Which linoleum is better to lay. Which linoleum is better for an apartment - household or semi-commercial, foam-based, or felt? Which linoleum is better to choose for an apartment - household, commercial or semi-commercial

Comfortable for the feet, easy to install, durable, at the same time affordable and accessible - these are the properties of linoleum, which has been used as a floor covering for more than a century. There are many types of material on the market, a wide variety of exterior design options. Let's figure out which linoleum to choose for the house? When purchasing flooring, you should take into account the features of the room and the technical characteristics of the material.

A consumer who wants to purchase linoleum for the home is often confused when he sees a wide range. To buy the right material, you need to consider the following:

• for which room in the house coverage is required (kitchen, hallway, nursery, living room, bathroom);
• the maximum load recommended for a certain type of material, the parameters of the room (how many people live in the apartment, what is the room's permeability);
• the desired qualities of the future floor (the level of heat and sound insulation, the degree of moisture resistance);
• the ability of the flooring to harmonize with the interior of the home.

Natural

The material has the following advantages:

• environmentally friendly, made from natural substances (linseed oil, flax and jute fiber, limestone, wood flour, natural resin);
• has high strength, wear resistance, bactericidal property;
• ease of care, the flooring is easy to clean up with ordinary detergents;
• not electrified, resistant to the effects of the sun, fire.

The disadvantages of environmentally friendly linoleum for the home include:

• high price;
• exposure to moisture;
• reduced elasticity, making it difficult to lay in a cold room;
• specific smell of freshly laid material, disappearing after a few months.

PVC

PVC linoleum for the home is equipped with a fabric or non-woven heat-insulating base, has one or more layers. Coverage benefits include:

• reduced thermal conductivity;
• dielectric property;
• ecological cleanliness;
• decay resistance;
• a variety of options for exterior decoration in the house;
• ease of installation.

The material has the following disadvantages:

• afraid of high temperature;
• resistant to chemical solvents, fats, alkalis;
• loses elasticity in the cold, which leads to the appearance of cracks.

Alkyd

Another name for the coating is glyptal. The material has a fabric bottom layer, on top of which resins are applied using a special technology. Flooring has the following advantages:

• well absorbs sound;
• perfectly retains heat;
• has high wear resistance;
• ease of maintenance.

The disadvantages of alkyd material include:

• decrease in elasticity under the influence of cold;
• the need for professional styling;
• low fire resistance of linoleum, which limits its use in a wooden house.

Rubber linoleum (relin)

The coating has a two-layer structure. The lining is made of rubber with the addition of bitumen. The top layer is obtained by combining rubber, filler, coloring pigment. Undoubted advantages of flooring:

• excellent elasticity, high resistance to moisture;
• anti-slip property;
• long service life.

The disadvantages of the rubber sheet are:

• high toxicity;
• inability to use in a residential area.

Nitrocellulose (coloxylin)

The material belongs to the category of baseless. The base component used in the production of the coating is nitrocellulose. Colloxylin linoleum has the following advantages:

• resistance to water;
• excellent elasticity;
• low flammability;
• shiny appearance.

When choosing linoleum for a bathroom in a wooden house, it is important to consider the cons of the coating:

• the possibility of shrinkage after the arrangement of the floor;
• instability to sudden changes in temperature.

The best linoleum for the home

The abundance of information on the types of floor finishes makes it difficult to select the material. Which is better - laminate or linoleum in the house? Both materials have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is difficult to say unequivocally which coverage is better. It all depends on the type of laminate or linoleum, the type of room, the operating conditions of the floor, the features of the exterior finish, the personal preferences of the consumer and other factors.

The choice of linoleum, suitable for arranging a warm floor in a particular room, is also not an easy task. The canvas can be a combination of several different layers. What is the best linoleum for the home? Western manufacturers have developed a special standardization based on the purpose of the flooring, the strength characteristics of the flooring.

Domestic

The home covering is intended for arrangement of a heat-insulated floor in premises. The flooring differs in reasonable cost, short service life. The name suggests that this material is suitable for apartments and houses. The use of cheap residential coverage is justified when renovating a rental property or if the property is planned to be sold or the owners like frequent changes in exterior decoration.

We dismantled everything about: characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

semi-commercial

This coating combines the characteristics of household and commercial materials. Semi-commercial linoleum is recommended for use in a frame residential building with a large load on the floor, for example, if a large family lives in an apartment. Another option is the use in the office, where there is no high traffic.

The coating is more durable than household material, it is cheaper than commercial flooring, while it will cost more than home linoleum.

Commercial

The material is laid in a room where the load on the floor is especially high. The flooring is designed for the active movement of equipment, people. A special hardening layer increases the service life of the flooring, which is up to 25 years. The cloth gives the minimum shrinkage after installation.
The cost of a commercial canvas is high. In addition, increased strength is not always required for an ordinary residential building. The use of commercial coverage in an apartment does not make sense.

Cover thickness

Linoleum in most cases is equipped with a protective film made of pure PVC. The thickness of the top layer is different, depending on the purpose of the coating, the degree of load on the floor. The gradation offered by the manufacturers looks like this:

• film thickness 0.15mm suitable for living room, bedroom floor;
• a layer of 0.2 mm is optimal for a child's room;
• 0.25 mm film is designed for kitchen, hallway, corridor;
• a layer of 0.3 mm is recommended for an office with a small load;
• film thickness from 0.5 mm is designed for high and very high permeability.

Linoleum marking

When purchasing a coating for your home, you should pay attention to the technical characteristics of the canvas. The manufacturer leaves the logo and the necessary information on the back of the material:

• Linoleum class. The first digit indicates the type of premises (2 - residential, 3 - public, 4 - industrial), the second indicates the permissible load (1 - moderate, light, 2 - medium, 3 - intensive);
• Party number. If you need to purchase a large amount of material, it is desirable that it be from the same lot. This will avoid discrepancies in the external design;
• Manufacturing date. The canvas can be stored for no more than 12 months after production, then it begins to lose its characteristics.
• Additional icons. The applied drawings indicate additional properties of the coating.

Advantages of linoleum in the house

The coating has gained wide popularity due to:

• Ease of transportation. The elastic fabric is easily rolled into rolls, which simplifies the delivery process;
• Ease of installation. Independent in the house is carried out simply, does not require highly specialized skills, the presence of a perfectly even base;
• Unpretentiousness in care. The coating is not afraid of water. The flooring is easy to clean with ordinary detergents;

• Strength, wear resistance;
• Non-slip top. This property makes the material convenient for home use;
• A wide variety of exterior design options. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of colors, patterns, making it easier to choose linoleum for the home.

Flaws

When purchasing this or that coating, it is important to consider the disadvantages of linoleum in a frame house:

• The presence of seams formed after laying. In a small room, laying a solid canvas is possible. In a spacious room, you can not do without joints. Over time, the seams begin to diverge, peel off the floor, wrap. This situation requires minor repairs. When choosing material for the home, it is better to give preference to a wider canvas. This will minimize the number of joints;
• The occurrence of air voids as a result of non-compliance with the laying rules;

• Loss of elasticity. Improper care, prolonged use lead to a deterioration in extensibility. The coating becomes hard, hard, which leads to cracks, deformation;
• Susceptibility to mechanical damage. The flooring is afraid of physical impact. The flooring can be inadvertently burned, damaged by a fallen knife, scratched with a metal heel. When choosing a suitable coating, you need to give preference to durable options that are not afraid of high humidity, sudden changes in temperature.

Having prepared warm floors in a wooden house under linoleum, you need to competently approach the choice of a suitable finish. Taking into account the technical characteristics of the material, the features of the room allows you to choose the best option, equip a beautiful and comfortable floor. Proper care of the flooring, careful operation increases the life of the coating.

To make the right choice of linoleum for an apartment, you need to determine the criteria that it must meet in a particular room. To do this, define:

• maximum load on the floor (patency, use of furniture on wheels, walking in shoes with heels, etc.);
• specific conditions (high humidity, temperature changes, etc.);
• room design.

A solemn and elegant look can be created using a finishing material in light pastel colors.

Juicy colors (green, orange, etc.) will fill the atmosphere of fun and cheerfulness.

How to choose high-quality linoleum for an apartment - useful tips from professionals

• If linoleum has a sharp and strong smell, then cheap and low-quality raw materials were used in the production. A high-quality coating (natural and artificial) should not have a smell.
• You have the right to demand from the seller a certificate of compliance of this coating with technical, fire and sanitary standards.
• Buy linoleum in a specialized store where the materials are stored in a heated room.
• Choose a flooring that is wide enough to be laid without seams. So it will have a more presentable appearance and will not cause trouble with styling.
• If you buy different pieces, make sure that they are from the same batch and match in shade.
• Check the quality of the coating in expanded form. If there are bumps or waves on the surface, they will not smooth out.
• A peeling top layer, burrs on the edges, or a poorly printed pattern indicate a defect.
• Choose a coating with additional special properties (sound insulation, antistatic, etc.) only if necessary. You shouldn't overpay for them if their presence is not important.
• In the store, pay attention to the weight of the material. The heavier it is, the higher its density and the longer the service life.
• You can not fold linoleum by bending it. Roll up with right sides facing inward.

If you find a marriage on the floor of the house, do not despair. According to the Consumer Rights Protection Law (Article 18), you have the right to:

• price drop;
• replacement for a product of a similar brand (model) or another brand, with compensation for the price difference;
• return the defective product and return the money in full.

Modern linoleum perfectly imitates the color and texture of various materials (tile, stone, parquet). However, some housewives note that linoleum with a rough texture requires more thorough cleaning.

In places with a high degree of pollution, it is advised to lay linoleum in dark shades or with an abstract pattern. You should abandon the light floor in the kitchen and in the hallway.

Many note that laying linoleum does not require special skills. This allows you to do the installation yourself.

What company linoleum to choose in the apartment?

As for the question of which company is better to lay in an apartment, here preference should be given to trusted brands. They supply their products to the market for more than one year. The quality of their products has already been studied and evaluated by consumers.

One of the leading Russian companies whose product quality meets international standards is Tarkett. Among foreign manufacturers, consumers prefer

The design of the room not only creates a mood and improves the perception of the surrounding world, but also can tell a lot about the owners of the room. If the view of a house or apartment could be depicted in a play, then the flooring would be in the supporting roles. However, the perception of the whole play would depend on his “play”. Paul not only concludes, leads everything around, but also takes on almost the entire burden of the weight of the actors of the first plan: the furniture.

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

What is the best linoleum?

However, not all linoleum is good. Good, high-quality material still needs to be able to choose. For this flooring, there are several recommendations that will help you figure out which linoleum is best. We are talking about the quality of the coating, because it has to withstand considerable loads.

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

1. Large industrial buildings, plants, factories, warehouse and logistics complexes. This group is indicated 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 indicated by the number 3 or the pictogram of a high-rise building.
3. All private, residential buildings are indicated 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, 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 indicated either by numbers or by pictograms of little men. First class, number 1, 1 man - light load; second class - middle; third class - high load. The purpose and load class for abrasion are applied side by side, complementing one another. So for the most walkable 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 no less than necessary.
• Additional protective coating. Of the two copies with the same purpose and load classes, how to choose linoleum that will last a long time and will not cause trouble. It is worth paying attention to the additional protective layer. It is offered mainly by proven, time-tested manufacturers. For all manufacturers, it is called and designated differently, therefore it is not worth listing the names. It is only necessary to say 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 standards EN, domestic - 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 handicraft. How to find a good linoleum, the label will tell. It must contain the address of the manufacturer, his contacts, all information about the product, its service life.

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 walk-through areas, you need to lay linoleum of class 23 and above. In the rest rooms, 22 classes will be enough. If the apartment has an office, a dressing room or a library, class 21 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 the apartment, because it will not sell through heavy furniture, and the household 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, create coziness. And bright, saturated ones are conducive 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; in this regard, even the entrance corridor cannot be compared with the kitchen. 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 load from passing people. This is a room with an unnatural microclimate: humidity and high temperature. Under these conditions, various microorganisms feel great. Therefore, it is good if the 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 meekly withstand all the burdens. What kind of linoleum to choose for the kitchen, so that it meets all the requirements without exception? Kitchen linoleum must be with an additional protective layer and must be certified.

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

How to choose linoleum for a private house

It would seem, what difference does it make where the floor is located, in an apartment or in a house. But 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 load on the surface is higher than in apartments. Therefore, you need to choose linoleum for a house of higher classes than for an apartment. For rest rooms, class 23-31 is suitable, for common areas - 31-32, for rooms with increased load (furnace, corridor, warm veranda, kitchen) - 33 and above.

The design of linoleum for the home is often chosen to match 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 the "overhanging" of the walls.

In this article, we will try to dissuade you and suggest which linoleum is better to choose for an apartment. Here will be given the characteristics and description of different types, as well as recommendations for choosing the optimal parameters for certain rooms.

Rumors about linoleum and their debunking

Let's start by listing all far-fetched flaws coverage and explain why these fears are unfounded. We deliberately start the article with this information., because, without understanding some of the main points, it will be difficult for you to choose, and you will always remember all sorts of "buts" that will speak against the purchase.

And it is worth buying linoleum, since it is quite a budget and very practical floor covering. Let's go...

Myth #1: Unbelievably unhealthy

Some people are very afraid that linoleum emits toxic fumes, and believe that it is this coating that emits them, almost for life and in huge quantities.

What can be said here? Yes, there is harmful linoleum, but there is also harmful laminate, harmful carpet and even a harmful board covered with low-quality and cheap varnish. Yes, we will tell you more. There are harmful wallpapers, paints and stretch ceilings...

The point here is not at all that it is linoleum, but in production technology and initial components.

Everyone knows that it’s better not to deal with the Chinese: the guys are hacking and reducing the cost of production as much as possible. As a result, their products contain such an amount of phenol that it simply fills the room with an unpleasant, chemical smell. And it's almost impossible to get rid of it.

Yes, and it is difficult to determine in the store which of the coatings has a smell and which does not, because there, in the air, phenol is floating and it seems that all the coatings are not the same ...

Therefore, there is only one way out: look not only at the colors and parameters, but also at the manufacturer. You should not take on faith what is written in the store on the price tag, since, in supermarkets, often not entirely correct information is given.

It’s better to write down this name on a piece of paper, and at home, on the Internet, already read reviews about it the people who used it. If it has a smell, then you will certainly read about it somewhere, now many people write to the network and share their advice.

By the way, in the modern market there is completely safe linoleum, environmentally friendly. It is made from natural ingredients, but the price for it, of course, completely negates these advantages.

It is often easier to put a real board on the floor than to buy linoleum without chemicals. Moreover, the selection of flowers there is quite poor. But since it is on sale, it means that someone takes it. The rich have their quirks, as they say.

Myth #2: Only suitable for narrow rooms

Anyone who has not visited a construction market for a long time is simply sure that the linoleum panels have not changed and there is a choice of width from 1.5 to 3 meters. And this means that in a larger room it will be necessary to make ugly joints from plastic or iron strips, and no beauty, integrity will come out.

But, we hasten to please you: it's not like that for a long time.

Firstly, there are now both four and five-meter panels on the market, but there are certainly far fewer of them than standard ones. If you don’t find the right color from wide canvases, then don’t worry either: no planks are needed anymore.

Secondly, now there is a special welding for linoleum, and the seam comes out almost imperceptible. The name is, of course, very exemplary. In fact, welding is nothing more than the usual butt-gluing of seams, but the composition of the bonding compound is such that it literally dissolves the linoleum and splices the pieces together. As a result, the surface comes out whole, and it cannot burst at the junction in any way.

Myth #3: Very impractical and short-lived

And here we also, as in the first block, say: depending on what kind of linoleum.

Yes, to this day there are coatings on the surface of which the slightest pressure leaves sagging marks, not to mention heel marks and other aggressive things. But not all linoleum is like that!

There are incredibly durable floors that will serve you faithfully for decades without losing their original appearance. But we are talking about this moment in more detail below, in a separate block, since the topic of the right choice is extensive.

Here the class is important, and the top coat and a lot of other things that you should pay attention to.

We can only say that in 90% of cases, the basis of linoleum is fiberglass, and this ensures that the canvas does not "sit down" over time and does not deform, and there is no reason to fear that it will tear from some little thing.

Myth #4: It's not prestigious and embarrassing

Here, yes, if you take the cheapest linoleum, which will be painted in unnatural colors and looks like oilcloth - it is, it looks disgusting, to put it mildly. But if you choose something more expensive, with a good texture and color, without any oilcloth highlights, then the floor looks pretty decent.

Often, a good linoleum is much more effective than an inexpensive laminate. And practical, which is the most important thing. It is necessary to monitor the laminate: in no case should water droplets fall on it, otherwise it will swell ... And linoleum is an unpretentious thing, absolutely.

Myth number 5: under linoleum you need to perfectly level the floor

Many believe that linoleum requires too careful leveling of the screed, and this is expensive and, it seems, in this case, the game is not worth the candle. You will save on the coating, but on the screed you will lose. Isn't it easier then to take carpet or laminate?

It is not easier, because it is necessary to level the floor under any coating, especially under a laminate! If the linoleum can withstand small irregularities, then the laminate is definitely not, and over time, in places of small holes, the locks of the boards will diverge ... Under the carpet, however, you can’t really equate if we are talking about a carpet with a high pile. But after all and care of it is more difficult.

Try to put a soft floor in the house where there are children. Yes, in a year they will turn the once pretty floor into something sloppy ... And it is simply unrealistic to wash it off on your own.

Here, in general, is the whole list of common prejudices that simply do not let buyers go to stands with linoleum. As you can see, there are definitely no grounds for categorical judgments here, and it's all about the quality of the material itself.

What classes does he have?

And now let's get down to specifics. In this block, you will learn what kind of linoleum is and how, in fact, to choose it.

Linoleum comes in several classes, here they are:

In addition to these classes, linoleum has varieties according to the materials of manufacture, which you also need to know in order to make the right choice. But we will talk about them in a separate block, and now we will consider which class is suitable for specific rooms.

So what do we have? Or very durable coatings, but not distinguished by original colors, or beautiful, stylish, but their service life is not so long.

In our opinion, there is no point in chasing excessive strength, since third-class linoleum, subject to certain conditions, can please you not for ten years, but much more.

The most versatile option is linoleum of the 3rd class.

In general, it is very good when the floor covering for the whole apartment goes one color. Therefore, sometimes it makes no sense to talk about the classes of linoleum for rooms. In fact, you won’t cover the kitchen with one color, and the corridor will be different, because it is less passable and, therefore, you can take cheaper linoleum?

Now let's talk about the materials from which linoleum is made.

What material?

PVC

The most common linoleum, it is made of PVC, that is, polyvinyl chloride. There is no need to be afraid of this terrible word, there is nothing harmful in it, provided that the product is produced by a decent company and does not have a sharp, unpleasant smell.

It is a good choice as PVC is a practical material. Naturally, it is not eternal, and it must be protected. He is afraid of fire, you can’t put hot pans on him (absurd, but the same children can think of this), he doesn’t “like” shoes with heels ...

Other than that, it's a hassle-free and easy-to-clean coating.

natural linoleum

Absolutely environmentally friendly, suitable for kids' rooms and allergy sufferers. Made from jute fabric, wood flour, natural resins. There are a lot of colors and they, as a rule, look very natural and expensive.

But he is very expensive, this is one thing, and the second - he is afraid of moisture. Therefore, if we are talking about a children's room, then this is not the best choice, since children can spill water often and thickly. Due to this, the coating will look sloppy and covered with indelible stains.

Glyptal linoleum

This is alkyd resin linoleum, which is applied to a fabric base.

Its advantages are that it is quite strong and wear-resistant, but at the same time fragile, and before spreading it, the roll should rest in a warm room (especially if you bought it in the winter and it froze during delivery ). If you spread it immediately, then there is a high probability of cracks.

colloxylin

This is linoleum without a base at all, there is neither fabric nor rubber underneath. Made from cellulose and, in general, it is also a fairly environmentally friendly material. But, unlike purely natural linoleum, this coating is not afraid of water.

In care, it is unpretentious and in no way inferior to PVC in properties. The only bad thing is that such coatings are rare in supermarkets, and ordering such a thing via the Internet is a big risk.

On one of the forums, we read a review: there a woman complained that she got one color, but they sent another. In general, we do not recommend doing this. This is exactly the product that you need to see and feel before buying ...

relin

It's not even linoleum, but rather, a rubber coating. Very durable, comfortable, has good soundproofing properties. But, if we are talking about an apartment, it is not recommended to lay such linoleum, since it still has harmful fumes that do not disappear for a very long time.

Yes, it is puncture resistant, and the only place where it can and should be adjusted is the vestibule where you take off your shoes. Not a corridor, but a vestibule, in which people stay for a few minutes. And the price is loyal, by the way.

Which company's linoleum is better to choose?

And finally, let's touch on the topic of manufacturers. Naturally, the ideal option is European manufacturers, but the price of such a coating "bites" in comparison with domestic or Chinese factories.

It makes no sense to list the names of companies, since they are expanding every day, and you can’t simply keep track of everyone.

The only thing that can be said is that European linoleum is better than domestic, and domestic is better than Chinese.

That is, see for yourself, think for yourself, but be sure to pay attention to the smell!

As we wrote above, it is advisable to first look at the linoleum, then read real reviews about it, and only then give the command to the sellers: "Cut!"

In conclusion, what more can be said? We have told you all the possible nuances, and now you will be pretty savvy when you come to the store. Now you know what material is better in quality, what width, what thickness linoleum is and what size is the most optimal.

Linoleum remains one of the most popular floor coverings. Many, when repairing an apartment, are faced with the need to select the right coverage, and many questions arise here, since there are a lot of varieties of linoleum. In this article we will tell you how to choose linoleum for an apartment and specifically for each type of room.

Natural or artificial material

Before starting the selection, it is necessary to clearly define what type of linoleum you will use, natural or artificial. Natural linoleum includes such components as:

• wood flour;
• natural resins;
• Linseed oil;
• natural dyes.

Of course, this material is environmentally friendly, meets all fire safety standards, and is easily cleaned from various types of contaminants. However, the cost of such material is an order of magnitude higher than that of artificial analogues. The natural coating does not conduct electricity and practically does not shrink after installation.

The composition of artificial linoleum includes polyvinyl chloride and many other chemical components. Household and semi-commercial material is safe, but when exposed to temperatures above 27 degrees, it begins to exude toxic substances. In addition, it has a much greater shrinkage than natural, but it is much cheaper.

Important. When repairing apartments, experts do not recommend laying commercial and rubber linoleum in residential premises, since environmental safety requirements for them are underestimated and their use is only permissible in office buildings with good ventilation.

Linoleum class selection

When deciding which linoleum to choose for an apartment and specific rooms, you need to study the coverage classes:

• In rooms with low traffic, such as a bedroom or study, you can lay linoleum of 21-22 wear resistance class;
• In the living room, you can lay a floor of class 22, if 1-2 people live in the apartment. If the family is large, then it is better to use class 23;
• For children's rooms, class 21 is used if there is a small child or class 22-23 if there are several children;
• In the presence of a large family and the frequent reception of guests, it is better to use class 31-32 linoleum in living rooms and hallways.

Note. The higher the class of coverage, the higher its cost.. If you have limited financial resources, then you should not buy coverage of a larger class than the room requires.

Selection of linoleum for a specific room

Kitchen linoleum

When choosing a linoleum coating for the kitchen, you need to be guided by two main criteria, the material's resistance to mechanical stress and moisture resistance. The best solution for the kitchen will be natural linoleum, which also has the name "marmoleum". This is a natural fabric-based coating, which is usually used as jute. This linoleum will last long enough, has high strength and makes it possible to easily remove various contaminants using modern detergents.

If financial possibilities do not allow the use of a natural coating, then you can also buy synthetic linoleum, only at the time of purchase it is necessary to clarify the service life of the material. You should not save on kitchen linoleum, make sure that the material meets GOST standards and quality certificates from the manufacturer.

Important. When deciding which linoleum for an apartment to use in the kitchen, take into account the opinion of experts who recommend using a semi-commercial coating. This linoleum has a durable decorative layer, reinforced protective coating and has sufficient density to withstand accidental drops of kitchen utensils.

Usually, for the kitchen, material is chosen that imitates natural stone, parquet boards or ceramic tiles. It must be remembered that increased antiseptic indicators are needed for the kitchen. Natural linoleum itself is an antiseptic due to the use of flax. With synthetic coatings, it is necessary to use a substrate with antiseptic characteristics, such as jute.

Important. Try to choose the width of the roll in such a way that the coating does not have joints, since this is the most vulnerable point of the material with the features of the kitchen.

Linoleum for the corridor and hallway

The most vulnerable linoleum in the apartment is in the corridor and hallway, since these are the premises with the highest traffic, which greatly accelerates the process of abrasion of the coating. If one or two people live in the apartment, then it makes no sense to overpay and you can use coverage of class 22-23.

With a large family and high traffic in the premises, the coating must have at least 0.25 mm of the protective layer and a thickness of at least 4 mm. The most reliable option would be to use a class 31-32 coating, which is also used in office premises with low traffic.

Important. Before laying the material in the hallway, make sure that the floor is a perfectly flat surface that does not have bulges and depressions. Use PVC backing or cork. A jute or linen backing is not recommended, since it has a low density and will only increase the abrasion of the coating.

Linoleum for an office or bedroom

Soft foam coating is the best linoleum for an apartment that can be laid in a bedroom or office. In these rooms, the minimum permeability and the density of the material can be sacrificed for the sake of the maximum level of comfort. For these purposes, a class 21 household artificial surface is used, which has a foamed PVC base, as well as a single-layer material laid on a soft jute or linen substrate.

Note. In the children's bedroom, it is strongly recommended to use only the natural coating of the household series with a more durable base of grade 22-23, since an active child creates a considerable load and mechanical impact on the coating when playing with toys.

Linoleum for the living room

When choosing which linoleum is best for an apartment, household or semi-commercial when laying in the living room, one must proceed from the degree of load on the coating. For example. If a large family of 4-5 people lives in the apartment or the owners often like to receive guests, then it is better to lay semi-commercial class 31-32 linoleum, which is also used for the corridor. With frequent reception of guests, there is a high probability of damage to the linoleum, so you should not lay an expensive coating, since it will have to be changed after 7-9 years of operation.

But if 1-2 people live in an apartment, then the patency of the room is minimal and a household coating of class 22-23 with a protective coating thickness of 0.15 to 0.20 mm is sufficient.

Tatyana, city of Voronezh

During the renovation, synthetic linoleum was laid in the hallway and a linen backing was used. On the coating were clearly visible traces of not only my heels, but also from my husband's shoes, which disappeared over time. Initially, they thought that they had got low-quality linoleum and wanted to make a claim to the store. But then it turned out that it was necessary to use a denser substrate. They changed jute to cork and the traces stopped appearing.