Floor coverings

Choosing flooring for an apartment

When there is a desire or need to carry out major repairs in a dwelling, the question “which floor is better to choose for an apartment” arises in almost all cases. Depending on how correctly the cover will be selected, as well as how well it will be installed, the comfort of living of any family depends on the whole. Aesthetics also play an important role - the flooring should look beautiful and like for those who live in the house. And there are a lot of types of floor finishes now. To understand how this or that option is suitable, it is worth considering the main characteristics of the most popular coatings and find out which ones are laid in certain conditions.

Which floor is better to choose for an apartment

Choosing a floor covering for an apartment - TOP-9 coatings

Today, there are many coatings for the floor, as well as their variations and combinations. A large selection allows you to choose the perfect option for each person and for each room. All types of materials differ in their properties and features, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. And you should choose one that will meet all the requirements, and also be suitable for the price. Below is a rating of the most common flooring variations in apartments. Let's see which one will be better in this or that case.

What flooring to lay on the floor in the apartment

No. 9 - Carpet

This pile version of flooring is very widespread. The carpet is made of natural or synthetic fibers, may have different pile lengths. By the way, there is a type of material even without pile at all. "Hair" is fixed on a jute, felt or rubber base.

Carpet - operation and maintenance

  • inexpensive
  • beautiful
  • easy to lay
  • suitable for bedroom or living room
  • mass of color variations

  • difficult to clean
  • quickly loses appearance
  • may cause allergies
  • not suitable for every room

You can lay the carpet in the same way as linoleum, there is nothing complicated here, which means that we can talk about the ease of installation. The material is quite cheap, it looks like a carpet. As a rule, it is laid in bedrooms, living rooms, living rooms. It is not suitable for a kitchen or a bathroom - garbage, dust will get stuck in the pile, the material will have to be dried when wet, and after drying, ugly spots may remain on its surface. In a word, carpet care, although simpler than a regular carpet, is still not so convenient. In order to remove, for example, a stain from juice, it will have to be cleaned with special means. By the way, in the hallway to lay such material is also a bad idea.

Some types of carpet

No. 8 - Linoleum

This is one of the most common variations of flooring. Its popularity is due to its low price and durability, as well as a very simple installation and a lot of color variations, which make it possible to choose linoleum for absolutely any interior.

Linoleum, as a rule, is a synthetic material, but there are also natural options. The natural look is rarely used now, as it is very expensive and it is easier to lay some other coating option instead. But in any case, linoleum is a durable, high-quality and at the same time low-cost material that is suitable for laying in almost any room.

The structure of household linoleum

There are several variations of this coating, differing in thickness and level of strength. The thickest type is usually laid in commercial premises and is not recommended for residential construction. The reason is that it contains a large amount of harmful impurities that are hazardous to health. But the standard thin linoleum is quite suitable for use in an apartment, and its strength level will last for several years with a careful attitude and proper installation.

On a note! Linoleum can be single-layer ordinary, as well as thick with a substrate, which allows you to additionally insulate the floors under your feet.

Laying the material can be done on plywood, concrete, wood - on almost any version of the rough foundation. You can lay it in any room, with the exception of the bathroom and the bathroom - this is not recommended there, since linoleum does not allow water to pass through, which means that if it gets under it, it will remain there and create favorable conditions for the development of mold. The rest of the material of the household type is completely safe for humans, even despite the fact that its unnatural type is most often used.

Linoleum is sold in rolls

Linoleum is strong enough. But he is afraid of piercing and cutting objects. They can easily damage and ruin it. With strong cuts, the entire coating will have to be changed, small ones can be covered with a patch, but the defect will still be visible to the eye. Linoleum does not need special care.

Classes of linoleum coating used in residential premises

Features

The temperature in the room, as well as some characteristics of the room, will depend on the choice of floor material. In addition, the flooring greatly affects the stylistic design of the room. Therefore, when choosing, you should weigh the pros and cons of each flooring and choose the most suitable for each specific area.

The flooring allows you to set the foundation for aesthetic decoration. In addition, it makes the room more cozy and comfortable for residents. The choice of floors varies depending on the purpose of the premises, since the individual functional areas of the apartment assume different loads and effects on the coating. That's why it is better to consider all the options, and only then make a choice in favor of one or another option.

