The attractiveness of any home depends on the interior decoration of the premises. It is the final touches in the arrangement of an apartment or house that make them comfortable and cozy. Most often, consumers prefer familiar materials that are time-tested and guarantee reliability and durability. However, the construction idea does not stand still, and new, more efficient and less expensive technologies are constantly appearing in finishing works Oh.

In a modern interior there is no longer a place for simple lamellas, lining and clinker stone. Of course, in general, the materials for interior decoration remained the same: wallpaper, tiles, various plaster panels, varnishes and paints. However, manufacturers have improved their quality: now familiar materials have new, valuable properties and unusual shapes that allow you to create innovative interior design. Renovation materials that have appeared recently are gaining popularity.

Protective coatings

The latest types of protective coatings have proven themselves in various types of finishing work - more and more craftsmen prefer modern materials due to their reliability and safety.

We have chosen four modern protective coatings for walls, which will allow you to use non-standard solutions in the decoration of the apartment:

• Slate paints;
• Magnetic paints.

Due to the properties of some substances added to marker paints, after the surface has completely dried, about a week after the end of work, you can safely draw on the walls with markers, like on a marker school board. Such paints are an excellent solution for the walls of children's rooms.

Slate paints

Another option for children's interiors is slate paints. When using this material, it will be possible to avoid the unpleasant hassle of washing the painted walls. The surface covered with slate paint, children can safely paint with crayons, without fear of consequences, because drawings and inscriptions can be erased, as from a regular slate board.

Antibacterial paint cleans and disinfects the air, destroys harmful microbes. It is used in children's rooms and medical institutions. The action of the paint is based on the principle of photocatalysis, which starts when exposed to light. Also, this coating helps to avoid allergic reactions.

Magnetic paint

Magnetic paint contains small particles of metal, which allows you to attach various things with magnets to it - now travel souvenirs can be hung not only on the refrigerator!

Wallpapers have enjoyed stable popularity for many decades, and today new, more convenient variants of this coating continue to appear - for example, thermal wallpapers.

According to some characteristics, they resemble ordinary vinyl or paper wallpapers, however, under the influence of any heat source, they change color, a pattern appears on the surface. The secret is in the use of a special paint that exhibits its properties when heated.

Another innovation in the field of repair is seamless wallpaper. They resemble decorative tapes that are glued to the walls horizontally.

In the manufacture of wallpaper, new materials are used that come to replace the standard ones - paper, textiles and vinyl - for example, cork. For the manufacture of cork wallpapers, compressed cork chips are used. The main advantage of this material is environmental friendliness, and a significant disadvantage is its high cost. For gluing such wallpapers on the walls, no adhesive additives are used. The heat-treated material releases natural juice, which securely holds the mass together.

Liquid wallpaper is also used as a protective coating for walls. Behind a strange phrase lies material that is decorative plaster, which is applied to the wall with a spatula and then leveled evenly over the surface of the wall. Such a coating hides unevenness and small cracks in the walls, but at the same time allows the walls to breathe, which prevents the appearance of mold. The disadvantages of using it include the high cost and solubility in water: you should avoid getting water on the coating and additionally fix the "liquid wallpaper" with a special varnish.

The cover imitates a natural stone and is a durable and wear-resistant material. Walls lined with flexible stone look like they are covered with natural granite or marble.

Venetian plaster

An unusual protective wall coating, which is a liquid material that dries in an even layer and looks like natural marble.

Energy-saving technologies for renovation

One of the goals of innovation in interior decoration is the introduction of energy-saving technologies for repairs, which allow saving heat in the house.

The most common way to reduce the consumption of thermal energy is to insulate the walls and ceilings of the building. In this regard, new technologies for repairing ceilings have appeared.

A stretch ceiling is a polyvinyl chloride film tightly stretched over a mounted frame. Additionally, it is equipped with lighting fixtures of various shapes and configurations.

Stretch ceiling consists of several elements:

• PVC fabric;
• Lighting;
• frame;
• Decorative baguettes and caps.

Stretch ceilings have different kind depending on the material chosen: some resemble a mirror polished surface, others resemble a plastered plane.

The following types of tension structures are used:

• With a lacquered texture: it is most popular because of the shiny surface, which reflects light and interior elements of the room well;
• With a matte texture: the exact opposite of the previous look - the surface completely absorbs light; used primarily in public institutions;
• Satin texture: combines lacquer coating and a grainy surface, soft diffused light and beautiful overflows are obtained in the room;
• Perforated texture: when the lights are turned off, it imitates the starry night sky.

