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How to glue linoleum with five different ways

Joining linoleum has always been one of the most problematic stages of installing this type of coating. At the moment, perhaps the most popular method of joining panels is the so-called cold welding method, but it is far from the only one. In this article I will try to explain in detail how to glue linoleum using cold welding, and also talk about other effective ways Do-it-yourself linoleum joints.

Existing methods of joining materials

It would be wrong to label and categorically state that there are good and bad docking methods. Since these methods exist, it means that they are in demand in some niche. Since linoleum joints can be glued together in different ways, the main thing here is to correctly determine which method is suitable in a particular case.

Method No. 1 - landing with double-sided tape

Let us say right away that this method is fast, very easy to implement, but not very reliable and not durable. After all, adhesive tape, even the highest quality, was originally developed for temporary, lightly loaded connections.

Double-sided tape is a good thing, but it has one flaw: such tape will not adhere tightly to a porous surface. Therefore, before installation, any base, be it cement strainer, tree or concrete slab, it is necessary to treat it with strengthening primer.

A felt-based covering cannot be properly joined using double-sided tape.

When the soil has dried, you need to remove the protective tape from below and glue the tape itself to the base. After this, with one hand you pull off the top protective tape, and with the other hand you simultaneously press the edges of the joined sheets. Upon completion of this procedure, it is advisable to roll the joint well with a hard roller. That's actually all the wisdom.

In fact, this method has only two main and only advantages. This low price and simplicity. Otherwise, I personally can recommend it as a temporary option lasting a maximum of a year. Then you will have to glue it as expected or change the coating.

Method No. 2 - overhead sill

The range of plastic and metal sills, although not particularly large, is usually possible to choose from.

As for complexity, the instructions for installing such thresholds with your own hands are not far removed from double-sided tape.

• Each such threshold has ready-made holes for fixing with self-tapping screws. First, you need to cut the strip to size and, placing it at the junction of the two panels, mark the entry points of the screws;
• After this, take an electric drill and use a six-millimeter drill to make a series of holes according to the markings. Plastic dowels are immediately inserted into these holes;
• Now all you have to do is attach the bar and secure it with self-tapping screws.

Everything would seem beautiful, but the problem is that the threshold is overhead, naturally it will stand out strongly on the floor surface. Since it is not necessary to glue the linoleum here, in fact, you just press it well, this method is perfect as an interior transition in the area of ​​the doorway. Or to connect two different coatings, for example, tiles and linoleum.

Method No. 3 - mastic

This method can safely be considered the patriarch of this direction. Mastic is a type of adhesive. In those days when the range of linoleum was, to put it mildly, small, all coatings of this type were glued to the base using mastic. The method is quite reliable, but if everything is done as expected, it will not be possible to dismantle such a canvas without tearing it.

Nowadays, quite often people prefer to use mastic only to join two canvases. Many craftsmen believe that gluing linoleum over the entire area is only relevant for industrial and public premises with high loads, and on this I agree with them. At home, there is no point in completely fixing the canvas; it won’t go anywhere anyway.

This method is somewhat reminiscent of gluing with double-sided tape. In the same way, before gluing the joints of linoleum, the base will need to be primed, and the edges of the canvases will need to be degreased with any alcohol-containing solution. Just don’t try to degrease it with acetone or any solvents, because some models of linoleum can simply be corroded by these compounds.

After this, in the area of ​​the joint, mastic is spread on the base with a spatula, and the edges of the canvases are pressed; for reliability, you can also roll the joint with a hard roller. Only mastic is not adhesive tape; it will dry for about a day. And until it completely hardens, the edges of the linoleum should be pressed tightly. Usually a board is placed at the joint and a weight is placed on it.

Method No. 4 hot welding

Hot welding is a thorough and very reliable method, but it is not suitable for everyone. Only linoleum can be joined in this way. high density, which is most often used for arranging floors in industrial enterprises and in administrative buildings. Models intended for the residential sector are too thin and “loose”; at this temperature they simply melt.

But anything can happen in life, and perhaps in your case this will be what you need. I warn you right away that compared to other methods, hot welding is the most expensive.

To work, you will have to get a special hot air gun. In appearance, it looks like a regular soldering iron, only it is heated using hot air. In principle, the price for it is high, but the instrument is specific and highly specialized, so it is better to rent it.

Hot welding can only be performed if the coating is glued over the entire area of ​​contact with the floor.
First, the canvas “sits” on the mastic, and after it has firmly set, you can begin to weld the seams.

• Hot welding is similar to classical welding methods. The solder here is a special polymer cord. It is inserted into the nozzle of a hot air gun and, as it melts, fills the seam between the two sheets;
• First you will need to widen this seam. Some craftsmen prefer to simply join two edges with a small gap of 2 - 3 mm; theoretically, this can be done, but this is not entirely true. It is better to first join the two sheets without a gap, and then cut a V-shaped groove along the seam. Professionals use a special cutter for this, but at the amateur level a good sharp knife will do; I use an oblique shoe knife;
• The cross-section of the cord should be a couple of millimeters larger than the groove between the blades. It goes without saying that there should be no debris in the groove, and the edges of the linoleum should be degreased;

• Naturally, each soldering iron has instructions, plus there should also be an annotation on the packaging of the polymer cord. But if for some reason you do not have this information, then keep in mind that the average melting temperature of the polymer ranges from 300 to 500ºC;
• When the cord is inserted and the instrument is dialed desired temperature, the tip is brought close to the gap between the sheets and, as it is filled, the hot air gun moves along the seam. I simply place the tip on the groove and move the soldering iron;

It is better to solder the canvases first from one wall to the middle, and then in the same way, from opposite wall to the middle.
The joints are joined with an overlap of about 30 mm.

