Floor covering with polyurethane. Polyurethane self-leveling floors are a universal solution. Necessary security measures
Polyurethane is widely used in the construction industry. It is used as sealants and adhesives, in the construction of floor coverings, as waterproofing membranes for roofs, etc. Self-leveling polyurethane flooring is a rigid but elastic coating that can withstand constant mechanical, chemical and dynamic loads. It belongs to the group of industrial floors, which are not afraid of negative temperatures, water and abrasives. The polyurethane coating occupies a special niche in the range of polymer self-leveling floors. It is successfully operated at various enterprises and in public buildings with high traffic of people.
Scope of use
Due to their high strength and performance characteristics, polyurethane self-leveling floors have found their application as coatings:
- for industrial workshops and warehouses;
- for entertainment and shopping centers;
- for medical and sports institutions;
- for freezers;
- for parking lots, garages and parking lots;
- for waiting rooms and unheated rooms.
Quite often, a self-leveling polyurethane floor is used to strengthen the concrete base and protect it from damage, as well as a crack-covering layer.
Features of polyurethane floor
The technology of self-leveling floors allows you to get a perfectly flat horizontal surface. At the same time, the high requirements for industrial flooring are met:
- resistance to compression, mechanical shock and vibration;
- no possibility of crack formation;
- sound, heat insulation and heat resistance;
- anti-skid;
- dustlessness;
- ease of maintenance and repair;
- chemical resistance;
- aesthetics;
- long service life;
- solidity - the absence of seams and gaps;
- resistance to aggressive atmospheric precipitation;
- frost resistance.
The composition of the polyurethane self-leveling floor, in addition to polymer resin, includes various additives:
- minerals;
- hardeners;
- pigments that allow you to get a variety of colors.
To improve the strength characteristics, quartz sand, granite or silicon chips, as well as corundum are added to the mixture. Some polymer formulations are diluted with organic solvents.
A special anti-slip coating is made on slopes or in workshops where this function is necessary (meat and fat plants, dairies and car washes). Outwardly, it resembles an orange peel. A similar effect is obtained with the help of appropriate chemical compositions. But it should be understood that self-leveling floors on an inclined surface are quite difficult to make, this will require professionals.
The evenness of polyurethane coatings allows them to be washed not only by hand, but also with the help of washing machines.
Polyurethane flooring options
A high-quality coating is able to properly distribute the loads from operating equipment, as well as perform protective and reinforcing functions for the floor base. The amount of filler in the composition of the mixture, in relation to its mass, affects the strength characteristics of the finished polyurethane coatings:
- up to 10% - low-filled self-leveling solution;
- up to 50% - medium filled;
- up to 90% - highly filled.
In addition, self-leveling floors are divided into thin-layer and reinforced. Thin-layer polyurethane coatings have two layers with a thickness of 0.3 to 1.5 mm. The first of them is a primer, and the second is a finishing one. This coating serves as an anti-corrosion, waterproofing or protective layer for a high-strength concrete base.
In the structure of the reinforced polyurethane floor, the thickness of which can be up to 2.5 mm, there are three layers:
- primer, acting as a substrate or impregnation with adhesive properties;
- intermediate with filler responsible for strength;
- finishing - as a rule, without filler.
Reinforced self-leveling floor levels and strengthens the cement or concrete base. It can be laid on wooden surfaces, stone or tiles, but for this it is recommended to first cover up all cracks and potholes, as well as make a cement screed.
The technology for performing a self-leveling floor consists of several necessary steps. Consider a brief description of it.
- Foundation preparation. For monolithic coatings, it is essential. The base must be strong, so weak peeling layers must be removed, grease stains, dust and dirt must be removed.
- The device of a coupler and putting putty. Cement screed is done if necessary. On the old base, cracks and depressions are sealed with putty, then they are sanded and cleaned of dust again.
- A primer layer is applied, which will provide a strong connection between the self-leveling floor and the base, and withstand it for 1-3 hours. Level the solution with a roller.
- Lay the intermediate layer, pouring in portions base mix. So that no air bubbles remain inside, a needle roller is rolled over the freshly laid solution and the surface of the doctor blade is smoothed. After 4-6 hours, you can proceed to the next step.
