Floor coverings: types and their characteristics

Floor covering is an essential part of any design. Thanks to this element, you can not only get the final image in the room, but also fill the space with an atmosphere of comfort and convenience. To date, floor coverings are presented in a chic assortment, they are made of various materials, and a large selection of patterns and colors allows you to combine products with other furnishings and create an unusual style in the design.

In residential and non-residential premises, the floors perform many functions - they protect the dwelling from cold air, moisture and noise, and also give the rooms an aesthetic appearance. At the same time, they differ among themselves in individual characteristics.Recently, the design is very popular floors of parquet, laminate, glass, tiles, porcelain. Often, rooms are also decorated with vinyl and self-leveling coatings.

The appearance of the floor covering bears a certain style direction., thanks to which the room takes on a specific look. Therefore, it must fully comply with the interior design and decor in the room, harmoniously complement the decoration of the ceiling, walls, furniture and other decor items. As for consumer features, the main role in them is played by durability, service life, environmental friendliness, resistance to external chemical and mechanical stress, cost.

It is worth noting that it is impossible to choose one “unique” coating for all the rooms in the house, since for each room, depending on its purpose, a specific type of product is used. For example, a kitchen and a bathroom are often exposed to moisture and temperature fluctuations, therefore in such rooms floors made of natural wood are not recommended.For the corridor and the hallway, it is advisable to acquire coatings that can withstand mechanical stress and dirt, while for the living room and bedroom, beautiful products made from natural raw materials are perfect.

The construction market is represented by a huge selection of flooring. Therefore, today it will not be difficult to find both cheap artificial and expensive natural products. They all differ in the way of production and design. When choosing a floor for a house, it is important to take into account the main characteristics of the material from which it is made.

Considering the most popular flooring, you can highlight the following advantages and disadvantages.

It is usually purchased for decoration of rooms with high humidity. Positive properties of this product are considered to be good water resistance, reasonable price, ease of cleaning, excellent sound insulation and a service life of up to 50 years. But for laying the product requires a perfectly flat base surface, in addition, low-cost models look cheap and ugly. Linoleum is an artificial material, and therefore in many ways inferior in quality and environmental friendliness.

They have a soft relief texture and serve reliably up to 30 years. The coating is produced in the form of tiles, which is designed for high mechanical loads. The tile is not afraid of moisture, easy to transport and install, has high sound and heat insulation. Products are presented in a chic selection of colors and textures, but they are expensive and they require good surface preparation for their installation. In addition, during improper use, the plates may crack at the seams.

Such floor coverings are made of exceptional natural raw materials, so they are characterized by good thermal and noise insulation. The surface of the floor is non-slip and has excellent cushioning qualities. Products are not afraid of chemical exposure, so easy to clean and clean. Their main disadvantage is the high price and low tensile strength, so sharp furniture legs, pets claws and heels can adversely affect the material.Also in wet rooms, such a floor will quickly swell and swell.

This species has appeared recently, but has already managed to successfully establish itself as an original coating that imitates natural wood, is resistant to external influences and is durable in use.

Laminate flooring is natural and fire resistant., simple installation, does not require special care, reliably serves more than 10 years and is sold at a reasonable price. But the laminate "does not like" water and large mechanical loads, demanding installation (failure to comply with the installation technology can lead to surface swelling). Also, the laminate must be laid strictly on a flat base, otherwise during operation it will creak.

It is presented in a huge assortment, therefore it is widely used as a floor covering in many rooms of the house. This element of the decor has high durability and practicality, allows the design to create unusual compositions, and can also visually expand the space in the room. The tile is able to withstand any load, does not fade in the sun, but it is difficult to install.In addition, the product does not retain heat.

The material allows you to create an unusual feeling of home warmth and comfort in the room. This coating is reliable in use, durable, environmentally friendly and has an excellent aesthetic appearance.

They are characterized by moisture resistance, good adhesion, have a beautiful appearance and last for a long time. In addition, the filling surface withstands temperature drops, is resistant to chemical treatment and does not require complicated cleaning. As for the minuses, such floors are difficult to fill, and they are very expensive.

Modern production technologies allow to produce floor coverings of various materials. Most often, plastic, wood, natural or artificial stone and cork are used for this purpose. All products that are used for finishing floors are of the following types.