• The joint must be filled completely, so that the liquid polymer protrudes above the joint. If the cord doesn't melt well, add a little heat. After finishing welding, leave the joint alone so that the polymer hardens;
• Now you will need to take an arched knife and carefully cut off the excess that is protruding. Just don’t try to “put things in order” while the polymer is still liquid, the fact is that it tends to shrink and if you rush, you will have a groove in place of the seam. The best time is when the composition has already set, but is still warm.

There is one more nuance in hot welding technology. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to achieve an invisible seam. The welding will be clearly visible, this is often used creative personalities, creating original panels from linoleum.

To be completely honest, hot welding is only as easy as you read about it. When it comes to direct welding, without experience, you will have to tinker a lot. Therefore, it makes sense to think about hiring a specialist.

Cold welding or the most popular method No. 5

Without the experience to qualitatively and, at the same time, imperceptibly weld a linoleum seam at home with your own hands, the easiest way to join it is by cold welding.

To explain in a nutshell, this is pure form gluing surfaces. Only instead of regular glue, special compounds are used. They are selected depending on the type of linoleum and the specific connection conditions.

Types of adhesive composition

Since you won’t be able to properly glue linoleum with anything, you will need to choose one of three options.

After all, if the package says “Cold welding”, this does not mean at all that this the composition is suitable exactly for you.

• “Cold welding” type “A” is most often used. This composition has a fairly liquid consistency, thanks to which it easily penetrates into the pores of soft linoleum. Typically, such linoleum is used for residential premises; some also call it foam, although this is not true. If you are going to glue a new canvas, then this is exactly your option;
• The composition marked “C” will already be much thicker. This consistency allows gluing surfaces with a gap of up to 3 - 4 mm. Theoretically, it can also be used for gluing new coatings, but type “C” was developed more for repairing torn sheets and gluing open cracks. This connection method is somewhat reminiscent of hot welding with a hot air gun, only instead of a soldering iron and a polymer cord, a wide linoleum seam is filled with a jelly-like substance;

• Cold welding type “T” is not suitable for amateurs at all. It is used in a narrow niche PVC coatings based on polyester. Working with such a composition requires serious practical skills; in addition, it is quite toxic and it is dangerous to work with it without training.

Cold welding technique

The question of how to properly glue linoleum using cold welding, due to its particular popularity, deserves a more detailed consideration. As I already mentioned, the type “A” is most often used here. Any packaging of this type is equipped with a kind of adapter with a thin needle, through which it is convenient to introduce the composition between tightly connected sheets.

You don't need too many tools. What you need, you will need to buy a roll of masking or regular stationery wide tape and a sharp knife, just don’t take a stationery knife, it is too weak to cut linoleum. To ensure an even cut, you can take a metal ruler or any even metal strip. I use a long building level; in addition to being level, this tool also does not bend.

When you lay the flooring in your home, first cover the room with linoleum in the position in which it should lie and leave it there for a week. During this time, it will adapt and all you have to do is glue the seams, evenly trim the excess fabric around the perimeter and press it along. Believe me, it won’t go anywhere and will stay there for as long as you like.

This method of installation allows you to do without gluing the canvas over the entire plane, which is not only cheaper and simpler, but here you can also easily remove the canvas and use it for other purposes. For example, if you decide to change the coating, then old linoleum It won’t be difficult to turn it up and take it to the dacha.

The base, that is, the floor, no matter what it is made of, must be clean and perfectly flat.
From my own experience, I’ll tell you, don’t expect that thick linoleum will hide cracks and uneven floors.
When the canvas settles, all existing defects will appear on it.

In order to ensure a tight, imperceptible seam without the slightest gaps, the two canvases are overlapped. If matching the pattern is not required, then an overlap of 3–4 cm is sufficient, in other words, the width of the tape. When dealing with a pattern, decide for yourself, but after cutting, the pattern on adjacent surfaces should completely match.

Cold welding glue is an aggressive thing; a carelessly falling drop can easily ruin the surface of the linoleum. In order to protect ourselves from such incidents, we will use tape.

At the beginning and in the middle of the future connecting seam, a tape of adhesive tape is glued along the bottom sheet. After this, in the same place the same tape is glued to the top sheet.

Now place a metal ruler in the middle of the tape and press it tightly, after which you cut this entire cake all the way to the floor with a knife. By removing the trimmings from the bottom and top, you will get a dense, smooth connection, both sides of which will be protected with tape.