Manufacturers constantly offer new types of textures and many shades of stretch ceilings.

Stained glass ceilings have a number of advantages over the usual materials:

• Beautiful and unusual appearance;
• Ease of installation: installation of the structure is easy to do with your own hands - the stained-glass windows are installed by the assembly method.
• Practicality in operation: the ceiling is made up of separate parts that are easily replaced in case of damage; they are easy to wash and wipe from dust;
• Environmentally friendly: the stained glass window is made of metal and glass - no plastic!

The indisputable advantages of such a ceiling coating include resistance to moisture - because of this, its use in bathrooms is popular.

When choosing finishing materials for flooring, the purpose of the rooms of the apartment or house should be taken into account. For example, wooden flooring looks especially authentic in the kitchen, but there it requires special care. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that some synthetic materials can cause allergies in people living in the house.

Significant are such indicators as the appearance of the material, its moisture resistance, as well as the base on which the material will be installed.

Unusual types of tiles

For a long time, tiles have been the leader among floor coverings for bathrooms and kitchens; however, this is a fairly “conservative” material that is difficult to improve. Only relatively recently have such variations of the usual coating appeared, such as three-dimensional, liquid and pebble tiles.

Volumetric tiles have bizarre shapes: from one edge it is concave, and from the other it is convex. Such tiles look especially impressive on the wall, giving the room a stylish and status look. It should be noted that the installation of the material is difficult, and therefore is an expensive service.

Liquid tile allows you to create a unique design of the room: it changes color and image from mechanical influences. Liquid tiles are laid mainly on the floor - there its properties can be fully revealed.

Pebble tiles are used to decorate the walls of the bathroom. It consists of many stones glued to the base of the tile.

floor array

High-quality floor coverings are made from solid wood. This material replaces parquet. Manufacturing is simplified by the fact that technological processes such as sanding and varnishing are carried out in the factory. A solid board is laid in the same way as parquet - by gluing to the base.

Modern technologies also affected the production of parquet. So, artistic parquet is an expensive flooring made of various types of wood. To create a pattern, panel parquet is used or decorative elements are combined with piece parquet planks.

Innovative material for flooring - improved linoleum. This is an eco-friendly coating made from natural raw materials.

Marmoleum does not warp or fade, has good thermal insulation properties, is non-toxic, withstands heavy loads without loss of performance.

Due to the low cost, this material will soon be able to replace the usual laminate for everyone.

Innovative finishing materials that have appeared harmoniously fit into any interior. The advantages of such materials are obvious: safety for the health of those living in the house, environmental friendliness, high wear resistance, original appearance. Innovative materials have a high cost, but these costs justify themselves.

Most modern people consider bamboo a decorative material. But it's actually an incredible building resource. Bamboo grows quickly, it is stronger than steel and more stable than cement. So Penda, an architecture studio in Beijing, China, wants to use bamboo as the main resource for building an entire city.

This city will be sustainable, environmentally friendly and inexpensive. Buildings will be built by tying bundles of bamboo together, tying them with rope. Using such a technique, Penda thinks it can build a city that will hold 200,000 people by 2023.

Once general structure is completed, you can easily add horizontal and vertical blocks. In addition, a room or even an entire bamboo building can be dismantled without much effort, and bamboo rods can always be reused.

Diamond nanowires

As far as we know, diamonds are the hardest mineral found naturally on Earth. This makes diamonds an excellent building material when used properly.

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have created innovative diamond nanothreads that are 20,000 times thinner than a human hair. At the same time, diamond nanowires are considered the most durable material on Earth (and possibly the entire universe). In addition to being thin and strong, they are also incredibly light.

The researchers were able to create these strands of ultra-thin diamonds by applying alternating cycles of pressure to isolated liquid benzone molecules. As a result, rings of carbon atoms were born, which were ordered in a chain.

Such nanothreads may be unlikely to be used in everyday construction, but in ambitious projects, for example, they are.

Airgel insulation

Airgel is not a new material. It was discovered back in the 1920s. It is created in the process of removing liquid from the gel and replacing the liquid with a gas. In the process, the substance becomes ultra-light, since it is 90% air. It is ideal for isolation. Airgel has been used to insulate pipelines in industrial areas and even on the rover.

Aspen Aerogels wants to use aerogels for home insulation. The company created a product called the Spaceloft quilts, which are fairly easy to work with due to their weight and thinness. Although lightweight, these blankets offer two to four times the insulating properties of traditional fiberglass or foam insulation.

