The choice of flooring today is not a problem. Trade organizations offer wide selection materials that will make the floor warm, durable, comfortable. However, as practice shows, the majority stops at linoleum, which allows you to make an apartment cozy and beautiful without causing serious damage to the family budget.
To save the budget, you can lay linoleum on the floorThe main characteristics of linoleum
When it is necessary to choose a floor covering, all properties are taken into account, helping to choose exactly the one that will meet the balanced requirements of price and quality, combine:
- variety of colors and patterns;
- ease of installation.
Linoleum has technical characteristics that depend on:
- from the connecting element;
- framework structures;
- composition.
An important indicator of quality is the level of wear resistance and abrasion. It is the basis for distinguishing the coating, depending on the purpose of its application. It is divided into household, semi-commercial and commercial.
An important factor in choosing linoleum is wear resistance. Types of linoleum, depending on the material of manufacture
Products are represented by a variety of options that determine their consumer properties.
Material type | Advantages | disadvantages |
|
Natural | Flax oil Pine resin wood flour Powder Limestone (in powder) natural dyes The base is made from processed jute. | Does not lose color from exposure to sunlight. Resistant to aggressive chemicals. Environmentally friendly, does not contain components harmful to health. Natural antistatic. | High price Increased brittleness |
PVC | Polymer polyvinyl chloride | Not subject to decay. Low thermal conductivity. High degree of wear resistance. | It retains an unpleasant chemical smell for a long time. Traumatic (slippery) |
colloxin (nitrocellulose) | Cotton or wood pulp nitrate | Elastic It has excellent moisture resistance. | Low fire resistance Very thin |
glyptal | Alkyd resin | High thermal conductivity Excellent soundproof qualities | During operation shrinks in length and stretches in width |
Rubber | Used crushed rubber | High water repellency Elasticity | During operation, it emits substances harmful to health. |
Household linoleum Varieties of PVC linoleum, depending on wear resistance and scope
When buying flooring, it is important to pay attention to whether it meets the necessary parameters, in particular, how durable it will be. Polyvinyl chloride linoleum (PVC) is just that. However, it is equally important to decide where it will be used.
Household PVC has its own characteristic advantages:
- has good sound and heat insulation;
- elastic;
- presented in a variety of colors and patterns;
- weight 1 sq. meters does not exceed 2.25 kg.
Manufacturers take into account small loads in residential areas, so this type of linoleum has the lowest level of wear resistance, which is not evidence of poor quality.
Sometimes manufacturers take into account the load It will look great in the bedroom, keeping the integrity, freshness of colors and brightness of the pattern for many years. It will serve a little less in the nursery, where restless kids love to crawl on the floor. For the kitchen, dining room or hallway, you need to choose the material, focusing on the thickness of the protective layer.
As for commercial linoleum, its wear resistance is high, which is important:
- in offices with a large throughput of visitors during the day;
- at social facilities;
- in medical and educational institutions;
- sports, shopping and entertainment centers and others.
At the same time, it retains its original appearance for a long time, does not fade, and is practically not subject to deformation.
Such linoleum is very durable and does not give in to deformation. Another type of coating, called semi-commercial, is used in the equipment of residential premises and offices. It will serve for many years without losing its best consumer qualities:
- in houses and apartments where large families live, especially when equipping kitchens and hallways;
- in offices with a small number of visitors;
- on small objects for various purposes.
PVC material is diverse in color solutions, has a democratic price and availability.
PVC linoleum has a variety of colors Types of linoleum depending on the structure
Linoleum used in rooms with various conditions operation, gave impetus to the emergence of a material with a different structure. It is customary to distinguish between homogeneous and heterogeneous coatings, as well as having a base and baseless.
Homogeneous is formed from polyvinyl chloride granules and dyes, which form a homogeneous mixture, where the pattern is visible throughout the entire thickness and remains unchanged for a long time.
A heterogeneous material is characterized by the presence of several layers, which include:
- fiberglass,
- nonwovens,
- foamed pvc.
This allows it to be used as a universal coating. Jute and felt are used to enhance comfort and durability. However, under certain conditions, under negative influences, product delamination is possible.
Laying such wallpaper is on a perfectly flat surface. As for the base, it is not necessarily present in the product, which is not always a disadvantage. Baseless linoleum is a fairly thin material, which makes it a low cost, but some of its types have a high abrasion rate. Therefore, with proper handling, it can be used for a long time. Jute or felt is usually used as a base, as well as foam material. It is believed that the thicker it is, the stronger the linoleum.
Advice. In fairness, it is worth noting that not every baseless material is strong and durable. In most cases, it is very fragile, so you need to lay it on the most even surface.
Linoleum with a base has a backing that retains heat well and increases wear resistance. It perfectly “lays down” on the surface, which is facilitated by its elasticity.
The thicker the base, the stronger the linoleum Determination of a suitable option for premises for various purposes
To determine the most successful flooring option, you can use the recommendations developed by experts who labeled linoleum based on the load intensity parameter. The room types were numbered as follows:
2 - residential,
3 - office,
4 - industrial.
Accordingly, the load intensity on the material is defined from low to very high and is indicated by numbers from one to four.
The final marking is carried out using two numbers, for example, 23, which means that the material is intended for domestic premises with a high degree of load.
For a particular room, you can choose a specially numbered linoleum Dimensions of linoleum for the floor
Despite the seeming strangeness of the question of the size of the flooring, it is relevant, since the material has certain features to be taken into account during installation. This refers to the provided list of the size range of linoleum, regarding its width, which ranges from one and a half to five meters. Material can be found in shops different size, but, according to experts, the most popular are rolls two to three meters wide.
Most good option there will be wide linoleum As a rule, they try to lay it in whole pieces, the dimensions of which correspond to the parameters of the room. When taking measurements, consider:
- existing ledges and niches;
- spaces under doorways;
- other design features.
If the measurements and calculations are carried out correctly, then you will not have to buy additional material, which saves money and facilitates the work process.
Linoleum classes for rooms
Experts have developed a scale of classes for the use of linoleum for rooms.
The first household option includes various residential premises, where coverage of various classes is used.
The most budgetary is class 21 linoleum, which is recommended for use in bedrooms, living rooms and some office space.
Linoleum classes and scope The 22nd is denser and more durable, so it is advisable to lay it in the kitchen or in the nursery.
The most durable among household linoleum is class 23 material.
- increased wear resistance;
- multicolored colors and a variety of patterns;
- multi-layered structure.
Class 31 material is used in office premises:
- small conference rooms that are not used on a permanent basis;
- hotels;
- offices without visitors.
The 32nd has a higher wear resistance and is widely used in offices, small shops and so on.
At social and cultural facilities and in office centers, class 33 is used.
The strongest and most reliable is flooring 34th class, which can be used in large supermarkets and other public facilities.
Industrial linoleum of 41-43 classes has a high level of strength and wear resistance, which is the decisive argument when calculating its cost: it is the most expensive. Application by class directly depends on the profile of industrial production.
Industrial linoleum has a high level of strength and wear resistance The texture and color of linoleum for the floor
Retail chains offer a wide selection of flooring in various qualities, colors and patterns. However, it is worth considering not only the beauty of the ornament, but also the place where it will be used. With design solutions, the subsequent feeling of comfort and coziness directly depends on the correct selection of colors and the functionality of the room.
In the bedroom it is better not to take material with a very bright and large pattern. The most successful will be:
- cream or soft white tones;
- beige;
- baked milk colors
- with wood or marble ornament.
Linoleum with wood ornaments will look very nice. In addition, you should consider the size and illumination of the room.
Attention! If the area of the bedroom is small or the windows face the shady side, where the sun rarely looks, it is worth buying light-colored material that will visually enlarge the room and make it brighter.
For the kitchen and hallway, a dense material with a high level of wear resistance is suitable. As for the coloring, it should not tire with its brightness and intrusiveness: this will contribute to the early fatigue of the hostess, who spends much of her time in this room.
It should be easy to care for, free of unpleasant odors and unresponsive to aggressive chemicals that are used for cleaning.
If linoleum is installed in the bathroom, which does not happen often, you need to pay attention to its water-repellent properties. The best option there will still be tiles or any other ceramic coating.
Video: How to lay linoleum
Video: How to choose the right linoleum
Linoleum is the most optimal flooring in terms of price to quality ratio. average cost material varies from 300-600 rubles per 1 m2. For this price, the consumer receives quality cladding for floors with an average service life of 10-12 years.
When choosing linoleum, its priority is specifications, which determine the strength, resistance to abrasive load and the scope of the coating.
Main characteristics of the material
The production of any kind of linoleum is strictly regulated and determined by the standard, which is written in GOST and adopted by the international association of manufacturers. These standards indicate what characteristics should be inherent in a particular type of linoleum.
Among the most important standards, GOST 7251-77 should be noted. This is an interstate standard indicating that this coating is intended for flooring in residential, public and industrial premises. Also, this GOST shows that this coating refers to PVC linoleum on a woven and non-woven basis.
Among international norms, the most important standard is EN 548 and EN 685. The first is a list of norms and rules for the manufacture of facing materials general purpose. The second defines the type affiliation and its characteristics.
List of main technical characteristics roll coating
In addition to the above standards, there is a UPEC classification that indicates the most important performance characteristics of the coating. Each characteristic corresponds to a capital letter in the abbreviation:
- U - resistance to abrasion. Defined by index from 0 to 4;
- P - residual deformation. Gradation from 0 to 4;
- E - resistance to moisture;
- C - resistance to chemicals. Denoted by index from 1 to 3.
For an ordinary consumer, these norms and rules are not so important, and they do not help much in choosing the right product. Therefore, to simplify this process it is better to consider the performance characteristics that are worth studying when purchasing the material directly.
Among the main technical characteristics of linoleum, the following can be distinguished:
- coating wear resistance class;
- product structure;
- protective layer thickness;
- degree of flammability and toxicity;
- insulating qualities;
- size.
The color and texture of the coating is not so important and is chosen according to overall design premises. The above characteristics are quite enough to select a safe material that matches the expected load in a particular room.
Classification by scope and class
The wear resistance class is a collective characteristic that shows the ability of a coating to withstand loads of a different nature. In addition, wear resistance determines the scope of linoleum, depending on the type of room.
General information about class dependency and scope
According to European standards, it is customary to distinguish the following wear resistance classes:
- 21-23 - coating intended for laying in residential areas with low traffic and medium traffic. The main scope of use: standard apartments, private houses, home storerooms;
- 31-34 - semi-commercial flooring, laid in rooms with medium and high traffic. Scope: entrance halls in residential premises, schools, corridors in public places, shops and retail areas;
- 41-43 – facing material, designed for use in public areas, small production and industrial workshops. Scope of application: warehouses, repair shops, airports, railway stations.
According to Russian standards, linoleum is divided into domestic, semi-commercial, commercial and coating special purpose. The first two types can be used for laying in an apartment or a private house.
Commercial and specialty coatings are designed for installation in specific conditions, characterized by increased load. Laying them at home does not make sense.
When choosing linoleum for a multi-room apartment, it is worth considering the number of residents living in it and the traffic in a particular room. In the kitchen and hallway, it is desirable to lay moisture-resistant linoleum of class 23 or 31-32.
For a bedroom and a nursery, the use of coatings of class 22-23 is quite enough. If desired, you can lay a more wear-resistant coating, with a higher service life.
Coating structure and base
Structurally, linoleum is divided into two groups: homogeneous and heterogeneous. Homogeneous linoleum is a single-layer coating. Depending on the binder, it can be natural or polyvinyl chloride.
Single-layer PVC linoleum is made from polyvinyl chloride granules and dyes. For the production of natural linoleum or marmoleum, an analogue is used linseed oil, wood flour, crushed cork, chalk, lime and vegetable dyes.
The components are mixed according to a special recipe, rolled and pressed. The result is a homogeneous web, characterized by high strength and wear resistance.
The most common structure of heterogeneous linoleum
Heterogeneous linoleum is a multilayer floor covering consisting of 2 to 7 layers. As a rule, it consists of a base, substrate material, fiberglass, front, decorative, protective and polyurethane layers.
According to the presence of a base, heterogeneous linoleum is divided into baseless and with a base. The first one has a higher wear resistance, is resistant to deformations and loads. Mainly used in high traffic areas.
The base of the cladding is represented by a jute, felt or foamed polyvinyl chloride substrate. This gives the material increased heat and sound insulation qualities, makes it more flexible and soft. Usually stacks in living quarters.
Multilayer linoleum, unlike a single layer, is a more versatile and affordable material, since the components used for its production are completely artificial.
If we make a more detailed comparison, then homogeneous varieties are undoubtedly better than any multi-layer coating, but their cost is noticeably higher. On average, 1m2 of marmoleum will cost 700-900 rubles, which is noticeably higher than any heterogeneous linoleum of class 21-23.
Coating and protective layer thickness
The thickness of linoleum directly depends on the class of wear resistance and structure. On average, most coverages from various manufacturers have a thickness of 2 to 3.5 mm. Thicker types are practically no longer produced, as they have very low strength and high residual deformation.
For domestic conditions, cladding with a protective layer 0.3 mm thick is sufficient
The total thickness of the roll coating is the sum of the thickness technological layers, responsible for the insulation and decorative qualities of the material, and the thickness of the protective layer.
The thickness of household linoleum for an apartment varies from 1 to 2 mm with a protective front layer thickness of 0.15-0.2 mm. Such linoleum is considered to be thin. It is not recommended to use in rooms with a lot of heavy furniture. You can't walk on it high heels and subjected to long-term abrasive loading.
The thickness of the semi-commercial type is 2 to 3 mm with a face layer of 0.25-0.3 mm. There are products with a thicker protective layer, which directly affects the increase in the cost of the material. Can be laid in the hallway, corridors. You can walk on it in shoes and use furniture on small wheels.
Commercial linoleum has the strongest and thickest front layer from 0.3 to 0.7 mm with an average product thickness of 2-3.5 mm. Able to withstand long and intense loads of various kinds, the movement of light vehicles, technical equipment and a large number of people.
For installation in living conditions a coating up to 3 mm thick with a protective front layer of 0.3 mm is sufficient.
Sizes depending on the type
Roll width from 2 to 4 m - the most popular size
Standard sizes PVC linoleum in width varies from 1.5 to 4 m in increments of 0.5 m. There are rolls with a width of 4.5 and 5 m, but this coating is specialized and is used in commercial industries to cover a large area.
The most popular dimensions are 2, 3 and 4 m. A width of 2 m allows you to lay material with one butt joint, and 3 and 4 meter coverage is enough for flooring in most typical rooms in city apartments.
It is optimal if the width of the linoleum is slightly larger than the width of the room in which it is planned to be laid. The coating, laid in one piece, will allow you to create monolithic base, which will protect the floor space from accidental penetration of moisture and water.
Natural rolled linoleum is produced only 2 m wide. This is due to the fact that marmoleum tends to spread during operation. With a larger width, the degree of deformation will only increase.
Roll length can be up to 60 m, but most manufacturers produce coating in rolls from 15 to 45 m.
The most popular type of flooring in Russia is linoleum. Among a wide variety of finishing materials, he was able to win consumer confidence primarily due to an acceptable cost, but the advantages of the coating do not end there. On the advantages and disadvantages of linoleum, on the methods of selecting linoleum, as well as what color to choose - we will consider these and other questions in our article on linoleum.
Advantages and disadvantages of coverage
As a study of consumer demand shows, in linoleum people are most attracted to the following characteristics:
Huge range of patterns and colors
The presence of wear-resistant types of linoleum
Relatively simple maintenance and cleaning
Easy installation accessible to non-professionals
The ability to hide floor defects
High water resistance
Affordability - from 250 to 600 rubles / sq.m.
The presence of linoleum for rooms of any type
Meanwhile, many shortcomings are attributed to linoleum, as opponents of this coating note:
Irrelevance, "unfashionable"
Risk of mechanical damage
Pungent odor in the first few days after installation
slippery surface
Non-natural composition
It is worth noting that most of the points listed may have been relevant earlier, but not now. Modern requirements to the production of linoleum ensure its safety for humans, for example, it no longer emits a chemical smell. And if we consider products from the middle price category, then they have additional advantages: the presence of a polyester base or antibacterial coating, high-quality imitation of natural materials. And mechanical damage can be avoided if you take into account the type of room when choosing linoleum, as well as the intensity of the loads on the floor in it. Thus, it is only necessary to choose the right flooring so that it has the characteristics you need - and then linoleum will not disappoint.
Subtleties of choice
Before buying linoleum, determine in which particular room it will be used. There are three types of premises in the classification: residential, office and industrial. Each type has its own level of floor loads: low, medium or high. Each load intensity has its own class of linoleum. Please note that within the same type of premises, zones with low, medium and high load are also distinguished. Consider living quarters as an example:
Study, bedroom - living quarters with low loads, class 21 linoleum is recommended for them
Living room, children's room - residential type premises with medium loads, floor coverings of class 22 are suitable here
Corridor, kitchen, nursery with active children - belong to residential premises with a high load on the floor, where class 23 linoleum is needed
There is also a load classification for office premises:
Hotel rooms, offices without a constant flow of visitors - there are relatively low loads and class 31 linoleum is recommended
Reception and meeting rooms in small companies, banquet halls - in these rooms the floor experiences medium loads, which means that class 32 linoleum is required
Classrooms in educational institutions, corridors, trading floors - premises with high loads where you need a floor covering of at least 33, 34 class.
Of course, the higher the class and wear resistance of linoleum, the higher its cost, therefore, when choosing, one should be guided by practical necessity and expediency of expenses.
In addition to the resistance class, there are other nuances that affect the price, but also make linoleum even more pleasant and comfortable:
Special antibacterial coating that prevents the development of harmful microorganisms (especially relevant for classrooms, medical institutions)
Additional protective layer - represents a durable lacquer coating, protects against damage and penetration of dirt into the coating, and therefore facilitates cleaning
Linoleum with embossing and aesthetic relief - as close as possible externally to natural materials and gives the room an elegant look.
The presence of a double base - foamed along with a polyester layer
Determining the durability and additional options, we will study the varieties of linoleum - and there are a lot of them, and each has its own individual characteristics and applications.
There are four main features by which the types of this flooring differ:
by presence/absence of basis
composition
by area of application
by structure
Linoleum with base characterized by the presence of a base layer, which is directly adjacent to subfloor. This type is considered more preferable, as it lasts longer and optionally has additional features, for example, sound insulation, heat preservation, moisture protection and other nuances. The properties of linoleum depend on what kind of material is involved in the base and its thickness.
By basis type allocate linoleum with a felt, foam and woven base.
Felt base allows linoleum to perfectly mask non-critical floor imperfections, so leveling the rough surface before laying is not necessary. Also, this coating is soft, and thanks to the felt it feels like comfortable and warm. But its shortcomings follow from the softness of linoleum - the furniture leaves noticeable non-disappearing marks on it, and it also allows moisture to pass through.
foam base obtained from foamed vinyl. Thanks to this basis, linoleum perfectly withstands the action of water, not letting moisture through in principle - which means it is the optimal floor covering in the bathroom and other rooms with high humidity. The advantageous advantage of linoleum is its good durability, having laid such linoleum, you will not have to think about replacing the coating for 10 years. Also, the product reliably holds its shape, so after rearranging the furniture, traces of it will soon be smoothed out. Linoleum with a foam base also has disadvantages, in particular, it loses its properties when high temperature, therefore unacceptable in combination with a "warm floor". Also, the small thickness of the base (from 2 to 3.5 mm) makes it quite rigid.
Linoleum with woven backing also called alkyd or glyptal, because in its base the woven material is combined with alkyd resins. These components are harmless, therefore, despite the "chemical" name, linoleum is environmentally friendly and safe for humans and animals. Other advantages of the coating are reliable sound and heat insulation, long service life, a large selection color solutions and high wear resistance. At the same time, it does not tolerate moisture, since when wet, the base undergoes decay. Also, low temperatures are contraindicated for alkyd linoleum.
Linoleum without a base is the most inexpensive, and also resistant to moisture, but these advantages hide their negative features. Due to the small thickness, the coating is completely unable to hide the unevenness of the floor, therefore, it requires preliminary careful leveling. Moreover, the life of such linoleum is only 5-7, so the savings are not so effective, because you will have to change the coating more often. But there is a chance that you will not have time to get bored with the color scheme. Baseless linoleum is divided into colloxylin and rubber.
colloxylin linoleum absolutely smooth and made from nitrocellulose. It combines resistance to high humidity with good flexibility and an extensive color palette. But this is where the advantages end and the disadvantages begin: linoleum becomes brittle at low temperatures, and it also burns easily, therefore it is absolutely unacceptable in residential premises and schools, kindergartens.
Rubber linoleum (relin) two-layer in structure - the lower layer is made from a mixture of bitumen with crushed rubber, while the surface one and a half millimeters thick consists of rubber in combination with coloring agents. So that the relin is not too slippery, it is made with a relief surface. The advantages of the coating include resistance to temperature extremes, elasticity and resistance to moisture.
Composition Linoleum is divided into synthetic and natural.
Synthetic or PVC linoleum consists of polyvinyl chloride, which implies its main drawback - a pungent odor, especially in hot weather. On the other hand, its synthetic structure perfectly resists the negative effects of high humidity and is resistant to wear. In addition, the coating, unlike natural, is affordable, absorbs noise, does not slip and does not fade in the sun. A nice bonus will be the presence of many options for decorative design. Due to heat resistance, it can be laid on a “warm floor”.
Linoleum with natural composition distinguished by environmental friendliness and excellent durability. At its core, it has a jute fiber backing, on which it is laid surface layer from a mixture of harmless resins, wood flour, linseed oils, mineral additives and cork wood. This composition is pressed to the required rigidity, dries at certain temperature in two weeks. When the material is properly prepared, a synthetic polymer is applied to it, after which natural linoleum completely ready. The result is a wear and fire resistant coating that will not tarnish under sunbeams and serve up to 30 years.
On the other side finishing material afraid of moisture, it is expensive - from 600 rubles per "square". At the same time, any decorative drawings are not provided at all (however, it looks presentable by itself). Note that the coating is laid only on a perfectly flat subfloor and does not tolerate bending - this causes the linoleum to crack.
Considering Areas of use, household, semi-commercial and commercial linoleum can be distinguished.
Household linoleum is produced with a three-layer structure: base, decorative layer and protective coating. Finishing material is used exclusively in residential areas, since for other purposes it does not have enough wear resistance. The advantage of this type of linoleum is its cheapness, but at the same time it has a short service life and noticeably sags under heavy objects - traces of furniture will remain on it all the time.
Shelfcommercial linoleum in structure it is similar to household, but compares favorably with a more durable protective layer. Thanks to this, it performs well in areas with significant traffic, such as offices, hotel rooms. The main advantage is a long service life, unlike household linoleum. At the same time, its price is still acceptable, so it can be recommended for laying in domestic premises.
commercial linoleum differs in the best strength characteristics and service life. However, it is not recommended to purchase it for residential premises - the coating has a persistent chemical smell.
Depending on the linoleum structures allocate it the following types: homogeneous (single layer) and heterogeneous (multilayer).
homogeneous the coating is a solid layer of polyvinyl chloride, it can be made with various patterns, and the decor penetrates the entire thickness of the material and therefore does not wear off over time. Due to its high strength and 25-year service life, it can be classified as a commercial grade and used in high-traffic areas.
Heterogeneous Linoleum includes up to six different layers. Available with PVC foam or fabric backing. Also, the coating consists of the back side, a layer of fiberglass (applied to the base), the front layer following it decorative pattern and surface protective layer.
Separately, you should consider the decorative properties of linoleum. The choice of design for the future floor is no less responsible business, and in this matter this coating gives a huge scope for imagination.
Selection of the design of the future floor
Moving between racks coated with a variety of shades and ornaments, you understand that there can be no universal solutions in the design of an office or residential interior. For example, in the rays of the sun, artificial lighting and in the shadow the same color is perceived differently. Even the area and geometry of your premises matters - if one version of linoleum fits organically in a spacious hall, then there is no guarantee of its relevance in a small room. It is not easy to take all this into account, but there are several interesting patterns, on the basis of which it will be easier to choose the linoleum you need and not regret your choice in the future.
Considering color associations will help you decide on the choice of color, for example, yellow and green will help restore strength when tired; at the same time, the muted shade of yellow along with the beige color are responsible for the atmosphere of comfort and coziness. Blue relieves tension and calms, so it is often used in the interior of meeting rooms. Light blue goes further and can even make you sleepy, which explains its popularity in bedrooms. For the bathroom, you can look at the turquoise color coating, as it is associated with freshness. Neutral gray will help to set it up for work; in contrast, red and orange create positive mood and great tonic. White color without any contrasting pair, it can cause discomfort with its coldness, but it often becomes the basis for unusual experiments in design. Black is great for accenting. separate zones but good in moderation. Curious will be the interior with a combination of black, red and white accents, which creates a "Japanese" minimalist style.
Color temperature is another tool for creating attractive interiors. Usually the coldest are white, blue and blue, on the opposite top of the scale - orange, as the warmest. A skillful combination of warm and cold shades is used in many design techniques, for example, cold light shades are suitable for small-sized rooms, as they visually expand them. Warm colors, on the contrary, will add coziness and intimacy to wide halls.
If your living room is oriented to the north and lacks sunlight, the best way out is to add warm colors to the interior, they will also make the room brighter. And vice versa, on a hot day, linoleum of cold shades will become a source of calm and coolness. Aged in warm and slightly muted colors, it encourages unhurried, close communication - in such an interior, flooring in warm colors without bright and contrasting elements would be appropriate. If the design of the living room is built on cold, saturated colors, the logical decision would be to use linoleum of no less saturated colors, with contrasting elements.
Color in children's rooms is a special topic. Using soft and delicate colors in the interior of the bedroom, you can easily calm down the most restless tomboy so that he sleeps well and gains strength for a new day. For the playroom, in turn, emphatically bright colors are more suitable, and rich-colored linoleum will invigorate the child, tune in to the harmonious development of creative inclinations and thinking.
In the case of office space, there are certain patterns, for example, a meeting room in gray and cool blue tones will contribute to successful and productive business meetings. The optimal flooring in such an interior is cool colors without a dynamic ornament. A completely different effect is achieved in a room of dark, warm and deep shades - brown with accents of golden, burgundy. Such a solution will ideally set up discussion of issues in a closed format and one-on-one negotiations. It will be appropriate to finish the floor with linoleum with high-quality imitation of natural stone, ceramic tiles or noble wood. It is worth giving preference to deep and rich colors.
Geometry in linoleum design
Visually improving the room and making bright changes to the interior is easier than it seems, if you correctly use the geometric features of the floor covering. A narrow, cramped room visually expands when using flooring with wood texture, boards. Direct such a pattern across long walls or diagonally across the room - and you will feel how comfortable it will be to be in the same room after updating the linoleum.
You can get a more refined and noble look without impressive costs if you purchase a finishing material for the floor that adequately imitates a natural stone or wood coating, for example, a wide deck board or a narrower parquet. The result will be not only a more expensive, but also outwardly “environmentally friendly” interior, and warm shades give the space peace and comfort.
Tiled design, so appropriate in corridors and kitchens, can, with the right choice, both increase and decrease areas in visual perception. For example, in big kitchen linoleum with a large tiled ornament will further emphasize the scale of the room, but in a small kitchen it will be categorically inappropriate, as it will compress and “hide” an already cramped space. In this case, small tiles will be appropriate, they will visually expand a small space.
Another interesting design trick - placing the tile ornament diagonally also effectively increases the visible area of your rooms. And linoleum with unusual abstract patterns will not only emphasize the merits of furniture and decor elements, but can also set the direction for the style of the whole house. Even the standard design in "tile" or "board" with decorative accents - sea shells, floral pattern, geometric lines- brightly highlight your interior from many similar ones.
Linoleum laying technology
Before starting work on the installation of the coating, it is necessary to level and thoroughly clean the subfloor from household and construction rubbish. The temperature in the room is very important, it should be at least 10 degrees. If linoleum is supposed to be placed on a "warm floor", then too thick will retain heat, so it is better to choose a thinner coating and additionally install a substrate under it.
The acquired linoleum is spread on a flat floor surface and left in this form until straightened - usually it takes no more than a day. After that, we cut out the canvas of the required shape, while several centimeters must be retreated from the wall-floor border.
When the linoleum sheet is ready for installation, then you can choose one of the following laying methods:
Laying without gluing usually used in small rooms with little traffic, for example, ideal for bathrooms, bathrooms
Mounting on double sided tape Suitable for rooms with medium traffic. First, the adhesive tape is glued to the subfloor, but the top protective film remains on the adhesive tape. After that, linoleum is spread on the floor and folded in half. In the opened half, the top film is removed from the adhesive tape and linoleum is glued on it, smoothed by hand. After this action is repeated with the second half of the linoleum.
Bonding with special glue carried out using the same technology as double sided tape, with the only difference being that instead of adhesive tape, an adhesive composition is used.
How to care for linoleum
Linoleum is unpretentious and does not require complex care - it is enough to wash it with a moderate amount of water, but without the use of cleaning solvents. Stains from iodine, for example, are removed with soda, and traces of greenery can be easily wiped off with camphor alcohol.
From time to time, linoleum requires polishing, the flooring is pre-washed, and then wiped aqueous solution with special polish. It is also necessary to take into account that it is not allowed to move heavy objects along the linoleum, therefore it is necessary to put gaskets under the legs of heavy pieces of furniture, except for rubber ones.
So, as we found out, despite the opinion about the "unfashionable" linoleum, it is still an actual floor covering. Moreover, it is practical and affordable, while thanks to great choice color schemes, you can choose linoleum for any style and in any type of room - from residential to industrial. The main thing is to choose a material suitable for the load level and lay it on a perfectly leveled surface, in this case the linoleum will not disappoint you and will last for a long time.
Linoleum laying - video
Linoleum is perhaps the most democratic type of flooring. You can meet him, as in fashionable country houses, and in modest city apartments. It successfully harmonizes both with the luxury of the Baroque interior and with the laconic, restrained hi-tech. It is chosen both for residential premises and for schools, offices and other public buildings. We are so accustomed to this type of flooring and we have no idea how many different offers there are on the market! Well, have you ever heard about homogeneous linoleum, or about alkyd? Not many will answer in the affirmative. Let's see what types of linoleum exist?
Linoleum is closely associated with us modern interior, but few people know that this flooring is over a hundred years old! In 1864, Frederick Walton received a patent for the invention of linoleum, which was named after the main raw material - linseed oil. Every year, production has expanded, and now it has become a popular coating that amazes with a variety of colors and patterns. With it, you can imitate a plank floor, natural stone, carpet and even metal.
Thanks to new technologies for the production of linoleum, a large assortment of these products has appeared on the market, which greatly complicates the choice. What is linoleum: technical characteristics, types and types - let's see?
Varieties depending on the binder
In the manufacture of any linoleum, a binder is used, depending on it, the following types of linoleum are distinguished:
- Natural linoleum - high-quality flooring for domestic and commercial use. It is made from exclusively natural ingredients. As part of a mixture of linseed oil, resin, wood and limestone flour, resin, crushed cork, etc. can be made natural pigments. You can use this coating anywhere: from kindergartens to medical institutions and apartments. Its structure allows it to withstand a load of 160 kg per 1 cm square. The disadvantages include rather poor color palette and high cost.
- PVC linoleum (PVC) - they are made polymer materials. It is made of artificial materials, but undergoes strict quality control and safety testing, which allows it to be laid even in bedrooms without risk to health. It can have several layers, or be single-layer, with or without a base. The base can be foam, fabric and heat-insulating. The advantage of this linoleum will be affordable price, a variety of color solutions, but the disadvantages include sensitivity to chemicals and temperature extremes.
- Alkyd or glyptal linoleum has good heat and sound insulation characteristics. It is produced most often on a fabric basis. The disadvantages include fragility, a predisposition to the appearance of creases, deformation and poor response to low temperatures (loses elasticity, warps).
- relin(rubber linoleum) is durable, elastic and moisture resistant. It is made from synthetic rubber and bitumen. The bottom layer is a mixture of bitumen and crushed recycled rubber, the top layer is made of colored rubber. By virtue of hygiene requirements, in residential premises it is not used, but it is great for production.
- colloxylin linoleum (base - nitrocellulose). This linoleum - the characteristics of which are moisture resistance and elasticity - has high decorative properties, a beautiful shine, but at the same time, it is fire hazardous, prone to shrinkage, and is sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
Homogeneous and heterogeneous linoleum
Homogeneous linoleum - a canvas of a uniform structure, with a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm. It does not differ in a variety of patterns, most often plain or with a simple pattern. Due to the fact that it has a uniform color throughout its thickness, it looks like new for a long time, and traces of abrasion are almost invisible on it. Due to excellent performance characteristics and increased wear resistance, such a coating is actively used in rooms with increased loads on the floor: at airports, public buildings, shops, hallways and halls. From time to time, this linoleum requires special care: it must be covered with mastic, which fills the pores. This prevents intensive contamination of the coating and allows it to maintain a presentable appearance for a long time. Some manufacturers immediately apply a special polyurethane film to the linoleum.
Heterogeneous coatings are complex, multilayer structure. The thickness can vary from 2 to 6 mm. Such a coating is more expensive to manufacture and requires more sophisticated technologies. The composition of individual layers can vary significantly, as well as the thickness of the protective layer, which affects the wear resistance and preservation of the brightness of colors and patterns. In addition to the fact that this linoleum can please with a variety of colors, it is also practical, resistant to damage.
Varieties of linoleum depending on the application
Depending on the area in which PVC - linoleum is used, there are commercial, semi-commercial, household and special linoleum.
In areas where the number of visitors is high (in shops, train stations, restaurants, cinemas, etc.), commercial linoleum is used, the characteristics of which allow it to cope with loads perfectly. Commercial(or contract) linoleum was developed with the aim of creating an inexpensive, attractive and durable flooring that would not be inferior in terms of wear resistance to traditional materials. Its significant advantage is the price, ease of installation and wide opportunities for original flooring.
Domestic Linoleum is used for flooring in residential premises, so the requirements for its performance properties are not so great. But close attention is paid to a variety of design solutions. These coatings do not have a very large protective layer, but they have excellent heat and sound insulation properties.
semi-commercial linoleum has taken a position between commercial and domestic. Semi-commercial linoleum has very positive characteristics and will be appropriate where the load on the flooring is not too high, but still significant.
Special linoleum is intended for rooms that have special requirements. It is given certain specific properties: resistance to low temperatures, to aggressive environment etc. These coatings are used, for example, in hospitals, laboratories, gyms and other places.
How to choose the right coverage?
So, you have firmly decided that linoleum will show off on your floor. It remains to choose the right one. It is clear that color and design will attract attention first. But, before making a purchase, you need to determine whether the vending linoleum meets your requirements:
- It would not be superfluous to look at the hygiene certificate, or look for signs on the label that indicate that the product has passed an examination that confirmed its environmental friendliness.
- Determine what grade of coverage you need. You can find out about this from the sales assistant or in a special catalog.
- Pay attention to the thickness of the back layer of linoleum, sound and heat insulation and resistance to deformation depend on it. The thicker the layer, the warmer the floor, you can determine the thickness by eye. The density is determined by pressing on the linoleum with your fingers, the less the thickness changes under pressure, the higher the density of the base and more resistant to point loads.
- Find out how wide linoleum is, because it depends on whether it will be possible to do without seams. Usually, the width of a linoleum roll is from 2 to 4 m (rarely 5 m). Standard sizes are 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 m. When choosing the width of the linoleum, be guided by the size of the room. For example, for a room of 3x6 m, a three-meter linoleum is ideal. And for a corridor 1.5 meters wide, even a narrow roll will need to be cut.
- For summer residents perfect choice will become linoleum with a PVC base, duplicated with polyester. This is explained by the fact that PVC does not tolerate frost and temperature extremes, and polyester smooths out this drawback.
- When choosing linoleum for the kitchen, you should pay attention to samples with an additional varnish coating, which greatly facilitates cleaning and prevents the penetration of dirt into the linoleum structure.
- An antibacterial protective layer can be relevant, both for the kitchen and for the nursery. When in contact with moisture, it releases silver ions, which are known to have antibacterial properties.
Usually, such advantages are not hidden by manufacturers, so you should carefully read the label. Having decided on these parameters, you can stop your attention on color scheme and drawing of linoleum. They must match the purpose of the room. For example, a living room in warm, natural shades encourages relaxation, calm communication, while one made in intense cold colors gives energy and creates a cheerful mood. A bright contrasting pattern will invigorate, and a monotonous, unobtrusive pattern will calm you down. Coldish and light shades will visually enlarge the space, warm ones will make the room more comfortable.
Having learned a little more about linoleum: what happens, its characteristics and properties, I think you can easily choose the right one. After all, the use of linoleum provides a very wide freedom in the design of any interior. Manufacturers bring to the market all new current collections that allow you to make any room unique.
