Liquid linoleum is a simplified name for a compound self-leveling floor. In composition, it is a multicomponent mixture designed to create a strong, monolithic and durable floor covering... Depending on the main binder, it is subdivided into methacrylate, epoxy and polyurethane mixtures.

If we make a detailed comparison with the traditional PVC linoleum, then this technology has little in common. It got its name for the ability to create a solid canvas on the floor surface. Otherwise, liquid linoleum, including performance, preparation for the device and the process of pouring, is completely different from its distant counterpart.

Scope of application and purpose

Liquid mixture, when dry, creates a very durable coating

Initially, the self-leveling floor was created as a durable and wear-resistant floor covering intended for industries, warehouses and industrial premises... That is, where for a long time floor surface exposed to constant stress.

Over time, interior designers have adopted this technology... Before pouring the mixture, a pre-printed drawing or "print" was laid. This significantly increased the decorative qualities of the coating, which led to massive popularization in the field of private decor. We can say that this coating is called “liquid” linoleum for this.

Now the device of polyurethane self-leveling floors has become more affordable than 5-7 years ago and is an excellent solution for flooring in the kitchen, hallway, bathroom or toilet.

Characteristics and features of technology

Liquid type of linoleum has high strength and performance characteristics... The polyurethane mixture with the addition of polymers after curing creates a very durable seamless coating... Tensile strength 14 days after application - 21 MPa.

The service life of liquid linoleum is at least 25 years

Among other advantages of this linoleum are:

• wear resistance - the average thickness of the poured mixture varies from 1.5-2.5 mm. For example, the front layer of ordinary linoleum is no more than 0.5 mm. Immediately, the coating itself is a durable protective layer;
• service life - most manufacturers give a warranty for 25-30 years. Even despite its cost, this linoleum is more profitable than any floor covering, based on cost-to-life calculations;
• shock load - bulk layer not afraid of shock loading. You can be calm and not worry that the fall of a heavy object will cause at least some damage to the floor surface;
• safety - the coating is successfully used in hospitals, hospitals and kindergartens. When burning, it does not emit toxic and harmful substances... Is not a distributor of open flames;
• color variety - liquid mixture can be given any color and shade. If desired, you can use a 3D-style textured canvas to create unique design premises.

If visible scratches form, the floor can be repaired quite easily by sanding and pouring a small amount of fresh mortar. To eliminate external abrasions, a polishing method is used with the help of special equipment.

The main disadvantage of liquid linoleum is its primary cost. Preparation, procurement of materials and payment for the work of specialists are quite high. But the consumer bears these costs only once. Further, the coating does not need periodic repairs and can serve until the first restoration for 15-20 years.

Surface preparation and pouring technology

The technology of pouring liquid linoleum can be mastered independently and done by hand. The work process is not particularly complicated, but rather laborious and requires careful preparation.

To carry out the work, you will need to purchase a suitable epoxy or polyurethane mixture, epoxy primer and putty. As equipment, you will need a roller with a pile of 12-14 mm, a spatula 500-600 mm long, a squeegee, a needle aeration roller, shoe soles and a construction mixer.

The mixture is a two component solution. It is imperative to use only mixtures from the same batch. The batch number is indicated on the package. Before preparing the mixture, it is advisable to equip separate place... To do this, lay polyethylene and place a pallet under the container with the mixture.

Before pouring the mixture, you will need to apply an undercoat

The formation of liquid linoleum is performed in the following sequence:

Care should be taken during the pouring process. If the mixture gets on the walls, then in no case should it be scraped onto the floor. In the soles, you should move in steps, without shuffling along the surface.

Complete drying of liquid linoleum occurs within 14-18 days, depending on the air temperature. The light load is reached after drying for three days at an air temperature of + 20 ° C.

Cost of material and pouring

The average cost of liquid linoleum strongly depends on the chosen manufacturer and the area of ​​the room in which it is planned to be installed. To save money, we recommend using domestic brands of coating from the Elakor company. These compositions are notable for their low price, time-tested and have been used on many sites.