Spaceloft blankets also allow water vapor to pass through and are also fire resistant, oddly enough. While airgel-wrapped homes won't be as fire resistant as Fahrenheit 451 homes, this type of insulation should reduce home fires.

The problem is that airgel is much more expensive than traditional insulation, although it will save you money on energy bills. long distance. In addition, not all houses can be easily upgraded with this material. These blankets are best suited for older homes or newer ones that will be specially designed to be insulated with airgel.

travel printer

The laying of the road takes a lot of time. On average, one worker can lay 100 square meters a day using traditional methods. Road printers like Tiger Stone can shorten this process by printing up to 300 square meters of cobblestone pavement a day.

Another RoadPrinter RPS can lay up to 500 square meters per day. One to three operators feed the car with bricks. The pusher then sorts the bricks into a pattern like a carpet. At this point, gravity takes over and the car lays down the brick road. A roller-like roller then presses the bricks into place.

These printers run on electricity and do not contain many moving parts, making them easy to use and maintain. In addition, they do not create much noise, especially when compared to traditional road paving methods.

Of course, the main difference between most roads and those laid by these presses is that they lay bricks, cobbles or tiles instead of asphalt. However, block roads are even better than asphalt because they filter water, expand when frozen, and last longer.

Cordless multidirectional elevators

The big problem with large infrastructure is that there is no efficient way to navigate it. People always walk at the same speed and for a certain distance. And in each elevator there is often only one moving booth. If you have ever used an elevator in a large building, you know that sometimes waiting to die is like.

German elevator manufacturer ThyssenKrupp plans to get rid of these problems. Instead of using cables, he proposes launching elevators based on magnetic levitation (maglev). Then they can move both vertically and horizontally. This will also allow you to use more than one booth per shaft, saving you waiting time.

Finally, magnetic lifts will consume less energy, which is also good for the environment. In 2016, ThyssenKrupp plans to test the new elevator system in a building at its research campus.

solar paint

One of the most common complaints about solar panels is that they are big, an eyesore, and not powerful enough. To change this, several researchers are working on solar cells that are so small and flexible that they can be painted on surfaces. In fact, a team of researchers at the University of Alberta created spray solar cells with zinc and phosphorus nanoparticles.

If every homeowner paints their roof with this solar paint, they can generate more than enough energy for their home, thus reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. In addition, solar paint is cheaper to produce than traditional ones. The solar panels used in this paint aren't very efficient yet, but scientists are working on the problem.

Vertical cities

According to United Nations projections, by 2050 there will be more than 9.6 billion people on Earth. This is 2.3 billion heads more than we have today. In addition, it is assumed that 75% of the world's population will live in cities, which will exacerbate our problems with the lack of free space in these same cities.

One way to solve this problem is to build vertical cities. There are already several proposals for vertical cities that could be built in the Sahara, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China.

These vertical cities will be with giant buildings that will provide for people residential buildings, workplaces and shops. For example, the Italian firm Luca Curci Architects is going to build a 189-storey building in the UAE. It will be able to accommodate 25,000 people with shops and offices. Since people won't have to leave the building, this will solve the problem of space and reduce carbon emissions.

Such megabuildings will be self-sustaining and green. Since they are large, solar panels can be placed throughout the wall area. They will also use geothermal energy and collect rainwater.

smart concrete

When an area begins to flood, there is nowhere for the water to drain. In the city, this is even worse, because there is less soil to absorb water. To reduce the threat of flooding, the British company Tarmac created an asphalt called Topmix Permeable.

Most types of concrete allow water to soak into the ground, but only 300 millimeters per hour. Topmix allows you to pass 36,000 millimeters of water per hour, which is about 3300 liters per minute.

Instead of using sand for concrete, Topmix includes pieces of crushed granite packed together. Water percolates through these pieces of granite, and then is absorbed by the soil, flows into the sewer or is collected in a water reserve. In addition to reducing the chance of flooding, Topmix will be able to keep the streets dry and safe. In addition, water can be sent to tanks and used for needs.

The problem with permeable concrete is that it can only be used in places where it is not too cold. Cold weather will cause the concrete to expand, which will destroy it. It will also be more expensive than conventional concrete, but over the long haul, cities can save money by reducing flooding.

smart bricks

Looking at Smart Bricks designed by Kite Bricks, it's easy to see their resemblance to Lego bricks. These building bricks have handles on top and can be put together like Lego pieces. Smart bricks are held in place with rebar and come in the most different forms.

