Despite the expansion of the flooring market, linoleum production is not slowing down. The use of safe technologies and an affordable price have made this product one of the most popular products in its category. At the same time, buyers are increasingly concerned about the issue of choice. The assortment is expanding every year, raising the pressing question: “which linoleum is better?” Today we will try to give you the answer to this question.
What to focus on when choosing linoleum?
Making a choice is always very difficult. Criteria that are of paramount importance for some are not so important for others. In order not to regret your choice in the future, you should consider in which room the linoleum will be laid. When making a purchase, focus on the characteristics of the rooms, namely:
- Maximum room traffic;
- Purpose of the room;
- Premises requiring special conditions(protection from moisture, grease, abrasion);
- General design of the rooms.
Types of linoleum
To understand which linoleum is best for an apartment, you need to understand its varieties. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each, you can choose the necessary product without being disappointed later.
Natural linoleum
Natural linoleum contains only harmless components. In addition to the jute fabric base, pine resins, cork and wood flour, linseed oil, lime powder, and natural dyes are used in the production of such products. The use of such coatings is acceptable even in children's rooms. It is also safe for allergy sufferers.
Components found in natural linoleum
Advantages:
- compliance with environmental standards;
- bactericidal properties of the material;
- abrasion resistance;
- does not fade over time;
- does not fade in the sun;
- does not support combustion;
- variety of colors;
- ease of use.
Flaws:
- not resistant to moisture, which is why it is not advisable to lay it in the kitchen and hallway;
- when linoleum is bent, cracks may appear on the surface; this should be taken into account when transporting and working with the product;
- enough high price compared to artificial linoleums.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) linoleum
The main binder in PVC linoleum ah is polyvinyl chloride. The product also contains plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers and dyes.
Advantages:
- antistatic coating;
- low thermal conductivity;
- moisture resistance;
- ease of installation;
- environmental safety;
- variety of colors.
Flaws:
- instability to alkalis and solvents;
- shrinks after laying;
- When exposed to low temperatures, the elasticity of the material decreases, which can lead to cracking.
PVC linoleums come with a base (fabric, non-fabric, foam), without a base, single-layer, multi-layer
According to purpose, PVC linoleum is divided into:
- Domestic. The thickness of household linoleum is 1-4 mm. It may have a polyester or foam base. The service life of household PVC linoleum is no more than 5 years;
- Commercial. Commercial linoleum has a very high degree wear resistance. It has a very thick protective layer. It is used in office and work areas. Service life commercial linoleum– 1-25 years;
- Semi-commercial. The structure of semi-commercial linoleum is similar to household linoleum, but has a thickened protective layer (up to 0.7 mm). It is laid in the rooms of the apartment with the highest traffic (kitchens, hallways), in office premises with low traffic. The service life of semi-commercial linoleum is 7-20 years;
- Specialized. This linoleum is developed for specific tasks. Sports - covered with a polyurethane layer that improves wear resistance. Bactericidal - contains antifungal and antibacterial additives. Anti-slip - thanks to the quartz chips added to it, it has a relief surface. Sound-absorbing – has a thickened base.
Glypthal
Glyphthalic linoleum is made by applying alkyd resin to a fabric base. Before laying it, the product should lie in a warm room. So that after installation it does not become deformed.
Advantages:
- increased thermal insulation;
- increased sound insulation.
Flaws:
- fragility of the material;
- Difficulty in installation due to the possibility of cracks.
Colloxylin
Colloxyline linoleum is a baseless single-layer floor covering.
It is made from wood or cotton cellulose nitrate, plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers.
Advantages:
- moisture resistance;
- flexibility (maintained even with low temperatures);
- elasticity.
Flaws:
- risk of shrinkage;
- instability to organic solvents, alkalis, acids;
- high heat absorption coefficient;
- reacts to temperature changes.
Relin linoleum is a two-layer flooring material.
The top layer is rubber made from natural rubber, which has increased strength and hardness. The bottom layer is rubber based on styrene rubber, which has medium hardness and improves the shock-absorbing properties of the material.