- The device of the finishing layer occurs according to the principle described above. The difference is that it will be possible to walk on the finished floor no sooner than after 24 hours. And full hardening will come in 3-5-7 days, depending on the thickness of the coating.
Decorative self-leveling floors are obtained by adding pigment or using PVC flocks (chips) with further application of a colorless varnish.
The most popular are polyurethane. They are used in apartments and residential buildings, in medical institutions, entertainment facilities, and industrial facilities.
Simple enough and prefabricated floors combine superior performance with aesthetic appeal. There are several varieties of polyurethane floors, including decorative ones, with the help of this composition you can realize the most original design fantasies.
Advantages of polyurethane floors
Polyurethanes - a class of synthetic elastomers (polymers with high elasticity). Depending on the molecular structure, polyurethane can be soft and elastic, like rubber, or hard, like plastic. Polyurethane can exist in a solid, foamed, liquid state, but liquid formulations polymerize and harden as a result of contact with air.
Self-leveling polyurethane flooring is a highly fluid and self-leveling liquid compound. By adding quartz sand or other fillers to the composition, it is possible to increase the strength of the finished coating and its thickness. The cured composition has high strength and forms one of the most durable floor coverings.
The finished polyurethane self-leveling floor has the following advantages:
- Strength combined with elasticity, the ability to withstand static and dynamic, shock, vibration loads
- high abrasion resistance, the appearance of scratches
- Durability(at least 10 years at industrial facilities, and in residential premises the service life of such a coating can reach 50 years)
- moisture resistance
- Non-toxic, environmentally friendly, health safety
- hygiene- the coating has practically no pores, so dirt does not eat into it, favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria are not created
- Ease of cleaning carelessness
- Safety- the surface is not slippery
- Resistant to most chemically active substances, including solvents, oils, refined products
- Resistant to high and low temperatures, possibility of application in various climatic conditions, in unheated rooms
Polyurethane is a flame-retardant material, it does not rot, insects and rodents cannot damage it. The coating does not form dust (unlike concrete, cement, which are covered with the so-called milk) and does not attract it, especially if the composition contains antistatic additives.
Finally, such floors look spectacular, dyes of various colors can be added to the composition. Polyurethane is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, so that the color remains juicy and saturated for a long time.
Types of polyurethane self-leveling floors
The composition of self-leveling floors can be:
- One-component
- Two-component
One-component formulations are often called enamels. They resemble oil paint in consistency, ready to use (you just need to mix the composition thoroughly before use). One-component self-leveling floors are designed for application in a thin layer, from 0.4 mm and can be used at industrial and civil facilities.
Two-component formulations are sold as a complex of polyol base and hardener. Components are mixed just before use. The spreadability of two-component formulations is lower than that of one-component formulations, they are applied in a thicker layer. The composition without filler is recommended to be applied in a layer up to 2 mm.
- Thin-layer(lightly filled), applied in a layer up to 1 mm
- Self-leveling self-leveling containing up to 50% filler in a weight ratio. Apply in a layer of 4-5 mm
- highly filled, contain up to 85% filler by weight, are applied in a layer up to 8 mm
Initially, the composition does not contain filler, quartz sand for self-leveling floors is sold separately and added during the preparation of the mixture. The composition is kneaded in 2 steps, the filler is added during the second kneading.
Thin-layer floors are quicker to apply and less expensive than other options, while medium- and high-filled floors allow you to create more durable, abrasion-resistant coatings. Also, the addition of quartz sand makes the surface rough, improves the anti-slip performance. Highly filled floors have a minimum coefficient of linear expansion, therefore they are not subject to cracking and peeling, although they are applied in a thick layer.
In addition to quartz sand, other fillers and modifiers can be added to the polyurethane base, providing the characteristics necessary for a particular object. At a number of objects, floors that conduct electric current and do not accumulate static electricity (conductive, antistatic) are in demand.