Next, you will need to take a tube of cold welding, immerse the thin needle of the adapter deep into the seam and fill it so that the composition protrudes slightly from above (the needle is immersed approximately to the middle of the thickness of the fabric). You need to squeeze out simultaneously with the movement of the tube along the seam.

Any glue that comes out from above does not need to be wiped off immediately. The edges of our canvases are protected with tape, so you should wait until the composition is completely dry, and then, by pulling off the tape, you will get a clean seam. If there is any small excess left, you just need to carefully cut it off. If everything is done correctly, the seam can only be found by touch.

Linoleum repair

In the case when you do not plan to change the coating, but there are unpleasant cracks on it, you can repair them using cold welding grade “C”. The main thing here is to carefully fill only the crack itself with the compound, because accidentally smeared glue can make it even worse than it was.

Before gluing torn linoleum or cracks in the canvas, the defect site will need to be thoroughly cleaned and degreased. After this, tape is applied directly to the tear site. Now take a blade and cut out this very crack along the edge in the tape. Such a " surgery"when everything around is sealed, and access is only to the break point.

Next, you will need to carefully fill the crack with glue and wait until it dries. At the end, the tape is removed, and the protruding patches of glue are carefully trimmed with a knife. Theoretically, any tape can be used, but in this case I prefer to work with transparent stationery tape. The crack is clearly visible through it, making it much easier to cut out.

If we are talking about a fresh rupture of the canvas, for example, due to careless movement of furniture, then while the edges of the canvas have not yet become severely deformed, it makes sense to glue with cold welding type “A”. Much the same way you would glue new surfaces together.

In this case, I stick tape, make a cut along the contour of the tear, fill the seam with glue, and cover everything on top with a rag or paper napkins and place a weight. Excess glue is absorbed into the rag, the next day, the tape, along with whatever is stuck to it, simply comes off, you only need to lightly clean the seam with a blade and that’s it.

Linoleum is rightfully considered the most popular flooring. The impressive variety of colors and sizes, practicality and quite affordable cost of this material make it indispensable for finishing private apartments and public spaces. You don’t have to be a specialist to install the coating at home. It’s enough just to do the work carefully and know how to glue linoleum so that the joints are strong and invisible. The use of hot or cold welding will ensure a reliable and beautiful connection between the material sheets.

When is it necessary to glue linoleum?

Linoleum is a finishing material made from natural or polymer fibers. Laying such a floor covering will not be difficult if you only know how to glue linoleum end-to-end at home.

The fact is that this finishing material comes on sale in the form of rolls 2 or 5 meters wide. There are no other options. If the room in which renovation is planned has small area and you can in one piece cover the entire floor, no difficulties arise.

But much more often the rooms do not have the correct shape or the width of the room is more than 5 meters. In such cases, you have to cut out and lay several pieces of linoleum, which then need to be securely and discreetly fastened together. If this work is carried out poorly, water will penetrate into the joints, dirt will become clogged, and after a while the edges of the canvases will bend and twist.

It is necessary to glue linoleum in doorways and when replacing a damaged piece with new material. If the floor covering has a pronounced pattern or the designers decided to decorate the floors with colorful appliqué, it is also impossible to do without gluing the joints.

How can you connect linoleum at the joints?

To connect two or more pieces of linoleum into one, you can use the following methods.

• Pasting double-sided tape. This option is more suitable for creating a temporary coupling, and its main advantage is the speed of the work. The resulting seam will soon come apart and debris and dust will get into it.
• Installation of aluminum or plastic threshold. Good way for creating quality connection, however, it is appropriate to use it only in doorways.
• Hot welding. Bonding parts of linoleum by hot welding is used when laying industrial flooring in public areas. This method requires professional equipment and skills, so it is not suitable for connecting household coatings at home.
• Cold welding. To connect the canvases and create a sealed seam, a special glue called cold welding is used.

In everyday life, the latter method of gluing linoleum is mainly used.

Hot welding method

Hot welding is most often used when laying industrial linoleum, which differs from household finishing material thickness, strength, wear resistance. Such flooring is laid in schools and hospitals, offices and production premises, that is, where there is intense mechanical impact on the floors.

To get a high-quality and aesthetic seam, before gluing the linoleum together, you need to glue the PVC coating to the floor. Sealing of joints can begin no earlier than one day after gluing.

Hot welding is almost never used for gluing ordinary linoleum. The fact is that the usual coating has a small thickness and does not withstand the temperatures that are used for joining by heating. In addition, to carry out hot welding, you must have professional equipment and certain skills.

To carry out joining by hot welding, you need following materials and accessories:

• special gun-hairdryer;
• cord made of linoleum;
• sharp knife or flat chisel.

To create a strong and reliable seam, you need to perform the following steps.

1. Along the entire length of the joint (the sheets should be laid with a minimum gap and tightly glued to the base), a groove is cut with a chisel into which the cord will later be placed.
2. The docking area is cleaned of dust using a vacuum cleaner.
3. A linoleum cord is threaded into the holder of a welding gun, which is plugged into the network. The connecting cord can be purchased together with the floor covering.
4. Under the influence of air heated to 400°C, the edges of the linoleum along with the cord melt and join. The result is a durable and almost invisible seam.
5. The part of the cord that rises above the joint can be cut off sharp knife.

