Almost every owner wonders which self-leveling floor is most suitable for the home, which mixture to choose, or how the types of coatings differ in addition to price. Floor on cement based is good decision for those who want to restore order and cleanliness.

Features of cement floors

Cement-polymer floor is a self-leveling self-leveling floor. It is highly moisture resistant. It is universal - suitable for outdoors and indoors. You just need to choose the right mixture that will withstand temperature changes or excessive humidity. The presence of cement provides the coating with ideal adhesion to concrete - this is better than simply laying tiles or laminate on a bare, unprepared surface.

Therefore, liquid floors are often the main finishing. For such purposes, dry mixes are purchased at construction markets.

The composition of the mixture for pouring the floor contains several components:

• The most important thing is cement.
• Various minerals.
• Natural sand (fractional).
• Polymer components.

It is quite simple to determine a high-quality mixture: its composition contains a large content of various useful additives and polymer components. They are used to increase strength, as well as to ensure that the mixture has the desired consistency when pouring the floor.

There is also another type of self-leveling floors - cement-sand. It consists of cement, sand and water. However, sometimes it is recommended to add another plasticizer to increase the density of the coating.

How to properly create a homemade self-leveling floor - step by step instructions for those who want to do this themselves without the help of special organizations:

• Preliminary work. The preparatory part consists of several steps. First, you need to tidy up the surface, remove debris and dust. The second is to draw a line around the perimeter with adhesive tape at the level of the planned floor. Measure the width of the tape according to the thickness of the floor. Sometimes it turns out that the tape protrudes beyond the edges - then this can be covered with a plinth. Third stage - prepare everything you need for the solution before moving on to next stage. How to do it correctly can be read on the packaging of the mixture.

• Installation of beacons. With the help of beacons, the area is divided into several zones. It is important to do this if the surface is large and filling the entire space at once will be problematic. The beacons should be equal in height to the thickness of the future floor. If the floor is relatively flat, then self-tapping screws are suitable as beacons. They need to be screwed in a checkerboard pattern into the base of the floor. Try to maintain a distance of one meter between them. If there are significant unevennesses (from 3 centimeters), then we recommend using not self-tapping screws, but metal corners. They are fixed with cement and gypsum mortar.

It is better to check the correctness with a level, strictly maintaining the horizontal. If the pouring area is too large, use the same self-tapping screws, screw them into the floor, and mark the level of the caps on the walls. After that building level It’s worth checking the horizontal position and then tightening the wire.

• Primer. Apply in a convenient way to an already cleaned surface. During the process, carefully watch for cracks and roughness; they also need to be treated. The primer dries in about 30 minutes. For a better result, it is better to repeat the procedure several times until the surface gives off a certain shine. This is especially important if the floor is old, cracked and uneven. If everything is more or less new, then one layer may be enough. It's better to look at the situation. During pouring, the material may darken or begin to foam - this means that the humidity in the room is quite high.

Nothing catastrophically bad will happen, the primer will simply take much longer to dry - about a day, not half an hour.

• Preparing material for further pouring. It is better to mix the mixture before you start the second step, so as not to waste time later. As mentioned in the first step, all instructions and filling technology are available on the packaging of the composition. It is extremely important to follow all rules and be careful. Pour the amount of water specified in the instructions into the solution container. After this, carefully pour in the powder. There is no need to add anything extraneous. It is recommended to mix the mixture with a drill with a suitable attachment or a construction mixer so that the solution comes out of high quality. You need to stir until it becomes a homogeneous mass, and then let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes, and then stir again.

• Filling the screed. Apply markings along the beacons with a level, then fill in the self-leveling mixture. Try not to delay the process, as the composition may then harden. The drying speed is also indicated on the packaging. Therefore, it is recommended to fill at least two people - it’s faster and more reliable. The solution is poured onto the floor, after which it must be leveled with a roller. If you have no experience at all in carrying out such work, then it is better to use less solution. It’s better for two people to act like this: one pours the mixture, the second immediately levels it out, while the first prepares the next portion. And so on until the very end, until the entire area is ready.

