Гвл или цсп для пола что лучше: Гвл или цсп для пола что лучше

ГВЛ для пола — особенности укладки влагостойкого ГВЛ, технологиия устройства полов

ГВЛ (гипсоволокнистые листы) — отделочный материал для выравнивания пола, изготовленный из гипса, укрепленного армирующими добавками и распушенными волокнами целлюлозы.

Приобрел особую популярность, благодаря отличными техническим и эксплуатационным характеристикам.

 

Рисунок 1. Устройство основания из ГВЛ

 

Достоинства гипсоволокнистых листов

Гипсоволокнистые листы обладают множеством достоинств, главное из которых —экологическая чистота и пожарная безопасность. Материал способен регулировать микроклимат в помещении, впитывая излишнюю воду при высокой влажности и отдавая ее обратно при пересушенном воздухе.

Другие преимущества:

• высокая плотность и прочность;
• простота укладки и скорость монтажа;
• небольшой вес, не требует усиления основания;
• хорошая влагостойкость, по сравнению с ДВП и ГКЛ;
• монтаж исключает мокрые и грязные процессы;
• легко режется ножовкой или электрическим лобзиком;
• не гнется под воздействием нагрузок;
• повышенная звукоизоляция;
• морозостойкость, позволяющая выдерживать до шестнадцати циклов заморозки и размораживания;
• низкая теплопроводность; 
• отсутствие отходов и мусора при монтаже.

Отлично подойдет ГВЛдля устройства системы теплого пола.

Наряду с достоинствами, ГВЛ чувствителен к влажности, поэтомуособое внимание стоитуделять гидроизоляционным мероприятиям.

Это довольно хрупкий материал, требующий аккуратности при транспортировке и монтаже.

 

Рекомендую!

При покупке гипсокартона выбирать материал только проверенных производителей.

 

Профессионалы отдают предпочтение продукции фирмы КНАУФ, из-за высокого качества и доступной цены.

 

ТОП 3 лучших товаров по мнению покупателей

 

Виды ГВЛ

Гипсоволокнистые листы выпускаются обычные — ГВЛ, и влагостойкие — ГВЛВ, пропитанные гидрофобными грунтовками.

Их можно отличить по маркировке, нанесенной на листы.

Пример маркировки: ГВЛВ-Б-ФК-1500*500*15 означает:

1. ГВЛВ — символ «В» говорит о влагостойкости листа:
2. «Б» — точность изготовления. Маркировка «А» означает высокую точность листа. Символ «Б» показывает, что лист сделан с большими отклонениями.
3. ФК — фальцевая кромка. ПК обозначает прямую кромку. Листы с прямой кромкой применяют для выравнивания пола, с фальцевой кромкой используют для стен.
4. 1500*500*15 — длина, ширина и толщина листа.

Обычные листы используют в сухих жилых помещениях, где не существует риска протечек. Влагостойкие листы применяются во влажных и неотапливаемых помещениях.

Стандартные размеры ГВЛ для пола:

• длина 1500 и 2500 миллиметров;
• ширина 1200 и 1000 миллиметров;
• толщина 10 и 12 миллиметров.

 

Рисунок 2. Стандартные размеры ГВЛ.

 

Сборные элементы для пола выпускают стандартными размерами 1500*500 миллиметров. Толщина ГВЛ для пола сборной конструкции составляет 200 миллиметров. Листы имеют фальцы для крепления элементов между собой.

 

Рисунок 3. Сборные элементы для пола.

 

Производители изготавливают и другие размеры плит, по заказу потребителей.

 

Отличительные особенности

По внешнему виду и размерам, ГВЛ похожи на гипсокартон. Нов отличие от последнего, изготавливаемого в виде сэндвича, когда слой гипса зажат между двумя слоями картона, имеет однородную монолитную структуру.

Листы отшлифованы с одной стороны и пропитаны водоотталкивающей грунтовкой.

 

Рисунок 4. Листы ГВЛ.

 

Повышенная прочность обусловлена армирующими добавками из распушенной целлюлозы, равномерно распределенной в слое гипса.

Гипсоволокнистые листы можно резать любым инструментом, в них можно вкручивать саморезы и вбивать гвозди. Они не крошатся при обработке, в отличие от гипсокартона.К ним можно крепить декоративные элементы интерьера.

 

Рекомендую!

При обработке и резке листов смачивать полотно электролобзика или ножовки водой, для предотвращения образования гипсовой пыли.

 

В зависимости от свойств, ГКЛ окрашиваются в разные цвета. Например, влагостойкие имеют зеленый цвет.

Влагостойкие ГВЛ можно отличить только по маркировке.

Гипсоволокнистые листы не гибкие, в отличие от ГКЛ, поэтому их не применяют для изготовления криволинейных конструкций.

Они имеют больший вес и более высокую стоимость, чем гипсокартон.

 

Область применения

Гипсоволокнистые листы могут не только заменить гипсокартон, но и существенно расширить сферу применения.

Их можно использовать для различных целей:

• выравнивания полов по утеплителю из керамзита и других сыпучих материалов;
• укладки по плитам из пенополистирола и по системе теплых полов;
• монтировать по деревянным лагам и покрытию из досок;
• устройства основания под финишную отделку пола по бетонному или деревянному перекрытию;
• отделки конструкций неотапливаемых помещений подвалов, балконов, террас, чердаков и мансард.

Влагостойкий ГВЛ для пола хорошо подходит для отделки неотапливаемых и влажных помещений, так как не теряет своих свойств в условиях отрицательных температур и повышенной влажности.

