The long-awaited renovation season is coming. Many apartment owners are thinking about which linoleum is best for an apartment. Let's try to understand this issue and the huge assortment offered by trade organizations to help you choose exactly the option you need.

Material requirements

First of all, you need to decide in which room this flooring will be located. The requirements for it depend on this. Will it be able to withstand the loads that are placed on it in this or that room. Will the chosen linoleum meet the technical characteristics, such as moisture resistance, sound absorption, etc. Does the material correspond to the interior of the room?

Specifications

When deciding for yourself which linoleum is best for an apartment, you should familiarize yourself with the regulatory classification of this material. On the seamy side of the linoleum, you can see two numbers. One of them means the type of premises: 2 (residential building), 3 (office building), 4 (industrial premises). The second number indicates the strength of the material. In accordance with the loads, linoleum is divided into three groups:

1. Household is a thin material that can withstand 1.25 kg per 1 square meter. Rolled up, it does not crack. Such material will be quite appropriate in the bedroom or hallway. It will not work for a kitchen or bathroom.
2. Commercial - wear-resistant and durable material. Choosing which linoleum
   better for an apartment, you can confidently opt for this particular option.
3. Semi-commercial - quite durable and at the same time not thick material.

Hallway

In this room, the load on the flooring is maximum, so it is more advisable to lay a semi-commercial linoleum that will serve you for many years.

Bathroom

This is a special room in any home, if only because it is distinguished by high humidity. It is much more often used here as a floor covering. But if for some reason you decide to abandon it, then you can use Imitating granite or marble, it looks very impressive and modern, especially if the bathroom is decorated in high-tech style. Naturally, it will cost you more than traditional samples, but the result is worth it. It has increased moisture resistance, and if you consider that the floor area in this room, as a rule, is not too large, then the cost of such a coating will not be too burdensome for your budget.

Living room

Many are interested in whether it is worth using linoleum for the hall. In an apartment, this is probably the room with the least floor load. Therefore, the use of classic linoleum in it is quite justified, especially if it is partially covered with carpets. It is important to choose the right color. If you want to make the floor stand out from the background, choose a linoleum color that contrasts with the walls and furniture. To make the room look harmonious, choose a few accessories to match the color of the floor. It can be textiles, souvenirs, vases, etc.

Kitchen

It is clear that this room needs special flooring. It can be linoleum with a protective layer. This is usually a natural material. You need to know that linseed oil, which is part of natural linoleum, is a powerful antiseptic that can not only protect the floor from germs, but also disinfect the air in the kitchen.

An important element of the overall design is the floors in the apartment. Linoleum for the kitchen, in addition to attractive and appropriate colors for the style, must necessarily have anti-slip properties. It's no secret that it is often wet. Therefore, the anti-slip properties will protect you from injury.

Experts advise choosing a wide linoleum for the kitchen so that you can lay it without unnecessary seams. Roll it up when transporting, otherwise it may crack. At home, the roll should be unrolled and the material should be allowed to rest well.

Children's room

The room where the best linoleum should be laid. For an apartment where a baby's room is equipped, it is especially important to make the right choice. The floor will not be used too intensively, but it should be borne in mind that a little man will crawl on it, spank with bare feet, and therefore special attention must be paid to its safety.

The floor covering itself is natural linoleum. Linseed oil, which is included in its composition, has antibacterial properties, antistatic properties. In other words, this is the best option. But you should know that its price is twice as expensive as synthetic. If you decide that this material is too expensive for you, then lay its top layer glued on a jute or felt base. Such material for the nursery is decorated with bright and colorful images of animals or favorite cartoon characters, which will certainly please the baby.

Is linoleum harmful

When starting a home renovation, everyone is concerned with the question of how to choose safe, environmentally friendly materials. Is linoleum harmful? In the apartment, natural material is completely safe. However, manufacturers are offering many more synthetic PVC coatings today. Their manufacturers claim that they are also safe, provided that certain operating rules are followed:

• do not lay alkyd (rubber) linoleum in residential premises;
• commercial linoleum is not suitable for flooring in an apartment, as it contains plasticizers (to increase strength);
• it is not worth purchasing a non-certified product - it may contain

If after two weeks the original smell has not disappeared, then, most likely, the material was manufactured with technological violations.

Today we tried to figure out which linoleum is better for an apartment. We hope that our tips will help you make the right choice. Linoleum is a coating that has a long service life, so I would like it to please you with excellent quality for many years.

