What are flock floors, their varieties, advantages and disadvantages, how to choose the right flock, flooring installation technology. Flocks are polymer particles of various shapes, sizes, shades that are used for flooring. They are sprayed onto an epoxy base and filled with a special varnish. The result is a durable surface with an original design.
What is a flock floor
Flock flooring is a fashionable trend in the decoration of apartments and houses. Translated from Greek, "flock" means "snowflakes" or "flakes", which corresponds to the technology of creating a coating based on them. Flocks are also called "chips". In ancient times, cult and religious items in different countries were decorated by applying resin and various fibers, fibers and feathers to them. Today, flocks are small particles made from different materials. Their size ranges from 0.3 to 3 millimeters. There are also individual decorative items with a particle length of up to 12 millimeters. Flock technology for surface finishing (floors, walls, ceilings) appeared about two decades ago. In the United States, this is how they solved the problem of recycling polymer waste. Today, flocks are successfully used not only in construction, but also in the decoration of packaging for consumer goods, decoration of car dealerships and other areas. Flock coating is obtained by spraying. In interior design, a certain type of flock is in demand - shiny or colored flakes of different sizes and shades. On their basis, floors resistant to light, thermal, mechanical and chemical influences are created. The latter meet high aesthetic requirements, are environmentally friendly and easy to maintain. Flock floors have excellent performance characteristics and a wide range of unique shades, as well as expensive finishing materials, and their cost is suitable for the mass consumer.
Advantages and disadvantages of flock floors
In addition to the excellent appearance, the following advantages are inherent in flock floors:
- Masking irregularities and defects … Small cracks in the floor, potholes, chips, bumps can be successfully hidden by a flock coating even without additional leveling.
- Low abrasion … Such floors can be installed even in rooms with high traffic.
- Excellent thermal insulation properties … A couple of millimeters of flock can replace 10 millimeters of polystyrene.
- Resistant to chemicals … You can treat floors with household chemicals and not worry that they will lose their appearance or color.
- Durability … This coating can serve you for many years thanks to the strength of the epoxy adhesive base and the top protective lacquer layer.
- Resistant to sunlight … This floor will not fade or fade when exposed to direct sunlight.
- Fire resistance … A dropped match or cigarette will not harm the floor. But if you act on it with a source of fire for a long time, then it will certainly burn.
- Moisture resistance … Such coatings are a kind of sealant, so they can be laid even in rooms with high humidity.
- Environmental friendliness … Flock floor does not emit harmful substances. It can be equipped even in children's rooms. However, when epoxy is applied, chemicals are released into the air. But after polymerization, they completely evaporate, and the coating becomes absolutely harmless and hypoallergenic.
- Wide range of colors … You can choose flocks according to the color that will perfectly fit into your interior. Combinations of different shades are often chosen.
- Ease of installation … You can easily make a flock floor with your own hands. At the same time, there is an opportunity to show imagination.
- Ease of care … It is enough to wipe such coatings with a damp cloth to make them look like new again.
As with any material, flock as a floor covering has disadvantages. First of all, it is poor breathability. Because of this, there may be disturbances in the regulation of humidity in the room. In addition, it will take a lot of time to prepare the rough coat for applying the flock.
If you intend to make such a floor in a room with a large area, then you will need a special gun for applying flock, the purchase of which will entail additional expenses. Epoxy-based flock flooring is difficult to dismantle. It is easier to apply another layer of the polymer composition than to remove the previous one.
The main varieties of flock floor coverings
Flock cover can be made from different materials. They define the technical characteristics of the finished floor.
To create this floor covering, the following substances are used:
- Polyamide … Optimal component for flock floors. It is melted, turned into powder or small particles, painted in various shades. The substance has high heat resistance - it can withstand temperatures of about 150 degrees above zero. Therefore, a material based on polyamide is used where it is necessary to apply thermal embossing, as well as with increased mechanical stress.
- Polyester … Its functional properties are similar to polyamide, but this substance has a higher lightfastness. It is also actively used for the manufacture of flock flooring.
- Viscose … Viscose particles can deform under mechanical stress, so this material is suitable for decorative finishing, decorating individual parts of the floor.
- Polypropylene … This substance is used for application to floor rugs, carpets. Its crushed particles can be used for flooring in rooms with low traffic.
