One of the most "young" flooring fromnow existing is a laminate. It is not very expensive, it is practical and aesthetic, so for many consumers it is the best option. Its laying can be carried out on different types of surfaces, among others, concrete. The procedure is not complicated, so you can do it yourself.
Choice of laminate
If you have a question about how to putlaminate on a concrete floor, it is necessary at the first stage to figure out what kind of coating will suit 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 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
В зависимости от того, какой способ производства used, 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 high pressure laminate, then the top layer will be multi-component. In addition to expensive melamine or acrylic resins, alumina or corundum is used in this material, which increases strength.
The film is used to protect the material fromUV light, chemicals and abrasion. Under it are a decorative layer, which in some varieties of material is made from special foil, and in others - from paper. It depends on how the coverage will be attractive. Most often, the surface is applied to the image, imitating wood.
Innovative solution
If you have a question about how to putlaminate on a concrete floor, you can pay attention to the material made by the latest technologies. In such varieties of coating there is also a stabilizing layer, which protects the outer layers from moisture and has additional noise insulating properties. Direct pressure laminate has a three-layer structure, and all layers of it are joined using compression technology when exposed to temperature.
Concrete preparation
The quality of the work done will depend onhow well the concrete surface was prepared. It should be flat, horizontal, well protected from moisture. Before laying the laminate on a concrete floor, the surface is sometimes removed.
После этого ее выравнивают, а перепады высот в the final result should not be more than 2 mm per square meter. If they are more significant, they should be removed by applying plaster on the pits or knocking down the projections. If this approach is not possible, then it is necessary to fill in a new coupler. Suitable cement or concrete, but after pouring it is necessary to leave the surface until completely dry.
Подойдут для выравнивания и современные quick-hardening liquid mixtures. They dry out rather quickly, and their thickness can be considerable if it is necessary to level impressive errors. Next, the waterproofing is laid, as the cheapest version of which is the usual film, laid overlap and connected with adhesive tape. Experts advise to use substrates of extruded polystyrene or polyethylene foam, each of which has noise absorbing properties.
Alternative leveling solution
More efficient and expensivebitumen-cellulose substrate, which includes cork crumb. This option can not be compatible with underfloor heating and implies the need to install breathable baseboards. Before you lay the laminate on a concrete floor, you can lay 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, since its lower surface performs the same functions. However, waterproofing with this approach is still needed.
Laminate for unheated premises
Many consumers are wondering whether it is possible to lay 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 necessaryfigure out what is a laminate. This board, which is based on the HDF-plate, will determine the functionality of the coating on its quality. An important role is also played by the method of manufacturing the material. Some manufacturers for the production of laminate used wood, which is pre-crushed to dust, and then glued. At the final stage, the material is subjected to pressure.
Other manufacturers chop wood fiberin a large fraction, and then glue them together, squeezing in parallel. The second method allows to obtain a plate that is more resistant to changes in humidity and temperature fluctuations. Before laying 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 can hardly find in the description of it recommendations for use. In this case, you can navigate only by price. The cheaper the material, the cheaper the raw material in its manufacture was used.
Summing up, it can be noted that the laminate inan unheated room can still be laid, but before choosing it, it is necessary to take into account expert advice After analyzing the reviews of professionals, we can conclude that the laminate can not move in the room, where during operation the material will be subject to sharp fluctuations in temperature. In addition, it is important during installation to provide reliable protection of the coating from moisture. For this, polyethylene film and substrate are usually used. It is better to carry out additional work on the waterproofing of the floor, using roofing material.
Recommendations of a specialist
To ensure a more comfortable environment you canheat insulation and seal the seams. You can solve several problems by laying plywood under the laminate, it will not only allow to level the floors, but also to steam and heat them. By purchasing thicker slats, 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 laminate on a concrete floor in an unheated room, then you should take into account 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 will be able to compensate for changes in size.
What to lay under the laminate
If you have a question about what they putunder the laminate flooring on a concrete floor, you should study the information presented below. In order to achieve high quality when laying laminate, you need to choose the right substrate. On sale today you can find substrates of different 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 lamellae, which have an additional cork layer. If you decide whether it is possible to lay laminate on a concrete floor without leveling, then this question cannot be answered positively if the coating is used in a tandem with a cork substrate. Before starting the work, in this case the surface should be well leveled, after which a dense polyethylene film should be made. Then the substrate will lay down well on the coating, in addition, it is quite convenient to lay the laminate on it.
Artificial substrates
Considering artificial styling materialsunder the laminate, you need to pay attention to "Izolon." It is a foamed polyethylene, which may have a foiled surface. This solution is more effective when it is necessary to cover an additional insulation layer. The foil side should face out. If insulation is not required, then Izolon may be preferred without foil.
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 should be highlighted:
- Stizol.
- "Steinofon".
- Plenex.
- "Isopenol".
Stacking technology
Теперь вам известно, что можно класть ламинат на concrete floor. However, the material is preliminarily entered into the room for two days so that it can acclimatize. Installation work must be carried out in such a way that the long side of the slats is located along the stream of light. After it was possible to install the wedges, in order to ensure an adequate gap, you can proceed with the laying of the first row, turning the grooves of the slats towards the wall. Finishing each row, you must determine the length of the last lamella, taking into account the gap. The residue can be used at the beginning of the next row, but its length should not be less than 30 cm. Such an approach reduces the amount of waste and ensures the displacement of the joints.
The last row, if necessary, can be laid withusing a slat cut to width. This will provide a flat surface with a minimum of waste. Quite often, home craftsmen wonder if the laminate can be laid on a concrete floor without a screed. It is possible to respond to it positively, but this is true only for the case when the surface will be prepared in another way. The technology may involve the use of plywood or self-leveling quick-drying floor. Laying material start from the far corner. The first panel is installed on the substrate, the distance between 10 and 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 properly laminate.on a concrete floor. However, it is important to know 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 building tape or glue. After the substrate is on the floor, it should be left for some time to shrink. The position of the slats can be customized with a wooden hammer and a wedge.
At the final stage, indent is hidden, forthis is installed plinth. First, clamps are screwed to the wall, the distance between which should be approximately 50 cm. Before starting work, it is important to know how to properly lay the laminate on a concrete floor. However, the appearance of the room will not be complete if the baseboards are not located around the perimeter of the room. After installing the clamps are pressed to the surface, directing in the direction of the locks. Plastic corners are put on the corners, which are installed in the holes as tightly as possible.
