The contents
Since its appearance on the market of finishing materials in the early 80-ies of the last century, the laminate remains very popular floor covering. The relevance of the laminate is connected with its functionality, practicality, good sound and thermal insulation properties, a wide choice of patterns and colors at an affordable price. Manufacturers are improving the technology of production of the laminate, locking systems that came to the estimate of a glutinous method of connecting the panels, extend offers texture and drawings to be applied to the decorative layer of the panel laminate.
Requirements for the basis on which they are about to lay laminate can be summarized in three points:
- The base should be solid and stable.
- The base should be smooth.
- The base should be dry.
Concrete floor fully meets all these requirements. After the screed humidity in the range of 2.5% and check for the presence of elevation changes, you can begin installation of flooring.
Substrate preparation ↑
The concrete floor is stable and this criterion is suitable for the further use of the laminate as a floor covering. Before styling you want to check the humidity in the screed and the existing elevation.
On large construction projects measure moisture content using a carbide hygrometer, which allows you to get the most accurate reading, or use electronic hygrometers. The cost of such instrumentation is quite high.
The presence of differences in height is checked with a level 2 meter length or rules. In accordance with the set of rules SP 29.13330.2011 drop should not exceed 2 mm over the entire length of the level. These changes allowed for the laminate as a floor covering.
Another important indicator is the slope of the base. On the set of rules (this clause 5.19) the slope shall be within 0.2% of the appropriate size, not to exceed the value of 20 mm for the length of the room.
If the base has a height difference and the slope is greater than these values, it is necessary to align. This stage will delay the laying of the laminate, but without the leveling base quickly enough in the joints of the floor panels will have gaps. It will happen due to wear of the laminate. Remember that even ceramic tile, strength which cannot be compared with the strength of the laminate panels being laid incorrectly (with voids under the tile), in these places will crack.
For leveling the concrete base is better to use self-leveling mixture. Such a mixture is able to align the differences are not more than 30 mm. the Concrete floor is cleaned and primed. Diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions self-leveling mixture is poured on the floor, leveled with a metal spatula, after which the mixture is rolled with the spiked roller. This is done to remove air bubbles from the solution. After rolling with a roller, the solution will acquire greater strength. The speed of drying self-leveling compound is considerably higher than the speed of drying screed.
The choice and laying of the substrate under the laminate ↑
Before laying the laminate on a concrete floor you must first lay a vapor barrier layer. For these purposes, perfect plastic substrate.
If you want to improve sound and heat insulation in the room, on a plastic substrate, place a cork, rubber-cork or bitumen-cork backing. For children’s rooms and bedrooms the best choice underlay, cork. It is an environmentally friendly material. A disadvantage of this type of substrate can be considered quite a high price.
Composite substrate Tuplex to use the room with warm floors. Tuplex underlay consists of two layers, between which is a layer of granulated polystyrene. Has a good sound insulation, elasticity, long life and even prevents the formation of mold. The disadvantage is the highest price available in the market of building materials of the substrates.
The foil substrate is used mainly in premises where it is planned the installation of floor heating. Such a substrate two layers: the core is made from foamed polyethylene, the second aluminum foil, covered with plastic wrap. The film protects the foil from mechanical damage and exposure to organic liquids. The foil substrate is characterized by excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties and low hygroscopicity. Drawback – the high price.
Underlay from extruded polystyrene is ideal for laying on a concrete floor. Superior to the characteristics polyethylene foam, but is more expensive. Less crushed and deformed. It is believed that completely loses its properties after 10 years of operation. When burning underlay from extruded polystyrene allocates the greatest amount of harmful substances.
Polyethylene foam substrate – the most common of all. Fits just. However, the low price «balances» life is short, the substrate is rapidly shrinking, forming a void under the floor. In mass residential construction is used for budget finishes.
Laying laminate flooring ↑
To count the number of the required laminate to the area of the room is added 7% when laying the flooring perpendicular to the light source (the window) and the 15% for a diagonal installation. Diagonal laying and laying across used in small spaces with the aim to visually expand the room. On the packaging specified number of square feet of laminate in the package.
Styling methods:
- Perpendicular to light source (long side panel is located along the light flux). In this way, the seams between the panels less noticeable.
- Parallel to the light source.
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- Diagonally.
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- Christmas tree.
Packaging entered into the room, where it will undergo installation and kept for two days. The packaging is not opened. It is necessary that the flooring adapt to the moisture and temperature in the room.
For the laying you need:
- A jigsaw or handsaw.
- Knife for opening packages.
- Plastic wedges.
- Steel bracket with which you will be able to fit the end of the last panel in the row. Without brackets it will be very difficult.
- Roulette.
- Gon.
- Mallet and die (for lock Lock).
- Pencil.
First set of plastic wedges. They will help to provide the necessary gap of 10 mm between the laminate and the wall. From the corner of the room from left to right is placed horizontally the first row. The comb panels of the first row are directed towards the wall. The panels are connected end sides. Latest in a series of panel trimmed with a jigsaw or handsaw and placed in a row. Starting the next row can be the remaining piece of the panel (provided that its length is greater than 300 mm). It is important that the seams in adjacent rows do not coincide.
The first and second rows are joined. When using panels with Lock-lock, you will need to tamp them with a mallet (through the die) for fixing of the ridge in the groove of the next panel.
Panel system Click are stacked under an angle of 45° until it clicks into place. This coating can be removed if necessary.
Panel, the last row will most likely need to be cut to width in size. Remember that a cut line will cover the plinth, so that small irregularities in the location of the cut is not terrible. After laying laminate on the wooden floor, the wedges are taken out and mounted the plinth. Pre-view as I need to cut the panels of the last row. The floor will not look good if the width of the panels of the first and last rows will be very different. In this case it is better to trim panels and the first and last rows.
Conclusion ↑
The technique of laying laminate on a concrete floor does not differ from installation on other grounds. The difference lies in the mandatory laying vapor barrier. With the right device of concrete floor difficulties with laying the laminate should not occur. And the choice in favor of the locking system Click 5g or Megalock will complete the process of installation very quickly.