The floor should ultimately be level and smooth. After complete filling, the surface must be re-rolled with a roller with needles to ensure that the solution adheres tightly to the base. This will remove any air bubbles. Next, let the floor dry. The drying time may be different for all solutions, but on average it is six hours.

Features of acrylic self-leveling floor

The composition of the acrylic floor, which consists of:

• Cement.
• Polyacrylate copolymers.
• Special filler.

Initially, such floors were laid in industrial environments, but now the scope has expanded. These floors are highly durable, resistant to moisture and various chemicals. They often cover surfaces in the subway, showers, toilets, and so on. The floor is fairly easy to install, but it would still be a good idea to prepare the surface to be effective. Just as before, remove debris and dust.

Main characteristics:

• You can create different surface- matte or glossy.
• Resistance to temperature changes.
• The floor does not peel off from the surface.
• Service life is about thirty years.
• Perfectly smooth surface and elasticity.
• Easy to clean from dirt and dust.
• Dries quickly until you can walk on it.

Acrylic floor installation:

• Preparing the subfloor. Installation of such a floor is somewhat faster than a cement-polymer floor. And it is also not necessary to lay a finishing layer (tiles, parquet or other) on top of it. Remove all dirt, dust and debris. Sanding in case of acrylic floors you don't have to do it.

• Primer. Without it, the material will not sit firmly on the surface. Experts advise, depending on the age of the floor, to decide how many layers of soil need to be laid. But often one is enough.

• Mixing the mixture. It is recommended to do this immediately before applying to the surface. All components are mixed in the vessel, and after that you can pour it. It is convenient to level with a spatula. This must be done quickly, since such a floor dries within 15-20 minutes.

• Roller processing. It is better to use a needle roller as it will help get rid of any air bubbles in the mixture. On a surface that has not yet dried, wear shoes with spikes.

• Coating. After a couple of hours, cover the floor with resin or varnish (your choice). This last layer, which will provide better protection and moisture resistance. After a few more hours, the floor dries completely, and you can no longer walk on it without wearing specialized shoes, place objects on it, and carry out any repair work.

Floor coating with liquid glass

Among other things, liquid glass is often used to fill the floor. Such a self-leveling floor after installation creates a smooth and glossy surface, which is very similar to real glass, only in liquid form. He is often found in medical institutions, because it is easy to clean and does not absorb bacteria. In fact liquid glass always glossy and transparent, but it is possible to paint it in order to achieve a different shade. In these cases, special dyes are used that are added to the mixture.

You can also create a 3D effect. To do this, you need to put a printed drawing or other three-dimensional objects of your taste and color between the layers.

The advantages of such floors:

• Smooth surface.
• Does not burn.
• Does not react to chemicals.
• Vibration resistant.

Selection of finishing compositions

Of the huge range of flooring compositions, it is worth noting the most popular:

• “Prospectors Quick-hardening” (from 270 rubles) based on gypsum. Most often used in living quarters, kitchens and hallways. A mobile solution, within forty minutes you can have time to pour it over a fairly large surface. A fairly well-known mixture that is used even by experienced specialists.

• “Prospectors Tolstoy” (from 230 rubles) based on cement. Levels concrete floors with very strong unevenness. Used for applying thick layers. They come out heavy, but at the same time durable. Suitable for garage and bathroom, as well as outdoors with some kind of canopy. It takes the longest to dry on this list.

• Brand Unis. “Horizon Universal” (from 270 rubles). Suitable even for wet rooms, on any basis. The name speaks for itself - the mixture is universal, it can be used under tiles in a toilet or bathroom.

Self-leveling self-leveling floor is one of the best options flooring in an apartment or country house. Self-leveling solutions are used as a base for other materials or as self-coating. The mixture for self-leveling floor can be poured in any room from the bedroom to the garage or workshop. The main thing is to choose the right mixtures. Their range today is quite wide and combines coatings with different composition, surface structure and layer thickness. Each of the mixtures has its own characteristics, pouring technology and recommended area of ​​application.

