6 types of linoleum floor primers and a rating of the best brands, how to apply

The simplicity of the linoleum flooring technique misleads inexperienced repairers. They have the impression that synthetic flooring can be laid on the floor without prior preparation of the substrate. In order for the finishing layer to serve for a long time without imprints of subfloor defects, it is necessary to apply a primer under the linoleum for the floor.

Linoleum primer: varieties and features

Linoleum is a popular covering material for flooring.

Advantages of building materials:

• simple style technology;
• a large selection of colors;
• strength;
• sustainability;
• easy to clean;
• low price.

Before laying linoleum, it is recommended to treat the subfloor with a primer mixture. A surface primer is required after using self-leveling mixtures containing gypsum. Without creating a strong protective film under the finish layer, dust will enter the room as a result of mechanical impact on the floor under the linoleum.

It is imperative that wood floors are primed to strengthen the base, ensure good adhesion to the glue and prevent rot and mold growth.

Floor primers are divided into water-soluble and organic, as well as by the effect on the treated surface: strengthening the base or increasing adhesion with the adhesive.

Water-based primer is used on all surfaces in the room, including floors.

Advantages of an aqueous emulsion:

• nontoxic;
• cheap;
• technological;
• suitable for all types of surfaces.

Disadvantage for concrete floors: low thickness of the primer layer.

The organic primer has the best penetration. It is used on loose concrete substrates.

Benefits :

• strengthen the surface layer of the base;
• improved adhesion of adhesives;
• dedusting and dehydration of the surface.

Defaults:

• high price;
• requirements to strictly observe the technology of applying the composition.

The classification of soils depends on the type of film-forming component.

Acrylic

Water emulsion is used for the treatment of concrete, wood, cement-sand floors.

Benefits :

• affordable price;
• ease of use;
• the ability to change the concentration of the solution by adding water;
• dries quickly;
• nontoxic.

The disadvantage is the low depth of penetration into the concrete.

alkyd

An alkyd primer for wood floors. Alkyd resin, essential oils, special additives included in its composition allow to level the surface, while creating a strong protective film. Disadvantages when using - pungent smell, drying time - 8-10 hours or more.

Multi-ground

A versatile finishing material used on all types of surfaces. Has high penetrating power, creates a good adhesive coating, is resistant to low temperatures and high humidity.

polystyrene

Polystyrene primer is used for wooden floors. Toxic. It is used in ventilated areas.

Shellac

Shellac primer is intended for floors made from coniferous trees. The special composition blocks resinous substances, preventing them from seeping to the surface.

Epoxy

Epoxy primer is used on concrete floors, mainly in industrial premises.

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Benefits :

• creates a solid base for finishing;
• can be used in rooms with high humidity;
• does not collapse under the influence of chemicals.

Defaults:

• toxicity of solvents (work in the presence of a fume hood);
• the requirement of special skills during application due to the high drying rate;
• strict adherence to the manufacturer's instructions in the manufacture of the composition.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a primer under linoleum

The need to use a primer for linoleum is explained by the peculiarity of the coating. Linoleum is a soft and flexible covering material. Over time, all the irregularities of the floor will be visible on it. The reason for this is that an unprepared concrete base, under the influence of friction, pressure, temperature drop, partially loses its strength. Cracks, chips, potholes, bumps appear, embedded in the linoleum.

The primer creates a solid and even layer on the concrete, preventing its destruction, the ingress of dust into the room and moisture under the linoleum.

Another positive property of the primer is the insulation of the concrete floor from linoleum. Concrete contains micropores through which condensate can penetrate from lower layers of concrete to the upper layer.This creates an environment conducive to the development of mold, since an air gap remains between the concrete base and the linoleum.

The primed surface does not absorb moisture. Therefore, when laying linoleum on glue, the consumption of adhesive will be reduced. Applying the adhesive to the subfloor without a primer will cause the coating to peel off over time due to absorption of the adhesive into the concrete base.

The priming of the subfloor has negative consequences if gaps appear in the linoleum through which water will penetrate. When stuck between non-wetting surfaces, it will be a source of fungal infection.

Ranking of the best brands

For concrete, cement-sandy bottoms, concrete slabs, the best in terms of value for money are the qualities of the soil:

• Eskaro Aquastop Professional;
• "Optimist G 103";
• Ceresit CT 17.

Eskaro Aquastop Professional is a concentrated solution (1:10). Purpose - leveling and strengthening of the concrete base through deep impregnation of the top layer (from 6 to 10 millimeters).

Benefits :

• dries quickly (2-6 hours at t = 20 gr.);
• economical (applied in 1 coat);
• increases the strength of concrete;
• prevents the formation of dust;
• scentless.

Defaults:

• high price;
• cannot be used at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius.

Optimist G 103 is a deep penetrating acrylic primer.

Benefits:

• high drying speed (0.5-2 hours);
• profitability (maximum consumption - no more than 0.25 liters per square meter);
• affordable price;
• resistance to fungal infections.

The downside is an unpleasant smell.

Ceresit CT 17 is a ready-to-use water-dispersed floor that does not require dilution.

Advantages of the composition:

• impregnation of a concrete base up to 10 millimeters;
• drying in 4-6 hours at t = 20 degrees;
• consumption - from 0.1 to 0.2 liters per square meter.

Disadvantages compared to other mixtures:

• high price;
• poisonous smell.

The Belinka Base alkyd impregnating primer offers the best leveling and the best protection of parquet floors against biodegradation.

