Features of choosing and pouring the finishing self-leveling floor

A self-leveling compound is frequently the best option when it comes to giving your floor an incredibly smooth and long-lasting surface. With this kind of flooring solution, any flaws or unevenness in the subfloor are guaranteed to be fixed, giving your final floor covering a perfect base.

It’s important to carefully consider a number of factors when choosing a self-leveling compound, including the type of room, the anticipated load on the floor, and the desired final finish. To achieve the intended outcome, it is essential to comprehend the differences between the various options and their respective benefits.

Although pouring a self-leveling floor is a simple process, it does require careful planning and preparation. Everything from making sure the subfloor is dry and clean to properly combining the compound is crucial to the project’s success as a whole.

Types of self-leveling floors

A vast array of materials with varying components, purposes, and drying times are available on the market today.

By main component

Grouping of self-leveling flooring:

1. Cement. Traditional option. Advantages: cost, ease of pouring and durability.
2. Polyurethane. Such materials are evenly distributed over the surface. The finished coating is elastic and resistant to mechanical and temperature influences. Can be used together with acrylic paint to create interesting visual effects. Used only for carefully prepared bases.
3. Methyl methacrylate. The compositions dry very quickly, but are poorly leveled on the surface, so they are often used as a protective layer.
4. Gypsum. Used only for laying in dry rooms. Dries quickly, but also wears out quickly.
5. Epoxy. Made on the basis of resins. After drying, a transparent glossy surface is formed. The coating is not affected by moisture and aggressive agents, but is quite fragile.
6. Epoxy-urethane. This type combines the positive aspects of epoxy and urethane coatings: resistance to various types of mechanical impacts and plasticity. Used in closed parking lots and at metro stations. If desired, can be used at home.
7. Acrylic-cement. These compositions are considered a kind of compromise, which has absorbed the best qualities of resin and mineral. Advantages: resistance to various temperatures and their changes and the ability to fill a thick layer. The installation technology is quite complex, so the material is practically not used for domestic purposes.
8. Polyurethane-cement. They are well leveled on the floor, are durable and resistant to abrasion.

By layer thickness

Three types of finishing self-leveling floors are distinguished by this parameter:

• Thin-layer. Thickness about 1 mm. It is an exclusively decorative surface.
• Self-leveling. Thickness 4–5 mm. Depending on the composition, it is used as a finishing coating or rough.
• Highly filled. Thickness from 5 mm. Used for simultaneous leveling and decoration.

By purpose

It is vital to select a specific kind of solution based on the goal. When purchasing what you need, it is preferable to first speak with an expert or ask friends who have experience in this area for advice.

Interior work

Indoor self-leveling floors need to be resilient to mechanical stress, abrasion, and moisture. Certain features apply to certain rooms:

• Bathroom and bath. In this case, it is better to use polymer, epoxy or acrylic compounds. The main characteristic is moisture resistance. If you plan to lay tiles, you can use a self-leveling floor on a mineral base.
• Kitchen. The coating should not only be moisture resistant, but also durable. Resin-based materials with the addition of cement are best suited.
• Balcony. To improve safety, it is better to choose products with a matte non-slip coating.
• Garage and utility rooms. Here you should use budget and durable mixtures, cement ones are best suited. If a screed was previously laid, you can use methyl methacrylate compounds, which will increase its strength.
• Living quarters and a gym. All materials are suitable for such rooms, you need to choose taking into account the budget and the required decorative properties.

Outdoors

Although finishing floors outside is not commonly done, if you do choose to do so, you must select materials that are resistant to moisture, extreme cold, and sunlight. Compounds based on polymers or resins are more appropriate.

By type of base

Cement materials are required for penoplex coatings and wooden floors. They are layered four centimeters thick, with necessary reinforcement. Mineral filler mixtures are advised if you intend to install a heated floor. Concrete screeds can have any type of finishing material applied to them. Finishing ceramic tiles, hardboard, or asphalt is preferable. It is advised to fill it after removing the previous coating. If this isn’t feasible, a floating finishing layer needs to be created.

Overview of popular universal solutions

Because they can be used for rough leveling, these materials are referred to as universal. A superior coating that doesn’t need to be finished further is formed after drying.

1. Glims Heavy Duty Hd Drymix. High-quality and reliable two-component composition. After drying, a coating is obtained that is distinguished by a significant level of compressive or bending strength. The material can be tinted, so it can also carry a decorative load. It is best suited for arranging floors in garages, warehouses and other utility and industrial premises.
2. Weber vetonit 4655 Industry Flow Rapid. The mixture is perfect for rooms with increased pedestrian traffic, it is applied in a thin layer, so you can walk on the coating after 4 hours. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage, since the composition begins to set after 20 minutes, which makes it difficult to work with. The floor can be fully used only after 7 days.
3. Ilmax. If we are talking about covering the floors in bedrooms or living rooms, that is, where the load on the surface is minimal, it is better to save a little and buy a material of not such high quality as the previous two. The Ilmax solution can be applied in a thick layer, thanks to which it is possible to level even strongly curved floors. The cost of the material is relatively low, but it is difficult to find in stores.
4. Monopol 5. This is a polymer-based mixture that dries to a semi-matte finish. The floor is strong and durable, but the product is still more suitable for decorative leveling, so it is recommended to use it only in residential areas.
5. Teping Floor 205 PU. A two-component solution that is used to create a durable and flexible coating at the same time. The floors tolerate impacts and vibrations well. It is best suited for a garage or unheated rooms, such as a basement. According to the technology, quartz sand can be added to the material to save the mixture and obtain texture.

