Which linoleum is better to choose. Which linoleum is better for an apartment: household or semi-commercial class, how to choose it? Which linoleum is better for an apartment about samostroy

Modern variety floor coverings unwittingly puts any person doing repairs in an apartment or a house before the "torment" of choice. Well-known manufacturers, perfectly building their advertising policy, persistently recommend their products, which are really good. But it happens that for this you will have to part with the amount that was not planned. And the good old linoleum for some reason is undeservedly relegated to the background, considering it a choice for the poor. In fact, it has a number of advantages that the consumer most likely does not know about. It might be worthwhile to be more aware of this popular flooring and find out which linoleum is best for your home.

Linoleum is mistakenly attributed to modern and artificial materials, but its historical roots are hidden in the name. The word linoleum consists of Latin: linum - meaning flax or linen, as well as oleum - oil. Linoleum was patented back in 1860 by the Englishman Frederick Walton. Originally, this flooring used a woven linen or jute backing to which oxidized vegetable oil was applied in combination with cork flour. Technologies have been constantly improving, manufacturers have learned to apply a pattern to linoleum and at the beginning of the 20th century it was one of the most popular materials.

Due to the high cost of plant raw materials and the development of chemical synthesis, in the 60s of the last century, they began to produce floor rolls on a synthetic basis, which they left with the old name - linoleum, although this is a completely different material. In the 90s, we remembered the traditions of production natural linoleum, and the volume of its output is constantly increasing, since there is a steady demand for it. Thus, under the name linoleum, a very wide class of flooring, both natural and synthetic, was united.

Types of linoleum

To make it easier to navigate the ocean of proposals and make right choice, it is worth learning about the types of existing linoleums and specifically which ones are suitable for the home.

Natural linoleum

One of the best choices is natural linoleum. For its production, exclusively natural ingredients are used: linseed oil, wood flour, jute or linen, natural resin, limestone. A rich palette of natural colors along with modern technologies allow you to paint this wonderful coating in any color. Natural linoleum has a number of undeniable advantages:

High strength. Natural linoleum can withstand pressure up to 16 MPa.
Linseed oil, which is part of the composition, makes such a coating bactericidal.
High wear resistance determines a long service life: up to 30-50 years.
Exclusively natural ingredients determine its environmental friendliness.
Natural linoleum does not absorb dirt and can be easily cleaned from various dirt with detergents.
Static electricity does not accumulate on the natural linoleum.
Not afraid of ultraviolet rays, does not fade from the sun.
Low flammability.

With such an impressive list of advantages, natural linoleum is still not devoid of disadvantages:

Natural linoleum has a high price, comparable to a parquet board.
In rooms where a natural linoleum coating is planned, there should not be high humidity, since the natural base is prone to decay.
Low elasticity limits the use of natural linoleum in cold rooms and makes it difficult to install.
Features of manufacturing technology limit the variety of patterns and ornaments.
Only the laid natural linoleum flooring has a specific smell, which may not please everyone. However, after a few months, the smell disappears.

For all green living enthusiasts willing to go for high costs, natural linoleum will be an excellent choice for living quarters. Low moisture resistance limits its use in bathrooms and hallways.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linoleum

PVC linoleum ( international designation- PVC) is the most widely used. It can be either without a base or with different types of bases:

Fabric base. For it, both natural jute and synthetic fabrics, for example, fiberglass, can be used. The patterned top cover is made of PVC. Such linoleum can have an impressive thickness - up to 5 mm.
A non-woven base made of natural felt or synthetic materials can improve the thermal insulation properties, but in rooms with high traffic and high humidity, such linoleum should not be used, since it does not like intense loads, and the porous base will perfectly absorb moisture.

Foamed PVC backing. Such linoleum began to be produced in the 90s of the last century, and this type of substrate is one of the most popular. The main porous layer of PVC absorbs all loads and “forgives” small irregularities in the base, and the reinforcing fabric retains the geometric dimensions of the canvas. Foamed PVC can be applied chemically and in a more progressive mechanical way, which is better, since such linoleum will not wrinkle under high loads.

Also, some types of linoleum are made, which combine several types of the above layers. Linoleum, which has several of them, is called heterogeneous, and one is homogeneous. The number of layers and their purpose in linoleum for various purposes can be very different from each other.

The advantage of homogeneous linoleum is that its pattern is present throughout its entire depth, therefore, with its inevitable wear, the pattern will not be erased. The thickness of such linoleum can be from 1.5 to 3 millimeters, and it is intended for rooms with high traffic. Its use in apartments and houses is impractical. The main disadvantages of homogeneous linoleum are its high price, as well as the impossibility of applying complex patterns.

Polyvinyl chloride linoleum has a number of advantages that explain its widespread use.

PVC linoleum has high elasticity, which greatly simplifies its installation.
A variety of patterns and textures of PVC linoleum will allow you to realize any idea of interior design.
PVC linoleum has a reasonable price.
Easily cleaned from dirt.
Linoleum from well-known manufacturers is non-toxic, which must be confirmed by a hygienic certificate.

The disadvantages of PVC linoleum are:

When exposed to high temperatures, linoleum shrinks.
Only after installation, the PVC linoleum coating has an unpleasant specific odor, which disappears after several weeks of operation.

Alkyd linoleum

Alkyd, also called glyphthal, linoleum is always made on a fabric basis, on which special technology apply modified alkyd or glyphthalic resins with special fillers that improve the properties of the coating. Pigments and dyes are also added, which make linoleum either one-color or multi-colored. The advantages of this type of linoleum are:

Compared to PVC linoleums, glyphthalic linoleums have better heat and sound insulation properties.
Such linoleums are extremely durable, they can last 40-50 years.
Contamination from such a coating is easier to remove than from PVC.

The disadvantages of alkyd linoleum are:

Low elasticity at temperatures close to zero.
Alkyd linoleums require qualified installation.
Insufficient fire safety severely limits their use in residential premises.

Glyphthal linoleum is widely used in transport: flooring in carriages, cabins of sea transport, airplanes.

Rubber linoleum (relin)

Such linoleum is made in two layers: the lower one is made of recycled rubber, the upper one is made of synthetic rubber painted in various colors. These layers are connected to each other with bitumen mastic. These floor coverings have several advantages:

Excellent water resistance allows you to install the relay in the wettest rooms.
High elasticity and strength.
Excellent anti-slip properties.
Long service life.

Rubber linoleums can be used near swimming pools, in garages, workshops, sports rooms and halls, but in residential premises their use is contraindicated, as they emit harmful substances into the ambient air.

Nitrocellulose ( colloxylin) linoleum

These types of linoleums are a single-layer, baseless coating made from nitrocellulose with the addition of various components: gypsum, red lead, plasticizers and dyes. Currently, such coatings from this material are not used due to the increased fire hazard.

