Preparing a concrete floor for laying linoleum. Preparing the base for linoleum Preparing the concrete floor for linoleum

Perhaps the most popular type of finishing floor covering is linoleum. Regardless of the purpose of the room, this roll material is used very successfully.

Budget, ease of installation and modern design allow linoleum to meet all the requirements of property owners. Despite the simplicity of the flooring, the rolled material also has its own nuances. Preparing the floor for linoleum requires special care - let's look at how to properly prepare the base for finishing.

Specifics of linoleum

One of the main advantages of linoleum is that it can be laid on any base material. The only requirement is evenness. According to practiced international standards, linoleum is divided according to wear resistance class

The surface on which roll linoleum is laid must be absolutely smooth. In places where there are level changes, potholes, or uneven spots, the material will bend and crack over time.

There are 3 ways to arrange a level base for finishing with roll material:

• leveling the cement screed;
• bay self-leveling floor;
• laying sheet covering.

In order for this type of base to be suitable for laying linoleum, you need to ensure its quality.

If the screed is loose and easily reacts to physical pressure, it should be replaced.

To do this you need:

• dismantle the layer of old fill to the floor slabs;
• clean the surface from construction debris and dust;
• treat the surface with a deep penetration primer;
• lay rolls of waterproofing film overlapping over the walls, glue the joints with tape;
• seal the perimeter with damper tape;
• pour concrete screed;
• After the screed has set, level the base with a thin layer of finishing filler.

If the quality of the screed is good, it will be enough to complete only the last step - level the base. Before doing this, carefully inspect the screed for cracks or chips. If defects are found, you should:

• clean the damaged area;
• coat the area with primer;
• pour cement mortar into the chip or crack (it is better to use a composition with the addition of plasticizers);
• After drying, sand the surface to the level of the floor.

If you carried out work on “patching” the screed, it is recommended to fill the leveling layer no thinner than 0.5 cm in order to avoid troubles when laying the rolled material.

After the top layer has completely dried, you can lay the linoleum on the floor. To do this, it is necessary to lay a vapor barrier material on the screed.

This will reduce the friction force and increase the period of comfortable use of the coating.

In addition, additional thermal insulation will reduce heating costs and delay the time frame for repairing the flooring.

The mixture is spread over the surface using a spatula

If you are limited in time, but free in funds, you can use modern self-leveling floors. In this case, the preparation of the concrete floor for linoleum occurs in the following order:

1. Mix the solution, strictly observing the order and proportions indicated on the manufacturer's label. For preparation, water or solvent is used, depending on the type of mixture. When ready, the solution should resemble thick sour cream.
2. The solution is poured onto the surface and distributed using a spatula or squeegee. The layer thickness should not be less than 5 mm.
3. Using a needle roller, air is removed from the fill layer.

The characteristics of aqueous solutions are such that excess water in them will lead to cracking of the layer. When preparing such a solution, water is always poured into the dry mixture, and not vice versa.

In order for the poured layer to dry, maintaining strength and evenness, you should not walk on it during the first 2 days.

Experts consider a linoleum base filled with self-leveling floors to be ideal. This device has only one drawback - the high cost of the material.

If you plan to lay plywood on old joists, check their integrity

When installing a base for linoleum on a wooden floor, the most skills and abilities will be required. First, you need to decide on the quality of the old floor.

It is better to dismantle the top boards and lay plywood sheets directly on the joists, while additionally checking the condition of the timber and, if necessary, restoring it.

This foundation also has unconditional advantages:

• no dirty work will be required to install a cement screed layer;
• the base does not require time to dry and is immediately ready for further work;
• layer of additional thermal insulation.

The preparation of a wooden floor under linoleum from sheet material takes into account the dimensions of the coating.

The plywood slab should rest on three guide bars.

In this case, the sheets are laid with the seams shifted.

Step-by-step instructions for laying plywood on joists:

• the outer side of the plywood is covered with drying oil;
• sheets are laid with offset seams;
• screw the material with self-tapping screws to the bars. For more information about installing flooring on joists, watch this video:

The seams must be treated with wood putty and sanded. Before laying, it is recommended to keep all wooden material in the room for future use for at least 7 days. After curing, the moisture content of the material should not exceed 18%.

It is recommended to treat dry and seasoned wood with impregnations to prevent rotting, fire and eating by insects. When installing plywood sheets, you should leave a gap of at least 1 cm between the wall and the covering. Wood is a living material that reacts to humidity and temperature changes.

To avoid deformation of the linoleum, leave technical gaps in the laying of plywood and use foamed backing material under the linoleum.

So, we have described how to prepare a floor for linoleum in 3 different ways. Any of them can be carried out independently; the choice depends on the availability of time and material resources. For more information on simple floor preparation, watch this video:

As mentioned earlier, the only requirement for the base for laying linoleum is perfect evenness. If you are unable to achieve this when preparing the floor for laying linoleum, the underlay material will help mitigate the situation. In addition, the gasket between the base and the rolled material will significantly increase its service life.

Due to its low cost, this material is perfect for repairs in a new building and as a temporary solution to the problem with your own hands.

Depending on the requirements for the future coating, linoleum can be an ideal solution for flooring in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms of apartments and private houses. Such renovations will help refresh the room without causing significant damage to the family budget.

The interior of the room plays a huge role in the design of modern housing. In order for the house to constantly delight you with coziness, it is necessary not only to decorate the walls beautifully, buy stylish furniture, but also to choose a suitable floor covering, on which the final image of the design will depend. As you know, the floor, unlike other decorative elements, is most susceptible to contamination and mechanical stress. Therefore, it must be durable, high quality and harmoniously combined with the overall appearance of the room. Linoleum meets all of the above characteristics; it is considered the most practical and affordable material for flooring.