There are so many different floor coverings on the market today that everyone can find what suits them best. For some people, choosing the right material can be an interesting activity, for others, such a process turns into something difficult and unthinkable, due to the fact that each material has a number of its own characteristics, both in appearance and in quality characteristics. This article will be about which linoleum is best suited for different rooms of the living space.

Pros and cons of PVC flooring

Perhaps there is no other floor covering than linoleum, about which so many myths and different opinions do not exist. This should not be surprising, because it is linoleum that is assigned the leading position among other floor coverings in Russia.

Compared to other floor coverings, the best linoleum has the following advantages:

• many design solutions: in shades, colors, designs that imitate wood, stone, and even laminate (read also: "");
• a variety of types of material for wear resistance, which affects its placement in a particular room;
• it takes a minimum of time to clean it;
• it is easy to install even without the help of specialists;
• affordable price (about 180-450 rubles per 1 m 2);
• small irregularities of the base are easily hidden under it;
• not afraid of exposure to water;
• the covering is so versatile that it can be installed in many types of premises.

However, pvc-based linoleum also has a number of disadvantages:

• the presence of an unpleasant odor for some time after laying it;
• easily damaged due to direct mechanical impact;
• has an artificial base;
• is rather slippery;
• cheap varieties look bad on the outside.

However, the advantages of linoleum outweigh the disadvantages in a ratio that exceeds that of other floor coverings. The newest, the best linoleum, has practically no flaws.

The current sanitary and fire regulations guarantee the presence on the market of materials that are free from unpleasant odor, while at the same time they are as environmentally friendly as possible. The latest technologies have made it possible to develop linoleum even with an antibacterial coating. In addition, the latest models are equipped with a reinforced polyethylene layer, embossing, which makes linoleum as similar to natural materials as possible.

Choosing the best linoleum

In order for the choice of linoleum for the house to be the most successful, you first need to decide on which room it will be used in. As a rule, this criterion is decisive. Let's figure out which type of linoleum to choose for the floor is best in this or that case.

The types of premises are as follows:

• household;
• office;
• production.

In this case, the marking of linoleum may contain a number or a pictogram: house (2); building (3) or factory (4).

The impact on linoleum is low, medium, high and very high. On linoleum, this is reflected by a pictogram in the form of men - from 1 to 4.

All factors together - the type of room and the load on the coating, form the wear resistance classes of linoleum, which are:

• 21-24 - for home;
• 31-34 - for the office;
• 41-44 - for industrial premises.

Linoleum, parquet, laminate, carpet and tiles are divided into the same classes, even despite completely different characteristics.

It is worth talking about such two types of premises, as office and residential, in detail.

To choose linoleum for your home - which one is best suited in a particular case, it is worth highlighting 3 types of premises:

1. A bedroom, study or wardrobe has a low load - 21 class is suitable.
2. In the living room and children's room, the average load on the floor is 22 class.
3. In the corridor, hallway and children's room with several children - high load - 23 grade.

Offices can also be divided into three types:

1. Offices without visitors and hotel rooms - low load - 31 class.
2. Meeting rooms in business establishments, premises for banquets, reception rooms - medium load - 32 class.
3. Schools, institutes, offices with high traffic, shopping centers, corridors of hotels and hospitals - high load - 33, 34 classes.

That is, knowing what type of room this or that room belongs to, you can pick up a fairly durable linoleum. The only thing to consider is that the higher the strength class of the material, the more expensive it is. Therefore, one should approach the choice of material, starting from expediency, thinking about whether it is worth overpaying for material with inflated strength indicators, or, conversely, whether it is worth saving.

In addition to durability, you need to pay attention to other characteristics.

Some types of linoleum have the following advantages:

• the presence of an auxiliary protective layer of varnish - makes cleaning much easier;
• antibacterial layer - prevents bacteria from developing on the floor surface;
• double base - gives the coating additional strength and softness, the floor absorbs noise better and retains heat better;
• natural relief - the latest technologies allow you to create a texture that is as close as possible to natural material - such a coating has a higher cost.

Base selection

Which linoleum base is best suited for your room will be most influenced by: the appearance of the coating, your personal preferences, strength, softness, safety.

The basis of linoleum can be of several types:

• jute;
• felt;
• polyester;
• from polyvinyl chloride;
• combined.