Instead of using cement, these bricks are held together with a strong double-sided adhesive. Removable removable panels can be attached to the bricks from inside the building. These panels can be removed if needed. There are also cubes for building floors and ceilings. In the center, the blocks are empty, they can be filled if necessary with insulation, pipes and electrical wiring.

Such bricks can lead to improved heat control, production flexibility and a 50% reduction in production cost.

Swarm of construction robots

In search of innovative building methods, Harvard researchers turned to nature for inspiration, in particular termites. Termites can build large structures in the absence of central control. To this end, they simply carry a piece of dirt to the site of the first construction site. If she is busy, they carry her to the next place.

The TERMES project uses the same swarm building idea but uses small robots. These simple low cost drones build structures by following the original design and placing blocks in the first available space until the structure is complete. The swarm does not require human intervention at all after setting the initial task.

This kind would be ideal for building structures in dangerous places, in space or underwater. He could also do menial work, saving people time.

Forecasts of the emergence of new building materials are usually based on the factors of potential industrial growth, economic efficiency, innovation (amazing new discoveries). Forecasting is carried out annually, analyzing the appearance of new products at a conditional construction site. So, the forecast for innovations and new building materials in 2018 promises to surprise with technologies that combine the full range of the above criteria.

Market trends for new building materials and technologies: cement, wood, as well as renewable energy sources. All this will have a significant impact on the areas of design and construction for the coming year (2018) and in the near future. Let's see what's already in the trunk.

Programmable cement

As a substance that consumes a significant amount of water, concrete continues to be the leading direction for research and development of new building materials.

Despite its ubiquitous and traditional use, concrete still looks like some kind of mysterious building material. Therefore, discoveries are expected here, similar to the recent ones made in 2017, when interesting facts were discovered.

Building materials research new information about the binder that is used in construction. Cement particles can be manipulated to form various shapes, such as a cube

It turned out that cement, as part of the content of the concrete structure, carbonizes carbon dioxide over time. This property of the material ultimately contributes to redefining the environmentally friendly area of ​​concrete.

Such research results once again emphasize the need for a clearer understanding of the formation of the structure of new building materials at the molecular level.

Another recent example was the multidisciplinary building materials laboratory at Rice University. Scientists there have discovered previously unknown properties of hydrated cement particles (CSH: calcium silicate hydrated cement).

Alternative binders to increase stability are used in the composition of cements of a new type, intended for specialists in the construction industry

According to the researchers, the obtained information is planned to be used to “program” the particles of the material in a strictly controlled way. In fact, we are talking about a new building material - programmable cement.

The significant progress of this work marks the first step in controlling the kinetics of cement to obtain the desired building forms. In fact, Rice University scientists have discovered a technology to control the morphology and size of the basic building blocks of CSH.

Such blocks could organize themselves into microstructures with a higher packing density compared to conventional amorphous CSH microstructures.

This increased density should result in increased material strength and durability, improved chemical resistance, and protection of the reinforcing steel within the concrete.

Cross-laminated wood

In addition to concrete, wood is another popular building material. The construction industry is currently relying on solid wood based on the development of new methods.

Solid wood is used to construct high-rise buildings using rapidly renewable building materials that are environmentally superior to concrete and steel.

So-called cross-laminated wood is rapidly gaining popularity on construction sites. Massive panels based on modified hardwood building material

Within the growing field of sawn timber based on softwood structure, an unexpected competitor has appeared: CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) lumber, made on the basis of hardwood.

London International Architects and Design Studio (dRMM Architects) in collaboration with global engineering firm ARUP and American Council hardwood exporters have developed a CLT panel based on the fast growing North American tree Tulipwood.

This is what it looks like on a cut of tulipwood. Products obtained from this type of wood are very original appearance. Now tulipwood is the new building material of the current century

The properties of Tulipwood overlap those of softwood. Wood "Harpullia" (Tulipwood) is stronger and even stronger than concrete in terms of load capacity. Moreover, this the new kind building material has excellent decorative qualities.

A new building material based on Harpullia (Tulipwood) is already being produced for the building market (in Germany).

Referred to as "Leno CLT". Leno CLT is prepared from rapidly renewable raw materials, and the manufacturing technology supports the production of panels of significant dimensions (for example, 14x4.5 m).

Last update: 17-02-2019

Alternative options: floor on logs (wooden supports) and dry floor screed. The advantage of these methods is that you do not have to waste precious time waiting for the floor to dry.