Linoleum is not new among building materials. It has been used for many years, but thanks to modern production technologies, this type of coating has been significantly improved. Today, there are many types of linoleum that amaze with their beauty and unusual decor with imitation of natural wood or stone. One of the advantages of such a coating is the possibility of self-installation. But in order for the product to reliably serve and withstand intensive use, you need to know how the floor is prepared for linoleum and what flooring methods are used.

Specifics of installation

Any renovation begins with preparatory work, the process of laying flooring is no exception. Therefore, first of all, you should start dismantling the old floor. To do this, the surface for the base is leveled, all irregularities and defects are rolled up. Before laying, it is also necessary to prepare the linoleum itself; it must rest for two days in the room where the flooring is planned. For this purpose, the products in rolls are placed in a vertical position.

If repair work is carried out in winter, then under no circumstances should linoleum be laid without prior preparation. It is not recommended to even spread a product brought from the cold from rolls; it should lie in a well-heated room, and only then the sheets can be rolled out and cut. This is especially true for the technology of laying heterogeneous linoleum. This coating takes time to straighten out and “get used” to the temperature in the room.

Products are cut with a certain margin, taking into account possible bends, door openings and niches, all canvases are laid along the room. In order for the linoleum to quickly take shape, smaller pieces can be placed on its large cuts. Often in one room it is necessary to install flooring from different pieces; in this case, it is important to pay attention to the coincidence of the pattern. Rolls of single-color and marble-like linoleum are laid perpendicular to the outer walls, thus hiding the seams. As for the coating with patterns, it is placed longitudinally.

In corridors, the product is placed lengthwise, regardless of the presence of patterns; if the room has pipes, decorative columns and figured walls, then before laying the covering, the contours of the walls are measured and cuts are made taking into account the gaps.

In order for linoleum to please with its beautiful appearance and withstand mechanical stress during operation, it must be laid correctly.

Today there are three main types of installation:

• without fixation;
• on adhesive tape;
• onto the adhesive solution.

The choice of a specific flooring method depends on the operating conditions of the product and the area of ​​the floor surface. So, if the room is small, then installation without fixation is quite suitable for it. As for spacious rooms with an area of ​​more than 20 square meters. m., then sizing the linoleum in them is mandatory, this will help in the future to avoid tears, stretch marks and deformation of the material. In large rooms with little traffic, you can get by with fastening the covering to tape.

How to prepare the floor before installation

Linoleum is considered the most popular element of floor decor. The huge demand for this type of material is explained by its many advantages. The product is characterized by excellent durability, low price and ease of maintenance. In addition, the coating is presented in a wide selection of colors and amazes with a variety of patterns and original designs. The most important advantage of linoleum is that it is pleasant and easy to work with, so even construction beginners can install such a coating.

Linoleum is very elastic in its structure, so its installation must be handled responsibly; the slightest errors in installation can lead to damage to the appearance of the product and a reduction in its service life. To avoid this, you should not only properly prepare the canvas and level the floor. The base for the flooring must not only be strong, but also smooth, monolithic and dry.

Linoleum can be placed in any room, this is where its versatility lies. In addition, the flooring process is performed both on a concrete slab and on wood, tiles or screed.

For linoleum flooring, it is not necessary to dismantle the previous covering; to do this, it is enough to level it and treat the floor with special solutions. As for the canvases themselves, they also require preparation; the unfolded linoleum is spread in a room at room temperature, where it rests for several days. Depending on the type of old base, the following leveling work is performed:

DIY concrete floor

As a rule, there is no perfectly smooth concrete surface. In the case when the room is placed on one concrete slab, it is easy to get rid of defects. To do this, it is enough to clean the surface from dirt and dust, then apply putty correctly and, after drying, cover it with a primer. If the room consists of several slabs, then in this situation you will need to completely fill the floor with mortar. This way the mixture will fill all defects, chips and crevices.

Concrete can be poured both in an apartment and in a private house. The resulting base is left to dry for several days, then it can be sanded and primed. The filling solution can be used ready-made or prepared independently.

On old linoleum

In most houses, the floors are covered with old linoleum sheets. Before installing new product models, you should not tear them down, as they can serve as an excellent base for laying. The only thing is that such a coating should be checked for the absence of damaged areas and irregularities. If there are no defects, then you can proceed to installation. Before installation, the surface is thoroughly cleaned and degreased.

For ceramic tiles

This surface is considered an excellent option for linoleum. It also needs to be checked for cracks; if there are any, small flaws can be eliminated with epoxy resin. As for the cracked areas, they are removed and these places are well leveled.

When the tile adhesive has dried, the entire surface is sanded and washed. It is worth noting that ceramic tiles are the most suitable base for flooring, as they increase the sound and heat insulation of the floor. Therefore, such prefabricated coverings are often used in construction work.

Wooden floor

An old board floor is also considered a good option for linoleum flooring. It must be checked for mold. If the tree is affected by a fungus, then it is best to tear it off and screed it. In addition, all coating elements must be well secured. The protrusions of screws and nail heads must be eliminated, and bulges on the surface must be removed using a plane.

Often on old boards there may be gaps and cracks; to seal them, special putties are used, which are sanded after complete drying. If the surface is too uneven, then it is recommended to lay sheets of chipboard or fiberboard on it.

Self-leveling floor

The most popular base for flooring is poured; it dries quickly and does not require any finishing. Using this leveling technology, large depressions in the concrete are first filled with a quick-hardening mixture. Then the base is primed in two layers and the mixture for the floor is prepared. The filling must be mixed well; its consistency should resemble liquid dough. After preparing the solution, time is given for chemical reactions to occur and mixing is repeated.

The resulting mixture is poured onto the floor and formed using a great tool. The process of crystallization of the pouring takes no more than a day, after which the linoleum can be laid.