 

Особенности укладки ГВЛ

При укладке листы нужно располагать со смещением на 20 – 25 сантиметров относительно друг друга, наподобие кирпичной кладки, для получения максимально прочной и долговечной конструкции.

 

Рисунок 5. Схема раскладки ГВЛ.

 

Важно!

При укладке гипсоволокнистых листов на бетонное основание или стяжку, дождаться полного высыхания бетонного покрытия.

 

У элементов, примыкающих к стене необходимо удалить фальцы, для предотвращения продавливания при эксплуатации. 

Укладку нужно начинать от стены с дверным проемом, справа налево, обрезанной стороной к стене.

Швы между листами должны быть не менее 1-2 миллиметров.

При устройстве пола по слою теплоизоляции из сыпучих смесей толщиной более десяти сантиметров, рекомендуется укладка гипсоволокнистых листов в три слоя. При этом нижние слои должны состоять из более мелких деталей, а верхний можно укладывать из больших листов, длиной более двух метров.

 

Утеплитель под ГВЛ

Различаются три основных видаутеплителя под ГВЛ:

1. Сухая засыпка из керамзита или шлакового щебня выполненная по бетонному или деревянному основанию.
2. Теплоизоляционный слой из пенопласта или пенополистирола. Может укладываться по бетонному основанию или как дополнительный слой по керамзиту.
3. Плиты из стеклянной или минеральной ваты, укладываемые по деревянному или бетонному основанию между лагами.

 

Рисунок 6. Минеральная вата для утепления пола в деревянном доме.

 

Технология устройства полов из ГВЛ по бетону

Качественное и надежное основание под любое чистовое покрытие можно получить, четко соблюдая технологию и последовательность выполнения работ:

1.Подготовка основания

До начала производства работ демонтируем старые напольные покрытия, теплоизоляционные слои и разрушенную стяжку до железобетонной плиты перекрытия. Удаляем строительный мусор и пыль.

2.Ремонт перекрытий

Заделываем швы между плитами раствором. Трещины в бетоне расшиваем и заделываем ремонтными составами. Поверхность обрабатываем специальными проникающими грунтовками для бетона.

3.Разметка

Делаем разметку уровня засыпки и верхнего уровня стяжки при помощи лазерного или водяного уровня.

Для этого, по всему периметру помещений наносим линию горизонта. Она может располагаться на высоте 50-100 сантиметров от перекрытия.

От линии горизонта делаем промеры, и определяем самую высокую точку перекрытия.

От этой точки отмечаем толщину засыпки и переносим на стены по периметру помещения.

Аналогично определяем отметки высоты стяжки.

 

Рекомендую!

Линии отметки засыпки и высоты стяжкиперенестина стены при помощи окрашенного отбивочного шнура.

 

 Рисунок 7. Разметка уровня стяжки.      

 

4.Гидроизоляция оснований.

Бетонные перекрытия застилаем полиэтиленовой пленкой, плотностью 200 микрон. Полотна укладываем внахлест, перекрывая друг друга на 20 – 25 сантиметром и скрепляя скотчем. Пленку заводим на стены, на 5-10 сантиметров выше уровня стяжки и закрепляем скотчем.

По периметру помещений крепим демпферную ленту из вспененного полиэтилена, выше высоты стяжки, для смягчения деформационных усадок и звуковой изоляции стен от пола.

 

Рисунок 8. Гидроизоляция пола с устройством демпферной ленты.

 

5.Прокладка коммуникаций

Для устройства коммуникаций под покрытием из ГВЛ, провода и кабели заводим в защитную гофротрубу. Слой теплоизоляции над гофрой должен быть не менее 20 миллиметров.

6.Устройство маяков

Для выполнения равномерного слоя устанавливаем направляющие маяки из деревянных реек или металлических профилей. Выверяем их горизонтальность строго по отметкам. Крепим к основанию на цементный или гипсовый раствор.

7.Устройство теплоизоляции

Сухую смесь из керамзита разных фракций засыпаем равномерным слоем, разравнивая и утрамбовывая между маяками. Особое внимание уделяйте примыканиям к стенам и дверным проемам.

 

Рисунок 9. Укладка керамзита по маякам.

 

Рекомендую!

Работать в респираторе, для предотвращения попадания керамзитовой пыли в дыхательные пути.

 

После завершения работ удаляем направляющие и засыпаем образовавшиеся пустоты керамзитом.

Для утепления пола над неотапливаемым подвалом, можно дополнительно выполнить изоляцию из пеноплекса, предварительно уложив на керамзит гипсокартонные листы.

8.Устройство покрытия из гипсоволокнистых листов

Укладку ГВЛ начинаем от дальнего от двери угла.

Фальцевые кромки промазываем клеем ПВА и укладываем листы, закрепляя дополнительно саморезами, длиной не менее двух сантиметров. Саморезы вкручиваем шуруповертом по периметру каждого листа, с шагом 15 сантиметров, утапливая шляпки в поверхность материала.

 

Рисунок 10. Крепление гипсоволокнистых листов на клей и саморезы.

 

Второй ряд листов укладываем на клей, со смещением, не менее 20 сантиметров, наподобие кирпичной кладки. Закрепляем периметр каждого листа клеем и саморезами.

Рекомендую!

Шляпки саморезов необходимо втапливать в плиту, для предотвращения повреждения чистовой отделки.

 

После завершения укладки ГВЛ, швы между листами и углубления от саморезов заделываем шпаклевкой.

По периметру стены обрезаем выступающую демпферную ленту и гидроизоляцию.

 

Рисунок 11. Схема устройства полов с ГВЛ по бетонному перекрытию.

 

Работы по финишной отделке полов можно начинать уже на следующие сутки, после высыхания клея и шпаклевки.

