Today, the bulk floor is a separate group of special materials applied to the surface with the help of bulk. In fact, they, under their own mass, take a maximum horizontal state. With their help, the alignment of the bases is performed, as well as their protection. Such floors have unique strength characteristics, they have an attractive appearance, even without additional decoration. But you must take into account many factors in the manufacture of bulk floors. One of the main ones is the thickness. Always consider the maximum thickness of the bulk floor for tiles or laminate. In order to create a foundation, you can use any composition. But you need to consider that they can vary in maximum thickness.
Classification of bulk floors
You can distinguish from a wide variety of such types of bulk floors:
- Thin layer mixes. In this case, the layer thickness may be a maximum of 1 mm.
- Mixes for application by a middle layer. In this case, it is allowed to apply the solution on the floor surface, the thickness can reach 5 mm.
- The coating is highly filled type, in this case the maximum layer thickness can be 8 mm.
Most often, mixtures that are applied in a thin layer are used only in industrial premises. But only if this coating will have a low or medium load. This type of topcoat is usually selected based on practicality and cost-effectiveness. The maximum thickness of the bulk floor for an apartment can also be up to 1 mm, if the rough substrate is correctly made.
Thin-layer mixtures look good, they can be used to solve any design problem.
But, despite all the high economic indicators, such a coating does not have a high degree of wear resistance. It is quickly erased.
As for bulk floors of medium thickness, they have much higher characteristics than those discussed above. These mixtures can be applied even in rooms in which fairly high mechanical stresses will affect the floor surface. But they should be below the maximum value, but above average.
The advantages of such a coating include a high degree of strength, profitability, maintainability. In addition, coatings of this type are quite durable. As a rule, such a floor has a matte shade. But there are mixtures that are intended for use in residential buildings. They have a glossy sheen. Recommended thickness of the bulk floor is 1-8 mm. There is no point in pouring more, since the strength will not improve significantly, but the costs will increase.
Mixtures with a high level of filling are used for harsh conditions. After polymerization and solidification, the bulk floor will be able to withstand high mechanical and shock loads. The wear resistance of this type of coating is very high, so these floors will be an ideal option for industrial workshops, as well as other industrial premises. It is also worth noting about the resistance to abrasive elements.
What thickness to choose for high loads
Quite often, bulk floors are used in warehouses, garages, underground parking lots, industrial enterprises. They can be used where mechanical or vibration stresses affect the floor surface. They can be used even in conditions with a high temperature difference. On sale you can find a large number of mixtures for the manufacture of bulk floors.
In industrial premises, it is most reasonable to use mixtures made on the basis of methyl methacrylic resins.
As a result, you get a coating that has a very high resistance to moisture. It is not affected by ultraviolet radiation. Drying occurs literally in 2-3 hours, and not a single seam on the surface will be.
Using such compositions, you can create a variety of colored decorative surfaces. It is also worth noting the high maintainability of the coating. The maximum can withstand a load of 15 tons of flooring. Low temperatures are not terrible for him, the thickness varies in the range of 4-6 mm.
Acrylic cement mixtures
Such mixtures are ideal for areas where extremely high loads. These mixtures have become classic today. You can use them in workshops in which there is a high level of humidity. You can also use them in warehouses, in garages. To obtain high characteristics of wear resistance, it is recommended to make a layer of 10-20 mm. The material is not affected by chemicals, durable, but if the minimum thickness is observed.
Low temperature conditions
As we said, mixtures for use at low temperatures are made from methyl methacrylic resin. Also in the composition there are various additives that improve the characteristics of the mixture. In order to ensure maximum resistance to temperature extremes, it is necessary to adhere to a layer thickness of 5-7 mm.
Such coatings are usually made in refrigerators, in rooms adjacent to them. And smoothly move on to how thick the bulk floor in residential buildings should be.
Self-leveling floors in a residential building
Now let's talk about residential buildings. As you know, it is unlikely that every homeowner will be able to allocate large funds for the manufacture of bulk floors. This is one of the problems encountered in the repair and construction. In addition, you may find that the rough base is very curved. Please note that the amount of building material used, and therefore financial investments, is completely dependent on the thickness of the coating. Therefore, you need to know how thick the floor is to make in order to avoid large financial investments.
