Which linoleum for the floor is better to choose, an overview of varieties
The interior floor is one of the main elements of the interior. In addition, it must be safe for people and easy to clean. Among the variety of finishing materials, the leading position is occupied by linoleum. In terms of decorative and operational properties, it surpasses expensive floor coverings. The choice of the type of linoleum for the floor depends on the quality characteristics of the material and the purpose of the room.
Advantages and disadvantages of the material
The finishing material is produced in the form of laminate, tiles or panels.Benefits of linoleum include:
- Decorative properties. The offered material has a wide range:
- by texture (smooth, rough, shiny, embossed);
- colors;
- imitation colors (marble, parquet, laminate, porcelain stoneware).
- Sustainability. The structure of the coating allows you to maintain color, thickness, absence of cracks and resistance to bursting for a long time.
- Moisture resistance. The water-repellent properties of the protective film extend the life of the floor covering and make it easier to maintain.
- Ease of flooring. The variability in the choice of strip width makes installation easier and faster.
- Versatility. Linoleum is used as flooring in residential, commercial and industrial premises.
- Thermal, acoustic and antistatic insulation properties. The coating, which has a base, is a good insulation for cold floors and sound insulation. Thanks to the antistatic effect, the floor is less dirty.
- A wide range of prices making linoleum an affordable floor covering.
Disadvantages of the material:
- the presence of synthetic components;
- low temperature brittleness;
- delivery difficulty;
- problems with the installation of large surfaces;
- preliminary leveling of the ground.
The coating can cause an allergic reaction to the evaporation of the chemical constituents.
For floor coverings of large areas, it is necessary to transport large and heavy rolls, which can cause surface defects.
The spacious rooms are covered with several scratches, which requires skills for docking. Water flowing under the linoleum causes its deformation, the appearance of mold and mildew. Before laying on a concrete floor, it is leveled with a screed to prevent the appearance of waves and hollows.
Varieties
Linoleum varieties are classified according to several indicators:
- by composition;
- structure;
- Areas of use.
The application of the floor covering (laying method, destination) depends on the listed properties.
By membership
Linoleum is made from natural and synthetic ingredients.
Marmoleum
Marmoleum - linoleum based on natural ingredients:
- cork oak bark;
- jute;
- chopped tree bark;
- vegetable resins;
- vegetable oils;
- chalk;
- lime;
- natural dyes.
The coating comes in the form of plates 2-4 mm thick, rolls 150-600 cm wide, slabs 30x30 cm, panels 90x30. Positive properties of marmoleum are service life of 20 years, plasticity, moisture resistance, incombustibility, environmental friendliness. Disadvantages - weight, fragility.
PVC
Canvas based on polyvinyl chloride has high wear resistance, a wide color gamut and is affordable.
alkyd
Glyphthalic linoleum from a mixture of alkyd resins, dyes, fabric-based fillers. The canvas can be monochrome, multi-colored, with a print.
Colloxylin
Nitrocellulose material. Elastic, thin, moisture-proof and durable material. Unfounded product. The downside is an increased fire hazard.
Linoleum-relin
Double layer flooring. The bottom layer is a mixture of crushed rubber and bitumen. Upper - synthetic rubber with fillers and dyes. Moisture-resistant plastic material.
By litter
Depending on the field of application, the floor covering is classified:
- home;
- semi-commercial;
- commercial;
- special.
The composition of special linoleum includes bactericidal and sound-absorbing additives, with a non-slip effect and increased wear resistance.
For apartments
For residential premises, household linoleum with a porous or smooth surface is intended. Inexpensive material designed for low surface loading due to low traffic. Shelf life - 2 years.
For the office
Semi-commercial flooring mimics expensive materials, giving the interior a sophisticated look. The material is more resistant to weight, has a varied surface, and can have a non-slip effect.
For schools
High permeability, increased requirements for safety and sanitation imply the use of commercial linoleum.
For gymnasiums
In sports facilities, flooring is subject to heavy loads of weight and abrasion. Rough surface, elasticity make you choose special material.
According to wear resistance class
The differences in the area of application of the floor covering depend on the thickness of the protective film. The smallest is for household linoleum, 0.2 millimeters. Semi-commercial has a film from 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters, commercial - from 0.6 to 1 millimeter, industrial - over 2 millimeters.
By use / degree of load, there are 3 classes of use, designated by a two-digit number: the first number is the type of part, the second is the degree of intensity of the load.
living spaces
For private houses and apartments, floor coverings of the 2nd class are intended, with subclasses:
- 1 - for rooms with short-term visits (rooms);
- 2 - kitchens, children's rooms, living rooms;
- 3 - corridors and corridors (with the greatest weight load).
The lowest degree of stress - 1, medium - 2, high - 3.
Service and office
Application class - 3, subclasses:
- 1 - hotel rooms, offices, conference rooms;
- 2 - offices with a small number of employees, kindergartens; dressing areas;
- 3 - office premises with many staff, shops, schools;
- 4 - airports, stations, supermarkets.