Основание из гипсоволокнистых листов подходит под любой материал чистового покрытия пола.

При укладке паркета, ламината или линолеума дополнительно можно уложить специальную подложку.        

 

Укладка ГВЛ по деревянным лагам

Жесткие гипсоволокнистые листы идеально подойдутдля выравнивания деревянного пола.

До начала работ проверяем состояние деревянных конструкций.

При необходимости, заменяем поврежденные гнилью элементы, добавляем лаги.

Проверяем горизонтальность полов строительным уровнем. Корректируем отклонение, подкладывая клинья или снимая неровности рубанком.

Все деревянные конструкции обрабатываем антисептическими составами.

Укладываем пароизоляцию изпарафинированной бумаги или пергамина.

Для предотвращения деформаций по периметру крепим демпферную ленту.

Укладываем теплоизоляцию из минеральной ваты, уложенной плотно между лагами или засыпаем сухую смесь из керамзита.

Гипсоволокнистые листы укладываем по лагам.

 

Рисунок 12. Укладка ГВЛ по деревянным лагам.

 

Между собой листы склеиваем по фальцам и закрепляем саморезами.

Второй слой ГКЛ лучше укладыватьперпендикулярно первому, на клей.

Верхний слой проклеиваем по фальцам и скрепляем саморезами, утапливая шляпки в листы.

Швы и шляпки саморезов заделываем шпаклевкой, получая жесткое монолитное покрытие, готовое к отделке.

 

Ошибки монтажа

При устройстве полов из ГВЛ, необходимо четко соблюдать последовательность выполнения работ и правила монтажа, чтобы избежать возможных дефектов:

• продавливание пола, если вы не срезали фальцованную кромку гипсоволокнистых листов у стен;
• неравномерное проседание пола от усадки керамзита, если не были убраны маяки;
• деформациюГВЛ, в случае укладки на влажный керамзит, не выполнения технологических зазоров между листами и в местах примыкания к стенам.

 

Следуя нашим рекомендациям и соблюдая технологию, вы самостоятельно сможете выполнить монтаж основания из ГВЛ или проконтролировать работу подрядчиков. Получив в итоге долговечное, прочное, идеально ровное основание под любую финишную отделку пола.

