Today, the building materials market has a huge range of floor coverings. You can choose linoleum, carpet, tile, parquet or make self-leveling floors. All this introduces the buyer into confusion. What is the best flooring for your home? The answer to this question can be found in the article.
First of all, consider roll flooring. These include linoleum and carpet. About the features of each type - later in the article.
Linoleum
Today it is one of the most popular options. It has undoubted advantages: it is low price and practicality. Today, manufacturers make linoleum with various patterns. Often the coating imitates wood or tile. Not always linoleum looks cheap. Quality products accurately repeat the structure of natural wood or tiles.
But in order for such a coating to serve for a long time, you need to lay it on a special substrate. Among the positive aspects, many users note the water resistance of the material. Linoleum is easy to clean, not afraid of fungus and insects. This is a fairly durable coating, it is practically not erased. That is why such floors can often be found in industrial premises. But still there is a distinction between classes. And there is no point in purchasing industrial linoleum for the home. Firstly, it will be more expensive, and secondly, the coating for the house (with a lower wear resistance class) will still serve the allotted 15-20 years. But you need to understand that such a coating is afraid of temperature changes and is not considered environmentally friendly.
Carpeting
It is a rolled carpet made of artificial or natural fibers. Sometimes consists of several layers:
- latex lining;
- basics;
- felt layer;
- pile.
It is more pleasant to walk on such a surface, as it is soft. In addition, you do not need to think about which insulation is best for the floor. Carpet itself provides excellent heat and sound insulation. But among the shortcomings, it should be noted the need for frequent care. The pile accumulates a lot of dirt, so the carpet needs to be vacuumed every week, and washed once a year.
Wooden floor
Nothing makes a home as cozy as a tree. The texture and color of such a floor covering looks great in any interior, whether it is a house or an apartment. What are the best wooden floors to choose? Among them it is worth noting:
- Parquet board (artificial). It consists of several layers. The middle and lower ones are made of coniferous wood. The upper one is made of thin veneer of precious wood species. It can be walnut, beechor oak. This is a relatively inexpensive flooring option. But some species (especially those decorated with expensive wood) can be quite expensive. The service life of a parquet board with proper care is about 20 years. It is mounted on a polyethylene substrate by a glueless or adhesive method. Among the advantages of such a coating, environmental friendliness and thermal insulation should be noted. But installation requires certain skills and knowledge.
- Natural parquet. This option has a high cost, since the board is made from a single piece of wood. The parquet consists of small dies, thanks to which it can be used in rooms with a complex layout. This floor gives the room comfort and makes the interior original. Natural parquet lasts for several decades. But he needs to be looked after. The board is not waterproof, so you can only wipe it with a damp cloth. Once every 5 years, you need to do polishing and re-varnish the floor.
- Massive board. Eco-friendly material with long service life. Differs in sound and heat insulation. But it fits on a plywood gasket. Installing a massive board is much easier than parquet. And you don't need to take care of it that often. What gender is best? Many people prefer this option over parquet.
Cork coating
Cork is also an environmentally friendly material with good sound and heat insulation properties. The cover is easy to maintain. It is enough to use a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth. The material is elastic and practical. On this floorthere are traces of heavy furniture. Due to its softness, cork is great for people with problems of the musculoskeletal system. After all, the cork coating is distinguished by depreciation qualities, reducing the load on the joints and spine. In addition, such a floor is not slippery. But there are also disadvantages. The cork is not moisture resistant and can be easily torn (for example, with a sharp heel).
Modular cover
Due to the variety of materials used and ease of installation, these floors can be used in rooms with any geometry. Modular coating is used both in apartments and industrial enterprises. Next, we will look at several options.
PVC
Modular coatings of this type are produced in the form of tiles. They can be of various sizes. In addition, the coating can imitate the texture of natural stone, wood or ceramics. Among the positive qualities of such floors, reviews note:
- High service life.
- Resistant to temperature extremes.