These include carpet and linoleum.These are the most practical materials available at a price. Such coatings originally imitate tile and natural wood. The base of the products is soft and moisture-resistant, so their installation is quick and easy. Carpet is made from both natural and synthetic fibers

Also applies to the rolled materials and artificial grass. It is divided into decorative and protective sports flooring. This element of decor is used to cover the floors on the balcony, the winter garden, and also covers the lawns near the house or field for tennis, football and golf.

Solid surfaces look great in any design. Parquet board is very popular among wooden products, it is made from natural wood species, and a convenient puzzle in the design allows you to quickly perform installation work. Such boards are subject to re-grinding and can be operated for up to 20 years. Parquet is also considered a good option for decoration, as a rule, it is chosen for interior design in rooms with a complex layout. Convenient forms of boards allow you to hide all the flaws and irregularities of the floors.

For wooden coatings applies massive board. It is an absolutely ecological material that reliably serves up to 40 years. Cork floors are also considered a unique product in the decoration. In addition to many positive characteristics, they also help to give the rooms an unusual aesthetic look.

These coatings are used in both residential and non-residential premises.

It looks like a carpet, but in operation and installation is much more convenient. If defects appear on its surface, you only need to replace the damaged area, and not completely change the base.

These are modern polymer products that have a natural look of the natural array. Therefore, they are difficult to distinguish from this board. The base of the material is subjected to additional processing, and plastic films on the surface reliably protect the product from moisture and mechanical damage. Such floors can withstand heavy loads. Laminate is laid with glue and puzzles, the only thing that the installation process requires perfect preparation of the base.

They are divided into polyurethane, epoxy, methyl methacrylate and acrylic. Filling a coating consists of many stages, the main of which is considered to be leveling the surface and drying. Such floors allow you to create very beautiful compositions in the interior, they serve well and are easy to clean.

The main component of these products is quartz. The quartz vinyl tile harmoniously fits into the design of the premises and is characterized by high durability.

The choice of flooring depends on the characteristics of the room in which it is planned to lay it. For example, for a hallway, it is recommended to purchase a two-layer material with increased wear resistance. You can, of course, choose cheap products for this room, but they will not be able to withstand high mechanical stress and frequent contact with dirt and humidity. Therefore, roll coverings for the hallway are not suitable. Ceramic tile will be the right decision in the finishing of the floor, it is resistant to abrasion and is not afraid of temperature changes and moisture.

In some cases, combined coatings are used in the hallway. Some areas are lined with tiles, and those areas that are less exposed to external factors are covered with linoleum and a beautiful carpet product is placed on top. It also looks good pottery and laminated base.

For the bathroom most often use decorative tiles that imitate wood and stone. In this room, it will cope with high humidity and it will be easy to clean.

For decoration of the hall, living room and bedroom often prefer laminate or parquet. This is not only high-quality material, but also an excellent element of decor that will make the room beautiful and cozy. As for the kitchen, its floor is mainly covered with linoleum or tile. In addition, a combination of several floor coverings looks original in this room. For example, you can separately select areas where the sink, refrigerator and stove crawl away.

For children's rooms, it is desirable to choose new and high-quality materials., which would be characterized by increased comfort, environmental friendliness and thermal insulation. The best option in this situation are cork floors. If the child is overly active, it is best to lay the laminate, it will “save” the neighbors from noise.

Special attention is given to the flooring for the balcony and terrace. Of course, most apartment owners try to make the balcony glazed, but if its structure is open, it will be exposed to moisture and temperature changes. Therefore, for open spaces it is not recommended to use wood floors; laying linoleum will be the right solution. For the terrace, an excellent choice would be carpet or laminate.

If the layout of housing allows, in the house you can additionally equip corners for children. For such gaming areas, it is desirable to choose eco-friendly and soft floors in the form of carpet or decorative grass.

Summing up, we can say that there is no perfect flooring. Each of the products in its own well, has its own individual characteristics and features. It is necessary to choose a material not only on the basis of its price, but also to pay attention to the appearance, the possibility of operation in a particular room.

After choosing the flooring there is a question about its installation. At the same time laying material is a responsible and complex process. This can be done both independently and using the help of professional craftsmen. Certain stages of laying are peculiar to each coating, but regardless of the type of product, first of all they carefully prepare the working base.

Prior to the start of installation work, it is necessary to carefully calculate the surface area and material consumption. Most products lay on glue, and also use special styling techniques. In order to make the floor beautiful and last for many years, all the work must be done carefully and accurately, since the slightest mistake can spoil the performance of the coating and have to redo everything.

