To obtain a flat surface and avoid mistakes when choosing or laying laminate, other types of coatings use dry mixes, which are called "self-leveling floor". Their base is more liquid in comparison with the screed, and due to the absence of large granules, systematic spreading is provided.
The top layer has a smooth structure, so the finished coating looks great and does not need any special treatment with additional agents. The article provides a rating of the best self-leveling floors for 2024, an overview of popular brands that release their products to create solid foundations.
What are the types of self-leveling floors?
Dry mixes are suitable for those who decided to try to level the floors in the apartment with their own hands. To understand which company is better to choose a product, it is necessary to study all the varieties and advantages of the product. The main materials that modern manufacturers use for the manufacture of self-leveling surfaces are:
Gypsum compounds
They are most often used when working with a wooden surface, while the room must be dry. Their main characteristics are: fast drying and good thermal conductivity. Not suitable for pouring industrial floors.
Main functionality:
- Fast hardening of the layer, the coating will be ready in 3 hours;
- The products are absolutely harmless to humans when styling with their own hands;
- No shrinkage;
- Gypsum is able to absorb moisture from the air, thus creating an ideal microclimate inside the apartment.
The main thing to pay attention to is the impossibility of using plaster composition in the kitchen or in the bathrooms. To protect the coating from abrasion, experts recommend applying a primer and a top coat.
Cement compositions
The popularity of the models is due to the plasticity of the solution due to the introduction of additional impurities into its composition. As a result, during construction, the base turns out to be wear-resistant and can be additionally painted with special means. The main advantages of cement mixtures are:
- Humidity will not affect the quality of the coating in any way, so it can be used in kitchens, bathrooms or other "damp" rooms;
- High strength;
- Minimal shrinkage due to the introduction of additional components into the solution.
Despite the large number of advantages, this type of mixture has a number of disadvantages. These include:
- High material consumption;
- The solution can be poured onto a composite base;
- Long drying time and possible cracking during curing.
Polymer compositions
Today there are many varieties of polymer coatings: quartz-filled, polyurethane and others. They are based on astringent substances. Popular models differ in the number of components. It is recommended to buy two-component mixtures, which include a hardener and plasticizing additives, for pouring a self-leveling floor into an apartment.
How to make a ready-made solution? It is obtained by mixing components in a given amount.
The main advantages of polymer blends include:
- Self-leveling floors are wear-resistant;
- The composition is suitable for any type of room;
- Able to endure sudden temperature jumps;
- High aesthetic properties due to the use of dye.
However, polymer floors have some disadvantages:
- Unaffordable price for most users;
- The advice and experience of many buyers indicate that during the execution of work it is necessary to accurately observe the specified proportions;
- The pouring must go on continuously.
The best manufacturers engaged in the production of self-leveling floors
The modern market is replete with a variety of coatings from different manufacturers with which they level or decorate the surface. But not every branded product is of the appropriate quality. In order not to be mistaken and to purchase the best mixture, it is necessary to give preference to companies specializing in the production of dry building mixtures. These include:
- Ceresit / Moment. The brand produces products that are used for initial processing. It is based on gypsum, so the thickness of the applied layers will be small, from 3 to 75 mm. The brand is focused on the production of thin-layer products for final finishing. Solutions are not recommended for use as a topcoat. They have a short curing time, and most often they are chosen when it is necessary to complete the repair as soon as possible. The manufacturer produces different types of goods for renovation work in residential and industrial premises.
- Knauf. The company produces goods based on sand, gypsum and is considered the best in its field. It is focused on products intended for rooms with high humidity levels. Dry mixes can be independently combined with a finishing layer from any manufacturer. Those people who cannot decide on the choice of a self-leveling floor should take a closer look at Knauf.
- Ivsil. The range of products is quite large. From screeds to high-density mixtures with a function that ensures a perfectly even coating. The most purchased are the quick-setting compositions "Express", as well as solutions of the "Termolight" line, which provide good sound and heat insulation.
- Bolars and Volma. These two firms produce inexpensive dry mixes. The first specialization is coverings with good sound and heat insulation. The second one produces universal products aimed at rooms with high humidity levels.
