Thanks to the development of technologies in construction, it is quite simple to create high-quality floor coverings - bulk floors. These are relatively new solutions in the field of construction and repairs. Many people think that a bulk floor is expensive, and a cheap bulk floor is a myth. Let's find out if this is so and whether there is a budget opportunity to arrange such coverage.
Kinds
Any types of bulk floors are united by their ability to self-level. That is, a polymer or other liquid mass is capable of itself to take an exact horizontal plane. The height of the bulk coating is not more than 5 millimeters, so the screed is required, and it must be of high quality, otherwise it will soon be necessary to make expensive repairs of the cheap bulk floor.
Gypsum floors
These compounds are made from special fillers and binders gypsum substances. Such a floor dries quickly and then just as quickly picks up its strength characteristics. As for the use of the composition, manufacturers recommend using them only in dry conditions. After arranging the rough floor on the basis of this mixture, the surface should be primed, and then you can finish. Topcoat is needed to protect the base from abrasion.
Cement
It is also possible to distinguish cement bulk floors. These mixtures are used as rough coatings. The cement floor is also quite durable. After complete drying, it can be painted with special paints.
In most cases, the cement poured floor is covered with special finishing layers. If you choose which is cheaper - bulk floor or tile, then it is better to stay on the tile.
Polymer
Polyurethane-cement floors consist of a polyurethane additive and a cement base. Due to the polyurethane additive, the coating is non-slip. The base practically does not undergo abrasion and can very well be used as a topcoat. This bulk floor is suitable not only for horizontal surfaces, but also used at a wide variety of angles.
Acrylic cement floors have even greater strength. This strength is enough in excess for the arrangement of floors in industrial facilities. The material can easily withstand even severe temperature changes and can be arranged in unheated rooms without any risks.
The methyl methacrylic flooring group is based on methacrylic resin. The coating is versatile and suitable for industrial and production facilities in a wide variety of fields. Mixtures are suitable for arranging the base both indoors and outdoors. This floor can be equipped in the freezer. It also has good UV resistance.
The basis of polyurethane floors is a polymer elastic floor. Among the characteristics here are high flexibility as well as good vibration resistance. If you add dye to the mixture, you get an excellent decorative finish.
The basis of epoxy floors, as you might guess, are epoxy resins. They are suitable for any room. The floor can be used on all types of substrates - concrete, wood. The layer is thin and seamless, resistant to any chemical influences and abrasives.
Specifications
Compositions vary in how much you need to raise the floor surface. One of the most important characteristics of any bulk floors is the thickness. Distinguish between highly filled floors, self-leveling and thin-layer.
The former are distinguished by a layer height of 5 mm or more. Such high bases are used to level rough coatings or when creating designer floors with paints. The second option has a height of up to 5 mm. These are expensive and cheap self-leveling floors. Thin layers have a height of not more than 2 mm and are intended only for finishing.
The drying speed of the composition is also important. Mixtures with quick drying - from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Quick-drying formulations will completely dry in 2 to 6 hours. There are products with an average drying time of 12 to 24 hours. Long-drying solutions can be distinguished. Time can vary from 24 to 48 hours.
It is necessary to accurately calculate all the loads in advance, select the necessary strength, select the appropriate materials and carry out work according to building standards and the requirements of the mixture manufacturer. Only after such procedures can one rely on a high-quality, and most importantly, on a durable foundation. A cheap bulk floor also requires such a responsible approach, otherwise the funds and efforts will be wasted.
Rough basis
It must be borne in mind that any types of bulk floors require preliminary preparation of surfaces before their arrangement. If there is a concrete screed, then any kind of bulk flooring can be mounted on it. If the surface is strong enough, there are no cracks in it, then any additional preparation is not required. If the screed is ready, then you can choose which is cheaper - bulk floor or laminate. In residential premises it is better to stay on the laminate, if the repair is budget.
To equip bulk floors, you need a concrete screed, then a layer of soil. And then lay the mixture. For work, you need a tool - a regular roller, needle roller and squeegee. If instead of the screed there are any wooden solutions - sheet plywood or other wood products, then this base should be covered with a cement screed before installing the bulk floor.
If there is a need to close the “warm floor” system, then bulk floors based on mineral components are suitable. Polymer compositions are intended only to create thin finish layers. Application of the composition as thin as possible is an opportunity to get cheap bulk floors.
How to get the cheapest coverage possible?
These polymer-based formulations are quite expensive - they are put in by filling. This is because for bulk floors, two conditions are very important.
So, it is impossible to reduce standard expenses for materials per unit area, since this is provided for by the coating technology. And the laying technology itself is by no means simple, as it might seem at first glance.
If these requirements are not met, then the cheapest bulk floor will cause big problems and huge costs.
How to reduce the cost of arranging bulk floors?
Today there are many different types of polymer flooring. And from a decorative point of view, and from the point of view of technical characteristics, most often they are in no way inferior to their inexpensive "bulk" counterparts. But at the same time, the cost of such solutions is much lower. And this is exactly what you need.
Quartz-filled polymer coatings
This is a material whose installation process is greatly facilitated. Inexpensive quartz sand ultimately makes the composition cheaper. Polymer coatings of this type are more resistant to chemistry and other influences. For laying you need only basic skills of plastering. As for the decorative possibilities, they are as wide as those of polymer floors.
Conclusion
If you think that it’s cheaper - a screed or a bulk floor, then the screed will definitely come out cheaper. But compared with bulk floors, the characteristics of screeds are much lower. Therefore, if high loads are placed on the flooring, then expensive, but high-quality bulk floors should be preferred.