Advantages:
- low slip level;
- good shock-absorbing properties;
- firmness and elasticity.
Flaws:
- high thermal conductivity;
- instability to solvents;
- presence in the composition harmful substances evaporating over time.
Choosing linoleum based on the purpose of the room
To know which linoleum is best to choose for a particular room, you need to know the product labeling. It consists of two numbers. First digit:
- 1 - means that the product is intended for rooms with minimal traffic,
- 2 – for residential premises,
- 3 – office,
- 4 – production.
The second means possible loads on the coating and varies from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest).
What is better to put in the living room?
The traffic in the guest room is moderate. A coating with a thickness of 1.5 mm is chosen for it. Since exposure mechanical stress small, inexpensive household linoleum based on PVC is suitable.
For the living room is suitable inexpensive household linoleum
Children's room
In children's rooms, the main attention is paid to environmentally friendly coatings. Therefore, it is better to choose a natural product. It may not be as durable, but it will not harm the child’s health.
It is better to lay natural linoleum in a children's room
Sleeping area
The bedroom is a low traffic area. Here you can lay linoleum with a thickness of 1.2 mm. As an option - PVC linoleum on a foam base or household polyester.
Hallway, kitchen, corridor
These rooms have the most traffic in the apartment. Here it is advisable to lay linoleum 3mm thick. For such premises, you can choose household PVC linoleum or even semi-commercial.
For the kitchen you can choose semi-commercial linoleum
In conclusion
Understanding which company's linoleum is better, we can say with confidence that the domestic industry does not lag behind its European competitors. One of the leading domestic companies producing floor coverings can be called Tarkett. Imported linoleums are represented by such companies as Juteks, Forbo, Venus, IVS.
In addition to the described characteristics, when choosing linoleum for an apartment, you should pay attention to its appearance. The presence of relief and greasy shine should alert you. The strong smell of the product indicates its harmfulness. It is unlikely that such linoleum can be laid in residential premises. Therefore, take your time with your choice. As they say: “Measure twice, cut once!”
The design of a room not only creates a mood and improves the perception of the surrounding world, but can also tell a lot about the owners of the room. If the appearance of a house or apartment could be depicted in a play, then the floor covering would be in the supporting roles. However, the perception of the entire play would depend on his “play”. The floor not only encloses and frames everything around, but also takes upon itself almost the entire burden from the weight of the actors in the foreground: the furniture.
In this path, linoleum is a completely universal actor. And if once his acting was cheap and of poor quality, today he has no equal in transformations. It is environmentally friendly, can be both natural and artificial, transform into any material or be itself. Meet linoleum - the king of floors, winner of the Oscar for supporting performance in interior design.
Which linoleum is better?
However, not all linoleum is good. You also need to know how to choose good, high-quality material. For this flooring There are several recommendations that will help you figure out which linoleum is better. We are talking specifically about the quality of the coating, because it will have to withstand considerable loads.
- Purpose of linoleum. European system designations divides linoleum according to its purpose. There are 3 main purposes:
- Large industrial buildings, plants, factories, warehouses and logistics complexes. This group is designated by the number 4 or a pictogram in the form of a plant with a pipe.
- Second group - offices various types, hotels, banquet halls, shopping malls, educational institutions, airport halls, etc. This group is designated by the number 3 or the pictogram of a high-rise building.
- All private, residential buildings are designated by the number 2 and have a pictogram in the form of a small 2-story 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 home, you can choose linoleum for any purpose, but for large shopping complexes, linoleum for the purpose of “private home” is definitely not suitable.
- Abrasion class. In addition to its purpose, each group has 3 classes of abrasion or wear resistance. They are also indicated either by numbers or by pictograms of people. First class, number 1, 1 person – light load; second class – secondary; third class – high load. The purpose and abrasion load class are used side by side, complementing each other. So for the most accessible part of the apartment, the corridor at the entrance, purpose 2 and load 3 are suitable, general designation: 23. Just like with the purpose, you can choose any larger class for the premises, the main thing is not less than necessary.
