In the office, it is customary to lay the floor of wood.(parquet, parquet board) or laminate under a tree of strict colors, imitating noble wood species.

Wear-resistant coatings are suitable for the hallway. semi-commercial or commercial laminate, linoleum of non-mark colors, tiles are less commonly used. Another option is a long-pile carpet, which will retain dirt, dust, but such a covering will have to be changed often, since it is difficult to clean it.

For the bathroom, the classic solution is ceramic tiles... A self-leveling 3D floor will allow you to create an original interior. You can combine tiles with flocked carpet, using it in front of the bathroom, shower - in places where bare feet are often.

Video

Health effects of floor coverings. The safest and most hazardous materials.

Outcome

When choosing the optimal floor covering for different rooms in an apartment, as well as a kitchen, a bathroom, a hallway, you need to focus on the degree of load on the floor, the likelihood of contamination and mechanical damage to the coating, and the level of humidity in the room. They need to be correlated with the strength, wear resistance, moisture resistance of the coating, and the peculiarities of caring for it.

You should also take into account the age and health of the residents, injury and hypoallergenic coverage. For any room, you can choose budget and luxury, traditional and original solutions.

Tsugunov Anton Valerievich

Reading time: 6 minutes

Every person wants his apartment to be cozy, comfortable and beautiful. In solving this problem, the choice of flooring plays an important role. And since the floors in the apartment are under serious stress, the chosen material should not only be attractive, but also meet the requirements of safety, durability and ease of maintenance. Consider the most popular flooring options and find out which one is best suited for installation in an apartment.

Today's flooring materials market is full of variety. Parquet, laminate, linoleum ... Which one is better is a difficult question.

All coverage can be divided into three conditional groups:

1. Wooden - parquet and parquet board, solid wood, cork, laminate.
2. Elastic - linoleum, carpet.
3. Ceramic or stone - ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, self-leveling floors.

Wood panel

An honorable place among the materials for finishing the floor is occupied by floor coverings, in the manufacture of which wood is used.

Parquet is a classic flooring material. It has not gone out of fashion for many years and is an indicator of the well-being and excellent taste of the apartment owners. Today's parquet looks like a ready-made board of a fairly large size, made of valuable wood with an already existing pattern on it. There is also block parquet. You can lay out unique compositions from it. It is made most often from solid wood:

• from oak;
• beech;
• maple;
• ash.

Whatever type of parquet you choose, with proper care it will last at least 50 years.

Parquet is environmentally friendly and completely safe, but it obliges to prepare a high-quality sub-floor, refers to expensive materials and requires maintaining a certain temperature and humidity in the room.

For the manufacture of parquet boards, natural wood is also used, but each lamella is not a solid piece of wood, but a firmly glued three-layer structure. Such a coating will cost less than parquet, it is easier to install and maintain. Parquet boards are presented in different shades, they can be combined and composed. This type of floor will last about 15-20 years.

Solid wood flooring

Floors made of ordinary wooden planks laid on logs have not lost their popularity. Despite the seeming simplicity, they have many advantages:

• one hundred percent environmental friendliness;
• availability, practicality;
• the ability to create a room interior in a specific style;
• this floor is pleasant to the feet and looks great.

With proper care, this coating will delight the owners for about 30 years.

Cork

Cork cover close to ideal:

• It is natural, warm, strong enough, pleasant for the feet and good for health.
• Cork floors are available in a variety of colors to create interesting compositions.
• This material does not accumulate static electricity at all.

The cork can be coated with special oils and varnishes, or it can be used without coating. The service life of cork floors is from 5 to 20 years.

Important! Keep in mind that strong mechanical stress may leave marks on the cork floor.

Laminate floors

Laminate flooring is gaining more and more popularity due to its outstanding characteristics:

• It is affordable, practical and reliable enough.
• Laminate perfectly conveys the color and texture of natural wood, stone, tiles.
• Laminate boards are equipped with a locking system.
• Even a beginner in the renovation business can handle the installation of such a floor.

Laminate has several strength classes. The higher the class, the more durable and expensive the material is.

Elastic coatings

These include two materials: linoleum and carpet.

Is the absolute leader among floor coverings:

• affordable;
• easy to install and maintain;
• absolutely not afraid of moisture;
• looks nice.