When creating a bulk floor, you need to consider literally every millimeter. For example, coatings made from polymeric materials have very high strength. Therefore, in private houses or apartments, a very thin layer is enough, up to 1 mm. In this case, you will forget about repairing the flooring for a long time. But it is best to entrust all the work to professionals. The smaller the layer, the less you will spend on the purchase of materials. It must be borne in mind that there may be potholes, cracks, and indentations in the concrete screed. This will affect the consumption of the mixture and money. Therefore, the finishing coating is recommended to be made of a minimum thickness.
Save floor mix
In the event that you are applying a topcoat, you do not need to make a thick bulk floor. Please note that it is the type of coating that is usually used in houses and apartments. As the base, you can use basic and medium compositions. These mixtures are not very expensive, they are made on the basis of sand, gypsum, cement, plasticizers.
They do not have polymers, so you can lay this layer even with the maximum thickness.
But it is advisable to use such mixtures only in order to smooth out large irregularities. For example, with the help of basic mixtures, you can make, the thickness of which will reach 8 cm. The thickness should be about one centimeter. On top of the base layer you need to apply the finish, its thickness will be minimal. Moreover, you should not make the maximum thickness of the bulk floor under the laminate more than 1 mm. But you can’t save much either, since during operation the laminate can bend.
Optimal Layer Thickness
Polymer blends have one drawback - their cost. But they have an advantage - the coating thickness should be very small. For example, if the mixture is based on polyurethane, then the optimal thickness for it will be 2.5 mm. If you need to make a layer for gloss or paint it later on, it is enough to apply no more than 0.5 mm of the composition. The maximum layer for polyurethane compounds is 5 mm. There is no point in making a thickness greater than 5 mm, since the strength from this will not increase much, but you will spend more money.
Epoxy bases have similar characteristics. The optimum thickness is about 2.5 mm. In this case, you will get good strength characteristics, the floor can withstand any loads that can only occur in the house.
Methyl methacrylate mixtures can be applied in a very thin layer. But it’s best not to save on them. To achieve quality, it is necessary to apply a layer of more than 8 mm.
Professional Tips
To get a high-quality surface without extra costs, you can use the techniques of experienced professionals. For example, if the base base is fairly even, it does not have much damage, you can fix it quite simply. You will get rid of the purchase of a basic or medium bulk composition and save on repairs. Using a grinder, you need to carefully treat the floor surface. This will smooth out all the bumps, as a result, you will significantly save on building materials.
As a primer, you can use a dry mixture for bulk floors. It should be diluted in water. Then with a thin layer using a roller it must be applied to the base of the floor. Once this soil has dried, you can begin to fill the finish coating.
In the manufacture of bulk floor with your own hands, step-by-step instructions will help to adhere to the desired sequence:
- Carry out the preparation of the base under the rough floor.
- Apply a subfloor mixture. It can even be a simple cement-sand mixture.
- Align the base.
- Apply a primer to the surface of the subfloor.
- Apply a bulk floor.
- After the surface dries, you can begin to paint it or install the laminate, tile, linoleum.
In order to get the highest quality surface at an affordable price, experts use some techniques.
Thick layers
In the manufacture of a thick layer, experts recommend using leveling mixtures rather than bulk floors. It is worth noting that, depending on the manufacturer, the compositions can have different properties. For example, one company can produce products that can be laid even with a thickness of 80 mm. And the other may offer similar materials, but of them it will be possible to make a layer of 100 mm without problems.
If possible, use concrete mortar to level out large drops. Leveling mixtures are not suitable for topcoats.
Experts do not recommend making the most thick coating - the floors will freeze for a very long time. To achieve high quality, you must maintain a constant temperature and humidity. For the manufacture of bulk floor with your own hands, step-by-step instructions are given a little higher. It is enough to adhere to the algorithm of work to get a high-quality layer.
Thin floor
Such mixtures are not used to level the surface. They serve to make the topcoat. The minimum layer is 1 mm, the maximum value is 10 mm. When pouring and working with the finish layer, it must be borne in mind that the mixtures quickly harden.
The quality of the floor does not depend on the thickness at all. Therefore, you must adhere to the value of the maximum thickness of the bulk floor. To get a high-quality surface with minimal investment, you need to prepare the base. The composition should be selected based on the conditions in which the floor will be operated in the future. As you know, the maximum value of 10 mm should not be achieved if the installation of the floor occurs in a private house or apartment.