Modern flooring uses different materials. They differ in their performance characteristics. One of the popular types of finishes is self-leveling floor. It will not be difficult to create it with your own hands.
To do this, you will need to consider the step-by-step instructions for carrying out such work. If there is enough free time, everyone can perform the arrangement of the floor using this technology. How to make a self-leveling floor yourself will be discussed in detail later.
General definition
Self-leveling self-leveling self-leveling floor can be done by everyone. This technology was developed specifically to simplify the process of arranging flooring in residential premises. The presented type of finish is also called liquid linoleum or 3D floor. This material is made from special polymers.
Outwardly, this type of material looks very stylish. It shines like linoleum. However, it feels more like a tile to the touch. In this case, the material has no seams. The surface looks monolithic. Decor options for thisThere are a lot of floor types. The choice depends on the style of the room.
The presented coating can have a thickness of 1-7 mm. This indicator is determined depending on the type of foundation. For a perfectly flat floor, the coating can be thin. If there are irregularities on the base, a thicker layer is needed. Such a floor is quite expensive, so the base must be prepared accordingly before installation.
Varieties
It is relatively easy to make a self-leveling 3D floor or with a flat pattern with your own hands. It is important to choose the right materials, as well as follow all the requirements of the manufacturer's instructions. Do not confuse self-leveling floors with self-leveling mixtures. The first option is made of polymers. The second type of finish is mineral-based. It needs further decorative finishing.
Polymer self-leveling floors can be of different types. One of the most moisture resistant types is epoxy material. He is not afraid of mechanical, chemical influences. It is equipped in enclosed spaces, which are subject to increased sanitary and hygienic requirements.
Epoxy urethane compounds are used for public spaces. Polyurethane floors look beautiful in the interior. They are also not afraid of mechanical influences, temperature changes. Methyl methacrylate floors are used much less often, as their strength is much inferior to previous varieties.
Benefits
Filling self-leveling floor, made by hand, today enjoyspopular in the design of various interior styles. This type of finish has many advantages. First of all, the aesthetic appearance should be noted. Self-leveling floors look beautiful, can emphasize any design style in the room. Also, they do not lose their appearance for a long time.
This type of finish has a long service life. Floors do not lose their characteristics up to 40 years. The material is resistant to various adverse conditions (moisture, temperature, chemicals, etc.). It is not subject to mechanical wear.
Caring for this floor is easy. During the cleaning process, you do not need to use special detergents. It is enough to wipe the floor with a damp cloth. The material is also safe for human he alth. It does not emit toxic substances. The polymer coating is fireproof. The arrangement of the self-leveling floor does not require much effort. It can be created literally in a day.
Flaws
Before equipping 3D self-leveling floors or ordinary varieties with your own hands, you need to find out about their shortcomings. They are much less than the benefits. However, the negative qualities of such a finish should be considered before installation.
Experts say that since the floor can be used for a long time, it can become morally obsolete or just get bored. Therefore, it will need to be changed before it wears out.
When choosing materials, you cannot save onquality. Cheap polymers fade from direct sunlight. Also, low-quality materials can be unsafe for he alth. Allergies, headaches and other pathologies may appear. Therefore, you need to purchase a self-leveling floor only from trusted suppliers. The final cost of such a finish can be quite high.
Also, the lack of self-leveling floors are high requirements for the state of the base. If it is necessary to replace the finish of the base, it will be quite difficult to remove the polymer material.
Choice of resin material
Before considering step-by-step instructions on how to make a self-leveling floor with your own hands, you need to learn the rules for choosing a polymer material. It is worth giving preference to quality, proven products. In our country, the products of such companies as Prospectors, Osnovit are in great demand. The self-leveling floors of the companies Litokol, Bergauf, Ivsil are also known for their high quality.
Founding Skorline is known for its lowest consumption. To fill 1 m² of floor, 13 kg of the mixture will be required with a layer of 1 mm. At the same time, the cost of materials of this company will be much lower than that of foreign-made products. The consumption of materials, for example, the company Bergauf is 17 kg. At the same time, its price will be almost 1.5 times higher than the Osnovit polymer composition.
When choosing, it is also important to study information about the rate of setting of the composition. It can be from 2.5 to 6 hours (depending on the manufacturer). The cost of a conventional self-leveling flooris about 2.3 thousand rubles / m². If it is a coating with a 3D effect, its price will be about 10 thousand rubles / m². To save on paying installers, many owners of houses and apartments lay the polymer layer on their own.
Tools and materials
If the owners of a house or apartment decide to complete the arrangement of the self-leveling floor on their own, you need to read the detailed step-by-step instructions. Self-leveling floor, made by hand, will require proper preparation.
First you need to purchase all the necessary tools for the job. First, you need to prepare several (2-6 pieces) plastic buckets with a capacity of 30 liters. The mixture will need to be prepared using a special mixer. This will require an electric drill with a special nozzle.