In general cases, only an epoxy coating with a thickness of 2-3 mm will cost 1000 rubles / m2. The polyurethane mixture is somewhat more affordable - from 800 rubles / m2.

The table shows the cost of materials and equipment that will be required to prepare and pour the mixture on the floor. Prices are averaged and are based on what popular online stores and suppliers offer.

Liquid linoleum is a self-leveling coating consisting of a hardener and a polymer with some inclusions of epoxy and polyurethane resins.

Often the name "liquid linoleum" is confused with other types of flooring and this is a very common mistake.

In fact, such a floor is the result of work performed according to a certain technology.

The self-leveling floor, which is better known in the language of builders under the name "liquid linoleum", has now a large number of options for its execution:

• industrial floors;
• decorative 3D coatings;
• epoxy floors and others.

All these coatings outwardly resemble linoleum, however, they have a smoother, smoother and more durable surface.

If you try to touch, then such a floor resembles ceramic tiles.

The uniqueness lies in the fact that it does not have any joints and seams both inside and around the perimeter.

Another important difference from other coatings is complete moisture resistance, which no other type of floor (laminate, parquet, etc.) can provide.

According to the composition, the following types of such self-leveling coating:

• using epoxy resins;
• from methyl methacrylic resins;
• cement-acrylic;
• from polyurethane resins.

Appointment of gender and its internal characteristics allow you to work indoors with certain compounds, for example, in household and living rooms often polyurethane coatings are used.

They are quite durable and resistant to mechanical stress, in addition, painting and 3D graphics impose a unique design style.

Using liquid linoleum

Today it is a leading and promising material for construction: self-leveling coating is installed at home, in household premises, in garages.

Such screed floors are easy to install and can meet all safety and hygiene requirements.

The color scheme and the number of special effects are quite wide choose and are the most important advantage of this material.

It should be noted that it is very easy to create a unique drawing for each room in the building, which even a beginner can very successfully complete, because there is a lot of information on the installation of self-leveling floors.

The price of the material completely depends on the specifics of the drawing, the complexity of the work, the texture and ranges from 8 to 280 dollars per 1 sq. M.

Important installation issues

This video has everything so that you can make liquid linoleum with your own hands.

Watching and learning!

The floor covering as such is the most intensively exploited surface of any room, the reason is trivial - we walk on it.

Everyone agrees that neither the ceiling nor the walls are heavily stressed compared to the floor.

Conclusion: there are two ways out - either change the floors more often, or choose durable ones. Construction Materials for their device.

Liquid linoleum is used where there are increased requirements for the floor:

• abrasion resistance;
• chemical resistance;
• anti-statistical protection;
• special sanitary and hygienic requirements.

The size polymer coating it is installed in the range from 1 to 77 mm, for living quarters, experts recommend about 1.5 mm, thinner - impractical, ordinary - not entirely economical.

Before installing the considered model of a self-leveling coating, the base is carefully prepared, because the main effect of concrete is to level the area for the future floor.

It often happens that the floor is uneven surface with bumps and depressions, the differences in which reach 10 cm, therefore, before mounting bulk linoleum the base is leveled with a concrete screed.

Floors are poured onto any surface: metal, wood, tiles.

The prepared base of the floor is covered with a primer and kept for several hours, after which the polyurethane mixture is poured onto the surface.

Such a cocktail is prepared using two component parts: dark and colored opaque, which are stirred with a special stirrer.

Benefits of liquid linoleum

The use of such a floor has several advantages:

1. Unpretentiousness. This concept includes: stability, water resistance, dust repellency, ease of cleaning. Even if something heavy falls accidentally, it will not be imprinted on the floor in any way, there will be no dents or other defects.
2. Antistatic, antibacterial, anti-slip properties.
3. Easy to mount.
4. When cleaning, use the usual detergents.
5. An increased degree of wear resistance, such a floor does not react to a sharp change in temperature (therefore it is recommended to pour it even on balconies or verandas, in all unheated rooms.
6. Non-toxic and hardly flammable.
7. Aesthetics. Thanks to this quality, the floors can be used universally.
8. No seams.
9. It is used with any type of room heating.
10. Durability of use (up to 50 years).

