Which linoleum to put in the room by color. Why should you choose linoleum?

However, when choosing this material you should know the subtleties.

Which linoleum is better to choose for an apartment or house: domestic or commercial?

There are three types of linoleum with different thicknesses of the protective layer and resistance to wear.

• household - with protective layer 0.3 mm and the first number is 1-2;
• semi-commercial - with a protective layer of 0.6 mm and the first number 3;
• commercial - with a protective layer of more than 0.6 mm and the first number 3-4.

The thicker the protective layer, the so-called transparency, the better the linoleum can withstand the impact of furniture legs and wheels, high-heeled shoes, etc. Do you doubt what thickness of linoleum to choose? There is no need to buy a thick commercial coating for your home; good household linoleum with a transparency of 0.35-0.5 mm and markings 21-33 will be enough.

Materials, secret and not so secret

There are two types of linoleum in composition:

• natural;
• synthetic.

Natural linoleum is made from vegetable oils, wood flour and limestone, and jute serves as the base. This coating is expensive, but pleases the owner with its naturalness or hypoallergenicity.

Synthetic linoleum is made from polymer materials, may have an additional polyester base and a felt or foam backing. This coating will give you the perfect balance of price and quality.

Backing: foam or felt?

To give the material good properties sound and heat insulation, make it “springy”, manufacturers in a special way processed from the inside out. Air bubbles in a foam substrate can act as insulation and a shock absorber, and synthetic fibers in a felt substrate. Be sure to make sure that the chosen linoleum has one of these substrates, otherwise the slightest unevenness of the base will protrude through the coating, and furniture legs and heels will quickly render the floor unusable. Other than that equal properties felt backing is preferable.

Abrasion group: how long will the floor “live”?

Each sample of linoleum is necessarily tested for abrasion. As a result, it is assigned one of the classes:

• T - the most durable;
• F - least durable.

If the question is how to choose good linoleum for a bedroom or other “quiet” room, then feel free to take material marked M.

Another thing is rooms with a high load on the floor. If you have to choose high-quality linoleum for a children's room or hallway, then both M and T will do.

Which linoleum to choose for the kitchen, living room, corridor and other rooms?

For the living room and children's room, it is better to choose high-quality linoleum, both foam and felt, with a good protective coating.

For low-traffic spaces like a bedroom or office, inexpensive linoleum with a thin backing is suitable.

Are there rooms in the house that you often enter, where you wash the floor every day? Be as careful as possible when choosing the right linoleum for the hallway, kitchen and bathroom. In order not to re-cover a worn-out floor after just a year, buy good-quality linoleum with an antibacterial coating, a thick protective layer and good thickness.

How to choose linoleum for rooms of different types and sizes?

note that modern linoleum does not shrink, so it can be bought end-to-end, without allowances. To calculate the size of the piece, measure the room twice, paying attention to:

• niches;
• projections;
• width differences.

The width of the canvas can be from 1.5 to 6 meters. It is better to take a wide piece so that there are no seams on the floor. If you purchase two pieces, make sure they are from the same batch.

How to choose linoleum for an apartment and not be mistaken in quality?

High price and famous manufacturer quality is almost always guaranteed. However, pay attention to additional signs of quality material:

• texture and design - floors with imitation wood, shiny “chips”, varnished linoleum look most advantageous;
• The safety coating has no odor;
• good linoleum always has a certificate.

There are other markings that will tell you more:

• “lightning” icon - does not accumulate static electricity;
• “wheel” icon - resistant to furniture;
• "warm floor" icon - suitable for installing heated floors.

Throughout the world, linoleum is the most famous and widely used floor covering. For many centuries, this material has been used to cover floors in apartments and country house. Democratic and everyone available material, for the production of which the most safe technologies. The main advantages of this coating are affordable price, easy installation, interesting design solutions. In addition, the coating is very soft, springy and durable.

From the range of materials offered, even a professional will not always be able to make the right decision. It will be easier to choose quality material, if you know how the types of coating differ from each other, what performance characteristics they have and what to pay special attention to when choosing linoleum for the hall, kitchen or bedroom.

General criteria for choosing linoleum

As a rule, choosing good linoleum for an apartment requires special care. It is necessary to take into account not only the cost, but also the purpose of the coating. It is important to remember about the load on the material, how passable the room is, and how many people live in the apartment. It is important to choose a floor covering, taking into account requirements such as noise absorption, thermal insulation qualities, exposure to moisture on the material and protection from harmful bacteria.