What does self-leveling floor consist of?

The main characteristic of any mixture for self-leveling flooring is its composition. Depending on the components used for the production of flooring, there are four main types of compositions:

1. The most common are floors with a cement binder. They are quite easy to install, durable and wear-resistant. The positive characteristics can be added to the relatively low cost and big choice manufacturers.
2. Gypsum-based solutions are also quite popular. They are distinguished by high strength and durability, as well as the ability to fill fairly thick layers. A significant disadvantage of mixtures with a gypsum binder is their rapid wear in rooms with high humidity.
3. Self-leveling floor mixtures based on polymers and polyurethane are the highest quality coatings. They are particularly strong and durable. Laying them will require a lot of effort and experience, but the result is an ultra-thin screed. It is from this type of mixture that it is possible to obtain a floor covering with excellent artistic characteristics. Masters manage to create real masterpieces.
4. Combined compositions are produced based on cement and polymer resins. Their price is lower than that of polymer mixtures, and their quality is higher than that of cement mixtures.

Let's look at each in more detail.

Cement self-leveling mixtures

The mixture contains three main components: cement, sand and water. Only high-quality cement is used that does not contain foreign impurities. Only in this case will the screed acquire the necessary hardness after drying. The second component is pre-cleaned sand. For self-leveling floors, it is recommended to use medium fractions. Water for mixing mixtures should not contain any chemical impurities. It is desirable that the pH and salt levels are within normal limits.

In addition, the composition includes the following necessary components for self-leveling floors: plasticizers, antifreeze additives, acidity modulators and moisture-retaining additives. These chemical substances give the cement mortar plasticity and the ability to spread over the surface of the base.

Note: Cement self-leveling mortars have the lowest cost among all types of mixtures. To pour such solutions, no special skills are required; even a beginner who is far from construction can do the job. These factors explain the popularity of this type of self-leveling coatings.

In those rooms where the base level has significant differences, depressions and cracks, cement mortars are used as a starting coating, and more expensive polymer mixtures are poured on top. This way it is possible to reduce repair costs, and it is much easier to fill on an already prepared base.

Cement based mixtures are suitable for use in living rooms and various utility rooms.

Gypsum-based mixtures

The components of a gypsum-based self-leveling floor are almost no different from similar cement mixtures. The only difference is that gypsum is used as a binder. All features of such a self-leveling mixture are related to the characteristics of the binder component. Thus, gypsum hardens faster and allows you to create a thicker screed. When choosing a composition for pouring, you should remember that gypsum is not resistant to high humidity.

Advice: In this regard, the gypsum composition of the self-leveling floor is recommended for use in dry rooms for various purposes with light loads on the floor.

Polymer compositions for pouring floors

A special place among mixtures is occupied by polymer compositions. What does a polymer-based self-leveling floor consist of?

Polyurethane solutions include polyurethane as a binder and various chemical additives that increase the plasticity and uniformity of the solution. In addition, quartz filler can be added to the composition to increase strength and wear resistance. As a rule, two-component self-leveling floors with fillers are used in rooms where the floor covering will be subject to regular high loads.

In methyl methacrylate solutions, the role of a binder is played by the resin. As the floor hardens, it acquires a high degree of strength and is ideally flat surface. To improve the quality of the coating, sand, plasticizer and various hardeners are added to the floor mixture.

Epoxy self-leveling floors made on the basis epoxy resin, are most often used in large areas, industrial or production buildings, where the floor covering will regularly experience enormous loads.

Tip: Cement-acrylic mortars are suitable for rooms with high humidity, as they are not susceptible to moisture.