Depending on the exact chemical composition, industrial polyurethane self-leveling floors can be:
- Elastic (sports)
- Elastic-rigid
- hard
Polyurethane floors vary in texture:
- Glossy
- Semi-gloss
- Matte
- Semi-matte
They can be tinted in the basic set of colors, at the request of the customer, one-color tinting using an extended palette of dyes or mixing several colors is possible. There are more interesting solutions:
- Small particles of paint in the form of scales or straws (chips, flocks) are poured between two layers of the self-leveling floor, giving the floor a resemblance to marble, creating the effect of depth
- Backfilling of glitters - flat or volumetric (3D) spangles made of polyester or aluminum. Glitter can be solid, iridescent, neon, pearlescent, fluorescent
- A pattern is placed between the layers of polyurethane, this is how 3D floors are created. The thicker the topcoat layer, the more expressive the effect of volume, image depth
Video
What is polyurethane. Features, scope, advantages of polyurethane self-leveling floors
Two-component polyurethane floors Polymerstone-2
Outcome
Polyurethane floors are available as one-component and two-component, and may contain varying percentages of quartz sand and other fillers. Depending on the composition, self-leveling polyurethane floors can be applied in a layer from 0.4 to 8-10 mm.
The operational characteristics of the finished coating allow it to be used on a variety of civil and industrial facilities. Compositions with antistatic, conductive additives can be used for filling floors in explosive objects. Polyurethane floors are distinguished by a variety of colors and textures, and can also be used in combination with decorative fillers.
We offer installation of polyurethane floors in Moscow, the work is carried out by specialists with 15 years of experience. Polyurethane floors are popular in industry, commercial real estate, business centers, and among owners of residential apartments and houses. The cost of installing a polyurethane floor directly depends on the manufacturers of materials (imported, domestic), the floor area, and the preparation of the base. Prices are inclusive of the cost of materials and labor.
Polyurethane floors occupy an honorable place among modern floor coverings made of polymeric materials. The coating is applied to the base, which has various defects, cracks and breaks. Most often, polyurethane floors are used as a protection for concrete surfaces and during the installation of full-fledged thick-layer floors.
Prices for polyurethane floors
| floor covering system | Description | Price m² | |
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Epoxy dedusting impregnation of concrete floor | 420 rub. | |
Thin-layer polymer floors |
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Thin-layer epoxy, paint floor coating up to 0.6 mm thick (any color according to RAL) | 520 rub. |
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Thin-layer polyurethane paint coating of the floor up to 0.6 mm thick (any color according to RAL) | 480 rub. |
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Thin-layer water-dispersion coating (vapor-permeable) for floors up to 0.6 mm thick (color according to RAL table) | 550 rub. |
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Epoxy self-leveling floor with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm (color according to the RAL table) Giving the floor a decorative look, creating a protective layer | 1200 rub. |
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Installation of a polyurethane self-leveling floor with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm (any color according to RAL) | 1100 rub. |
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The device of a self-leveling vapor-permeable floor with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm (any color according to RAL) | 1250 rub. |
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The device of an antistatic self-leveling floor with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm (any color according to RAL) | 1750 rub. |
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Reinforced floors with quartz sand epoxy self-leveling floors (installation on dry bases of about 4% humidity) 3.5-4 mm thick (any color according to RAL) | 1350 rub. |
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Polyurethane floors reinforced with quartz sand (installation on dry substrates with about 4% humidity) 3.5-4 mm thick (any color according to RAL) Load: light, medium, heavy, extra heavy. |
1250 rub. |
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Vapor-permeable floors 3.5-4 mm thick (any color according to RAL) | 1450 rub. |
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The device of a polimertsementny painting covering of a floor of thicknesses. 3-5mm. (any color according to RAL) | 650 rub. |
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The device of a polymer-cement bulk covering of a floor 4-8 mm thick. (any color according to RAL) | 890 rub. |
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The device of a polymer-cement self-leveling floor covering with quartz sand 4-8 mm thick. (any color according to RAL) Load: light, medium, heavy, extra heavy. |
1150 rub. |
* The cost of floors may vary depending on the conditions of the work, as well as on the size of the cultivated area.
Benefits of polyurethane flooring
Polyurethane floor or "liquid linoleum" is considered a widespread technology that reliably protects the concrete base from external negative influences.
The special popularity of polyurethane coatings is associated with a number of positive qualities:
- Resistance to external influences;
- Good soundproofing properties;
- Heat resistance and fire safety;
- Wear resistance and durability;
- Environmentally friendly, no solvents;
- Ease of installation and hygiene.