Linoleum comes in a wide variety of shades and patterns and is sold in rolled sheets or tiles. Such a coating is attached to the base floor with special adhesives. In 5-10 years it will have to be replaced.

It can be called a relative of the carpet, which has its own characteristics:

• The carpet can contain both artificial and natural fibers.
• Sold in rolls or as carpet tiles.
• It is very easy to install and fixed with glue.
• Diverse in texture and color, injury-free.

The disadvantages of such a floor covering are a relatively short service life, lack of moisture resistance and difficulty in cleaning and cleaning.

But they also have disadvantages:

• The coating turns out to be hard, traumatic and cold.
• It is better to mount heating systems under it, otherwise walking on the floor without shoes will be uncomfortable.
• Special preparation of the substrate is required before installation.

Self-leveling floor

Modern self-leveling floors are used not only as a rough screed. They can be an excellent topcoat and contain highly artistic three-dimensional designs and various decorations under a polymer layer. Self-leveling polymer floors are:

• epoxy;
• polyurethane.

Both materials are environmentally friendly and durable, they are not at all afraid of water and other liquids, and do not require any special cleaning.

The disadvantage of this type of flooring can be called a special exactingness to the surface on which it is laid. The base under them must be perfectly flat, dry and clean.

Important points when choosing a coating

Each person decides for himself how to make the floor in the apartment. But when choosing a material, several fundamental points should not be overlooked.

The main criterion for choosing a coating is the room in which it will be installed. The whole apartment can be conditionally divided into zones:

• area for receiving guests and rest (these are bedrooms, living room, nursery);
• "Wet" area (kitchen, bathroom);
• passage area (entrance hall, corridor).

For each of these zones, you need to choose your material based on their functional characteristics and the loads that the floor carries.

• The choice of gender is influenced by the lifestyle of the family and its composition. What works for a single married couple may not always work for families with children. When children are in the house, the floor should be safe, hygienic and easy to clean. Coverage must meet the same requirements if there are animals in the apartment.
• Material security also plays a role. For example, floors made from natural materials are quite expensive. For families with limited means, they are likely to be beyond the means.
• An apartment located on the ground floor will limit the choice of floor coverings due to the increased humidity and proximity to the basement.
• In some apartments, it is impossible to make the floor heavier due to the formation of an additional load on the floors. Consequently, floors that require a concrete screed will have to be abandoned.

Glossy tiles will not fit in the hallway. Snow becomes very slippery and can cause injury.

Linoleum is also a good option for a hallway, the main thing is not to dwell on its cheap varieties. It is better to choose a material with a natural composition, commercial or semi-commercial: such coatings are able to withstand almost everything.

If the choice fell on a laminate, you need to pay attention to its strength class. For the hallway, a coating of class 32 is suitable.

How to make a bedroom floor

What floor should be in the bedroom? This question is faced by everyone who makes repairs in an apartment. The bedroom is a room for relaxation, here people often go barefoot. Therefore, the floor should be warm, pleasant on the feet and beautiful.

• From natural coatings, solid wood, parquet and cork will perfectly cope with these tasks.
• From the arsenal of synthetic materials, carpet is perfect. It is pleasant to the touch, walking on it is soft and comfortable. In addition, it has good sound insulation, which cannot be achieved from other artificial materials.
• Laminate is also often used for bedroom flooring. It is durable, beautiful, but it is not very pleasant to walk on it with bare feet, so it is better to put small rugs on the floor near the bed.

Whatever material for the floor is ultimately chosen, let it please the owners with its appearance for many years.

Modern flooring for the home

The floor is not only an obligatory part of the structure of any building, but also one of the most important elements of interior decoration, and therefore the choice of the only correct option for flooring should be taken with full responsibility. The design of the room, the atmosphere reigning in it will largely depend on which material you prefer, as well as on the structure of the floor covering, color, pattern, its compatibility with other decorative elements.

The market of finishing materials today is replete with a variety of floor coverings, which, of course, allows you to choose the option that suits you specifically, but at the same time, the richness of the assortment can be confusing: how to decide what exactly is required? You need to know at least a little about each of the proposed flooring options and examine the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular types of flooring.

