The concept of floating flooring has been around for a long time and in the early stages of development was expressed in the rejection of the adhesive installation method. The transition to mechanical interlocking of flooring elements was caused by the desire to exclude or minimize deformation processes. They arose due to the natural movements of the foundation of the building, which were reflected in the decorative coating. Accordingly, the rejection of direct coupling with the carrier base extended the service life of the laid material. Today, a floating floor is not just a set of coating elements formed by locks, but a technologically advanced design, devoid of close interfacing with the draft base.
Technology overview
There are many ways to solve the problem of eliminating, at first glance, the necessary ligament component in the flooring structure. And here it should be noted thatincreasing the strength of the flooring with the protection of its structure is far from the only goal pursued by the authors of the technology. For example, when laying laminated panels, the task of providing sound insulation comes to the fore. Technically, the floating floor system is implemented by means of damping layers. Again, the choice of materials for such an insulator and its design will be determined by the requirements for the result. Side wedges also help eliminate the risk of deformation of expensive flooring in the form of the same laminate or parquet. This is a special fitting that softens impacts during dynamic loads on the floor. But most often, floating coatings are associated with the capital structure of the substrate, which connects the decorative layer on the surface and the base.
Materials and consumables
It should be emphasized right away that the flooring itself is not an element of the damping system. Unless linoleum with cork as such can complement this function, but a special elastic substrate will still be the key link. In particular, it can be a felt screed, polystyrene or mineral wool. Sheets or panels with a thickness of 4-5 cm are used. If it is planned to make a substrate for a hard coating (boards, laminate, parquet), then mesh reinforcement should also be provided. Thanks to the reinforcing thin rods, the damping layer will retain its structure and functionality. There is also a group of special substrates to increase sound insulation. So, for a floating wooden floor, you should useeco-slab, corrugated cardboard or cork mats. The noise reduction index, depending on the characteristics of such an interlayer, averages from 16 to 26 dB. The same applies to thermal insulation, but in this case the choice is not so wide and usually comes down to special modifications of the same mineral wool.
Floor construction
In the simplest systems, the device of such flooring is based on the damper substrate and directly on the decorative layer. If polystyrene is laid on the rough base, and laminate panels are laid on top, this will already be the target system without a tight bond. Nevertheless, professional parquet floorers implement floating flooring in a comprehensive manner and taking into account the small nuances of operation. If we consider the system from the lower region, then it will begin with a rigid foundation. Logs, plywood sheets, screed or self-leveling self-leveling floor are laid on the draft base. This layer is needed as a surface on which the damper will sit organically. Next, go to the lining layer of the floating floor. The design in this part may include the special materials mentioned above, and expanded clay with rubber. This choice is made based on gender requirements. In addition to providing sound insulation and mechanical protection, for example, a barrier against moisture and steam may be required. Vapor-tight foil membranes perform this task.
Installation work
Although the list of the main tasks of the damping substrate includes leveling the defects of the rough surface, onthe stage of preparation for work, it is desirable to minimize them. Especially for this, a rigid layer is laid. It should eliminate irregularities and hide deep holes, if any. Already at this level, the installation of floating floors allows the inclusion of basic insulators. It will not be superfluous to roll out a thin vapor and moisture insulation. If we are talking about a private house and there are no serious restrictions on reducing the height of the floor, then a small layer of dry sand can also be organized - it will contribute to the warming function. Then proceed to the installation of the damping material directly. We have already mentioned different types of this substrate, but it is equally important to pay attention to the format of its delivery. These can be rolls, slabs, thin panels and mats. Accordingly, rigid products are fixed with locking mechanisms (included in the kit), and elastic material is usually nailed with hardware or glued. Now you can look at ready-made floating flooring solutions from major manufacturers.
ISOVER Models
Under this brand, a whole series of mineral wool panels is produced. The structure of the material is formed by natural components, including fiberglass, limestone, sand and soda. A synthetic binder is also present in the composition, but its content is usually minimal. By appointment, such plates are more suitable as a solution for insulation - noise reduction, insulation, etc. By the way, the sound insulation coefficient reaches 37 dB. Distinguished by ISOVER floating floor and physical resistance. The compressive strength index is about 20 kPa, so thisbase can be used in combination with hard topcoats.
Knauf Models
This manufacturer is known for its unique development in the form of moisture-proof drywall panels. They are also used as insulators, but in this context, it is the modifications for the installation of a prefabricated floor base that are of interest. This is a Knauf floating floor made of 20 mm thick gypsum fiber elements. The functional emphasis of the coating is focused on protection against the spread of moisture in the room, but such a plate also performs the task of leveling the rough base at a high level. The main thing is to initially create a solid base on which drywall can be used for years.
ROCKWOOL Models
When specialized solutions are required for commercial and industrial use, look no further than the SeaRox family of cookers from ROCKWOOL. Stone wool is used as the basis of this material, the outer part of which is provided with a galvanized wire mesh. The thickness of the slab can reach 70 mm, which indicates a special purpose - substrates of this format are optimally suited for arranging work shops, offices, corridors of public institutions, etc. The possibility of using a floating floor of this company in harsh conditions is indicated by aluminum foil reinforcement, the presence glass fabrics for some models and other insulating coatings. According to the manufacturer, SeaRox sheets are capable of withstanding thermal loads in the order of 250°C. This temperature resistance index opens up the possibility of usingcoatings even in the finishing of objects of the metallurgical industry.
Features of floor care
The main structural maintenance work consists in updating consumables and applying protective coatings. This applies in particular to prefabricated systems that allow disassembly. Having disassembled the coating, you can replace worn out felt linings, deformed plates and aged fasteners. As for the protective layers, the floating floor on the damper side is often treated with varnishes and mastics. They will not relieve physical exertion, but they will protect the structure from biological destruction, which is important for natural materials. The condition of the decorative material on both sides should also be checked regularly. It is desirable that an insulator with a strong structure separates it from the elastic base.
Pros and cons of floating floor
The merits of technology are obvious. It allows you to minimize physical stress on the decorative surface, increases the insulating qualities and, in general, makes the operation of the floor more pleasant. But the weaknesses of this design should be taken into account. They are reflected in the complexity of installation work, cost and the need for special maintenance. In small apartments, floating floor technology is completely undesirable due to the reduction in height in the room. At a minimum, the floor covering will be raised by a thickness of a substrate of a few centimeters, and if you add a group of thin insulators with a reinforcing layer and a basic rigidbasis, then we will talk about 10-15 cm.
Conclusion
The considered method of arranging the floor is more focused on solving the existing problems of its operation. If you plan to use a laminate, then unpleasant acoustic effects can be expressed, and in houses with poor external insulation, accordingly, the problem of warming by means of a floating floor will be solved. The design and arrangement of this system can also be characterized by multifunctionality. Even using improvised means with minimal investment, a skilled home craftsman will be able to implement a structure that increases the strength of the floor, its protection from moisture and cold. If we exclude specialized plates and mats, then the functions of insulators can be assigned to polyethylene, and the cork substrate will provide a damping effect. By the way, recently the use of needles for lining under laminated panels has also been practiced. This is not the most profitable solution in terms of increasing structural strength, but this material provides sound insulation with insulation at a high level.