- Prospectors. The company also produces budget goods and is engaged in the production of self-leveling floors used in facade insulation systems for buildings and structures.
- A relatively inexpensive solution is a mixture of the Hercules firm. Despite the fact that the products do not have special properties, they are several times cheaper than their foreign counterparts in terms of the price of goods and material consumption. It can become indispensable when undertaken repairs.
Rating of the best universal mixtures
They are used at different stages of construction work. The composition evenly fills all cracks and roughness, instantly distributes, dries, forming a flat and smooth surface.
Weber Vetonit Fast Level
The product, according to buyers, is considered one of the best for large rooms where it is not easy to achieve an even base. The composition of the working solution contains small granules of about 0.6 mm.This innovative solution allowed for rapid dissolution and self-leveling during movement. Building material used as a base layer for any kind of flooring. Packing 20 kg in one package.
Weber Vetonit Fast Level
Pros:
- The working composition instantly hardens, and after 4 hours it will be possible to walk freely on the coating;
- The finishing layer is applied after one day;
- The finishing material is easy to use;
- The mixture can be laid on concrete, gypsum, cement bases;
- The consumption of the finished composition is 16 kg per square meter;
- Filled in apartments with high humidity;
- Wide range of layer thicknesses.
Minuses:
- The price of one package is 355 rubles;
- Short shelf life, only 6 months;
- The solution hardens within 30 minutes.
Knauf Tribon
The manufacturer claims that the dry mix is only suitable for wood and concrete floors. It consists of gypsum, cement and is used in different conditions, that is, in completely dry apartments or with high humidity. Also combined with additional products. Self-leveling self-leveling floors harden within 60 minutes, so large areas can be covered. Technological passage is completed in 6 hours. Combines with any type of base.
Knauf Tribon
The main advantages are:
- High resistance to cracks;
- Set quickly;
- It spreads well;
- The product is universal, since the screed and the leveling agent are presented in one package;
- Helps to improve the microclimate in the apartment;
- Layer thickness - from 10 to 60 mm (in some cases and more);
- One package contains 30 kg.
The disadvantages are:
- The high price of 300 rubles;
- When creating a screed on a wooden surface, it is necessary to arrange a separating or insulating layer. The substrate must have a high level of strength to protect against any bio-damage.
Universal mixture Osnovit Scorline FK45 R
The mortar is used at all stages of surface leveling.
Universal mixture Osnovit Scorline FK45 R
Pros:
- The layer thickness reaches 100 mm;
- The mixture is used in offices and residential areas;
- Combines with different types of bases;
- One package contains 20 kg;
- Affordable price - 275 rubles.
Minuses:
- The solution becomes unsuitable for further use after 40 minutes;
- For use only in dry or damp rooms.
Universal composition Ceresit CN 175
It is suitable for concrete floors, cement-sand, gypsum and other types of rough surfaces and is intended for laying linoleum, ceramic tiles, carpet, laminate in residential and office buildings.
Universal composition Ceresit CN 175
Pros:
- Can be poured onto fragile surfaces;
- Crack resistant;
- Used on heated screeds;
- Due to the absence of harmful components, the mixture is absolutely safe for humans;
- Can be applied manually or mechanically;
- You can walk on the finished surface after 6 hours.
Minuses:
- High price - 350 rubles;
- Suitable for indoor work only;
- The maximum pot life of the solution is 30 minutes.
Rating of high-quality finishing self-leveling floors
They are the best polymer blends that dry to form an even, defect-free coating. First, a universal solution is applied, and on top of it a finishing self-leveling floor.
Weber Vetonit Finish Level
This super-thin, self-leveling floor allows you to get an even subfloor just one day after finishing work. It has positive user reviews and can be used for laying tiles, carpet, parquet, laminate. Despite the fact that one package costs 597 rubles, it can be applied with a layer of 1 to 5 mm on an inexpensive screed, which will significantly save the budget.