Benefits :

• processing depth - 10-15 millimeters;
• protects against all types of tree pests;
• affordable price.

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Defaults:

• drying time - 24 hours;
• poisonous smell.

The choice of transformation agent is determined by the specific working conditions.

Work sequence

The installation of any topcoat requires prior preparation. Laying linoleum is no exception.

Soil consumption and features of the preparation of the solution

The acrylic primer is available ready to use or as a dry mix. The preparation of the primer is carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to mix well using a construction mixer. The finished mixture is also necessarily mixed.

The epoxy primer is prepared in small quantities so that it can be worked out in half an hour. Mixing is carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions using a construction mixer.

Material consumption depends on:

• the type of soil;
• type of subfloor;
• method of application;
• temperature conditions;
• humidity.

The greatest amount of primer will be needed when brushing loose surfaces. Compositions dispersed in water evaporate faster at high temperatures, which increases their consumption. The manufacturer indicates the average consumption rates on the packaging of the floor.

For dense concrete and wooden bases, a water emulsion composition of 100 grams per 1 m is required²... Consumption rate of multi-soils - 320 grams per 1 m²...The floors are treated with an alkyd primer at the rate of 120 grams per 1 m²... Consumption of concrete epoxy impregnation - from 220 to 500 grams per 1 m².

Tools required

To mix dry mixes with water, you will need a container with a volume of 5-8 liters, a construction mixer. Epoxies are prepared in plastic containers using wooden spatulas. For work, use a paint tray.

The finished composition is applied with a brush or roller. Use a scrub brush (for the main area) and a flute brush (to treat the floor near walls and corners). You will also need a flute brush when using a roller. The length of the heap on the roller depends on the type of floor: short - for epoxy, shellac, alkyd; long - for acrylic. The leveling of the base is carried out using a chisel and a spatula (metal and rubber).

If the linoleum is to be laid on a painted or heavily flawed wooden floor, a scraper is needed to remove the paint and level it. If an epoxy primer is used, it should be borne in mind that the brushes and roller can be applied once per job. Each cycle requires a new toolbox.

Ground preparation and leveling

Before applying the primer, the concrete surface is cleaned of debris, dirt and dust: washed with water or vacuumed. Irregularities are leveled: bumps are compressed, depressions are sealed with cement (for a concrete or cement-sand base) or epoxy putty (for an epoxy primer). Oil stains can be removed with a degreaser and brushes.

If the top layer of the concrete or sand-cement screed is loose, then it is removed with a grinder to open the pores of the concrete. Then the floor is dusted again.

Wooden surfaces are trimmed in the same way, after which the sawdust is carefully removed. The gaps between the boards, cleaned of dust and dirt, dried well, are sealed with mastic. After complete drying, these places are sanded with sandpaper.

Traces of old paint can be removed with solvent or cycling. Multi-layer paint is removed using a construction hair dryer. The floor prepared for the primer must be level, clean and dry.

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Priming technique

Applying the primer starts from the wall opposite the front door, so as not to violate the integrity of the treated surface when moving around the room. The primer is applied in an even layer. The joints of the walls and floor are carefully plastered. The primer is applied sequentially in 1-2 layers after the previous one has completely dried. The priming technique for wood and concrete substrates has some differences.

Wooden floor

Start priming the parquet from corners, wall-floor joints and hard-to-reach places using flange brushes. The main area is treated with a roller or brush.

Reclaimed (sanded) wood should be primed no later than 48-72 hours after millwork treatment. Otherwise, the pores of the wood will be coated with resin, which will break the adhesion to the primer. The air temperature in the room should not fall below +5 degrees and rise more than +30 degrees.

When using an alkyd composition, the treatment is repeated after complete drying in the same sequence. The acrylic primer for the first coat is diluted with water to increase fluidity and achieve deep impregnation.The second layer is applied after the first has completely dried, with a thicker composition.

Concrete floors

When using an epoxy primer, the following conditions must be met:

• the air gap temperature at the base should be 3 degrees above the dew point;
• concrete moisture content - up to 4%;
• relative humidity in the room - no more than 80%;
• temperature regime in the room - from 5 to 25 degrees Celsius;
• soil temperature - from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius;
• impregnation is possible no earlier than 28 days after pouring the concrete base.

The prepared primer is used immediately, pouring it on the floor and shading it “criss-cross”, avoiding an uneven distribution on the surface.

Coat drying time

Acrylic primers dry after 30-120 minutes at t=20 degrees.

Alkyd primer dries in 10-15 hours, depending on room temperature and humidity. It is recommended to apply it in 2 coats. The second layer is applied after the complete polymerization of the first. The drying time of the next layer is longer than that of the first.

The drying period of the epoxy primer layer at a temperature of 15-25 degrees is 18-25 hours, but not more than 2 days. At lower temperatures, the polymerization time increases by 1.5-2 times.

Continuation of work

Laying linoleum begins after the primer layers have completely dried. The resulting coating is checked for defects. Epoxy coats are meant to be sanded to remove the lint brush/roller/trowel groove.

Recommendations from the masters

Due to its toxicity, it is recommended to use a polystyrene primer to protect the parquet, where the linoleum will be laid, in open spaces: verandas, terraces.

If priming takes place at temperatures below +5 degrees and relative humidity above 80%, then a primer containing an antiseptic with water-repellent properties should be used.

A test application is recommended for an accurate determination of primer consumption. Limit the plot to an area of ​​​​1 square meter and process with the chosen composition.

The use of an epoxy primer requires compliance with fire safety rules and the use of skin and eye protection.