At first glance, the hot welding procedure seems very simple, but in reality it is not so. By doing similar work professional skills are required, in addition, high-temperature welding poses a danger to the life and health of an inexperienced repairman.

Features of cold welding

To glue the coating at home, reactive adhesive compositions are used, which are otherwise called “cold welding”. They contain polyurethane and epoxy resin, have a very pungent odor and are highly flammable.

The reaction glue comes into chemical reaction with polyvinyl chloride, from which the floor covering is made. The edges of the joints soften and dissolve into each other, resulting in a thin but strong seam that resembles real welding in appearance. This adhesive is especially important when laying a coating on a foam base, since hot welding is not recommended for such materials.

Cold welding is sold in tubes equipped with a special needle attachment, with the help of which the adhesive substance enters the most hard to reach places and allows you to firmly glue the joints of linoleum.

Cold welding has many advantages.

• Any novice craftsman can handle the work of laying flooring using cold welding, since the method does not require skills or abilities.
• Ideal not only for laying new linoleum, but also for repairing old coverings.
• No special equipment is required, which significantly reduces the cost of finishing work.
• The seam obtained using cold welding is distinguished by its solidity, accuracy and strength.

Gluing floor covering joints using cold welding does not require physical effort.

Types of glue

There are several types of adhesive used for cold welding. The choice of suitable adhesive depends on the composition and type of finishing material, as well as on the nature of the work being carried out.

• Type A

When laying new linoleum, type A cold welding adhesive is used. Due to the high solvent content, this adhesive has the thinnest consistency compared to other similar compositions, so it is advisable to use it to create seams no more than 2 mm wide. The main advantage of A-type glue is that the resulting seam is almost invisible and at the same time incredibly durable. The adhesive is best suited for hard linoleum with perfectly straight edges.

• Type C

This adhesive composition It has a fairly dense consistency and is used for sealing joints 3–4 mm wide. Type C glue is used to glue the old coverings that have separated from each other. Type C cold welding not only glues the sheets together, but also fills the gap, as if creating an intermediate strip of linoleum.

• Type T

This type of adhesive is used extremely rarely by amateurs. However, professionals use it to join PVC and polyester fabrics.

How to seal linoleum using cold welding?

The technology of joining floor coverings using cold welding is not particularly difficult. The main thing is to carefully follow the instructions and carefully perform the work at each stage. Before gluing linoleum end-to-end at home, you need to prepare type A glue, tape, a knife, and gloves.

Do not allow drops of glue to fall on the surface of the coating.

In order not to stain the linoleum with glue and not to leave a blot that will be very difficult to remove, you must always use a soft cloth. When opening and closing the tube of glue, you need to hold it over this rag, protecting the floor from falling drops. If there is still a drop of glue left on the linoleum, it is better to wait until it is completely dry and remove the dry film with a knife.

Work on gluing joints should be carried out with gloves and open windows, since the glue has a pungent, unpleasant odor.

1. Before sealing the joints, the first thing you should do is prepare them for joining - blot the moisture with a rag, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris accumulated in the cracks.
2. The future junction is protected masking tape. This is necessary in order to protect the edges of the canvases from glue.
3. Using a sharp knife, cut the tape directly above the joint.
4. Place a needle attachment on a tube of glue and squeeze the composition into the gap between the sheets. You need to squeeze out enough glue so that it protrudes 4 mm above the surface of the material.
5. After 15-20 minutes, the tape is removed.
6. The finished floor covering can be used an hour after completion of work.

A perfectly flat floor is extremely rare. There will always be small bumps and dips. If you make one long seam, it will puff up in uneven places. Therefore, experts advise gluing joints in small sections up to 70 cm long. Moreover, a new section should be glued only after the previous one has dried. If you follow this technology, the seam will be smoother and more invisible.

When repairing linoleum, a thicker Type C adhesive is used, so it is not necessary to apply tape. Otherwise, the process of joining the canvases completely repeats the activities described above.

Sealing linoleum at joints at home is not particularly difficult. The cold welding method will create a tight, durable and aesthetic seam, and this will not require special equipment or professional skills. The main thing is to choose the right glue and carry out the work carefully, without deviating from the instructions.

Attractive appearance, ease of maintenance, durability, and low cost make felt linoleum a popular floor covering. Laying the material is simple when using a single piece of fabric. If several are used for flooring components, there is a need to process the seams. In this case, cold welding for linoleum comes to the rescue, allowing you to create durable, invisible joint.

To create a quality flooring you need good experience, knowledge technological foundations, competent approach to business, accuracy. When laying linoleum, hiccups often occur, non-standard situations where the right decision is required. In particular, when joining different pieces of coating, visible discrepancies may appear. Cold welding adhesive for linoleum helps to hide the seams and create the appearance of a solid canvas. There are two bonding methods - cold and hot. To obtain high-quality joints, you need to take into account the type of product and use it in accordance with the rules and recommendations.

There are several ways to combine sheets

Hot welding

High-temperature connection of parts of the coating occurs using special tools - a machine and a cord for welding linoleum. This type of work is painstaking and is carried out only by experienced professionals. Hot welding of linoleum is widely used to create flooring in public spaces where the floor is subject to heavy mechanical load. This method provides strong adhesion, but differs high cost.