The disadvantages of a jute and felt base include the impossibility of using such a material in a humid environment, in addition, various microorganisms can start on it. This is because these materials are natural. The overwhelming majority of currently existing varieties of linoleum have a synthetic base made of PVC or polyester.

But the best choice is still materials based on a combined basis of PVC and polyester. Such linoleum has improved characteristics acquired from these materials.

Among them are:

• sound and heat insulation;
• increased strength;
• consistency of size;
• complete resistance to moisture;
• prevents mold and mildew from forming.

Adhesive selection

Since the technology of laying linoleum involves gluing it to the floor to extend its service life, it is desirable that the glue is of sufficient quality and correctly selected.

To glue linoleum to the base, you need to purchase dispersion glue. A reaction adhesive called "cold weld" is required to bond the joints. It softens linoleum for a while, due to which the joints are connected into one whole. You can also resort to hot gluing, but in this case, you will need to get a construction hairdryer.

Deciding on the color

After you have decided on which basis the linoleum will perform its functions better, you can proceed to the choice of colors. Naturally, there simply cannot be a universal solution in this case, there are only tips for combining color shades.

Keep in mind that the same color scheme may look different in rooms with different sizes and lighting conditions.

A number of combinations that are suitable in one case or another:

• shades of yellow and green are best suited to relieve fatigue;
• warmth and comfort will bring shades of beige and pale yellow colors to the room;
• to give the bathroom freshness, you can choose a turquoise shade (read also: "");
• in meeting rooms, as well as in bedrooms, blue and blue colors are best suited, which are good for relaxing and can cause a drowsy state;
• will tone the body, invigorate, give a positive mood and warmth red, yellow and bright orange colors;
• to create a working environment, you can choose gray linoleum;
• designers can pay attention to white color, it is combined with all shades.

Linoleum myths

Linoleum cracks and dries

On the old linoleum of Soviet times, cracks did often appear, and it also dried out over time. This happens because the manufacturer selects the wrong materials for forming the base. Currently well-known companies such as Tarkett, IVC, Sinteros produce products exclusively from high-quality materials.

It is worth noting that if linoleum is brought into a room from the street, where the temperature was below 15 ° C, it needs time to gain the temperature of the room, as a rule, 24-48 hours, otherwise it will crack, regardless of the quality of the material.

Over time, on light linoleum, the surface wears out from traces

Naturally, the coating can lose its brightness over time. However, as a rule, this is not influenced by the quality of the material, but by the linoleum laying technology and its operation.

Firstly, this happens if linoleum is laid on a painted wooden floor, or if it is opened with chemical mixtures, for example, bitumen or drying oil. After some time, these substances are able to penetrate the linoleum.

Secondly, if the installation of linoleum was carried out in a room with an aggressive environment.

In such cases, it is better to pay attention to solid linoleum, and not buy light shades. In addition, try to lay linoleum on a perfectly flat base, this will extend the life of the linoleum.

Outcome

When choosing linoleum, remember that you need to pay attention not only to the class of the product, but also to take into account the basis on which it will be laid. Even having bought the most expensive type of linoleum, one cannot be sure that it will last a long time if the elementary technology of its laying is not followed. And do not forget that the base must be carefully prepared for laying linoleum.

Linoleum is a publicly available democratic material that has been used to cover floors for the second century. Despite the variety of existing floor coverings, linoleum is still quite popular in our country today. This is natural, because it is interesting in design, easy to install and relatively cheap. This flooring differs from others in its softness and springiness, and at the same time it is durable - it does not crack, like, for example, wood or ceramic flooring. Today, a huge selection of different types of this flooring is available to the consumer, and, as you know, a competent choice of linoleum is a guarantee of the durability of this material. How to choose linoleum and what to look for when buying it, so as not to worry later about wasted money? We will try to figure it out in this article.

The color and texture of linoleum is an important selection criterion

Linoleum selection criteria

When purchasing linoleum for your home, you need to focus on the following selection criteria:
1. Does the coating meet its purpose (for a nursery, hallway, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom).
2. Will it withstand the load on the floor, taking into account the number of residents and the degree of permeability of the place.
3. Does the selected coating meet the requirements (antistatic, thermal insulation, moisture resistance, sound absorption, antibacterial properties)?
4. Does it fit into the design of the apartment (it can be monochromatic, with an abstract pattern, or imitating various textures - fabric, wood, tiles, stone, etc.).

In terms of color and texture, the traditional solution for these premises is linoleum for ceramic tiles.

