The design of a concrete floor in an apartment, laying technology, prices for pouring services

Are you thinking of building a new home or remodeling your current apartment? It is essential to comprehend the fundamentals of concrete floor design and installation. Your concrete floor’s design establishes the tone for the durability and aesthetic appeal of your interior, whether you’re starting from scratch or remodeling an existing space.

Concrete floors are a popular option for modern homes because of their durability and adaptability. Every stage of the process, from the first planning stages to the last finishing touches, affects the project’s overall quality and cost. Making educated decisions can be aided by being aware of the laying technology and the variables influencing pouring service pricing.

The process of installing a concrete floor in an apartment requires careful planning and carrying out. Whether it’s for commercial durability or residential comfort, it starts with assessing the structural requirements and choosing the best kind of concrete mix.

Planning your project’s budget requires an understanding of the expenses associated with pouring concrete floors. The area to be covered, the design’s complexity, the need for additional reinforcement, and the cost of labor in the area are some of the variables that can affect prices. You can determine the total cost of the project more accurately by looking into these specifics.

Requirements

Regulations SNIP 2.03.13-1988 that specify how screeds must be arranged, as well as an updated version of SP 29.13330.2011 "Floors"

Prior to applying floor coverings or a self-leveling polymer layer, the concrete base needs to satisfy the following requirements:

• Maximum levelness. Deviation from the horizontal when measured with a level 2 meters long should not exceed 4 mm. If there are significant slopes, this will lead to an uneven load on the floors and runoff of the polymer composition when pouring.
• Load resistance. Determined by such an indicator as compressive strength. It must be no lower than 15 or 20 MPa. For self-leveling flooring, this figure is 5 times higher compared to other types (laminate, parquet). The peel strength of the prepared concrete base must be at least 1.5 MPa. If the indicator is below these standards, there is a high probability of delamination of the concrete screed along with the finishing coating.
• The ambient temperature when creating a concrete floor must be at least 15 degrees if you plan to use polymer components for the finishing layer. In other cases, this indicator may be 10 degrees.
• Tightness. Provided with waterproofing. This achieves an optimal floor humidity of no more than 4%. A waterproofing substrate is required before laying the screed, otherwise the surface will be excessively moistened, which will lead to destruction of the concrete base.

Dust off the surface, rub out any cracks, and remove the cement laitance layer before applying the screed.

The floor can be made dust-free with the use of specific impregnations or primers.

In addition to leveling the base beneath floor coverings, the screed is used to conceal the water supply, sewage pipelines, and the necessary insulation for sound and heat.

The thickness of the screed in each of these specific instances could be:

• Minimum 20 mm in a situation where the concrete mixture is laid on communications located on floor slabs.
• 40 mm, if the screed is being constructed with simultaneous installation of hydro-, sound- and thermal insulation. This option is often used for apartments in multi-storey buildings

The thickness of the installed layer for covering pipes can be at least 10-15 mm of the pipeline diameter, per SNIP 2 standards.03.13 – 1988 "Floors." In this instance, the minimum grade of concrete that is utilized is B12.5.

The cement mixture should be able to apply pressure of 100 kg per square centimeter, or more, if the compressive strength is greater than 10 MPa on a slope.

The screed under self-leveling floors needs to be able to support a load of at least 20 MPa. Using concrete with a grade of at least B15 allows for this.

If, for instance, the interfloor overlap is only 150 mm, lightweight concrete or semi-dry screed are utilized. At least 2.5 MPa must be its strength. Such concrete belongs to class B5.

Design and pie

Generally speaking, panel houses need extra leveling, insulation, and soundproofing for their floor slabs. Homeowners will be able to live in a comfortable apartment because of this work.

In this instance, the screed’s thickness is typically measured between 65 and 150 mm. The number of layers and the weight on the concrete bases determine the final value. What makes up a pie screed like this is:

• A layer of primer on the interfloor floor slab.
• Soundproofing substrates.
• Waterproofing material.
• Insulation layer.
• Reinforcing screed.
• Floor heating systems.
• Tapes around the perimeter of the walls of living rooms to compensate for the expanding effect of the screed.
• The screed itself is made of concrete. The minimum thickness on a flat base is 30 mm, on water supply or sewer pipes – 20 mm.

The initial state, thickness, and current humidity and temperature of the concrete floor slabs determine how many layers are used in a given situation.

Apartment buildings must have a screed cake with waterproofing on the first floor. The latter is made up of roofing felt or a polymer film. This design prevents the concrete base from being harmed by the basement’s elevated humidity levels. Vapors cannot enter the apartment.