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They are, however, quite environment friendly in terms of their source 90032 90027 90020 90031 Flooring Guide 90032 90031 Hardwood Flooring Guide 90032 90031 Wood Look Tile Flooring Guide 90032 90027 90150 90151 90016 Durability 90017 90002 Unlike softwood, which is comparatively less hard and more susceptible to dents and scratches, 90009 hardwood is more resilient 90010, even to moisture; which is wood’s worst enemy.90003 90002 Water damage can wreak havoc on hardwood floors. Long-term exposure can even cause irreparable damage. However, 90007 hardwood can fare reasonably well 90008 if the problem is rectified in time. 90003 90002 With proper care, hardwood can last up to many years. You still need to protect it against grit, water, and even your pet’s nails to maintain its quality. You can add more life to it by sanding and refinishing it every couple of years. 90003 90002 Compared to hardwood, 90007 ceramic and porcelain tiles are sturdier 90008.Not only can they withstand more weight and traffic, but moisture also does not affect them. They do, however, tend to chip or break with time, but can last for over twenty years with proper care. 90003 90002 Just like hardwood, the wood-look tiles that are mostly available in ceramic or porcelain can also be 90009 polished after every few years and given new life. 90010 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Weather Suitability 90017 90002 The weather has a significant impact on most hardwood floors.90009 Water and humidity can wreak havoc on wood 90010. Therefore, having wooden flooring installed in coastal or tropical cities might be a bad idea. 90003 90002 Humid conditions make maintenance all the more difficult. Even having a dehumidifier can prove to be challenging. For instance, you would need to leave your dehumidifier or air conditioner running even if you go on vacation, which can increase up your electricity bill. 90003 90002 Similarly, it is a fact that wood expands in heat.This process is called 90007 thermal expansion 90008, and hardwood is no different. 90003 90002 Thermal expansion can cause the wood to bend, swell, and even shrink. Therefore, if installing a hardwood floor, it is important to 90007 maintain humidity levels at 30-50% 90008 and 90007 not to let the room temperature go past 60-80 degrees F. 90008 90003 90002 Both humidity and heat can also cause discoloration on your hardwood floors. 90003 90002 Tiles, on the other hand, 90009 do not have these issues.90010 They can tolerate even the most extreme weather conditions, and as long as you have expansion joints installed in the tiled area, there is no need to worry about seasonal contractions and expansions. 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Cleaning 90017 90002 Both hardwood and ceramic tile floors are quite easy to clean. While ceramic or porcelain tiles can be cleaned with most standard floor cleaners, 90007 special hardwood floor cleaners 90008 are also readily available in stores.90003 90002 Both types of flooring need to be protected against grit and dust (a dedicated hardwood vac or tile vac would be a handy). These elements can destroy the surface, causing scratches and marks which often become permanent. Therefore, 90009 regular cleaning is a must. 90010 90003 90002 Unlike tiles, however, wooden surfaces should not come in contact with water often. To clean wooden floors, use a dry mop. If you absolutely must use water, make sure you dry it off completely, and there is no stagnant water left on the floor once you’re done.90003 90002 The best thing about both these surfaces is that their firmness makes them 90007 easy to clean 90008. There is little danger of the surfaces accumulating dust and becoming health hazards which can cause allergies. 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Kids and Pet Friendliness 90017 90002 All wood, including hardwood, is prone to develop scratches easily. If you have kids and pets on a wooden floor, be certain that your floor will get scuffed. However, there are 90007 steps you can take to prevent and disguise scuff marks.90008 90003 90002 Hand-scraped floors, for example, naturally have an imperfect texture. It gives an antique look to the floors, and damage like scratches are not very visible. Similarly, light-colored or Matte Finished hardwood floors are also excellent at hiding imperfections. 90003 90002 The best option, in this case, is 90007 pre-finished, engineered hardwood flooring 90008. This kind of flooring, in most cases, comes with aluminum-oxide layers that provide it with more firmness and durability which adds to its children and pet-friendly floor rating.90003 90002 Even if you do not go for the options mentioned above, there are certain finishes you can apply at the time of installation that can protect your wood flooring against water penetration and even scratches. Polyurethane finishes, for example, are quite popular and also provide maximum protection with minimum maintenance. 90003 90002 You can avoid facing these issues with ceramic and porcelain. Although they can develop scratches, for instance, in an area where there is a lot of furniture movement, they usually 90009 remain impervious to children and pets.90010 90003 90002 A significant issue with tiles is, however, that most materials are 90007 not very slip-resistant 90008. This factor can be particularly dangerous for kids and pets, especially if there is water on the floor. Therefore, select the types or brands which offer the most slip-resistance. 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Slip Resistance 90017 90002 If you have children, elderly people or pets in the house, slipping and falling can have serious consequences. While ceramic and porcelain are known to be slippery, you have to take preventative measures with hardwood floors as well.90003 90002 Slipperiness in hardwood flooring can vary, depending on its finish, which can be anywhere from smooth, to textured, to high gloss or hand-scrapped. 90003 90002 Before you write ceramic and porcelain off as being hazards, their 90007 slipperiness also depends on their size and finish. 90008 90003 90002 For instance, 90007 polished tiles are slipperier than the textured ones 90008. The good thing, however, is that some tests and ratings measure the slipperiness of tiles now and you can select the product that suits you the most based on these tests.90003 90002 U.S. and Canada have also started introducing national standards, and now all flooring products have to carry the labels of the traction scale. However, this is more to create awareness rather than controlling the slipperier products. The labels would inform you that the tile you are purchasing can have a 90009 particular level of slipperiness. 90010 90003 90260 The Tests 90261 90002 As mentioned earlier, there are some tests whose results you must look out for when deciding to invest in particular flooring.The Ramp test is one such method where flooring is put on a ramp at different angles, with varying substances like oil and water on it, where they measure the product’s slipperiness against the maximum angle on which it provides resistance. 90003 90002 An 90007 R-rating of 9-13 90008 inclusive is given where the most slip-resistant product will have the rating of thirteen. 90003 90002 Another famous slip-resistance test is called 90007 ‘Pendulum’ test, 90008 which gives the product a PTV score from 0 to 36.While products with 0-24 have slip risk, those above 36 are the safest in this regard. 