The specifics of the floors for the apartment may vary depending on the floor. For the first, it is better to choose a moisture resistant coating. High floors require lightweight floors. If you are installing flooring in a panel house, then pay attention to models with the characteristics of thermal insulation and sound insulation.

An important feature of flooring is the presence of an additional basis. Some materials require a special leveling foundation or even laying a subfloor, while others can be laid on simple concrete floors.

Also, some residents of apartments prefer insulated floors, while using different technologies of insulation and substrate for coatings.

Floor coverings are hard or flexible. Separately, a group of wooden floor coverings is distinguished. Different manufacturers are represented by various types of flooring, which differ in their functionality, quality and design. Wooden ones include:

  • laminate,
  • solid wood
  • bung.

Elastic coatings include:

Hard coatings include:

  • ceramic tile,
  • stone floors

  • porcelain tile
  • expanded clay,
  • bulk floor.

Each type of flooring should be discussed separately, since they all have important characteristics and properties.

Natural flooring

This is a classic version, which is traditional and very popular. Such a classic never goes out of style. This coverage will emphasize the high social status of the owners of the apartment. Parquet is made only of valuable wood species.

As a rule, parquet elements have a natural woody pattern. You can find small-sized versions of piece parquet. They allow you to lay out an interesting composition.

So, with the help of it you can independently draw a picture on the floor, for example, a Christmas tree.

Parquet is made from strong and reliable species, whose wood is of high density. For its manufacture use oak, beech, maple, ash, larch. This flooring is considered the most durable. It can last about 50 years if you provide it with proper care.

Any parquet is completely environmentally friendly and completely safe. A feature of the installation of such a floor is that it is necessary to install draft floors under it. Only after that it will be possible to lay piece parquet.

Not all apartments have parquet flooring. An important requirement is the observance of a certain temperature and humidity level.

Parquet is a very expensive and noble version of flooring.

Parquet board

This is another version of the floor made of wood. Parquet board differs from the previous type in that it is quite large in size. The difference is the composition of such boards. So, the lamellas of a parquet board consist of three layers, reliably connected to each other. They have convenient locks and are easier to install. Their size requires easy installation and easy disassembly.

Manufacturers represent a variety of color and design models, some of them have a ready-made pattern. It is easier to care for a parquet board than for piece models. Such coverage is quite expensive, but more affordable than piece parquet. Lamels can serve more than 20 yearsbesides they are not so whimsical in leaving.

Boardwalk

Such floors require laying ordinary boards on the logs. It looks rustic, but natural. It is used infrequently in apartments, since it is rather heavy. But the big advantage of the boardwalk is that it is 100% environmentally friendly and very practical. With it, you can create interesting stylistic solutions to the premises.

The floor is pleasant to the touch and it is comfortable to walk barefoot on it. The plank floor is more affordable. Moreover, in terms of external characteristics, it is not inferior to other options for wooden floors.

From cork

Cork floors are an elite floor covering. They are suitable for installation in almost any room, except for rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom, if there is no good ventilation. But the cork can only be laid on a hard and even surface. Most often, plywood is installed under it. In no case should you lay it on bare concrete floorsotherwise, even small particles can spoil the floor.

Cork can be decorative. It is presented in the form of rolls or plates. The top layer is impregnated with a special composition that has moisture-proof properties. Manufacturers supplement the cork floor in the form of plates with already applied adhesive, which simplifies the installation of this floor covering.

Cork is also used as an option for the subfloor. It is placed under linoleum or under the laminate. In this case, it has a slightly different composition and significantly reduced quality. As a rule, the cork provides the necessary level of heat and noise insulation. Such a substrate can be presented in the form of rolls, it is convenient to spread it on the floor.

Cork flooring can be presented in the form of MDF panels. As a rule, these are rather large lamellas, which include other materials, including synthetic ones, in their composition. Each panel has a size of approximately 19 by 90 cm. They are convenient and easy to put on their own. Installation is facilitated by lock fasteners.

Cork is a practical material, as it is completely not susceptible to temperature extremes.

In addition, it withstands high physical exertion and exposure. Even the heaviest furniture can be placed on it. Cork can be quite interesting in design thanks to modern production technologies. Manufacturers present models in different shades. In addition, this is not a static material on which dust and hair do not accumulate.