This technology requires that the screed be at least 30 mm thick. Furthermore, it is further reinforced. This kind of screed is also utilized in the apartment’s kitchen and bathroom, which are damp areas.

First floors of multi-story buildings typically have thick concrete floors with thermal and acoustic insulation. The floor slabs are under more stress, which is the cause of this.

In this instance, the screed must have a minimum thickness of 50 mm. Furthermore, a reinforcing mesh is employed.

Cement-sand mixtures containing expanded clay are used to lighten the structure and lessen the load on floor slabs.

Concrete: composition and features

Use a lightweight concrete mixture for apartments. It is composed of a standard composition that has been lightened by the addition of sand and contains crushed stone up to 15 mm. 150–200 kg are used in each cubic meter of completed concrete composition for the latter.

An apartment’s concrete may have a grade of 150 to 250. Cement of grade 500 yields the best mortar possible.

You can, of course, use grade 75 or even 100. However, in this instance, the screed cake layer is raised from 20 mm to 30–40 mm. This raises the load on the floors and alters the weight of the entire structure.

Using semi-dry screed is a good idea for new construction. With the least amount of water, the cement composition remains the same. Since this pouring technique was only recently adopted, familiarity with the technology involved in base and solution preparation is necessary.

Expanded clay is a better material to use to create a semi-dry screed in older panel homes constructed in the 1960s, where it is preferable to avoid loading the floor slabs. This material is used in bedrooms and living rooms with low humidity.

It’s important to keep in mind that installing a waterproofing layer necessitates laying concrete floors in the kitchen and bathroom using wet technology.

Fiber fiber must be added in addition to concrete to create a semi-dry screed. Often, this composition is utilized in place of a layer of reinforcement.

The pie apartment screeds might then resemble this:

• Primed base.
• Sound and waterproofing.
• Damper tape.
• Semi-dry cement mortar with the addition of fiber.

Use an ordinary, traditional cement-sand mortar to mix concrete in an apartment. It is made as follows: take three parts sand for every one part cement. One liter of water is needed to make one kilogram of mixture in concrete.

Use grade 400 cement and sand to prepare a concrete solution for a self-leveling floor. The first to second have a ratio of 1:8.

Tools and materials

You will require a concrete mixer with a pump to feed the building material if the apartment is on the top floor. One option is to rent them.

Additionally, you’ll need:

• Ready-made concrete mixture.
• Metal beacons.
• Laser and regular spirit level.
• Deep penetration primer and regular primer, enhancing adhesion to the surface.
• Damper tape.
• Grinding machine.
• Rule. Used to tighten the solution.
• Perforator or drill.

After getting all the tools ready, they start working on the direct pouring of the mixture, the floor base preparation, and the direct preparation of the cement composition.

Step-by-step installation instructions

You have to lay the foundation before you can begin the work. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust from it.

Markings are then applied. This is necessary to establish the zero level, after which a specific thickness of solution will be poured.

The process for marking the completed screed’s level is as follows:

• mark the required thickness of the screed along one wall;
• in this case, the transparent part of the water level is oriented at this value;
• mark the opposite wall using the same hydraulic level;

Plan the markings in a similar manner around the room’s entire perimeter.

You must install guides or beacons after taking note of the fundamental thickness parameters. They should be separated by no more than 1.5 meters.

The algorithm then looks like this:

1. They treat with a primer, and also glue tape or simply apply sealant around the entire perimeter.
2. After installing the damper tape, fiberglass or reinforcing mesh is installed.
3. Lastly, pour the cement-sand mixture and immediately pull it out along the markings using the rule.
4. A day after laying the concrete mixture, you will need to treat the surface with a trowel.
5. To ensure that the screed does not lose its original properties and increases its strength, it will need to be moistened for 7 days. And cover the surface itself with a polyethylene layer to prevent drying out and cracks.
6. If the screed is installed with waterproofing, the latter is overlapped. In this case, it should fit on walls with a height of approximately 20 cm. The joints between the individual blocks should be taped.

Features of the technology

There are two ways to move along a reinforcing mesh without destroying the screed cake’s layers:

• pour concrete in front of you from the entrance to the room to the far corner.
• lay plywood sheets on which the master layer of the cement-sand mixture will walk.

A metal mesh spaced 10 by 10 mm is used as reinforcement. Plywood supports are attached underneath it. This prevents the mesh from bending underfoot.

Shrink joints are installed once the concrete is nearly dry. These are tiny cuts that have sealant applied in case cracks develop.

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Features of heated screeds

You will require a screed with an especially premium composition if you intend to install both electric and water heated floors in the rooms.