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Design Variety 90017 90002 When comparing hardwood to ceramic or any other material, one thing you need to understand is that wood has natural limitations. While you can always polish it to give a new look, 90007 hardwood only comes in different shades of brown. 90008 90003 90002 You can, however, choose 90009 various kinds of wood textures. 90010 These include hand-scraped, matte finished, pre-finished, and more.90003 90002 You have a lot more options for ceramics and porcelain. They are available in different shades, and even can be specified to give a wood-look. You can find a lot of 90007 variety in sizes, shapes, and textures. 90008 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Noise 90017 90002 Wooden floors, including hardwood, are 90009 louder than most other floorings. 90010 They make noise because noise cancellation only occurs when the material is as condensed as possible. If there is space inside the material, it allows the sound to echo.90003 90002 Imagine the sound hole of a guitar. Its purpose is to echo the sound that the strings produce. Wood has tiny space pockets which do the same job. Therefore, if you drop your keys on a wooden floor, it will make noise, and so will your footsteps when you walk. 90003 90002 This 90009 is not the case with tiles 90010 because they are more condensed and do not allow noise to echo off them. Therefore, if you’re looking for a quieter home, but just love how wood looks, you can always choose wood-look ceramic or porcelain tiles.90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Concrete Compatibility 90017 90002 Even though you can directly lay hardwood on a fresh concrete base or concrete in general, you would need an expert to do the job. It is generally advised 90009 not to install hardwood directly on the pavement 90010, but rather on a 90007 pre-prepped plywood subfloor with nails 90008. And only on or above grade at your home, and not in the basement. 90003 90002 You should use glue and nails to make wood stick, as they do not react with the element.However, if you have a concrete base and would like to have a wooden look over it, go for 90007 wood-look tiles 90008 that have no issues sticking to cement. 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Eco-Friendliness 90017 90002 The worst part about having hardwood floors is the trees that need to be sacrificed to produce it for you. It can take years for a tree to reach maturity, and with global warming as a big concern, a lot of countries have taken measures to 90007 regulate the chopping down of trees.90008 90003 90002 Additionally, the process of logs having to be cut and bound together to make tiles generates waste. Therefore, hardwood floors have an 90009 undeniable adverse effect on the environment. 90010 90003 90002 The sadder part, however, is that the alternatives like 90009 ceramic and porcelain are no better 90010 in this regard either. While sourcing them is environmentally safe, the processing of the material in a kiln using intense heat and fuels leaves a sizeable carbon footprint.90003 90002 Therefore, if you want to be more eco-friendly, you can look for other options like 90007 wood-patterned floor sheets or carpets 90008, etc. Or perhaps, to make up for your part in deforestation, 90009 keep the wooden floors but also grow trees. 90010 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 Cost 90017 90002 One of the major deciding factors regarding the flooring in your new home is the cost of the flooring. Does your choice of flooring fit your budget? Calculating the hardwood or tile cost involves many different aspects.90003 90002 The primary one is, of course, the 90007 material cost 90008. But other prices include 90007 installation, labor, transportation, or other ancillary products such as nails or plywood 90008 to install, and finishes and polishes to maintain the material. 90003 90002 Additionally, as we discussed earlier, if for instance you live in a place where there is high humidity, you would also have to invest on items like dehumidifiers or air conditioners that can 90009 regulate the temperature and moisture levels 90010 in the area of ​​your floor.90003 90002 But the first myth which needs to be debunked is that all hardwood flooring costs more than other wood-look materials. That’s not true. 90009 Your expenses can vary a lot 90010 depending on the type of wood you choose for your flooring. 90003 90260 Material 90261 90002 While Teak, Ash, and Heart pine are some of the most expensive options, as they can cost anywhere between 90007 $ 6 to 25 / sf, 90008 there are other materials like Red and White Oak, Pine, Cherry Wood, and walnut that can be on the cheaper end, costing between 90007 $ 2 to maximum $ 9 / sf.90008 90003 90002 So while you can go as high as it can get in terms of flooring, the availability of cheaper materials can fulfill your desire to have hardwood at ceramic’s price, which is somewhere around 90007 $ 1-15 / sf. 90008 90003 90260 Installation 90261 90002 As mentioned earlier, installing hardwood floors is a little more complicated than installing ceramic and porcelain tiles. While the latter can even be your ‘DIY’ project if you are confident enough, 90009 installing hardwood is tricky business.90010 90003 90002 It requires you to prep up the floor, lay down the base material such as plywood, and protective sheets, and then carefully place the wood down and nail it to the ground. 90003 90002 Due to its technicalities, getting hardwood installed through a professional service can cost you around 90007 $ 4,000 per 500 square feet 90008. And due to a comparatively more straightforward process, 90007 installing tiles can be half that price 90008 for the same area. 90003 90260 Trade-Offs 90261 90002 If you decide on opting for a cheaper flooring, be aware that it may come with certain drawbacks, especially in terms of quality.You may not see it at first, but after some time, you may experience your floors bending, discoloration, or expansion in structure due to their exposure to harmful factors. 90003 90002 This stands even true for other materials as well. While paying a higher price does not always guarantee quality, in most cases, there may be reasons for the high price tags on certain products. For example, 90009 a slip resistant ceramic tile will cost more than the one with low anti-slip ratings. 90010 90003 90002 Similarly, the difference can be found in the thickness of the product as well.A cheaper tile may not be able to handle as much pressure as one that is thicker. 90003 90002 Back to Top 90003 90016 The Verdict 90017 90002 There are advantages and drawbacks to each of these flooring tiles; the choice is yours to make at the end. If you want a more family-friendly floor, you can decide to get hardwood flooring which is covered in protective coating. 90003 90002 The coating will keep you safe from slipping while giving you the same luxurious splendor of wood. If you’re looking for cheaper but quality floors, 90007 wood-look ceramic or porcelain 90008 might be a good option for you.90003 90002 Here are some 90007 pros and cons of hardwood and wood-look tiles: 90008 90003 90260 Pros (Hardwood) 90261 90410 90411 Comparatively more slip-resistant 90412 90411 Durable 90412 90411 Pet- and kid-friendly 90412 90417 90260 Cons (Hardwood) 90261 90410 90411 Water can cause irreparable damage 90412 90411 Needs proper weather conditions to maintain its look 90412 90411 Pricey 90412 90417 90260 Pros (Wood-Look Tiles) 90261 90410 90411 Cheaper than most hardwood options 90412 90411 Variety of designs 90412 90411 Easy installation 90412 90417 90260 Cons (Wood-Look Tiles) 90261 90410 90411 Tend to slip more, therefore not very elderly-, kid-, and pet-friendly 90412 90411 Processing leaves huge carbon-imprint 90412 90417 90002 Back to Top 90003 90448 90002 About Ashley Rose Marino 90003 90002 Ashley is the owner and principal of Ashley Marino Designs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas and loves anything and everything home related.When not designing interiors, she’s hopping on an airplane across the country and writing about what she knows best. Visit Website. 