Technology of applying a polymer coating to a concrete floor
Concrete floors are considered the most durable and wear-resistant. They do not require large capital investments and labor costs. However, to give them a discreet appearance and extend their service life, they are coated with special polymer compounds. And if you add decorative particles to the solution, you will make any interior original.
Contents of the article:
Pouring a concrete floor with a polymer coating
A polymer coating for a concrete floor can be used in different ways: it is suitable for a production room or garage, as well as for an apartment with a loft or high-tech equipment.
All materials for arranging the floor can be purchased at a hardware store, and working with your own hands is quite simple. To choose the right polymer composition, it is recommended to consider several aspects:
- Where is the floor located: in a residential or industrial area;
- Planned level of loads on the surface (physical, mechanical, chemical);
- How important is the appearance of the floor from an interior point of view?;
- Does the coating need additional properties?
Advantages and Disadvantages
First of all, you need to pay attention to the advantages of the concrete floor itself.
- Service life. With the right polymer material, the floor will last for decades;
- Resistant to extreme temperatures, mechanical stress and aggressive environments. This is a durable and wear-resistant material;
- Fire resistance, which is especially important for industrial and warehouse premises;
- Relatively affordable price of the material;
- Health safety, environmental friendliness.
Despite all the advantages, if a concrete floor is left untreated, over time it will become covered with cracks, and the cement mortar will create dust on the surface. Small particles can get into equipment, settle on furniture, or enter the respiratory tract. Therefore polymer floors it is necessary to prime or use a polymer coating for concrete. Its advantages include:
- Elasticity, which retains its appearance during seasonal fluctuations in rooms or temperature changes;
- Easy to care for. Since the floor is poured without seams, less dust accumulates in it and cleaning becomes easier;
- Harmless to health, does not emit toxic substances;
- Various design and color options;
- Durability;
- Resistance to chemicals, mechanical damage;
- The surface is smooth but non-slip.
The main disadvantage is the high price.
What polymer floors exist?
After clarifying the basic questions about the purpose and intensity of use of the floor, you can begin to select a coating for the concrete floor. First, a primer is applied to the concrete floor to remove dust and improve adhesion to the future floor covering. A good primer will help reduce polymer consumption and extend the life of the finish coat. It happens like this:
- Polymer. Penetrates into the base to a depth of 6 mm, filling small cracks and porous concrete surfaces. As a result, the floor becomes more resistant to various influences, it is easier to clean, it does not generate dust, and its service life increases;
- Acrylic. Suitable for rooms with light loads, requires updating every 2-3 years;
- Polyurethane. This primer is chosen most often. It ensures complete removal of dust, improves appearance, increases the strength and moisture resistance of the floor, and is economical in consumption. Disadvantages include a strong odor and inability to use in wet areas;
- Epoxide. Less wear-resistant than the previous option, but odorless. Otherwise they are similar;
- Latex. Contains water in the composition, so it can be applied to a fresh base. It binds fine dust particles well and is resistant to UV rays and aggressive influences. But not suitable for heavy loads.
When the base is prepared, proceed to the installation of a self-leveling floor. This is a liquid material that is poured from above onto a concrete base with a thickness of 4-5 mm. The solution is evenly distributed, forming a smooth, durable coating. Self-leveling floors are:
- Polyurethane. The most durable compounds. It can be poured in industrial premises where high loads are planned. This flooring does not slip, withstands temperature changes and ultraviolet rays, and gives a decorative appearance. The disadvantages are the same as those of polymer primer: it is not suitable for wet rooms and has a strong odor;
- With epoxy resin. Can be used indoors and outdoors, does not absorb dirt, is not afraid of moisture, ultraviolet radiation and chemicals. Heat-resistant and environmentally friendly composition;
- A fairly new type of self-leveling floors based on methyl methacrylate. A particularly durable coating that can withstand any temperature, humidity, chemicals and shock. But it hardens very quickly, so it is only suitable for professionals. The disadvantages include the high price and toxicity of the composition when pouring;
- Highly filled self-leveling floors. The mixture contains: quartz sand, polymer and various pigment additives for coloring. Also very durable, suitable even for outdoor use.
Installation of self-leveling polymer floor
To achieve an efficient result, craftsmen advise applying impregnation for the concrete base at the very beginning, then a primer, and then pouring the mixture for the floor.
Work can be carried out autonomously at temperatures from +5 to +25 degrees. The tools you will need are a needle roller and a squeegee. Squidgies remember a complex spatula with a long handle; they use it to level the mixture. Seething bubbles are removed from the plane with a needle roller.
Preparing the concrete surface and pouring the coating
The work begins with preparing the occasion. It is exhausted with a vacuum cleaner, small cracks are destroyed, leveled and polished with the support of a special machine. If the concrete floor is strong, then the moon will be poured.
A primer is applied to the prepared layer. Then it dries perfectly & mdash; re-impregnation.
The prepared solution for self-leveling floor is poured into the base, spread with a squeegee and bubbles are removed with a special roller. Some formulations hope to be filled with a delicate final polymer layer.
Decorating floors with polymer coating
To add originality, as well as hide minor defects, various particles are added to the outside of the new polymer suit: flocks, glitters, chips, etc. You can give free rein: make an original pattern, apply your own decor idea.
The parts are coated by hand or with a spray gun, and subsequently the perfect drying of the layer destroys useless residues. To prevent auxiliary particles from sticking, the floor is varnished in 2 layers.
Self-leveling floors & mdash; This is a fairly fresh look for the floor. But thanks to its own advantages, it is quite famous. When done well, the floor remembers the smooth plane of the glass, and decorative additives make it original.