Living room

In the living room, the permeability is moderate. Therefore, linoleum with a thickness of 1.5 mm will be optimal.

Household linoleum in the living room

Bedroom

For a bedroom, as a room with low traffic, you can choose thinner linoleum - with a thickness of 1.2 to 1.5 mm.

Household polyester linoleum works well for the bedroom.

The best option is polyester household linoleum or linoleum on a foamed polyvinyl chloride base.

Children's room

A children's room is considered a room with an average degree of traffic, but with a high degree of probability of mechanical damage.

Foamed PVC linoleum in the children's room

Therefore, in the room for children, you can lay household linoleum on a polyvinyl chloride foam base, and even better - semi-commercial linoleum with a protective top layer of at least 0.25 mm.

Balcony

On a balcony, in an unheated loggia, as well as in a veranda and a garden gazebo, any linoleum will deteriorate very quickly, since this material does not tolerate direct sunlight and temperature changes.

Choice of decor and colors

Linoleum is attractive with an endless palette of designs and colors. Manufacturers give natural linoleum bright, juicy colors that do not fade over time. The decorative possibilities of synthetic linoleum are even better. It can imitate very faithfully such natural materials as stone, wood, ceramic tiles.

Dense semi-commercial linoleum imitating ceramic tiles

Recently, the types of decor that imitate expensive parquet or parquet board have become very popular. Linoleum perfectly reproduces oak, beech, cherry, and also such exotic tree species as, for example, zebrano, bamboo, rosewood. At the same time, the floor covering reproduces both the pattern and the texture of natural wood.
Linoleum imitating wood mosaic and solid wood boards is in great demand.
Brave and extraordinary people will choose fancy decors and unusual colors.

Fancy linoleum decor - for courageous and extraordinary people

For those who like to experiment with interior design, manufacturers offer original geometric and abstract designs.
Linoleum looks very impressive, imitating stone - granite or marble.

Linoleum looks spectacular, imitating stone - granite or marble

Sometimes there are coatings that reproduce artificially "aged" materials - wood with traces of time or worn stone.

Consider how to choose the right linoleum for your home.
1. First of all, let's trust our sense of smell: the presence of a pungent odor indicates a low quality of the coating and that it contains additives that are harmful to health. High-quality natural and synthetic linoleum does not smell like anything. In addition, good linoleum should not have a greasy sheen, the pattern should not be distinct and look natural, the optimal number of layers should be at least five.
2. The width of the cover should be the same, as a rule, with the size of the room. But you need to take with a margin - for adjusting the pattern, trimming the panel at the joints. When calculating, it is necessary to take into account the presence of thresholds, niches for batteries, and other protrusions in the room.
3. It is recommended to buy the coating not on the market, but rather in a heated room. In addition, it is more convenient to check its quality in a store.
4. It is worth checking the coverage for compliance with safety standards. The material that has passed a special examination is marked accordingly, and the seller must have a hygienic certificate.
5. Check the quality in the rolled form to see if there are waves and bumps on the surface, or areas where the top film is peeling. These indicators indicate a marriage, such a coating cannot be bought, the existing irregularities will not be smoothed out in any way.
6. Buying the same linoleum in several rooms, it is better to buy it in one piece. But at the same time, it is necessary to first calculate whether it will be possible to bring a long roll into the room and whether it will be possible to transport it along narrow openings and up stairs.
7. It is strictly forbidden to fold the panels in half. Do not stick the tape on the front surface, as there will be a sticky mark that is difficult to remove. Roll up the linoleum with the front side inward, and if it is rolled up with the front side out, the roll must be wrapped with a protective film.
8. When choosing a coating, preference should be given to linoleum, which has a special protective layer. Such linoleum is easy to clean and will retain its beautiful appearance for a long time.
9. Samples of linoleum, if possible, should be examined in the room where it will be laid. This is convenient for a more accurate selection of the appropriate tone in the interior (cold or cold), because it is not so easy to do this from memory.
10. All purchased linoleum must be from the same batch, since different batches differ in color sometimes, even when their articles are completely the same.
All of the above tips, recommendations and explanations will help you make a successful purchase of linoleum from any price segment.

The design of the room not only creates a mood and improves the perception of the surrounding world, but can also tell a lot about the owners of the room. If the view of a house or apartment could be described in a play, then the floor covering would be in the background. However, the perception of the whole play would depend on his "play". The floor not only concludes, heads everything around, but also takes on almost all the burden of the heaviness of the foreground actors: furniture.