90003 .90000 Use of English (Work & Job) 90001 90002 90003 90004 90005 90006 90002 90003 Task 1. Choose the most suitable word for each gap. 90005 90006 90002 Once upon a time, people left school or university, joined a company and stayed with it until they retired. The concept of a job for life is now long 90012 (1) _______ 90013, and nowadays many employees find it hard to stay loyal to their companies for even a relatively short period of time. According to a recent survey, this is particularly 90012 (2) _______ 90013 in London, where more than half of those asked said that they constantly 90012 (3) _______ 90013 one eye on other job opportunities, 90012 (4) _______ 90013 they are fairly happy in their existing job.A high number of London workers say that they are always on the 90012 (5) _______ 90013, although they are content and motivated in their current position. 90006 90002 Job seekers find that the internet 90012 (6) _______ 90013 them with a quick and easy way to find out what’s available, and 53 percent said that they had applied for a job or registered with an employment agency in the past 12 months. This proactive 90012 (7) _______ 90013 means that people can look for a perfect job match with the 90012 (8) _______ 90013 of effort.But while this is good for job hunters, the growing lack of company loyalty could 90012 (9) ______ 90013 _ up being a big problem for employers. Perhaps surprisingly, the 90012 (10) _______ 90013 factors attracting job seekers was not more money, but challenging and interesting work. 90006 90002 90006 90002 1. A.finished B.done C.over D.gone 90038 2. A.true B.real C.right D.actual 90038 3. A.put B.keep C.hold D.place 90038 4 .A.just as B.even if C.as well D.so that 90038 5. A.search B.pursuit C.lookout D.watch 90038 6. A.delivers B.serves C.fulfils D.provides 90038 7. A .manner B.custom C.approach D.style 90038 8. A.minimum B.lowest C.smallest D.least 90038 9. A.run B.come C.end D.lead 90006.90000 Moisture Problems Between the Flooring and the Slab 90001 90002 90003 90004 90002 Water is an inherent part of the hydration process of concrete. However, 90006 allowing excess moisture to leave the slab after it’s poured is crucial to a successful flooring installation 90007. 90004 90002 Once the slab is poured, the excess moisture must leave the slab in order to strengthen the concrete bond. The slab must also dry to a specified level of moisture before flooring materials can be installed on top of it.Moisture-related damage to the flooring materials is possible. 90004 90002 90006 Three common floor materials run the risk of moisture-related problems: 90007 90004 90015 90016 90006 Adhesives 90007 90019 90020 Moisture-related adhesive failures are a problematic reality in the flooring business. Recent trends towards restricting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in flooring adhesives have increased the number of moisture-sensitive adhesives used. If the adhesive used to install the flooring does not have the correct moisture tolerance for the concrete subfloor, the entire installation can be at risk.90021 90016 90006 Floating Floors 90007 90019 Floating floor systems are attractive because they do not need to be attached directly to the subfloor. Instead, the floor pieces «lock» together to become a cohesive unit that’s not as vulnerable to seasonal shifts, dimensional challenges, or other moisture-related issues. In fact, floating floors are often recommended on projects where moisture risks are high with standard attached floor systems. For floating floors, manufacturers often recommend installing a moisture barrier between the subfloor and the floating floor to prevent moisture intrusion.The difficulty, of course, is that if the moisture barrier is compromised in any way, moisture from the slab beneath can still damage the flooring or finish. 90021 90016 90006 Grout or Cementitious Bonds 90007 90019 Excess moisture issues in a grouted tile or mosaic floor often appear as efflorescence, a whitish residue on the surface of the grout. It’s the result of water-soluble minerals getting transported to the surface of the grout with the moisture as it evaporates away. Since minerals do not evaporate, they’re left behind on the floor surface as a visible residue.The more porous the concrete or grout, the more likely efflorescence will appear. In the majority of cases, these minerals are actually part of the concrete slab mixture. Although they can possibly be in the ground beneath the slab, and seep into the concrete if no moisture barrier was installed. If the slab was not dried to the required specs before the tile was installed, the natural moisture migration of the drying concrete will impact the grout. Remediation steps will be necessary to correct the problem.In extreme cases, excess moisture can lead to flaking or chipping of the grout which results in a complete grout or thin-set failure. 90021 90032 90002 Are you seeing a theme yet? The real risk to a successful floor lies with the moisture that can accumulate within the layer between the concrete slab and the flooring itself. 90004 90002 90006 Moisture control is often one of the most crucial, yet most overlooked, 90007 elements of any floor’s success over time. Responsible moisture control (having accurate moisture measurements) starts with the concrete slab.90004 90039 Moisture in a Concrete Subfloor 90040 90002 For moisture to accumulate between the concrete slab and the flooring, it needs to find its way to that middle layer. In this section, we breakdown the main ways water can get into your concrete, which causes a buildup of excess moisture, and list effective methods to prevent moisture problems from occurring. 90004 90043 Sources of Moisture in Concrete 90044 90002 The primary source of moisture in a concrete slab is the proportion of water mixed with the cement.No water source has a greater impact on the time it will take concrete to set. 90004 90002 Yet you have other water sources to worry about. A variety of potential external water sources at a worksite can affect slab drying and curing. 90004 90049 90016 Rain, snow, and sprinkler systems are culprits on a work site open to the elements. These water sources increase in danger if the grade of the grounds around the slab slope towards it. Not only is the concrete absorbing the water from above, but it’s also taking on the runoff from the areas around it.90021 90016 The concrete slab can also absorb the groundwater below and around it. Thus, the amount of natural groundwater has a huge impact on concrete moisture conditions. 90021 90016 Unnatural water sources can also leak water. Any poor plumbing installation at the worksite creates a high risk of excess moisture. Old plumbing that’s degraded and has leaks presents the same risk. 90021 90016 Ambient conditions can also increase the concrete slab’s water content. Condensation develops on a slab that has a lower temperature and moisture level than the air’s dew point.The dew point is the temperature at which the air can hold no more moisture. You know, when dew (or condensation) starts to form. The slab will absorb some of the condensation. 90019 90019 The slab will also absorb moisture from its environment when its relative humidity (RH) is below the air’s RH. Moisture wants to level out. If the air holds more moisture than the slab, as evidenced by its RH, that moisture will move to the concrete. 