Portland cement that is at least M500 in grade and fine sand that has been screened to a maximum diameter of 5 mm are needed to make concrete. You will also need to use plasticizers to increase strength.

Take at least 300 g of modifiers for every bag of cement mixture. That is the ratio. By lowering the screed’s thickness, the use of these additives will strengthen the concrete’s composition and lessen the load on the floors.

Fiber fiber is added to the mixture at a rate of 0.6 kg per cubic meter in order to complete its composition. prepared concrete. Fine sand is used in this semi-dry design in place of screenings.

The beacons used in heated floor installations are spaced at least 140 centimeters apart and installed in a parallel fashion.

Lay a layer of thermal insulation before pouring the mixture. Polystyrene plates fastened with self-tapping screws can be used for these.

The remaining tasks are completed in a manner consistent with the traditional method of setting up a concrete screed.

Caring for the coating after pouring

You must give the screed the necessary maintenance once you’ve finished pouring it entirely. The floor surface won’t be flawless and free of chips or cracks until then.

What’s required:

• Protect the screed from sunlight. This will free the solution from excessive temperature changes, which negatively affects the uniformity of the composition and leads to deformation.
• Cover it with plastic. This is necessary so that water evaporates evenly from the screed without deforming the surface. Duration of drying under polyethylene – 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, clear the floor of metal beacons.

The next step in the technology is to use the same concrete solution to seal the depressions created by removing the beacons.

It is best to fix any blemishes and indentations prior to the floor drying entirely.

For three to five days, the screed needs to be moistened periodically. You should proceed with extreme caution. Use a roller to smooth the surface after applying water to it.

Cover with polyethylene after the moistening process is complete.

How frequently is the screed watered each day? The weather has an impact. The screed needs to be moistened twice a day in temperatures above thirty. If not, one time is sufficient.

The coating’s thickness affects how long the solution takes to dry. It will take 21–29 days with a thickness of 40 centimeters.

Advantages and disadvantages

Good black coating for concrete floors in apartments is concrete. Installing laminate or parquet will be simple because of the aligned surface.

The following benefits of having concrete screed in the home are noteworthy:

• The strength of the base and the ability to withstand mechanical loads.
• The coating is able to last a long time (from 10 years to 70 years).
• Conducting heat inside the house, wind protection.

However, the following drawbacks might prevent the apartment’s concrete floors from being used:

• The large weight of the screed. Enchantments may not withstand additional load, especially when it comes to houses of the Soviet period of construction.
• The complexity of the arrangement of sexes. This type of work is little paid and is characterized by a large expenditure. Therefore, you do not have to talk about the quality of laying a concrete screed.

The solution’s drying time is estimated in terms of weeks. If deadlines are approaching and you had to move into the apartment yesterday, then this is not a profitable endeavor.

Cost of construction work

Concrete floor installation calls for expertise. That’s precisely why such work cannot be inexpensive.

• The installation of a wet screed on beacons will cost approximately 350 rubles/sq. m. up to 40 mm thick.
• Filling of expanded clay is paid separately and will amount to 60-70 rubles/sq. m.
• Mesh reinforcement – 80 rub/sq.m.
• Sound insulation – 120 rub/sq. m.
• Waterproofing – 50-60 rub/sq. m.
• Installation of beacons – 100-120 rubles/sq. m.

Therefore, the total cost of installing a screed on an apartment floor can range from 760 to 780 rubles per square meter.

If the work is being done on floors 2 through 18 of a high-rise building, then renting a mixer and a concrete pump should be part of this project. The size of the provided pipe determines the rental cost. 13,000–30,000 rubles per shift is the average cost.

A concrete pump will cost at least 1,600 rubles to run for an hour.

The cost of laying a concrete floor for an apartment with an average size of 40–50 square meters is 31,000–39,000 rubles. The cost of renting a cement-sand mixture mixer and pump is not included in this price.

Useful video

Errors that may occur when pouring screed:

The durability and aesthetic appeal of your apartment can be greatly improved by designing and installing a concrete floor. You can achieve a sleek, contemporary look that lasts for years with careful planning and execution.

It’s crucial to follow the right procedures when installing a concrete floor, from prepping the subfloor to pouring and finishing the concrete. A level and smooth surface that is prepared for any finish you choose can be achieved by using the appropriate supplies and equipment.

The size of the space, the kind of concrete used, and any extra features like decorative finishes can all affect how much it costs to pour a concrete floor. Obtaining quotes from several service providers is essential in order to find the best deal without sacrificing quality.

You may install a concrete floor in your apartment with confidence if you are aware of the costs, installation methods, and design options. This purchase can give your living area a strong, fashionable base.

Video on the topic

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