Photo

In this section you can see some interesting and beautiful photos liquid linoleum in the kitchen.

Enjoy your viewing!

You can buy liquid linoleum in Moscow at a price of 359 rubles per kilogram. Technically, it is not even linoleum, but a bulk polymer floor. It is sold as a dry mix in bags or buckets. Therefore, the price for square meter depends on the specific brand and packaging.

Views

• Leveling compound... It is needed to prepare the base and level the screed. Used before installing tiles, laminates and other floor coverings.
• Polymer floors... This is the final finishing coat. It is he who is called liquid linoleum. It is aesthetic, neat, durable and durable. Used in private and industrial construction.

Benefits and features

Liquid linoleum is more expensive than conventional PVC coating. In terms of price, it is more comparable to natural. It is not easy to lay it, but it allows you to bring it to life design solutions that are not available with conventional roll or tile materials. These are transparent floors, 3D-effect surfaces, with glitters, colored sand, coins, dried leaves or other decorative elements.

It easily displaces household and commercial floors. It is used in apartments, offices, trading halls and shops, educational and medical institutions, exhibition and restaurant complexes, entertainment centers, etc.

Liquid linoleum is resistant to moisture and vibration, temperature extremes, mechanical stress. He is not afraid of heavy furniture and even special equipment in factories. But you need to take care of the correct installation.

Use and installation features

The minimum coating thickness is 2 mm. But the main thing is to properly prepare the concrete base.

First you need to remove all cracks, defects and even minor damage. The finishing liquid linoleum does not perform the function of leveling mixtures, so all irregularities will appear on the surface in the form of bubbles.

It is necessary to remove all stains of paint, grease. The concrete must be perfectly clean and dry. The recommended air humidity is up to 80%. And the filling itself is easier to entrust to professionals.

Liquid linoleum or polymer bulk floor - relatively the new kind floor covering unique characteristics... After drying, it forms a monolithic surface without seams and gaps and can have various color solutions and options for drawings.

In appearance, such a liquid floor resembles ordinary linoleum, and by tactile sensations - a smooth surface ceramic tiles... This seamless polymer coating is used both for industrial purposes and for private houses and apartments.

The main characteristics of liquid linoleum:

• more than 10 primary colors that are used to fill the background (usually neutral shade- beige, gray, blue);
• the width of the fill can be 1–7 mm; at home, it is optimal to fill it with a width of 1.5–2 mm;
• the price of liquid linoleum depends on the thickness of the poured layer (for private purposes, a layer of 1.5–2 mm is sufficient, and a liquid floor with a thickness of more than 2 mm is intended for commercial and industrial purposes).

Liquid linoleum has several varieties (epoxy, methyl methacrylate, cement-acrylic, polyurethane), but in household premises and apartments, a bulk polyurethane floor is usually used. Other types of liquid linoleum are intended for indoor use industrial use (freezers, underground parking lots, production workshops, open areas, etc.).

Advantages and disadvantages: weighing the pros and cons

Self-leveling polyurethane floors have many advantages over other types of flooring, including:

1. Liquid linoleum allows you to obtain a monolithic, smooth floor surface with a pleasant gloss that does not fade over time. This is what makes liquid linoleum in the kitchen the best flooring.

2. A wide palette of colors allows you to create a complete picture, get a unique drawing of any complexity in accordance with your tastes and wishes. Self-leveling polyurethane floors can have a matte or glossy surface, rough or smooth texture.

3. The surface of the floor has no seams and gaps, which can grow over time and serve as a place for the accumulation of debris and dust.

4. High strength, wear resistance and durability. Liquid linoleum has a service life of 40-50 years, which is several times longer than the service life of ordinary linoleum.

5. Impact resistance. A self-leveling polyurethane floor is not afraid of mechanical damage: there will be no marks and scratches on such a coating if you drop something on it.