Instructions for making concrete screed

Material for concrete screed

• coarse leveler- if the surface difference in height is more than 5 cm. after leveling the surface with this material, it will be necessary to equip the finishing screed, the thickness of which should not exceed 1 cm. The quantity is calculated based on the material manufacturer's instructions, which can be found on the package
• bulk coating- it is used if there are small irregularities or cracks on the surface of the subfloor
• beacon profile- is bought based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and is installed at a distance of 1 meter from each other
• primer- it is better to buy a deep penetration composition, it will improve the adhesion of the material to the surface, while preventing cracking and peeling
• gypsum mixture– fixing beacons at a certain height
• waterproofing - used in the bathroom, as well as for seams, so as not to flood the neighbors
• edging tape

Tools

• mixing container
• perforator with mixer attachment
• rule
• level
• roller, for spreading the primer

Prepare the surface before pouring concrete- cover up all cracks and crevices so as not to flood the neighbors.

After that, you can start arranging the screed:

1. Prime the prepared surface.
2. Stick sealing tape on the walls around the entire perimeter of the room.
3. Prepare a gypsum mixture for installing beacons, it is kneaded with a puncher with a mixer nozzle.
4. Using a level, install the beacons at a distance of 1-1.5 meters from each other on the slaps of the plaster.
5. As soon as the gypsum mixture dries, you can start pouring.
6. Mix the solution according to the instructions.
7. Fill the distance between the beacons with the composition and level with the rule.
8. Leave the screed until completely dry.

Dry screed instructions

Materials for dry screed:

1. Dry mix for leveling the floor, fine expanded clay
2. Knauf floor elements
3. self-tapping screws
4. Edge tape
5. Cellophane film 200 microns and adhesive tape
6. Construction adhesive PVA

From tools:

• screwdriver
• rule
• plastic trowel for compaction

Work execution algorithm:

1. Prepare the floor surface.
2. Spread a film over the entire surface with a mandatory overlap of 15 cm on the walls. If the width of the film is not enough for the whole room, then the strips are covered with an overlap of 5 cm and the seam is glued with metallized tape.
3. It is worth noting that stationary beacons in this case cannot be installed, therefore profiles are laid on the surface with the wide side up, at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other (depending on the length of the rule). Installation is carried out by level.
4. Expanded clay is poured, leveled along the profiles and well compacted with a plastic grater.
5. The profiles are pulled out, their installation sites are sprinkled with expanded clay.
6. You can start laying floor elements.
7. The edge of the plates is coated with PVA glue, until they are joined together.
8. After all the plates are laid, the seams must be additionally fastened with self-tapping screws every 25 cm.

Dry screed is ready immediately and you can start arranging the finishing floor covering. You don't have to wait. Detailed from personal experience.

How to calculate the required amount of materials

It is impossible to write any specific figure and say that this is how much is needed for any one-, two-, three-room apartment. It all depends on the footage and the unevenness of the floor.

General calculation principle:

1. find the highest point on the floor
2. measure from this point you need the floor level that will be throughout the apartment
3. find the lowest point of the floor
4. consider the volume to be filled as the product of the height from the bottom point to the length and width
5. add up all the numbers for each room
6. consider how much a bag of mixture or expanded clay fills (written in the instructions)
7. divide the total volume by the volume by the volume that fills the bag of mixture
8. get the right amount of bags

In this case, get materials with a margin, since the floor differences throughout the apartment are unlikely to be the same, somewhere less, and somewhere more. Calculated to the maximum.

As a rule, the remains of building materials in a whole package and with a receipt can be returned to the store without any problems, but just in case, check.

It is better to return the surplus than to understand in the process of work that one bag is not enough.

Wall decoration in the apartment - materials

The main and important stage in the repair of an apartment is the alignment of the walls. There are several ways to make the surface perfectly flat, two of the most common are described below.

Wall plastering and putty

The process is laborious, but it is quite possible to do this work yourself.

• gypsum-based dry plaster
• primer
• putty
• beacon profiles

From the tool you will need:

• spatula
• construction bucket
• perforator with nozzle
• Master OK
• level
• rule

The material is calculated based on the condition of the walls and their curvature, similarly to the calculations of materials for the floor (see above).

The work is done as follows:

1. The surface is being prepared, large cracks and potholes are covered, the plane is primed in 2 layers to improve the adhesion (sticking) of the plaster.
2. Lighthouses are installed at a distance of one and a half meters from each other. The installation starts from the corner, from which 15 cm should be retreated. On the opposite side, a second beacon is installed at the same distance from the corner. A construction cord is pulled between the beacon elements: from above, below and in the middle - this is a guideline for installing the remaining profiles.
3. Once the beacons are installed and the mortar has dried, you can begin to level the walls.
4. Dilute the plaster mixture according to the instructions on the package. Starting from the floor, throw the distance between the beacons with a mixture, while gradually leveling the rule along the beacons.
5. The process continues until the entire surface of the walls is completely covered with a plaster mixture.