The finished coating has no butt joints, so the dirt is easily cleaned during wet cleaning.
Along with the advantages, polyurethane floors have some features that should be considered:
- During the creation of a bulk coating, construction devices and personal protective equipment should be used;
- The solution that has not yet hardened has a pungent odor; after the surface has hardened, it will disappear; work in a well-ventilated area.
Method of laying polyurethane coatings
Industrial polyurethane self-leveling floor hardens quickly, so the creation of "liquid linoleum" has a special technology. The reliability and duration of the service life depend on the quality of the preparatory work:
Foundation preparation
Surfaces are cleaned of dust and small particles. If crevices and depressions are found during the inspection, they must be repaired with polyurethane putty.
Padding
A primer layer is applied to the cleaned surface, which forms a special protective film.
Solution application
The dry composition is mixed with a liquid, after which a homogeneous solution is evenly distributed over the entire surface.
The polyurethane layer is easy to apply and hardens within four hours, but is ready for use in a week. If desired, an additional layer can be applied two hours after laying the main composition.
Scope of use
There are three main types of polyurethane coating:
- thin layer- a one-component or thin composition has a thickness of about 1 mm. The coating is used in rooms with a low load and low traffic, for example, in utility rooms. The warranty period is at least five years.
- Bulk- a two-component composition is widely used not only in commercial, but in residential premises. High aesthetics and reliability of the coating is in demand in warehouses, gyms or offices. The service life is eight years.
- quartz-filled- floors withstand maximum loads, have enhanced resistance to wear and abrasion. Bulk polyurethane coating has a long service life of up to ten years, so it is most often used in industrial workshops, hangars or car repair shops.
Polyurethane coatings are used in various fields of activity. Positive qualities are in demand in mechanical engineering, agriculture or woodworking. Ease of care and hygiene allow the use of "liquid linoleum" in the food industry. Excellent frost resistance of coatings is used during the arrangement of the floor in cold storages and freezers.
Finishing floors is a crucial step not only in the arrangement of residential premises. Special requirements are placed on the finish coating in industrial, commercial, public buildings. Here, not only the efficiency, availability and durability of the floor are important, but also high wear resistance, mechanical strength, and possibly resistance to aggressive chemicals. One of the universal solutions can be called a polyurethane self-leveling floor.
The basis of such a coating is a natural resin, which is used everywhere to impregnate concrete in order to obtain the necessary functional properties and characteristics. The material itself has undoubted advantages:
- High adhesion to the concrete base allows you to create a solid stable coating.
- The durability of the floor reaches 10 years with intensive use.
- Elasticity makes it possible to protect the surface from vibration and deformation effects.
- Impact resistance is a guarantee of mechanical protection of the floor.
- Hygiene and environmental friendliness of the material are necessary properties for arranging floors in hospitals and other institutions where high requirements are placed on these parameters. The polyurethane coating is easy to clean, does not accumulate dirt and bacteria on it, it does not absorb odors, does not emit harmful substances.
- It can be quite bright, so it is also used in decorative topcoats.
The properties of such coatings have found application in industries such as:
- Energy;
- Nuclear;
- Pharmaceutical;
- Machine-building;
- Metalworking;
- Woodworking industry;
- Medical institutions;
- Refrigeration plants;
- Freezers;
- Workshops of pulp and paper enterprises.
Types of polyurethane coatings
The composition of polyurethane coatings may vary depending on the requirements of the customer, as the operating conditions of the floor differ in different rooms. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a mixture taking into account various factors, as well as the expected final properties of the layer.
- To impregnate a concrete floor, it is enough to equip a polyurethane layer up to 0.8 mm thick. The durability of such a solution reaches 3-10 years.
- Industrial floors are made with a layer of 2 mm. The composition of such coatings allows to achieve maximum wear resistance and mechanical strength.
- Bulk decorative coating reaches a thickness of 3 mm. Usually contains dyes or other elements to enhance the aesthetics of the floor.
- A polyurethane layer with sand is created to significantly increase the strength of the floor. The thickness of such a coating reaches 5 mm.