6. Waterproof and non-flammable.

In addition, liquid linoleum is easy to clean - enough wet cleaning as needed. Such a floor is easy to repair: you need to dismantle the damaged piece and fill new composition matching color and pattern.
But liquid linoleum also has its drawbacks, which you need to familiarize yourself with before buying and pouring such a floor:

• Compared to self-leveling floors, they are more expensive.
• The durability of liquid linoleum is, of course, a plus, but for 30–40 years the same texture, pattern and color can become very boring. In addition, redevelopment of a room or a change in the interior of a room may require replacing the floor much earlier, which can negatively affect your budget.
• Before pouring the floor, it is necessary to carefully prepare the base - liquid linoleum requires an almost perfect surface.

Also, the disadvantages of self-leveling polymer floors include their unnatural composition and the difficulty of dismantling in case of replacement.
If you have weighed all the pros and cons of liquid linoleum, and decided to make a self-leveling polyurethane floor, then pay attention to some of the nuances before buying such a floor covering.

What do you need to know before buying?

• with chips - particles of paint of different shape, size and pattern, which complement polymer composition and let you get an imitation natural materials;
• , which are applied to the base coat and varnished on top (the drawing can be applied by hand or under a stencil);
• transparent, matte or glossy.

Particularly noteworthy is the 3d floor, when a volumetric image is laid under a layer of polyurethane coating (coins, shells, pebbles and other volumetric objects can be used).
do not have UV protection and may turn yellow when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, for laying in rooms with windows, you should choose liquid linoleum, on the packaging of which there is a mark about resistance to ultraviolet radiation.

Filling technology: how to make a self-leveling floor with your own hands

Liquid linoleum can be poured on your own, it is enough to have certain skills and follow our recommendations. Before that, you need to prepare:

1. Two cans with the necessary components.

2. Needle roller and brush.

3. Electric drill with attachments, as a rule.

To prepare a polyurethane mixture, pour the contents of a smaller container into a large jar and stir with electric drill with a nozzle. After that, the liquid linoleum is ready for pouring.
But the most responsible and time-consuming process in this case will be the preparation of the base for pouring the floor. Needs to be perfectly aligned rough surface, remove all irregularities, dents and cracks. Regardless of the base material (stone, concrete, tile, wood, etc.), the base for pouring liquid linoleum must be perfectly flat and water-repellent.

Important! If the subfloor is uneven, bubbles form on the surface of the self-leveling coating, which are difficult to remove.

The main stages of work:

1. Preparation of the base, priming and installation of waterproofing.

2. Mixing of components.

3. Fill. The finished liquid linoleum is applied in parts to the floor surface using a special needle roller. The thickness of the fill is 1.5–2 mm for residential premises, otherwise the use of a self-leveling floor will be economically unprofitable.

4. The polyurethane mixture is spread using a rule, and the needle roller helps to remove bubbles from the surface of the new floor.

5. Drying. At normal humidity, the drying process takes about a day.

Note! The use of liquid linoleum is possible at temperatures from +5 to +25 degrees and humidity of 60%.

If several layers are used, then between their application you need to wait 2 days, and after finishing- about 14 days for the coating to fully harden.
Thus, liquid linoleum is a modern durable floor material, which allows you to create an exclusive floor. And if you have certain knowledge and skills, you can do all the work with your own hands.

Liquid linoleum video - technology basics

Which will satisfy every family member living in a private house or apartment often becomes very difficult. This, with the modern assortment of materials on our shelves, of course. But, as it turned out, there is a possibility of a compromise between lovers of the exclusive and supporters of conservatism. We are talking about liquid linoleum. Many have now asked themselves the question: what is it? Today our editors decided to give an answer to it and, together with the reader, try to figure out whether it is worth considering such a floor covering as a priority.

Read in the article

What is liquid linoleum: the main characteristics of the material

Speaking specifically in terms of composition, then liquid linoleum can be compared with self-leveling floors, which are not the first year presented at Russian market... The main difference between similar materials is only that it serves as a rough material, which is intended to level the surface. It turns out that in appearance these compositions are identical, but, in fact, are intended for different purposes, which means that the methods of their use, as well as surface preparation, are strikingly different.