At this stage, work stops until the plastered surface is completely dry.

Depending on the finish, the walls may also need to be puttied and sanded, for example, for wallpapering. If you plan to use decorative plaster or stone, then there is no need for this.

Important! When buying materials, it is also worth making a margin of 10%, since the consumption may be more than planned.

Method two - finishing the walls with drywall (gypsum plasterboard)

This method of leveling the walls is much simpler and cleaner, besides, you can immediately make, albeit a small, but soundproofing of the walls. To do this, you will need to lay additional soundproofing material.

The cost will certainly increase, but in return you will get more comfort.

You will need the following materials:

• guide profile - will be installed on the ceiling and floor
• wall profile - used as a crate
• boards GKL 12 mm
• screws and dowel nails
• direct suspension
• serpyanka
• plaster mix
• polymer-based putty
• damping tape - to reduce noise from neighbors through walls

From tool:

• profile puncher
• screwdriver with bits
• spatula
• metal scissors
• level

Once everything is ready, you can start assembling the crate from the profiles.

1. Install the guide profiles on the ceiling and floor according to the level, using dowel nails, the pitch of which will be 25 cm. Do not forget to glue the damping tape from the side where they will adhere to the walls, floor and ceiling.
2. Then the installation of wall elements begins, which are inserted into the guide profile and screwed with small self-tapping screws. Step between profiles 60 cm.
3. A wall profile is attached to the suspensions, for better structural rigidity.
4. The next step is to install the jumpers. They are formed from a wall profile, which is cut with scissors for metal. Jumpers are installed at a distance of 50 cm from each other in a checkerboard pattern.
5. As soon as the frame of the profiles is assembled, you can proceed to the sheathing of the sheathing with drywall. Sheathing starts from the far corner in a checkerboard pattern, with the next sheet mixed by 50 cm.
6. Drywall is screwed with self-tapping screws, the pitch of which is: along the seam - 15 cm, along the sheet - 25 cm.
7. As soon as all the walls are covered with gypsum boards, they proceed to the final finishing.
8. First of all, you need to seal the seams: glue them with a sickle and cover them with putty.
9. Then the surface must be covered with primer in two layers and puttied.

As soon as the putty layer dries, it needs to be sanded and you can start gluing wallpaper or other finishing materials.

What ceilings to make in the apartment?

The ceiling surface can be finished in several ways:

• do stretch ceiling
• install plasterboard suspended ceiling
• apply plaster and paint

Let's consider these methods in more detail.

Stretch ceiling

It is done simply. Choose a company and order a job. Installation will be completed within a few hours.

The cost will depend on the type of canvas, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ceiling surface and the number of lighting fixtures.

It’s not worth saving a lot of money, there is a risk of running into cheap materials or installers violating safety precautions (the most harmless thing is that you will have bad smell, the worst option is the explosion of the cylinder during installation).

Of the advantages of stretch ceilings can be noted:

• a kind of protection from the bay of the apartment by the neighbors from above
• mounting speed
• looks neat and nice

Cons:

• To make normal sound insulation, you must first mount the plasterboard, which leads to an increase in the cost of work and an underestimation of the ceiling.

GKL ceiling

To build a false ceiling with your own hands, you will need to purchase material:

• guide profiles
• rack elements
• straight suspension
• gypsum boards
• crabs - profile connectors
• fasteners - self-tapping screws and dowel nails
• serpyanka
• putty
• primer-impregnation
• dye

Installation begins with marking the surface. Then the guide profiles are installed. Once the guides are installed, proceed to install the main elements.

After assembling the crate, drywall is mounted on the ceiling and a fine finish is carried out:

1. Close up the seams between the plates.
2. Apply soil.
3. Putty the surface, clean it.
4. Apply paint.

From the pros:

• You can make additional soundproofing from the neighbors from above.

Cons:

• The work can take several days or even weeks.
• Cost of work.
• If you are flooded from above, then everything will have to be redone.

Plastering and painting the ceiling

Nowadays, it is used very rarely, since the work is very laborious and dirty. If a decision is made to apply plaster to the ceiling surface, then it is better to hire a professional team of finishers.

You can save money and do everything yourself, but it will take time and effort to do it, and you are unlikely to get any advantages.

What ceiling is better to make in the apartment?