This one is quite expensive and costly

Cold welding

Another method of processing seams that does not use heat, is widely used in everyday life. This welding of linoleum involves joining the sheets with a specially designed glue. The binder composition is a solvent that can temporarily transform the material into a liquefied state. The edges are then joined and the solvent evaporates, leaving behind a neat, high-strength joint.

The glue is easy to use

The end result of a cold connection is in no way inferior in quality to the coating treated with temperature. In this case, there is no need to buy an expensive machine for welding linoleum. For this reason it is recommended to use cold method, in which it is possible to obtain an intricate seam, even if its shape and configuration are complex.

How much does cold welding for linoleum cost? The price of the composition varies from 150 to 550 rubles. The main disadvantage of cold bonding is the content of volatile compounds in the glue that are harmful to human health. When processing seams, the room must be well ventilated.

Be sure to ventilate the room

The coating is combined with several types of compounds. Let's consider which cold welding is better for linoleum? Binders differ in consistency, level of toxicity, and can be recommended for a particular type of fabric. Individual parts of the coating are welded:

• A-glue, intended for fastening the edges of “freshly laid” pieces of material;
• C-glue, used if the material has already been left in the room;
• T-glue, which is less widespread due to increased toxicity and difficulty in operation.

There are several types of mixture

Cold welding adhesive type A

This type of composition is the most common and is used for cold bonding. soft material. The composition is intended to join the edges of a new coating that has not been used before. Type A glue has a liquid consistency. Because of this, the seam turns out thin, invisible to the naked eye. If the work is carried out with high quality, the material adheres tightly to the base, the presence of a seam is detected only by touch.

This one is applied to a new canvas

This liquid welding for linoleum is well suited for bonding floors with miniature patterns and intricate patterns. Careful selection of the contour allows you to create an invisible connection. The floor covering takes on an impeccable appearance. Cold gluing requires smooth edges. Good if you need to lay it down new linoleum, cut straight at the factory. If cutting is done manually, the edge of the canvas may turn out to be sloppy. For uneven edges, it is better to use thicker glue C.

Adhesive type C

Type C binder composition is characterized by increased viscosity and a thicker consistency compared to the previous product. This glue contains less solvent, more PVC. The composition is used if the previously laid canvas has separated, forming gaps up to 4 mm. Glue C, poured into the seam, fills the void and gives a strong connection after drying.

Suitable for fabrics with uneven edges

Such cold welding for felt-based linoleum allows you to restore the integrity of the coating and eliminate defects that arose during the operation of the floor. The product is also suitable for laying fabric with uneven edges. Cold welding is performed without the use of tape, because the thick composition does not spread. The probability of accidental melting of the material is zero.

Type T

Cold welding of linoleum seams using T glue is less common due to the complexity of its application. Proper Use funds are possible if there is a thorough vocational training. Creating a high-quality seam requires special skills. Glue T is characterized by increased toxicity and is used to fasten segments of polyvinyl chloride linoleum based on polyester.

Toxic and difficult to use

To create a reliable connection, in addition to the linoleum welding kit, work must be carried out in a certain sequence. Following the instructions helps to achieve excellent results, makes the seam neat, almost invisible. Before using cold welding, you must carefully prepare the joint. The edges of the coating are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, excess moisture is deleted. Creating a high-quality joint is only possible on a dry surface.

Seam formation

Cold joining the edges of a felt covering begins with laying the material and carefully cutting the edge. The thickness of the seam should be minimal, which allows you to make an invisible joint. To align the edges, you need to lay the linoleum overlapping. Then a preliminary line is drawn with a pencil. Next, the material is cut with a sharp knife. This method of edge alignment allows you to align the edges as much as possible and avoid the formation of gaps.

The main thing is to make very even seams

Then you need to fix both parts of the coating on rough floor. The material is not prone to deformation, so the fastening does not have to be thorough. Double-sided tape is suitable for fixation. Adhesive tape laid from below so that the coating is fixed to the base. In addition, you need to protect adjacent areas of the material with tape. Otherwise, glue may get in there, which can ruin the appearance of the coating.

Applying glue

How to glue linoleum using cold welding? The binding liquid is applied inside the seam so as not to touch the outside of the material. The composition should not get into places not intended for connection. You should have a swab or napkin on hand that can be used to remove glue if it accidentally gets on the floor surface.

Glue should not get past

There is no need to process one or another section of the seam for a long time. It is enough to simply move the tube along the joint, gradually injecting the composition inside. In this case, you need to control the movement of the needle through which the glue is supplied. The distribution of the composition should not be too economical. The adhesive can protrude up to 4 mm above the floor surface.

The applied composition dries in 2 hours. During this time, the binding liquid may emerge and harden, thereby creating unevenness. At the end of the work, you should remove the masking tape and remove any exposed glue. It is important to do this after the joint has dried to avoid damage. In addition, a dry connection is much easier to clean.