Parquet and laminate have been improved so that they can now be installed almost directly in front of the shower. PVC, which has always been considered unreliable, was quietly renamed CV (cushioned vinyl - soft vinyl). However, this did not help him in the fierce competition with polyurethane (PU or PUR). Being more hygienic and completely safe for health, this artificial material conquers more and more square meters of our homes.

So let's start short flooring market overview and some recommendations for their use. Consider what criteria should be followed when choosing a floor, as well as evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various types of coatings.

What to consider when choosing a floor covering?

First of all it is worth take into account the purpose of the premises for which you are going to purchase the floor covering. If we are talking about an apartment, the strength of the floor is not put forward as strict as in the case of industrial or commercial space.

The floor must be safe for everyone who live in the room, in accordance with sanitary and hygienic standards. For example, synthetic materials (and maybe natural) can cause allergic reactions, as well as negatively affect the health of people from the "risk group", especially the elderly and children.

If there are animals in the house, it is worth giving up carpet, cork or other soft materials in favor of stone, tiles, laminate. As a rule, pets' claw marks do not remain on hardwood parquet floors, but the lacquer layer still suffers, which must also be taken into account.

The floor covering, if there are animals in the apartment, should be with a durable surface layer, but not slippery

Depending on the specifics of the operation, it is worth evaluating the degree of moisture resistance of your future floor... For example, when choosing a material for a bathroom, it is inappropriate to consider options such as parquet or carpet. Although some options for modern parquet and even some types of laminate are quite suitable for the bathroom.

Coating aesthetics plays one of the main roles in the overall design of the space. Imagine how organically the option you like will fit into the atmosphere of the room, whether it will fit the furniture and walls.

No less important are aspects such as access to communications under its surface, as well as the temperature that the coating will have to withstand. The latter refers to those for which it is recommended to choose a specially designed laminate that transmits heat better than usual.

Parquet or parquet board

Natural and sustainable parquet is synonymous with quality today. It creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort even in a high-tech room. New technologies expand the artistic possibilities of this material, offering new tree species, original ways of laying. with proper care, it will serve for a long time, retaining high-quality heat in the house and serving as an obstacle to the noise coming from the neighbors below.

However, parquet is capricious in handling, requires regular maintenance, and also suffers from hard particles brought from the street, hairpins and animal claws. To make the parquet floor last longer, a flooring should be made at the entrance to the room, which would hold back small stones and sand that could scratch it. However, the combination of aspects such as moisture resistant wood species (eg merbau), the method of installation by completely adhering to the surface of the base, allows it to be used even in splash areas.

Ceramic tile

The main characteristics of ceramic tiles are durability and reliability, so they can be used in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. ... Due to this, such ceramic tiles, firstly, are laid in a floating way; secondly, if necessary, it can be easily removed and replaced.

This material is much cheaper than parquet and has excellent functionality, thanks to which it is widely used. Laminate is able to resist abrasion, shockproof, resistant to household chemicals, moisture, high temperatures, easy to install and hygienic.

In order for the laminate to last longer, it is recommended to choose those types that belong to the class of increased strength (34 or 33), since only these classes can boast of good wear resistance and resistance to stress. The laminate should be laid on a perfectly flat surface, otherwise it quickly deforms, gaps form between the joints, into which moisture can get.

It is the appearance and reasonable price that makes such materials clear favorites of residential premises that you want to make cozy and comfortable. Good laminate flooring is no different from real wood. At the same time, it is stronger and more durable than a floor made of real wood. But there are also disadvantages: instability to scratches and the practical impossibility of grinding.

Among the disadvantages of laminate and its low soundproofing. The weak point of all laminates is poor moisture resistance. This is why, until now, it has not been possible to use laminate and parquet flooring in bathrooms. But time passes and everything changes. differs in that this material is protected from all sides by plastic, due to which it is moisture resistant.

Vinyl or PUR surface laminate

When it comes to artificial flooring materials, many people think of roll-up PVC materials, but not necessarily. Vinyl flooring is durable, moisture resistant and comfortable to walk on, but also harmful to health due to the chlorine content. PVC is used in areas where the floor must be waterproof and easy to clean, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

A fairly new floor covering meets these requirements perfectly - polyurethane floor... It has the same positive characteristics as a PVC floor: it is pleasant to walk on it, it has high wear resistance, and this is not a filling field, as you might think. In fact it is laminate with polyurethane face or as it is also called - vinyl laminate... But also a polyurethane floor can be self-leveling, but more on that below.