There is no single answer to this question, it all depends on the apartment.

The options are:

1. If the neighbors do not interfere (for example, you have the last floor), then make a stretch ceiling.
2. If the neighbors are noisy, then make the ceiling of the plasterboard with soundproofing. If so far they are not making noise, this does not mean that tomorrow the owners will not change.
3. If the ceilings are high, then make plasterboard with soundproofing and use stretch ceilings instead of finishing. The price won't be much more expensive.

Important! Do not make a plasterboard ceiling with ledges, even if it looks beautiful. Dust will constantly accumulate there, which will sooner or later adversely affect health.

Electrician in the apartment

In a new building, the wiring needs to be checked and where it needs to be redone. In old houses, aluminum wiring is definitely changed to copper.

You will need the following:

• three-core VVG cable with a cross section of 3x2.5 mm² for sockets, for lighting - 3x1.5 mm²; for installation of high power electrical appliances - 3x6 mm²
• RCD and diff. automatic (protection of people), voltage control relay (protection of electrical appliances)
• automatic switch 10 A for lighting fixtures, 16 A for sockets, 32 A for a stove
• sockets and switches
• junction boxes and connecting terminals

Advice!

It is better to buy all wires with a margin in length, as in distribution. boxes need to leave extra wire for repairs in the future.

Trust only professionals. Ask what, how and why is done. Be sure to control the work done, as your safety depends on it.

4 rules for doing electrical work with your own hands

The machine should turn off before the wiring starts to heat up.

For example, the wiring is designed for 16 A and there is an automatic machine for 25 A. You turn on the kettle, iron and microwave at the same time. The machine does not turn off, the wiring is heated. Sooner or later, this can lead to a fire. In this case, you need to put the machine on 16 A and not turn on many powerful household appliances at the same time in one network.

Equip two networks in each room - one for light, the other for sockets. If possible, then for the boiler and refrigerator also make a separate network.

Wiring must be carried out strictly along horizontal and vertical straight lines. Using this rule, you will remember where the cable runs in a year.

All connections are well insulated, no twists (soldering is also not desirable). If an electrician connects the wires by twisting them together, then feel free to kick him out. Soldering, although a reliable connection, leads to a complication and an increase in the cost of repairs.

Bathroom renovation (bathroom and toilet)

Repair in the bathroom is a separate topic of conversation, since the amount of work is quite large. Some you can do yourself, and for some it is better to invite a plumber.

For wall decoration, you can use several options:

• laying ceramic tiles
• wall cladding with MDF or PVC panels
• painting

What materials are required for each type of finish?

Finishing with ceramic tiles:

• cement-based plaster mix
• tile adhesive
• beacon profile
• grout for tiles
• priming
• crosses, for the formation of smooth seams
• ceramic tile

Before laying, the walls should be plastered along the beacons, this will reduce the consumption of tile adhesive and thereby save you money. This type of finish is quite expensive and laborious, but durable.

It's better to save money on something else and tile right away than to redo it later.

Panel mounting:

• moisture resistant MDF or PVC panels;
• profile guide and wall;
• straight hangers;
• fasteners.

Any owner without a certain experience can perform this type of decoration. The order of work is as follows:

• assemble a frame from profiles
• install panels
• equip the plinth

Painting the walls in the bathroom and toilet:

• plaster mix
• putty
• water-based waterproof paint
• priming

Before you paint the walls in the bathroom, you need to plaster the surfaces, putty and clean. The most budget option, but will often require repairs.

Important! All materials used in the bathroom must have a good degree of moisture resistance. It is also desirable to treat all surfaces with antiseptic compounds.

Glazing of a loggia/balcony

To carry out this type of work, it is better to contact a company that manufactures and installs plastic window structures. The specialist will take measurements and in a short time the team will produce glazing.

Depending on the design of the balcony, loggia, there may be different options for which glazing to choose:

1. If you have an old Khrushchev building and a concrete slab of a balcony resting on the word of honor, then there is no point in spending money. The maximum will be to make sliding aluminum windows.
2. If you have a new building with a large loggia, then you should think about its insulation. To do this, you will have to install good double-glazed windows.

Glazing a balcony or loggia is not a task of paramount importance, if the family budget is limited, then these works can be postponed.

An article about. It will also be useful for glazing loggias and balconies.

Conclusion

Renovation of an apartment is a very troublesome business., labor-intensive and requires investment. You can read for an example - medium, budget, no frills.

Some work can be done independently, but time-consuming work or requiring special tools should be entrusted to specialists.