Before cold welding linoleum, you need to consider the following:

• Thoroughly cleaning the seam before joining increases the likelihood of creating a high-quality joint. This is especially important when repairing a coating that has already been used;
• The glue contains a toxic solvent that is harmful to the skin. For this reason, work must be carried out in a well-ventilated area, protected with gloves and a respirator;
• When applying glue, the sharp tip must be pressed into the seam, adjusting the amount of liquid squeezed out. The excess that appears on the surface is cut off after the compound has completely dried.

There are many subtleties of work

The process of cold joining a felt covering is better and easier if you take into account some useful tips:

• When buying linoleum, you need to take into account that in order to gluing and leveling the canvas you will need an overlap of approximately 6 cm between the sheets. This is required to create the most even edge possible, ensuring a high-quality joint;
• Distribution of glue from the tube should be done through a needle tip. This device fills the gap between the edges as much as possible and avoids erroneous application of the composition;
• If adhesive liquid accidentally gets on the coating, do not immediately try to wipe it off. You need to wait until the glue has completely dried, then remove the hardened composition with a stationery knife.

Remove remaining glue from seams

Cold welded coating connection - affordable and effective method fastening linoleum, which does not require a special set of tools or cord. In this way, you can glue both new and used flooring. Following the instructions and taking into account the nuances of the work leads to the creation of a high-quality connection.

Aesthetic appeal and good performance characteristics, variety of design and color solutions, safety and durability of use distinguish linoleum in separate group modern floor coverings, and the ideal ratio High Quality And affordable price makes its use almost universal.

Methods for joining linoleum

Being a universal floor covering, linoleum is successfully used in residential and office premises, warehouses and industrial areas. To perform high-quality linoleum flooring, the contractor must have extensive experience and knowledge of the basics of installation technology, a professional approach and accuracy. When arranging a floor with linoleum, non-standard situations may arise that require prompt action, and most importantly, right decisions. So, for example, during the work process, quite noticeable gaps can form at the joints of the canvases, which can only be hidden and made into a single piece by using hot or cold welding for linoleum. To get a quality seam you must follow certain rules and recommendations.

The main methods of welding linoleum with your own hands are 2 methods:

• hot way
• cold way

each of which has its own undeniable advantages. At the same time, we note right away that the simplest and least labor-intensive method, which does not require special skills, is cold welding of linoleum with glue, while hot welding is a very painstaking job, which can only be completed by an experienced professional using special tools.

Hot welding

Hot welding is applicable for sealing seams of commercial linoleum in those rooms where there is a significant intensity of mechanical impacts on the floor surface, for example, in public buildings. This coating is characterized by increased strength and high cost, which means it will require professional skills and special tool- welding heater (soldering iron) and filler rods of round or triangular profile, made of plasticized polyvinyl chloride. Note that high-quality welding is possible only after gluing the coating to the floor surface, so the best time to perform welding activities is the next day after gluing.

The technology for welding linoleum is as follows:

Before starting work, edges are pre-cut on adjacent panels specifically to the shape of the rod, thereby forming V-shaped grooves. A welding heater is used to generate hot air streams. Moving through heating elements, the temperature of the compressed air rises and reaches 300-400 °C in the area of ​​the tip. During the welding process, the torch, and along with it the filler rod, is passed along the joint. The flow of hot air softens the surface of the linoleum and the two sheets are reliably welded under the action of the pressure roller. After the seam has cooled slightly, use an arcuate knife or flat chisel The part of the fused cord protruding above the coating is carefully cut off and the seam is sanded until a smooth surface is obtained.

If you don’t have a welding torch at hand, then you can use a regular soldering iron, which can probably be found on a workbench. However, the result may be disappointing - you will not be able to get a uniform, beautiful seam along the entire length of the coating. Therefore, if you need a high-quality, perfectly even seam and you do not have special equipment, then it is better to use cold welding.

Cold welding

So, what does the expression “cold welding for linoleum” mean - a combination of seemingly two opposite concepts? The answer lies in the technology of connecting two canvases - a special glue, being a solvent, turns the edges of the material into a liquid state in a short period of time. The canvases are connected, and after the solvent evaporates, an aesthetic connection of increased strength is formed. The technological process of cold welding completely eliminates the treatment of linoleum with hot air.

The end result - a strong and even connection - is in no way inferior in quality to the result of a connection based on temperature melting, and there is no need to purchase an expensive soldering iron. Therefore, to connect household covering sheets, as well as to obtain an intricate or complex (in shape and configuration) seam, experts recommend using the method of cold welding of linoleum, the price of which is affordable for any category of buyers. The main disadvantage of the method is that the adhesive contains volatile solvents that are harmful to human health. Therefore, by doing cold welding, provide fresh air movement in the room.

Cold welding of linoleum with glue: varieties

Depending on the glue used, cold welding can be of two types:

• cold welding with A-glue,
• cold welding with C-glue.

Have you purchased linoleum and, having barely had time to lay it out, want to combine several of its parts into a single piece? Then use the first type (A), designed specifically for welding seams of “freshly laid” coating. But if your floor covering has had time to sit in the apartment for some time, and you begin to notice slightly loose seams, then it is better to use the second method (C). The main difference between glue A and glue C is consistency, in other words thickness.