In this path, linoleum is a completely versatile actor. And if once his game was cheap and of poor quality, today he has no equal in reincarnation. It is environmentally friendly, it can be both natural and artificial, transform into any material or be yourself. Meet linoleum - the king of the floor, the winner of the Oscar for the second plan in interior design.

Which linoleum is better?

However, not all linoleum is good. You also need to be able to choose a good, high-quality material. There are several guidelines for this flooring to help you figure out which linoleum is best. It is about the quality of the coating, because it has to withstand considerable loads.

• Appointment of linoleum... The European designation system divides linoleum according to its purpose. There are 3 main uses:

1. Large industrial buildings, factories, factories, warehouse and logistics complexes. This group is designated by the number 4 or a pictogram in the form of a plant with a pipe.
2. The second group - offices of various types, hotels, banquet halls, shopping malls, educational institutions, airport halls, etc. This group is designated by the number 3 or the pictogram of a high-rise building.
3. All private, residential buildings are designated by the number 2 and have a pictogram in the form of a small 2-storey building.

The purpose of linoleum also determines its price, the stronger and more durable the material, the more expensive it is. However, the recommended use does not mean mandatory. For a private house, you can choose linoleum with any purpose, but for large shopping malls, linoleum with the purpose of "private house" is definitely not suitable.

• Abrasion class. In addition to the purpose, each group has 3 classes of abrasion or wear resistance. They are also designated either by numbers or by pictograms of men. First class, number 1, 1 person - light load; second grade - middle; third class - high load. Purpose and abrasion load class are applied side by side, complementing one another. So for the most walk-through part of the apartment, the corridor at the entrance, assignment 2 and load 3 are suitable, general designation: 23. As well as with the appointment, you can choose any larger class for the premises, the main thing is not less than necessary.
• Additional protective coating. Of two copies with the same purpose and load classes, how to choose linoleum that will serve for a long time and will not cause trouble. It is worth paying attention to the additional protective layer. It is offered mainly by reputable, time-tested manufacturers. For all manufacturers, it is called and indicated differently, therefore it is not worth listing the names. It only needs to be said that the best linoleum is likely to have such a layer.

• Quality certificates... How to choose linoleum that will not emit harmful substances, does not cause allergies, keeps its shape, does not crack? Pay attention to quality certificates. High-quality products of European manufacturers are certified according to European EN standards, domestic ones - according to GOSTs. Information about this must be indicated on the label.
• Manufacturer and cost. You can buy good linoleum from a responsible manufacturer. The cost of quality material is sometimes comparable to the price of a handicraft. How to find good linoleum, the label will tell you. It must contain the address of the manufacturer, his contacts, all information about the product, the period of its operation.

How to choose linoleum for an apartment

You need to choose linoleum for an apartment depending on the number of people living in it and on the purpose of the rooms. For a family of 2-3 people in the passage areas, you need to lay linoleum class 23 and higher. There will be enough 22 classrooms in rest rooms. If the apartment has an office, dressing room or library, the 21st class will show itself quite well there. For a larger family, it is better to choose linoleum of higher classes.

The main thing is to choose high-quality linoleum for an apartment, because heavy furniture will not sell it, and households will not choke on unpleasant odors or suffer from allergies.

Thanks to various patterns and textures, you can visually increase the area of ​​a small apartment, brighten a dark room or delimit zones in a room. Colors and shades set the mood of the rooms. Warm and muted tones will pacify and create coziness. And bright, saturated - dispose to creativity, play, active pastime.

For kitchen

The kitchen in an apartment or house stands apart for a reason. This room is extremely demanding on the flooring. The level of load on it is higher than in all other rooms; even the entrance corridor cannot be compared with the kitchen in this regard. Therefore, you need to choose linoleum for the kitchen from class 31 and above. And 31 - for small apartments for 1-2 people. Why is that?

Linoleum in the kitchen is subject not only to the usual stress from passing. This is a room with an unnatural microclimate: humidity and high temperature. In these conditions, various microorganisms feel great. Therefore, it is good if linoleum for the kitchen also has an antibacterial coating.

In the kitchen, various abrasive materials, grease, acids, and dyes often get on the floor. High-quality linoleum for the kitchen must resignedly withstand all the burdens. What linoleum to choose for the kitchen so that it meets all the requirements without exception? Kitchen linoleum must have an additional protective layer and must be certified.