It is possible that such an abundance of information about the types of linoleum will further complicate the choice. Moreover, most modern linoleums are heterogeneous and can combine several different layers. That is why European manufacturers have developed a special standard EN685, in which linoleums are divided into classes depending on the strength characteristics and scope of application in certain rooms. Each class is designated by a two-digit numerical code and a corresponding pictogram.

The first number in the class indicates:

2 - linoleum is intended for residential premises.
3 - for office or commercial premises.
4 - for industrial premises.

The second number in the class indicates the degree of load that linoleum can withstand:

Household linoleum

Linoleum, belonging to classes 21-23, is usually called household. According to EN685 standards, it must have the following characteristics:

Specific gravity 1.25-2.25 kg / m 2.
Thickness - from 0.15 to 3 mm.
Flexibility and elasticity should be such that no cracks should form when wound on a rod with a diameter of 45 mm.
Sound absorption - not less than 13-18 dB.
Water absorption should be no more than 1-1.5%.
Shrinkage during operation - no more than 0.2 mm per 1 meter.

The cost of household linoleum from well-known manufacturers can range from 3 to 10 euros per square meter.

Semi-commercial linoleum

Linoleum, belonging to classes 31-34, is called semi-commercial, and it is intended mainly for office and office space. Must have the following characteristics:

Specific gravity 1.6-2.5 kg / m 2.
Elasticity and flexibility should be such that when wound on a cylinder with a diameter of 10-40 mm, cracks should not form in the linoleum.
Sound absorption should be at least 12-16 dB.
Shrinkage during operation - no more than 0.1 mm per 1 meter.
The service life guaranteed by the manufacturer is at least 7-20 years.

Semi-commercial linoleum is an excellent solution for modern offices

The cost of semi-commercial linoleum ranges from 5 to 15 euros per square meter. A slight difference in the price of household and semi-commercial linoleum makes it advisable to use it for domestic purposes in those rooms where there is an increased load on the floor covering: kitchens, hallways and others.

Commercial linoleum

If linoleum belongs to classes from 41 to 43, then it is called commercial. Its purpose is in rooms with intensive movement of people and equipment. Such linoleums have a reinforced layer-film (up to 0.8 mm), even lower shrinkage (0.02-0.1 mm / m) and a warranty period of operation (from 10 to 25 years).

The relatively high cost of such linoleum (10-40 euros per square meter), combined with excessive costs for apartments and houses technical characteristics, make its use in residential premises impractical. Some commercial linoleums may have special uses:

Sports surfaces that are soft and resilient for good contact with sports shoes.
Coatings that are resistant to chemicals and have bactericidal properties, which are very useful in medical institutions.
Anti-slip coatings near swimming pools and other areas with high humidity.
Antistatic coatings.

The thickness of the protective layer of linoleum

Most modern linoleums have a strong protective film made of pure PVC on their surface. It is its thickness that should be taken into account when choosing linoleum, depending on the purpose of the room. Manufacturers offer the following gradation:

A 0.15 mm thick film is quite suitable for using such linoleum in living rooms and bedrooms.
A protective layer of 0.20 mm will be optimal for children's rooms.
0.25 mm - for kitchens, hallways and corridors.
0.30 mm - service and office space with an average load.
A protective layer of 0.50 mm or more - for rooms with high and very high loads.

Find out what methods are used for, from our new article.

Linoleum marking

When choosing linoleum, all its technical data must be provided by the seller along with required certificates: Compliance and hygienic. Manufacturers of high-quality linoleum always put their logo on the back, as well as all the information that will greatly help the buyer:

Linoleum class - will help you make the right choice.
Lot number - if you plan to purchase a large amount of linoleum, then it is desirable that it be from one batch.
Date of manufacture.

Also, the manufacturer can apply additional pictograms that indicate the special properties of the coating. Such possible designations are shown in the figure.

Prices for a popular line of linoleums for home

Linoleum for home

How to choose linoleum correctly?

Now that there is complete clarity with the types of existing linoleums, you can indicate a number of important points that will help you make the right choice.

You should purchase linoleum only in specialized stores, where all storage requirements are met, and there is also a full set of accompanying documents confirming compliance with standards and safety.

Depending on the purpose of the room, a linoleum class is chosen and it is better to do this with some margin: one step higher than necessary.
Particular attention should be paid to the thickness of the linoleum, its strength and the presence of an upper protective layer.
It is necessary to strive to ensure that the linoleum flooring does not have connecting seams or there are a minimum of them. This is achieved by carefully measuring the premises and choosing the rolls of the required width.
The modern variety of colors, textures, patterns of linoleum allows you to make any choice, but you must take into account the purpose of the room, pleasant colors for a comfortable stay in it and the preferences of all household members.
In rooms with possible heavy pollution, it is better to use glossy linoleum.
When buying, you must carefully examine the entire surface of the linoleum and make sure that there is no damage.
Poor preparation of the base and an illiterate one can negate all the advantages of this coating.

Video: How to choose the right linoleum for your home?

In this article, you will learn:

What types are linoleum
How to understand linoleum classes
How to choose linoleum for a specific room
Which company linoleum is better to choose

On the modern building materials market in Moscow, there is a wide range of products for finishing floors in an apartment. Everyone who is planning a renovation is faced with the difficulties of choice. How to determine which coating is better if all manufacturers, without exception, recommend their collections, noting their exceptional quality and practicality. At the same time, the cost of such materials is not always affordable for the average buyer. If among all the selection criteria for you in the first place is the price, then it is better to pay attention to the good old linoleum. At an affordable cost, this material has a number of advantages, which will be discussed in this article. You will be able to learn about the various characteristics of roll flooring and figure out which linoleum is best for an apartment.

Which linoleum is better to lay in the apartment, based on the type

Linoleum is a moisture-resistant floor covering that has the following characteristics: flexibility, polymer composition and colors that imitate the texture of natural natural materials... Manufacturers offer a wide range of such products, which differ not only in color.

There is a stereotype that linoleum is a modern artificial flooring. But this material appeared a long time ago and was originally made from natural raw materials. Its name is a combination of the two words linum (linen or linen) and oleum (oil). A patent for such a material in 1860 was obtained in England by F. Walton.

The technology of its manufacture at that time was based on the production of a woven base of flax or jute, which was treated with oxidized vegetable oil mixed with cork flour. The development of industrial technology has contributed to the continuous improvement of linoleum. Various designs and patterns began to appear on its surface.

The decrease in the cost of linoleum was facilitated by the use of industrial chemical synthesis, as a result of which expensive natural components were replaced by affordable synthetic fabrics. This happened in the 60s of the last century. From that moment on, under the name linoleum, a completely new artificial covering began to be produced.

Nevertheless, the emergence of demand for natural products has made it possible to revive the tradition of producing natural materials, the sales of which are constantly growing. Today, linoleum is rightfully considered the most popular flooring option. Given the wide variety, it is necessary to understand the types of linoleum produced and their characteristics. This classification will allow you to select the option that better fit for your apartment.