C-glue is much thicker, since its task is to connect the separated joints of two canvases, and this is several millimeters. By pouring glue C between the covering sheets, you fill the empty space, which, after drying, forms an extremely strong bond. Cold welding can be done without tape, since the thick glue will not spread, which means that the likelihood of unwanted melting of the coating is zero.

How to glue linoleum using cold welding with A-glue?

A-glue “works” in a completely different way: new parts of linoleum tightly laid on top of each other must be bonded. The glue actually melts the edges of the coating, forming a solid and perfectly smooth panel. Unique properties glue ensures a high-quality and durable weld on the floor covering, especially if it is securely glued to the subfloor.

Technological features of cold welding

Creating a Weld

If the flooring has been purchased but not yet laid, then the primary task will be to trim the sheets to obtain a minimal seam. To do this, overlap two parts of linoleum (at least 5 cm). The cut line will be located in the middle of the overlap. Using a pencil and a ruler, markings are applied, along which the material is subsequently cut with a special wallpaper knife. The edges obtained in this way will fit perfectly together.

Reliability and durability weld, and linoleum in general, are determined by the strength of the fastening and the immobility of its edges. It should be remembered that glued linoleum does not deform during operation, it is not afraid of wet cleaning in the room and even rearranging pieces of furniture. The covering can be glued to the floor using glue or double-sided tape.

If your room has an area of ​​more than 20 sq.m., then gluing the covering is a mandatory stage in the design of the floor space.

Cleaning the future seam

Since the glue contains harmful volatile solvents, gloves become a must. welding process. Using a vacuum cleaner, thoroughly clean the joint from particles of dust and dirt. If water gets into the seam, wipe it dry.

Since cold welding, coming into direct contact with the front surface of the floor covering, can make it less attractive and ruin general impression about the interior, then you should think about protecting the edges of the linoleum panels, especially if the linoleum has a glossy surface. To avoid unpleasant surprises in the form of damaged, melted coating, you need to use wide, single-sided masking tape. It can be glued in two strips to each panel along the edge, or one strip can be glued to the future weld. Then carefully cut the tape at the connection area, avoiding possible damage to the coating.

The photo shows soft linoleum, for welding which two strips of masking tape are used.

Cold welding application

To perform cold welding, you must carefully cut the tape over the joint of the panels, and when applying the adhesive composition, you should take into account the presence of a “needle” on the tip of the tube, along which the glue will flow. Therefore, to avoid excess glue getting onto the surface of the coating, keep a cotton swab ready. Slowly apply glue to the joint between the panels being fastened. To do this, just run the tube along the seam, evenly dosing the composition along the entire length of the surface to be treated. While working, maintain the height of the glue strip at 4 mm and monitor the movement of the needle strictly along the cut.

There are two ways to apply glue:

The first method is to apply glue to two canvases at once, as in our example. The glue that gets into the seam interacts with the coating and polymerizes.

The second method is to apply glue to only one panel, which is processed separately and then attached to the floor surface. Next, the adhesive composition is applied to the second canvas. They are laid as tightly as possible next to the first one and carefully leveled, thereby ensuring high-quality joining of the glued pieces.

The method you choose is determined by the convenience, consistency of the glue, current state flooring and other factors.

After the glue has dried (1-2 hours), you can safely walk on the floor.

Removing excess glue

After the glue has dried, you can remove the masking tape.

When performing cold welding, some of the adhesive may come out. There is no need to rush to remove excess during the welding process, since the adhesive may peel off from the coating, and this can lead to a decrease in the quality of the weld. In addition, there is a possibility that, using dirty tools, the wet layer of glue will become dirty. And finally, the last argument is that dried glue is easier to cut off.

Note! Fresh cold welding is a little springy, and at the moment of tension when cutting, a depression may appear, so it is recommended to remove excess in two passes.

As you can see, cold welding of linoleum is a simple job that absolutely anyone can successfully handle!

You can learn how to cold weld linoleum at a high quality level and in a short time from the video on YouTube.

Linoleum is the most unpretentious, undemanding and cheap option floor covering. Moreover, it can be laid in rooms with high humidity levels, for example, in the kitchen. This is very often decisive when choosing it. And after the purchase, very important questions arise: is it worth gluing linoleum to the base and how to glue the linoleum so that it forms a single sheet? In this article, we will find out in what cases it is necessary to glue linoleum to the floor and how to do it, and we will also figure out how to make the joints invisible.

“Cold welding” for gluing linoleum - and the joint is almost invisible

Why is it necessary to glue linoleum

When laying linoleum, you want it to look like a whole monolithic layer on the floor, and there are no visible joints. Today, it is not difficult to purchase foreign-made material, which is produced in rolls up to 4 m wide. This size will be quite enough so that in domestically built premises it will occupy the entire area. In this case, there is no need to glue the joints: you can choose linoleum exactly to the size of the room.

Domestic manufacturers produce linoleum 1.5 m wide. When purchasing it, you cannot do without carefully adjusting the canvases and gluing the joints.

Gluing linoleum to the base will create a more durable monolithic coating

Of course, you can lay linoleum without gluing it to the base. But the so-called loosely laid linoleum has a number of disadvantages.