Linoleum gained popularity among other types of covering several decades ago, when it was actively laid on the floors of Khrushchev-era apartment buildings directly on concrete floors. During this time, manufacturers have constantly worked to improve the quality of the material, introduce new technologies and improve the design. It is laid on different bases. This article will tell you how to properly install a linoleum floor on a concrete floor.

Owners of apartments in both new buildings and old buildings usually ask a typical question during the renovation process: is it possible to lay linoleum on a concrete floor? And the most popular answer both on Internet forums and from experts: linoleum is the main flooring material in modern buildings.

The process of laying linoleum includes several stages:

• selection of suitable material;
• preparing the base and leveling the surface;
• surface waterproofing;
• calculation of material consumption for installation;
• marking and cutting linoleum;
• fixing the covering to the floor using adhesives;
• mechanical fastening using skirting boards.

Each stage has its own substages, features and importance. The guarantee of successful work lies in the correct choice of linoleum, glue, and in preparing the base. The process becomes much more complicated if it also involves installing a heated floor under linoleum on a concrete floor.

Experts recommend not to neglect the stage of leveling the floor under linoleum before laying, as this is the key not only to the beauty of the surface, but also to the longevity of the coating. The smoother the base, the longer the linoleum lasts.

Preparing the floor for linoleum: leveling the base

Regardless of the type of linoleum, before installing it you need to prepare the base. This is an important factor affecting the service life of the roll coating. Even seemingly minor cracks, dimples or ridges can cause rapid abrasion in these problem areas. Therefore, the base must have as smooth a surface as possible and also be clean.

If you have a concrete floor, you need to take care of the noise and heat insulation of the surface. The base requires special preparation when laying heated floors under linoleum. We will talk about this in a separate section.

Important! You should not use sheet materials to level the surface of an uneven concrete base, as they will sooner or later deform under the contours of the floor and subsequently modify the linoleum.

Typical preparation of a concrete base consists of the following steps:

1. Dismantling the old covering. Before leveling the floor under linoleum, it is advisable to remove the old covering. In rare cases, you can leave the old linoleum. But the covering of linoleum tiles definitely needs to be removed, this also applies to old substrates and insulating layers. There should be a bare concrete base left. The surface is thoroughly cleaned of dust and other contaminants.
2. The assessment and diagnosis of a concrete foundation is determined by the totality of all defects, including bulges, slopes, dents, and drops. If they make up more than 20% of the total area of ​​the room, then it is necessary to perform a concrete screed or fill the surface with a self-leveling mixture. Such measures will help make the base as smooth as possible.
3. Elimination of minor flaws. If a screed is not necessary, then it is enough to spot-fix minor damage. Particular attention should be paid to defects between concrete floor slabs. To do this, use putty, or a cement solution mixed with drying oil. The cleaned and smooth surface is coated with a primer.
4. Laying layers of heat, sound and waterproofing. Before laying linoleum, you need to take care of thermal insulation, since concrete is cold in itself, and even a coating with a thermal insulation backing will not save the situation. For thermal insulation, you can lay fiberboard sheets or plywood on the floor under the linoleum.

For waterproofing, it is recommended to use polyethylene film no thinner than 200 microns. It is laid with an overlap of at least 20 cm and overlapping the walls by 5-6 cm (the excess is removed after laying the linoleum). Masking tape works well for soundproofing.

Flooring under linoleum on a concrete floor: choice of material

A practical approach involves taking into account the structure and wear resistance of linoleum.
Depending on its structure, linoleum is divided into homogeneous (single-layer) and heterogeneous (multilayer). The latter option is usually used in domestic conditions, since it already has the necessary base, most often insulated or waterproofing.

There are two most common types of linoleum that are used as a coating for concrete floors in apartments: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating and natural linoleum, which contains cork meal, tree resin, lime and linseed oil. Both of these types are harmless to health, resistant to bacteria and repel fat.

Helpful advice! For the kitchen and hallway, where traffic is highest, it is better to take semi-commercial or even commercial class linoleum. In public institutions, the most popular option is commercial homogeneous linoleum.

Another classification depends on the degree of resistance of linoleum to stress. In this case, roll decorative coatings are divided into household, semi-commercial and commercial. Judging by the names, household coating is intended for residential premises, but this is only at first glance. It is, of course, inexpensive, but has low wear resistance, that is, the price corresponds to the quality. All rooms in the house have different functionality, which should be taken into account when choosing floor coverings.

The 1.5 mm thick household coating is suitable for offices, living rooms and bedrooms. For the corridor, kitchen and children's room, it is better to take linoleum with a thickness of at least 3 mm, which is easier to protect from mechanical damage.

Aesthetic characteristics of linoleum of different collections

First of all, it is worth noting that the color of the flooring should match the overall design of the room. The choice of quality material also depends on the manufacturer. Tarkett has been considered the most popular company in the flooring production market for many years. Commercial, semi-commercial and household linoleum can be found in different series from this supplier.

Taste preferences were taken into account in different versions by linoleum manufacturers. For example, the Discovery series of Tarkett linoleum maximally conveys all the beauty and charm of natural materials, allowing them to be brought closer to natural ones without causing harm to nature. The Tarkett Grand linoleum collection is a variety of decor and fantasy patterns. It includes both fancy lines and the maximum imitation of natural parquet.

In turn, Tarkett Idyll linoleum is distinguished not so much by aesthetics as by practicality and increased strength. It can withstand the load from hairpins and sharp legs of mobile furniture. The material has good heat and sound insulation. This series includes different models, including those designed for high-traffic areas. An example is Tarkett Atlant 1 linoleum from the Idylle Nova collection. The wear resistance of this coating allows it to be used in offices with average load intensity and children's institutions.

Calculation of linoleum sizes: width standards, taking into account features

When calculating the size of the canvas, you need to take the material with a reserve - a few centimeters more than the area of ​​​​the room. This is quite easy to do in standard square and rectangular rooms. It is enough to measure the dimensions of the room and add 10 cm on each side.