You also need to purchase a notched roller, spatula and needle roller. The last of these tools will be required to remove air bubbles from the polymer layer. Several such rollers may be required if the area of \u200b\u200bthe room exceeds 40 m². You also need to purchase a squeegee, paint shoes (to walk on a flooded surface), a solvent to remove the polymer from the tools.
Preparing the base
Proper preparation of the base requires the creation of a self-leveling floor with your own hands. Step-by-step instructions highlight this stage as one of the most important. If the base is prepared incorrectly or the installers do not perform such an action at all, the upper polymer layer may be deformed. He may prematurelycollapse.
You can pour polymer floors on almost any base. It can be concrete, wood, brick, etc. The main thing is that it must be even. You can check this using the building level.
The wooden base should be slightly rough, dry. Before pouring the filler, the surface must be slightly sanded. A primer is not required in this case.
A concrete or screed floor has a porous structure. So that they do not absorb moisture, you need to cover the surface with a water-repellent primer. If there are small cracks or potholes on the base, they must be filled with sealant. In case of significant damage, the top layer is completely removed. Then the surface must be sanded and vacuumed well.
Features of preparatory work
There are several requirements on how to fill the self-leveling floor with your own hands. The room temperature should be between 5 and 25ºС. Otherwise, the polymer will not cure properly. Humidity should not be higher than 60%. The higher value of this indicator will also take the polymer too long to dry.
Since in most cases the base surface is primed before pouring, it must be allowed to dry. To do this, the floor after preparatory treatment is left for a day. During this time, the primer coat will dry.
Bulk floor is a two-component composition. Components must be mixed in a clean bucket with an electric drill immediately before use. Mix them by handit will be very difficult. The quality of such a floor will not be satisfactory. Therefore, an electric drill with a nozzle is used.
Filling the floor
Considering how to make a self-leveling floor with your own hands, you should study in detail the technique of pouring polymer material. Determine the highest point of the floor in the room. From here, the filling process will be carried out. It is best that the wall from where the floor arrangement begins is opposite the entrance.
The process of pouring in one room must be carried out without interruption. Otherwise, elevation differences may occur. On the prepared base, the solution mixed in the bucket is poured in stripes. Their direction should be parallel to the wall. The layer should be about 1.5 mm. You can increase it up to 5 mm.
The layer should be uniform. Its thickness is adjustable with a squeegee. With a wide spatula, the mixture is leveled on the base of the floor. Next, you need to remove air bubbles in the mixture. To do this, a roller with needles is rolled over the surface.
Finishing fill
Do-it-yourself self-leveling floor is created quickly enough. It is necessary to pour a portion of the solution, level it with a squeegee, and then roll it with a needle roller. So they move towards the exit from the room. The prepared composition should be fully used within 1 hour. The interval between pouring each portion should not exceed 10 minutes.
When the filling is completed, a film must be laid on the surface of the polymer. It will prevent the ingress of various debris, dust on the surface. Also, the material will harden more evenly.
When the polymer dries, it needs to be varnished. This composition will give the floor a shine. Polyurethane-based varnishes are used. Also, this layer will protect the bottom material from damage. The floor will be ready for use in 5 days. It will be possible to walk on its surface after 12 hours. If a floor heating system is used, it can be turned on a week after pouring.
3D floor features
By creating, for example, a do-it-yourself self-leveling floor in the bathroom, you can apply more than just a plain color for the coating. A certain pattern can be used here. This technique is used in almost all types of premises. The drawing can be voluminous, which visually expands the space of the room. This is especially true for smaller rooms, which are often bathrooms or kitchens.
The technology for creating this type of foundation is quite simple. A pattern prepared in a special way is applied to the base polymer layer, which creates the main color. It is created using a computer program. The pattern can also be applied with a film. It is placed on the base layer and coated with a transparent epoxy resin. The surface after hardening is varnished.
Filling the 3D floor
Making a bulk floor with your own hands using 3D technology is quite simple. You need to purchase all the necessary materials to create the finish. First you need to level the base.
Next, a layer of colored polymer is applied. It is also kneaded in a bucket, poured in portions onto the floor. The mixture will even out. Air bubbles are removed from the composition. When the polymerhardens, a film is applied to it. If the pattern is to be all over the floor, the film should be slightly larger than the base area.
To protect the image from various damages, it is covered with a layer of colorless transparent varnish. The layer should be 0.5 mm. The varnish is applied using a notched roller. Air bubbles must also be removed from this layer. To do this, use a roller with needles.
Expert Tips
Professionals say that the biggest difficulty in filling polymer-type floors is the formation of bubbles in the composition. There are more of them if the mixture is prepared incorrectly. Therefore, when mixing dry ingredients with water, you must adhere to the proportions specified by the manufacturer. The base must also not be wet. Otherwise, the result of the work will be unsatisfactory.
Having considered how a self-leveling floor is created with your own hands, you can make a similar finish yourself.
