Because concrete flooring is low maintenance, versatile, and long-lasting, it is a popular choice for both commercial and residential spaces. Gaining a high-quality outcome depends on your ability to lay and install concrete flooring, whether you’re building a new floor or remodeling an old one.
Preparing the base and pouring and finishing the concrete are the first of several crucial steps in the process. Precise execution of each step is necessary to guarantee a sturdy, level, and long-lasting floor. Even individuals who are not experienced in construction can install a concrete floor by taking a methodical approach.
We’ll walk you through every step of installing concrete flooring in this guide. We will go through everything you need to know, from choosing the appropriate materials to adding the finishing touches. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll know exactly how to install concrete flooring confidently.
Step | Description |
Preparation | Clear the area, remove debris, and level the ground. Set up formwork around the perimeter. |
Base Layer | Lay a gravel base and compact it firmly. Add a layer of sand on top and smooth it out. |
Reinforcement | Place steel reinforcement mesh or rebar on the sand layer to strengthen the concrete. |
Mixing | Mix concrete with water, cement, sand, and gravel according to the recommended ratio. |
Pouring | Pour the concrete mixture into the formwork, spreading it evenly with a shovel or rake. |
Leveling | Use a screed board to level the concrete surface, making sure it"s smooth and even. |
Curing | Cover the concrete with a plastic sheet or curing compound to retain moisture and allow it to cure. |
Finishing | After curing, remove the formwork and apply a finishing treatment, like polishing or sealing, to protect the surface. |
- Stages of installing a concrete floor
- Preparing the base
- Waterproofing
- Subtleties of reinforcement
- Laying a concrete base (rough)
- Laying a vapor barrier
- Floor insulation
- Laying the finishing screed
- Finishing surface treatment
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Stages of installing a concrete floor
Concrete floor installation is done using specific technology, which shouldn’t be disregarded, not even in the smallest details. You can only construct a long-lasting, dependable floor that is sealed, load-resistant, and resilient with close attention to rules and regulations and component selection.
- Careful and correct preparation of the base.
- Laying waterproofing, thermal insulation (optional).
- Marking, laying beacons.
- Reinforcement.
- Flooring the floor on beacons.
- Proper care of the screed.
- Performing final finishing of the surface.
- Cutting seams, mandatory sealing.
Either the ground or the previous coating can be used for floor pouring. If the base in question is old, it must be thoroughly cleaned, cracked-free, processed, and leveled in order to be ready for the new layer. Although it requires more work, pouring onto the ground is a more dependable method. It is done in areas that are sufficiently dry, layer by layer, applying various materials.
The steps involved in constructing a typical ground-level concrete floor are as follows: base cleaning and compaction, filling with a sand and crushed stone (expanded clay) cushion, waterproofing, pouring a rough concrete screed, adding heat and vapor insulation, reinforcing, and pouring a finishing screed.
What supplies are required for installing a screed of concrete? M400/M500 cement; sifted quarry sand; ideal fraction of gravel/crushed stone (depending on layer thickness); expanded clay (for extra thermal insulation); fiber (extra reinforcement; not always used); steel reinforcing mesh with a cross-section of 6-8 millimeters and a cell size in accordance with the screed thickness (you can use fiberglass, steel rods); knitting wire; galvanized metal profile (beacons); and polyethylene film.
The following are essential tools: a strong concrete mixer or construction mixer; vibrating screeds; trowels; clean containers; tamping machines; perforators; jackhammers; rules; and building levels. Pneumatic and mortar pumps are required for mechanical pouring if you intend to build a floor out of semi-dry screed.
Preparing the base
If the concrete base device is to be built on an existing screed, it needs to be properly prepped. Cracks should be expanded and filled with a specific mixture, the unrepairable base should be removed, excessively deep depressions should be filled in with fresh concrete, and bumps should be removed. After leveling out any height disparities, dust and dirt must be carefully removed.
The technology is a little bit different if the floor is to be placed on the ground.
- The soil must be completely dry.
- The groundwater level must be at least 4-5 meters.
- The soil must be motionless.
- The room must be heated in winter, otherwise the soil will freeze and swell, destroying the screed.
- The work is carried out after the completion of the construction of the walls, roof.
It’s critical to accurately ascertain the zero level during the preparatory phase. In order to accomplish this, take a step backward one meter from the bottom of the doorway, mark the wall, move it around the outside, and connect with a straight line. Next, take a precise vertical measurement one meter below the base line, make another mark, move it around the perimeter, and connect. This level is zero. It is used to set markers to indicate the screed’s thickness. A break-out cord is pulled, and Dubel is clogged at the zero level in the room’s corners.
After removing all building debris from the area, the top layer of soil is chosen and dug down to a depth of 30 to 35 centimeters, with the zero level in mind. The base is leveled and tamped. In addition, you can add a five-centimeter layer of sand, which has to be compacted and moistened. Next, ten centimeters of gravel are added, compacted, and covered with another ten centimeter layer of sand.