Natural linoleum

Natural linoleum is the best option for arranging living quarters. It consists exclusively of natural ingredients: flax oil, wood flour and resin, jute or flax woven fabric, limestone. A wide range of natural-based dyes are used to paint this type of flooring.

Advantages natural linoleum:

The strength characteristics of natural linoleum allow this material to withstand loads up to 16 MPa.
Flaxseed oil provides bactericidal properties to the coating.
Due to its wear-resistant characteristics, such linoleum retains its aesthetic and performance characteristics for 30 to 50 years.
Environmental friendliness and harmlessness to human health.
The material does not absorb dirt, it is easy to clean and washable with usual means.
Lack of property to accumulate static electricity.
Resistant to sun fading.
Low flammability.

The list of the benefits of natural linoleum inspires respect for this coating.

But he has his own limitations:

High cost, which is comparable to natural wood coatings.
It is better not to use natural linoleum in rooms with high humidity, as its base can rot.
It is better not to use this version of the natural coating for arranging floors in cold rooms, since it has low elasticity.
The options for patterns and colors of natural linoleum are not as diverse as those of artificial types of this coating.
New natural linoleum has a specific smell that will remain in the apartment for some time after the covering is laid.

Summing up, it can be noted that natural linoleum will great option floor coverings in the apartment, if you prefer eco-friendly housing and are ready to go for this at certain costs. At the same time, it is better not to use it in bathrooms, in the kitchen or in the corridor, since the natural coating is afraid of moisture.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linoleum

Polyvinyl chloride linoleum is the most common coating today. Its international designation is PVC. It can be produced without a base or with the following types of bases:

The base is made of natural (jute) or synthetic (fiberglass, etc.) fabric. Such a base is covered with a PVC layer with a pattern. The total thickness of such a coating is up to 5 mm.
Non-woven base made of synthetic raw materials or felt. A coating with such a base retains heat better, but is completely unsuitable for use in damp rooms of an apartment and in places with a high intensity of use of the floor surface (corridors).
The base of foamed polyvinyl chloride appeared in the nineties of the last century and today is the most used for the manufacture of linoleum. Porous PVC perfectly withstands high loads and smooths out minor irregularities in the floor. Foamed PVC can be applied mechanically or chemically... It is better to choose a material with a mechanical application of the base, since it does not crumple under high loads.

In the assortment of some manufacturers, linoleum is presented, which combines several varieties of the bases described above. Such coatings are called heterogeneous. Accordingly, linoleum with one base is called homogeneous. The number of base layers and the qualitative composition can differ significantly depending on the purpose of the linoleum.

Homogeneous linoleum differs in that its pattern extends throughout the entire depth of the coating, therefore, abrasion of the top layer during operation does not lead to a deterioration in appearance. The thickness of this type of linoleum ranges from 1.5 to 3 mm. It is better to buy homogeneous linoleum for places with high traffic, and it is not advisable to use such material in an apartment, since it has a high price.

PVC linoleum has gained popularity as a material for finishing floors in apartments due to the following characteristics:

The elasticity of the PVC coating greatly simplifies its installation.
A wide range of colors and patterns allows you to better highlight the features of various interiors.
Affordable cost.
Quality PVC linoleum the best manufacturers is a non-toxic material, which is confirmed by hygienic certificates.

Polyvinyl chloride linoleum has its own limitations:

Linoleum from PVC is better do not use in rooms where temperature drops are possible, as this leads to shrinkage of the floor covering.
New PVC linoleum has a specific smell that can last for several weeks.

Alkyd linoleum

Another name for this coating is glyphtal linoleum. It is produced on a fabric basis with the application of modified resins (alkyd or glyphthalic) using a special technology. Various fillers and pigments are added to the resins to improve performance and aesthetics.

Advantages alkyd linoleum:

It retains heat better and serves as an effective sound insulating material.
Due to its high abrasion resistance, it lasts up to 50 years.
It is well cleaned of various impurities.

disadvantages glyphthalic linoleum:

When the temperature drops to 0 ° C, such a coating loses its elasticity.
Installation should be done by experienced craftsmen.
Given the low resistance to fire, it is better not to use alkyd linoleum for arranging the floor in apartments.

Alkyd linoleum has been used as a floor covering in public transport: railway cars, subways, airplanes, etc.

Rubber linoleum (relin)

This type of flooring has two layers. The bottom layer is made from recycled rubber, and the top layer is made from artificial rubber with the addition of dyes. The layers are bonded together with bitumen-based mastic.

Advantages rubber linoleum:

Due to its high resistance to moisture, the relin can be laid in the most humid rooms.
Wear resistance, strength and elasticity.
High anti-slip performance.
Long service life.

Relin is best used for flooring around swimming pools, garages, gyms, but not in living quarters. Laying such a coating in an apartment is undesirable, as it emits substances harmful to health.

Nitrocellulose (colloxylin) linoleum

Single layer nitrocellulose flooring is called colloxylin linoleum. For improvement performance characteristics components such as gypsum, plasticizers and pigments are added to it. Due to its high flammability, today such linoleum is practically not used for flooring.

What class of linoleum is better for an apartment

The difficulty of choosing a floor covering for an apartment is due to the fact that most materials are heterogeneous, combining several layers with different characteristics. To simplify the task, European brands have decided to create the EN685 standard, which classifies linoleums by strength and application. To designate representatives of different classes, digital marking is used with a two-digit digital code and a special pictogram.

The first numeric character of the class marking indicates where it is better to apply such a coating:

Number 2 indicates that the coating is best used for apartments and other residential buildings.
Number 3 marks materials for floors in offices.
The number 4 is used to designate products that are intended for use in a production environment.

The 2nd digit of the class marking shows the level of load for which the coating is designed:

1 - low.
2 - medium.
3 - high.
4 - very high.

Household flooring

The correct answer to the question "which linoleum is better for an apartment" is household linoleum of class 21 to 23. Its characteristics are described in the EN685 standard:

Specific gravity: 1.25-2.25 kilograms per square meter.
Coating thickness: from 0.15 to 3 millimeters.
The elasticity of household linoleum should ensure the possibility of winding on a sleeve with a cross section of 45 mm without creases and cracks.
Ability to absorb sound up to 18 dB.
Water absorption up to 1.5%.
Shrinkage does not exceed 0.2 mm per meter.

Semi-commercial linoleum

Semi-commercial linoleum includes materials of classes 31 to 34. They are used for flooring in commercial and office premises. They differ in the following characteristics:

The specific gravity is 1.6-2.5 kg / m 2.
The elasticity of semi-commercial linoleum should ensure the absence of cracks when winding the material onto a cylinder with a cross section of 10 to 40 mm.
The sound-absorbing properties of such a coating are in the range of 12-16 dB.
Operational shrinkage should not exceed 0.1 mm per 1 meter of material length.
The period of operation guaranteed by the manufacturer with the preservation of the properties of the coating is from 7 to 20 years.

