One of the “youngest” flooring from the existing ones is the laminate. It has a not too high cost, it is practical and aesthetically pleasing, so for many consumers it is the best option. Its laying can be carried out on different types of surfaces, among others concrete should be highlighted. The procedure is not difficult, so you can implement it yourself.
Laminate flooring
If you have a question about how to lay a laminate on a concrete floor, then at the first stage you need to figure out which coating is right for you. In appearance, the laminate resembles a thin board, the thickness of which usually varies from 7 to 12 mm. As for the width, it varies from 17 to 30 cm. It is important to choose also the length, it can be equal to the limit from 1 to 1.5 m.
The structure of the laminate is like a multi-layer cake. Each layer performs its role, among them it is necessary to highlight:
- stabilization;
- protection;
- decor.
Selection by production method
Depending on the production method used, the laminate can be classified by pressure intensity. It can be direct or high pressure material. The first coating can be used for a period of time, which will be affected by the quality and durability of the upper protective film. If we are talking about a high pressure laminate, then the top layer will be multicomponent. In addition to expensive melamine or acrylic resins, aluminum oxide or corundum is used in this material, which increases strength.
The film is used to protect the material from ultraviolet radiation, chemicals and abrasion. Under it there is a decorative layer, which in some varieties of material is made of special foil, and in others - of paper. It determines how attractive the coating will be. Most often, a pattern imitating wood is applied to the surface.
Innovative solution
If you have a question about how to lay a laminate on a concrete floor, you can pay attention to the material made using the latest technologies. In such varieties of the coating there is also a stabilizing layer, which protects the outer layers from moisture and has additional soundproofing properties. Laminate direct pressure has a three-layer structure, and all layers in it are connected by compression technology when exposed to temperature.
Concrete surface preparation
The quality of the work done will depend on how well the concrete surface has been prepared. It should be flat, horizontal, well protected from moisture. Before laying the laminate on a concrete floor, the surface is sometimes dismantled.
After that, it is leveled, and the height differences in the end should not be more than 2 mm per square meter. If they are more significant, then they should be eliminated by applying plaster to the pits or knocking down the protrusions. If this approach is not possible, then it is necessary to fill in a new screed. Cement or concrete is suitable, however, after pouring, it is necessary to leave the surface until completely dry.
Suitable for leveling and modern quick-hardening bulk mixtures. They dry out quite quickly, and their thickness can be significant if it is necessary to even out impressive errors. Next, waterproofing is laid, as the cheapest option is a conventional film, overlapped and connected by adhesive tape. Experts advise using substrates made of extruded polystyrene foam or polyethylene foam, each of which has sound-absorbing properties.
Alternative alignment solution
More efficient and expensive will be a bitumen-cellulose substrate, which includes cork chips. This option cannot be compatible with warm floors and requires the installation of breathable skirting boards. Before laying the laminate on the concrete floor, you can cover the polymer substrate, which has a self-adhesive surface, so it is quite easy to install. It is possible to do without using a substrate only when a four-layer laminate is laid, because its lower surface performs the same functions. However, waterproofing with this approach will still be needed.
Laminate for unheated premises
Many consumers are wondering if it is possible to lay a laminate on a concrete floor in an unheated room. Such conditions may persist:
- on the balcony;
- on the loggia;
- in a country house.
In order to give an answer, it is necessary to understand what a laminate is. This is a board based on an HDF plate, the functionality of the coating will depend on its quality. An important role is also played by the method of manufacturing the material. Some manufacturers use wood, which is previously crushed into dust, and then glued to produce a laminat. At the final stage, the material is subjected to pressure.
Other manufacturers chop wood fibers into a large fraction, and then glue them together while squeezing them. The second method allows you to get a plate that is more resistant to changes in humidity and temperature fluctuations. Before laying a laminate on a concrete floor in an unheated room, it is important to take into account the resistance of the coating to changes in humidity and temperature. When purchasing material from China, you are unlikely to find operational recommendations in the description for it. In this case, you can navigate only by price. The cheaper the material, the cheaper the raw materials used in its manufacture.
