Manufacturers currently provide a wide variety of floor coverings that differ in design and texture. The wide selection is striking in its characteristics and personality. The most effective is such an innovative coating as self-leveling floors. They can impress with interesting drawings and three-dimensional images.
Such a non-standard solution can become a highlight of your home interior.
Features of the
Self-leveling floors are coatings with a three-dimensional image. This technology is used in almost any interiors and rooms, even non-residential ones. 3D-coated solutions are suitable for a home or apartment, as well as an office, restaurant, club and even a shopping center. A feature of the technology of self-leveling floors is that they are created from polymeric substances, where this mixture seems to be poured onto the floor. Thus, traces and seams do not remain on it, the floor becomes absolutely even.
Designers are now presenting trends that allow you to place volumetric drawings not only on the walls on the street, but also in the interior of the apartment. Therefore, they embody the most interesting fantasies in the design of the floor and walls. A self-leveling floor can make your room look three-dimensional and very effective. The main feature of this floor is that it has an optical effect that allows you to transform the interior of the room, expanding and deepening it.
A 3D image of any complexity is placed under the liquid coating. Some even place ordinary material objects, such as coins or stones, under transparent polymer floors. In this way, you can make the interior decoration more unusual and exclusive. These floors can have an effect on your guests.
pros
The great advantage of liquid coatings is their aesthetic characteristics. The 3D effect is an original and fresh solution. In addition, it allows you to customize the design and use new techniques in the design process. This floor covering shows itself very well in operation. It can last more than 10 years. Moreover, the surface will be solid, without cracks and irregularities. It will be pleasant to walk on it.
In addition, an absolutely smooth and even surface is easier to care for. It does not wear out over the years and is not exposed to external influences. So, the self-leveling floor is not afraid of moisture and chemicals, which are often used for cleaning. The floor itself is completely safe and harmless to health … In addition, it is fire resistant. The coating is completely hygienic and does not spread fungus and bacteria.
The self-leveling coating is durable and hard at its low thickness. It can be done in any room: residential or non-residential, regardless of the purpose. The self-leveling floor is antistatic - dust and dirt do not accumulate on it. Even if the temperature, humidity and microclimate in general change in the room, such a coating will not deform.
When creating 3D self-leveling coatings with your own hands, you can show your imagination and pick up absolutely any image using personal drawings or ready-made canvases.
Minuses
Despite all the advantages of such a coating, it has several disadvantages. So, buyers note the high cost of such floors. The high price is due to the fact that the polymers that make up the bulk coating are quite expensive. In addition, printing the desired drawing will not be cheap, because a special film is applied to a regular drawing, which creates a 3D effect. In addition, not everyone will be able to independently make a self-leveling floor at home. You may have to spend money on the work of builders and designers.
In general, the cost of such flooring will be approximately 5 times higher than the cost of ceramic tilespurchased for the same area of the premises. It is also several times more expensive than conventional laminate. Not only its purchase, but also its repair can cost a large sum for the owners.
If you have severely damaged any part of the self-leveling coating, then you will not be able to correct this deficiency on your own. Many even believe that it is almost impossible to repair it. At the same time, it is necessary to provide him with proper care: the surface should be ground and polished every year so that the coating looks presentable. This procedure is also expensive.
The disadvantage is low floor surface temperature. Self-leveling floors are about as cold as tiles. In addition, it is not always possible to install a warm floor under the self-leveling 3D-coatings, and many experts do not recommend doing this.
Installation of a self-leveling 3D coating is a complex and time-consuming process that takes a lot of time and effort. At the same time, it assumes a perfect leveling of the surface and preliminary creation of a subfloor.
In addition, self-leveling layers take a long time to dry and may take longer to build than other coatings. If you don't have special knowledge and experience, it will be quite difficult for you to make 3D floors. To arrange a high-quality self-leveling floor, all rules and requirements for installation must be strictly observed. And this process is multi-stage.
Another drawback is the complexity of dismantling such a coating. Because of this, many even refuse to remove such a coating and apply a new self-leveling floor already on top of the old one. This process will obscure the height of the ceilings.
Views
Self-leveling floors can be made of two types:
- Using a conventional image or placing material objects under a self-leveling surface.
- Using a special design with an optical effect. But at the same time, the volume of all patterns will not be visible from all points, but only from some specific viewing angles.
3D coatings are divided into types depending on the composition and materials used in their manufacture.
Self-leveling floors are:
- one-component;
- two-component.
