The modern market of finishing and building materials provides a wide range of different floor coverings. Due to the variety of materials and their properties, any design projects can be completed. One of the most popular types of coatings is a bulk floor, the device of which is carried out with dry gypsum-cement or cement mixtures.
These are plastic quick-setting materials. Thanks to the special structure, under the influence of their own weight, they spread, fill in the roughnesses in the bases, forming an ideal plane.
The advantages of bulk floors
A coating that is defined as a self-leveling floor has several advantages:
- smooth and even surface;
- quick setting;
- strength and durability;
- resistance to temperature changes;
- simplicity in leaving.
Types of coverage
The bulk floor is a self-leveling mixture that spreads very easily over the entire area of the room, while forming a smooth and even surface. Such coatings are divided into two types: polymer and mineral.
Self-leveling polymer mixtures are divided into several types.
- Polyurethane Shock-resistant elastic coatings withstand heavy loads and are used in unheated rooms.
- Methyl methacrylate . Such floors require strict adherence to the technology during installation, are resistant to mechanical stress, and have a pungent odor. They are used in well-ventilated areas.
- Epoxy-urethane. Floors of this type have elasticity, resistance to abrasion, the effects of chemicals. Used in garages, on ramps.
- Epoxy It is a tough, hard, impact resistant coating. Withstands high temperature and mechanical stress, easy to clean. Such floors are poured in enclosed spaces.
Mineral coatings are self-leveling cement-based mixtures with modifiers and mineral fillers. Use this solution when applying the finish layer.
Classification Methods
Polymer floors are classified by the following factors:
- degree of fullness;
- type of solvent;
- thickness.
By thickness, bulk floors are divided into types as follows:
- Thin coatings. Their thickness is 0.2-0.6 mm. Withstand not very large load. Stacked using a roller or spray.
- Medium thickness. The applied layer may be 0.8-1.5 mm. These self-leveling coatings can withstand moderate loads.
- Highly filled coatings. Their thickness is 2 mm or more. Appearance depends on the characteristics of the filler. Used for decorative and specialized purposes.
Depending on the degree of filling, the material is characterized as follows: the more filler, the more rough the surface will be.
Solvent happens:
- water-dispersion - the coating is odorless, it can be applied to wet concrete, since its foundation is water.
- Resins without solvent - the floor differs from others in low viscosity, sometimes it has a faint odor, is convenient in laying.
Material consumption per 1m 2
To eliminate defects in flooring, to improve sound or heat insulation, you need to perform a whole range of works on pouring screeds or self-leveling floors. To do this, you need to find out how much the finished mixture will be required, without taking into account impurities. If you make a bulk floor, the consumption per 1 m2 will average 1 liter. This value differs depending on the manufacturer. To obtain more accurate calculations, it is necessary to multiply the coating area by the density of the material and the thickness of the layer. Consider several popular mixtures and their calculations.
For the planning and adjustment of brick, concrete and stone floors, a cement-sand screed is used, which is laid on top of the base. The solution is used in all types of rooms as a waterproofing protective layer. It is not susceptible to the effects of natural oils, water, solvents, alkalis. The consumption of the bulk floor per 1 m2 of screed is 2 kg with a layer thickness of 1 mm.
The quick-hardening bulk floor "Prospectors" is used to smooth out bumps from 0.5 to 8 cm. This coating has a set of protective qualities against premature wear and the effects of aggressive substances. High-quality casting is able to withstand a load of over 70 kg. It has no microcracks. Bulk floor (consumption per 1 m2) "Prospectors" when coated with a layer of 1 cm will require 16 kg of dry material. To prepare the solution, you need 5-6 liters of water per 25 kg of the mixture. The production time is 40 minutes.
The mixture "Founded" for the installation of floors is applied manually or mechanically. It is used in office, industrial, residential premises. The consumption of a bulk floor per 1 m2 of "Founded" with a layer thickness of 0.3 cm is 4.5 kg.
“Eunice” coating allows you to create a flat and durable surface. It is used to level concrete foundations and screeds when there is a significant deviation from the norm (up to 10 cm). The cooked mass quickly hardens, so you need to use it within 30 minutes, otherwise it will lose its properties. The consumption of a bulk floor per 1 m2 of "Unis" for thin-layer casting up to 1 mm thick will be 1.3 kg and 3.9 kg with a coating thickness of 3 mm.
When using the Volma mixture, the surface comes out perfectly flat. Due to its consistency, the mixture spreads easily and evenly fills all the irregularities. The consumption of the bulk floor per 1 m2 of Volma when pouring a layer with a thickness of 0.5-0.7 cm is 4 kg.
Surface preparation for laying a bulk floor
Before starting work, you need to prepare the surface: clean it from various stains and grease with a grinder, and then remove the garbage with a vacuum cleaner. After which the floor is treated with a primer, it is well dried. The concrete coating or screed may have cracks, so they are glued with fiberglass and filled with quartz sand. Seams on a concrete base are filled with sealant. After a day, excess sand is removed from the cracks. The surface is primed with a polymer composition to improve adhesion. The quality of the floor depends on the rough coating, and if the base was properly prepared, under a bulk floor, the consumption per 1 m2 of primer will be 250 grams.
Floor design
A day after priming, the main layer can be applied to the concrete surface. But first, you need to calculate how thick the bulk floor will be. The consumption per 1 m2 of the necessary materials and mixture is calculated taking into account the differences in the floor and all its irregularities. To establish the volume of the room, the base horizon is determined by the laser level, then the differences are calculated from different points.
The relative height is calculated - the size difference is divided by 2. By folding the relative and minimum permissible heights, the minimum coating thickness is calculated.
Laying the bulk floor
Before laying the floor, the walls are glued with a film. To avoid leakage of the mixture under the panel, the entire base around the perimeter of the room is sealed with a mounting tape. Prepared for pouring the base should go in removable shoes. On the flooded floor, it is recommended to walk in kraskostoy, with which you can go to separate sections, leveling the surface and leaving no traces.
Filling of a heat-insulated floor begins from the highest point. The poured mixture is leveled with a spatula and squeegee. If bubbles form, they are removed with a needle roller. When laying the floor there should not be moisture and drafts. Throughout the drying of the coating, all work is carried out at a temperature above 10 º.
When choosing a bulk floor, you can significantly reduce costs. Before installation, a layer of pure quartz sand should be laid. After the surface dries well (after 5-10 days), you can apply the finish bulk floor. Consumption per 1 m2 is 0.5 kg of the mixture with a layer thickness of 0.1 cm.
Floor Care
After the floor dries, a protective film is applied to the surface. It protects it from damage and must be replaced every six months. It is recommended to rub the bulk floor with mastic once every three months. To clean a room with such a floor covering use: vacuum cleaner, brush, warm water and a mild detergent. The bulk floor has one drawback - it is very afraid of heavy and sharp objects.