The color scheme of linoleum for the kitchen is also slightly different from the common one. If you want your household to have a good appetite, choose warm colors, like to sit with your family in the kitchen and have a quiet dinner, enjoying your time - take a look at calm, neutral, homogeneous tones.

How to choose linoleum for a private house

It would seem that what difference does it make where the floor is located, in an apartment or in a house. And there is a difference. First of all, in the load, the abrasion of the surface layer. In private houses, with the same number of residents, the surface load is higher than in apartments. Therefore, you need to choose linoleum for a house of higher classes than for an apartment. Class 23-31 is suitable for recreation rooms, 31-32 for common rooms, for rooms of increased load (furnace, corridor, warm veranda, kitchen) - 33 and higher.

Linoleum design for the home is often matched to the overall interior. Recently, it has become fashionable to create a natural, ecological interior from natural materials. If finances allow, you can lay natural linoleum on the floor, it is much more durable and stronger than its PVC counterpart. However, its colors leave much to be desired.

If you choose PVC linoleum for your home, without saving on quality, it will last for many years. And it can be matched to the color and pattern of the walls, imitating wood, stone, brick, various ceramics. For the attic, designers offer an interesting option - light walls and light linoleum, this will visually expand the attic, avoid "overhanging" the walls.

The modern variety of floor coverings unwittingly puts any person making repairs in an apartment or a house before the "torment" of choice. Well-known manufacturers, perfectly building their advertising policy, persistently recommend their products, which are really good. But it happens that for this you will have to part with the amount that was not planned. And the good old linoleum for some reason is undeservedly relegated to the background, considering it a choice for the poor. In fact, it has a number of advantages that the consumer most likely does not know about. It might be worthwhile to be more aware of this popular flooring and find out which linoleum is best for your home.

Historical reference

Linoleum is mistakenly attributed to modern and artificial materials, but its historical roots are hidden in the name. The word linoleum consists of Latin: linum - meaning flax or linen, as well as oleum - oil. Linoleum was patented back in 1860 by the Englishman Frederick Walton. Originally, this flooring used a woven linen or jute backing to which oxidized vegetable oil was applied in combination with cork flour. Technologies have been constantly improving, manufacturers have learned to apply a pattern to linoleum and at the beginning of the 20th century it was one of the most popular materials.

Due to the high cost of plant raw materials and the development of chemical synthesis, in the 60s of the last century, they began to produce floor rolls on a synthetic basis, which they left with the old name - linoleum, although this is a completely different material. In the 90s, they remembered the traditions of the production of natural linoleum, and the volume of its production is constantly increasing, since there is a steady demand for it. Thus, under the name linoleum, a very wide class of flooring, both natural and synthetic, was united.

Types of linoleum

To find it easier to navigate the ocean of proposals and make the right choice, it is worth learning about the types of existing linoleums and specifically which ones are suitable for the home.

Natural linoleum

One of the best choices is natural linoleum. For its production, exclusively natural ingredients are used: linseed oil, wood flour, jute or linen, natural wood resin, limestone. A rich palette of natural dyes, together with modern technologies, allow this wonderful coating to be dyed in any color. Natural linoleum has a number of undeniable advantages:

• High strength. Natural linoleum can withstand pressure up to 16 MPa.
• Linseed oil, which is part of the composition, makes such a coating bactericidal.
• High wear resistance determines a long service life: up to 30-50 years.
• Exclusively natural ingredients determine its environmental friendliness.
• Natural linoleum does not absorb dirt and is easy to clean from various dirt with detergents.
• Static electricity does not accumulate on the natural linoleum.
• Not afraid of ultraviolet rays, does not fade from the sun.
• Low flammability.

With such an impressive list of advantages, natural linoleum is still not devoid of disadvantages:

• Natural linoleum has a high price, comparable to a parquet board.
• In rooms where a natural linoleum coating is planned, there should not be high humidity, since the natural base is prone to decay.
• Low elasticity limits the use of natural linoleum in cold rooms and makes it difficult to install.
• Features of manufacturing technology limit the variety of patterns and ornaments.
• Only the laid natural linoleum flooring has a specific smell, which may not please everyone. However, after a few months, the smell disappears.