Helpful advice! An online calculator will help you accurately calculate the required amount of material. Indications of the length and width of the floor are entered into the windows (for example, the width of linoleum is 2 m). How many meters of linoleum will be required from such a roll will be indicated in a special window.

In rooms with complex outlines, you need to approach the cutting process more carefully and make a larger margin. When buying linoleum with a pattern, you should also take into account the allowances for joining the pattern. It is equally important, when purchasing a coating, to check that the batch number indicated on the labels of the linoleum rolls matches.

To avoid seams on the floor, the width of the roll should be equal to the length of one of the walls of the room. The standard width of linoleum is 2 m - 5 m in half-meter increments. A variety of coating sizes allow you to calculate the most economical option and avoid joints.

A simple secret to avoid seams is to take the size of the roll according to the length of one of the sides of the room. For example, in a narrow hallway 1.8 x 6 meters, linoleum 2 meters wide is suitable. How many meters of linoleum will be required depends on the length of the hallway. In this case it is 6 meters.

When deciding where to buy linoleum, you can resort to classic options and visit a hardware store. Modern consumers are increasingly using the order of goods via the Internet; this service - online purchases and delivery - extends to flooring.

How much does it cost to put 1 sq. m of linoleum: consumption and cost

It is logical that linoleum is the most important component in the installation process; it is where the main costs fall. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the financial resources required to purchase other materials. For example, without backing and glue, installation of linoleum is impossible.

• linoleum;
• cement, putty or self-leveling mixture for the base;
• insulating boards, films and elements for their fixation;
• glue or mounting tape for fixing linoleum;
• skirting boards and materials for their fastening.

Nowadays it is not a problem to buy cheap linoleum. Where to buy a quality one is a more difficult task, and in this matter it is better to trust prestigious stores and professionals.

The price of linoleum per square meter depends on the above qualities of the coating: material, wear resistance, decorative features. The class and series of coverage are of determining importance. The price per m² of commercial linoleum, as a rule, does not always exceed the price of semi-commercial. Sometimes a household coating from an elite series from a branded manufacturer costs more.

Related article:

Advantages, disadvantages, characteristics and properties of various classes and types. Recommendations for choosing material.

The total cost of floor leveling materials depends on its condition. Calculation of consumption for cement screed and primer is made based on the area of ​​the room. The thickness of the leveling layer must be at least 3 cm.

Helpful advice! The solution for pouring the concrete base must be made quite thick. It is leveled with a special spatula. To orient the level, special marks are made on the walls and slats are installed.

For primer, it is enough to apply one finishing coat. The need for insulating materials is also calculated based on the square footage of the room. They need to be laid with a minimum number of joints.

Adhesive for linoleum on concrete floors: types of fasteners and price calculation

When calculating the amount of fixative for linoleum covering, the length of the joints and the total perimeter of the room for gluing the covering under the walls are taken into account. The price of the material depends on its type. For example, the cost of mounting or masking tape is cheaper and more economical compared to glue, in addition, it is easy to dismantle if necessary. At the same time, fixation with its help will be less strong and reliable.

Linoleum glue or mastic is applied to the entire floor area, which is then covered with linoleum. Therefore, the consumption and price of linoleum glue is calculated based on the total square footage. Working with such fasteners requires special care and step-by-step steps with careful leveling of the surface to avoid the appearance of wrinkles.

Before you buy glue for linoleum, you need to decide on one of its types:

• polyurethane;
• one- or two-component;
• water-dispersed;
• adhesive composition with solvent.

For different types of linoleum, special adhesive bases are selected so as not to spoil the substrate and the coating itself. For example, adhesive for commercial linoleum is characterized by increased adhesive ability. It is better to take Tarkett linoleum adhesive from this manufacturer, since it is intended for a specific series of coatings. Manufacturers, as a rule, indicate the average consumption of linoleum glue per 1 m² on the packaging.

Materials for joining seams: linoleum glue cold welding

In spacious rooms or in rooms with a complex layout, when laying linoleum, it is often impossible to do without joints of the material. To connect linoleum seams, different materials are used: slats, planks, construction tape. The most popular and reliable method in this regard is the modern method - cold welding. To do this, use a special adhesive that forms a colorless seam. Finding the place of bonding after the procedure is visually difficult; it can only be determined by touch.

Using linoleum glue, cold welding will make the seams monolithic, reliable and neat, while hot welding makes the seams rough and changes the natural color of the coating. The method does not require special skills or effort. You also won't need any special tools or equipment.

Correct calculation of materials will help you allocate the costs of laying the floor as rationally as possible and plan your budget. Having purchased everything you need, you won’t have to throw away any excess or run to the shops to buy more materials. All costs are based on floor area calculations and material manufacturers' instructions.

Helpful advice! It is necessary to approach with special care the process of calculating linoleum, when laying it, it is assumed that the patterns at the joints will be combined. The section of covering in this case should be approximately 1.5 m longer than the area of ​​intended installation. It is also important to take into account that linoleum with ornaments should be laid in the longitudinal direction.

An example of calculating the amount of required materials

Below are approximate calculations of material consumption for a room with an area of ​​4x5 m, taking into account the fact that the concrete floor requires leveling.

