The place where linoleum sheets join each other, with other types of floor materials, as well as open edges must be fixed very well. Otherwise, under the influence of moisture and mechanical loads, they can bully. In the end, such edges are rubbed, dirty and torn - the general appearance of a beautiful coating deteriorates. To prevent this, flooring manufacturers have developed special profiles - clamping or docking strips. With the help of these simple devices, the perfect look of the coating is maintained for many years.
What are the functions of the pressure bar for linoleum
Getting an accurate cut to match the edges perfectly can be tricky. Especially if the connection does not go in a straight line, but repeats some kind of bend. Therefore, linoleum soldering technology is not always suitable. If the thickness of the coatings is different, it is also difficult to achieve the accuracy of the seam. In all these and other cases, it is advisable to use a clamping profile that provides:
- Seam protection. Even with very precise joining of flooring sheets, there are always areas where there are gaps invisible to the eye. Moisture and dust penetrate into these cracks when cleaning the room, and simply in the process of life. After a couple of years of operation, a black stripe at the junction will definitely appear, and this is not the worst. The joint may diverge under the influence of temperature processes in the coating material itself, and over time, the edges will begin to wrap. The clamping bar easily solves all these issues. The variety of color and texture options for finishing the sills is huge.
- Level alignment. For example, when laying tiles, no matter how thin the adhesive layer is, a coating thickness of at least 5 mm is guaranteed. Fitting linoleum exactly millimeter to millimeter is a painstaking task. You can, of course, use heat-insulating substrates, but they tend to be pressed through, as, indeed, budget flooring material. Visually, this is not very noticeable, but when walking, it’s really possible to cling to this invisible ledge. The plank comes to the rescue again. Its edges are cut at an angle or oval.
- Combining different types of coatings. The modern trend to decorate the floor with several types of material: insert circles, write out smooth lines, create fancy patterns, turns the floor into a real collection of paintings. This is where the bar plays the role of a frame for these paintings. Made in one color, it combines all the diversity into a singleform.
Clamp bar features
Due to the great demand for a variety of finishing materials, several types of pressure bars for various purposes have appeared on the market:
- The bar is straight. The simplest profile for fixing the joint of floor materials of the same height. It is rigid, curved at the end or with sides cut at an angle. This profile has mounting holes and is screwed to the floor base.
- Flexible clamping bar. It is made of flexible plastic and has a guide ledge on the underside, which must go into the butt gap. The profile is intended for registration of smooth undulating joints of the type: linoleum - tiles; linoleum - laminate. Fastening is carried out with glue.
- Multilevel profile. Smoothes out differences in the thickness of different joined materials. Its main task is to make the operation of the coating safe, and also to prevent the destruction of the connection with constant engagement with objects.
- Final profile. They are used to fix the edge of the coating, which ends at the threshold or at the exit to the balcony, or in any other place where the continuation of the flooring is not expected.
- Corner plank. Designed for flights of stairs. There are two types of these profiles. One serves to fix the floor covering, the other has a special ribbed surface to prevent the foot from slipping on the stairs. Sometimes these bars have a special rubber insert.
What are pressure profiles made of
The most practical and widely used is the TechnoNIKOL clamping bar made of metal, plastic and rubber.
- Metal. The material is aluminum or brass strip. The profile is obtained by milling and drilling. After coating with paints and varnishes, the strips acquire a different color scheme. There are plain and imitating the structure of wood of various species. They are resistant to corrosion and abrasion resistant.
- Plastic. Cheaper material than metal. Flexible and ideal for closing curved joints. Such a clamping bar requires the use of reliable adhesives, as it is attached to them. It is also available in a variety of colors, but is less resistant to mechanical stress and can be easily scratched.
- Rubber. They are mainly used to cover rounded, oval and similar joints, as well as an additional element of metal corner thresholds.
How to properly fix the joint with a bar
To fix the metal clamping bar, you must have an impact drill, a hammer, a curly screwdriver, a marker, as well as screws and plastic dowels in the required quantity. The installation technology is as follows:
- The bar is laid on the joint so that the seam is visible through the mounting holes.
- Through the holes, mark the drilling points with a marker.
- Drill holes for plastic dowels to the depth of the length of the latter.
- Insertdowels.
- Apply a bar and fasten it with screws.
Conclusion
As you can see, an affordable clamping bar is a necessary thing, it solves many issues. The most important of these is to ensure the durability of really expensive flooring. And if you turn on your imagination and change such a peculiar element of decor every three years, for example, to a different color? It turns out almost repair. And the mood improves, and the money is saved!