The characteristics of this material are truly amazing. The name is completely inappropriate here, especially when it comes to more expensive mixtures. The only parameter by which these two materials can be compared is the need to level the surface before laying (applying).

Features of laying the mixture: possible difficulties

Elementary laying of liquid linoleum cannot be called. The main difficulty lies in the preparation rough coating to fill. It's not enough just to sweep here. Experts also recommend, and then rinse it with water with any soap composition. The fact is that the slightest debris that remains on the rough fill will subsequently float up. This will lead to unevenness and roughness in the finish surface. The last step floors in 2 layers with intervals of 6-7 hours between applications.

Useful information! It is quite possible to lay liquid linoleum on wooden surfaces... However, here you will need to pay special attention to the quality of waterproofing.

The nuances of decorating the bulk coating

Often liquid linoleum is laid in office premises, wherein, special attention nobody pays for decoration. A simple addition of a certain color scheme is enough. But this question is more important. In these cases, after laying the main layer, they begin to apply decorative, which can be ordinary glitter the desired color... But the most difficult (at the same time, the most beautiful) option will be the option in which a colored or monochromatic drawing serves as such a layer. It is printed out on a printer.

After the decorative layer is applied, a transparent layer is laid, consisting of a quick-drying one, which gives gloss and durability to the floor covering. Despite the fact that the resin mixed with the hardener dries up in a few hours, it is not recommended to use the surface for a few more days. Depending on the composition and thickness of the layer, this period can reach 20-25 days.

Interesting to know! Quite often, the method is used for decoration self-application picture. In this case, you can get an exclusive coating, but this method requires skill. Professional artists are often recruited for such purposes.

Possible mistakes made by novice craftsmen when filling

Very often on the Internet you can find negative reviews about a particular composition of liquid linoleum. Such problems arise not through the fault of the manufacturer, but only due to non-compliance with the technology of pouring or drying the coating. It makes sense to consider in more detail the main mistakes that can be made in the production of such work.

Failure to comply with the proportions and method of mixing the mixture

On the packaging of the composition, the exact proportions of the components used in the preparation of the composition are indicated without fail. If they are not met, you can not think about any quality of the final result. But, even if everything is done in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, the composition can be spoiled if the stirring speed is too high or, conversely, slow. This parameter is also indicated on the packaging (if it is relevant for a specific composition).

Incorrectly prepared surface, or an incorrect assessment of your capabilities

The need for thorough preparation of the subfloor has already been mentioned, but labor productivity is also worth noting. The fact is that ready-made composition polymerizes rather quickly. Therefore, when mixing its excess amount, the master may simply not have time to develop or level it. But fixing a mistake is much more difficult than preventing it.

This is the most common mistake. Usually such mixtures are recommended to be dried at temperatures from 5 ° C to 25 ° C and humidity 60-65%. If the percentage is less than 50%, drying will take place much faster, which will lead to surface cracking. An increased temperature will lead to the same result.

Separately, it is worth noting the presence of drafts in the room. They will lead to unevenness and fragility of the finished floor covering.

Poor quality rough floor screed in terms of strength

Such an omission will not allow liquid linoleum to withstand mechanical damage. As a result, this will lead to the fact that the flooring will become unusable long before the expiration date guaranteed by the manufacturer. That is why experts recommend completely removing and replacing it if its strength does not inspire confidence.

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Advantages and disadvantages of liquid linoleum over conventional

In order to make it easier for the reader to navigate the difference between floor coverings, we will analyze their pros and cons in tabular form. Let's start with the positives.

As you can see positive qualities liquid linoleum has much more. Its only drawback is the high cost of the material, which often frightens off the consumer.

Let's sum up

Despite the many nuances and the rather high complexity of laying liquid linoleum, such a material is becoming more and more in demand among Russian consumers. This is due not only to the high performance characteristics of modern formulations, but also to the aesthetic appearance the final result. We can only hope that in the near future the cost of liquid linoleum will gradually decrease.