One thing can be said for sure, definitely necessary, preferably with an estimate.

If in this article you do not have enough information, then write in the comments. I also recommend reading

Construction technologies are constantly improving. New discoveries differ in terms of use, but the developers pursue a common goal: to make the construction process easier, and life in new-style buildings more comfortable and modern. Let's look at the most interesting know-how of 2017.

salt blocks

The author of the idea was the architect from the Netherlands, Eric Jobers. The building material looks unusual, but very impressive. Salt is extracted from water using solar energy. Natural starch obtained from algae is used to hold the particles together. In fact, non-waste production. Such blocks can be used even in countries with arid climates. The mixture is also suitable for the design of flexible arched structures. To protect against external factors, the blocks are coated with an epoxy-based composition. It remains to be seen whether the novelty will be widely adopted.

Plates Isoplat

Invented in Estonia by Skano Fibreboard specialists. This is a natural heat-insulating material made from the fibers of coniferous trees. They are pre-soaked in boiling water, pressed and cut into sheets of different thicknesses. To give moisture resistance, the plates are treated with paraffin. Isoplat has high vapor permeability and sound insulation, protects from wind, retains heat. Due to the fibrous structure, the plates are fireproof, resistant to pests and protozoa (mold, fungi). The elements are connected to each other in a tenon-groove type, suitable for insulating the roof, flooring and frame. Width varies from 60 to 120 cm, thickness - from 12 to 50 mm.

Lego blocks EverBlock

Outwardly, they really look like elements of a popular children's designer. Perhaps they were inspired by an engineer from the USA, Arnon Rosan. The blocks are made of foam concrete and are connected according to the tongue-and-groove type without the use of adhesives. Only needs to be processed vertical seams. The water permeability of the material is less than 3%. For the construction of two-story or more buildings, the Lego block is reinforced through technological holes. The most common block size is 25x25x50 cm.

Light blocking glass facade

Facades made of transparent glass easily let the sun's rays through, increasing the temperature in the rooms. The development of scientists from the Frankfurt Institute allows you to adjust the light transmission of glasses. Theoretically, the facade consists of many round segments. Each of them contains a fabric disk with titanium-nickel alloy wires - they have shape memory and respond to temperature environment. If the room temperature drops, the material curls up, returning transparency to the glass; when the temperature rises, it darkens the glass.

"Live tile"

A liquid tile that reacts to steps or touches by changing the pattern. The surface is made of tempered glass. She can finish not only floor coverings, but also walls, countertops. It well absorbs sounds, suppresses vibration. You can walk on such a tile almost silently. Of the shortcomings - instability to high loads, fear of sharp objects (chips may remain). But this tile looks great.

Conductive concrete Shotcrete

The brainchild of a team of scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Conductive concrete that absorbs and reflects electromagnetic waves different origin. The standard concrete filler was replaced by magnetite, a mineral of natural origin with excellent ferromagnetic properties. There are also metal and carbon components. Initially, the material was designed for runway hair, but can also be used in residential areas. Can be applied by spraying.

thermal wallpaper

Their trick is that when the air temperature in the room changes, the pattern on the canvas also changes. The invention of a designer from China reacts to a change in the thermal regime. Under the influence of heat, buds appear on the wall, and then flowers bloom. The inventor applies special thermal ink to the surface. Wallpapers react both to the sun's rays and to touch, but they are afraid of moisture, they cannot be washed.

Flexible wood WoodSkin

An amazingly flexible material that can be molded into any abstract shape. Consists of sandwich tiles. Polymer mesh, composite nylon composition and plywood are used. The novelty is produced in rolls and sheets. The form is given with the help of special three-dimensional machines, connecting small elements together. Sheet thickness can vary from 4 to 30 millimeters.

Sheep wool insulation

A novelty, which since November 2017 is also available in Russia. Environmentally friendly fiber isolates noise well, does not burn, and is suitable for warming any premises. Oregon Shepherd currently produces two types of insulation - Batt and Loft. Insulation is also good because it absorbs harmful substances emitted by furniture, synthetic finishing materials and other interior elements.

Plaster that regulates moisture

Condensation is a problem familiar to many. Developers from the Swiss company STO AG presented an innovative material. The plaster effectively absorbs excess water vapor from the air (about 90 g per 1 sq.m.). The thickness of the applied layer is up to 2 centimeters. There is no condensation, no mold and fungi, but there is a smooth, environmentally friendly coating.

Naturally, the developers are not going to stop there and new interesting discoveries await us ahead. Maybe they will change your life for the better!