Calculation of the amount of mixture and its preparation

After you familiarize yourself with the characteristics, read reviews and decide which mixtures are most suitable for filling the floor, you will need to calculate required amount composition. The density of the self-leveling floor mixture is 1.3 kg/l per 1 m2. To fill a layer of 1 mm for each square meter for a floor you will need 1.3 kg of dry powder, for a 2 mm floor - 2.6 kg, and so on.

How to make your own self-leveling floor mixture? There are a few basic rules to remember. The powder should be poured into a container with water, and not vice versa. This way you will be able to obtain a solution of uniform consistency. The amount of water is calculated according to the recommendations on the packaging. It is best to mix the solution with a drill with a special attachment. Special attention You also need to pay attention to the time during which the mixture thickens, and arrange the whole work in such a way as to use the prepared solution before it begins to set.

Before installing the finishing floor coverings, it is necessary to carry out work to level the base. Modern building materials provide the opportunity to achieve an ideal, even surface. different ways. The range of materials and technologies is quite large: from the construction of floorings from sheet materials of sufficient strength to the production of “wet” screeds using cement-sand mixtures or self-leveling (self-leveling) compounds. What is better: self-leveling floor or cement screed? To decide on the advisability of using one or another base, it is necessary to understand their features and subtleties of application.

Screed and self-leveling floors differ from each other according to several criteria:

• time costs and labor intensity of work;
• cost of materials and labor;
• compatibility with the material of the top finishing flooring;
• Possibility of use at various height differences.

The feasibility of using a self-leveling floor is high when it is necessary to perfectly level the surface and carry out work in the shortest possible time. Self-leveling flooring is not suitable for use with large differences heights and for laying finishing materials such as tiles, stone, porcelain stoneware. Despite the relatively low labor intensity, the cost of installation and material for a self-leveling floor are high compared to a concrete screed.

Concrete screed perfectly levels the surface, its cost is relatively cheap, however, the process of leveling the floor is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Concrete screed involves the need to deliver many bags of cement and sand to the site being repaired and mixing the mortar manually. Therefore, during production repair work V multi-storey building it is necessary to understand that the high location of the object increases the cost of the cement screed due to the need to lift the material to the floor. Cement screed dries quite slowly and the rate of hardening directly depends on the thickness of the layer.


Concrete floor screed

Brief information about the features of concrete screed

After the time has elapsed concrete surface Cracks and scratches appear, which inevitably leads to the need to level the flooring. It is impossible to efficiently install or replace laminated or parquet flooring or linoleum without restoration concrete screed. Minimum fill thickness concrete mixture when eliminating shortcomings of the existing concrete screed - 30 millimeters.
TIP: The surface of the concrete screed must be additionally sanded if relatively thin linoleum is to be laid. However, sanding costs extra money.
Specialists make concrete screeds using beacons; it is this technology that allows you to maintain the required level throughout the entire room. The need to use beacons and level the mixture manually with a special tool - as a rule - also makes the process labor-intensive and classifies the screeding process as low-tech.

IMPORTANT: Experienced specialists note the positive aspect of using a screed - you can immediately lay elements of the “warm floor” system inside it.

The advantage of a concrete screed: it can be used to install a heated floor system

Brief information about the features of self-leveling floors

Self-leveling flooring, which is a self-leveling gravitational composition, is used for surfaces with small differences in height. This type of substrate can withstand heavy loads, including high wear resistance and does not wear out.

Composition of working mixtures and their features

Physico-chemical properties of the materials that make up the cement-sand screed and bulk mixture determine the differences in the implementation of flooring technologies.

"Wet" cement screed

The traditional composition for wet cement-sand screed consists of three components: sifted sand, cement and water. Its preparation is carried out by the masters themselves by kneading immediately before use. At the same time, the proportions of elements are also regulated situationally, so the human factor plays an important role here. There is a ready-made dry mixture for cement-sand screed, which is only diluted with water. This mixture contains a small amount of profile modifiers. Modifiers increase the manufacturability of installation and improve the performance characteristics of cement-sand screed, namely:

• improve the mobility of the solution;
• increase the initial setting period of the diluted mixture;
• increase the moisture resistance of the floor;
• increase the strength of the coating and its abrasion;
• increase resistance to deformation under temperature influences, which is important when additionally using “warm” floor technology.