- Moisture resistant (so the PVC coating can be used in the bathroom or kitchen).
- Ease of maintenance. Tiles are very easy to clean.
- Ease of installation. Even a beginner can handle the installation.
By the way, such coverage can be re-installed. It is reusable.
Carpet tiles
What is this? The tile has properties similar to carpet, but is more convenient to use. Surely each of us has encountered the appearance of stains on the floor covering. And if the carpet had to be completely washed, then in thiscase, you can simply replace one module. Carpet tiles are easy to install in rooms with complex geometries.
Laminated finish
Laminate is a direct competitor to linoleum. Even the cheapest models look attractive. And more expensive options accurately mimic the wood finish. Sometimes a laminate cannot be distinguished from a natural massive board. This coating is a HDF board with a moisture-proof film. A layer of paper with a pattern is laid on top of it. I must say that the film is quite durable and can protect against serious damage. There is a classification according to the maximum load. For example, the lowest class is 31. It is suitable only for rooms with low traffic. The 32nd class is often used in the corridors. And the 34th is already used in enterprises. This is a commercial laminate. But for the home, it is enough to choose a semi-commercial one.
Laminate is easy to install. No need to use glue. All boards are connected using the tongue-and-groove system. The result is a beautiful moisture-resistant coating that does not scratch and is not afraid of temperature changes. The service life of a laminate is about ten years. You can take care of it by any means. But often for care they use an ordinary mop with a damp cloth. Pollution from such a coating is easily removed.
However, before installation, you need to understand that the long life of the laminate is achieved only with proper preparation of the base. It is necessary to lay the material only on a flat floor. Otherwise, deformation occurs.covering that will make an annoying creak when walking.
Self-leveling floor
These coatings are divided into several groups depending on the composition of the material. Distinguish:
- epoxy;
- cement-acrylic;
- methyl methacrylate;
- polyurethane floor.
Among the shortcomings, it should be noted the complexity of preparing the base. This work is best left to professionals. But the process of laying a self-leveling floor is quite simple. The prepared mixture is poured onto the floor, if necessary, it is leveled with a spatula. This coating dries in just five days.
Among the advantages it is worth noting the variety of design of self-leveling floors. There are even 3D versions. In addition, this coating is seamless and resistant to moisture. Caring for him is also easy. But you need to understand that if such a mixture is used in the "warm floor" system, it will be difficult to replace communications in the future. However, this is not done very often. Which floor screed is best? It is recommended to use self-leveling compounds. As a result, the floor will turn out to be even and not too thick (from 3.5 to 10 centimeters).
Which underfloor heating is better for tiles?
Many people use tiles when installing the "warm floor" system. This is an excellent choice as the material transfers heat quickly and is moisture resistant. But there are several options for this system:
- infrared;
- cable (electric);
- water.
What is the best floor to use at home? When choosing the type of system, experts advise taking into account the density and strength of the tile. So, it is not recommended to use an infrared system under the tiles. The water floor is also not without drawbacks. It is expensive and not subject to restoration. It is also difficult to regulate the temperature with it. Which floor is best for tiles? According to experts, the best option is the electrical system. It fits easily and is adjustable. Therefore, you can always maintain the optimal microclimate in the room.
Conclusion
So which floor is better to use? The answer to this question will depend on the specific operating conditions. In case the room is used infrequently and is not exposed to moisture, you can use any option (as a rule, it is linoleum).
In other cases, you will have to think about which gender is better to choose. For wet rooms, this will be a self-leveling floor. Which floor is best for the living room and bedroom? In this case, it is better to choose a laminate or polymer coatings. High quality linoleum is laid in the kitchen. Knowing these nuances, it is easy to make the right choice. When buying, the quality of the product is also taken into account. It does not always make sense to buy frankly cheap options. They not only have a short service life, but can also spoil the appearance of the room. In addition, some of them are quite toxic and not suitable for residential use.