1. Calculation of materials for screed. Taking into account the area of ​​the room of 20 m², multiplied by the height of the cement screed of 0.03 m, we get 0.6 m³, which when converted to liters is equal to the value of 600 (4 * 5 * 0.03 = 0.6 m³ = 600 l) . If a self-leveling mixture is used, then its consumption will be slightly less due to the pouring height of 0.02 m. In general, you will need 0.4 m³ or 400 l (4 * 5 * 0.04 = 0.4 m³ = 400 l).
2. Consumption of insulating materials. Sheet will need approximately 22 m², where 20 m² is the area of ​​the room + 10% of the reserve. The same consumption applies to roll materials. The waterproofing film will require a little more, taking into account the allowances for laying an overlap on the sides of 20 cm, that is, approximately 28 m².
3. The required amount of linoleum. If the coating does not require joining the pattern, then taking into account the 10 cm gap around the perimeter, approximately 21 m² will be needed (5.1 * 4.1 = 20.91 m²). If it is necessary to join the patterns, you need to add approximately 5m2 more. As a result, you will need 26 m².
4. Retainers. Approximately 12-15 kg of glue or mastic base will be needed (more accurate calculations can be made based on the characteristics indicated on the packaging). If you use mounting tape, you will need 25-30 m of it.
5. Consumables. Their quantity mainly depends on the condition of the base, so we give an average quantity. The consumption of putty will be 400-500 g, epoxy resin or cement mortar - up to 1.5 liters. Also, don’t forget about rags and the necessary tools.

How to lay linoleum on a concrete floor: sequence of work

After the surface of the base has completely dried after leveling, a roll is unrolled on it and the material is allowed to “rest” in the room where it is supposed to be laid. Ideally it will take a couple of days. This is necessary so that the canvas reaches the same humidity and temperature indicators that correspond to the room itself.

Linoleum is laid on an ideal concrete base, skipping the leveling step. The room temperature during installation should be at least +15 ° C, humidity - no higher than 68%. The canvas is carefully leveled on the surface.

Cutting is carried out along the contours of the room using a sharp construction or stationery knife. It is advisable to pre-cut with a margin of 3-5 cm on all sides, and remove the excess after gluing or cover it with baseboards.

If the installation involves the presence of intersecting strips, then they need to be overlapped, and then cut off the excess using a ruler and a sharp knife. If there are protrusions on the walls, then there is no need to rush to trim. It is better to carefully measure everything and apply preliminary markings to the canvas.

Important! In a spacious room where laying linoleum is impossible without seams, the strips should be placed longitudinally so that joints do not form across the passages. Thus, the seams will be less susceptible to mechanical stress, and the likelihood of their divergence will be lower.

The next stage is fixing the coating. There are several types of it:

• using bitumen mastic;
• using adhesives;
• using mounting tape;
• glueless (or mechanical) method.

Fixing linoleum with mastic: advantages and technology

The choice of the appropriate method of fastening the roll covering depends on the type of room, its area, type of linoleum, the presence of seams and the preferences of the owners.

One of the most popular and practical options is the use of bitumen mastic. This is a good waterproofing material with a paste-like consistency that fills unevenness and microcracks that remain after leveling. There are different compositions of mastics. The most common option for gluing specifically to a concrete floor is dispersion, which is suitable for linoleum with a fabric or heat-insulating base. If the coating does not have a base, then it is glued with rubber-based mastic.

The technology for gluing linoleum using mastic includes the following steps:

• base primer;
• spreading the covering on the floor, allowing it to stand for 24 hours;
• applying mastic with a notched trowel to the floor on one side of the material, for this part of the canvas
• lift;
• The coating is carefully lowered to the floor and carefully straightened, removing air.

The other side of the linoleum sheet is glued in the same way. If you need to fix a material of different types, then apply a layer of mastic of a certain thickness.

In a spacious room, the following trick will help you glue linoleum evenly onto a concrete floor. You need to fold the canvas in half with your face inward, then apply glue or mastic first to one side of the cut and glue it to the base, then the same operation must be carried out on the other side. You can remove wrinkles on the surface using a roller.

Linoleum adhesive and mounting tape: instructions for use

A similar (as when using mastic) method of fixing linoleum is the use of special adhesives. Linoleum glue has one drawback - it does not have insulating and leveling characteristics.

When applying fixing material to the floor, special attention should be paid to the entrance area and joints. For more reliable gluing at the seams, you need to bend the edges of the canvases and coat the places where they contact the floor well with glue.

Using mounting tape is the easiest way to fix it, but the material itself is short-lived, especially at seams. Therefore, it is advisable to use it in rooms with an area of ​​no more than 20 m², with low traffic, implying linoleum flooring in one piece.

In the process of gluing the coating onto the tape, it is first laid around the entire perimeter and in the doorways. If the installation involves several strips of linoleum, then the tape is also glued to the seams. To avoid swelling of the fabric, you should lay several strips of adhesive tape in the center of the area.

Helpful advice! In a small room or a room with low traffic, you can use linoleum flooring without the use of fastening material. The technology is very simple: the material is laid with allowances without cutting it. After the canvas has settled, the excess is cut off, and a plinth is attached around the perimeter of the room. The disadvantage of this method is that the coating may wrinkle under the influence of loads.

The advantage of the mounting tape is easy dismantling of the coating and preservation of its integrity. If glue or mastic was used in the installation, then removing linoleum is a more complicated process, and the integrity of the canvas is compromised.

Installation with double-sided tape is quite simple. The room is divided by eye into several squares and tape is attached to the floor, on which the canvas is carefully laid.

Laying linoleum on a concrete floor with your own hands: important nuances

You can install linoleum on your own, but first you need to take into account several important points on which the final quality result directly depends.

In particular, there are two installation technologies: trimming (a supply of material of up to 10 cm is left around the perimeter of the room); without bending (cut immediately clearly along the contours of the room). When making a choice, you need to take into account that the walls may have curvature, so it is more advisable to trim the material directly on the spot. The second option is suitable for rooms with perfectly smooth walls.

Therefore, when preparing the base of the floor, you need to take care of leveling the walls. If it was not planned, then you need to adjust the walls at least at a height of 7-10 cm from the floor so that the linoleum and baseboard lie flat. When choosing linoleum with an ornament, you need to take canvases from the same batch, otherwise there may be differences in the color scheme.