For all green living enthusiasts who are willing to go for high costs, natural linoleum is a great choice for living spaces. Low moisture resistance limits its use in bathrooms and hallways.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linoleum

PVC linoleum (international designation - PVC) is the most widely used. It can be either without a base or with different types of bases:

• Fabric base. For it, both natural jute and synthetic fabrics, for example, fiberglass, can be used. The patterned top cover is made of PVC. Such linoleum can have an impressive thickness - up to 5 mm.
• A non-woven base made of natural felt or synthetic materials can improve the thermal insulation properties, but in rooms with high traffic and high humidity, such linoleum should not be used, since it does not like intense loads, and the porous base will perfectly absorb moisture.

• Foamed PVC backing. Such linoleum began to be produced in the 90s of the last century, and this type of substrate is one of the most popular. The main porous layer of PVC absorbs all loads and “forgives” small irregularities in the base, and the reinforcing fabric retains the geometric dimensions of the canvas. Foamed PVC can be applied chemically and in a more progressive mechanical way, which is better, since such linoleum will not wrinkle under high loads.

Also, some types of linoleum are made, which combine several types of the above layers. Linoleum, which has several of them, is called heterogeneous, and one is homogeneous. The number of layers and their purpose in linoleum for various purposes can be very different from each other.

The advantage of homogeneous linoleum is that its pattern is present throughout its entire depth, therefore, with its inevitable wear, the pattern will not be erased. The thickness of such linoleum can be from 1.5 to 3 millimeters, and it is intended for rooms with high traffic. Its use in apartments and houses is impractical. The main disadvantages of homogeneous linoleum are its high price, as well as the impossibility of applying complex patterns.

Polyvinyl chloride linoleum has a number of advantages that explain its widespread use.

• PVC linoleum has high elasticity, which greatly simplifies its installation.
• A variety of patterns and textures of PVC linoleum will allow you to realize any idea of ​​interior design.
• PVC linoleum has a reasonable price.
• Easily cleaned from dirt.
• Linoleum from well-known manufacturers is non-toxic, which must be confirmed by a hygienic certificate.

The disadvantages of PVC linoleum are:

• When exposed to high temperatures, linoleum shrinks.
• Only after installation, the PVC linoleum coating has an unpleasant specific odor, which disappears after several weeks of operation.

Alkyd linoleum

Alkyd, also called glyphthalic, linoleum is always made on a fabric base, on which modified alkyd or glyphthalic resins with special fillers that improve the properties of the coating are applied using a special technology. Pigments and dyes are also added, which make linoleum either monochromatic or multi-colored. The advantages of this type of linoleum are:

• Compared to PVC linoleums, glyphthalic linoleums have better heat and sound insulation properties.
• Such linoleums are extremely durable, they can last 40-50 years.
• Contamination from such a coating is easier to remove than from PVC.

The disadvantages of alkyd linoleum are:

• Low elasticity at temperatures close to zero.
• Alkyd linoleums require qualified installation.
• Insufficient fire safety severely limits their use in residential premises.

Glyphthal linoleum is widely used in transport: flooring in carriages, cabins of sea transport, airplanes.

Rubber linoleum (relin)

Such linoleum is made in two layers: the lower one is made of recycled rubber, the upper one is made of synthetic rubber painted in various colors. These layers are connected to each other with bituminous mastic. These floor coverings have several advantages:

• Excellent water resistance allows you to install the relay in the wettest rooms.
• High elasticity and strength.
• Excellent anti-slip properties.
• Long service life.

Rubber linoleums can be used near swimming pools, in garages, workshops, sports rooms and halls, but in residential premises their use is contraindicated, as they emit harmful substances into the ambient air.

Nitrocellulose ( colloxylin) linoleum

These types of linoleums are a single-layer, baseless coating made from nitrocellulose with the addition of various components: gypsum, red lead, plasticizers and dyes. Currently, such coatings from this material are not used due to the increased fire hazard.

It is possible that such an abundance of information about the types of linoleum will further complicate the choice. Moreover, most modern linoleums are heterogeneous and can combine several different layers. That is why European manufacturers have developed a special standard EN685, in which linoleums are divided into classes depending on the strength characteristics and scope of application in certain rooms. Each class is designated by a two-digit numerical code and a corresponding pictogram.

The first number in the class indicates:

• 2 - linoleum is intended for residential premises.
• 3 - for office or commercial premises.
• 4 - for industrial premises.