Waterproofing
This layer’s job is to shield the concrete from outside moisture and stop that moisture from seeping into the floor’s other layers. Typically, roll materials or polymer membranes are utilized; thick polyethylene film is also an option.
The entire surface is covered with a waterproofing layer, and the joints are sealed with tape. The overlap between the sheets when they are fastened to the walls is between 15 and 20 centimeters.
Subtleties of reinforcement
To strengthen the floor and improve its capacity to support varied loads, reinforcement is required. The anticipated loads on the floor determine the diameter of the steel rods or mesh and the volume of reinforcement. Generally, a steel mesh measuring 10×10 or 15×15 centimeters with a wire cross-section of 3–4 millimeters is selected for a concrete layer measuring 3.5–4 centimeters. The material can be placed on spacer profiles.
Steel wire is used to join steel rods with varying cross sections together to form stronger meshes that resemble the ones above. Multiple layers of reinforcement could exist. Concrete solutions containing fiber and pre-made gypsum mixtures are not reinforced in any way.
Laying a concrete base (rough)
Typically, "lean" concrete is used to create rough screed, and then crushed stone that is only a few millimeters in size is added. Lean concrete is made of a combination of easily laid cement that isn’t very strong. Typically, layers are up to 4 centimeters thick, with a maximum of 4 mm in horizontal differences.
Laying a vapor barrier
The vapor barrier is fixed to a crude foundation. Although various materials are employed, polymer-bitumen membranes are most appropriate for this kind of task. Setting up the vapor barrier prior to applying a semi-dry screed is particularly crucial.
Air and steam that could build up inside the room and damage the finish will be released outdoors thanks to the proper placement of the vapor barrier. It will be possible to stop the growth of mold and mildew, condensation won’t build up on the floor, and materials won’t deteriorate. A heated room’s normal air circulation will be disrupted and the interior will become damp if the vapor barrier is not installed.
Waterproofing and vapor barrier installation are similar processes.
Floor insulation
It is not always necessary to insulate. Typically, the thermal insulation layer is laid using moisture-resistant materials. This is typically foam plastic, mineral wool, or extruded polystyrene foam.
Concrete flooring offers strength and longevity, making it a practical and long-lasting choice for a variety of spaces. This post will walk you through every step of installing concrete flooring while going over key methods and tools. You will discover how to achieve a concrete floor of professional quality, from preparation and laying to finishing touches. This guide will give you the information you need to ensure a successful installation, regardless of whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or intend to hire a contractor.
Laying the finishing screed
The finishing screed is laid as part of the concrete floor installation technology. After grinding, it will function as the exterior surface or as a foundation for decorative finishing material.
Compacting concrete with a vibrating screed or rule.
Finishing surface treatment
You must wait for the monolith to strengthen after the mixture is compacted and the concrete floor is poured. Although a lot relies on the surrounding temperature and humidity, you should begin processing the concrete no sooner than three hours and no later than seven. Verify the mark depth; it should be between two and three millimeters.
Using a grouting machine or discs, rough grouting is part of the task. They then complete the last grouting when the trace depth is still 1 millimeter or less. Use a topping, which is a unique mixture based on cement and other ingredients, to create a sturdy base that won’t be finished with decorative materials later.
There are two passes made when rubbing the topping into the concrete. Moreover, polymer impregnations are an option. With the help of all of this, the floor can be made smooth, level, and free of dust and debris.
These types of floors are frequently installed in factories, train stations, warehouses, and industrial areas. However, these coating options are becoming more and more popular in Moscow and other big cities for contemporary interiors of buildings, including homes.
A number of precise procedures must be followed in order to create a concrete floor, ensuring an even and long-lasting surface. Every step of the process, from base preparation to finishing touches, is critical to the overall quality of the flooring. You can produce an outcome that looks professional and lasts for a long time by using the right tools and techniques.
Thorough preparation is required before beginning the process, which includes clearing the space, assembling the forms, and laying a solid base. Future problems such as uneven settling or cracking can be avoided by properly compacting the base and making sure it is level. The success of the project as a whole depends on this foundation work.
Pouring and mixing the concrete is the next important step. It’s crucial to evenly pour and mix the concrete to the proper consistency. A perfect finish can be achieved by using tools like a trowel for smoothing and a screed board for leveling the surface. This stage requires patience and close attention to detail, which will greatly affect how it turns out.
Ultimately, the strength and longevity of the concrete depend on proper curing. To avoid cracks and guarantee that the floor reaches its full potential, keep the surface damp and avoid drying it out too quickly. The concrete floor can be sealed or polished after it has dried to improve both its look and durability.
To sum up, installing a concrete floor involves meticulous preparation, accurate implementation, and appropriate upkeep. You can make a sturdy, aesthetically pleasing concrete floor that will last you for many years by following these instructions and paying close attention to every little detail.