90021 90060 90002 These are all potential sources of free water.That is, water the concrete does not need to cure. Any moisture the slab does not need is moisture that can undermine your flooring installation. 90004 90043 Causes of Excess Moisture in a Concrete Slab 90044 90002 Inadequate drainage around the slab exacerbates the risk of any source of moisture. In fact, the existing water source itself may not be the problem. A little rainfall or a bit of groundwater can drain away with well-designed drainage. Even minimal sources of water can pool on the concrete without adequate water lines and drains.90004 90002 Excessive water can also intrude in a structure due to poor subfloor protection. Groundwater will move into the concrete if no vapor retarder sits between the ground and the subfloor. 90004 90002 The more likely cause for poor subfloor protection is using the wrong vapor retarder. Certain ASTM standards allow a vapor retarder to have a perm rating of 0.3 perms, which could allow up to «approximately 18 gallons of water per week in a 50,000 square foot area.» A vapor retarder with too low a perm rating will not do the job it needs to do.90004 90002 In other cases, the vapor retarder may have been sitting on the ground. It’s helpful to have a separation barrier between the ground and vapor retarder. Contractors should install the vapor retarder over granular fill to create extra separation from the groundwater. 90004 90002 A torn vapor retarder is another potential hazard to subfloor protection. Torn vapor retarders can occur in a reckless worksite. Hurried construction schedules create all sorts of moisture (among other) threats.90004 90002 Fast-paced project plans often mean that concrete slabs do not get the time they need to set. For example, slabs may get power troweled to speed up preparations for flooring. The compression caused by the troweling closes off the evaporation outlets in the slab. The result is that over troweling will extend the drying time. If the schedule does not allow for that time, then adhesives or surface membranes get installed on concrete with too much moisture. A moisture-related flooring failure is practically guaranteed under such circumstances.90004 90002 The best of intentions to avoid excess moisture does not matter if you do not have accurate concrete moisture testing. There are two main ways to suffer inaccurate moisture testing. The first is to choose the wrong concrete moisture test. Only the in situ RH test measures moisture below the slab’s surface. Any test measuring only surface moisture is necessarily providing inaccurate results. 90004 90002 The other way to get inaccurate moisture test results is to perform the in situ RH test wrong.If you do not place enough sensors throughout the floor, you will not get an accurate picture of the space. 90004 90002 ASTM F2170 requires three sensors for the first 1000 square feet and another sensor for each additional 1000 square feet. Other testing mistakes include not inserting the sensor to the proper depth. 90004 90002 Serious errors can even occur from simply miswriting readings on your chart. The Rapid RH® L6 sensors contain integrated data storage that automates results reporting.When the meeting takes place to decide when to install flooring, no one has to rely on paper notes. 90004 90043 How to Prevent Moisture Problems in Concrete Floor 90044 90002 Moisture is an inevitable part of concrete construction. Moisture-related problems are not. I’ve peppered this article with different ways to prevent moisture problems in concrete floors. 90004 90002 90090 90091 90004 90049 90016 Keep a low water to cement ratio. The more water in the mix, the greater the chance the slab will not get all the time it needs to set.Try to avoid adding water to concrete that’s already mixed. That water is a new variable that makes managing timelines and moisture issues difficult. 90021 90016 Take all necessary actions if pouring concrete below grade or at a wet building site. Whether that means installing more draining lines, using pumps to dewater the site, or any other method — do it. Make sure that your water displacement methods are not generating run-off in the wrong directions. 90021 90016 the layers above and below the concrete slab to prevent water seepage into the slab.Start with a vapor retarder with a perm rating that reflects the needs of the space. Install it over a layer of fill. Inspect it before pouring the concrete and fix any tears it may have. If necessary, use a proper underlayment between the concrete slab and the flooring. This is especially true when using wood flooring. Installing a plywood underlayment can add extra protection, but must also be tested to ensure it’s not bringing in new moisture. 90021 90016 Give the concrete slab the time it needs to dry and cure.Review the project plan and schedule. Is enough time set aside for concrete floors to set? No reason to start out behind the eight ball. Exert as much control as possible over the ambient conditions to accelerate the timeline. Protect the space from outside elements. If the season is not ideal, can you take steps to reduce swings in air temperature? Will a dehumidifier help the air absorb more moisture from the concrete? Use fans to increase airflow, which speeds up drying time. 90021 90060 90002 All these methods point towards a single goal: not installing any flooring too soon.Preparatory materials like adhesives or plywood will seal up the concrete. Sealed concrete will stop releasing moisture. At that point, the slab has the moisture it will hold for the long term. If there’s excess moisture trapped in the concrete, it will eventually reveal itself in ugly and possibly dangerous ways. 90004 90039 How to Tell If There Is Excessive Moisture in My Floor 90040 90002 A floor may already be showing some external signs of containing excess moisture. A floor with a white or greyish powdery stain (also called «efflorescence») likely has excess moisture.Due to moisture moving up through the slab and then evaporating from the surface. The whitish stain is the salt left behind by evaporating water. Or you may see that the flooring installed over the concrete slab is blistering or peeling away. If a wood flooring has been installed on top of the slab, the wood may be cracking or warping. These types of flooring failures occur due to excess moisture trapped between the flooring and the concrete. 90004 90002 No one wants to wait until the ugly signs of excessive moisture make themselves visible.You want to know if your floor is holding too much moisture well before that. 90004 90002 The calcium chloride test is an older method for measuring the moisture level of concrete flooring. It’s also called the moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) test. It’s standardized as the ASTM F1869 (Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride). 90004 90002 The MVER test uses the weight differential over a 72-hour period of calcium chloride salt placed on the slab’s surface.The calcium chloride, sitting under a sealed dish, absorbs the moisture evaporating from the slab. You calculate the rate of evaporation based on the weight differential. 90004 90002 Unfortunately, ambient conditions often corrupt MVER test results. F1869 does not even allow its use on lightweight concrete. Of greater concern is what the MVER test measures. It measures moisture only at the surface of the concrete slab. It’s not testing the moisture condition that matters over the long haul. You need to know the moisture condition within the concrete.90004 90002 Only the in situ RH tests for moisture below the slab’s surface. Sensors inserted into the slab measure the RH within the concrete. 