Commercial linoleum

Commercial linoleum is classified in grades 41 to 43. It is used in high-traffic properties. Abrasion resistance is ensured by the presence of a hardened film layer up to 8 mm thick. Commercial linoleum retains its dimensions better (material shrinkage up to 1 mm / m). Manufacturers guarantee the preservation of the characteristics of this type of flooring for a period of 10 to 25 years.

Many companies produce commercial linoleum with high-strength PVC film. The thickness of the protective layer is selected taking into account the peculiarities of the operation of the room:

A 0.15 mm protective layer is better suited for flooring in living rooms and bedrooms.
Products with PVC film 0.20 mm are a good option for children's rooms in an apartment.
The 0.25 mm layer is an excellent choice for kitchen and hallway floors.
Linoleum with a 0.30 mm film is best used in rooms with an average level.
A protective film with a thickness of over 0.50 mm will cope well with high loads.

Linoleum sellers are required to provide the buyer with certificates confirming its compliance with applicable standards and hygiene requirements... As a rule, on the reverse side of the coating, along with the manufacturer's logo, data on the characteristics of the material is applied.

Such information will help you better choose linoleum:

Coverage class.
Batch number (it is better to buy products from one batch).
Manufacturing date.

In addition to this information, pictograms can be presented here, informing about the special characteristics of linoleum:

Which linoleum to choose for a specific room

In this section, we will figure out which linoleum is better to buy for various rooms in an apartment, taking into account their characteristics and traffic.

Linoleum for the kitchen

For the kitchen floor, it is better to choose linoleum with high mechanical strength and moisture resistance. The best material option for this room is natural marmoleum. This cover has a fabric backing, which is usually made from jute fiber. Marmoleum is different long term service and simple cleaning from dirt using detergents.

Of course, it is better to buy natural linoleum for an apartment, but if you are limited in finances, then synthetic linoleum can be laid in the kitchen. When choosing such a coating, pay attention to its service life declared by the manufacturer, and also make sure it complies with GOST standards and hygienic requirements. Floor experts argue that semi-commercial linoleum is the best choice for the kitchen. Such material is distinguished by a decorative layer resistant to abrasion, has a reliable protective coating and a density that allows it to withstand the mechanical stress arising from the fall of kitchen utensils on the floor.

From the point of view of design for the floor in the kitchen, it is better to use linoleum with a pattern that imitates natural stone, parquet board or tile... When choosing materials for the floor in an apartment, pay attention to the antiseptic characteristics of linoleum. These properties are possessed by natural linoleum with a linen base. If you decide to buy artificial linoleum, it is better to use materials with antiseptic properties as a substrate.

The width of the roll should be such as to minimize cutting operations and reduce the number of joints (it is the joints that are the most vulnerable point of linoleum in the kitchen).

Linoleum for the corridor and hallway in the apartment

The most passable places in the apartment are the corridor and the entrance hall. Therefore, when choosing linoleum for such premises, it is better to first of all pay attention to its resistance to abrasion. Of course, if no more than 2 people live in an apartment, then you can stay on class 22 or 23 coatings, and not overpay for more expensive products. If you have a large family, then you will need a material with a thickness of at least 4 mm, which has a protective layer exceeding 0.25 mm. The most reliable grades of linoleum of 31 or 32 classes are best used for flooring in the corridors of offices or commercial enterprises.

Before you start laying linoleum in an apartment, make sure that the floor does not have significant bulges and depressions. . For high-quality laying of the floor in the corridor, it is better to use a PVC or cork backing (natural jute or linen backing is not dense enough to withstand high mechanical stress and abrasion).

Linoleum for an office and a bedroom in an apartment

To equip the floors in the bedroom or in the office in the apartment, it is better to use linoleum on a soft foam base. In these areas, there is no need to use high-density coatings, so you can take care of the maximum comfort. Artificial linoleum of the 21st class with a base of foamed polyvinyl chloride is best suited to such conditions. You can also use a single coat with a soft linen or jute backing.

If it comes about the children's bedroom, experts recommend natural linoleum with a higher strength. Coverings of grades 22 and 23 will better withstand the stresses that arise when children play with various toys.

Linoleum for a living room in an apartment

When choosing which linoleum is best for the living room, you need to take into account possible loads on the floor surface. So, for a family of more than 3 people, which has a tradition of receiving guests, we can recommend semi-commercial flooring of 31 and 32 classes (a similar linoleum is also suitable for the corridor). In addition, if you often have guests, it is better not to buy expensive linoleum, since the service life of such a material will be 7-9 years.

For a living room in an apartment of a small family, you can use household linoleum class 22 or 23 with a protective layer from 0.15 to 0.20 mm.

Linoleum for a balcony in an apartment

Balconies are characterized by frequently changing temperature conditions, therefore it is better to use materials with minimal shrinkage and high strength for finishing the floor. In addition, factors such as exposure to ultraviolet rays and high humidity must be considered. As a rule, moisture-resistant, frost-resistant and anti-slip coatings are chosen for the balconies in the apartment. It is best to choose the same linoleum as for high-traffic office spaces.

Which company is better to choose linoleum for an apartment: an overview of manufacturers

The best linoleum for an apartment, whatever company you choose, must meet criteria such as:

High wear-water-chemical resistance, as well as bacteriostaticity and absence of characteristic odors.
Service life is not less than 7 years.
Resistant to dirt and easy to clean.
Compliance with hygiene and safety requirements.

To answer the question, which company is better to choose linoleum for an apartment, we give an overview of brands on the domestic flooring market.

Tarkett

This manufacturer is known as one of the world's largest brands in the natural and synthetic flooring segment. Its history goes back about 130 years, and today the concern has its offices in many countries of the world. The concern's products are supplied to more than 140 countries.

Assortment line:

Natural linoleum and PVC coatings (household, semi-commercial, commercial, special).
Parquet board.
Laminated parquet.
Cork coverings.
Components, consumables and other goods for flooring.

The brand's enterprise appeared in Russia in 1995 (Otradny, Samara region). PVC coverings are produced here. In addition, products manufactured by the Tarkett concern at Eastern European factories are supplied to the domestic market. The company manufactures products under 4 trademarks:

Tarkett (EU, RF). The manufacturer's catalog contains about twenty collections of premium tiles and roll materials made from natural raw materials and PVC. All types of linoleum with wear resistance classes ranging from 21 to 43 are produced under this brand. The main advantage of Tarkett products is the variety of patterns on the smooth and textured surface of the coating.
Sinteros (RF). Economy-level PVC materials with wear resistance class from 21 to 34 are produced under this trademark. Consumers choose Sinteros linoleum for its practicality and affordable cost.
Vinisin (Ukraine). Products manufactured under this trademark are similar to Sinteros linoleum.
Polystyl (RF) - belongs to the middle price category. The trademark catalog contains 6 collections of coatings of 23, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41 classes.

