Finishing a house always creates a lot of problems for a person. What materials to choose? What kind of interior to create? Particular attention is paid at all times to the floor. It is an important element of home design. Today, experts advise abandoning obsolete materials. That is why polyurethane flooring is becoming more and more popular.
What are polyurethane floors
They can be divided into two groups:
- One-component system. These are the most popular mixtures of self-leveling floors today. It's easy to work with them. However, professionals prefer to discard them, as they do not always provide a long service life.
- According to finishers, it is two-component mixtures that have the right to exist. Working with them is less complicated than it may seem to beginners in this business, but such a polyurethane coating lasts a very long time, which cannot but please customers.
Specifications
Must be notedplasticity of the material, which allows it to be used even on a very poor basis. Masters fill the surface with a pre-diluted composition, and self-leveling polyurethane floors are freely poured over the surface. At the same time, it remains perfectly flat.
Polyurethane floors are very resistant to temperature extremes and moisture. This is confirmed by numerous customer reviews. These properties make it possible to use polyurethane floors in the bathroom or kitchen without worrying that they will soon fail.
Coating benefits
Specialists know a large number of floor coverings. All of them have advantages and disadvantages to varying degrees. What made buyers pay attention to the novelty? Self-leveling polyurethane floors have some features that distinguish them from other coatings:
- Non-toxic. Polyurethane floors are absolutely safe for human he alth. They can even be used in children's rooms.
- Impact resistant. This coating is resistant to mechanical stress. It leaves no scratches or cracks.
- Low price.
Make floors with your own hands
Polyurethane flooring is produced in several stages:
- preparing the base;
- grinding the base;
- applying the main (primer) layer;
- applying a primer coat (base);
- application of the final, finishing layer.
The final result of your work largely depends on how well and accurately the preparatory work will be carried out. Therefore, all irregularities, potholes, cracks must be removed on the base. They are treated with a solution of dry mixtures. A special machine is used to grind the surface.
Base layer
After the primer is applied to the surface, a base coat is applied after 8 hours. The polymer layer is poured onto the floor and spread over the entire area using a tool called a squeegee.
All components of a polyurethane floor should be mixed immediately before starting work. The mass is thoroughly stirred until it becomes homogeneous. When applied to the floor, the composition spreads in a thin uniform layer over the surface and hardens. Therefore, this work must be carried out quickly and clearly.
While the base layer will dry out, it is necessary to walk on the surface two or three times with a special roller with long spikes (aeration). This is done in order to remove air bubbles coming out of it. The final, final layer of polyurethane varnish, which is applied 48 hours after the base layer has completely dried. It maintains gloss and improves the chemical performance of the coating.
This is how do-it-yourself polyurethane floors are made. As you can see, nothing complicated.
Polyurethane floor varnish
This is a protective fluid that is used toprocessing products made of wood, concrete, metal.
Polyurethane floor varnish consists of two components - a semi-finished varnish and a hardener. Before use, the components are mixed. This allows for maximum efficiency.
The lacquer is used to cover strip parquet, parquet board, natural solid wood flooring.
Lacquer Properties
The first formulations had a pungent odor that could cause dizziness and even momentary loss of consciousness. A change in technology has made it possible to create a substance that can be worked with without respirators.
Resilience
This protective system in terms of abrasion resistance can only be compared with paint, which is applied to road markings. The treated surface is not affected in any way.
Moisture resistant
This is one of the main advantages of polyurethane varnish. According to the results of the research, it can be said that it is highly resistant to moisture.
Elasticity
As humidity levels change, the dimensions of wood and other materials change. Ordinary varnishes, which do not have proper elasticity, begin to crack over time. Unlike them, polyurethane varnishes are easy to apply and set quickly. After they dry completely, a very hard coating forms on the surface, which perfectly resists temperature extremes, mechanical stress, and chemical elements that are found in abundance in detergents.
Technologyapplication
Before applying polyurethane varnish, the surface should be cleaned of dirt. It should not have grease spots. First, a test coat should be applied in a secluded area to make sure that the components are mixed in the correct ratio. After that, proceed to apply the main layer.
Polyurethane varnish is applied in a thin layer. Floors will dry more slowly if the room temperature is low (below +5 degrees) or high humidity.
Polyurethane paints
This is a two-component composition with high covering power. Polyurethane floor paint has high mechanical and chemical strength, forms a glossy smooth surface that is resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
Enamel - environmentally friendly, economical. Most often used for painting concrete floors. It is used for processing metal and wooden surfaces and even asph alt. It has, perhaps, the only drawback - it dries for a very long time. It can be applied at a temperature not lower than +5 degrees and at a humidity not higher than 75%.
Polyurethane paints are recommended to be applied in two layers. The surface is re-treated only after the first layer has completely dried. As already mentioned, the material dries for a long time - from two to fourteen days. Each manufacturer gives its own drying time, so read the instructions carefully. After two days, the floor can be walked on, but it will reach its mechanical resistance in seven days, andchemical - in fourteen days.
Now many companies around the world are engaged in the production of polystyrene paints. This is:
- ICI (England);
- King Ind (USA);
- Reichhold (Germany);
- Kevira (Finland).
When diluting polystyrene paint, you must use a license plate thinner. Do not rush to use it on a large volume. Pour off a small amount of paint and try to dilute it. If bubbles appear on the surface or its temperature rises, you can not use such a composition. Apply paint in thin layers (especially diluted material). Otherwise, in a thicker layer, it may “boil”. And one more tip: do not try to artificially speed up drying by heating the room. This type of enamel requires normal atmospheric humidity.