Subclass 4 means a very high load on the pavement.
Manufacturing
Class 4 with a subdivision according to the intensity of use of equipment and mechanisms: 1; 2; 3.
By facility
Linoleum can be made in the form of a monolithic or multi-layer canvas.
Homogeneous
In a homogeneous coating, all layers are ground and mixed.When applied decoratively, it permeates the material throughout its thickness, and therefore has a high abrasion rate.
Unfounded
Linoleum, made without a base, can have from one to 3-4 layers. Each layer has a homogeneous structure, which increases its wear resistance. Base materials are produced in different thicknesses, textures and colors:
- plain;
- with a multicolored/printed design;
- rough surface;
- resembling ceramic tiles.
Such coatings are better to use in rooms with high humidity, pollution, weight load, for example, in saunas, showers, kitchens. Baseless linoleums with antistatic additives are used in banks, computer centers; with antimicrobial impregnation - in operating rooms; noise-absorbing species - in gymnasiums, fitness clubs.
Expanded PVC base
The floor covering is in expanded PVC. The thickness of the semi-flexible blade is 2.5 to 3 millimeters.
It is used in all types of residential premises, thanks to a wide range of colors, textures, patterns and a long service life.
hot
The flooring has a thickness of up to 5 millimeters and consists of 2 layers: the lower layer (synthetic / natural jute) and the upper polymer layer.
Basic
The main structural elements of the material:
- lower layer;
- foam base;
- fiberglass;
- face layer;
- decorative coating;
- transparent protective film;
- polyurethane protective layer.
Depending on the layer combination, the linoleum brand is also exposed.
Marking and its decoding
Linoleum designations help to understand when choosing a material. Manufacturers label products based on GOST and TU.
Letter combinations are used for PVC coatings:
- LP - linoleum;
- T, NT, which means on woven support, non-woven support;
- OP, MP - one color printing, multi-color printing.
For example: LP-T-OP.
Other designations used:
- PPV - PVC, felt-based;
- MP - PVC, multilayer without underlay;
- LMT - multilayer, about 1.6 millimeters thick, on a woven and non-woven backing.
By the appearance of the front surface, linoleums are marked with the letters A (marbled / monochrome, PVC protective layer); B (multicolor with transparent PVC film); B (multicoloured/monochrome with opaque protective layer). For example: Linoleum PVC-A-1.6 GOST..., where 1.6 is the thickness of the coating. The European EN standard has its own quality characteristics.
Manufacturer ratings and reviews
The most popular consumer brands are Belgian, Hungarian, Slovenian and Russian manufacturers.
Tarkett
The world leader in the production of linoleum, including natural. Floor coverings are moisture resistant, antistatic, non-slip. They have a wide range of colors, a relief texture that imitates marble. The material is used for flooring in residential, industrial, administrative, medical and educational premises.
Forbo
The Dutch manufacturer specializes in the production of natural linoleum under the Marmoleum brand:
- Real - marbled roll coating;
- Fresso - under old frescoes;
- Walton - monochrome shades;
- Artoleum - with reproductions of paintings;
- Click - three-layer, cork-based.
The tile has a locking connection, which facilitates installation.
Grabo
The Hungarian manufacturer offers homogeneous and heterogeneous linoleums with refractory properties.
Juteks
The Slovenian company specializes in the production of expanded polymer linoleum protected by several layers of varnish. The coating is intended for premises with high traffic.
Komitex LIN
The Russian manufacturer offers a wide range of linoleum at affordable prices for all areas of application.
How to choose for different rooms
The choice of flooring should begin with a study of the characteristics. They should correspond to the load level of the room so that the linoleum does not lose the uniformity of the decor and surface in advance.
General selection criteria
When determining the type and brand, consider: purpose, interior features.
For the living room
In terms of the intensity of movement, class 22 linoleum is suitable for the living room, with or without a plinth.
Kitchen, hallway, hallway
Premises where maximum pressure, humidity and pollution are applied to the coating. Class 23. Linoleum, homogeneous, baseless.
Bedroom
Quiet place with less stress. Class 21 decking.
Natural or polymer based.
The Children's Room
Linoleum class 22, base, multilayer.
Balcony
Despite the low permeability, the coating should have a moisture-resistant film. Class 21.
Choice of decor and colors
The color spectrum is divided into practice and status. Practical colors are used for intensive use: sand, mustard, brick. State colors are the predominance of beige shades, bleached oak and light wenge.
Color solutions for living quarters have soft contrasting shades of gray-blue, blue, orange. Design solutions often use a neutral range of light grays and faded blacks.
Additional tips and tricks
When choosing linoleum, it is necessary to compare their durability, labor intensity and possible defects during installation. For example, alkyd sheets have better thermal and sound insulation, but they are more fragile than PVC.
In residential premises, natural linoleum is used in the form of tiles or panels.Rolled marmoleum, due to its high weight and fragility, requires special means of delivery and stacking. It is not recommended to cut the material into pieces and lay it on the "warm floor" system. Sticky linoleum means poor quality material, it is unhealthy to use.