Advantages linoleum for the Tarkett apartment:

The floor coverings of this brand are distinguished by high strength and durability, which is ensured by the presence of a transparent layer with a protective layer (Extreme Protection, Titan, etc.).
Thanks to the use of fiberglass reinforcement, Tarkett linoleum has an increased resistance to deformation.
The best selection of designs and colors compared to competitors.
Linoleum with three base options is presented to the consumer's choice in the Tarkett collections: foamed polyvinyl chloride, artificial felt, duplicated base.
Tarkett materials are approved for use in wellness facilities.
The safety of this brand's flooring has been confirmed by various certifications, including documents
Good informational support.
Simple installation and low maintenance.
Availability of offers in different price segments.
The service life, depending on the type of linoleum, ranges from 7 to 50 years.

Disadvantages:

Tarkett products are relatively expensive;
Linoleum, presented in the budget line, can smell unpleasant at first.

Forbo

The Forbo group of companies has a large number of manufacturing enterprises working in different directions. The largest division unites seven European factories producing floor and wall finishing products.

For about twenty years the company has been producing natural coatings under the Marmoleum brand. The catalog contains coverings of all classes in various forms. In our country, Forbo's production facilities were launched in 2012 in the Kaluga region.

Advantages linoleum Forbo:

Natural and environmentally friendly products are produced under this trademark.
The manufacturer's product line includes roll materials, tiles, as well as combined coatings based on HDF boards.
A wide range of color and design options (linoleum wood, stone, etc.).
Resistant to abrasion and exposure to household chemicals and deformation.
Forbo linoleum is bacteriostatic and has low thermal conductivity.
Permanent mineral dyes are used for coloring the floor coverings.
Forbo coatings are approved for the arrangement of floors in sanatoriums and children's institutions.
Good information support allows you to more accurately determine which linoleum is best for an apartment.
The quality and safety of materials is confirmed by a complete package of certificates according to EN.
Simple styling and unpretentious care.
The period of operation, depending on the type of linoleum, is from 10 to 30 years.

Disadvantages:

The high cost of all collections.
Many decor options are available only upon prior order with a waiting period of one month or more.

Grabo

A Hungarian flooring manufacturer started its business with small workshop for the manufacture of tarpaulin and oilcloth products. The company's current production facilities include four state-of-the-art plants for wood and PVC materials for floors and walls.

The Grabo catalogs contain synthetic linoleums of all classes (21-23, 31-34, 41-43). In the household series, you can choose a coating option with a variety of decor in different color shades (it should be noted that the choice, although large, is not as rich as that of competitors).

Grabo also produces special PVC linoleum, including coverings for vehicles, gyms, as well as bacteriostatic, soundproof and anti-slip products.

Advantages linoleum Grabo:

A high degree of abrasion resistance and deformation elasticity of Grabo linoleums is ensured by the use of fiberglass for reinforcing materials.
Variety of designs including unique avant-garde and children's series.
Grabo products comply with the European CE safety and health requirements.
Simple installation and easy maintenance.
Affordable cost of all collections, regardless of the class of coverage.
The operational period is from 10 to 25 years.

disadvantages linoleum Grabo:

A small selection of design solutions on the Russian market.
Most of Grabo's products cannot be used for underfloor heating.
Low degree of resistance to dirt.

Juteks

Utex is a company with a long history. Back in 1939, a packaging factory was established. Over time, a large European concern for the production of floor coverings and wall decoration grew on the basis of the enterprise. In the Juteks product line, the most widely represented segment is PVC linoleum with a wear resistance class of 21-34. In our country, Utex production was opened in 2009 in the city of Kameshkovo (Vladimir region.).

The company manufactures its products under the brands:

Juteks is a premium linoleum segment with a smooth or textured surface. Products under this brand are manufactured at factories located in Belgium, Slovenia and the Russian Federation.
Beauflor - business grade coverage. (Produced at factories in Slovenia and the Russian Federation).
Ideal - the economy flooring segment.

Advantages Utex:

High indicators of resistance to abrasion and moisture, which is provided by additional protective layers.
The presence of reinforcing fiberglass prevents shrinkage and deformation of the coating.
The manufacturer annually updates about 40 collections with a wide variety of decor.
All products presented in the Utex catalog have been certified for compliance with domestic and European quality requirements. For linoleum from the luxury category, the conclusions of the eco-examination are provided.
Easy to install and maintain.
Affordable cost.
Service life from 7 to 30 years.

Disadvantages:

The products of the economy segment have a low density of the base layer and have a rather slippery surface. In addition, such linoleum retains an unpleasant odor for a long time.
Linoleum with a textured surface gets dirty quickly and is difficult to wash. You will need special detergents to remove dirt.
It is better not to use coatings from budget series for arranging heated floors.

Komitex LIN

The production facilities of this brand have been located in the city of Syktyvkar since 2002. Here linoleum is made on the basis of foamed PVC and synthetic felt.

You can choose the material in 5 classes of wear resistance (21-23 and 31-32) from 9 collections. These are household and semi-commercial coatings, as well as a commercial series. The design is limited to patterns imitating natural wood, ceramic tiles or marble chips. All coatings are laminated from China.

Advantages Comitex LIN products:

Linoleum of this brand has a waterproof surface that is resistant to active substances that are part of household chemicals and intense operational loads.
The quality of the products is confirmed by all the necessary certificates.
Simple styling.
Affordable price.
The service life is from 5 to 7 years.

Disadvantages:

Due to insufficient density, Komitex LIN linoleum is prone to dents.
The unpleasant odor persists for a long time after installation.
It is better not to use the products of this brand on heated floors.

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing linoleum for an apartment is the smell of the material. The less the smell, the better the material, as it contains minimal amount harmful substances. Natural or synthetic material High Quality practically does not smell. The outer surface of the coating should not have gloss, and the pattern on it should be clearly visible.
It is good if the width of the canvas matches the size of the room. It is necessary to buy a floor covering with a small margin, since during the installation process it will be necessary to achieve the joining of the pattern. In addition, for an accurate calculation of the material, it is necessary to take into account the presence of niches, thresholds and other features of the room.
Better not to buy linoleum from the market. It should be stored in a heated room. In addition, it will be more convenient in the store to check quality characteristics material.
Be sure to check the compliance of linoleum with hygiene requirements and safety standards. The products that have passed the examination are labeled accordingly, and the seller must present the hygiene certificate to the buyer.
It is better to check the quality of linoleum rolled out. It should not have bumps, waves or areas with a peeling protective film. All these points indicate marriage, and therefore, such material is not worth buying for an apartment.
If you decide to use the same flooring for several rooms, then it is better to buy the material in one piece. It is only necessary to take into account the possibility of transporting a large roll along the landing.
You cannot fold linoleum in half and stick tape on the front surface of the material. For transportation, it is better to roll linoleum upside down. If the roll is rolled up "facing" outward, then it should be packed in a protective film.
In order for linoleum to last as long as possible and retain its attractive appearance, it is better to choose a coating with a special protective layer.
It's good if you have the opportunity to bring linoleum samples to those rooms of the apartment where it is planned to be laid. This will help you choose the material that best suits the interior.
If you need to cover large area floors with linoleum, it is better to buy material from one batch, since the coating released in different time color shades may differ slightly.