IMPORTANT: With or without the use of modifiers, the process of laying cement-sand mixtures requires the processing of large volumes of materials, as well as significant effort to achieve the effect of a flat surface.

Semi-dry cement screed

By choosing a ratio of components in which the mixture is dominated by a larger amount of sand and relatively little water, it is possible to achieve the effect of rapid hardening of the prepared solution. Semi-dry screed has reduced strength, it often crumbles and crushes, and cannot withstand heavy weight loads. This method is most often used in apartments with a small amount of lightweight furniture, during accelerated repairs.

Dry cement screed

When dry screeding, no water is used at all, since a dry mixture is used to fill the floors. Mechanically This backfill is leveled and placed on top sheet materials– plywood or gypsum fiber. With its low weight, this screed is suitable for use in private houses on wooden floors.
TIP: “Wet” screed, as it is more durable, is more often used in non-residential premises(garages, retail spaces), other types of screed are preferable for apartments and houses with a relatively small area.

Dry screed is most suitable for use in apartments with a flat floor base

Self-leveling self-leveling screed

Compositions for self-leveling floors are manufactured factory-made in the form of dry mixtures or suspensions; they cannot be prepared independently. Movable liquid consistency ready solution allows it to spread freely and align itself due to gravitational forces. Classification of self-leveling floors is made in accordance with the composition of the mixture. IN ready mixture Mineral or polymer compounds may be included, and therefore self-leveling floors are conventionally divided into:

• epoxy;
• polyurethane;
• epoxy-polyurethane;
• methyl methacrylate.

Polyurethane compounds are characterized by increased elasticity and moisture resistance; they are designed for use under conditions of significant loads and surface compression/expansion, as well as vibration and temperature changes.

An impact-resistant surface is obtained by using epoxy compounds. These two-component compounds are also impact-resistant and can withstand high-intensity mechanical impacts.

Epoxy-polyurethane mixtures are durable, resilient and elastic, and essentially combine positive characteristics mono-component epoxy and polyurethane mixtures.

If a high speed of hardening of the composition is required, it is necessary to use methyl methacrylate compositions - two hours after pouring it is possible to move on the floor surface.

Polyurethane floor screed

Features of coatings due to the compositions used

In addition to the main performance characteristics, when choosing the type of screed, it is necessary to evaluate other important parameters: time and method of preparation, laying, other installation operations. These factors affect the final result, cost and time spent on floor repairs.

Cement-sand screed

The technological feature of this type of composition is its thick consistency and poor ductility. This necessitates the use of trowels, graters and rules, as well as significant physical effort to distribute the mass over the floor surface. In order to facilitate the application process, it is practiced to add modifiers to the mixture. If installation is carried out quickly and there are no factory modifiers, it is possible to add concentrated detergent– it also increases the plasticity of the mixture. When there are large differences in heights, the “beacon” laying technology is used; it is characterized by a general increase in the cost of work and additional labor costs.
IMPORTANT: The cement-sand screed solution is prepared immediately before use using cement sand and a variable amount of water. The quality and composition of the solution is complete. Depends
from the human factor and the skill of the performer - incorrect use of the proportions of materials when mixing the mixture can lead to
to its fragility and cracking.

Scope of application of cement-sand screed

Due to the pronounced roughness of the surface of the cement-sand screed, it is used as a basis for laying linoleum, parquet, laminate, floor boards, and carpet.

For technical or industrial premises Sometimes cement screed used as finishing coating. Strengthen upper layer screed for its further use using ironing technology, in which cement laitance is squeezed onto the surface of the mortar and dry cement or other powder toppings are rubbed into it, which compact the outer layer of the screed and strengthen it. The surface thus reinforced can withstand the use of heavy equipment, including forklifts.