Here, in order not to confuse anyone, you should immediately clarify. There are three vinyl laminate options:

• Elastic moisture-resistant laminate, also known as flexible vinyl (PVC) tiles... Therefore, although they call it a laminate for a very similar appearance, it would be more correct to attribute it to plastic tiles (section below). Examples include Contesse Floor products;
• - a full-fledged, familiar and understandable laminate flooring, a panel with a thickness of 5-10 mm, based on a high density fiberboard (HDF - High Density Fiberboard), with a variety of vinyl coverings and a cork backing. A striking example of HDF vinyl laminate can be the products of the Floover company (Switzerland);
• Vinyl moisture resistant laminate- Externally a common board of standard laminate, but based on a composite plastic panel with an outer vinyl coating. For example, the products of the Floover company;

In particular, the Floover laminate flooring has several fundamentally different designs: the laminate can be made on the basis of an HDF panel or a composite plastic panel and at the same time can have many different outer layers. It can be genuine leather or varnished cork, or a digital photo printing decorative layer, or a woven vinyl layer, or a natural linoleum layer.

A few examples of the use of modern laminate from the Floover collection:

This material is distinguished by the widest variety of colors, the absence of difficulties in installation and an affordable price. In addition, it is a dielectric, does not decay, is practical, does not require special maintenance and can be used in any type of room.

The choice of linoleum is now just huge

Modern linoleum can be divided into five main types: natural linoleum (marmoleum), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linoleum, glyphthalic (alkyd) linoleum, colloxylin (nitrocellulose) and rubber (relin) linoleum.

Linoleum is a synthetic material, completely consisting of artificial components, and although under normal conditions this does not affect its environmental safety in any way, the floor still does not breathe. It can break and crack at low temperatures and is not resistant to fire, acetone and other solvents.

Marmoleum or natural linoleum

This modern flooring option environmentally friendly, since it includes jute fiber, linseed oil, natural dyes, wood resins and other components of natural origin. Its antibacterial properties make it ideal for use in hospitals and kindergartens. Such material does not accumulate dust and dirt, and its wear resistance only increases over the years.

Marmoleum - natural linoleum

It is produced like ordinary linoleum - in rolls, but there are also marmoleum tiles with a lock connection, which are laid in the same way as a laminate - Marmoleum click... Unlike ordinary linoleum, marmoleum tiles have a very wide variety of colors.

However, during transportation, natural linoleum must not be bent, otherwise it may break. It is recommended to lay marmoleum on a perfectly flat surface, and in the first week after installation, point loads on the floor should be avoided (for example, you should not put heavy furniture on and walk in heels).

Cork floor

Cork is a fairly young, but already widespread type of floor covering. In addition to its environmental safety, it is resistant to moisture, does not rot, retains heat and noise well, and is easy to clean. It is pleasant to the touch, soft, slightly springy underfoot. Rodents and insects do not eat cork, do not destroy microorganisms.

Over time, the protective layer covering the cork wears off, traces of furniture can remain on the surface, and a path forms in places where traffic is particularly intense. Among the disadvantages of cork is its high cost.

Cork flooring elements can be equipped with click connections. As a result, this material has the same features as laminate and parquet board: without additional external processing, it is not advisable to use the cork in rooms with a high level of humidity, such as bathrooms, but, nevertheless, as in all rules and here, too, there are exceptions - the cork can be used in the bathroom and in the toilet. After all, the cork itself is moisture resistant, very warm, elastic, environmentally friendly and antistatic.

Cork is an ideal material for the bedroom and can also be used in the kitchen. For the hallway, the cork is not recommended, since in this area it will wear out very quickly. However, in the bathroom it can still be used if it is completely glued to the surface of the base, and covered with a protective compound - varnish on top. When laying completely new material, such as mosaic cork, all joints and edges must be carefully sealed with a special elastic mortar.

This material creates a feeling of warmth and comfort, is easy to clean and maintain, durable, has sound and heat insulation. The carpet is environmentally friendly, does not wrinkle, does not attract dust, is resistant to inflammation, and also has a wide range of colors and a variety of patterns.

Sometimes modern carpet looks no different from natural carpets.