When installing linoleum on a concrete floor, do not neglect the substrate. Sheet materials and polyurethane foam coating are fixed, like linoleum, with mastic or glue. In this case, it is better not to use adhesive tape. To lay the coating directly on concrete, you need to take multi-layer insulated linoleum, which has an additional felt or foam backing.

It is advisable to treat seams and joints with a special compound during flooring installation. To do this, you can use mounting tape, glue or mastic. The most reliable option is a combined one: for fixation, both mounting tape and adhesive material are used, which are used to carefully process the edges of the canvases.

Helpful advice! In the matter of cutting linoleum, the proverb is relevant: “Measure seven times - cut once!” Therefore, you should not rush to cut off large pieces of coating, since it will be almost impossible to correct the mistake.

Installation of heated floors under linoleum: instructions from A to Z

Installing linoleum on a heated concrete floor is a more labor-intensive process, since it directly includes the stage of installing a warm surface. There are several ways to heat floors. The most popular of them:

• warm water floor using coolant circulation in a closed circuit;
• electric heated floor, where heating is carried out using an electric cable, heating mats or infrared film.

The owners themselves decide which floor heating for linoleum is preferable to choose. In a private house, all types of installation of heated floors are allowed; in a high-rise apartment, the possibilities are limited. The option of a water heated floor is excluded here.

It should also be noted that not every coating is suitable for heated floors. Linoleum must be selected with special markings on the packaging indicating that the material is designed for high temperatures - up to 28 °C. In addition, it is necessary to provide for the installation of sensors and thermostats.

For warm floors, it is better to choose linoleum that is durable, but not very thick. Household thin linoleum should not be used for this purpose. The optimal coating thickness should be 2-3 mm.

Plays a special role. It is advisable not to use it for covering heated floors. For better thermal conductivity, it is recommended to use homogeneous linoleum. You can use rolls of different sizes. The operation of the heated floor does not depend on this. Therefore, for a narrow corridor, a roll of linoleum 2 m or even 1.5 m wide is suitable.

As for the wear resistance class of linoleum, it should be as high as possible. At the same time, the most durable coating of class 44 should not be used for residential premises, as this requires extra costs. The best option for heated floors is class 34 linoleum.

Water heated floor under linoleum: principle of operation

Water heated floors began to be used as an additional heat source to the centralized system. Now it acts as an independent heat supplier. But its installation is quite complicated and is only permissible in private homes; the installation must be carried out by specialists.

The advantage of water underfloor heating is that it can operate from almost any energy source: gas, electricity, liquid and solid fuel. It should be noted that the coolant does not need to be heated to a high temperature: at the outlet it should be 30-40 °C.

The next advantage of water heating is energy savings due to low pressure in the system. At the same time, the elements of the device operate in a gentle mode in comparison with other alternative types of heating. This significantly extends the service life of the system to an average of 50 years or more.

In addition, as a result of the operation of water heating, electromagnetic radiation harmful to human health is not generated. Qualified, professional installation of heated floors eliminates the presence of detachable connections, which reduces the likelihood of system leakage to almost zero.

Helpful advice! Having opted for water heating, you should take into account the relative high cost of such a warm floor under linoleum. The price of the system itself, equipment and materials is significantly higher than other types of heating. You should also take into account the considerable costs of installation.

Electric heated floors under linoleum: types, disadvantages and advantages

When deciding which heated floor to buy for linoleum, most people prefer electric types. Their main advantage is ease of installation and operation. In addition, they can be installed in high-rise apartments.

The type of difference in electric heated floors depends on the type of heating elements. They are divided into cable, matte and film. Cable underfloor heating has the form of a heating cable, which is laid in a floor screed or placed in the form of heating mats covered with a heat-resistant film with a cable in the middle.

For heating, single-core and two-core cables are used. Laying a single-core cable involves returning the second end to the same point where the first is located. A two-core cable does not require this. In addition, it is more environmentally friendly: the radiation from it is 5 times less.

There are cables with self-regulation, which protects the floor from overheating, but they cost several times more than simple ones. The price of cable underfloor heating is also affected by the specific power coefficient per 1 m² of room.

The basis of heating in film heated floors is a thin film equipped with soldered graphite plates and copper conductors that transmit current. The advantage of such a system is ease of installation. It can be laid under laminate, linoleum and in walls.

Infrared flooring under linoleum is the most economical; it does not require screeds. With a guaranteed service life of 15 years, it can last 50 years. In addition, film floors are cheaper than cable floors. Thus, this type of flooring is the most beneficial for DIY installation.

Do-it-yourself installation of film heated floors under linoleum

Film heated floors are produced in special packages that contain a roll of thermal film, wiring, bitumen insulation and contact clamps. The number of packages required for purchase depends on the square footage of the room. In addition, to install the floor you will need thermostats, heat reflectors, protective polyethylene film, double-sided tape, and tools.

Preparatory work for installing a heated floor under, as in the case of simple laying of the canvas, includes leveling and cleaning the base, as well as marking and cutting the film. On a flat base floor, determine where the film will be laid out and measure the length of the sheets. The installation location of the thermostat is determined in advance. Next, cut the thermal film in special places marked with a dotted line.

Important! When marking, you should take into account the manufacturer’s requirement prohibiting the installation of thermal film under heavy furniture and objects.

For the purpose of thermal insulation, an Izolon heat reflector is laid on the concrete floor. The canvases are attached to the base with tape. In the same way, parts of the heat-reflecting material are glued together, ensuring their reliable fixation. It is important to cover the entire floor with a heat reflector to prevent heat loss. Next, pre-cut pieces of thermal film are laid, and the copper strip must be located at the bottom.