For residential premises, the minimum thickness of the screed is 3-4 centimeters. To prevent mechanical damage and cracking, it is practiced to place a reinforcing metal or polymer mesh inside the composition. After 12 hours after pouring the cement-sand screed solution, it is possible to carefully move along its surface in soft shoes. Nominal strength is achieved after 14 days, after which installation of decorative elements is possible. finishing materials. The final hardening of the solution occurs within 90 days. When using wood materials as a finishing floor covering, it is necessary to take into account the moisture content of the base, namely, the base must be completely dry.

Floor surface polishing machine

Screed using self-leveling floor

Installation of self-leveling floors is carried out without “beacons”; the filling technology is simple and does not require significant specialist efforts. Due to the fluidity of the solution and its ability to self-level and quickly dry, the installation process is fast and efficient.

Scope of application of self-leveling floors

The quality of the resulting surface of self-leveling floors allows you to lay absolutely any decorative coating on top. Often, self-leveling floors are left as a finishing coating due to its attractive appearance and capabilities. different ways decoration during installation.

Polymer self-leveling screed has a rich color palette, additionally, sparkles, flocks and others can be used decorative ornaments. So-called 3D floors are gaining popularity. Impressive appearance and a variety of fantasy images are provided by mounting into the middle layer of filling printed in high resolution images on vinyl based, and the top is filled with a layer of transparent polyurethane or epoxy component.
Tip: By similar technology It is also possible to produce some interior items, in particular tables, whose design will repeat the design of the floors.
Self-leveling floors are popular for food, chemical, and pharmacological premises, as well as in gyms and fitness clubs, public institutions, and kitchens in organizations Catering, that is, where sterility and cleanliness, ease of care and disinfection of surfaces are important.

For domestic premises, self-leveling floors are indispensable in bathrooms, kitchens - in areas where there are pronounced temperature fluctuations and high humidity.

After 3 hours after pouring the self-leveling mixture, you can already move on its surface, and after three days it is advisable to begin laying the decorative material.

Minimum permissible thickness pouring the mixture is 0.5-1 mm, but generally, pouring is done at 3.5-5 mm. But when minimum thickness poured floors are only suitable for home use, and for industrial use the thickness is calculated in accordance with the expected loads.

The process of pouring self-leveling floor

Features of the use of various screeds in practice

The advisability of using one or another type of screed or a combination of them depends on several factors.

An indicator for the use of cement-sand screed is the complex terrain of the floor, namely:

• large differences in height between floor slabs;
• significant unevenness, potholes;
• large angle of inclination of the plates.

These defects require the installation of a thick layer of screed, therefore, the advantage of using cement-sand mortars in this case is undeniable.

If it is necessary to achieve significant heat-saving characteristics of floors, for example, interfloor, perilite, expanded clay or polystyrene foam balls are added to the cement-sand screed. Heat-saving functions are not inherent self-leveling floors and heat saving indicators cannot be achieved by adding any additives.
Advice: It is believed that you can make a self-leveling floor yourself, without resorting to the services of specialists.
The stages of surface preparation for all types of screed can be characterized as follows:

• cleaning floor slabs or existing rough fill;
• surface dust removal;
• treatment with primer compounds to ensure better adhesion.

Ready-made concrete floor screed

Combined screed method

If it is necessary to achieve a smooth floor surface with a strongly deformed work surface experts recommend using a combined method - first, they make a layer of concrete screed over the entire surface or parts of it, and install a self-leveling floor on top. This method saves money by 40% compared to using only self-leveling floors on difficult surfaces.

Combined method of using concrete screed and self-leveling floor

Approximate cost calculation for screed

Self-leveling floors and screeds are designed to level the surface, but at the same time they differ in properties and cost. For clarity, it is possible to give an example of a conditional calculation of the costs of installing coatings, based on the conditional area of ​​the object of 100 square meters.