- Acrylic … Flock floors made of this material are distinguished by good noise insulation and wear resistance. Depending on the size and shape of the particles, the surface can be volumetric, embossed.
Flock flooring design
Flock can be of various sizes, shapes, colors. When creating self-leveling floors using this material, as a rule, larger particles are used than, for example, for wall decoration or decorative elements. One of the most beautiful forms of flock is considered to be straw. It can be of the same color or a combination of shades. The straw perfectly masks any minor floor imperfections and allows you to create original patterns. In addition, flock floor particles can be round or shapeless. The former are like confetti and bring an atmosphere of celebration and joy into the room. The latter are more restrained and versatile. At the hardware store, you can pick up monochrome, colored, or mixed flocks. Monochrome are, as a rule, black and white particles of different sizes. They look strict and are suitable for the decoration of offices, classrooms, public receptions. There is a huge assortment of colored and mixed flock particles that allows you to make a coating in any room. Warm shades, caramel and slightly "aged" are appropriate for the classic design of a room (bedroom, living room). For creating "oriental" interiors, flocks of metallic or gold colors are perfect. There is a separate group of disco-style flock particles. They can be fluorescent or have a holographic effect. It is also all kinds of sparkles, glitters that will perfectly decorate the room of a nightclub, dance floor, bar. The richness of color solutions of flock coverings makes it possible to visually zone the premises, to bring to life interesting design solutions - pictograms, patterns, and so on.
Flock floor installation technology
To create such a floor, three main components are required: epoxy potting, flock mixture and epoxy varnish. However, now on sale you can find ready-made mixtures that include all the components at once. It is enough to evenly distribute them over the surface of the prepared subfloor.
Preparatory work before laying flock flooring
Before proceeding with the installation of the flock floor, you should carefully prepare the base. A concrete sub-floor is ideal for such a coating. It must first be inspected for defects and irregularities. The flock coating will hide small imperfections with ease. But if we are talking about large pits or bumps, as well as large differences in height, then they will need to be eliminated. Using a building level or laser level, fill the “sagging” corners with self-leveling mixture. Putty up the holes and cracks, and knock down the hillocks and grind them. It is also recommended to walk over the entire surface with a shot blasting or grinding machine. At the end of the preparation, the floor is treated with a highly penetrating primer. It will improve the adhesion between the substrate and the decorative coating. Wait until it dries completely, since the permissible surface moisture should not reach 4%. Remember that epoxy has almost zero vapor permeability. Therefore, if moisture from the base penetrates onto the finishing layer, then it may begin to deteriorate. To determine the moisture content of the subfloor, you can carry out a simple procedure: put a piece of plastic film 100x100 in size on the subfloor. We glue it tightly to the floor with tape and leave it for a couple of days. If during this time no drops of moisture appear on it, then the floor is considered dry enough for further work.
Rules for pouring flock mixture on the floor
On sale you can find epoxy grout or epoxy-polyurethane mixture. The latter is distinguished by better performance characteristics, but also by a higher cost. In the process of work, you will need the following tools: needle and sintepon rollers, several spatulas, a mixer, paint shoes, a squeegee. If possible, use a flock pistol. If not, you can sprinkle the flocks in random order by hand. We carry out the work in this order:
- We prepare the mixture in accordance with the instructions on the package in small batches, since it quickly becomes viscous and it will be more difficult to distribute it.
- Pour the epoxy mixture onto the base, focusing on the highest point. The optimum thickness is 10 millimeters. The minimum is at least two millimeters.
- Usually, the mixture spreads on its own over the surface, without requiring any additional actions. However, after it has spread, you should walk over it with a needle roller to release air bubbles. If there is a need to further level the surface, use a spatula.
- We move on the floor surface only in special shoes - paint shoes. Avoid shuffling movements.
- It will take about a day to completely dry the epoxy mixture. All this time, make sure that dust does not penetrate into the room and does not settle on the floor surface.
- After the epoxy has dried, apply the flock mixture. To create a specific pattern, you can pre-sketch the surface.
- Fill the floor with clear epoxy varnish. It can be glossy or matte.
It will take 12 to 24 hours to completely dry the flock floor surface. After the coating has polymerized, it is completely harmless and ready to use. How to make a flock floor - watch the video:
Flock flooring is a combination of practicality, durability and aesthetics. With a little imagination, you can create a unique design composition under your feet.