Laminate

This is a high-quality and reliable floor covering, which is able to imitate any other types of floors. It can be an imitation of parquet, natural boards and other wood, tiles, marble, natural stone and even bricks. The lamellas can have different sizes, but standard boards are 25 by 150 cm in size. The lamellas have a lock mount, which, as a rule, is located on either two or all four sides of each plank.

Such lamellas are easy to install and maintain. The laminate board itself includes four layers. Each of them has a specific functional purpose. In the complex, they all make up a high-quality and reliable option for flooring.

The bottom layer is paper soaked in resin, which performs a moisture-protective function. Due to this, during a flood, the laminate board will not be damaged. The lower substrates of some models can also perform a heat or sound insulating function. No sills are needed for coverage.

The penultimate layer is the most basic and thickest, on average, its thickness is from 5 to 9 mm. It is a compressed wood, as well as built-in locks at this level, the basis of which are spikes and grooves.

The next layer is decorative. It is a coating with a pattern that imitates wood and other materials. From above it is covered with a transparent layer, which makes the coating more beautiful and decorative. In addition, it performs protective functions and prevents the quick mashing and damage to the laminate. As a rule, a transparent layer is made of acrylic or melamine.

Laminate is an affordable price and at the same time practical material.

It perfectly conveys the texture of many materials and looks very aesthetically pleasing. Marble look smartly.

Even a beginner in the field of installation is able to lay this floor option. Laminate can be divided into classes depending on its strength. The higher the grade, the higher its strength and thickness. Most often, for domestic purposes, use options from 21 to 33 classes.

Ceramic tile

This is a very dense and solid option, which involves flooring only in some areas of the apartment. So, they put him in the bathroom, toilet, hallway, kitchen, in the corridors. This coating is cold and therefore not suitable for other rooms. But if you plan to install a warm floor, then in other rooms you can make a floor covering in the form of tiles.

Ceramic tile is a universal option that has several advantages. It can be put on any floor, including on concrete, wood, plywood, drywall, soil. Ceramic tiles can have a different design and pattern.

This floor is suitable even for classic interiors.

Tiles can be matte or glossy. Due to its texture, this material is able to hide dust and dirt. In addition, it is quite easy to care for. It is moisture resistant and practical.

Manufacturers present corrugated tiles that can be stepped on with wet feet. That's why This coating is perfect for the bathroom. You can not worry that slip.

The color scheme of this finishing material can be absolutely any. The tile itself is very strong and durable. These are high-quality vapor barrier and non-combustible floors. The tile is attached to the glue and lasts a very long time. But the coating is hard, therefore it is traumatic. It’s not comfortable to walk barefoot on cold tiles.

Bulk floor

Such a coating used to be most often used as a rough floor, while new self-leveling floors are excellent decorative coatings. Design involves the presence of volumetric patterns and patterns that are coated with a polymer layer. Bulk floors can be polyurethane or epoxy. By themselves, they are high-quality and environmentally friendly.

The life of such floors is quite long. They can look very presentable, especially for glossy models with patterns. These are moisture resistant and easy-care models. Their disadvantage is that Before laying, you need to perfectly level the surface and dry itotherwise, bumps may appear.

Which to choose?

The choice of flooring is a very important component of any repair. It should be borne in mind in which functional area or in which room it will be located. For each of the zones, you need to select materials based on what qualities they have and what loads they can withstand. In addition, gender composition should be influenced by family composition.

Some coatings are completely unacceptable to children. If you have small children, then the floors should be less traumatic and completely environmentally friendly. In addition, such floors should be easy to care for. If you have pets at home, then the coating must withstand mechanical stress, such as scratches.

When choosing, you should also evaluate your financial condition, since some flooring options are very expensive and require special care. If your apartment is located on the ground floor, then you should purchase the most moisture-resistant materials. This is because the closer the basement to the apartment, the higher the humidity level in it.

Not all apartments can be installed with some varieties of coatings. So, in panel apartments it is not always possible to insulate the floor, since an unacceptable level of load on the floor walls can occur, this is permissible only in good new buildings or private houses. Thus, you will have to choose models that do not involve concrete screed.

As for individual rooms and functional areas, there are a number of requirements. So, the most entrance and dirty is always the entrance zone. It involves a large load on the flooring and a lot of external influences in the form of moisture, dust and dirt. If you have children, then you will put strollers and sledges there, which can damage the coating.