To cooperate with the "My Repair" Company is reliable and prestigious. The specialists working here are professionals of the highest level. The company "My Repair" works throughout Moscow and the Moscow region.

The abundance of flooring materials confuses everyone who is faced with the problem of choice. Nevertheless, despite the emergence of modern flooring, practical and versatile linoleum remains popular and in demand. For an affordable price, you can get a high-quality and durable coating for your home, which is not afraid of heavy loads and moisture. But it also has drawbacks that affect the quality and operational life. Before purchasing a floor covering for an apartment, you will have to study the characteristics. This will be discussed in the article.

Advantages

First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with all the advantages of linoleum. As mentioned above, its main advantages are:

strength;
moisture resistance;
resistance to mechanical stress (the degree of wear resistance depends on the quality of the coating in question);
a wide variety of colors;
elasticity;
ease of installation.

To lay linoleum on the floor, you do not need to possess special skills and knowledge, therefore, having instructions, everyone will cope with this stage.

Today the market offers a wide range of various patterns, colors and textures.

View

The type of linoleum is an important criterion with which they are initially determined, since manufacturers produce several varieties. Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages, as well as certain features of use. All this should be taken into account when deciding which type of material to choose.

The composition includes the following components:

linseed oil;
cork and wood flour;
limestone powder;
pine resin;
natural dyes.

Manufacturers take jute fabric as a basis. The result is an absolutely environmentally friendly coating that can be used for any room in the apartment, including the nursery. Allergy sufferers and asthmatics will live peacefully in a house with such flooring, without discomfort.

Among the advantages also stand out:

abrasion resistance;
preservation of the original color for many years;
bactericidal properties;
incombustibility;
ease of care.

Pvc

Polyvinyl chloride, which is widespread today, is also used in the production of linoleum. Thanks to the use of innovative European technologies, the coating is distinguished by:

thermal insulation properties;
the presence of dielectric properties;
environmental friendliness;
resistance to decay;
ease of installation and maintenance;
a large selection of shades and patterns.

It should be borne in mind that this species is very sensitive to high temperatures, alkaline and chemical solvents. If the temperature drops sharply, then the elasticity will be minimal.

Subspecies by place of use

Linoleum can be:

Commercial... Used in an office environment, its average lifespan is about 20 years. Positive sides is strength and durability.
Semi-commercial... It is spread both in offices and in apartments. If this type is chosen for an office space, then the room should have a small passability, since the service life can be reduced to 7 years.
Domestic... Thin and cheap cover, which has the shortest service life - 5 years. It can only be used in residential areas.

Other varieties

It is worth mentioning about the less popular varieties of linoleum:

Glyphthal... The production process is quite simple: alkyd resins are applied to the fabric base. This allows you to give the material increased heat and sound insulation properties. True, the process of laying such material is not easy.
Colloxylin... The composition of the coating includes nitrocellulose - a component that makes the coating moisture-resistant, non-combustible and elastic. However, there are also disadvantages: sensitivity to temperature changes and tendency to shrinkage.
... The production process is complicated, since the material consists of 2 layers: crushed rubber with bitumen and a mixture of pigment, rubber and a special filler. Advantages include flexibility and resistance to moisture.

Due to the fact that a large amount of harmful volatile substances is present in the relay, it is not recommended to lay it in residential premises.

Let's move on to considering the structure of linoleum. There are two groups:

homogeneous;
heterogeneous.

The first group has a relatively small thickness from 1.5 to 2 mm, and the patterning technology is continuous. This approach allows you to keep the original look longer, especially in rooms with high traffic. According to experts, it is homogeneous linoleum in terms of quality that is an excellent option for a kitchen or corridor.

The heterogeneous type, unlike its counterpart, has a large thickness, which reaches 6 mm. It consists of the following layers:

PVC backing (foamed polyvinyl chloride);
fiberglass (reinforcement);
PVC with a picture;
lacquer coating with bactericidal impregnation.

The last layer is very important, as it performs both decorative and protective function... This type is suitable for a loggia, balcony, dining room, hallway and bathroom.

In some stores, you can find mixed-type linoleum, where a homogeneous layer is taken as a basis, but there are also layers of PVC, fiberglass, polyurethane film, which acts as a protection against mechanical stress.

Colors

An important criterion that has a great influence on the perception of the interior of any room and room. The style of the interior of the room can be anything, as well as its purpose, in any case it will be possible to choose the best option, which will complement the decor. In order not to be mistaken when choosing a color, you need to pay attention to two main criteria:

Interior Design;
the purpose of the room.

Let's look at examples for the main rooms.

Bedroom... It is appropriate to choose a floor covering of soft and warm shades without a pattern. The perfect solution there will be a choice in favor of imitation of natural material - wood or marble.
Living room... Depending on the interior and style, calm and rich shades of warm colors will be appropriate here. You can consider options with pictures or ornaments.
Children... Dull and monotonous drawings should be avoided here. It is best to give preference to bright and rich colors, contrasting and varied patterns. This combination will make the atmosphere festive and fun.

Manufacturers

There is one more important point- which company to prefer linoleum. Most of the criteria will depend on the manufacturer, so a lot of attention must be paid to this issue. When choosing a well-known and popular manufacturing company, you can automatically count on high rates of all characteristics. But be prepared for the fact that this option may not be affordable.

Too much low price makes you wonder, as the quality of the flooring will be questionable. In this case, one can only guess about the true composition of the coating. Be careful as this material may emit toxic fumes that are harmful to the human body.

After studying the domestic market, Tarkett can be distinguished among the leading brands of flooring. This manufacturer has introduced modern and innovative technologies. Linoleum contains only natural or acceptable ingredients. The products fully comply with sanitary and hygienic and fire safety standards. In addition, Tarkett has another advantage - a large assortment.

And finally, a few more practical tips on how to determine a quality floor covering.

After choosing linoleum, smell the coating. If there is a too strong odor, then this means that the composition contains harmful substances. Quality material either it does not have any smell, or it is insignificant, the pattern looks clear, and the surface does not have a greasy sheen.
To avoid joints, you need a canvas that matches the width of the room. If you can't buy the appropriate linoleum, purchase the material with a margin, as you may have to adjust the pattern. Consider the presence of thresholds, protrusions and niches for batteries.
The coating must fully comply with all safety standards. Check out the marking that confirms the passage of the examination and the availability of the corresponding quality certificates.
Consider the method and possibility of transportation.
The presence of a protective layer will extend the operational life of the coating.
The canvas is not recommended to be folded in half, and also to use adhesive tape for fastening, since a trace will subsequently remain.