Weber Vetonit Finish Level
Pros:
- Economical consumption;
- Technological passage is possible in three hours;
- Internal heating of the underfloor heating system does not affect the coating in any way;
- The mixture is waterproof;
- One package requires only 5 liters of water;
- The floor covering can be installed the next day.
Minuses:
Finishing mix Volma Level Express
The self-leveling floor consists of a gypsum base, quartz sand, polymer modifying additives and binders. Thanks to this combination, the mortar has a high plasticity, which provides an even and smooth base. The layer thickness is from 7 to 100 mm, thus it is possible to level out surfaces with pronounced defects. One package - 20 kg.
Finishing mix Volma Level Express
Pros:
- There is no need to sand the finished layers;
- The flooring is suitable for different types of substrates;
- Setting time 7 hours;
- The average price is 240 rubles;
- Set to light foot traffic after 6 hours.
Minuses:
- Fast hardening of the mixture. If the floors are not poured within 60 minutes, then the solution is not suitable for further use.
Finishing mixture Weber 3000
It is a finishing self-leveling floor. The thickness of each individual layer is between 0 and 5 mm. Experts recommend using it as a basis for laying thin, lining coatings. Due to its low consumption, it is economical to use.
Finishing mixture Weber 3000
Pros:
- Quick-drying, you can walk on the surface after 4 hours;
- Has high strength characteristics;
- Thanks to its good spreading, it is convenient to work with the mixture.
Minuses:
- An unaffordable price for most buyers, which is 662 rubles.
Finishing mixture Ceresit CN 68
To understand which product is better to buy, it is worth considering that these products are used only on fragile grounds. A professional composition is useful if you need to level surfaces made of concrete, gypsum or cement-sand bases. Suitable for all types of flooring, except parquet. Not intended for use in damp and damp apartments.
Finishing mixture Ceresit CN 68
Pros:
- Easy to lay down and level;
- Can be applied mechanically;
- Technological passage is possible after 4 hours;
- The building material can be used on heated screeds;
- Does not contain harmful substances for humans.
Minuses:
- Not intended for outdoor decoration, damp, wet rooms;
- The high price of 474 rubles.
Cons and pros of self-leveling floors
Why it is worth making a choice in favor of a self-leveling floor:
- Appearance. The finished coating should be smooth and shiny. It can be painted in any color if desired. In addition, matte or, on the contrary, glossy compositions with the addition of decorative elements are now being sold to create 3D floors.
- Easy care. The floor covering is often used in institutions with high sanitary and hygienic standards, but since the finished surface has no seams, it is much easier to care for it. In addition, the features of polymer floors do not contribute to the appearance of fungi, harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.
- Durability. A competently executed pouring technology will ensure a long service life of a self-leveling floor, about 40 years.
- Fire safety. Polymer components are highly flammable and do not emit harmful substances during combustion. Different types of dry mixes can be resistant to frost, sunlight, moisture and aggressive or chemical environments.
- High level of adhesion. The ability to get grip on different substrates.
- Simple installation. Observing the rules indicated by the manufacturer, anyone who does not have any special skills can equip a self-leveling floor at home.
- The package contains step-by-step instructions for pouring the floor for those who carry out repairs on their own.
Minuses:
- A difficult initial stage, where it is necessary to prepare the base and choose a filling method.
conclusions
How to choose a self-leveling floor is not a difficult question. The main thing is to determine the main selection criteria: where the coverage will be used, how much it costs, etc. The more requirements, the higher the cost of a self-leveling coating will be and the more reputable the manufacturer.
When choosing, consider the disadvantages of the product. So for most of them, careful preparation of the base is required.The coating does not have a special design and is not natural, which can be seen simply by looking at the photo. Despite this, the self-leveling floor, if desired, can be replaced by simply placing parquet or other covering on top. In addition, dry mixes are often used instead of floor screeds.
Before starting work, you should carefully read the product description, instructions and try to follow it in the future. Dry mixes love precision. The epoxy self-leveling floor has more design solutions. Today, self-leveling bases allow you to finish work in the shortest possible time, while obtaining a perfect coating that will become a reliable base.
It is worth exploring new products from domestic manufacturers. The quality of finished products is no worse than foreign brands.