That is why only the most solid and high-quality version is suitable. Moreover, it should look presentable and complement the interior of the apartment as a whole. The most acceptable for such rooms will be ceramic tiles. It serves a very long time and endures all of the above effects.

Linoleum is also often laid in the hallway, but at the same time they get the hardest models with an additional backing. Another option for the hallway is laying laminate flooring. But in this area of ​​the apartment it is better to choose durable models 31-33 class.

For the bedroom you can choose other flooring. Given that it is in this room that you will most often walk barefoot, so the coating should be warm and pleasant to the touch. Parquet and parquet board are perfect for this.

The carpet is very soft and aesthetic, so it is ideal for the sleeping area. At the same time, it performs well the function of noise isolation, which is so necessary for sleeping rooms. You can lay a laminate in this area, but you will have to put mats near the bed, because without a substrate in the form of underfloor heating, the laminate is cold.

Work technology

The floor of the apartment has two layers - intermediate and directly flooring. In the thinnest panel houses, an intermediate layer is absent, and the flooring is laid on a bare surface. For this option, when laying with your own hands, it is necessary to smooth the DSP before installing the grout. To do this, it is better to use the thinnest layer of cement screed - the so-called “pie”. So you can increase the level of noise and heat insulation.

When repairing the floor, wooden beam ceilings are also used as a base. So you can make heat and sound insulation. From above they can be covered with a layer of insulation from moisture. An intermediate layer is placed on the floor. It can consist of logs, a rough floor, additional insulating and waterproofing substrates, a thin concrete screed. And already on top of these layers can be laid flooring.

If you choose a wooden floor from boards, then it is already laid on beams without a rough floor. They use reinforced concrete products, timber, metal profiles.

When repairing, a cement screed method is often used. This is one of the easiest types of installation. In this case, a special cement mortar is made. Initially, the surface of the floors is cleaned from old concrete. After that, the floor is cleaned of dust and dirt. Then it is important to measure the slope and calculate the required volume of cement mortar. You can buy a mixture ready-made or make it yourself.

After you get the finished solution, you need to mix it well. Then you can set up beacons and guides that will allow you to smoothly and evenly fill the floors. Cement should be evenly distributed over the entire surface and ironed to the desired level. Preparation of the foundation must be carried out, while it is still wet and not hardened. This is necessary so that the floors last longer and do not crack. The screed dries up for about 30 days.

Another option is to lay a semi-dry screed. This option dries much faster and at the same time better protects against moisture and does not release heat. It has much less water and there are special fibers to prevent cracking. The technology for laying it is about the same as in the previous version.

You can use the dry screed method. On this floor, you can put the coating immediately after installation. On the floors, you need to put plastic sheets, and then fill them with sand and level them. The layer must be compacted and covered with a metal profile. This method is suitable for laying on a strip foundation. Gypsum boards are laid on top and fixed to the profile. On such a screed, you can immediately mount any floor covering.

Warming

Floor insulation involves fixing wooden logs to polyethylene. Polyfoam or mineral wool is laid there. The thickness of this layer can vary from 5 to 10 cm. From above, this heat-insulating level is covered with plywood or board, and a decorative coating is already applied on top.

Another option for insulation is a dry screed. This is a quick and effective way to insulate the floors in the apartment.

The substrate is also a fairly popular method of insulation. It involves laying sheets of foamed polyethylene under a decorative coating. This is not the most efficient, but very easy to install method. Since the substrate is quite thin, it allows you to save air and does not let it pass between the plates or lamellas that make up the decorative coating. It involves a little noise insulation and insulation. As a rule, such a substrate is used in combination with other protective measures.

As a substrate, special cotton wool or other materials are often used. They cope well with the function of heat and noise insulation. These insulation materials may include cellulose, noise insulation, rubber, acrylic elements and expanded polystyrene.

Another option for the substrate is the laying of extruded foam. It can even be laid on concrete. To achieve the best effect, the substrate is laid in several layers. Top you can use the flooring from any decorative coating. It is better if it is of high quality and durable.

Beautiful examples in the interior

In a modern interior, you can make a light floor from parquet or laminate. It perfectly suits the styles of Provence and classic. A shade of bleached oak will be suitable. You can supplement it with a rug in the form of animal skins.

For apartments in classic or modern style, parquet brown flooring under wenge or oak is perfect. This coating looks noble and elegant.

