Different materials are used to decorate the modern floor. They are distinguished by their performance characteristics. One of the most popular types of finishes is the bulk floor. Do it yourself will not be difficult to create it.
To do this, you will need to consider step by step instructions for carrying out such work. If there is enough free time, everyone will be able to arrange the floor using this technology. How to make a self-leveling floor will be discussed in detail below.
General definition
Everyone can make a self-leveling bulk floor with their own hands . This technology was developed specifically to simplify the process of arranging flooring in residential premises. The presented type of decoration is also called liquid linoleum or 3D floor. This material is made from special polymers.
Externally, this type of material looks very stylish. It shines like linoleum. However, it feels more like a tile to the touch. In this case, the material has no seams. The surface looks solid. The decor options for this type of floor are vast. The choice depends on the style of the room.
The coating provided may have a thickness of 1-7 mm. This indicator is determined depending on the type of base. For a perfectly even floor, the coating can be thin. If there are bumps on the base, a thicker layer is needed. Such a floor is quite expensive, therefore, before installation, the foundation must be properly prepared.
Varieties
Do-it-yourself self-leveling 3D-floor or with a flat pattern is relatively simple. It is important to choose the right materials, as well as fulfill all the requirements of the manufacturer's instructions. Do not confuse bulk floors with self-leveling mixtures. The first option is made of polymers. The second type of finish is mineral based. He needs subsequent decorative decoration.
Polymer bulk floors can be of different types. One of the most moisture resistant species is epoxy. He is not afraid of mechanical, chemical influences. It is equipped in enclosed spaces, to which advanced sanitary and hygienic requirements are put forward.
For public buildings, epoxy urethane compounds are used. Polyurethane floors look beautiful in the interior. They are also not afraid of mechanical influences, temperature extremes. Methyl methacrylate floors are used much less often, since their strength is much inferior to previous varieties.
Benefits
The self-leveling filling of the self-leveling floor is today popular in the design of various interior styles. This type of finish has many advantages. First of all, it should be noted aesthetic appearance. Bulk floors look beautiful, can emphasize any design style in the room. Also, they do not lose their appearance for a long time.
The presented type of finish has a long service life. Floors do not lose their characteristics until 40 years. The material is resistant to various adverse conditions (moisture, temperature, chemicals, etc.). It is not subject to mechanical wear.
Caring for such a floor is simple. In the process of cleaning, you do not need to use special detergents. It is enough to wipe the floor with a damp cloth. The material is also safe for human health. It does not emit toxic substances. The polymer coating is fireproof. The arrangement of the bulk floor does not require much effort. It can be created in just a day.
disadvantages
Before you equip yourself with 3D bulk floors or ordinary varieties, you need to find out about their shortcomings. There are much fewer than advantages. However, the negative qualities of such a finish should be considered before installation.
Experts say that since the floor can be used for a long time, it can become outdated morally or just get tired. Therefore, it will need to be replaced before it wears out.
When choosing materials you can not save on quality. Cheap polymers fade from direct sunlight. Poor quality materials can also be unsafe for health. Allergies, headaches and other pathologies may appear. Therefore, you need to purchase a bulk floor only from trusted suppliers. The final cost of such a finish can be quite high.
Also a disadvantage of bulk floors are high requirements for the state of the base. If necessary, replace the base finish to remove the polymer material will be quite difficult.
The choice of polymer material
Before considering step-by-step instructions on how to make a bulk floor with your own hands, you need to find out the rules for choosing a polymer material. It is worth giving preference to quality, proven products. In our country, the products of such companies as Prospectors, Founded will be in great demand. Also known for high quality bulk floors of the companies Litokol, Bergauf, Ivsil.
The lowest consumption is known for the Founder Skorline product. To fill 1 m² of floor you will need 13 kg of the mixture with a layer of 1 mm. At the same time, the cost of materials of this company will be much lower than that of foreign products. Consumption of materials, for example, the company Bergauf is 17 kg. At the same time, its price will be almost 1.5 times higher than the polymer composition “Founded”.
When choosing, it is also important to study information about the pour point of the composition. It can be from 2.5 to 6 hours (depending on the manufacturer). The cost of an ordinary bulk floor is about 2.3 thousand rubles / m². If it will be a coating with a 3D effect, its price will be about 10 thousand rubles / m². To save on the work of installers, many owners of houses and apartments lay the polymer layer on their own.
Tools and materials
If the owners of the house or apartment decided to complete the installation of the self-leveling floor, you need to read the detailed step-by-step instructions. Self-made bulk floor will require proper preparation.
First you need to purchase all the tools necessary for the job. First you need to prepare several (2-6 pcs.) Plastic buckets with a capacity of 30 liters. The mixture will need to be prepared using a special mixer. This will require an electric drill with a special nozzle.
