The modern market of finishing and building materials provides a wide range of different floor coverings. Due to the variety of materials and their properties, any design projects can be carried out. One of the most popular types of coatings is a self-leveling floor, the installation of which is carried out with dry gypsum-cement or cement mixtures.
These are flexible fast setting materials. Due to their special structure, under the influence of their own weight, they spread, fill the irregularities in the bases, forming an ideal plane.
Advantages of self-leveling floors
The coating, which is defined as a self-leveling floor, has several advantages:
- smooth and even surface;
- fast setting;
- strength and durability;
- resistance to temperature extremes;
- easy care.
Types of coverage
Self-leveling floor is a self-leveling mixture that spreads very easily over the entire arearooms, while forming a smooth and even surface. Such coatings are divided into two types: polymeric and mineral.
Polymer self-leveling compounds are divided into several types.
- Polyurethane. Elastic, shock-resistant coatings withstand heavy loads and are used in unheated rooms.
- Methyl methacrylate. Such floors require strict adherence to technology when laying, are resistant to mechanical stress, and have a pungent odor. Used in well ventilated areas.
- Epoxy urethane. Floors of this type are elastic, resistant to abrasion, chemical reagents. Used in garages, on ramps.
- Epoxy. It is a tough, hard, impact-resistant coating. Withstands high temperatures and mechanical stress, easy to clean. Such floors are poured indoors.
Mineral coatings are cement-based self-leveling mixtures with modifiers and mineral fillers. Use this solution when applying the finish layer.
Classification methods
Resin floors are classified according to the following factors:
- degree of fullness;
- solvent type;
- thickness.
The thickness of self-leveling floors are divided into types as follows:
- Thin-layer coatings. Their thickness is 0.2-0.6 mm. They don't hold a lot of pressure. Apply with roller or sprayer.
- Mediumthickness. The applied layer can be 0.8-1.5 mm. These self-levelling coatings withstand medium loads.
- Highly filled coatings. Their thickness is 2 mm or more. Appearance depends on the characteristics of the filler. Used for decorative and specialized purposes.
Depending on the degree of filling, the material is characterized as follows: the more filler, the rougher the surface will be.
Solvent happens:
- Water Dispersion - Odorless and can be applied over wet concrete as it is water based.
- solvent-free resins - low viscosity, sometimes low odor, easy to install.
Material consumption per 1m2
To eliminate defects in floor bases, improve sound or heat insulation, you need to perform a whole range of work on pouring screeds or self-leveling floors. To do this, you should find out how much the finished mixture will require, not taking into account impurities. If you are making a self-leveling floor, the consumption per 1 m2 will average 1 liter. This value differs depending on the manufacturer. To obtain more accurate calculations, it is necessary to multiply the area of coverage by the density of the material and the thickness of the layer. Consider several popular mixtures and their calculations.
For planning and adjusting brick, concrete and stone floors, a cement-sand screed is suitable, which is laid on top of the base. The solution is used in all types of premises, aswaterproofing protective layer. It is resistant to natural oils, water, solvents, alkalis. Self-leveling floor consumption per 1 m2 of screed is 2 kg with a layer thickness of 1 mm.
Quick-hardening self-leveling floor "Prospectors" is used to level unevenness from 0.5 to 8 cm. Such a coating has a complex of protective qualities against premature wear and the effects of aggressive substances. High-quality filling is able to withstand a load of more than 70 kg. It does not have micro cracks. Self-leveling floor (consumption per 1 m2) "Prospectors" when covered with a layer of 1 cm will require 16 kg of dry material. To prepare the solution, you need 5-6 liters of water per 25 kg of the mixture. Production time - 40 minutes.
Osnovit mix for flooring is applied manually or mechanically. It is applied in office, industrial, residential premises. The consumption of the self-leveling floor per 1 m2 "Bases" with a layer thickness of 0.3 cm is 4.5 kg.
Eunice coating allows you to create a smooth and durable surface. It is used for leveling concrete bases and screeds when there is a significant deviation from the norm (up to 10 cm). The prepared mass hardens quickly, so it must be used up within 30 minutes, otherwise it will lose its properties. The consumption of the self-leveling floor per 1 m2 of "Eunice" with a thin-layer filling up to 1 mm thick will be 1.3 kg and 3.9 kg with a coating thickness of 3 mm.
When using the mixture "Volma" the surface comes out perfectly flat. Due to its consistency, the mixture spreads easily andthis evenly fills all the irregularities. The consumption of the self-leveling floor per 1 m2 "Volma" when pouring a layer with a thickness of 0.5-0.7 cm is 4 kg.
Preparing the surface for laying the self-leveling floor
Before starting work, you need to prepare the surface: clean it of various stains and grease with a grinder, and then remove the debris with a vacuum cleaner. After that, the floor is treated with a primer, dried well. The concrete coating or screed may have cracks, so they are glued with fiberglass and covered with quartz sand. The seams on the concrete base are filled with sealant. After a day, excess sand is removed from the cracks. The surface is primed with a polymer composition to improve adhesion. The quality of the floor depends on the rough coating, and if the base has been properly prepared, the consumption for 1 m2 of primer under the self-leveling floor will be 250 grams.
Floor design
A day after priming, the main layer can be applied to the concrete surface. But first you need to calculate how thick the self-leveling floor will be. The consumption per 1 m2 of the necessary materials and mixtures is calculated taking into account the differences in the floor and all its irregularities. To set the volume of the room, the horizon of the base is determined by the laser level, then the differences are calculated from different points.
The relative height is calculated - the difference in dimensions is divided by 2. By adding the relative and the minimum allowable height, the minimum coating thickness is calculated.
Laying self-leveling floor
Before stylingfloor walls are pasted over with a film. To prevent the mixture from leaking under the panels, the entire base around the perimeter of the room is sealed with mounting tape. On the base prepared for pouring, you should go in replaceable shoes. It is recommended to walk on the flooded floor in paint shoes, with which you can go to separate areas, leveling the surface and leaving no marks.
Filling the warm floor starts from the highest point. The poured mixture is leveled with a spatula and squeegee. If bubbles form, they are removed with a needle roller. When laying the floor in the room, there should be no moisture and drafts. Throughout the drying of the coating, all work is carried out at a temperature above 10 ºС.
When choosing a self-leveling floor, you can significantly reduce costs. Before installation, a layer of pure quartz sand should be laid. After the surface has dried well (after 5-10 days), you can apply the finishing self-leveling floor. Consumption per 1 m2 is 0.5 kg of the mixture with a layer thickness of 0.1 cm.
Care of self-leveling floor
After the floor has dried, a protective film is applied to the surface. It protects it from damage and must be replaced every six months. It is recommended to rub the self-leveling floor with mastic once every three months. To clean a room with such a floor covering, use: a vacuum cleaner, a brush, warm water and a mild detergent. The self-leveling floor has one drawback - it is very afraid of heavy and sharp objects.