Apartment design also plays an important role in choosing flooring. Various images are applied to the material, plain drawings, which imitate a variety of textures. For example, the surface of wood or natural stone, fabric or ceramic tiles.

Except general rules, there are also advice from consultants on how to choose high-quality linoleum for the kitchen, bedroom or corridor. First, turn on your sense of smell at full capacity, since the pungent odor of the coating means that the material artificial origin consists of components hazardous to human health. Secondly, the drawing must be clear.

In addition, the product must comply with all safety standards, which will be confirmed by a hygiene certificate. Good and high-quality linoleum is tested by experts and receives the appropriate marking. When purchasing, roll out the roll to make sure there are no lumps or peeling of the film.

Attention ! Don't buy uneven linoleum. This is marriage. Irregularities cannot be smoothed out.

Consultants advise purchasing linoleum for a nursery or kitchen, which has a special film. It serves as a protection for the material, so it can be washed and will retain its original appearance longer. appearance.

All linoleum should be selected from one batch, since even the same coating articles may differ in color.

Existing types of linoleum

Material of natural origin

Most consumers are convinced that linoleum is a material of synthetic origin. But in fact, today you can also find natural coatings. His constituent elements are:

1. Pine resin.
2. Natural dyes.
3. Cork flour.
4. Wood.
5. Jute fabric.
6. Linseed oil.
7. Lime powder.

They make the material environmentally friendly and durable, making it safe even for children. In addition, linoleum after long-term operation maintains its original color. But compared to synthetic material, natural linoleum has certain disadvantages. These are high cost, fragility, fear of high humidity. Therefore, it cannot be installed, for example, in the bathroom.

Advantages:

• The material complies with environmental standards.
• Has bactericidal properties.
• Withstands use, impact sun rays, does not support combustion and does not change its original color over time.

Linoleum artificial production divided into four types.

Polyvinyl chloride

The most popular material, the main advantages of this coating are:

• Thermal conductivity. And this is very important, especially for rooms where the floor is cold.
• Moisture resistant.
• Simple installation technology.
• Antistatic.
• Environmental Safety.

Among the disadvantages of the coating, one can note the strong influence low temperatures, solvents containing chemical elements, fats and alkaline compounds.

Glypthal linoleum

To make this coating, an alkyd resin is used, which is applied to the fabric. The main advantage of such linoleum is excellent thermal insulation and sound insulation. Among the disadvantages of the material there is fragility and complex laying of the material.

Colloxin

Linoleum, for the production of which high quality nitrocellulose is used. The material perfectly withstands moisture, is fireproof, does not shrink, but is sensitive to temperature changes.

Linoleum-relin

This type of coating requires two layers. The first one contains crushed rubber. The second layer of coating is the front layer, and its components are rubber, pigment, and filler. The advantages of this synthetic material include:

• Elasticity.
• Durability.
• The ability not to absorb moisture.

But there is one main drawback of this coating and it does not allow laying this type of linoleum in a child’s room or bedroom. This harmful substances, which are included in its composition.

Linoleum for the bedroom

The bedroom is hidden from prying eyes. Therefore, traffic in this room is minimal. Thus, you can put not too thick linoleum here. For example, polyester household or foam material based on polyvinyl chloride.

But since a person spends a third of his life in the bedroom, he must be surrounded environmental materials. Correctly chosen linoleum for the bedroom means a healthy and safe sleep.

Important ! Finishing material should not be electrified or accumulate static electricity.

The best option would be natural linoleum, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also bactericidal. It does not emit harmful substances that can become a threat to the human body. This covering can be placed not only in the bedroom, but also in the children's room.

How to choose linoleum for the hall

If there are no children in the house, then you can choose ordinary household flooring due to the fact that the room is not used that much. Additionally, you can put a carpet on top of the covering. If there is a work area in the hall or if someone lives in an apartment big family, then it is better to choose a semi-commercial coating.

But what kind of linoleum to choose for the hall if children live in the house? In this case, you should take into account not only the performance characteristics of the coating, but also the behavior of the children and their habits. Small children begin to crawl before they can walk. At this time, they are curious and pick up everything from the floor, and some babies love to lick it. It often happens like this, first with your hands on the floor, and then with these unwashed hands you put something tasty in your mouth. Therefore, if there is a small generation in the house, it is better to choose a natural material that has bactericidal properties.