One-component polymer models are used, as a rule, for industrial premises or small rooms. But the two-component option is used more often, since it is of higher quality.
Polymer coatings that are poured onto the floor surface can consist of different components. That's it:
- polyurethane;
- a mixture of acrylic and cement;
- epoxy;
- methyl methacrylate;
- other combined options.
The most popular are epoxy and polyurethane floors, as they are more reliable and durable.
The floors also differ depending on their appearance. There are opaque and transparent options. All of these coatings open up a wide range of decoration options that are used for different 3D floors. So, the color of the coating depends on the addition of pigment to the composition of the self-leveling floor.
Acrylic is used not only as the main component for creating a self-leveling 3D floor and giving it color. Acrylic chips are also used, which, by means of interspersing, allow you to create an interesting color composition. They are filled in during the installation process between different layers of the self-leveling floor. This novelty in the technology of self-leveling floors allows you to create not only an interesting volumetric pattern, but also beautiful textures that imitate other coatings, even natural ones.
You can create the appearance of marble or granite floors. An interesting option is self-leveling coatings with the addition of mother-of-pearl or glitter to the composition. This floor looks impressive and is often used for children's rooms. Separately, it should be noted bulk light coatings, which are created using fluorescent light and other lighting effects. Such a floor will be backlit, and the volumetric patterns under it will look even more spectacular and interesting.
Drawings and colors
To create a spectacular 3D floor, pictures are used that allow you to create an effective drawing. The resolution of the picture must be higher than 300 dpi. It is this image that guarantees a high-quality 3D pattern. When creating interesting 3D self-leveling floors, pictures taken from photo banks are used.
3D floors are considered very effective, which, thanks to optical effects allow you to create a sense of depth … So, these are drawings in the form of an abyss, water or mountain descent or water. Almost all marine-themed 3D surfaces look luxurious and allow you to deepen your floors.
While these optical illusions look spectacular, they can be intimidating, especially in the morning. In addition, it will be difficult to get used to them at first.
Some people prefer to use images with wild predatory animals, also with their aggressive grin. But they can spoil the mood and even scare. In children's rooms, it is not recommended to use images of evil cartoon characters. In other rooms try to avoid floors that depict the illusion of falling or pictures with a wave that seems to be covering you. They can be scary too.
Too bright, self-leveling 3D coatings may not look very realistic, especially for models with large colored details.
Drawings should be carried out in their original real sizes, their enlargement several times is unacceptable, since it looks boring and illogical.
So, if you want to decorate the kitchen floor with an image of oranges or pineapples, then it is better to give preference to models with a small pattern, rather than self-leveling floors with huge fruits of clearly enlarged sizes, since such a pattern will quickly get bored and you will want to change it. Plus, it will be too bright.
To create a self-leveling floor, you need to use more neutral patterns and images. Flowers, grass, sandy beach, soft sea waves, leaves, natural stones and abstract or geometric ornament are perfect for decorating the floor. Drawings and colors are selected, based on the style and color of the room where you make such self-leveling floors.
The picture should be pleasing to the eye and should not bore or tire you. That is why you should abandon contrasting combinations and too bright colors. Intimidating and aggressive whirlpool or chasm images should not be used.
Separately, it should be noted the option in which the picture is independently rolled under a transparent coating. In this case, images of wild animals or floral prints are often used. In addition, shells, sea pebbles or coins can be placed under the transparent polymer coating. Such an image will become three-dimensional and natural under the self-leveling floor.
For 3D flooring, you can also use chamomile field, coral, colorful sea or ocean floor, beautiful caves or coastal landscapes. The choice of pattern depends only on your taste, but it is better to choose it in accordance with the interior.
When choosing a color scheme, it is better to abandon the abundance of bright colors, such as red, orange, bright yellow. They can play an accent role, but not be the main one. Better to use green, blue, beige, brown shades. It is important to arrange decorative fill coatings with a 3D effect as harmoniously as possible so that they fit into the design of the room. In this case, some even prefer black and white colors, since it looks restrained and elegant, while being the most versatile.
For different rooms
Self-leveling 3D floors must be selected not only in accordance with the stylistic design of the room, but also with its purpose. In such a specific room as a bathroom, it is better to use self-leveling floors with an aqua effect. Any nautical motives are perfect. You can create an entire aquarium or depict the seabed with beautiful algae.
Sand or pebbles are a great solution for a bathroom, abstract patterns can also be preferred, but they should include shades of blue or light blue. Any image of water on a 3D bathroom floor will look impressive.
