What are the rubber floors, their pros and cons, operating features and the technology of laying different types of coatings. A rubber floor is a floor that is most commonly used in non-residential areas such as a garage, sports field, terrace, and so on. There are several types of material based on rubber. You can lay each of them with your own hands.
Advantages and disadvantages of rubber floors
The scope of application of rubber as a floor material is very wide. This is due to its positive qualities, such as resistance to wear, mechanical, chemical and weathering.
Rubber flooring comes in many different shapes and types. However, in general, it is distinguished by the following advantages:
- High level of strength and durability. The rubber coating does not break, tear, crumble, or wear off. He is not afraid of direct sunlight and temperature drops.
- Rubber is not afraid of moisture and does not rot. Also, rodents, insects, and other pests will not start in this material.
- Attractive appearance. You can choose an interesting rubber floor design that will decorate any room. There are a lot of decorative finishing rubber materials of various colors, textures, module shapes in construction stores.
- Ease of care. The rubber cover is easy to clean with plain water, especially when using high pressure.
- Rubber does not require additional processing. You do not have to cover such a floor with any decorative materials or protective equipment.
- The material does not shrink. After installation and during operation, the floor will retain its thickness and size.
- Resistant to fire. The surface of such material will not deteriorate from a dropped cigarette or match.
- High level of elasticity. This quality provides comfort when running, walking, and softens the impact when falling.
- Good noise insulation and anti-vibration properties.
- Excellent resistance to chemicals. With short-term exposure, the rubber floor will not deteriorate under the influence of kerosene, gasoline, oil, detergents, solvents, acids and alkalis.
- Antistatic properties. Rubber does not conduct current, so you can not be afraid of discharges perceptible by a person.
- The surface is non-slip. This reduces the risk of injury on wet surfaces.
- Ease of assembly, disassembly and repair. Most types of rubber materials can be installed without the involvement of professionals and the use of special equipment. If we are talking about modular coating or rubber crumb, then replacing the damaged area will not be difficult.
- Environmental friendliness. Rubber is non-toxic, does not emit harmful compounds into the air. And its durability allows you not to deplete natural resources and reduce waste.
Rubber flooring can be found in garages, auto repair shops, workshops, car washes, warehouses, children's playgrounds, and sports grounds. It is more convenient and easier for players and children to carry out sports or any active activity on such grounds. The cushioning properties of rubber help to significantly reduce the load on the spine and limbs. It is also used as a covering for garden paths, porches and terraces, since it is not "afraid" of atmospheric influences.
There are not many disadvantages to the rubber floor. Firstly, some types of coating can be quite expensive. Secondly, despite its resistance to fire, rubber is capable of burning. True, it is not easy to set it on fire: it will ignite in an open source, but a fallen match or a cigarette for a rubber floor does not pose a danger.
Varieties of rubber flooring
Depending on the needs and operating conditions, the rubber floor covering can be of different modifications. They have certain qualities and differ in the way they are installed.
Roll rubber cover
Rubber roll material is made from used car tires in special devices - drum-type vulcanizers, under the influence of high temperature. It is worth noting that high quality raw materials are used for the production of tires, therefore the floor covering as a processed product is distinguished by high strength, elasticity, and abrasion resistance.
Rolled rubber is sold in cuts 120 centimeters wide and 5 meters long. Its thickness ranges from 4 to 6 millimeters. The surface can be textured (grooved) or smooth. Such companies producing rubber roll covering have proven themselves well: Mondo, Sportec.
Rubber floor covering in rolls is used in production workshops, garages, gyms, on open-type sports grounds, in the courtyards of private houses, summer cottages, in parking lots. Such a floor is easy to make yourself with a minimum of tools and additional materials.
Rubber floor tiles
Tiles are made from fine rubber crumb, which is a product of car tires recycling. The latter can be made from both artificial and natural rubber. A colored pigment is usually added to crumb rubber, as well as polyurethane compounds, which bind the mixture into a single plastic mass.
Modular rubber floor tiles are available in different shapes and segments. The most common size is 40x40 centimeters. The thickness of the product is 4-40 millimeters. At the end of the element there is a profile that makes it possible to quickly fix the tiles to each other and facilitates the installation process. Assembling such a flooring is like playing with puzzles for children.
On sale you can find industrial rubber tiles, which have a simple appearance and a limited number of shades (gray, black). Recently, a lot of designer rubber products for residential premises have appeared on the market.
This modular material comes in a variety of shapes (squares, curved rectangles, polygons, and so on) and many textures (smooth, rough, loose, imitating soil surface). And the number of shades of rubber decorative modules is amazing.
Bright rubber tiles are an excellent choice for installation in children's rooms and on sports grounds for toddlers. They can be combined in interesting combinations and create original patterns.