If finances do not allow you to choose high-quality linoleum for your apartment, then better than PVC on a warm basis. Bare legs small child will be safe and protected from the cold. As for design, there are no strict recommendations in this case. It is enough that the flooring fits perfectly into the surrounding interior.

How to choose the right linoleum for the kitchen

When choosing flooring for the kitchen, it is worth remembering its additional protection, in addition to wear resistance and durability. Some types of linoleum provide an additional glossy or matte protective layer. Main protective quality is to prevent penetration various kinds dirt and easier cleaning. This is the type of linoleum that is best suited for the kitchen.

It is important to protect the material from fungi or bacteria. In this case the best solution the floor covering, which is based on linseed oil. It is a powerful antiseptic natural origin and it will protect not only the floor from germs, but also the air.

In addition, when choosing linoleum for the kitchen, you should take into account the anti-slip qualities. After all, during the cooking process, you can unnoticedly spill liquid on the floor and slip, resulting in injury. The anti-slip coating provides an uneven, embossed relief surface, for example, a pattern imitating stone or wood. Some types of linoleum provide such a special layer, which includes microparticles, their main task is to increase friction.

Texture and colors of linoleum for the kitchen

A wide selection of flooring for the kitchen will help create a cozy and stylish interior. The most decorative type is heterogeneous synthetic linoleum. PVC will please distinctive characteristics in the form of imitation natural materials, for example, wood and stone, or ceramic tiles.

A country or Provence style kitchen will be perfectly decorated with linoleum with an image imitating massive board. A monochromatic floor covering in a memorable or, conversely, modest shade is perfect for a modern or high-tech style.

In the kitchen classic style you can put a material that will imitate ceramic tiles. A small pattern will visually enlarge the space, warm shades will create a homely, cozy atmosphere, and monotonous patterns will add calm. Bright and contrasting images on the surface of the coating will invigorate.

Selected high-quality linoleum will help separate the kitchen from the dining room, and large room divided into independent zones. To do this, you can use a material that will differ in color or texture.

It is necessary to choose the color of natural flooring for the kitchen very carefully. As they dry out vegetable oils, the shade will change, it may become the same under the influence ultraviolet rays. For example, beige colors may become yellowish; blue or gray ones acquire a greenish tint over time.

And to consolidate your knowledge of which linoleum to choose for your apartment, you can watch the video.

The long-awaited renovation season is coming. Many apartment owners think about which linoleum is best for their 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 placed on it depend on this. Will it be able to withstand the loads that are placed on it in a particular room? Will the selected linoleum answer technical specifications, such as moisture resistance, sound absorption, etc. Does the material match 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 reverse side of the linoleum you can see two numbers. One of them means the type of premises: 2 (residential building), 3 ( office building), 4 (production room). The second number indicates the strength of the material. In accordance with the loads, linoleum is divided into three groups:

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

Hallway

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

Bathroom

This is a special room in any home, if only because it is different 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 people are wondering whether it is worth using linoleum for the hall. In an apartment, this is probably the room with the least load on the floor. Therefore, it is quite justified to use classic linoleum in it, especially if it is partially covered with carpets. It is important to choose the right color. If you want to highlight the floor against the general background, choose a linoleum color that contrasts with the walls and furniture. To make the room look harmonious, select several accessories to match the color of the floor. This could be textiles, souvenirs, vases, etc.

Kitchen

It is obvious that this room needs a special floor covering. 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 general design are the floors in the apartment. Linoleum for the kitchen, in addition to attractive colors that match the style, must have anti-slip properties. It's no secret that it's quite often wet. Therefore, the anti-slip properties will protect you from injury.

Experts advise choosing wide linoleum for the kitchen so that it can be laid without unnecessary seams. When transporting, roll it up, 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 there is a room for a baby, it is especially important to do right choice. The floor will not be used too intensively, but it should be taken into account that a small person will be crawling on it and splashing with his bare feet, and therefore you need to pay attention Special attention his safety.

The most floor covering is natural linoleum. Flaxseed oil, which is included in its composition, has bactericidal properties and antistatic properties. In other words - this best option. But you should know that its price is twice as expensive as the synthetic one. If you decide that this material is too expensive for you, then lay it upper layer glued onto jute or felt base. Such material for children's rooms is decorated with bright and colorful images of animals or favorite cartoon characters, which the baby will certainly like.