Initial data

Let's calculate a situation in which it is necessary to level the floor of 1009 square meters with a coating whose thickness will be equal to 10 centimeters. Three options seem possible:

• A mixture of high-quality sand concrete. Its average cost is 150 rubles per 50 kg, that is, 3 rubles per 1 kilogram;
• Cement screed with modifiers – average price 180 rubles per 25 kilogram, namely 7.2 rubles per kilogram;
• Composition for self-leveling floor– approximately 230 rubles per 20 kilograms (more than 11 rubles per kg).

For 10 square meters of object you will need:

• 2 kilograms per square meter of sand concrete, and its total cost will be 60 thousand rubles;
• 1.8 kilograms of modified screed, the total cost of this material will be 129,600 rubles;
• 1.6 kilograms per square meter of mixture for self-leveling floor, but, with a significant cost of one kilogram, 184,000 rubles will be spent on the material.

Based on the above calculations, it is obvious that when the surface leveling thickness is large, it is necessary to combine cement-sand screed and self-leveling floor.

Surface quality

For tiles, porcelain stoneware and stone, the mirror surface provided by the use of self-leveling floors is absolutely unnecessary.

Therefore, self-leveling flooring is used before laying the following materials:

• linoleum;
• laminate;
• parquet;
• carpet

It is these materials that require all the properties of a self-leveling floor, since they provide the final ideal appearance of the repaired floor.

Medium thicknesses for leveling

At medium differences, namely 2-3 centimeters, it is necessary to make a decision based on the current situation at the repair site, as well as in accordance with the intended design.

So, if you only need to lay linoleum or laminate and do it as quickly as possible, it is advisable to make a self-leveling floor. If installation is required heated floors– then a cement-concrete screed is used, and, at the customer’s request, an additional self-leveling floor.

In any case, one of the important determining factors in choosing the type of screed is time and the amount of money.

Tip: If you need to do it quickly high-quality coating and there is no goal to save money - self-leveling floors will be the ideal solution.

Final alignment

For quality final leveling 1-3 millimeters thick, only self-leveling flooring is used. It is important to keep in mind that any other screed will not adhere to the base and will crack due to the thinness of the layer.

Finished coating for laying laminate

Let's sum it up

For quick orientation when using types of screed, depending on the coating and leveling thickness, we present a general table.

Parquet, laminate, linoleum, carpet, other material requiring a flat surfaceTile, mosaic, stone, other material that requires a rough surfaceThin layer of fill from 0-5.mm Self-leveling floor Self-leveling floor The average filling layer is from 5-30.mm Self-leveling floor/screedModified screed The filling layer is thick, there is a significant difference in heights and defects - 30-200.mm Combined method - screed with self-leveling floorAny type of screed

Video: subtleties and secrets of self-leveling floors and liquid screeds

Self-leveling cement flooring is used to level the surface before laying linoleum or laminate. The pouring mixture consists of cement, fine sand and polymers. The mixture is applied in a thickness of 0.5 to 6 centimeters. The most important advantage cement mixture is the possibility of using it to create “warm floors”.

What materials and tools are needed for self-leveling flooring?

Necessary equipment and materials:

• tank for mixing the composition;
• construction vacuum cleaner;
• drill with attachments for mixing liquid mixtures;
• metal trowel;
• needle roller.

First, you need to check the level of the subfloor using a lath and thoroughly clean it from the remnants of old mortar and dirt with a construction vacuum cleaner.

If the differences are more than 4 millimeters per 2 meters of floor, then it is necessary to level grinder, or fill with a layer of more than 1 centimeter.

Applying a primer is an extremely important part of the work. After applying the primer, the base becomes rough, which enhances the adhesion of concrete to cement filling. Priming is carried out using a paint brush or roller.

24 hours after applying the primer, you can start pouring the floor.

Mix a solution consisting of one kilogram of dry mixture and 200 milliliters of water using an electric drill attachment.

Note that water is first poured into the mixing bowl, and then the mixture is poured in, otherwise, there will be many lumps in the solution, which always leads to the appearance of holes on the floor surface.