You also need to purchase a gear roller, putty knife and a needle roller. The last of these tools will be required to remove air bubbles from the polymer layer. There may be several such rollers if the room area exceeds 40 m². You also need to purchase a doctor blade, paintbrushes (to walk on the flooded surface), a solvent to remove the polymer from the tools.
Foundation preparation
Proper preparation of the foundation requires the creation of a bulk floor with your own hands. Step-by-step instruction highlights this stage as one of the most important. If the base is not prepared correctly or installers do not perform such an action at all, the upper polymer layer may be deformed. It can collapse prematurely.
Polymer floors can be poured onto almost any base. It can be concrete, wood, brick, etc. The main thing is that it must be level. This can be checked using the building level.
The wooden base should be slightly rough, dry. Before filling the filler, the surface needs to be sanded a little. A primer is not required in this case.
Concrete or screed floors have a porous structure. So that they do not absorb moisture, it is necessary to cover the surface with a water-repellent primer. If there are small cracks or potholes on the base, they must be filled with sealant. With significant damage, the top layer is completely removed. Then the surface needs to be sanded and vacuumed well.
Features of the preparatory work
There are several requirements for how to fill the bulk floor with your own hands. The temperature in the room should be from 5 to 25º. Otherwise, the polymer will not solidify properly. Humidity should not be higher than 60%. Due to the higher value of this indicator, the polymer will also dry for too long.
Since in most cases the surface of the base is primed before pouring, it must be allowed to dry. To do this, the floor after preparatory treatment is left for a day. During this time, the primer layer will dry.
Bulk floor is a two-component composition. The components should be mixed in a clean bucket using an electric drill immediately before use. Manually mixing them will be very difficult. The quality of such a floor will not be satisfactory. Therefore, an electric drill with a nozzle is used.
Floor filling
Considering how to make a bulk floor with your own hands, you should study in detail the technique of pouring polymer material. Determine the highest floor point in the room. From here the pouring process will be carried out. It is best that the wall from where the flooring begins begins is opposite the entrance.
The pouring process in one room must be carried out without interruption. Otherwise, elevation differences may appear. On the prepared base, the solution mixed in a bucket is poured in stripes. Their direction should be parallel to the wall. The layer should be about 1.5 mm. You can increase it to 5 mm.
The layer should be uniform. Its thickness is adjusted using a squeegee. With a wide trowel, the mixture is leveled on the base of the floor. Next, remove the air bubbles in the mixture. For this, a roller with needles is rolled on the surface.
Fill completion
A self-leveling floor is created quickly enough. It is necessary to pour a portion of the solution, level it with a squeegee, and then roll with a needle roller. So move on to the exit of the room. The prepared composition should be fully used within 1 hour. The interval between pouring each portion should not exceed 10 minutes.
When filling is completed, the film needs to be laid on the surface of the polymer. It will prevent the entry of various debris and dust onto the surface. Also, the material will solidify more evenly.
When the polymer dries, it must be varnished. This composition will add shine to the floor. Polyurethane-based varnishes are used. Also this layer will protect the lower material from damage. The floor will be ready for use in 5 days. Walking on its surface will be possible after 12 hours. If a warm floor system is used, it can be turned on a week after pouring.
3D floor features
Creating, for example, a self-leveling floor in the bathroom, you can apply not just a plain color for the coating. A specific pattern can be used here. This technique is used for almost all types of rooms. The drawing can be voluminous, which visually expands the space of the room. This is especially true for small rooms, which are often a bathroom or kitchen.
The technology for creating this type of foundation is quite simple. A pattern prepared in a special way is applied to the base polymer layer, which creates the main color. It is created using a computer program. The pattern can also be applied using film. It is placed on the base layer and coated with a transparent epoxy polymer. The surface after hardening is varnished.
3D floor fill
It’s quite simple to make a self-leveling floor using 3D technology. You need to purchase all the necessary materials to create a finish. First you need to level the base.
Next, a layer of colored polymer is applied. He is also kneaded in a bucket, poured in portions on the floor. The mixture is leveled. Air bubbles are removed from the composition. When the polymer solidifies, a film is applied to it. If the pattern should be all over the floor, the film should be slightly larger than the area of the base.
To protect the image from various damage, it is covered with a layer of colorless transparent varnish. The layer should be 0.5 mm. The varnish is applied using a gear roller. Air bubbles must also be removed from this layer. For this, a roller with needles is used.
Expert Advice
Professionals argue that the biggest difficulty in filling polymer-type floors is the formation of bubbles. They become larger if the mixture is improperly prepared. Therefore, when mixing dry components with water, you must adhere to the proportions agreed upon by the manufacturer. The base should also not be wet. Otherwise, the result of the work will be unsatisfactory.
Having considered how to create a bulk floor with your own hands, you can do a similar finish yourself.