Depending on the required properties, choose a one- or two-component floor. The first option is the simpler solution. The two-component coating has its advantages:
- More wear-resistant qualities;
- Resistance to temperature changes, moisture, mechanical stress;
- Wider decorative possibilities;
- Helps to eliminate small cracks and irregularities.
Foundation Requirements
In order for the polyurethane floor to receive the necessary properties, the strength of the concrete base must be at least M300. The moisture content of this layer should not exceed 4%. Work should only be carried out indoors at a temperature not lower than 10°C.
When choosing a coating, the question most often arises, what are the differences between polyurethane and epoxy floors. The essence of the differences is not only in the composition of bulk mixtures, but in elasticity: the polyurethane coating is more resistant to mechanical damage due to increased elasticity. In addition, it is this floor that is not exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which also significantly distinguishes it from the epoxy alternative.
The floor is an important part of any industrial and residential building. Today, these surfaces put forward special requirements. To improve the quality of the floor and increase its service life, many materials are used. Particular attention should be paid to polymers that perfectly withstand physical and thermal loads. Before forming such a base, you should find out the features of polyurethane floors. This will allow you to choose the best coverage option for solving a wide range of problems.
Peculiarities
Polyurethane floors are a seamless coating based on several types of polymers. They are obtained using special chemical reactions that allow the synthesis of a mass with certain technical parameters. Such surfaces have gained immense popularity, as they are characterized by minimal shrinkage and high strength.
Polyurethane-based floors can be found in several places:
- industrial shops and warehouses;
- entertainment and shopping centers;
- hospitals;
- freezers;
- parking lots, garages and many others.
The polyurethane floor is a multilayer material and consists of the following elements:
- The bottom layer is represented by a special impregnation. The substance has a minimum viscosity and a homogeneous composition. This allows him to qualitatively seize with materials such as concrete, wood or ceramics.
- The middle layer consists of a two-component polyurethane coating. The elasticity of this substance is already much higher than the previous component. The material also has high adhesion rates. This layer has high strengthening properties. It is on him that the durability of the foundation depends.
- The top layer in its composition contains substances that are distinguished by anti-corrosion, strength and resistance to mechanical and chemical influences.
Some varieties of polyurethane floors can self-level.
This is achieved through special components that improve the viscosity and fluidity of the mixture. Some manufacturers add quartz sand to the composition, which increases the strength of the material. Such products are among the most durable, therefore they are especially popular.
Advantages and disadvantages
The polyurethane floor has a complex structure, since many auxiliary mixtures can be introduced into its composition. All of them allow you to radically change the properties of the surface, giving it the desired parameters.
Coatings based on polyurethane have many advantages:
- High strength combined with elasticity. A well-laid floor easily withstands static or dynamic impacts.
- The top layer of the floor is difficult to scratch or erase.
- The service life of the surface can exceed 10 years. In this case, the floor structure is practically not damaged or changes are minimal.
- Polyurethane does not absorb moisture at all. Therefore, the floor can act as a protective layer for the substrate.
- The structure of the material is smooth and high density, which does not allow dirt to be absorbed. This, in turn, simplifies the maintenance of such surfaces.
- Safety. Although the material after hardening is smooth to the touch, it is not slippery at all. Therefore, with substances of this type, gatherings and inclined surfaces are covered.
- Resistant to high temperatures and aggressive mixtures. The polyurethane floor does not burn, which makes it relatively safe. When heated, the material begins to melt and evaporate, releasing toxic components into the air. It is possible to operate products at negative temperatures, but not lower than -25 degrees.
- Antistatic. Special additives do not allow dust to be attracted to the floor surface.
Polyurethane is a synthetic material with many negative aspects:
- Installation of polyurethane floors requires high-quality preparation of the base. When laying it, it is desirable to exclude drafts and maintain a positive temperature. The duration of the arrangement of such a surface can reach from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the compositions used and the area being treated.
- Significant consumption of material. This in turn increases the cost of the base, so many are trying to look for an alternative to polyurethane.
- The material is cold to the touch, which is not always optimal for creating comfortable working conditions.