The second number in the class indicates the degree of load that linoleum can withstand:

Household linoleum

Linoleum, belonging to classes 21-23, is usually called household. According to EN685 standards, it must have the following characteristics:

• Specific gravity 1.25-2.25 kg / m 2.
• Thickness - from 0.15 to 3 mm.
• Flexibility and elasticity should be such that no cracks should form when wound on a rod with a diameter of 45 mm.
• Sound absorption - not less than 13-18 dB.
• Water absorption should be no more than 1-1.5%.
• Shrinkage during operation - no more than 0.2 mm per 1 meter.

The cost of household linoleum from well-known manufacturers can range from 3 to 10 euros per square meter.

Semi-commercial linoleum

Linoleum, belonging to classes 31-34, is called semi-commercial, and it is intended mainly for office and office space. Must have the following characteristics:

• Specific gravity 1.6-2.5 kg / m 2.
• Elasticity and flexibility should be such that when wound on a cylinder with a diameter of 10-40 mm, cracks should not form in the linoleum.
• Sound absorption should be at least 12-16 dB.
• Shrinkage during operation - no more than 0.1 mm per 1 meter.
• The service life guaranteed by the manufacturer is at least 7-20 years.

Semi-commercial linoleum is an excellent solution for modern offices

The cost of semi-commercial linoleum ranges from 5 to 15 euros per square meter. A slight difference in the price of household and semi-commercial linoleum makes it advisable to use it for domestic purposes in those rooms where there is an increased load on the floor covering: kitchens, hallways and others.

Commercial linoleum

If linoleum belongs to classes from 41 to 43, then it is called commercial. Its purpose is in rooms with intensive movement of people and equipment. Such linoleums have a reinforced layer-film (up to 0.8 mm), even lower shrinkage (0.02-0.1 mm / m) and a warranty period of operation (from 10 to 25 years).

The relatively high cost of such linoleum (10-40 euros per square meter), combined with technical characteristics that are excessive for apartments and houses, make its use in residential premises impractical. Some commercial linoleums may have special uses:

• Sports surfaces that are soft and resilient for good contact with sports shoes.
• Coatings that are resistant to chemicals and have bactericidal properties, which are very useful in medical institutions.
• Anti-slip coatings near swimming pools and other areas with high humidity.
• Antistatic coatings.

The thickness of the protective layer of linoleum

Most modern linoleums have a strong protective film made of pure PVC on their surface. It is its thickness that should be taken into account when choosing linoleum, depending on the purpose of the room. Manufacturers offer the following gradation:

• A 0.15 mm thick film is quite suitable for using such linoleum in living rooms and bedrooms.
• A protective layer of 0.20 mm will be optimal for children's rooms.
• 0.25 mm - for kitchens, hallways and corridors.
• 0.30 mm - service and office space with an average load.
• A protective layer of 0.50 mm or more - for rooms with high and very high loads.

Find out what methods are used for, from our new article.

Linoleum marking

When choosing linoleum, all its technical data must be provided by the seller along with the necessary certificates: conformity and hygienic. Manufacturers of high-quality linoleum always put their logo on the back, as well as all the information that will greatly help the buyer:

• Linoleum class - will help you make the right choice.
• Lot number - if you plan to purchase a large amount of linoleum, then it is desirable that it be from one batch.
• Date of manufacture.

Also, the manufacturer can apply additional pictograms that indicate the special properties of the coating. Such possible designations are shown in the figure.

Prices for a popular line of linoleums for home

Linoleum for home

How to choose linoleum correctly?

Now that there is complete clarity with the types of existing linoleums, you can indicate a number of important points that will help you make the right choice.

• You should purchase linoleum only in specialized stores, where all storage requirements are met, and there is also a full set of accompanying documents confirming compliance with standards and safety.

• Depending on the purpose of the room, a linoleum class is chosen and it is better to do this with some margin: one step higher than necessary.
• Particular attention should be paid to the thickness of the linoleum, its strength and the presence of an upper protective layer.
• It is necessary to strive to ensure that the linoleum flooring does not have connecting seams or there are a minimum of them. This is achieved by carefully measuring the premises and choosing the rolls of the required width.
• The modern variety of colors, textures, patterns of linoleum allows you to make any choice, but at the same time, one must take into account the purpose of the room, pleasant color schemes for a comfortable stay in it and the preferences of all household members.
• In rooms with possible heavy pollution, it is better to use glossy linoleum.
• When buying, you must carefully examine the entire surface of the linoleum and make sure there is no damage.
• Poor preparation of the base and an illiterate one can negate all the advantages of this coating.

Video: How to choose the right linoleum for your home?