Types of linoleum. How to choose linoleum

Linoleum is one of the most popular flooring for apartments and public buildings. This is an inexpensive and durable material presented in a wide range. There are several types of linoleum, excellent not only to colors, but also with thickness and cost. In this article, we will tell you how to choose a linoleum for a home or office and at the same time do not overpay for the finish.

Linoleum characteristics

Initially, linoleum was made from cork (wooden) flour, linen oil, coniferous resins, lime powder and various natural pigments. The mixture of these components was applied to natural fabric or non -woven material. With the development of technology, part of the natural components was replaced by synthetics, but the technology, for the most part, remained the same. Thanks to the invention of new materials, linoleums have become more durable, durable and resistant to mechanical influences. Today on the market you can purchase linoleum for any needs, ranging from flooring in the living room to the decoration in the production room.

The most important advantage of any linoleum is its cheapness in comparison with other types of flooring. But he earned his popularity not only by this - the material is easy to lay, it is easy to take care of it, and the variety of colors allows you to choose the option for any interior.

Linoleum characteristics:

• resistance to moisture and temperature changes;
• ease of use;
• low cost;
• almost does not require care;
• it is easy to put with your own hands even without professional skills;
• provides additional sound and thermal insulation of the floor;
• it serves from 20 to 50 years, depending on the type and operational conditions.

Linoleums are used literally everywhere, because with its help you can cheaply and quickly create a comfortable flooring. There are several types of linoleum for the floor that differ in the scope of application. So, for public premises with high permissive, general -purpose coating is used. In places with high humidity, for example, in pools or bathrooms it is better to lay an anti -slip linoleum with special additives. And for gyms and gymnastic platforms, sports linoleum tiles can be suitable, capable of cushioning falls, ensuring high -quality adhesion of sports shoes with a floor and giving the best rebound of the ball. There is even a special antibacterial linoleum for hospitals, which prevents the spread of pathogenic microorganisms in the room. For residential buildings and apartments, it is recommended to choose heat -sound insulation products.

The operational features of each of these types of linoleum depend on which components form its composition. So, we already said that initially linoleums were made from natural ingredients, which were then applied on a natural basis, but over time synthetic products appeared.

In addition to natural and synthetic polyvinyl chloride linoleum, which we will talk about in detail below, the following species also exist:

1. Glyftal - linoleum on a fabric basis with an alkyd mixture applied to it. It has higher heat and sound insulation characteristics compared to conventional PVC products. The peculiarity of the material is that over time, the length of its fibers is reduced, but the coating increases in width.
2. Nitrocellulose - basically these are subtle baseless coatings, characterized by good moisture resistance and elasticity. However, due to the lack of the basis, they do not have shock-absorbing, heat or soundproofing qualities, as well as unstable to fire.
3. Rubber - enhanced linoleum, which has exceptional moisture resistance and high elasticity. Its lower layer is represented by pressed rubber crumb, glued with bitumen, upper - a mixture of rubber, fillers and dyes.

Natural linoleum

It is worth telling more about natural and polyvinyl chloride linoleums, since it is these species that are most often used for repair in residential premises. Natural linoleum, first of all, is good in that only natural components are used for its manufacture, which means that it is completely safe in environmental terms. The main linoleum is made of jute fiber or non -woven materials.

One of the main advantages after environmental friendliness is resistance to fire - it does not contribute to the spread of fire. It is easy to clean even dry, and the service life is calculated for decades. At the same time, high -quality natural linoleum does not burn out and does not lose its decorative properties for many years.

The material is not able to accumulate static electricity, since linseed oil is present in its composition. Due to the natural composition, it also has insignificant bactericidal abilities.

Important: natural linoleum is resistant to household cleaners without alkali.

The only drawback can be considered small plasticity of the material. For this reason, during transportation, sharp excesses should be avoided, otherwise the canvas will crack.

PVC linoleum

Synthetic polyvinyl chloride linoleum costs several times cheaper than natural and is most often used in the design of residential premises. There are three types of PVC-linoleum: classic, foamed and duplicated. The first is made on a jute, felt or polyester basis. The foamed linoleum can be immediately recognized by its density and strength, and from the width of the canvas usually ranges from 1.5 to 4 m. Dublicated material is usually made of vinyl on a non -woven base.

Since PVC-linoleums are quite cheap, many choose them, without taking into account the flaws. Meanwhile, all such products, with the exception of foam linoleum on a fiberglass basis, give shrinkage up to 2% at high temperatures. Also, do not forget that these are synthetic products, which means that consisting of unnatural components, so there can be no talk of environmental friendliness. This can immediately be determined by the specific smell of the new linoleum (over time it disappears).

For an apartment and home, it is recommended to choose multilayer linoleums, since they have the best heat and soundproofing indicators. The basis of such coatings is usually made of fiberglass impregnated with polyvinyl chloride mass. A PVC compound is laid on the front side of this mass, after which a pattern and protective coating of transparent PVC are applied. On the back of the base, a special substrate of fabric, jute fiber, foamed PVC or polyester is glued. The role of the substrate is very important - it does not allow linoleum to deform, depreciates blows when walking, absorbs sound and protects from the cold.

Useful advice: linoleum with a mechanically pattern will last longer than a product painted with a chemical way.

Types of the basics of linoleum

Above, we considered varieties of linoleums that differ in the composition of the mixtures applied to the basis. But the basics can also be different, which also affects the operational qualities of the flooring.

Types of linoleums depending on the basis:

1. Uninitated - linoleums made without a base. Usually this is a single -layer material with a thickness of 1.2 to 1.6 mm, recommended for use in rooms with high humidity. Such products are cheaper than other types, but due to the small thickness it must be laid on the most even possible, otherwise all potholes and tubercles will be noticeable. It is necessary to glue the baseless linoleum throughout its area, which means that the glue will need more. The service life of such a coating is very short and is only 5-10 years, depending on the conditions of use and care.
2. Foamed - linoleums consisting of several layers and reaching a thickness of 2 to 3.5 mm. Typically, such products are laid in the kitchen, in the hallway or living room, that is, in rooms where moist cleaning most often needs to be carried out. The service life is 8-12 years. When installing it, it does not need to be glued over the entire surface - only along the diagonals and edges.
3. Warmed - such products are best suited for bedrooms, children's rooms and other rooms and a normal level of humidity. The basis can consist of natural fiber or synthetics, but the thickness of the linoleum reaches 5 mm. Such a coating holds heat well and absorbs noise, it is simultaneously soft and rather elastic. Experts recommend laying an insulated linoleum without joints - a whole canvas. Over time, the coating may expand slightly, which should be taken into account when laying and leaving a deformation gap of several millimeters between the wall and the edge of the canvas. Otherwise, linoleum can go in waves.

How to choose linoleum

When choosing floor linoleum, it is necessary to build on the operational features of the room in which it will lie. So, if it is a kitchen, you need a moisture -resistant strong coating, resistant to frequent mechanical cleaning and the effects of household chemicals. For a bedroom and a baby, it is better to take the warmest linoleum from natural components.

What to pay attention to when choosing:

• thickness;
• compound;
• moisture resistance;
• thermal insulation;
• resistance to mechanical influences.

You also need to look at decorativeness and cost, but last.

Consider the future location of linoleum, more precisely, the nature of the load that will be found on it in the future. For example, if you choose a coating for the hallway, you need to focus on abrasion resistance, since this is part of the house with increased cross -country ability. The kitchen is also a popular place in the house where all the tenants gather, but they usually go either barefoot or in soft homemade shoes, while they go in street shoes in the hallway, which means that the impact on linoleum is more rigid.

There is a special classification that greatly facilitates the choice of linoleum. It provides for the type of premises and the degree of loads with which the material may rule. Each type of linoleum is assigned its two -digit number, the first digit of which means the type of room, and the second - the amount of load.

Types of premises:

• 2 - residential;
• 3 - office;
• 4 - production.

The load is determined by an increase in, where 1 means that the material is not intended for serious loads, and 4 - linoleum can be laid in rooms with harsh operating conditions. So, if you need to choose a coating for the kitchen, look for linoleum with a marking 24 (a living room with high loads), and linoleum 21 is suitable for the bedroom, because the loads there are minimal. The more people live in the house, the higher the load number.

Useful advice: if you choose linoleum for residential premises or offices, where people will be located most of the day, give preference to natural material, even though it will cost a little more. At the same time, pay attention to the smell - if the linoleum exudes a sharp unpleasant odor, and the seller assures you that the product is environmentally friendly, it is better to refrain from such a purchase.

For any room, it is best to lay the coating with a whole piece so that the width of linoleum corresponds to the width of the room. To do this, it is necessary to make preliminary measurements, given the deformation indentation from the walls. When buying a linoleum, make sure that it has a certificate that confirms the safety of finishing material for human health.

One of the most obvious advantages of linoleum is the widest selection of colors and designs. Modern manufacturing technologies allow you to create coatings with imitation of any surface and with any drawings, whether it is wood, marble or artistic mosaic. In the production of high -quality linoleums, pigments are used that maintain their saturation for many years and disadvantage under direct sunlight. The most diverse in this regard are synthetic polyvinyl chloride products: linoleums for laminate, wood, stone or ceramic tiles.

Imitation of an elite piece parquet and a parquet board is especially popular. A detailed pattern on linoleum is able to reproduce the texture and color of the beech, cherry, nut and other exotic species (Merbau, bamboo, Palisandra, etc.). In this case, not only a plausible drawing, but even the texture, can be reproduced.

Linoleum care

In order to extend the life of linoleum as much as possible, you need to start taking care of it before laying. To do this, it is necessary to ensure led transportation, especially when it comes to a natural product that can crack. It is necessary to store linoleum until laying in factory packaging or cuts rolled into rolls. Put them on the ends in a dry and not too cold room. A few days before laying, turn the rolls and let Linoleum lay in the room where the repair will take place.

Useful tips for linoleum care:

1. Any linoleum is sensitive to lowering the temperature and the effect of ultraviolet radiation, so it is better not to store them on the balcony and not lay them.
2. Do not go to linoleum in shoes with a rubber sole - it leaves complicated spots.
3. Although linoleum does not pass moisture, it is better to wipe the spilled liquid from it as quickly as possible, otherwise an unreasonable spot forms in this place.
4. When installing furniture on a linoleum, put rubber washers under the legs so as not to damage the coating.
5. Do not wash linoleum with hot water - so the drawing will be erased faster.
6. Do not use substances or ammonia to eliminate stains, if you do not want to ruin linoleum.
7. In the first month after laying, try not to wash linoleum with a wet rag, but wait for its full shrinkage. After that, you can wash it with water at room temperature with the addition of liquid detergents specifically for linoleum or parquet.
8. To “refresh” the appearance of linoleum, wash it with water, diluted with milk in a proportion of 1: 1.
9. To extend the deadline for using linoleum, once or twice a year wipe it with sunflower refined oil without smell or olifa.

Linoleum: photo