The cuts in the copper busbar are covered with bitumen insulation in such a way as to reliably cover all the silver contacts that are responsible for connecting the copper busbar to the carbon strips. Then, at the place where the electrical wire is connected, contact clamps are mounted on the copper bus so that one end goes into the middle of the thermal film, and the other remains outside. The contact clamp is tightly secured. The film strips are fixed with tape on the heat reflector, as well as with each other.

Insulation and connection of infrared heated floors under linoleum

The places where electrical wires are connected to the thermal film are carefully secured and insulated at the top and bottom. Pieces of insulation are connected to each other. All silver contacts at the edges of the film must be covered with bitumen insulation. It also secures the floor temperature sensor to the black graphite strip of the heating element.

Sensors and wires are hidden in special cutouts on the heat reflector to ultimately create a uniform surface for the finishing floor covering. The panel with the thermostat is mounted on the wall.

For additional protection, we cover the heated film floor with plastic film, and install protective material on it. The best option for these purposes is sheet plywood. The sheets are carefully screwed to the main floor so as not to catch the thermal film.

Linoleum is easily laid on the protective layer. The installation process is the same as in the case of adhesive-free installation on a flat concrete floor base. The covering is fixed using plastic skirting boards. It is because of the possibility of easy dismantling that, for safety reasons, linoleum is laid on the infrared floor. Warm floors, if installed correctly, ultimately create additional coziness and comfort, and the coating is a beautiful addition to the overall decor.

Thus, linoleum is ideal as a coating for concrete floors. This is an economical, environmentally friendly and easy-to-install material. Knowing what linoleum is like and having mastered the rules for laying it, you can design the flooring yourself. In addition, linoleum is most suitable for installing heated floors on a concrete floor.

Linoleum belongs to the group of elastic coatings. This type of material is particularly demanding on the quality of the rough foundation. Preparing the floor for linoleum is mandatory work that directly affects the quality of the floor covering and its service life.

Depressions, bulges, chips and other damage will be noticeable not only externally. Over time, this will lead to damage to the linoleum, reducing its technical and practical qualities.

Criteria for assessing the quality of the draft basis

The floor surface under linoleum flooring must be smooth, dry and clean. In special cases, a uniform slope to one side of the room is allowed. Otherwise, the process of preparing both concrete and wooden floors is aimed at eliminating all technological problems of the base.

To assess the quality of the old floor, you will need to dismantle the floor covering. Next, the surface is cleaned using a construction vacuum cleaner. If necessary, you can perform wet cleaning to remove dust.

Afterwards, a visual inspection of the rough base is carried out. If there are potholes, peeling concrete, or sinkholes on the surface, then preparation of the base is mandatory.

The rough substrate must be level and dry

The main problems with a wooden base are the bevel of the boardwalk, rotten sheets, protruding fasteners, etc.

To assess the level of differences, a building level or a straight strip 2 m long is used. The tool is applied to the floor in various places in the room. Changes or blockages will be visible to the naked eye.

If the base is damp, this indicates poor quality of the current waterproofing. For floors on the first floors, this type of work is performed in most cases, especially in private buildings located in regions with low groundwater levels.

Preparing the concrete surface

To mix concrete screed, you can use ready-made dry mixtures

Preparing a concrete floor for linoleum is carried out using cement-sand mortar and self-leveling floor. Concrete screed is used to fix problems for heavily damaged foundations. The filling device is used to final level the concrete screed, level out small differences in the base or eliminate minor damage.

For smooth, new, partially damaged floors, you can use special polyurethane-based fillers, concrete putty, or a cement-sand mixture. In this case, major leveling may not be carried out.

The process of preparing the floor using a concrete screed is performed in the following sequence:

1. To carry out the work, you will need to prepare sand concrete M300-500. If desired, you can use separate components in the form of M500 cement and sifted river sand. To reinforce the screed, a metal mesh with a cross-section of 0.3-.0.4 mm or fiberglass is used.
2. It is best to knead the screed in a container with a rounded bottom. To distribute the solution, a metal rule or a wooden strip 1.5-2 m long is used. To set linear guides, a metal profile is required.



If necessary, before installing the beacons, waterproofing is installed

3. Before starting repair work, you will need to determine the zero level and apply markings. To do this, you need to step back 6-8 cm from the highest point on the surface. The marking can be done using a nylon cord, which is fixed on the walls around the perimeter of the room.
4. Beacons for the screed are being installed. The first guide is located 30-40 cm from the wall. The distance between the first and subsequent guides is no more than the length of the rule, but it is better to use a fixed value - 1.2-1.5 m.
5. To install the beacon, cement mortar is used, which is pinned under the profile in increments of 50-70 cm. After the mixture has hardened, the orientation of the guide is checked using a level. If necessary, the position is adjusted.



Supply and distribution of concrete mixture

6. Next, you can begin mixing the screed solution. The proportions of the solution are 3 parts sand to 1 part cement. During the process, fiber fiber is added in the required proportion. The result should be a viscous, but not too thick solution. The viscosity of the solution is adjusted by adding the required amount of water.
7. Concrete screed is poured into the spaces between the guides. Direction: from the far corner to the exit. Before distributing, you can take a shovel and gently knead the solution to fill the space more densely.
8. To distribute the screed you need to put the rule on the guides. Next, with gentle movements, begin to pull the rule towards you, while making zigzag movements.

After installing the screed, you will need to cover the concrete surface with polyethylene. During the drying process, you need to moisten the surface with water up to 3 times a day. The complete drying cycle is 28 days.

On 2-3 days you can remove the beacons and wipe out the resulting voids. After complete hydration, the floor surface is rubbed using a trowel. Immediately before laying linoleum, the concrete surface is treated with a primer.

The process for preparing a concrete floor using a self-leveling mixture is similar. To do this, you need to buy a self-leveling floor for finishing leveling, special beacons, a long trowel with teeth, and a roller for rolling out the mixture.