Is linoleum harmful?

When starting a home renovation, every person is concerned about how to choose safe, environmentally friendly clean materials. Is linoleum harmful? In the apartment, natural material is completely safe. However, today manufacturers offer much more synthetic PVC coatings. Their manufacturers claim that they are also safe provided that certain operating rules are followed:

• You should 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);
• You should not purchase a non-certified product - it may contain

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

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

Which linoleum is better to choose for your home? Surely you are also tormented by this question when you look at the assortment PVC coatings, which are offered by local stores. Despite the huge number of others, various materials, linoleum still remains no less popular as in the last century. This is not surprising - after all, it has a lot of patterns and colors, is very easy to install and its cost is much lower, for example, the same laminate.

And the fact that it is soft to the touch and at the same time elastic and does not crack over time, like laminate or ceramic tile, - I don’t think it’s worth telling you.

The price range of linoleum has a wide range. This leads to the question - which linoleum to choose so that in a couple of years you don’t have to change it again. Let's look at this in this article.

Choice of linoleum

When choosing linoleum for your apartment, you can get confused in the wide range of floor coverings presented in stores. To go to the store you need to clearly decide on the following parameters:

1. For what room do you need linoleum (hallway, kitchen, children's room, hall, bathroom).
2. What is the maximum load for this type of linoleum and whether it fits your parameters (how many people live in the apartment, what is the estimated traffic capacity).
3. What basic parameters should your future floor have (sound insulation, moisture resistance, heat conservation).
4. How will it fit into the interior of your home? There are hundreds of varieties on the market color solutions linoleum, ranging from standard abstractions to imitation wood, parquet, stone.

What does it consist of?

To quickly decide which linoleum is better for home , you first need to find out what types of linoleum are on the market. It just so happens that not all linoleum is made from natural materials. The watch is still produced on the basis of synthetics. For example: colloxylin, polyvinyl chloride, glyphthalic. This is far from full list those materials from which linoleum is made. Only then will you be able to choose required material for your home once you understand what each type of this common flooring is.

Which type should I choose?

Of the majority of factors by which it is customary to divide good linoleum for an apartment into types, we will focus on two main ones:based and without basis. Let's take a closer look at each of the types below and try to determinewhich linoleum to choose for your home?

Types of linoleum

Household coatings are divided into three main groups:

• heterogeneous (which consist of several layers) foam coatings
• homogeneous (one layer) - they have no base
• linoleum on a fibrous needle-punched base

There are several factors that determine the type of linoleum. One of them divides linoleum according to the presence of a base:

• Linoleum based;
• Linoleum without base.

Baseless linoleum

It consists mainly of three or more layers (polyurethane, a layer with a pattern, fiberglass and a base layer). Presented wide choice both sizes and colors. And more expensive analogues have a wide surface, the so-called imitation. This type considered the most wear-resistant. Recommended use in places where there is a lot of traffic.

It’s okay if you lay it in your apartment where 2-4 people live. TWhich linoleum is better to choose for the bedroom.

Linoleum based

This type is further divided into several subtypes, which have differentlinoleum base, which one is better for you to choose:

Foamed linoleum

Quite flexible coating with good performance durability and various color options. Mainly used in residential areas.

Linoleum on jute (fabric) basis

The wear resistance of this linoleum depends on the thickness of the protective layer. You can also choose any patterns and colors for linoleum. This linoleum is used in residential premises where there is no big movement of people and additional thermal insulation of the floor is required, for example, to insulate a balcony.

The most expensive are special PVC coatings. They are used as a finishing floor covering in areas with special conditions operation. This type of linoleum has high wear resistance, fire resistance and is equipped with a layer that ensures electrical safety.

Important!

PVC linoleum is also divided into separate classifications:

• home (for private houses and apartments);
• semi-commercial linoleum ( for beauty salons, solariums and other places with low traffic);
• commercial linoleum ( trade showrooms, grocery stores, - where there is high traffic).

Natural linoleum

A good linoleum for an apartment should be natural! The production of natural linoleum involves the use of mixtures of pine resin, wood flour, natural dyes, linseed oil, cork flour and limestone powder, and the base is made of jute fabric. Due to the fact that all the materials included in this linoleum are natural, it has proven itself to be excellent for flooring in children's rooms and in the homes of people who suffer from diseases such as asthma.

Its advantages:

• abrasion resistant
• consists of environmentally friendly materials
• color does not change over many years, does not fade in sunlight
• includes bactericidal properties
• does not smolder or burn (if you put out a cigarette, there will be no traces left)
• ease of maintenance and care
• wide range of shades,“marble” or plain pattern

Its disadvantages:

• high fragility class (it is prohibited to throw and bend during installation work , cracks may appear);
• if there is high humidity in the room, it is better to refrain from using it (for example, a bathroom, bathroom)
• the cost is high compared to analogues

P Olivinyl Chloride-linoleum

PVC linoleum can be single-layer or multi-layer and is made on a non-woven base with increased thermal insulation. Recently, Russian manufacturers began to produce this type coatings on Western machines, due to which price policy has become acceptable for this type of coating almost everyone who wants it.

Advantages:

• not high thermal conductivity
• dominated by dielectric properties
• environmentally friendly
• doesn't rot
• a wide variety of patterns, designs and colors;
• easy to install

Flaws:

• critical of high temperatures
• solvent or alkali may leave a permanent mark
• at low temperature loses elasticity and may burst

Varieties of synthetic

1. domestic
2. semi-commercial
3. commercial

Household linoleum (suitable for an apartment or a private house ) less thickness, Why is it cheaper?, on this he loses a good part of its service life and will last no more than 3-5 years.

Commercial linoleum(suitable for office and work spaces) has the highest wear resistance, is the thickest and most durable, can delight with its beauty for more than 20 years.

Semi-commercial linoleum is a middle link between the two types described above, most often used in commercial areas with low traffic, or in at home, where greatest cross-country ability. The declared service life of such coating is 6-20 years.

Alkyd (glypthal) linoleum

Very easy to make. Alkyd resin on special equipment applied on a fabric base.

Advantages:

Sound and heat insulation at a high level

Flaws:

• Fragile as a consequence why problems arise during installation
• Over time, cracks and breaks may appear

Before starting installation work, it is recommended to leave in a warm room for 3-5 hours, otherwise it may happen coating deformation: length may become less, and the width is larger.

N ytrocellulose is the main component of the components in the production of this floor covering. Belongs to the category baseless.

Advantages:

• Moisture resistant
• Has increased elasticity
• Non-flammable
• Shimmers in the light with a peculiar shine

Flaws:

• May shrink
• Critical to temperature changes

Linoleum is a two-layer type. The lining layer is made from waste rubber tires with the addition of some bitumen. Facial layer (top) results in mixing rubber, filler and coloring pigment.

Advantages:

• Has increased elasticity and high resistance to moisture

Flaws:

• The composition includes substances that are harmful to the body and gradually evaporate. va.
• It is forbidden to cover floors in residential premises

Which color should I choose?

After technical requirements You have chosen the linoleum, it’s time to think about choosing a color. If there were 2 types of flowers on the shelf in the store, it would be easier to choose. And when there are 27 titles, what to do? The choice is not an easy thing. Let's look at some recommendationswhat color of linoleum is best for the home?

According to an expert designer, it is worth considering the fact that based on the volume of the room and its lighting, each of the colors will look different.

Shades of yellow and green are designed to relieve fatigue

Gently yellow and light beige shades will give the average person a warm feeling of comfort

Hue turquoise color ideal for installation in the bathroom, as they will be associated with freshness

Blue or blue shades will look good in conference rooms or bedrooms as these colors are relaxing.

Colors such as orange, yellow or red bring notes of positivity, a feeling of cheerfulness and warmth.

In work areas or offices, all shades of gray are best suited, as it is not distracting and helps to concentrate

Linoleum white, in the interior it can be combined with any colors, which is why designers will like it

The opposite black can only be used as an addition to the interior composition

And in conclusion, we give you 10 tips what linoleum to choose for your home.

Video instruction

The range of flooring materials is expanding with new types, introducing us to such exotic materials as cork and self-leveling flooring. But this in no way reduces the popularity of linoleum, which still remains one of the budget and at the same time durable floor coverings.

Different rooms - different linoleum

Today you can find linoleum that differs not only in shade and pattern, but also in performance characteristics and purpose (for apartments, industrial or public premises). How to choose linoleum? Find out what type of room the linoleum is intended for, possible by marking consisting of two numbers, the first of which indicates the type of room:

• 1 - apartment;
• 2 - office;
• 3 - public or industrial premises.

The second number indicates the level of coating strength:

• 1 - low strength;
• 2 - average strength;
• 3 - high strength;
• 4 - very high strength.

Marking 23 indicates that such linoleum can be laid in the kitchen of an apartment shared by two people. In the same room, but with a large number Residents will need class 31 linoleum.

You can find out what type of room the linoleum is intended for by the marking, which consists of two numbers, the first of which indicates the type of room, the second - well, the level of strength of the coating.

Here are the main rules for choosing linoleum or how to choose linoleum:

• pay attention to the smell of the material. A pungent odor indicates the presence of large quantity harmful chemical impurities , which means low quality. U quality linoleum no smell;
• choose linoleum with an additional protective coating (antibacterial or varnish). A floor with such a coating is easier to clean; dirt does not eat into it;
• To determine the quality of the coating, you need to unroll the entire roll. Only in this way will protrusions and irregularities, bumps and peeling of the film become noticeable, in a word, defects that cannot be corrected;
• pay attention to the shade of linoleum. There should be no foreign inclusions on the surface (their presence indicates the content of various impurities that are not present in high-quality material);
• When buying several rolls, make sure that they are from the same batch, since samples from different batches will differ in color, even if their article number is the same.

Purchased linoleum cannot be folded in half, and tape should not be glued to its front side. To avoid damage to the material during transportation, it must be rolled up with the front side inward.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of linoleum are the following:

• ease of care. The material is easy to wash with a damp cloth, it is moisture resistant, it is only important to ensure the quality of its installation, since improper installation will lead to damage to the coating due to water getting inside;
• strength and durability. The correctly chosen type of coating will last for decades, linoleum does not wear out and is not afraid of mechanical damage;
• environmental friendliness. Natural linoleum or high quality PVC material does not emit harmful compounds and does not attract dust, which allows it to be used even in medical institutions;
• high sound insulation. Unlike porcelain tiles, linoleum muffles sound from impacts, falling heavy objects, and even walking in heels;
• budget. Compared to other analogues (parquet, tiles, self-leveling flooring), the cost of linoleum is several times lower.

Natural linoleum or high-quality PVC material does not emit harmful compounds and does not attract dust, which allows it to be used even in medical institutions;

The disadvantages of linoleum are:

• Seams. When laying over a large area, it becomes necessary to join several sheets. Over time, dust accumulates in the formed seams, which greatly spoils the appearance of the floor;
• swelling of the surface, which is a consequence of unprofessional installation;
• sensitivity to temperature. No matter how durable linoleum is, it is still not a tile and you should not place hot pots on it.

Which linoleum to choose from a bunch of types

Linoleum is divided into several types depending on:

• materials of manufacture: natural, PVC, alkyd, rubber, nitrocellulose;
• purposes: household, semi-commercial, commercial;
• presence of a base: with or without a base;
• number of layers: heterogeneous (multilayer) or homogeneous (single-layer).

The highest quality, and therefore most expensive, is natural linoleum. Its basis is jute, tree resin, cork, linseed oil and mineral additives. This material has high strength and thermal insulation, has a noble appearance and is safe for health. The disadvantages are the homogeneity of the structure (only one layer), a limited palette of shades and high cost compared to synthetic analogues.

PVC linoleum can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. The type of material depends on the number of layers. The most durable is commercial, followed by semi-commercial and household. Linoleum of the first type is indispensable for the kitchen and hallway, living room, children's room and other rooms with massive furniture you can lay semi-commercial linoleum. Household linoleum is the most vulnerable, so it is only suitable for a bedroom or guest room.

Alkyd linoleum has high heat and sound insulation characteristics, but low strength and low resistance to temperature fluctuations.

Rubber linoleum(Relin) is made from synthetic rubber mixed with bitumen. It is quite elastic and moisture resistant material, but is not suitable for use in residential premises due to hygiene requirements.

A special approach for the kitchen

Requirements to kitchen floor much higher than floor covering in any other room of the apartment. This includes strength, moisture resistance, heat resistance, and a noble appearance. Optimal choice will be for the kitchen commercial PVC linoleum class 31. This coating will withstand both temperature changes and high humidity, and ingress of chemicals. Natural linoleum is not used in the kitchen due to its low strength.

Which linoleum is best for the kitchen. Kitchen linoleum should have a multilayer (heterogeneous) structure with a protective layer thickness of 0.35 - 0.7 mm. Homogeneous linoleum is not suitable for the reason that it does not have a protective layer, and without it the design will very soon be erased.

The strength of linoleum directly depends on its density; the denser the material, the stronger it is. When purchasing, this can be easily determined by weight: dense linoleum will be heavier.

As for the shade, most often the kitchen floor is finished linoleum warm shades (natural yellowish brown and beige tones). Visually enlarge small space you can by laying linoleum with a small pattern on the floor. But a coating with a large ornament will highlight the furniture favorably. Next, we will discuss which linoleum is better.

Popular brands and approximate costs

Which linoleum manufacturer is better? Depending on the material of manufacture and type of linoleum, its cost per sq. m. m. can range from 168 rubles. (household) up to 880 rub. (commercial). The cost of semi-commercial linoleum averages 314 - 747 rubles per sq. m. m.

The highest quality products are from the following manufacturers or which linoleum is the best:

• Tarkett. The company provides a huge range of household and commercial linoleum with different performance characteristics. Among the presented products you can find options for various price category(from 300 to 1300 rubles per sq. m.).
• Juteks also produces products that differ high quality and average cost (235 - 326 rubles per sq. m.).
• Gerflor- a French company offering exquisite and high-quality products (369 - 895 rubles per sq. m.).
• IVC- a Belgian brand that produces linoleum imitation stone, wood, wool and marble (250 - 416 rubles per sq. m.).

Laying linoleum.

It is easiest to trim along the edges; the resulting unevenness can be hidden with a plinth. When laying overlapping sheets, it is necessary to trim the joint as carefully and accurately as possible. This is easier to do by laying two pieces overlapping each other and cutting through them.

Installation begins with calculating the required amount of material. For this it is necessary calculate the area of ​​the room by measuring the length and width. When taking measurements, you need to take into account the doorways, leaving 10 cm for their share. Since the pieces of linoleum will have to be joined, you need to add another 5-7 cm to the results obtained. For example, to finish the floor in a room 3 by 5 meters you will need 16 meters of linoleum (3 m + 7 cm of stock) * (5 m + 10 cm for the doorway + 7 cm of stock) = 16 square meters.

How wide is linoleum? Linoleum Available in widths 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 or 4 meters. The optimal option would be one in which the linoleum lays over the entire area with a minimum number of joints.

Next, you need to adjust the linoleum to the size of the room. It is easiest to trim along the edges; the resulting unevenness can be hidden with a plinth. When laying overlapping sheets, it is necessary to trim the joint as carefully and accurately as possible. This is easier to do by laying two pieces overlapping each other and cutting through them.

It is necessary to lay linoleum on the most flat surface possible. Surface preparation consists of cleaning it, removing debris and old coating. If on concrete base there are protrusions, they need to be shot down, but unevenness (you can read about leveling the floor).

IN small spaces with low traffic, linoleum can not be glued, but secured with skirting boards around the perimeter. Flaw this method is that after a while blisters will appear on the floor.

If you leveled using self-leveling mixtures or concrete, then you need to wait until the surface is completely dry, because moisture under the linoleum will not evaporate and will lead to rotting and the development of mold under the floor.

You can attach linoleum to the floor using glue or baseboards. The first option is suitable for large rooms and when laying overlapping. To do this, you need to apply construction adhesive to the floor surface and unroll a roll of linoleum on it, previously adjusted to the size of the room.

In small rooms with low traffic, linoleum can not be glued, but secured with skirting boards around the perimeter. The disadvantage of this method is that after a while blisters will appear on the floor. Thus, laying linoleum without taking into account preparatory workwill take about 2 hours.

• It is better to lay linoleum not on bare concrete, but on a backing made of wool, jute, or flax.
• If linoleum already has a fabric base, then it is better to glue it with dispersion glue or bitumen mastic.
• Linoleum must be laid at a temperature not lower than 15 degrees.
• Sealing of seams can be done using wide-headed nails, aluminum strips and cold welding(special glue). The latter option allows you to make the seams less noticeable.

How much will it cost to install linoleum by a professional?

The cost of laying linoleum depends on its type. So, installation of household and commercial linoleum with glue will cost approximately 250 - 350 rubles per sq.m. (together with material), installation linear meter skirting boards 70 - 100 rubles, installation of a threshold 100 - 150 rubles. per linear meter. If there is a need to carry out additional work(dismantling the old floor, leveling, constructing a screed), then the total cost of laying linoleum increases.