You need to check the quality in an expanded form. This is the only way to notice the presence of bumps, waves or peeling film.

As you can see, the process of choosing a floor covering for an apartment is quite complicated. But if you take into account all the nuances and subtleties, it will be easier to purchase high-quality flooring. Experts recommend using PVC coating for the hallway, for the kitchen - a semi-commercial natural coating, the bedroom and the nursery also require coating with special indicators of quality and environmental friendliness.

Despite the expansion of the flooring market, the production of linoleum is not slowing down. Application of safe technologies and affordable price have made this product one of the most popular products in its category. At the same time, buyers are increasingly concerned with the issue of choice. The assortment is expanding every year, causing an urgent question: "What kind of linoleum is still better?" Today we will try to give you an answer to this question.

What to focus on when choosing linoleum?

It is always very difficult to make a choice. Criteria that are of paramount importance to some are not so important to others. In order not to regret the choice made in the future, one should take into account in which room the linoleum will be laid. When making a purchase, focus on the characteristics of the rooms, namely:

Maximum permeability of the room;
The purpose of the room;
Premises requiring special conditions (protection from moisture, grease, abrasion);
The overall design of the rooms.

Varieties 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 permissible 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 from time to time;
does not fade in the sun;
does not support combustion;
variety of colors;
ease of use.

Disadvantages:

not resistance to moisture, which is why it is not advisable to lay it in the kitchen and corridor;
when bending linoleum, cracks may appear on the surface, this should be taken into account when transporting and working with the product;
quite high price compared to artificial linoleums.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) linoleum

The main binder in PVC linoleum is polyvinyl chloride. The product also contains plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers and dyes.

Advantages:

antistatic coating;
low thermal conductivity;
moisture resistance;
ease of styling;
environmental Safety;
variety of colors.

Disadvantages:

instability to alkalis and solvents;
shrinks after laying;
under influence low temperatures the elasticity of the material decreases, which can lead to cracking.

PVC linoleums come with a base (fabric, non-woven, foamed), without a base, single-layer, multi-layer

According to the purpose, PVC linoleum is divided into:

Domestic. The thickness of the household linoleum is 1-4 mm. It can have a polyester or foam backing. The service life of household PVC linoleum is no more than 5 years;
Commercial. Commercial linoleum has a very high degree of durability. It has a very thick protective layer. It is used in office and work premises. The service life of commercial linoleum is 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. Such linoleum is designed for specific tasks... Sports - covered with a polyurethane layer that improves wear resistance. Bactericidal - contains antifungal and antibacterial additives. Anti-slip - thanks to the added quartz chips, it has a raised surface. Sound absorbing - has a thickened base.

Glyphthal

Glyphthal 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 laying it does not deform.

Advantages:

increased thermal insulation;
increased sound insulation.

Disadvantages:

fragility of the material;
the complexity of laying due to the possibility of cracks.

Colloxylin

Colloxylin linoleum is a baseless single-layer floor covering.

It is made from wood or cotton cellulose nitrate, plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers.

Advantages:

moisture resistance;
flexibility (retains even at low temperatures);
elasticity.

Disadvantages:

risk of shrinkage;
instability to organic solvents, alkalis, acids;
high heat assimilation coefficient;
reacts to temperature changes.

Relin linoleum is a two-layer floor material.

The top layer is a natural rubber rubber with increased strength and hardness. The bottom layer is a rubber based on styrene rubber, which has medium hardness and improves the cushioning properties of the material

Advantages:

low slip level;
good shock absorption properties;
firmness and elasticity.

Disadvantages:

high thermal conductivity;
instability to solvents;
the presence in the composition of harmful substances evaporating over time.

The choice of linoleum with a focus on the purpose of the room

To know which linoleum is better to choose for a particular room, you need to know the product labeling. It consists of two digits. 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 the possible loads on the coating and varies from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest).

What is better to put in the living room?

The passability of the guest room is moderate. For her, choose a coating with a thickness of 1.5 mm. Since the susceptibility to mechanical stress is small, inexpensive household PVC-based linoleum is suitable.

An inexpensive household linoleum is suitable for a living room.

Children's room

In children's rooms, the main focus is on the environmental friendliness of coatings. Therefore, it is better to choose a natural product. Even if it is not so durable, it will not harm the health of the child.

It is better to lay natural linoleum in the room for children.

Dormitory

The bedroom is a low-traffic room. Here you can lay linoleum with a thickness of 1.2 mm. As an option - PVC linoleum on a foam basis or polyester household.

Entrance hall, kitchen, corridor

These rooms have the greatest traffic throughout the apartment. It is advisable to lay 3mm thick linoleum here. For such premises, you can choose household PVC linoleum or even semi-commercial.

For the kitchen, you can choose semi-commercial linoleum

In custody

Understanding which linoleum company is better, it is safe to say that the domestic industry does not lag behind European competitors. One of the leading domestic firms for the production of 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 the choice. As the saying goes: "Measure seven times - cut once!"

The word "linoleum" actually means oiled linen. Even the ancient Vikings oiled the sails of their ships to protect them from water and moisture.

Covering floors with such material began in the middle of the 18th century. And he was then completely natural.

In the middle of the 20th century, due to a shortage of raw materials, natural linoleum gives way to polyvinyl chloride.

Nowadays, linoleum is the most common type of flooring. In construction supermarkets and markets, its selection is huge.

Consumers want to choose linoleum that would last longer, be safe for health and beautiful in appearance. And for this you need to know how to choose the right one.

The types of linoleum depend on:

material from which it is made: natural, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, nitrocellulose, alkyd.
applications: household, commercial and semi-commercial.
the presence of the basis: based on and baseless.
structures (number of layers): homogeneous and heterogeneous.

Main selection criteria

What is the best linoleum for an apartment?

Destination

An untrained buyer pays attention only to color and pattern. Those who have already encountered or studied the issue of choosing linoleum for an apartment know that they need to build on the type of room.

Different rooms have different loads on the flooring. This means that linoleum in different rooms should differ in its quality characteristics.

Ecological cleanliness, naturalness

More and more consumers prefer natural materials. And flooring is no exception.

The ideal solution would be to choose high-quality natural linoleum for the apartment, it is also called marmoleum.

It is made from natural natural components: vegetable oil, resin, cork flour, limestone powder and burlap (jute fabric).

Natural dyes are also used.

It happens that for greater wear resistance, such linoleum is covered with a polymer, but you can also find a 100% natural coating. The composition most often includes flaxseed oil, and it has bactericidal properties.

Good fire resistance.
Easy to dry clean.
Wet cleaning is acceptable.
Does not accumulate static electricity.
Paints will not fade.