The convenience of using tiles as a floor covering is that damaged parts can be easily replaced without dismantling the entire floor. This made rubber modules indispensable for laying in garages, auto repair shops, where mechanical and chemical stress is increased.
Rubber plates of such brands are popular: Tarkett, Rubeco, TOPEX, Technics.
Liquid rubber coating
Liquid rubber coating is also called "self-leveling floor". Such material is resistant to moisture, and therefore it can be used both indoors and outdoors. The coating is porous, so the coloring pigment adheres perfectly to it, for example, the coloring of the playground and the markings on the sports field, where liquid rubber was used, will retain its color for a long time.
The composition of liquid rubber coatings includes the following components:
- Rubber crumb of different fractions is the basis of the material.
- Epoxy or polyurethane adhesive is a bonding element that, when cured, ensures the integrity of the layer.
- Coloring pigments are added to the mixture at production or directly in the process of mixing the solution at home.
- Modifiers - can be introduced to achieve specific physical properties of the material.
The liquid rubber coating is soft and resilient. These qualities allow it to be installed in gyms and playgrounds. In addition, such a floor can be found in underground parking lots or on sections of stairs as anti-slip inserts. On sports grounds, liquid rubber is placed in a thin layer, which provides elasticity and a non-slip surface; on children's playgrounds, a thick coating is made to soften impacts during falls.
You can purchase a ready-made mixture for creating a self-leveling floor at a hardware store, or you can make it yourself by adding components in the right proportion. Rubber coatings from such brands are popular on the market: Conica, Novol, Aropa.
Rubber floor mounting technology
The installation procedure for rubber floors is quite simple, if the technology is strictly followed. For various modifications of rubber flooring, the installation instructions differ in the use of certain tools and devices.
Features of rolling rubber floor covering
The process of installing a rubber roll floor covering consists of several stages: surface preparation, material adaptation, gluing.
We act according to the following instructions:
- We thoroughly clean the rough concrete floor, prime it with a special mixture. It should include polyurethane glue and turpentine. This primer can be found at any hardware store.
- We spread the rolls of rubber material on a rough base and leave to rest for several days.
- After the waves and irregularities on the coating disappear and it completely straightens, we proceed to its installation.
- We treat the entire surface of the rubber coating with polyurethane glue. We go through the joints especially carefully.
- Press it to the floor and smooth it. You can use a spatula for convenience.
- If you need to trim the material, use a sharp knife.
- Install skirting boards if necessary.
Leave the rubber floor to dry for a few days. Then you can use it.
Rules for laying rubber tiles on the floor
The base for rubber tiles can be almost any: screed, sand, plywood. The main thing is, before making a rubber floor, make sure that the surface is relatively flat, so that the cladding with modules does not look sloppy. We work according to the following scheme:
- We carefully prepare the subfloor: level the large differences in height, seal the recesses with cement mortar.
- We join the tiles, starting from the corner. We fix the lock connections of neighboring modules to each other.
- If you think that this hold is not enough and the tile may move, secure the individual areas with neoprene glue.
- If necessary, we cut individual modules with a sharp knife. This floor is ready for use immediately after installation.
Bulk rubber crumb floor
Laying crumb rubber (creating self-leveling floors) can be done independently, without the use of special equipment. Such a coating is suitable for places where there is a low level of traffic, and for residential premises.
You can equip a self-leveling rubber floor on any rough base: concrete, wood, roofing felt, asphalt.
To create a non-slip "carpet" of crumb rubber, you need the following materials: recycled crumb, polyurethane adhesive for a seamless coating. You should also have a hand mixer, a measuring ladle, mixing containers, a rolling roller and a spatula on hand.
We carry out the work in the following order:
- Preparing the installation site: we clean off rust from metal parts, remove oil stains, organic matter. Also at this stage we putty cracks, potholes and level the coating.
- Degrease the subfloor and remove dust.
- We prime the surface with polyurethane glue, carefully covering the pores.
- We install temporary beacons, if necessary.
- We prepare the composition in the proportion: 1 liter of glue for 7 liters of crumbs. We mix it with a mixer.
- We put the mixture on the floor with a thickness of at least 10 millimeters. We level it with a spatula along the way.
- We roll the rubber cover with a roller. At the same time, avoid strong pressure: the force should be elastic, not depressing. Keep in mind that a heavily "rolled" carpet will be too dense and hard and will lose its frost resistance.
You can start using the coating after 12 hours.
If you need to cover a large area with crumb rubber, it is recommended to use a special spraying device. For such work, it is better to invite professionals.
How to make a rubber floor - watch the video:
[media = https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = WN9ZBYEyXxQ] Rubber flooring comes in a variety of shapes and textures. Whichever option you choose, such a surface will be durable, durable and practical. You can make a rubber floor yourself by following our instructions.