Such a coating lasts for a relatively short time: from 5 to 8 years, and can also quickly lose its appearance. Careful leveling of the floor is required before installation. Carpets made from natural ingredients can scare off with their high price.

Vinyl flooring

This flooring is a mixture of vinyl with natural fine stone. Vinyl flooring is affordable, durable, moisture resistant, easy to clean, resilient, has a wide range of colors and is easy to install. It can also be used for wall decoration.

Such a coating can become a luxurious and very original element of the interior. It is not necessary to install it on the entire surface: it is allowed to highlight some areas of the floor with glass.

The durable glass from which the coating is made is durable, moisture resistant, and has a presentable appearance. Glass flooring is difficult to install, needs constant cleaning, gets scratched and is expensive.

Polymer floor or self-leveling decorative 3D floor

This seamless coating is poured directly onto the concrete by mixing with different colored quartz sands to create a wide variety of flooring options. The polymer surface is durable, hygienic, does not burn and does not allow moisture to pass through, and is resistant to acids.

We will analyze the most popular coatings, and you will already decide which of the evils is the least.

To get started, consider the initial data of the kitchen

Before thinking about what is best to put on the kitchen floor, you need to think about exactly where the room is located:

1. If we are talking about a high-rise building and a middle floor, then almost any floor will be warm enough and there is no point in worrying about insulation.
2.A if you live on the ground floor or in a private house, then there is already another conversation, since in winter, without special heating, the floor can simply be icy.

The initial humidity of the room is also important, which, again, depends on the location. Especially humid kitchens can be found on the ground floors and in houses without a basement. Having laid a wooden floor in such a kitchen, for example, you should not count on the fact that it will lie for a long time and will not need to be scraped.

But let's start in order.

What floors are there and which ones are the most practical?

Of the most popular and affordable coatings today, we can highlight:

There are, of course, also cork floors, there are stone floors, but this is not so popular anymore, since the price "bites". Therefore, we will not include them in our review, it is better to talk about them separately, taking into account all the nuances.

From all of the above, we can say that the most-most practical floors are tile and self-leveling.

But the tile has one big drawback - it is cold. Self-leveling floors are quite expensive. But we have it all we will consider in more detail in separate blocks, considering both the advantages and disadvantages.

If desired, you can also make a combined floor, this is especially true for kitchens connected to the living room. Due to the transition of textures, it is possible to successfully zone the room.

About screed and insulation

When the repair is in full swing, the question of which coatings to prefer is not the most burning one. Now the main thing is screed and leveling the surface.

Before choosing the material from which the screed will be made, you need to think about what you will put on top.

If there is a tile, then it makes no difference what will be below and ordinary cement mortar will do. And if it is a laminate, then it is much better to make a plaster screed using a mixture for plaster. Such a floor will come out much warmer and less moisture permeable.

Also, the thickness of the screed may depend on what type of insulation you choose.

And if you raised the screed high enough, then making a wooden flooring is no longer very reasonable if your ceiling height is standard, that is, 2.5 meters. If you "steal" the extra 10 cm, it will significantly affect the visual perception of the room.

And if you are also planning a hinged ceiling, then it will not be good at all. Now let's get closer to the topic and talk about specific coatings.

Laminate in the kitchen

The good thing about laminate is that its installation is quite simple and there is no need to involve professionals for this. Also, it is enough to just take care of it, it is quite durable, it is warm to the touch, and the choice of colors and textures is more than huge.

In general, laminate flooring is a very good choice for the kitchen if you buy it, taking into account the characteristics of wear resistance and do not choose the cheapest option.

Of course, a class for commercial premises is not always needed, but increased moisture resistance and chip resistance will not hurt. By the way, recently we wrote about that, be sure to read.

Consider that the kitchen is the kitchen. A knife, a heavy frying pan, a meat grinder may fall out of your hands ... Anything. And then it will be simply impossible to restore the floor.

Also if your room is still damp, the same first floor, then the laminate will not be the most brilliant choice due to the fact that it has the property of "driving". And if in a room of average humidity it retains its original appearance for 10 years, then in a humid one in the fifth year the joints will begin to "turn out".

Also, do not forget that the kitchen is such a room where splashing water. And the laminate does not like this very much and you need to constantly wipe off the drops in order to preserve the surface as long as possible.