Such a coating will be ideal for the floor in the bedroom, nursery, living room.

The consumer can be frightened only by the high price, and also by the fact that this material is quite fragile and only a professional can lay it down.

Concentrated acids, alkalis, stabbing objects and high humidity can spoil it.

Low price, water resistance, sound-absorbing ability, variety of colors, ease of maintenance attracts to synthetic linoleum. But, be careful: it may contain substances harmful to health.

Therefore, in order to protect yourself from harmful purchases, ask the seller for certificates.

As a rule, household linoleum intended for residential premises is safe for people.

Thickness and density

For many, the durability of the coating is important: so that the linoleum does not "squeeze through", is resistant to mechanical damage, and so that the paint does not wear off.

It is not always better to choose linoleum for an apartment, focusing only on its thickness, thicker does not mean better. It depends on why.

If child safety is important, a really thick foam with a polyester backing is the best.

And for the heels and legs of furniture - not always, the semi-commercial option will be better, but in appearance it will be thinner than the household one.

Additional coverage

This is protection against deep penetration of dirt, it is easier to care for such a coating. A protective layer, also called a worker, is on all types of linoleum. it upper layer cover. It can be from 0.15 to 0.6 mm thick.

It is he who protects from abrasion. On, in the corridor and vestibule cover is suitable with a PVC base with a thickness of at least 3 mm, and the thickness of the working layer must be higher than 0.25 mm. Semi-commercial linoleum will also serve well here.

Linoleum base

Its sound and thermal insulation depend on the basis. It can be made of foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Such linoleum can be of different thicknesses. The foam base is moisture resistant, and the service life is 10 years.

Baseless linoleum is homogeneous PVC, its second name is homogeneous. This is a fairly thin linoleum (1.2-1.6 mm). The service life is 5-7 years, in order to extend it, linoleum treatment with special protective agents is needed.

Linoleum on a heat and sound insulating base is also popular. TZI is a material made in accordance with all sanitary and hygienic standards, has good heat and sound insulation. This explains its popularity. But he doesn't like moisture.

Double base- foamed and polyester, gives linoleum more strength.

In addition to wear resistance, other characteristics make linoleum convenient and comfortable to use.

Thermal insulation, noise absorption, moisture resistance are important criteria when choosing. There may also be requirements for it to be antibacterial (for a nursery) and antistatic (for example, for an office).

We determined the type of room where you need to lay linoleum, found out what is the intensity of the load. Now you can look at the product labeling.

How to read the label correctly

It is generally accepted that according to the intensity of the load, all premises are divided into residential, industrial and office.

The flooring on the packaging has pictograms that indicate the room.

The house, which denotes living quarters (number 2), the image of a multi-storey building denotes an office space (number 3) and the image of a factory building (number 4) - production.

Inside each room, the intensity of the impact on the flooring is different.

On the same packages, it is indicated by pictograms - men: one, two, three and four men.

The more figures, the greater the intensity of the load can be. The coverage class can be shown in numbers, or by a combination of pictograms.

For example, a house and two little men indicate that the coating is suitable for residential buildings with a low load intensity.

Classes 21, 22, 23 are for residential premises.
From 31 to 34 - for office premises.
From 41 to 44 - production facilities.

Some manufacturers also provide additional markings:

	Coating thickness, mm.
	Working layer thickness, mm.
	Weight of one square meter, kg.
	Resistant to moisture
	Can be used for underfloor heating, max. 27 ° C
	Resistant to furniture on roller legs
	Resistant to furniture legs and heels
	Resistant to fading
	Index fire safety(B2, RP1, D2, T2)
	Abrasion, g / m³
	Absolute residual deformation, mm.
	Change in linear dimensions,%
	Standard roller winding, r.m.
	Width in the current collection, m

How to choose a class of linoleum

What linoleum to lay in an apartment in different rooms?

For a bedroom, office, dressing room - they have a low load intensity, 21 classes of coatings are used.
If 1-2 people live in the apartment, you can put a 22nd class cover in the living room.
With children it is a little more difficult, you need to take into account the behavior of children: a child under one year old or a calm older child - it is enough to lay linoleum of the 22nd grade, but if the children are active, give preference to the 23rd grade.
In living rooms and bedrooms, it is possible to lay a coating thinner (about 1.5 mm), with a working layer from 0.2 mm.
The cover of the 23rd class should also be laid in the corridor if the family is small. When the permeability is large, it is worth thinking about the covers of 31 and 32 classes, such are, by the way, in small offices.

It is noticed that the more wear-resistant the coating, the higher its cost. Overpaying is not always advisable.

It is better to choose a coverage option that is reasonable enough for the room so that it will serve its purpose for a long time and not overpay.

And the best part is the choice of design

Having decided on the class, you can approach the most pleasant and exciting - the choice of the design of the future floor. Here, too, it's hard not to get confused, because there are a lot of colors. There are patterns:

Color associations.

For the majority, beige is associated with warmth and comfort, orange, bright yellow, red - invigorate, blue - soothes, blue intensifies drowsiness, gray creates a working mood.

Remember cold and warm colors.

Colors are often based on design techniques... For example, if you need to visually enlarge the room, use a coating of cold light colors. A warm colors visually reduce the room, make it cozy.

Warm shades will add warmth to the "northern" room, and cold colors will refresh a bright, sunny room on a hot summer day. Bright colors invigorate, attract attention, they are ideal for accents, they are good for delimiting zones.

The use of geometric patterns on the flooring.

Need to expand narrow room- direct the lines across long walls or diagonally.

Small tiles will be appropriate only in a small room and will visually enlarge it, and large squares are suitable for large room... The design imitating natural wood and stone gives the room an "expensive" and "eco-friendly" look.

Subtleties of purchase

Of course, the salespeople in the store will tout their product, but you must be vigilant. Having decided on the design, look at the linoleum again before paying for the purchase.

In the store, rolls should not lie on a horizontal surface, they either stand in rolls or are fixed horizontally.

Otherwise, they may deform and these irregularities will be difficult to smooth out. When choosing a material, pay attention to this.

Feel free to sniff the linoleum. High-quality - both natural and synthetic, should be odorless, if it smells like frank chemistry - you better refuse to buy such a coating!

Ask for a hygiene certificate.

Bend the linoleum - if a white stripe has formed on the fold, it may mean that there is a lot of lime in the composition, so stains may appear on it over time.

Check the quality of the unfolded coating, there should be no delamination, bumps, the pattern should be clear, the color is the same everywhere, there should be no greasy sheen.

It is impossible to fold linoleum - creases may not be smoothed out, and in general the material may break.

Do not use adhesive tape on the front surface, because it will be very difficult to wash off the trace from it, you can damage the coating.

The variety of colors and textures gives great freedom in the design of any interior. And the correctly chosen and best linoleum for an apartment will last a long time, delighting with its invariable qualities.