90004 90002 And these are not random depths. ASTM F2170 (Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes) specifies the depth based on whether the concrete is poured on grade and whether vapor retarders are used. 90004 90002 Rigorous scientific testing conducted at universities and laboratories has determined and validated the proper depths.At the proper depth, the RH sensor accurately reflects what the moisture condition of the slab will be once the flooring is installed. 90004 90002 The Rapid RH L6 returns the scientifically reliable readings you need to complete a successful flooring project. Readings that the MVER test can not provide. Even better, the RH test can be completed in 24 hours. That’s one-third the waiting time required to conduct an MVER test. 90004 90039 Moisture Management Requires Accurate Moisture Readings 90040 90002 90128 Accurate concrete moisture measurement is only achieved with RH testing.Unlike surface-based tests like calcium chloride tests, RH testing determines the accurate moisture condition within the slab by placing probes at a strategic and proven depth. Moisture often rises through a slab from the bottom to the top in the drying process. Only testing performed at the correct depth can let you determine if the final moisture condition of the slab will be compatible with the flooring and the products used to install it. 90004 90002 Wagner Meters has been assisting flooring professionals for over 50 years.During these decades, we have designed some of the most accurate and innovative RH testing sensors on the market today. The Rapid RH L6 is the newest iteration, taking advantage of 21st-century technology to simplify reporting. 90004 90002 All our Rapid RH sensors and test kits are 90006 based on decades of scientific research and technological advances 90007 to help each builder and flooring specialist accurately determine the correct concrete RH level for a project’s chosen flooring materials.Our innovative Total Reader® and factory-calibrated Smart Sensor design delivers quick, reliable results. The Rapid RH line of products is affordable and conforms to ASTM F2170 requirements for easy recording and reporting. 90004 90002 We also understand that sometimes a building project schedule means making alternate choices in adhesives or even flooring products. The Rapid RH sensors help you make informed decisions in real-time. Along with accurate, actionable testing, we’ve also compiled a one-stop list of manufacturers that provide an RH tolerance specification for their flooring products at www.rhspec.com. 90004 90002 The truest way to protect a floor system is to ensure that all components are safe from excess moisture intrusion from any source. The Rapid RH family helps you prevent your concrete slab from being the source of a moisture-related flooring adhesive or grout failure. 90006 Do not let moisture problems come between you and a successful flooring installation. 90007 90004 90142 90002 Jason has 20+ years ‘experience in sales and sales management in a spectrum of industries and has successfully launched a variety of products to the market, including the original Rapid RH® concrete moisture tests.He currently works with Wagner Meters as our Rapid RH® product sales manager. 90004 .90000 More Is not Always Better 90001 90002 Executive Summary 90003 90004 Reprint: F0606C 90005 90004 Offering customers too many product choices may decrease their sense of well-being. 90005 90004 Marketers assume that the more choices they offer, the more likely customers will be able to find just the right thing. They assume, for instance, that offering 50 styles of jeans instead of two increases the chances that shoppers will find a pair they really like. Nevertheless, research now shows that there can be too much choice; when there is, consumers are less likely to buy anything at all, and if they do buy, they are less satisfied with their selection.90005 90004 It all began with jam. In 2000, psychologists Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper published a remarkable study. On one day, shoppers at an upscale food market saw a display table with 24 varieties of gourmet jam. Those who sampled the spreads received a coupon for $ 1 off any jam. On another day, shoppers saw a similar table, except that only six varieties of the jam were on display. The large display attracted more interest than the small one. But when the time came to purchase, people who saw the large display were one-tenth as likely to buy as people who saw the small display.90005 90004 Other studies have confirmed this result that more choice is not always better. As the variety of snacks, soft drinks, and beers offered at convenience stores increases, for instance, sales volume and customer satisfaction decrease. Moreover, as the number of retirement investment options available to employees increases, the chance that they will choose any decreases. These studies and others have shown not only that excessive choice can produce «choice paralysis,» but also that it can reduce people’s satisfaction with their decisions, even if they made good ones.My colleagues and I have found that increased choice decreases satisfaction with matters as trivial as ice cream flavors and as significant as jobs. 90005 90004 These results challenge what we think we know about human nature and the determinants of well-being. Both psychology and business have operated on the assumption that the relationship between choice and well-being is straightforward: The more choices people have, the better off they are. In psychology, the benefits of choice have been tied to autonomy and control.In business, the benefits of choice have been tied to the benefits of free markets more generally. Added options make no one worse off, and they are bound to make someone better off. 90005 90004 Choice 90017 is 90018 good for us, but its relationship to satisfaction appears to be more complicated than we had assumed. There is diminishing marginal utility in having alternatives; each new option subtracts a little from the feeling of well-being, until the marginal benefits of added choice level off.What’s more, psychologists and business academics alike have largely ignored another outcome of choice: More of it requires increased time and effort and can lead to anxiety, regret, excessively high expectations, and self-blame if the choices do not work out. When the number of available options is small, these costs are negligible, but the costs grow with the number of options. Eventually, each new option makes us feel worse off than we did before. 90005 90004 Without a doubt, having more options enables us, most of the time, to achieve better objective outcomes.Again, having 50 styles of jeans as opposed to two increases the likelihood that customers will find a pair that fits. But the subjective outcome may be that shoppers will feel overwhelmed and dissatisfied. This dissociation between objective and subjective results creates a significant challenge for retailers and marketers that look to choice as a way to enhance the perceived value of their goods and services. 90005 90004 Choice can no longer be used to justify a marketing strategy in and of itself.More is not always better, either for the customer or for the retailer. Discovering how much assortment is warranted is a considerable empirical challenge. But companies that get the balance right will be amply rewarded. 90005 A version of this article appeared in the June 2006 issue of 90017 Harvard Business Review 90018. .