The metal floor looks cheap and angry. It is suitable for modern loft-style apartments.

For children, you can pick up a colored carpet, which will be decorated with fields for games or drawings of cartoon characters. This is an interesting solution that will delight your child.

See how to choose a soft floor.

The main thing is not design (surprisingly, yes?). So “vote with your heart” is not the most reasonable decision

Be more practical
Wow, the beauty of the floor you will quickly cease to notice. But the inconvenience in operation will be unnerving for many years. Therefore, you need to choose what will be convenient for you personally to use - everyone has their own habits.

Consider the purpose of the room
Obviously, there is no place for a carpet in the hallway, tiles without heating on the floor in the bedroom are hardly a reasonable solution. And the floor, as in the photo, is hardly suitable for absolutely all rooms in the apartment.

In a series of articles on Houzz it is described in some detail, which floor is better to choose for different rooms of the apartment - I will not stop there. I’ll tell you how to choose the color of the floor.

Bright colours - blue, green, orange, purple and others - set a playful mood. Perhaps you are looking for just such a design effect?

Beware of open acidic shades: the fashion for them passes. It is ideal to choose either light shades with a gray undertone, or saturated, dense, deep. Not only carpeting collections are vibrant, but also bulk floors (pictured) and marmoleum (next photo).

Very light (up to white) floor color - Almost the same radical solution as dark shades. But if black gives gravity and weight, then white, on the contrary, allows you to "suspend" the interior in zero gravity, to make it ultra-light. Quite often, designers use white in minimalistic interiors (pictured).

The white floor works great on the north side of the apartment when there is little natural sun and the room looks gray.

And the white floor is an ideal basis for luxurious bright carpets: it effectively emphasizes the pattern and shade of the carpet.

Nuance or contrast? Before choosing a flooring, you need to decide: on the nuance you are building the interior or in contrast. Contrast requires the opposite colors: dark floor and light furniture or vice versa. The nuance implies a color palette in one gamut, color differences should be barely noticeable.

Important: I would not advise you to select furniture and floor exactly to match - they should vary by at least a few shades. Otherwise, the interior looks very monotonous.

Motley or plain? It's not just about tiles - plain or with a pattern. A natural tree (and its imitations) can be motley: for example, in rustic boards there is an allowable range of shades of up to three tones - all of these knots and hints form an obvious motley.

On the contrary, we take boards marked "select" when you need a visually uniform space. Or a neutral background for a "motley" environment.

1. One cover in the whole apartment - the most common advice for small spaces, which is "transferred" to interiors in general. Yes, and in a misunderstood form. The nursery and the hallway have different purposes, the materials (obviously) should be different. Otherwise, everything that we called for reflection at the beginning of the article is completely meaningless: what are personal needs, what kind of lifestyle is there? - Everywhere a class 34 laminate and you're done!

2. Porcelain tiles without underfloor heating. This stuff is really very cold. So cold that without slippers it is impossible to walk on it, especially in winter. It is not possible to add a “warm floor” after installation.

3. Too embossed ceramic surface. Manufacturers of porcelain stoneware and tiles have learned to very realistically imitate the surface of natural wood. And too keen on it. Today you can find tiles that simulate brushed boards, with deep furrows. Dirt gets clogged in these furrows, and washing them is still a pleasure.

4. Glossy surface in wet areas. It looks very impressive, but if a puddle forms on the floor, and you step into it, there will be no time for beauty. Cross out the polished natural stone and glossy tiles from the list of candidates for the floor in the kitchen or bathroom.

5. Violation of the technology of the "pie". First of all, this applies to laminate flooring and solid wood. The ideal quality of the subfloor and the correct substrate are important here. It is unacceptable to ignore the manufacturer’s requirements for the technology and structure of the “pie” of the floor - otherwise the coating will fail very soon and it will have to be changed.

Instead of conclusions
So, to understand which flooring is better for an apartment, you need to answer three questions:

  1. What coverage requirements does your lifestyle dictate: safety, tactile sensations, appearance or hygiene?
  2. How does room design affect your preferred type of coating?
  3. Which of the coatings available on the budget solve the first and second problems?
Reasoning according to this scheme, you can choose a floor covering for each room. And remember that there are no bad coatings. There is their misuse.