The resulting mixture is laid out on the base of the floor and smoothly leveled over the surface. Since the mixture hardens quickly, work must be done continuously. If it is difficult to achieve continuity of filling of the entire area, then the filling is carried out in sections.

After leveling the mixture, the floor surface is pressed down with a needle roller. This is necessary so that the portions of the solution adhere better to each other, and the existing air bubbles are removed.

To improve the quality of the coating and simplify the work on installing the floor, builders and apartment owners are increasingly using a self-leveling mixture for self-leveling floors.

Such compositions are easy to prepare and work with, as a rule, do not require special skills and are affordable. Market building materials surprises with the variety of SSM for self-leveling floors, of varying quality and characteristics. Let's consider the specifics of using the mixture, what the self-leveling floor consists of, and the main properties of the pouring result.

Types of mixtures for screed

Depending on the room in which the work is planned, as well as what result is needed, different compositions are recommended for use.

Mixtures for self-leveling floors finishing and rough filling differ in the thickness of the possible layer, drying time, strength and, of course, price.

It is customary to distinguish between types of mixtures using the following criteria:

• fill layer thickness;
• type of diluent: aqueous or solvent;
• electrical conductivity coefficient;
• layer texture;
• base binder.

Most of the basic properties of the mixture for self-leveling floors depend on the main binder

Basic component	Scope of application	pros	Minuses
Gypsum	Rooms with low humidity (up to 70%)	The thickness of the leveling layer can reach 10 cm, which makes it possible to hide very significant differences in height at the base; Low thermal conductivity; Budget cost.	Readiness time, drying period longer than cement mortar; They lose strength at high humidity.
Cement	No limits	Fast coating ready time; Not susceptible to high humidity; High strength.	High price; Thin layer filling up to 5cm.
Epoxy resin or methyl methacrylate	Without restrictions, most often for non-residential premises.	Daily availability of coating; Excellent design and decorative capabilities; Can be applied over 3D layouts; Increased wear resistance.	Not suitable for leveling significant surface defects; Toxic when working; High consumption solution: more than 1.5 kg per 1m2.
Polyurethane (polyaspartates)	Most often used in private construction.	High strength; non-slip, abrasion-resistant; Suitable for filling inclined surfaces without the formation of sagging.	Not resistant to mechanical damage; Long readiness cycle; High price

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Work stage

The rough screed is poured in a thick layer

Among other things, the mixture for self-leveling floors should be distinguished according to the stage of work it carries out. For the main or black screed, levelers are used. These mixtures are poured into beacons with large thickness layer.

Used to eliminate gross defects in ceilings and height differences. This type of fill dries quickly. You can save on volume by laying reinforcing mesh in a layer.

The top fill should be no more than 5 cm thick

Top leveling fill under decorative finishing carried out by appropriate teams thin layer no more than 5 mm.

The mixtures are expensive and are used as final leveling.

The solution sets quickly, but final hardening comes with time.

Some types of mixtures are poured as decorative covering, usually this epoxy fill for 3D floors.

It is important to understand that finishing mixtures can be applied to virtually any base, as indicated on the packaging. But when using a certain brand of self-leveling floor composition for a screed, you will have to use a finishing fill of the same brand.

Compositions

The binder component of the mixture is mixed with mineral additives

Many people will decide that everything is simple, just mix the floor mixture with your own hands and save money. In theory, self-leveling flooring is not complicated in composition. Moreover, most manufacturers do not hide the elements of the mixture and write them on the packaging.

As mentioned above, there is always one binder component to which various mineral fillers, additives, additives and of course sand.

All these components perform their function and are mixed in a certain proportion. And even if you find the proportions and recipe, which manufacturers usually hide, there will still be a lot of fine edges. What kind of sand? Which faction? What to mix and in what order.

In the end, it is unlikely that you will be able to save money. Rather, spend extra on ready-made dry construction mixture.

It is quite possible to prepare less complex mixtures for rough screeds yourself.