Review of decorative mixtures

In this instance, costly materials applied in a thin layer are at issue. It is not practical to begin work with such products.

1. Kraskopolimerstone-2. This material is also called liquid linoleum, after drying it turns out to be a perfectly smooth coating with a shine. It is characterized by high strength, resistance to various impacts and durability. It is also possible to add color. It is most often used for arranging floors in rooms with significant traffic. There are many foreign analogues on the market at a high price, which are no better than domestic material, so it is not worth spending extra money.
2. Arturo EP2500. One of the most expensive options. It is produced in the Netherlands, so it meets strict quality requirements. The material allows you to get a seamless coating of the desired shade, and is used for arranging floors in rooms of any purpose. To create a non-slip surface, you can add quartz sand, which will additionally save on material. If the pouring rules and relevant conditions are followed, the coating will be ready for use in a week.
3. Remmers Epoxy OS Color. This is a polymer-based material that is suitable for arranging floor surfaces in residential and non-residential premises. After drying, a smooth and abrasion-resistant coating is obtained.
4. Tikkurila Novopox LP. Ideal for creating self-leveling floors on balconies, loggias, basements and other unheated rooms. The material is made using resins. A thin-layer coating will reliably protect concrete or other surfaces from mechanical damage. In addition, after drying, a beautiful glossy floor is formed in one of 10 shades.
5. Elakor-ED. A transparent composition based on epoxy resin, to which various colors can be added, creates a durable and strong coating. The price of the material is relatively low, so it can be used not only for decoration, but also for minimal leveling.

Tools and materials

You will need extra supplies and equipment in addition to the mixture itself if you plan to level floor coverings by hand. It is advised to buy everything before beginning work to avoid having to make unplanned stops later.

• Paint shoes. This is a special spiked sole that is attached to the foot or shoe, you can walk on the freshly poured coating in it. To roll the surface with a roller, you need to get to all parts of the room. In training videos, most craftsmen walk on the floor in regular shoes, but this is wrong from the point of view of pouring technology.
• Damper tape. Used to level out linear fluctuations of the coating during drying or thermal expansion. The tape is made of foamed polyethylene and is equipped with an adhesive base. It is attached along the perimeter of the room to the lower part of the wall. As a result, the pressure is absorbed by the tape, and the walls and floor are protected from cracking.
• Squeegee. This tool is also called a squeegee, it is a figured spatula with teeth. For mineral compositions, the working area of ​​the device is steel, for polymeric ones – rubber. The tool is necessary when working with quick-drying compounds or thin coatings. The price depends on the size and availability of additional equipment.
• Needle roller. If you can do without a squeegee, then a needle roller is a must-have tool. During production, the solution is saturated with air, if it remains in the material after pouring, then pores will soon appear, reducing the performance of the coating. With the help of a roller, you can easily remove air bubbles. In addition, it helps to level the surface more efficiently.
• Devices for installing beacons. It is recommended to use a laser level for marking the level and subsequent installation of products. More experienced craftsmen will get by with a regular construction or hydraulic level. A rather outdated, but still used option are benchmarks – mechanical devices for installing guides.
• Additional materials. To improve decorative qualities, so-called flocks are used. These are dried fragments of various dyes that are included in the composition of mixtures at the manufacturing stage. All mineral coatings are recommended to be additionally decorated, for which paints and varnishes are used.

Selecting and installing a self-leveling finishing floor can dramatically improve the appearance and longevity of your area. Choosing the appropriate self-leveling compound type is crucial, taking into account both the needs of the room and the state of the subfloor at the time. A lasting smooth and even finish can be achieved by taking the time to properly prepare the surface.

Although the application process necessitates close attention to detail, it can be a do-it-yourself project with the appropriate resources and skills. Always pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instructions, especially when it comes to mixing ratios and drying times.

Ultimately, a well-poured self-leveling floor gives your house an attractive appearance and serves as a sturdy, long-lasting foundation for any additional flooring you decide to install. You can elevate your entire space with professional results that you can achieve with a little patience and precision.

To achieve a smooth, long-lasting surface, careful consideration of the appropriate materials and application techniques is necessary when choosing and pouring a finishing self-leveling floor. The secret is to choose the right kind of self-leveling compound according to the intended use and condition of your floor, and to carefully follow the application instructions to prevent common errors like bubbles or uneven layers. You can improve the overall appearance and longevity of your floor by achieving a professional-looking finish with the appropriate method.

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