YOUR TURN…
And what do you think, what flooring is better to choose for an apartment? Tell us what guided you,choosing flooring in your home. Is there anything you regret after the repair? Or, on the contrary, what are you proud of?

No. 4 - Cork

This is an expensive and not the most practical option for flooring. But the material is environmentally friendly, it is pleasant to walk on it even with bare feet, it is resilient and in general even creates coziness and comfort in the room by itself.

Cork is a material that not only makes the floors warmer to some extent, it also isolates the sound, and all the noises from the apartment, except the loudest ones, will not be heard from below by neighbors. This type of coating is elite and is quite expensive.

Cork Floor Release Forms

Installation of cork flooring can be done in any room, except for those where the level of humidity is increased, since the material simply starts to absorb moisture and deteriorate. Also, laying should be done on a flat and solid foundation. You can’t also put a cork on bare concrete - you must use a substrate. In general, installation is very simple.

Cork is especially popular in children's rooms.

Cork coating is available in the form of plates or rolls. It must be laid using special glue. Some options have a layer immediately on the production of the applied adhesive component, which allows you to fix the material on the floor. The upper part of the material is coated with a special composition that protects the cork from moisture.

  • heat and sound insulating properties
  • environmental friendliness
  • easy styling
  • high strength
  • elite material
  • nice to walk on it with bare feet
  • suitable for any room except the bathroom
  • does not bend and withstands heavy loads
  • not afraid of raising or lowering temperatures

  • it's expensive
  • Do not put in the bathroom

No. 3 - Piece parquet

One of the oldest options for flooring, which is still popular. Parquet is a small board laid in a certain pattern. They are laid on a special adhesive composition by the piece, which is why the installation of such a coating is long, expensive and complicated.

On a note! Modern parquet does not have to be laid individually. There are such material variations when several elements still in production were combined into a single system of a larger size. So, the installation will go faster and easier.

Piece parquet is the most durable type of parquet

Parquet is created from pure wood. Moreover, the upper layer of the bar, as a rule, is made of elite rocks. Commonly used are ash, oak, beech and other durable wood options. Accordingly, the parquet pattern is a wood pattern. The material is safe and environmentally friendly. It does not harm health.Also, the coating has good heat and sound insulation, it is pleasant to walk on it and it can be laid in all rooms except the bathroom and the bathroom.

The process of laying piece parquet

No. 2 - Flooring

The most pleasant and best for human health flooring option is a regular floorboard. It is a natural wood floor, created without any glue, that is almost the best for any home.

Installation of the floorboard is carried out according to previously installed and fixed lags. Under the floor covering itself, materials such as ecowool are laid as insulation. Yes, and the tree itself, due to its structure, retains heat well in the house, plus it is tactilely pleasant.

Massive board sorting

Another advantage is the durability of wood floors. With proper installation and proper care, wood floors can last for decades. And the ecological purity of the material makes it an ideal option for those who care about their health.

Solid wood board - absolutely natural, environmentally friendly material

The wood floor has excellent heat and sound insulation properties and does not even need additional sound insulation. This is a great option for families with children and just active people.

Wooden floor is best suited for installation in the bedroom or living room, children's room. But in the bathroom or kitchen, the tree will quickly become unusable due to high humidity. Therefore, for such premises it is better to choose another option. Another disadvantage of wood is its tendency to absorb the smells that are in the house. And to bring them out is not an easy task. Also, due to the installation features (the need to install a lag), it must be borne in mind that wooden floors will slightly reduce the height of the ceiling - for some, this can be a critical factor. And over time, the floor of the board may begin to creak. Fortunately, as a rule, this shortcoming is quite easy to fix.

The most environmentally friendly flooring option - wooden

Surprisingly, a wooden floor is not as expensive as it could be. In fact, it will cost much less than some other coating options. But installing it is not the easiest and cheapest task.

  • looks good
  • environmentally friendly material - natural wood
  • tactilely pleasant
  • durable
  • good heat and sound insulation properties
  • ease of care
  • inexpensive option

  • difficult installation
  • may start to creak
  • not suitable for wet rooms

Ways of heat and sound insulation

You can make heat and sound insulation in an apartment in several ways using the following materials:

1. The first, most famous and used method is laying thin foamed polyethylene under a decorative coating. But this method will not give the desired effect in full, it will only slightly drown out the noise from below and make the floor a little warmer. Therefore, polyethylene is better to use in combination with other materials that have the characteristics necessary to create comfort in the apartment.