Carrying out repairs in the house, everyone has to think about what kind of floor is best to buy. At the same time, I want the floor to be not only stylish,but was able to perform many functions. The choice of products is often determined by their resistance to moisture and mechanical stress.

Each room in the house is different in its requirements for laying the floor. For example, for such wet rooms as a kitchen and a bathroom, waterproof products will be needed, anti-slip tiles are suitable for this purpose. As for the hallway or corridor, it is recommended to put mud-protective coatings on the floor, and to create an unusual interior of the living room and bedroom, a high-quality wooden base such as a massive board will suit.

Today the market of finishing materials is presented by the huge range of floor coverings. In order not to get lost in this variety and make the right choice, you need to follow the simple advice of professionals:

• To decide on the place of laying. Products can be used both in residential and non-residential premises, and therefore can be subjected to various tests during operation. Depending on the type of room or building, the appropriate type of material is selected. At the same time, the floor should not only have good characteristics to use, but also be harmoniously combined with the general interior of the room.For example, in the bedroom ceramic tiles will not look appropriate, and the carpet in the bathroom quickly subject to wear.

• Calculate the cost of installation work and material. Coverage on the floor is selected depending on the financial condition of the family. Recently, both expensive and cheap versions of products have been on sale. Of course, good and high-quality materials will be expensive, but they are eco-friendly and will last more than a dozen years.

• To pick up the design of the room. The texture, color and patterns of the coating should be as close as possible to the style of the room. The floor in the room will be a beautiful addition to the interior if it is in complete harmony with the walls, ceiling and furniture.

• Prepare the base under the floor. Whatever the cover, it must be laid on a flat and clean surface. To level the surface using various methods, ranging from pouring concrete and ending with "dry" laying.

• Provide a negative impact. In children's rooms, carpet is often used as a floor covering, but in certain parts of the room it will not be able to withstand constant mechanical loads. Especially it concerns the working corner of the child, where the table with the computer is placed. In this situation, it is recommended to put a decorative mat under the computer chair, which will help reduce the friction of furniture on the surface of the product.

The completion of any design is installation of the floor. Depending on what material is chosen for its finishing, all registration of the room will depend. In order for the interior of the house to acquire a modern and beautiful look, the flooring should be laid in the following rooms:

• The area between the corridor and the hallway. Often in this place there is a slight difference in height due to the presence of a step. This protrusion can be made of porcelain. It will not stand out too much and its thickness will withstand all sorts of loads.

• The entrance hall. This room is the face of the house, so its decoration should be appropriate. In such a room is best to use decorative tiles with imitation of natural stone.The floor decorated with granite will look beautiful. The original option will also be a ceramic coating under the tree. The color is desirable to choose not very light.

• Kitchen. The design of this room requires a demonstration of comfort. Although the room is non-residential, its interior should be diluted with notes of home heat, so the floor here plays a huge role. For the kitchen, it is desirable to choose natural wood coatings of light shades. A zoning made of several materials looks original in such a room. For connoisseurs of the classics fit black laminate with a shiny base, while the areas near the dining table, sink and gas stove are well decorated with a brown tint, which will become a safe background for a white tablecloth. Similarly, use the dark coloring of the laminate, when the kitchen space smoothly passes into the hall or living room. Thus it turns out to differentiate the room.

• Bathroom. For this room, the original choice will be the design under the sea wave. Ceramic tiles on the floor in combination with colored glass,mosaic and stylish furniture will make the room spacious and endless. Not bad also looks in the bathroom tile red and black shades. You can make on the floor separate compositions of various products.

• Living room. Both parquet and laminate flooring will be appropriate in this room. Natural color of a floor will favorably emphasize beauty and style of furniture. It is best to use a board of brown tones in this case. Unusual patterns will be obtained if the laying of the laminate will be made of several shades.

• Bedroom. To fill this room with an atmosphere of romance, designers advise to use a laminate of bright colors. In the event that finances do not allow to get a natural covering, the floor can be decorated with beautiful linoleum, imitating a natural array.

• Children's The interior in this room, as a rule, consists of various colors and colors. For the child's room, you can buy a plain carpet or exclusive cover with drawings of fairy tale characters. For the design of the space of adolescents, an excellent choice would be a laminated coating - it looks stylish and does not require special care.The predominant shades can be light brown, nutty or chocolate.

All the secrets of flooring you will learn from the following video.