- Toxicity. The composition of the floor includes many harmful substances, among which formaldehyde, phenol and others can be distinguished. At the same time, many manufacturers indicate that the floors do not release them into the external environment, but this is not confirmed by long-term tests and is only a marketing ploy.
- Polyurethane coatings are very difficult to restore. Only small defects can be eliminated, but it will not be possible to completely remove the damage by any means.
- Laying floors is a rather expensive process that can only be performed by a team of experienced professionals.
Kinds
Polymer bases are now produced by many enterprises. These solutions are designed to solve various problems. Depending on the composition, polyurethane floors can be divided into 2 types:
- One-component. Technically, this type of mixture is very similar to oil paint. They are applied in a thin layer for the purpose of additional protection of the base. The thickness of the floor can be at least 0.4 mm.
- Two-component. This type of mixture consists of a polyol base and a hardener. To obtain a floor, these substances are mixed and then applied to the prepared base. Solutions spread relatively poorly, so the layer thickness can reach 2 mm.
Polymeric bulk solutions can be divided depending on the amount of filler in the composition:
- Thin-layer. The thickness of the material does not exceed 1 mm.
- Liquid self-levelling. The percentage of filler here already reaches 50%. They can be applied in layers up to 5 mm thick.
- Highly filled. The filler in them already occupies 85% of the total volume. With these materials, a coating with a thickness of 8 mm can be obtained. These substances practically do not exfoliate and do not crack, in contrast to the previously considered varieties.
The thicker the layer of such a substance, the better it resists loads and lasts longer. At the same time, quartz sand is added to the mixture, often at the laying stage by the specialists themselves.
There are many other classifications of polyurethane surfaces. Elastic, elastic-rigid and rigid surfaces are on the market today. The top layer of the material can be either matte or glossy with different types of transitional shades.
Device
The formation of polymer floors is a complex and lengthy operation.
The manufacturing technology of these bases can be divided into several successive steps:
- Initially, surface preparation is performed. The base for polyurethane must be durable. The best option here is a concrete screed. Therefore, it is formed using high-quality cement mortars. If such a base has already been previously made, all cracks should be sealed and the surface should be leveled with a cement mixture. After that, the floor must be polished using special mechanisms. It is also important not to leave greasy stains here.
- Before applying the composition, the floor is thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt. When the surface is ready, it is covered with special primers. After coating, it is desirable to allow this solution to soak into the concrete for 1-3 hours. To level the mixtures, special rollers are used.
- Then the intermediate layer is laid. The prepared mixture is poured onto the base in small portions. For leveling, needle rollers and doctor blades are used.
- The final layer is superimposed on top of the intermediate one according to the same principle. But they do this only after the expiration of 6 hours. The exact time depends on the type of polymer used, for which this value is selected by the manufacturer.
Floor decor options
Polymer floors have a uniform structure.
To diversify the appearance of the surface, they resort to several interesting solutions:
- When pouring the floor, paint is placed between the layers, distributing it in an original way. This allows you to imitate marble, giving the surface a more chic style.
- Filling of glitters. These products are voluminous sequins made of polyester or aluminum foil. The color of these figures can be different: from plain to fluorescent. Sometimes designers combine different types of sequins, creating a kind of abstract images.
- Embed drawings between layers. For such purposes, three-dimensional images are used. This allows you to create a realistic surface of almost any type. There are practically no restrictions on the complexity of the drawing, since everything depends only on the preferences of the owner.
How to choose?
When choosing polymer coatings for a concrete floor, it is important to pay attention to several main factors:
- Color scheme and surface texture. If the polymer will be used in a high-tech living room, then glossy surfaces can be used here. Provence style is best combined with a matte structure.
- Usage environment. If the polyurethane floor will be subject to significant loads, then only a two-component composition will be the best solution. It allows you to get thick coatings that are not amenable to erasure. Please note that this feature directly depends on the thickness of the polymer. Moreover, each type of floor is designed for different intensity loads.
The development of production technologies has made it possible to create a variety of materials used in construction and repair work. Thanks to this, new options for the implementation of already seemingly understandable and familiar tasks appear. So, for example, recently the technology of the so-called self-leveling floors has gained some popularity. As one of the options for this method of solving the problem, one can name mixtures based on polyurethane. How to make a polyurethane floor with your own hands will be discussed further. It is immediately necessary to make a reservation that, in principle, the work is not so difficult, however, in this case there are features that require separate detailed consideration.
