How to choose a linoleum for the kitchen

Due to the uniqueness of the properties, linoleum, the origins of which go back in more than 200 years, is still high demand. It is not surprising, because over time, the operational characteristics of the outdoor material are only improved, and the color gamma becomes more interesting combinations, which allows you to choose a material that is harmoniously inscribed in any interior.

A large variety of linoleum, at first glance differently only the color scheme makes it difficult to choose. However, with a thorough study of information on the flooring, it becomes known that each species differs in the structure constituting elements aimed at the manufacture of the finished product, wear resistance.

How to choose a linoleum for the kitchen

In any apartment, the kitchen is the most actively used room, therefore it is more susceptible to pollution and, subsequently, cleansing through household chemicals. To protect the floors in the kitchen, the linoleum has all the necessary qualities. Many types of linoleum with their own advantages and disadvantages led to the development of a number of criteria needed to determine which linoleum for the kitchen is better. Among them:

• moisture resistance of the coating;
• resistance to chemical compositions;
• corrugated surface;
• ease of care;
• wear resistance;
• stability to deformation during mechanical exposure.

Types of linoleum for the kitchen, their advantages

Based on the components of the structure of the linoleum of materials, 2 main types of floor covering are distinguished:

1. Natural linoleum - forms as a result of a combination of cork, wood flour, limestone, linseed oil, natural dyes and resins. The basis of the finished product is non-woven materials or jute fiber.

Advantages:

• environmental friendliness;
• fire resistance;
• hypoallergenicity of material;
• it has an antistatic, anti-slip effect;
• good noise absorbing and insulating properties;
• high wear resistance;
• resistance to the effects of most solvents, fats;
• the presence of flaxseed oil gives the product by bactericidal properties throughout the term of use;
• pollution resistance;
• useful life reaches 30-40 years.

Disadvantages:

• the complexity of laying due to poor material elasticity;
• decomposes with long-term exposure to alkali;
• loss of form, the appearance of breastedness makes it impossible to use in the premises of high humidity;
• high price.

2. Artificial - produced on the basis of various types of synthetic components, fillers, plasticizers, dyes and diluents.

Pros:

• the possibility of charging at a temperature greater than 50 ° C;
• low cost;
• small thermal conductivity;
• not subject to rotting;
• pollution resistance;
• the possibility of concealing small floor defects due to the thickness of the coating;
• high wear resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• easy installation.

Minuses:

• the absence of an anti-slip effect in many models;
• low fire safety;
• some models are easily damaged due to mechanical impact;
• collapsed with long-term contact with acetone, other strong solvents;
• a short operational period of 5-15 years.

Both types of coating are suitable for the kitchen, however, in order to save money, the synthetic linoleum will cost much cheaper, and with the corresponding quality declared by the manufacturer, it will serve a little less natural.

Varieties of artificial linoleuma

Acceptable price, high performance characteristics, little less than a natural coating, maintain a stable demand for a linoleum coating. However, before you buy a linoleum for a kitchen, it is necessary to figure out in detail the components of its elements, since the variety of coating species is different for a number of signs.

Based on the binder, the following types of linoleum are distinguished:

• Polyvinyl chloride - based on the combination of polyvinyl chlorides, plasticizers, dyes, fillers and diluents. Significant disadvantages are a chemical smell, catering after 1-2 months of use, and the possibility of a minor shrinkage.

• Gliptella or alkyd - contains an alkyd resin applied to a nonwoven base. It is characterized by good sound, thermal insulation properties, however, the tendency to break makes it impossible to use it as a domestic flooring.

• Colloxiline - produced from nitrocellulose. A rather thin, homogeneous, not having a base of linoleum differs in good elasticity, moisture resistance, but it is easily subjected to fire.

• Rubber - contains 2 layers. An involving side is a bitumen with crushed rubber, and the facial is a combination of rubber, fillers and dyes. It is characterized by high resistance to moisture, excellent elasticity, anti-slip surface and small dimensions corresponding to the floor carpet. In view of the excretion in the atmosphere of harmful substances, contraindicated to the flooring in the residential premises.

From the manifold of artificial floor coverings, the most suitable linoleum for the kitchen is to highlight polyvinyl chloride.

Types of PVC coverage

Based on the destination area, there are 4 types of linoleum:

• Household - flooring for residential premises with a minor passage intensity and low loads, since the thickness of the protective layer ranges from 0.15-0.35 mm.

• Commercial - characterized by a high degree of wear resistance and a protective layer to 0.8 mm, due to which it is used in places of elevated passability. Using in domestic conditions is unreasonable due to high cost.

• Semi-commercial - ideal for life and premises of medium passability, due to the thickness of the protective layer, which is 0.4-0.6 mm. It has the advantages of household and commercial coverage.

• Special purpose - is used in the premises to which increased requirements (in particular, protection against slip, noise insulation, etc.).

Of all the types of PVC coverage, it is worth a particular preference to send semi-dimensional linoleum. Relative to the household coating, it is more wear-resistant and has increased deformation resistance. It is not necessary to acquire a commercial linoleum into a kitchen, the price of which is an order of magnitude higher than semi-commercial - an irrational waste of cash.

PVC coating structure

With respect to the structure of the linoleum, 2 types are isolated:

1. Homogenic - single-layer coating.

Peculiarities:

• no substrate;
• the uniformity of the structure in the thickness of the coating, ranged from 1.5-3 mm;
• simplicity of drawing;
• limited color selection;
• surface roughness;
• high resistance pattern to abrasion.

To verify the quality, it is necessary to heat the corner of the linoleum, since the absence of a white band indicates the compliance with the technological process. The appearance of the strip indicates a large amount of lime in the coating structure, which makes it quite fragile, so it is better to refuse such a product.

2. Heterogeneous - multilayer coating, including:

• substrate consisting of foamed PVC, felt, nonwovens;
• reinforcing fiberglass that performs the role of the skeleton to which subsequent coating layers are applied;
• layer of foamed PVC required for drawing and providing noise-, heat insulating properties;
• protective layer determining the wear resistance of a linoleum and a protective pattern from damage.

Peculiarities:

• linoleum thickness ranges from 2-6 mm;
• wide selection of color scheme;
• difficulty of pattern;
• the wear resistance of the coating depends on the protective layer (0.15-0.8 mm), which protects the drawing from erasing;
• lack of deformation throughout the operational period.

So, a homogeneous linoleum, which has greater elasticity than heterogeneous, allows you to mostly put the edges along the perimeter of the walls, preventing the penetration of moisture into the coating. However, the width of the roll is from 1.5-2 m, so avoiding the docking of the linoleum will not work.

The heterogeneous linoleum with the right approach to the choice of material will suit any room room, and due to the foamed layer, additional heat is provided, the floor insulation. In addition, the width of the roll is 1.5-4 m.

The base of the floor covering

Based on the presence / absence of a substrate, distinguish the following types:

• Digesory. Due to the lack of a substrate, the thickness of the linoleum varies 0.72-2 mm, therefore it is used for flooring in rooms with a sufficiently low patency, requiring detailed preparation of the base before laying.

• With the presence of the base. As the basis protruding:

1. Foamed polyvinyl chloride. Linoleum on a foamed basis is quite elastic, durable, moisture-resistant, and relatively low cost makes it more affordable, compared with other types of coatings. The basis of the foamed linoleum is a glassball, the purpose of which consists in saving the size of the finished product. The foamed layer, located on both sides of the glass cooker, contributes to sound absorption, heat conservation and is applied in 2 ways:

• mechanical - ensures the open structure of the cells. With a pressure on the coating, the air will move from one cell to another, not deforming the linoleum;

• chemical - the presence of a closed cell structure. Under the influence of severe item, bubbles are bursting, forming a dent coating.

2. Fabric, felt. Linoleum on a tissue basis, felt is characterized by high noise, thermal insulation, and also hides minor surface irregularities. The coating does not have a large operational period and low price. In addition, under the influence of moisture, linoleum deformation occurs.

Thus, a good linoleum for the kitchen must have a foamed base applied by a mechanical way.

Differences of natural coating from synthetic

• Natural linoleum exudes the smell of flaxseed oil, and artificial gives chemistry.
• Natural cover has a stiffness of thin plywood, while a synthetic elastically so easily bends.
• As a protective layer, natural linoleum is processed by special natural mastic, and artificial is covered with chemical composition.
• Of natural linoleum is easy to break off a piece, and from synthetic - just cut.
• On the reverse side is viewed natural jute mesh cover, and the underside of artificial linoleum may comprise various materials other than fiber and nonwoven webs.
• The high price of natural linoleum exceeding 2-3 times the cost of synthetic coating.

Some Soviets

When determining the quality of linoleum, consider:

• lack of a sharp chemical smell;
• the presence of a protective layer;
• no peeling of layers from each other;
• the coincidence of the party and the number of manufacturing when buying a coating from various rolls used for docking in one room.

Purchase linoleum is only well-known manufacturers (for example, Tarkett, IVS, JUTEKS).

When transporting it is impossible to carry the linoleum, only twist into the roll.

Before laying the coating, it is necessary to climb up to full dissection.

Thus, the most optimal option for the floor is semi-commercial linoleum. However, with a shortage of financial resources, you can always find an alternative solution, and a variety of linoleum options for the kitchen, which are provided in the article, will help you quickly resolve the problem.