In the kitchen, you can pick up self-leveling floors with the image of flowers or fruits and vegetables, but it is better if the drawings are not located over the entire floor area, but only in some individual parts. The design of the self-leveling coating can be matched to the apron area, which will make the interior more harmonious.
It is possible to use brighter shades here than in other rooms, but their abundance should not be overused.
In the bedroom, the choice of self-leveling floors with a 3D effect should be approached more seriously, since this is the most intimate room. Bright colors and flashy patterns are not the best option for such a room. To create a cozy atmosphere, it is better to use lighter colors that are included in the pastel color scheme. But for a brighter bedroom, you can use an image of a green field with flowers or another floral-themed pattern. A light floral print in subtle shades is also great.
But for a children's room, you can use brighter self-leveling floors, giving preference to coverings with images of African animals or with animal prints. A photo with drawings in the form of your favorite cartoon characters or TV series is perfect.
In a boy's nursery, the floor can even mimic a race track. More versatile is the finish of the floor under the starry sky or a lawn with fresh green grass.
For a more rigorous interior design, for example, for decorating a living room or study, geometric lines of different thicknesses are used, which allow you to create the effect of volume.
It is important to select such images to match the color of furniture upholstery and facades.… The floors should complement the interior of the living room or library and create a harmonious ensemble. It is in this room that the floors should not be an independent element of decor, but complete the design.
Installation
In order to make self-leveling floors with your own hands, you need to use step-by-step instructions. Making such floors in an apartment is a complex process. The floors are poured only after all the necessary materials have been selected.
First, you need to calculate the amount of raw materials that will be required to create a screed in order to level the floors.
You will also need the composition of the polymer type itself, as well as a film with a pattern applied to it. The film is chosen for a specific size of the room, therefore it is important to make accurate measurements.
It is difficult to make a drawing on your own, so you need to give preference to specialized organizations involved in creating images for 3D floors. They process your chosen drawing and adjust it to the desired size using a graphics editor. Thus, even before you fill the floors, you can see the finished result.
The image is converted at the desired angle in order to give it volume. The image is printed on vinyl using a special printing printer. Thus, the most realistic illusion with a 3D effect is created.
First, an epoxy or resin base will be applied to the floor. Calculation of the amount of the mixture is important. So, for 1 sq. m accounts for about 4 kg of this substance. When installing the floor, you will also need hardener and thinner.
After you have calculated all the required materials and made a choice in favor of a certain pattern, you need to prepare and level the base. The easiest way is to work with self-leveling mixes. After applying the composition, you just have to wait for it to dry and then sand it.
Self-leveling floors can be installed on both wooden and concrete floors. In addition, it is often poured onto tiles. The main thing is to properly prepare the base.
The next step is to fill in the primer. It also needs to be leveled and prepared for further drawing. But before that, a base coat of polymers should be applied. The background must match the picture in order to become the base.
Then the image itself is applied, and it can be either a pre-printed material under a vinyl film, or a banner fabric or even an artist's drawing.
If you are applying the drawing not on the whole canvas, but on several pieces, then it is important to pay attention to the correct joining of individual elements.
After you have completely assembled the image, you need to fill the floor with a topcoat. Its role is played by epoxy resins. The most reliable will be a layer of about 1 cm, but you can make it thinner or thicker, depending on the purpose of the room and its permeability. After that, it is necessary to grind the self-leveling floor and varnish it, if necessary.
Testimonials
Buyers leave mostly positive reviews for such coatings. They write that 3D floors delight children, which is why they are often installed in their rooms. They celebrate the possibility of a striking design and an emphasis on the coating. In addition, buyers write that in this way they visually enlarge the room, raising its ceilings and deepening the floor by using a properly selected 3D drawing.
The only flaw they point out is the need for complete dismantling when chips appear … They write that it is difficult and costly to edit the coverage and eliminate this deficiency. But they note that the cost of a self-leveling 3D floor is justified by its quality, durability and originality.
Beautiful examples in the interior
In a modern interior, floors with a 3D effect look great, which depict large night cities and sights. By complementing them with backlighting, you can achieve a spectacular result.
For more classic interiors, it is better to use colorful landscapes and soothing drawings. Ponds and flower fields can revive almost any interior and fill it with freshness. But the most versatile print is considered to be geometric.
A self-leveling floor with volumetric images under a board, stone or brickwork will look beautiful in the interior of a loft.
For information on how 3D self-leveling floors are made, see the next video.