- Additional protective coating. Of two copies with the same purpose and load classes, how to choose linoleum that will serve for a long time and will not cause trouble. It is worth paying attention to the additional protective layer. It is offered mainly by reputable, time-tested manufacturers. All manufacturers call it and designate it differently, so there is no point in listing the names. It only needs to be said that the best linoleum will most likely have such a layer.
- Quality Certificates. How to choose linoleum that will not emit harmful substances, does not cause allergies, keeps its shape, and does not crack? Pay attention to quality certificates. High-quality products from European manufacturers are certified according to European standards EN, and domestic products are certified according to GOST standards. Information about this must be indicated on the label.
- Manufacturer and cost. You can buy good linoleum from a responsible manufacturer. Price quality material sometimes comparable to the price of a homemade one. The label will tell you how to find good linoleum. It must indicate the address of the manufacturer, his contacts, all information about the product, and 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 the purpose of the rooms. For a family of 2-3 people, linoleum of class 23 or higher must be laid in the passage areas. There will be enough 22 classes in the recreation rooms. If the apartment has an office, dressing room or library, the 21st grade will perform 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 your apartment, because it will not be squashed by heavy furniture, and household members will not be choked by unpleasant odors or suffer from allergies.
Thanks to various patterns and textures, you can visually increase the area of a small apartment, brighten dark room or delimit zones in a room. Colors and shades set the mood of the rooms. Warm and muted tones will soothe and create coziness. And bright, rich ones are conducive to creativity, play, and active pastime.
For the kitchen
The kitchen in an apartment or house stands apart for a reason. This room is extremely demanding on flooring. The level of load on it is higher than in all other rooms; even the entrance corridor cannot compare with the kitchen in this regard. Therefore, you need to choose linoleum for the kitchen from class 31 and above. Moreover, 31 are for small apartments for 1-2 people. Why is this so?
Linoleum in the kitchen is subject to not only the usual load from people passing by. This is a room with an unnatural microclimate: humidity and high temperature. Under these conditions, various microorganisms thrive. Therefore, it is good if linoleum for the kitchen also has an antibacterial coating.
In the kitchen, various things often fall on the floor. abrasive materials, fat, acids, coloring matter. High-quality linoleum for the kitchen should be able to withstand all the heavy loads without complaint. Which linoleum should I choose for the kitchen so that it meets all the requirements without exception? Kitchen linoleum must have an additional protective layer and must be certified.
The color scheme of linoleum for the kitchen is also slightly different from that for general use. If you want your household to have a good appetite, choose warm colors; if you like to sit with your family in the kitchen and have a quiet dinner, enjoying the time spent - take a closer look at calm, neutral, uniform tones.
How to choose linoleum for a private home
It would seem that it makes no difference where the floor is located, in an apartment or in a house. But there is a difference. First of all, in the load and 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 home of higher classes than for an apartment. Class 23-31 is suitable for rest rooms, 31-32 for common rooms, for high-load rooms (furnace room, corridor, warm veranda, kitchen) – 33 and above.
The design of linoleum for a home is often matched to the overall interior. Recently it has become fashionable to create 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 skimping 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, and various ceramics. For the attic, designers offer interesting option– light walls and light linoleum, this will visually expand the attic and avoid “overhanging” walls.
Linoleum is a high-quality, beautiful and durable decorative floor covering. In addition, it has an average pricing policy. Therefore, many consumers choose this product. Manufacturers offer a fairly wide range of materials with different design solutions.
Let's try to figure out which linoleum is better.
Selection criteria
If done major renovation throughout the house, you don’t need to buy the decorative flooring you like and then think about where to put it. This is the wrong approach. To choose correctly decorative coating you need to know the nature of the room in which it will be installed. There are goods that cannot be placed in rooms with high traffic.
Such materials are not suitable for the living room, kitchen or corridor. If a product is purchased for the kitchen or dining room, then it must have additional protection from moisture. The design of the room in which the decorative flooring will be installed is no less important.