Material Description
Before proceeding to a direct consideration of the process, it is necessary to talk a little about what a polyurethane floor is, since the perception of the nuances of the upcoming work directly depends on understanding this issue.
It is customary to call polyurethane floor one of the varieties of self-leveling floor. On the market, you can find both ready-made liquid mixtures and dry options that require additional preparation. Self-leveling floor “works”, oddly enough, thanks to the gravity of the planet. The bottom line is that, as is known from the school physics course, the liquid takes the form of a vessel in which it is placed, while under the influence of gravity it is distributed evenly and its surface is always even and perfectly horizontal. In the case under consideration, the room acts as a vessel, and the self-leveling floor, due to its fluidity, is evenly distributed over the entire surface area, forming the most even and uniform coating. Among the undeniable advantages of polyurethane flooring are:
- Excellent resistance to external influences. Here it is necessary to additionally mention that it is not only about the mechanical strength of the coating, but also that it will successfully withstand chemicals and moisture.
- A very long service life of the coating directly follows from the combination of the above properties.
- Among other things, it is worth remembering that from the point of view of installation, the self-leveling floor is extremely simple and you can do the work yourself.
- Well, another plus of polyurethane is its chemical neutrality and non-toxicity. Such a floor can be safely used in any type of premises, both residential and industrial.
- Of particular note is the attractive appearance of the self-leveling floor. On the market, you can find options both completely transparent and filled with color, which, combined with a perfectly flat surface and seamlessness, makes the polyurethane floor very aesthetic.
Polyurethane self-leveling floors have one significant drawback - the price of the material is quite high, which, combined with the cost of services, gives a decent estimate. To some extent, this minus is leveled by independent work.
Self-leveling floor manufacturing
Before starting the description of the manufacturing process of the self-leveling floor, it should be noted that all work must be carried out in stages, each of which must be given special attention.
One of the main stages of any business is preparation for it. In the case of polyurethane flooring, one of the main conditions for its use is the maximum evenness of the base. In this regard, it is precisely bringing the surface to be coated to the proper state that should be given the most attention. First of all, we are talking about the need to measure the plane of the floor. If the surface height difference is more than 1.5 cm per m 2, then the need for its leveling is obvious.
Irregularities can be smoothed out using the floor mixture itself, but this will entail additional material consumption, which, given its cost, is highly undesirable. To level the floor surface, you can make a concrete screed, after hardening of which the surface is primed.
In addition, you need to find the top point of the floor surface. For these purposes, it is most convenient to use a laser level. The highest point of the surface is necessary not only as a guideline for the total thickness of the mixture layer, but also in order to determine the place to start work.
On the prepared base, you can pour the floor itself. To do this, you first need to prepare the mixture. If a ready-made version is used, then the mixture must be mixed well using a special mixer nozzle installed on a perforator. If the work is done with a dry mixture, then it must be prepared in accordance with the instructions. Most often it is a simple dilution with water and the addition of a plasticizer.
Next, you can fill the floor. The mixture must be poured gently and evenly. No need to try to immediately cover the entire surface. The polyurethane floor, due to its fluidity, is distributed by itself, but in order to remove air bubbles from the mixture, it is necessary to use a special roller, which needs to be rolled over the surface. It can be added that in order to be able to move around the room, you can use special paint shoes - needle nozzles for shoes, which will not only prevent damage to the integrity of the coating, but also further help to remove air from the mixture. In the described way, the entire floor area is covered, after which the mixture must be left to harden. This usually ranges from days to several.
Think over the color of the self-leveling floor in advance and purchase the material in one batch, as the shades may vary.
In principle, on this the answer to the question of how to make a self-leveling polyurethane floor can be considered given. As can be seen from the above material, the work can hardly be considered complex, so their independent implementation is quite appropriate in most cases. With proper work, the result will be a perfectly flat surface, which, in addition to aesthetics, will also have excellent performance characteristics.
Video
In this video, you can see the process of applying a polyurethane polo, and behind the scenes hear explanations about how to do this or that operation correctly:
