It is difficult to imagine a less whimsical flooring than linoleum, which can serve for a long time without special care. However, modern repair and construction markets offer so much various options this flooring, that when choosing a floor covering like linoleum for an apartment, you can simply get confused. However, every potential buyer wants to get the maximum comfortable material at an affordable price and good quality.
There are enough qualities, each of which will play a dominant role in the choice for a particular buyer. Most often these are density, color range, pattern, width and some technical characteristics of linoleum. Much also depends on what room you plan to purchase flooring for.
In addition, you should pay attention to the base of the coating. Thermal insulation, sound insulation and the need for installation of the coating itself will depend on its presence and thickness. Some types of linoleum are so well prepared that they do not require any preparation at all.
Content:
Main types of linoleum and areas of their application
Speaking about the types of flooring, it should be noted that its classification can occur depending on its purpose, class, and thickness. Regarding the purpose, everything is very clear - you should buy it depending on the room for which it is needed. Linoleum is divided into three types, namely:
- Domestic
- Commercial
- Semi-commercial
The most common type is household, which is used specifically in residential premises. The degree of its resistance is minimal, since it is intended specifically for human use for non-production purposes.
Second large group linoleum is represented by a commercial type, which is used for industrial enterprises. In fact, this is a special type of coating with increased strength. It washes unnoticed because it has a wide wear layer. Typically used in retail, medical, educational and other institutions where it will be used regularly.
The third most famous group is the semi-commercial type, which is characterized by an average strength class, located between household and commercial. It can be used in rooms where traffic is average or slightly above average. This type of coating is best suited for apartments in rooms such as a kitchen or hallway.
The coating can be divided depending on the type of material manufactured. For example, the most common linoleum is made from natural materials - resin, linseed oil, cork flour and lime. He considers it environmentally friendly, not causing allergies and at the same time not requiring too much care. In addition, types of synthetic linoleum are available, such as PVC, made on different bases, rubber, which tolerates moisture well, colloxylin (without base) and alkyd.
How to choose the right linoleum video
Depending on the structure, it can be divided into homogeneous, heterogeneous, baseless and with a base. The homogeneous type consists of a homogeneous mixture of PVC and dyes. Heterogeneous - contains several layers of PVC, as well as fiberglass. As for the other two species, their names speak for themselves. The baseless type does not have any backing on the reverse side, while the main one may have a special lining that adds thermal insulation properties to the coating.
Classes of linoleum application, digital wear resistance index
The classification of linoleum by wear resistance indicates what mechanical loads the material can withstand during operation. This indicator depends on the thickness of the material.
It is also worth considering the degree of abrasion of the fabric. That is, how quickly the material loses thickness under certain loads. The degree of abrasion is divided into four main groups, namely:
- Group “T” - this includes the most durable types of linoleum, which practically do not wear out. Their maximum abrasion thickness can reach a maximum of 0.08mm.
- Group “P” - this includes very low abrasion models, the abrasion thickness of which can reach up to 0.15 mm.
- Group “M” are models of moderate abrasion, where indicators can reach up to 0.3 mm.
- Group “F” - highly abraded types. Usually this inexpensive models, the abrasion rate of which can reach up to 0.6 mm.
However, please note that wear resistance and abrasion resistance are not the same. For example, canvases from the “T” and “M” groups may have the same characteristics.
When wondering which linoleum to choose for an apartment, experts recommend knowing the classes of their use, as well as the wear resistance designation index, which we will discuss below.
First of all, it is worth noting that our country now uses the European class determination system flooring material- EN 685, which is an index of two numbers.
The first digit represents the type of room and has three options:
- 2 - living quarters, houses, etc.
- 3 - office premises, hospitals, kindergartens, etc.
- 4 - industrial premises, airport, train stations, concert halls, workshops.
The second number characterizes the level of load intensity on the linoleum and includes four options:
- 1 - low intensity.
- 2 - medium intensity.
- 3 - fairly high intensity.
- 4 - extremely high intensity.
Keep in mind that these grades of linoleum wear advisory nature, and do not mean that you cannot buy wear-resistant coating intended for the office. But you need to know that as the class increases by one position, the cost of the material increases accordingly.
What to consider when choosing linoleum for an apartment
Usually, when purchasing a covering for a home, they pay attention to its external drawing, as well as how it will fit with the rest of the interior design. This often applies to linoleum. However, you should not make this choice, forgetting that the material must have, in addition to a beautiful appearance, other qualities that are important for comfortable living.
The endurance class of the flooring is important; therefore, it is necessary to initially know for which specific room the material is required. Let's say the kitchen requires a higher endurance class than the bedroom due to the increased load. Often, class 23 linoleum, which is considered high, is chosen for the kitchen and hallway, while class 21 may be preferred for the bedroom or pantry.
Since every person cares about his health, not in last place is environmental Safety one type of coating or another. Despite the fact that there are many types of linoleum on the modern construction market, it is preferable to give preference to its natural type, since it is considered the most environmentally friendly and, as a result, ideal for children's rooms. However, this type of coating is considered very fragile, breaks when bent, and is also expensive.
It is also worth paying attention directly to the surface of the coating, since on sale you can find linoleum that is either smooth or rough. Some relief at the same time adds a certain zest to the design, allowing, with the right ornamentation, to imitate a parquet flooring. Sometimes manufacturers apply a varnish layer to the coating, which manufacturers use to create additional protection.
The thickness of the flooring affects not only its insulating properties, such as heat retention and limiting the penetration of excess sound. The greater the thickness of the coating, the longer it will not be affected by any deformation. Let’s say that a design that is too thin is not suitable for use in a dining room, since even the leg of a chair will leave a decent mark on it.
Which linoleum is better for the kitchen and hallway: household or semi-commercial
As a rule, there are two rooms in an apartment that are subject to excessive use. This is where a coating with the maximum layer of strength is required. The simplest thing you can do on your own when going to the store is to decide on the color of the future coating, so as not to waste time on this among the wide selection of the hypermarket.
The first thing you should pay attention to when buying quality linoleum for any room is its smell and appearance. High-quality flooring should not have too strong an odor, otherwise it can be hazardous to health. It is desirable that the coating for a kitchen or hallway have at least five layers, the thickness should be approximately 3 mm.
Please note that it is better to choose class 23 or 24 linoleum for the hallway. However, no one can stop you from purchasing classes 31 and 32, which are used to mark coatings for industrial premises. Externally, they differ little, but their wear resistance is increased. Be sure to roll out the roll before use, since its smooth surface and even layer will speak in favor of this particular type.
It is believed that for the hallway it is advisable to give preference to PVC-type linoleum, only it is characterized by increased strength and is also not susceptible to rotting. Since there are often situations with high humidity in the hallway, this feature of this coating is a must.
For the kitchen it is also possible to use PVC covering. However, a simple household option will also work here, provided that it has a foam base. If you have a wider budget, you can give preference to the natural type, which will be more practical and of higher quality. Another advantage is that it can be washed by various means, any contaminants will easily and simply leave its surface.
How to choose linoleum for the bedroom and living room
Purchase floor coverings For different rooms requires the right choice. Moreover, this applies not only to those rooms that are subject to maximum wear and tear, but also to rooms such as the bedroom and living room, where traffic is quite low.
When answering the question of which linoleum is better for a household or semi-commercial apartment, most potential buyers bet on buying an option that is too thick for the bedroom. This is the main mistake, since the thickness is in this case won't make any difference at all. A household look with a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm will be quite sufficient for a bedroom.
The base of the bedroom cover can be foam or polyester. The level of cross-country ability here is minimal, and accordingly, too much thickness of the protective layer is also not required. It is enough for it to have values from 0.15 to 0.2 mm.
Natural material would be a good option for the bedroom, since it does not cause allergies and has antimicrobial properties. In addition, it is distinguished by greater durability than the option made from PVC material. However, be prepared for the fact that the cost is much higher than the synthetic analogue.
The living room's traffic is perhaps a little higher than that of the bedroom. However, you don't need a very thick version here either. Linoleum, the thickness of which is no more than two millimeters, will be sufficient. In this case, the protective layer must be at least 0.15 mm; it can be played by a foam part, which will make the floor softer.
Which linoleum is best for children's rooms?
The highest degree of responsibility when choosing linoleum is required if this material is planned to be purchased for a children's room. It is simply necessary that the material has the safest possible qualities, is not harmful to the child’s body and is not subject to rapid wear and tear. It is worth considering that this room can be considered a room with sufficient traffic and with an increased possibility of mechanical damage.
If you are going to choose linoleum for a children's room, do not forget to ask the seller for a quality certificate, which will indicate its safety for health. The ideal option in this regard would be a natural type coating, which does not contain any negative substances and also has an anti-microbial coating.
For those who find the cost of natural coating too high, it is better to opt for PVC-type linoleum, the protective layer of which will be at least 0.3 mm. It is advisable to give preference to a foam base, which in turn will add a certain amount of thermal insulation, which is important for children’s games on the floor.
Modern manufacturers of flooring materials offer their customers quite interesting colors of coatings that will perfectly harmonize with common interior children's room. Instead of boring colors like parquet or laminate, you can opt for more interesting patterns.
Tarkett linoleum production video
When wondering which linoleum to choose, household or semi-commercial, you should take into account many parameters. In particular, the main point is for which room you plan to purchase flooring.
Almost everyone who is faced with arranging their own home needs to know how to choose quality linoleum for an apartment. Here you should be especially careful, because for each specific room you need to select a floor covering of a certain quality.
In addition to its versatility, linoleum also attracts with its bright design and low cost. This coating has other advantages:
- convenience and ease of installation;
- soft and springy base;
- does not crack.
Of course, in order for the material to last as long as possible, you need to know how to choose it correctly.
The first step is to understand what types of coatings are produced. For example, there is:
- polyvinyl chloride material;
- glyphthalic;
- colloxin;
- relin.
It is clear that each of the above materials has its own distinctive characteristics.
In order to accurately understand which linoleum is best for an apartment, any buyer should focus on the following criteria when choosing:
- clarify the purpose of the coating;
- what kind of load can it withstand, for example, will it be possible to install a table, bed, set, sofa or other piece of furniture;
- does it have sufficient antistatic properties, as well as heat-insulating and noise-absorbing properties;
- Does it fit with the main design of the home?
Some experts say that it is best to buy natural products. But I would like to refute this opinion; today there are quite good synthetic materials that have good characteristics and are suitable for both a private house or apartment, and for office premises. But in order to more accurately understand which coating should be preferred, you need to familiarize yourself with more detailed information about how they differ from each other.
What are the advantages of natural linoleum?
First of all, it is worth saying that the composition of natural linoleum includes:
- wood flour;
- pine resin;
- natural dyes;
- limestone powder;
- jute fabric.
Linoleum is a popular material that can also be used for living room flooring.
Due to the fact that this material contains exclusively natural components, it is quite logical that such linoleum can be laid both in the bedroom and in the office hallway. True, the only thing worth paying attention to is that for each specific room you need to select a coating with a certain thickness and density. Natural linoleum is suitable for premises intended for living and working of people who suffer from various allergic diseases or asthma.
But besides the fact that the canvas contains only natural materials, it also has other positive properties:
- quite resistant to abrasion;
- environmentally friendly product;
- does not fade in the sun;
- its structure does not change;
- has good antibacterial properties;
- does not ignite, even if a spark hits the floor;
- it is quite easy to care for;
- has a very original design.
In order to accurately understand which linoleum to choose for an apartment, you should also understand what negative aspects a particular coating has. For example, if we talk about natural materials, they have the following negative qualities:
- very fragile, it is forbidden to bend it too much;
- It is undesirable to use in rooms with high humidity;
- the cost is higher than that of synthetic linoleum.
Linoleum flooring is the right hygienic solution for the bathroom
It is necessary to take into account both the pros and cons so that the choice of linoleum for the floor of the apartment is correct.
How to choose a synthetic material?
If we talk about synthetics, then we also need to take into account that each separate type the material has its own characteristics. For example, polyvinyl chloride is made on two different bases– fabric and non-woven. The coating can be either two-layer or single-layer. Has the following advantages:
- low thermal conductivity;
- environmentally friendly;
- does not rot;
- has a very interesting and original design;
- has very good dielectric properties.
But, as with the previous material, it has its drawbacks. The material has the following disadvantages:
- very sensitive to too high temperatures;
- It has low level resistance to various chemical solvents;
- If the air temperature drops sharply, the coating will begin to lose its elasticity.
Durable linoleum covering - practical solution for mini gym
It is clear that anyone synthetic material divided by household linoleum, commercial and semi-commercial. Therefore, in order to understand which linoleum is best to choose for an apartment, you need to know not only what material it is made from, but also what parameters it has. For example, residential coating is much thinner than commercial coating. Accordingly, it is cheaper and has a shorter service life - approximately 3 to 5 years.
If we talk about glypthal coating, then a special production process should be noted. It is made by applying alkyd resin to a special fabric base. The advantages of such material are quite clear, they are:
- very good sound insulation;
- good thermal insulation properties.
But here are some of the disadvantages that should be noted:
- high level of fragility;
- difficulty in the installation process.
Many buyers are interested in the question of how to properly lay linoleum in an apartment. If we talk about glyptal coating, then before laying the linoleum should stand in a warm room. This will help avoid possible deformation.
As mentioned above, when choosing linoleum it is very important to consider in which room it will be located.
Linoleum imitating parquet - ideal design solution for living room
For example, the well-known colloxin coating has a nitrocellulose base. Therefore it has very good moisture resistance. It is most often installed in the bathroom or kitchen. It also has good fire-fighting properties and is original exterior design, decorative shine, which such linoleum emits, allows it to be used in almost any interior.
Natural polyvinyl chloride is the most popular look linoleum now
Relin is best laid in public places, and in areas where people are not present for a long time. This is due to the fact that it contains materials that have a negative effect on the human body. Although over time they almost completely disappear. In addition, this two-layer coating has very good moisture-resistant properties and can withstand heavy loads.
But if we talk about how to choose linoleum for an apartment, then it would be more correct to pay attention to the markings and various classifications, which are very important. For example, the first digit in the marking indicates the type of room for which the coating is suitable:
- a room with the lowest level of human traffic;
- rooms where people live;
- the room in which it is located a large number of people (offices, shops, administrative buildings);
- industrial premises.
The second digit indicates the immediate load class. Accordingly, 1 is the lowest level, and 4 is the highest.
You need to understand that twenty-first class coverage is suitable for a bedroom or office. In the hallway or kitchen - 23rd and 24th grade. Well, the highest class is 33. Most often, buyers choose class 31 linoleum. It has the most loyal characteristics and has a fairly reasonable price.
What is better for the kitchen, hallway and hallway?
If we talk about how to choose good linoleum for an apartment, it is important to consider where exactly this coating will be located. For example, if we are talking about a vestibule, kitchen or hallway, then you need to pay attention to traffic. Its thickness must be at least 3 mm. It is clear that in the kitchen it is best to lay household linoleum, which is made on a polyvinyl chloride base. Of course, it is best to use a fairly high-quality semi-commercial coating. But it just has a very high cost compared to household coating.
Linoleum is perfect combination prices and quality, ease of care
Of course, you should pay attention to the external design of linoleum. In the living room the level of traffic is slightly less, so a 1.5 mm thick coating can be used here. It is entirely permissible to lay household coverings in this room. This can be a product made of PVC or polyester. For the bedroom, you can choose an even thinner coating - from 1.2 to 1.5 mm; it is better to give preference to products made from polyester.
And, of course, before you make a purchase, you need to know exactly how to choose linoleum for your apartment, based on the requirements of the interior of the room.
How to make the right choice?
The basic recommendations that will help you do this have already been described above. right choice. But you should understand how to choose linoleum for an apartment, based on existing requirements. To remember all this, you need to summarize all the recommendations. It looks like this:
- First of all, you should trust your taste and smell. It must be remembered that really high-quality linoleum does not have a pronounced odor. You should also pay attention to the fact that it does not have a greasy sheen, so the pattern on it is very distinct.
- The width of the coating must completely match the size of the room. At the same time, you also need to take into account that the drawing must correctly match the dimensions of the room. Therefore, linoleum is often purchased with a reserve.
- It is best to buy coverage in a store where good heating, not on the market.
- It is also important to check whether the product complies with all established rules security. To do this, pay attention to the markings and other data that are indicated on the material itself.
- Before purchasing, you should roll out the linoleum to be sure that the film on the top layer does not peel off. If, for example, there are bumps or other irregularities, then this indicates poor quality of the material.
- Some store employees may fold the roll in half, but this is prohibited.
- Of course, the coating must have a special protective layer.
- If there is such an opportunity, then it is better to “try on” - look at samples of linoleum in the room where it will be laid.
It is clear that any buyer strives to purchase high-quality and durable coating which will last as long as possible. To do this, of course, you should take into account in which specific room the linoleum will be laid and what characteristics it should have.
I like
When choosing flooring for your home, you need to approach this issue quite seriously. After all, it carries not only an aesthetic component, but is also a restraining element for loads.
Not all areas in the apartment are subject to the same impacts. The most trafficked areas, and therefore those that have the greatest load on the floor, are the corridor and the kitchen. The living room is a special room in which we not only spend our leisure time, but also receive guests. Therefore, the flooring in it should be not only practical, but also beautiful.
Varieties
For many years, linoleum has been the undoubted leader among floor coverings. It is suitable for any room, you just need to make the right choice. The hall is no exception.
Here are the main points you should pay attention to when choosing linoleum flooring for your living room.
There are several variations of linoleum types:
- household: wear resistance class – 21-23, protective layer thickness – 0.3 mm, withstands light loads;
- semi-commercial: wear resistance class – 31-32, protective layer thickness – 0.5 mm, withstands moderate loads;
- commercial: wear resistance class – 33, protective layer thickness – 0.6 mm, withstands fairly large and long-term loads.
For the living room, household linoleum will be sufficient, since the traffic of this room is small.
Great importance has material. There are products to choose from: polyvinyl chloride, rubber, natural, colloxylin, glyphthalic.
For the hall, choose PVC covering with jute or felt base. Professionals claim that such material the best way Suitable for living room.
There are several types of it:
- homogeneous: has 1 layer with lime impurities and quartz sand. It is elastic and quite easy to shape. But due to its small thickness it quickly becomes unusable. In addition, all the unevenness of the floor is visible through it;
- heterogeneous: consists of several layers, each of which performs its own function: protective, shock-absorbing, decorative.
Choose the second PVC covering option for the hall. It will hide floor defects, provide thermal insulation, and will last for quite a long time.
How to choose?
To choose high-quality flooring for your room, follow some recommendations:
- During the cold season, it is better to purchase linoleum in a store rather than on the market, since it tends to deform under the influence of low temperatures. In addition, it is more convenient to inspect the canvas for defects in the store.
- To find out what size the product you are purchasing should be, measure the area of your room and leave allowances of a few centimeters on all sides.
- Pay attention to the smell. A quality product should not emit a “fragrance”. This is unacceptable for a recreation area.
- This type of linoleum, such as marmoleum, cannot be ignored. It is made from natural materials and has two positive qualities: odorless and antibacterial effect. And this is very important if there are children in your house, because the living room often becomes their play area.
- A product with an anti-slip layer is ideal for a living room if it does not have carpeting.
One thing should also be taken into account. If you choose linoleum not for an apartment, but for sports, concerts, assembly hall, then the selection criteria here are slightly different. The main thing we have to rely on is that all of the above classrooms have a high degree of traffic, that is, they are subject to large mechanical loads: walking, rearranging furniture, and the impact of heels. Therefore, the linoleum covering for these halls must, first of all, be durable.
For this purpose, choose at least a semi-commercial type, and preferably a commercial one, with anti-slip properties.
Color spectrum
After the choice on the structure of linoleum has been made, the most pleasant thing remains - deciding on the color. There are also some rules here.
If your living room is spacious enough, any colors will suit the floor: light, dark, bright. Moreover, dark shades will be more practical to use. If the living room is small in size, choose linoleum flooring light colors. They will visually expand the space and relieve the oppressive atmosphere.
It must be remembered that the floor, like any other part of the room, must be combined with the interior.
If your living room is designed in classic style, for it use linoleum in warm, discreet tones. For modern styles bolder solutions in the form of bright colors. And minimalism is favorably emphasized by floor coverings in black and white.
The floor can become the focal point in your room. If the interior items are made in a calm, discreet style, and there is no carpet, liven up the room with beautiful linoleum with an ornament or a large pattern.
Properly chosen, they can visually stretch or expand the space, if necessary.
If your floor is nevertheless decorated with a carpet, then the linoleum covering should be laid in a monochromatic and discreet manner so that it creates a background and favorably emphasizes the pattern of the carpet. It is also recommended to observe modesty in color if all components of the interior have rich, catchy tones.
Modern household linoleum is very different from the coating that was produced at the end of the last century and the beginning of the two thousandth. Now it's safe material with high technical and performance qualities, which is not inferior to more expensive floor coverings.
The variety of assortment is both surprising and involuntarily confusing. In the budget segment alone there are more than three types of material with a dozen various characteristics. Let's look in more detail at which linoleum is best for an apartment.
Requirements for household flooring
The choice of facing materials is carried out taking into account a number of criteria
A typical one-room and multi-room apartment consists of several types of premises: for sleeping, leisure, personal hygiene, household needs, moving and storing items.
In each room, the load on the floor covering is different and depends on the degree of traffic, the amount of furniture and the conditions that are created during the life of the residents. This is worth remembering and taking into account when choosing linoleum for each room separately.
In general cases, the requirements for linoleum are as follows:
- safety – the coating must be environmentally friendly, not emit harmful substances, and not be a breeding ground harmful bacteria and prevent their spread;
- wear resistance is a basic requirement that applies to any cladding. The material must be durable, not scratched, and able to withstand abrasive loads;
- strength - heavy furniture and accidentally dropped objects should not cause severe damage to the front layer;
- ease of maintenance - the floor surface should provide the possibility of carrying out wet cleaning using detergents. Absorption of moisture and increased slipperiness are excluded;
- ease of installation - the material should enable the buyer to prepare the old surface and lay linoleum with his own hands (after reading the instructions).
Compliance with these points guarantees, especially in the case of linoleum, that the floor covering will not cause significant harm to human health. This is especially important for families with infants and small children.
Which type of linoleum is better?
PVC linoleum universal coating for use in apartments and houses
There are several classifications and varieties of linoleum. We will consider the classification of only household varieties, since industrial options not intended for use in an apartment.
The simplest and most correct from the point of view of understanding is the division of the material depending on its scope. This sorting allows you to understand which linoleum is better, which coating is suitable for a particular room, and which one is better to refuse.
Among the linoleums that are best laid in an apartment are:
- natural – linoleum based on natural raw materials: recycled wood, cork flour, pine resins, flax oil, lime, natural dyes. The coating is completely environmentally friendly and safe. It has a long service life, high strength, good wear resistance and an aesthetically pleasing appearance;
- household - artificial turf based on polyvinyl chloride, chemical stabilizers and fillers. Has average technical qualities, designed for 7-10 years careful use. It has low thermal conductivity, resistance to moisture and aggressive substances. Total thickness – 1-2 mm, thickness of the protective layer – 0.15-2 mm, wear resistance class 21-23;
- semi-commercial - the coating is almost completely similar to the household variety of linoleum. The total thickness is 2-3.5 mm, the thickness of the protective layer is 0.3-0.5 mm, wear resistance class 31-34. Service life in residential premises is at least 12 years;
- commercial - produced in various variations, but for an apartment it is better to lay a PVC-based covering. It is an improved version of semi-commercial linoleum. That is, the material has even more impressive characteristics. In everyday life it can last up to 15 years or more. The total thickness is 2-4 mm, the thickness of the protective layer is 0.7-0.8 mm, wear resistance class 41-43.
Combining different types allows you to more accurately select the flooring, focusing on the specific purpose of the room. This also saves money, since it makes no sense to lay a more wear-resistant coating where its qualities will not be used.
Technical characteristics and qualities
The main technical characteristics that will help you understand which linoleum is best for your home are the wear resistance class, the thickness of the protective layer, moisture resistance, and toxicity. In addition, you can consider materials on additional safety qualities: class fire danger, flame spread, flammability.
Wear resistance class is the first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a material
According to European standard EN685 wear resistance marked digital code, which is printed on the pictogram next to the schematic drawing. An example of a pictogram is shown in the photo above.
The first number in the code means:
- 2 – living space;
- 3 – office and commercial premises;
- 4 – production premises.
The scope of application of linoleum does not always indicate that it is in this area that the coating needs to be laid. Many manufacturers have commercial-type cladding, which they themselves recommend for use in rooms with high loads.
The second number indicates the degree of load that the product can withstand. Designated similarly from 1 (low) to 4 (very high).
The thickness of the protective layer is the second important indicator, which is better to consider when choosing. Protective layer determines the strength of the material and its resistance to abrasion.
Gradation of thickness of the front layer:
- up to 0.2 mm – for low-traffic areas intended for storage;
- 0.2 mm – low-traffic areas for sleeping and leisure;
- 0.3 mm – residential premises with average traffic;
- 0.5 mm and above – for rooms with high traffic and load.
To identify other characteristics, they are assigned a corresponding alphanumeric code. Toxicity is indicated by a capital letter “T” and a number from 1-4. The lower the number, the less ability of linoleum to evaporate and decompose into harmful chemicals.
Fire hazard class in capital letters “KM” and a number from 0-5. It includes characteristics such as fire spread, flammability, smoke production, etc. Their designation is similar, that is, the lower the number indicated next to the capital letter, the safer the linoleum is.
Remember everything additional characteristics no need, the main thing is to remember this rule. If necessary, you can make a short list of what is worth more detailed consideration.
Covering for bedrooms and children's rooms
In the children's room and bedroom you can use a household type of class 23
In the bedroom and rooms intended exclusively for sleeping and private leisure, the load on the flooring is very low. A person uses the premises strictly for their intended purpose, and the usable area of the room is quite small.
For the bedroom it is better to choose household linoleum class 23 with a thickness of 2 mm. You can choose a coating with a thermal insulation base, which will make the floor warmer and make staying in the room more comfortable.
In a children's room, it is most important that the material is safe. Optimal installation of natural linoleum minimum thickness. If the child is very active, then it is better to choose a household type based on PVC.
For both rooms, a coating from the Tarkett company under the Europe Akron 6 brand is well suited. The total thickness of the material is 3 mm with 0.25 mm of the front layer, which allows you not to worry about the safety of the material even with increased activity of children. The cost of the material starts from 340 rubles/m2.
Covering for the hall and living room
The living room and hall are narrowly focused rooms where a person spends his leisure time and gathers with family and friends. The load level varies greatly and depends on social activity person, number of residents and family members.
In general cases, we can recommend semi-commercial PVC linoleum class 31-32 with a thickness of 2.5-3 mm. Availability thermal insulation base and the anti-slip coating will only be a plus. The use of natural coating is irrational due to its high cost.
For example, it could be Tarkett linoleum from the Moda, Colibri, Iskra collection. This is a moisture-resistant material with a thickness of 3.5 mm with a thickness of the front layer of 0.6 mm.
Covering for the kitchen and hallway
In the kitchen and hallway it is advisable to lay wear-resistant linoleum class 33
Floor cladding in the kitchen, hallway and corridor faces the most unfavorable conditions. In the kitchen there is a risk of exposure to aggressive substances, moisture, falling heavy objects, etc.
There is a high abrasive load in the hallway and corridor. Dust, sand, dirt in the warm season. Moisture, water and snow in autumn and winter. Moreover, these rooms are no different large area, which also affects the rate of abrasion of the cladding.
It is optimal if it is semi-commercial PVC linoleum of class 33 for the kitchen and commercial homogeneous coating of class 34-43 for the hallway.
For example, this could be a cladding from Tarkett IQ Monolit Cmoni. This is a homogeneous linoleum with a thickness of 2 mm and wear resistance class 34-43. Average cost from 900 rub/m2. You can also choose a simpler coating that costs from 600 rubles/m2.
Covering for bathrooms and toilets
The bathroom and toilet are rooms for personal hygiene. There is a risk of water ingress and constant high humidity. Oddly enough, the load in these rooms is high due to the very small area of the room.
It is best to lay moisture-resistant heterogeneous commercial linoleum at a minimal cost. Some manufacturers this material can be purchased from 400-450 rub/m2, since the material has a small width.
The choice of floor coverings nowadays is simply enormous. And when it is necessary to choose a material for the floor, your eyes run wide from the many samples presented in the window of a hardware store. And attempts to evaluate the technical parameters, to understand the pros and cons of this or that option only completely confuse the buyer. He is lost, not knowing how to choose linoleum.
IN last years The construction market has been flooded with new flooring coverings and materials. But despite this, linoleum, which has already become a classic, does not give up its niche. Its cost, compared to other materials, is significantly lower. At the same time, it is practical, lasts a long time, and does not require special care. This led to the great popularity of linoleum.
Why should you choose linoleum?
Linoleum has been well known to everyone since the times of the Soviet Union. And this material has proven itself simply excellent: it is quite durable and difficult to damage (even with such intent), it tolerates moisture well and does not deteriorate, and provides a huge selection of colors. Linoleum is plastic and does not create difficulties for installation.
In order to lay linoleum, no special preparation is required. This task can be done by any man who is not afraid of physical labor.
Characteristics and differences between types of linoleum
The range of linoleum produced is very large. But all materials can be combined into groups (types) based on a common characteristic. Thus, there are several types of linoleum, differing in some characteristics.
Linoleum based on natural ingredients
The base is fabric cord. In most cases, factories use oil (linseed), wood or cork flour, and lime in a certain proportion. The color is set using natural dyes.
Thanks to this composition, this material is absolutely harmless to human health and therefore can be installed in all rooms without exception (even in a children's room). This linoleum will not cause an allergic reaction and will not provoke an asthma attack.
Natural linoleum has quite good characteristics: it is wear-resistant, does not lose or change color throughout its entire service life, does not ignite or burn. It should also be said that it has bactericidal properties. Caring for such linoleum is simple.
But there is one drawback - materials of this type are not recommended for use in rooms with high level humidity.
PVC linoleum
Polyvinyl chloride is a widely versatile material. It is also used for the production of linoleum. PVC materials are good dielectrics, do not conduct heat (have good thermal insulation properties), are safe for health. The material is not afraid of moisture and does not rot, and is easy to install and maintain.
But PVC linoleum tolerates temperature changes extremely painfully (as the temperature drops, the performance properties drop sharply). Contact with alkalis and other aggressive media and substances is prohibited.
by appointment
Commercial - mainly used in offices. It is characterized by increased strength and wear resistance. Lasts a long time (minimum 20 years). High quality is reflected in the cost of linoleum - it is not small.
Semi-commercial - used in both office and residential premises. Serves no more than 7 years. Therefore, it is advisable to use this material as a floor covering in rooms with low traffic.
Household - the thickness of linoleum does not exceed a few millimeters. Scope of application - exclusively residential premises with low traffic. The service life is on average 5 years. Sold in rolls. has the worst set of operational properties.
Other types of linoleum
Glypthal linoleum consists of an alkyd resin applied to durable fabric. This composition greatly complicates the work of laying the material on the floor, but it is worth it: sound insulation and noise insulation improves.
Colloxyline linoleum has a number of important positive properties: the material is elastic, resistant to moisture, and does not ignite when in contact with an open fire.
Relin is a two-layer composite material. The first layer is a mixture of bitumen and crushed rubber. The second layer is rubber, pigment, and a special filler. This linoleum is not afraid of moisture, elastic.
The structure of linoleum layers
The structure of linoleum can be homogeneous or heterogeneous. How to choose linoleum correctly so as not to regret it later? When making a decision, it is necessary to take into account the features, advantages and disadvantages of each type.
The thickness of linoleum of the first group is 1.5-2 millimeters. The design is applied using the so-called through technology, due to which the material has a presentable appearance throughout its entire service life. That is why experienced specialists recommend this class of linoleum for the kitchen and hallway. These rooms have the highest traffic.
The thickness of the class reaches 6 mm. It is composite and consists of a PVC backing, reinforcing fiberglass fabric, a decorative PVC layer with an image printed on it, and a bactericidal outer coating.
You can see mixed type linoleum on sale. The basis of such a flooring material is a homogeneous layer, but at the same time there is a layer of PVC, fiberglass and a protective film.
But which linoleum is better? There is no clear answer to this question. The choice of a specific type of coating is determined by many factors.
How to choose linoleum for an apartment
To make the right choice, taking into account all the subtleties and requirements, you need to know the universal marking. All premises in accordance with international standards can be divided into residential, office and industrial (production). The main criterion by which a room is classified as one type or another is the intensity of the load on the floor surface. The image of the house and the accompanying number 2 indicate that linoleum is intended exclusively for residential premises. Material intended for use in harsh office conditions is marked with the number 3 and the image of a multi-story building. The number 4 and a schematic representation of the factory indicate that the material is intended for use in workshops and other production facilities.
To determine such important characteristic, like abrasion, control samples of linoleum are tested. How to choose a test method? And it should not be chosen. It is strictly regulated by European Union standards and GOST. The essence is as follows: a felt circle of a certain diameter is given rotation, then the circle is brought to the test sample and pressed with the necessary force, after a given time the amount of wear is measured. Based on experimental data, a linoleum sample is assigned one or another degree of abrasion. Beech “T” marks material with a degree of abrasion up to 0.08 millimeters. “P” corresponds to wear of up to 0.15 millimeters. "M" - up to 0.3 millimeters. Finally, “F” - abrasion up to 0.6 millimeters inclusive. It should be noted that sometimes the degree of abrasion is marked with pictograms of people. In this case, the more figures, the higher the degree of wear resistance of the material.
A living room or hall, as a rule, is a medium-traffic area. Therefore, it is recommended to use linoleum with a thickness of 1.5 millimeters in these rooms. Optimal choice- inexpensive household PVC linoleum. It is desirable that the coating is resistant to moisture, does not absorb dirt, and does not lose color as a result of exposure sun rays. It is best for the material to be reinforced with either jute or felt mesh fiber (this will add elasticity, a certain softness, and strengthen nice effect during tactile interaction).
The flooring in the children's room should not contain any harmful substances. It is best to use linoleum made from natural materials. Yes, in this case the coating will last much less, but you should never risk the health of your children.
The kitchen covering consistently experiences significant loads due to high traffic. In addition, there is almost always high humidity in the kitchen; kitchen floors are often washed using quite aggressive detergents. Inlaid linoleum in squares, no more than three millimeters thick, is ideal.
The choice of material for the bedroom will depend on the traffic flow of the room. As a rule, the load on the floor in the bedroom is insignificant. Therefore, in most cases, linoleum of small thickness (from 1.2 millimeters) is suitable.
The hallway is the most visited room in the apartment. Therefore, the floor covering experiences heavy loads. All family members come from the street and step on the linoleum of the hallway with a hard sole, which sometimes has abrasive elements, stones, glass fragments, etc. It is recommended to use a semi-commercial class of linoleum with a thickness of 3 millimeters or more.
Design and style issues
How to choose linoleum for an apartment that has already been installed good repair? If you have good taste and certain ideas about the desired result, then you can rely on your own opinion. However, there are a number of general recommendations, rules and regulations that will help make the room more aesthetically pleasing and stylish:
- cold tones visually make the room more spacious, while warm tones have the completely opposite effect;
- beige color is associated with the warmth of the hearth, with coziness, red color - tension, aggressiveness, blue - puts you in a calm mood, gray color puts you in a working mood;
- the ornament on the floor has a great influence on the perception of space; you can significantly expand a narrow room visually thanks to the use of linoleum with an image parquet board;
- element size decorative tiles on linoleum should be proportional to the size of the room.
Buying linoleum
In specialized stores, the choice of linoleum is so huge that you can, without exaggeration, get confused and purchase, to put it mildly, a material with not the best characteristics.
So how to choose a coating? Based on many years of experience, experts give some advice on choosing linoleum for an apartment. However, these recommendations are also relevant when purchasing flooring material for an office or other premises. Key points to pay attention to:
- If linoleum emits a very harsh sound, bad smell, then most likely it contains harmful substances. This kind of material is not worth taking.
- The surface should not be very shiny, the pattern should be clear, without defects.
- You should definitely ask your sales consultant if he can provide all the necessary certificates confirming the quality and health safety of the products sold.
- Make sure there is external protective coating(it significantly extends the life of the coating).
- Of course, you should carry out, so to speak, a macroanalysis and make sure that there are no significant damages, foreign inclusions, inhomogeneities in composition, etc. on the surface of the linoleum.
- The width of the roll must correspond to the overall width of the room in order to avoid joints that spoil the appearance and introduce dissonance into the interior.
- You should plan in advance how to transport the roll and find a car with suitable cargo compartment dimensions.
- When purchasing material, you should take it with a reserve (you may have to combine the pattern, cover thresholds and hard-to-reach places).
If you pay attention to the above criteria for choosing linoleum, then problems with the purchase, installation and further operation of the floor covering can be avoided.
Under no circumstances should you chase a low price. Usually too low price installed on low-quality linoleum with the goal of getting rid of it as quickly as possible.
Linoleum manufacturers
On the market building materials, in particular on the linoleum market, products are presented as domestic production, and imported (mostly from Europe). We can say with absolute confidence that the domestic manufacturer offers competitive products that are no worse, and in some respects even superior to imported analogues.
The most famous domestic linoleum manufacturer is the Tarkett brand. Of the imported products, the highest quality products are offered by the Hungarian brand Grabo, Forbo (Switzerland), Juteks (a Slovenian company with a plant in Russia) and Gerflor (France).
"Grabo" specializes in the development and production of coatings, fiberglass reinforced. This solution gives the material incredible strength and wear resistance. Materials from this manufacturer are also distinguished by good noise and heat insulation properties, and ease of installation. In general, the material from Grabo is a worthy option. In addition, the cost of linoleum is quite attractive.
Forbo brand linoleum is one of the best synthetic and natural floor coverings in the market segment. The manufacturer positions itself as an innovative enterprise that is constantly modernizing technological process And material base equipment. Only high quality components and raw materials are used. Linoleum has good adhesive and frictional properties (does not slip), is moisture resistant, and is a bactericidal material.
The Utex company has Slovenian roots. Although currently in many countries there are factories that produce products under this brand under license. 70 years is a long time. And if during this time the company not only did not go bankrupt, but also annually increases its capacity, then this indicates the quality of the product. The main feature, or feature, of linoleum is the presence of a special protective layer. This outer dense film serves reliable protection from grease, dirt, intense mechanical impact on the material. The products are, of course, certified according to international quality standards.
How can you characterize linoleum from French company"Gerflor"? First of all, these are original style solutions that will not leave even the most sophisticated designer indifferent interior design. The patterns and colors of linoleum always correspond to fashion trends and trends. And of course, the coating is not inferior to competitors in other parameters: durability, resistance to moisture, solar radiation, etc.
Which manufacturer should you trust? Which linoleum is better? Unfortunately, there is no universal answer. It is necessary to take into account the operating conditions and the allocated budget. One thing is for sure - when choosing products famous brand, the risk of purchasing a low-quality product is much lower. And the products of a domestic manufacturer are not always obviously worse than foreign ones, sometimes even better.