For many, the main criterion is price. Therefore, you initially need to decide what pricing policy the product should have. Although the priority should not be price, but quality.
Types of linoleum
At the moment, consumers are presented with products that have a natural or synthetic base. However, it cannot be said that natural material is always better than synthetic.
Let's consider each type of product separately.
Natural linoleum
The natural product is 100% safe. All components used in the manufacture of the coating do not emit substances harmful to human health into the air during operation. The base material is usually made of jute fabric.
As for the other components, the product contains linseed oil, wood and cork flour, pine resin, and lime powder. The coating is painted using exclusively natural dyes.
This flooring is worth choosing for a children's room or bedroom. It can be laid in rooms where there are allergy sufferers. Natural linoleum is quite resistant to abrasion. However, it is not practical to install it in high-traffic areas. During operation, the floor covering does not change its color. It is resistant to direct sun rays. Caring for such decorative flooring is quite simple.
As for the disadvantages, natural linoleum cannot be laid in rooms with high humidity. It is also worth noting that the coating is not resistant to deformation. If you bend it too much, a crease may form. It is not possible to correct such a defect. Therefore, the floor covering must be transported extremely carefully. This type of coverage is quite expensive.
Polyvinyl chloride linoleum
In addition to polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, stabilizers and fillers are used in the manufacture of this type of flooring. This or that color scheme is achieved using dyes. Advantages of this product is its antistatic properties, resistance to moisture, ease of installation, and low thermal conductivity.
Despite the fact that components of synthetic origin are used in the manufacture of the product, polyvinyl chloride linoleum is environmentally friendly. The material is available in different color solutions, has an average pricing policy.
As for the disadvantages, this finishing coating is not resistant to aggressive alkalis and solvents. Accordingly, for wet cleaning you should choose gentle detergents. After installation, the product shrinks, which can also be considered a disadvantage. Polyvinyl chloride flooring must not be laid in unheated premises. At low temperatures, the elasticity of the material decreases, which will ultimately lead to the formation of cracks.
There are several varieties of polyvinyl chloride linoleum. There are products on the market that have a base and products that do not have a base. The base can be fabric, foam or non-fabric. As for the structure, you can find single-layer and multi-layer products.
Based on the nature of the room, you can choose:
- domestic;
- commercial;
- semi-commercial;
- specialized polyvinyl chloride linoleum.
For your home, it is better to choose household linoleum, the service life of which exceeds 5 years. The thickness of the product varies from 1 to 4 mm. It is not installed in high traffic areas.
Commercial flooring is characterized by increased wear resistance. It is equipped with a protective layer that protects it from abrasion and mechanical damage. The operational period of the product can reach 25 years.
Semi-commercial linoleum is similar to household linoleum. It is slightly thicker and has a longer service life, reaching 20 years. It can be installed both at home and in small offices with average traffic.
Specialized flooring meets the requirements of certain premises. Currently, you can purchase sports linoleum that is anti-slip, bactericidal and noise-absorbing. From the names it is obvious what each type of specialized coating is used for. Therefore, we will not dwell on this in detail.
Glypthal linoleum
This product has a fabric base, on top of which an alkyd resin is applied. This manufacturing technology makes it possible to significantly increase the thermal insulation and sound insulation properties. It is not advisable to lay glypthal linoleum at home.
Before starting installation, the material must be left in a warm room for 24 hours. Otherwise, the decorative finishing coating may become deformed after installation.
Colloxylin linoleum
This product, consisting of 1 layer, is resistant to moisture, elasticity and flexibility. Thanks to the plasticizers included in the product, it is not afraid of low temperatures.
As for the disadvantages, it is worth noting that the product very often shrinks after installation. In addition, it is unstable to alkalis and acids.
Relin
This linoleum consists of two layers of rubber. The top layer is highly durable and very hard. The bottom layer is not so durable. He is responsible for depreciation.
The product is non-slip, elastic and quite elastic. It has good shock-absorbing properties. But, during operation, Relin releases substances that can be harmful to health. Therefore, you should choose a different type of linoleum for your home.
Character of the room
All products are marked during production. The marking includes two numbers, the first of which indicates the wear resistance of the product, and the second indicates the load that linoleum can withstand.
Wear resistance is indicated by numbers 1-5, and permissible loads indicated by numbers 1-4. On this scale, 1 indicates that the coating is not wear-resistant and can withstand light loads. The numbers 5 and 4, respectively, indicate the wear resistance of the product and the ability to withstand heavy loads.
For the living room, it is better to choose a flooring whose thickness is 1.5 mm. The best option would be household polyvinyl chloride linoleum. A natural product is suitable for a child’s room, and polyvinyl chloride linoleum on a foam base is suitable for a bedroom. For this purpose, a floor covering with a thickness of 1.2 mm will be sufficient for the room. For the kitchen and corridor it is advisable to choose a 3 mm product. You can purchase semi-commercial PVC linoleum.
To feel comfortable at home, you need to choose the right flooring. It must have an appropriate wear resistance class and not emit substances harmful to health into the air. Specialized products for home use are not suitable. It is important to pay attention to the design of the product. It should fit harmoniously into the design of the house.
It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer and pricing policy. A quality item cannot have a low price policy. If you purchase a cheap product, you should not expect that it will have a long service life.
The Tarkett company, the world's largest manufacturer of flooring materials with a 130-year history, produces one of the highest quality and durable coatings - PVC linoleum. Its factories are open all over the world, including in Russia. Since 1995 in Otradny Samara region there is a production plant operating:
- Household roll floors intended for use in residential environments;
- Semi-commercial materials used in premises with average traffic (offices, halls, conference rooms);
- Commercial homogeneous (homogeneous) and heterogeneous (multilayer) flexible PVC used for commercial, industrial facilities.
In domestic stores, Tarkett products are sold under 4 brands:
- Tarkett- the most expensive segment of the best high-quality linoleum of classes 23, 31-33 and 41-43. The range includes more than 20 collections for household, semi-commercial, commercial and special purposes. Characteristic feature series is a variety of designs, as well as an interesting appearance with a believable imitation of the textured surface of parquet, solid boards, porcelain stoneware, etc.
- Sinteros - budget option household and commercial PVC coatings of classes 21-23, 31-34. The advantages of linoleum are versatility, practicality and durability. An analogue of this line is the product of the Ukrainian plant Vinisin.
- Polystyl- vinyl material of classes 23, 31-34 and 41, combining affordable price and Tarkett quality. Available in 6 collections, the range is selected in such a way that each design can be used in any type of room.
Thus, the Tarkett company produces high-quality PVC linoleum in huge assortment for every taste, color and budget.
Main advantages:
- High level resistance of linoleum to abrasive and tensile loads. Thanks to the transparent polyurethane matrix and additional protective coatings Extreme Protection, Titanium, R.MAX and other material surfaces are inert to aggressive water household chemicals, abrasives, shoes. And the use of fiberglass ensures stability floor finishing to deforming factors.
- Sanitary and hygienic, fire safety and environmental friendliness. Tarkett products are the only ones in the Russian Federation that have received the “Leaf of Life” voluntary eco-testing certificate.
- A huge selection of designs and structures for parquet, massive board, marble, ceramics, natural stone, textiles and much more. The assortment includes more than 1000 decors of various shades.
- Possibility of choosing linoleum on a felt basis or on the basis of foamed PVC. The first is warmer, recommended for use on screeds. The second one is universal.
- Approved for use in children's preschool, educational and medical institutions.
- Easy installation and maintenance.
- Price available in many collections.
- Long service life - from 10 to 40 years.
The long-awaited renovation season is coming. Many apartment owners think about which linoleum is best for their apartment. Let's try to understand this issue and the huge assortment offered by trade organizations to help you choose exactly the option you need.
Material requirements
First of all, you need to decide in which room this flooring will be located. The requirements placed on it depend on this. Will it be able to withstand the loads that are placed on it in a particular room? Will the selected linoleum answer technical specifications, such as moisture resistance, sound absorption, etc. Does the material match the interior of the room.
Specifications
When deciding for yourself which linoleum is best for an apartment, you should familiarize yourself with the regulatory classification of this material. On the reverse side of the linoleum you can see two numbers. One of them means the type of premises: 2 (residential building), 3 (office building), 4 ( production premises). The second number indicates the strength of the material. In accordance with the loads, linoleum is divided into three groups:
- Household is thin material, which can withstand 1.25 kg per 1 square meter. Rolled up, it does not crack. This material would be quite appropriate in a bedroom or hallway. It is not suitable for the kitchen or bathroom.
- Commercial - wear-resistant and durable material. Choosing which linoleum
better for an apartment, you can confidently choose this option. - Semi-commercial - quite durable and not thick material.
Hallway
In this room, the load on the flooring is maximum, so it is more advisable to lay semi-commercial linoleum, which will serve you for many years.
Bathroom
This is a special room in any home, if only because it is characterized by high humidity. It is much more often used here as a floor covering. But if for some reason you decide to abandon it, then you can use Imitating granite or marble; it looks very impressive and modern, especially if the bathroom is decorated in high-tech style. Naturally, it will cost you more than traditional samples, but the result is worth it. It has increased moisture resistance, and if you consider that the floor area in this room, as a rule, is not too large, then the cost of such a coating will not be too burdensome for your budget.
Living room
Many people are wondering whether it is worth using linoleum for the hall. In an apartment, this is probably the room with the least load on the floor. Therefore, it is quite justified to use classic linoleum in it, especially if it is partially covered with carpets. It is important to choose the right color. If you want to highlight the floor against the general background, choose a linoleum color that contrasts with the walls and furniture. To make the room look harmonious, select several accessories to match the color of the floor. This could be textiles, souvenirs, vases, etc.
Kitchen
It is obvious that this room needs a special floor covering. It can be linoleum with a protective layer. This is usually a natural material. You need to know that linseed oil, which is part of natural linoleum, is a powerful antiseptic that can not only protect the floor from germs, but also disinfect the air in the kitchen.
An important element general design are the floors in the apartment. Linoleum for the kitchen, in addition to attractive colors that match the style, must have anti-slip properties. It's no secret that it's quite often wet. Therefore, the anti-slip properties will protect you from injury.
Experts advise choosing wide linoleum for the kitchen so that it can be laid without unnecessary seams. When transporting, roll it up, otherwise it may crack. At home, the roll should be unrolled and the material should be allowed to rest well.
Children's room
The room where the best linoleum should be laid. For an apartment where there is a room for a baby, it is especially important to do right choice. The floor will not be used too intensively, but it should be taken into account that a small person will be crawling on it and splashing with his bare feet, and therefore you need to pay attention special attention his safety.
The most floor covering is natural linoleum. Flaxseed oil, which is included in its composition, has bactericidal properties and antistatic properties. In other words - this best option. But you should know that its price is twice as expensive as the synthetic one. If you decide that this material is too expensive for you, then lay it top layer glued onto a jute or felt base. Such material for children's rooms is decorated with bright and colorful images of animals or favorite cartoon characters, which the baby will certainly like.
Is linoleum harmful?
When starting a home renovation, every person is concerned about how to choose safe, environmentally friendly clean materials. Is linoleum harmful? In the apartment, natural material is completely safe. However, today manufacturers offer much more synthetic PVC coverings. Their manufacturers claim that they are also safe provided that certain operating rules are followed:
- You should not lay alkyd (rubber) linoleum in residential premises;
- commercial linoleum is not suitable for flooring in an apartment, as it contains plasticizers (to increase strength);
- You should not purchase a non-certified product - it may contain
If after two weeks the initial smell has not disappeared, then most likely the material was manufactured with technological violations.
Today we tried to figure out which linoleum is best for an apartment. We hope that our advice will help you make the right choice. Linoleum is a coating that has long term operation, so I would like it to please you with excellent quality for many years.