Summing up, it can be noted that the laminate in an unheated room can still be laid, however, before choosing it, you need to take into account the advice of specialists. After analyzing the reviews of professionals, we can conclude that the laminate can not lay in a room where during operation the material will undergo sharp temperature fluctuations. In addition, it is important during installation to ensure reliable protection of the coating from moisture. For this, a plastic film and a substrate are usually used. It is better to carry out additional work on waterproofing the floor using roofing material.
Specialist recommendations
To provide more comfortable conditions, it is possible to conduct thermal insulation and seal the joints. Several problems can be solved by laying plywood under the laminate, this will not only allow you to level the floors, but also steam and heat insulate them. Having bought thicker lamellas, you can reduce the likelihood of their deformation in the autumn-winter period. If you are faced with the question of whether it is possible to lay a laminate on a concrete floor in an unheated room, then you should consider that installation in this case is best done in a floating way, then the gaps between the laminate and the wall will be larger than usual. With fluctuations in humidity and temperature, the material can compensate for changes in size.
What to lay under the laminate
If you have a question about what is placed under the laminate on the concrete floor, you should study the information below. In order to achieve high quality when laying a laminate, it is necessary to choose the right substrate. On sale today you can find substrates of various types, they can be synthetic or natural. In the latter case, we are talking about cork material, which can be released in sheets or rolls. The thickness of such paintings varies from 2 to 4 mm.
In order to achieve good sound insulation, you can use such a substrate with lamellas, which have an additional cork layer. If you decide whether it is possible to lay a laminate on a concrete floor without leveling, then this question cannot be answered positively if the coating is used in tandem with a cork substrate. The surface before starting work in this case must be well leveled, after which a dense plastic film is laid. Then the substrate will lie well on the coating, in addition, it will be quite convenient to lay the laminate on it.
Artificial substrates
Considering artificial materials for laying under the laminate, you need to pay attention to Izolon. It is a foamed polyethylene, which may have a foil surface. This solution is more effective if necessary to cover an additional insulation layer. The foil side should face outwards. If insulation is not required, then Izolon without foil may be preferred.
Another synthetic material is Polyform. In composition, it is similar to the above, but has a lower cost. Gas-filled polymers are also quite popular today. They are available in sheets or rolls, so you can choose those that are more convenient to install. Among them are the following:
- "Styzol".
- "Steinophone".
- Plenex.
- Isopenol
Styling technology
Now you know that you can lay a laminate on a concrete floor. However, previously the material is brought into the room for two days so that it can acclimatize. Installation work should be carried out so that the long side of the lamellas is located along the stream of light. After it has been possible to install the wedges in order to ensure the appropriate clearance, you can proceed with the laying of the first row, turning the lamellas tongues against the wall. Finishing each row, you must determine the length of the last lamella, taking into account the gap. The remainder can be used at the beginning of the next row, but its length should not be less than 30 cm. This approach allows to reduce the amount of waste and ensures the displacement of the joints.
The last row, if necessary, can be laid with a lamella, cut to width. This will allow you to get a flat surface with a minimum of waste. Quite often, home masters ask themselves whether it is possible to lay a laminate on a concrete floor without screed. It can be answered positively, but this is true only for the case when the surface will be prepared in another way. In this case, the technology may involve the use of plywood or a quick-drying bulk floor. Laying of the material begins from the far corner. The first panel is installed on the substrate, a distance in the range of 10 to 12 mm should be left between it and the wall. It should be followed along the entire length of the first row.
Conclusion
Now you know how to lay the laminate on the concrete floor. However, it is important to know also the nuances of mounting the substrate. It should be covered with an overlap within 5 cm. In this case, the edges are glued together with construction tape or glue. After the substrate is on the floor, it should be left for some time for shrinkage. The position of the lamellas can be adjusted using a wooden hammer and wedge.
At the final stage, indentation is hidden, for this a baseboard is installed. First, fasteners are screwed to the wall, the distance between which should be approximately 50 cm. Before starting work, it is important to find out how to lay the laminate on the concrete floor. However, the appearance of the room will not be complete if you do not place baseboards around the perimeter of the room. After installing the clamps, they are pressed to the surface, directing towards the locks. Plastic caps are put on the corners, which are installed in the holes as tightly as possible.