Wooden floor

You can't lay the parquet on your own, of course. It is expensive, prone to abrasion and, in general, not the best option for the kitchen.

But ordinary deck boards are what you need. The floor comes out very warm and without insulation, it is simple to care for it and, most importantly, no screed is needed in this case, since the board is laid on the logs.

It is sold ready-made, so there is no need to cycle anything, just lay it flat, setting the supports in level.

This option is not the most budgetary, but it is beautiful and environmentally friendly. And given the fact that you also save on the screed, then this option has the right to be considered.

But here, too, do not forget that if a knife that has fallen from a height sticks into a tree, a scratch will remain on it. But on the laminate - no. But walking barefoot on a laminate is unpleasant, like on oilcloth, and on a wooden one - very even.

But, as we wrote above, it is very cold in winter.

So, if your kitchen doesn't heat well, think three times before settling on the stove. Not only is it cold in itself, it also lowers the overall degree of the room. Not much, but still.

But, if the cold does not bother you, or you are ready to insulate the floor at the stage of laying the screed, then you can consider this option.

Tiles are very demanding on the correctness and quality of installation. If it is poorly laid, and there are air gaps between it and the screed, then it will very quickly begin to "walk" in these places, and over time it will simply burst in this place. Also, the tile bursts from the fact that cast-iron pans fall on it ... It is unreasonable to renounce such an incident, because anything can happen and all options must be taken into account.

It is often impossible to find a replacement for a bursting fragment, since fashion changes quickly, the assortment in stores too, so take this into account when you buy building materials. Have a couple of extra tiles left for later.

Well, and the last point - the tiles are often very slippery and it is very easy to slip on it if water is spilled on the floor. And it hurts to fall on the tiles, yes. And the glasses crumble, falling onto a hard surface instantly. But if they fell on a laminate or wood, then nothing would happen to them.

It's hard to say which tile is better. Naturally, it should not be for walls, but floor-standing.

If you don't have a herd of rhinos running through your kitchen every day, you can choose the most common, not the most shock-resistant. Expensive porcelain stoneware, for example, is definitely not needed; it is more suitable for outdoor patios.

Linoleum in the kitchen

Even a woman can put linoleum on the floor. But it must be laid exclusively on the smoothest surface, otherwise every grain of sand and groove will be visible under the coating. Not only is it just ugly, but it will also be wiped in these places with incredible force.

Linoleum wear depends on its original characteristics. There are softer options that cannot be pressed with something hard, as a dent will form in an instant. And there are more dense ones for offices and other commercial premises.

The main trouble with linoleum is that it does not shine with beautiful colors.

Color options in this case: gray, light gray, dark gray, blue. If you manage to find something more interesting and with a picture, then it will be a great success. We do not recommend imitations of wood and tiles.

But linoleum has one big drawback. On it, all the time there are black stripes from the soles, which is still a pleasure to wash. Moreover, this is not only about street shoes.

So, if you have children in your house who run a lot and "brake" with their soles, get ready for the fact that you will have to crawl with a cotton swab soaked in acetone and wipe off the marks.

Caring for him is completely minimal, this floor washes well. Also, it is not afraid of moisture, not afraid of bumps and scratches, but at the same time it cannot be called very hard to the touch.

The self-leveling floor is not cold, therefore, walking on it is much more pleasant than on tiles.

Another big plus such floors - the possibility of choosing a very non-standard color. Here you can think of anything you want. Although the image of a volumetric aquarium with fish, with a full 3D effect.

But self-leveling floors are still a novelty, and therefore the price for them is not the most loyal.

Also of great importance here is stacker skill. Some people may do this very sloppy and the floor will look uneven. And given that it is mostly glossy, every dot and bubble will be visible in the sun.

Therefore, before deciding on a self-leveling floor, look for masters and see photos of their work, and also read reviews about this company.

And so, the self-leveling floor is very durable, they say that it serves more than fifty years, while maintaining its original appearance. Honestly, we have doubts about this, since no one canceled abrasion and micro-scratches. And, if even ceramic tiles wear out after 50 years, how can a self-leveling floor survive if it is softer by definition?

Our article has come to an end and we hope you have decided a little on which floor is better to do in the kitchen. We wish you all the best!