Foamed polyethylene insulation - low efficiency

2. Another, more effective way is to fix wooden logs onto a thin polyethylene bed, between which you can lay a foam 50–100 mm thick, expanded clay or mineral wool. Then, such a warm - and soundproof "coat" is closed on top with a floorboard or plywood, which in turn is covered with one of the decorative coatings.

Wooden floor on logs with insulation

3. The third way is a floor made of dry screed. This type of thermal and sound insulation will perform well, the tasks assigned to it. It is easy to install and perfectly protects the room from noise and cold.

Dry screed - quick and effective enough

4. A little-known, but very effective method of insulation has recently been considered pleasant and lightweight materials - ecowool made on the basis of cellulose, and noise insulation, consisting of expanded polystyrene, rubber and acrylic additives.

Small composite balls - noise insulation

Video: sound and heat insulation using noise insulation

5. A fairly well-known and simple way to achieve silence and warmth in an apartment is to lay the extruded polystyrene immediately on concrete. If necessary and a sufficient height of the ceilings, the material can be laid in several layers, and on top of it is laid a hard decorative coating, for example, parquet board or laminate.

Excellent insulation and sound insulation - extruded polystyrene foam

Video - Flooring of a wooden floor. Step by step

Ecological purity of such a coating allows you to lay it in the nursery and bedroom. Its soundproofing properties will make the rooms calm and conducive to relaxation.

Do not lay wooden floors in the kitchen, bathroom and hallway.

  1. In the kitchen there are many smells that tend to soak into floor and wall coverings, and the tree is prone to perception of various aromas. But their mixture over time can lead to the fact that the smell will be very unpleasant and indestructible. Therefore, in the kitchen, it is best to use neutral material for the floor - ceramic tiles, laminate or epoxy bulk floors.
  2. Due to the high humidity, it is not necessary to arrange the floors from boards and plywood in the bathrooms. The tree absorbs well not only smells, but also moisture, from which it swells and deforms, therefore it is better to abandon this idea.
  3. The floors in the hallway are on the same level as the floors in the entrance. If you install the lags and the floorboard, then they will rise at least five centimeters, and an uncomfortable step will turn out, and if the door opens inward, it will have to be reinstalled or replaced. Therefore, the best option would be to cover the hall with laminate, tile or linoleum.

In addition to the above floor coverings, there are others, such as 3D epoxy floors, parquet boards, polymer tiles and, of course, parquet known to everyone.

For more information on how to make bulk floors with the 3d effect yourself, read the publication "do-it-yourself 3d floors"

Video: still unfamiliar to many quartz-vinyl flooring

The material the floor is made of determines how warm the rooms are. In addition, the flooring has a special effect on the design of the interior. Therefore, it is very important to approach this issue with all seriousness, to calculate all the pros and cons so that the flooring lasts a long time, and also does not harm the residents of the apartment.

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Tile

Lay in a room of 15 square meters. m: from 4245 R.

Tiles can be laid in rooms with high humidity. The durability of the tile depends on its strength: the coefficient of wear resistance is usually indicated on the back of the package. The higher this indicator, the stronger the tile: for the kitchen, the strength of the tile is at least PEI II, and for the bathroom PEI I.

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Decorative bulk floor

Lay in a room of 15 square meters. m: from 15 000 R

The bulk floor - or liquid linoleum - is obtained from the "spreading" of a self-leveling mixture along the screed. Previously, this coating was used only in warehouses, but now it is used for decoration of apartments.

Such a coating is durable and durable: if you have to knock down the bulk floor, it will take more effort and time. The bulk floor is harmless to allergy sufferers and is easy to clean.

True, it is difficult to obtain an ideal surface yourself: first you need to level the floor so that the liquid linoleum does not repeat the tubercles and depressions, and then quickly distribute the mixture - the bulk floor hardens instantly.

Cork floor

Lay in a room of 15 square meters. m: from 24 375 R.

The top layer of the cork board is cork chips, and the bottom is high-grade veneer. The coating is of two types - adhesive and castle. They differ in the way they are installed: the adhesive coating is mounted with glue, and the castle coating with grooves, like a laminate.

To the price of the board you need to add the cost of glue and laying