Next, carry out all the preparatory work described in the instructions for the composition. Leveling using a self-leveling floor is best done with two people, since the process of mixing the mixture takes 7-10 minutes.

The first portion of the self-leveling mixture is supplied from the far corner of the room. First, the mixture is distributed using a spatula, and then rolled with a needle roller. Drying of the self-leveling mixture takes 7-10 days.

Preparing the wooden base



It is better to go through the old wooden base and eliminate all problems

The preparation of a wooden floor for linoleum is carried out taking into account the current design. In private houses and apartments, the most commonly used floor construction is on joists, on top of which a rough plank flooring is laid.

Leveling a plank floor can be done using several technologies: sanding, planing, leveling, laying plywood. Sanding and planing are used to adjust the surface of wood flooring. The floor itself and its structure are flat.

Leveling involves opening the old floor to the structural elements. In this case, all damaged elements are replaced. Laying plywood sheets is done on already leveled flooring in order to adjust the surface. In this case, you get an absolutely flat base that does not require planing or sanding.



The role of the rough base will be played by the plywood floor

In general, the preparation of wooden floors will look like this:

1. finishing elements and the current floor covering are dismantled to the rough plank floor. Next, using a nail puller, hammer, screwdriver or screwdriver, the plank sheet is dismantled;
2. Insulation, expanded clay and other filler are removed from the space between the joists. Next, you need to remove the debris, inspect the wooden structure and check all elements for level;
3. if there are damaged supports, beams, guides, then they need to be completely or partially replaced. For this, a wooden beam with the required cross-section is used. After replacing the elements and checking their level, the wooden elements are impregnated with an antiseptic;
4. Insulation and insulation are being laid. The plank floor is being laid. If necessary, the canvas can be completely replaced. This will eliminate problems with substrates under plywood or DSP;
5. Finally, the plywood sheets are installed using screws and glue. Sheet thickness – 12-15 mm. The expansion joint from the wall is 1 cm. The sheets are mounted joint to joint with a gap of 1-2 mm. The pitch between the screws is no more than 20-25 cm. The glue is applied over the floor area where the plywood is planned to be laid.

In the process of preparatory work, special attention is paid to orientation to the zero level. Wood is a mobile material, as it can expand when air humidity changes.

After the moisture evaporates, the wood shrinks, which can lead to subsidence. To avoid this, the supporting structure should be treated with an impregnating compound, and do not forget about expansion joints and insulation.

Universal leveling method



General approach to the dry screed device

Universal leveling methods include the dry screed method using expanded clay and gypsum fiber sheets. This technology can be used for both concrete and wooden floors.

The essence of the method is that expanded clay, with a layer thickness of 10-12 cm, forms a durable layer, on which gypsum fiber board sheets are then laid. Dry screed is very popular in Europe, since preparing the floor with your own hands can be done in a few hours.

The alignment process consists of the following:

This is a fairly simple technology that allows you to prepare the floor for laying linoleum in 4-5 hours. In this case, there is no need to wait for the mixture to hydrate, grout, etc.

Is it possible to lay it on old flooring?

The old coating can serve as a rough base for laying linoleum. The criteria for assessing its technical condition are exactly the same as for concrete and wooden floors.

The surface must be smooth and dry. The floor covering must be firmly held and intact. That is, preparing the floor in this case consists only of cleaning the old surface from dirt and traces of grease.

If the old coating shows that the base was initially poorly prepared, then linoleum cannot be laid. It will be necessary to eliminate the primary problems - this means that you will have to dismantle the old coating and level the base in the standard way.

You need to make sure that the floor meets the requirements for laying flooring. The base for linoleum must meet certain requirements. The service life of the linoleum will depend on how carefully the preparation work is carried out.

A well-prepared subfloor for linoleum should be:

• perfectly smooth;
• as reliable as possible;
• normal humidity;
• unpolluted;
• room temperature.

Preparing a wooden floor for laying linoleum

Preliminary work should begin with a thorough inspection of its surface and assessment of the condition in which the material is located. If the boards are affected by fungus or are very worn, then it will be easier to remove them and start installing a concrete screed.

Stages of work on preparing a wooden base:

Preparing a concrete floor for linoleum

When installing a concrete screed on which linoleum will be laid, special attention should be paid to ensuring that it is level and perfectly smooth and dry.

Work order:

• Check the floor using a level for differences in height.
• Installation of beacon profiles on the solution according to the level.
• Leveling the floor with a base cement screed along the “beacons”, removing air from the mixture using a needle roller.
• Apply a thin layer of floor finish.
• Cleaning and priming the surface of the finished floor (if the linoleum will be glued with special glue).
• The most important point in installing concrete floors is that all layers of concrete screed should be allowed to dry sufficiently. You cannot lay linoleum on substrates with high humidity, so there is no need to rush into this matter. Work should be carried out in a warm room. The temperature of the concrete base before laying linoleum should be approximately 19 degrees.

Preparing the base from old linoleum

The old linoleum does not need to be removed if it has not been damaged during use.

The presence of irregularities, holes and dented areas on linoleum makes it completely unsuitable for further use. In this case, it would be better to completely remove it, otherwise the new linoleum will soon acquire all the defects of the previous coating.

If it is in decent condition, then it is enough to clean it properly, degrease it - and you can start laying new linoleum on it.

Choosing a substrate for linoleum

Linoleum is an elastic and soft type of flooring. It is easily susceptible to constant external influence, being pressed, stretched and deformed by furniture legs and rollers. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to lay a soft foam substrate under it, which will only contribute to the appearance of undesirable changes on the coating.

The most suitable option is rigid, which can give the floor additional sound insulation, insulation and protection from damage. But the feasibility of its installation should be determined based on the quality of preparation of the base for linoleum. If it is not level enough or it needs to be additionally insulated, then the use of a substrate will be quite justified. Otherwise, linoleum can be laid without it.