Firstly, during use, potholes and swelling from the legs of the chairs will appear.

Secondly, when moving furniture, a wave will “go”, the linoleum will swell, and it will be difficult to straighten it without removing all the heavy furniture from the room.

Thirdly, the distance between the joints of the canvases may increase over time, they will “spread apart”.

Fourthly, un-glued linoleum is easier to damage with a sharp cutting object.

Gluing linoleum to the base will avoid these problems and create a monolithic coating. Even if you purchased a canvas that is wide enough to cover the entire room, you should still use glue. This will extend the life of the flooring by 40-50%.

There are several types of linoleum glue, different in composition and purpose. When choosing which glue to glue linoleum with, it is necessary to take into account the type and material of linoleum.

Dispersion adhesives

Dispersion adhesive is used for gluing linoleum to the base

Dispersion adhesives are aqueous suspensions and solutions of acrylic or carboxymethylcellulose with various additives. Such adhesives are non-toxic and practically odorless. Disadvantages include susceptibility to moisture and low temperatures. For example, dispersion adhesive that is frozen during transportation or storage loses its properties.

Acrylate glue used for laying heterogeneous and homogeneous linoleum in rooms with moderate and high traffic.

Bustilat used for gluing linoleums with felt base. It contains carboxymethylcellulose, latex and chalk.

Gumilax Suitable for laying natural linoleum. It is based on latex and rubber.

Conductive glue used in rooms with a lot of electronic equipment. In this case, it is necessary to lay an antistatic coating.

Bitumen mastics fix linoleum on a fabric base.

Dispersion adhesives are used for gluing linoleum to the base. To do this, apply a layer of 0.5-0.6 mm thick to the floor using a notched trowel, after which the coating sheets are laid. Depending on the type, the consumption of linoleum glue ranges from 200 g/m2 to 500 g/m2. The exact quantity will be indicated on the package.

Adhesive for cold welding of linoleum

The second name of this type of adhesive is reactionary. It is dictated by the properties of the glue itself. It enters into a chemical reaction with the linoleum base, practically melting it, turning the joints into a durable, rigid intermediate strip. This effect is also called diffusion: the glue connects the linoleum sheets together, dissolving their edges into each other.

Reaction adhesive is ideal when used to install commercial linoleum.

This glue is complex chemical compound, which is based on polyurethane and epoxy resin. It has a very pungent odor and is also explosive and flammable.

Reaction adhesive is called "cold weld" because it is used as an adhesive for linoleum joints. Gluing two canvases together is very similar to “welding”.

There are several types of glue, each of which is used for laying linoleum of a certain type and age and at different stages of work.

Cold welding A-type adhesive is used for gluing joints of new linoleum

It has the most liquid consistency of all. Can only be used for gluing joints of new, just laid linoleum. To do this, the canvases are tightly glued to the base, the pattern is combined and the joint is coated with type-A cold welding. As a result, the seam will be transparent and durable; it can only be detected by touch. By the way, linoleum should be commercial or household, but hard.

“C-type Cold Welding” adhesive is used for gluing joints with large gaps

It has a thick consistency. Used for gluing “loose” joints of old linoleum. As a rule, the distance between the old linoleum sheets is quite large. This glue not only glues the joints together, but also creates, as it were, a strip of linoleum between them. C-type cold welding is used for gluing gaps 3-4 mm wide.

T-type cold welding

Used for gluing PVC linoleum to a polyester base.

First of all, it should be noted that when using joint adhesive, be sure to wear gloves on your hands. It’s better to also protect your respiratory tract, since the glue has a strong odor and is very toxic.

Important! It is undesirable to allow glue to get on the surface of the linoleum. It will not be possible to completely remove the blot. Even if you follow the advice of experts, wait until the glue dries and pick it off with a sharp knife, a noticeable mark will still remain on the surface. To prevent this from happening, it is convenient to use a rag or rags. When opening, carrying, using a tube of glue, always hold it over a rag, in which case drops of glue will fall on it. Then the rag must be immediately thrown away in a place where it cannot stick to the linoleum.

Cold welding technology is quite simple:

• We clean the gap that we will glue from dust and moisture.
• Place single-sided tape along the entire length of the joints.

Apply tape to the joints and cut along the gap

• Before applying the glue, carefully cut the tape at the joint.
• Squeeze glue from the tube into the gap.

We squeeze A-type cold welding into the gap between the linoleum sheets

• After 10-20 minutes, the tape can be removed.
• After an hour you can walk on the floor.

Important! The shorter the seam, the stronger and more invisible the connection. Taking into account the fact that it is practically impossible to make the floor perfectly flat, there is always the possibility of differences in heights and bulges on the floor. If you glue linoleum along its entire length at once, at the site of the defect it will begin to bristle and bulge. This can be prevented by gluing the joints in 50-70 cm sections, each time waiting for the glue to dry. In this case, the seam will be smooth and invisible.

Glued linoleum will last much longer than loosely laid linoleum and will not budge or bulge. And joints glued with cold welding will simply be invisible. Try to follow the technology and follow the instructions on the glue package.

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