How to choose linoleum - tips and tricks. How to choose the color of linoleum? Quality linoleum for the home

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

Natural or artificial material

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

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

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

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

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

Linoleum class selection

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

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

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

Selection of linoleum for a specific room

Kitchen linoleum

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

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

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

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

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

Linoleum for the corridor and hallway

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

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

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

Linoleum for an office or bedroom

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

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

Linoleum for the living room

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

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

Tatyana, city of Voronezh

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

Modern linoleum coatings are wear-resistant, versatile and durable products that are quite safe for health and are approved for use in any facility: from residential premises to industrial buildings. The range is not just wide - huge!

The history of linoleum has more than 270 years. Initially, it was an all-natural product made from jute, cotton or linen cloth, on which a hot mixture of oils, resin-resin, wood flour and pigments was applied. Actually, the name of the elastic flooring received from its main component: linum - flax, oleum - oil.

For natural finishing material, a synthetic alternative to PVC appeared about 60 years ago. The reason is trivially simple - the shortage of initial components and a sharp rise in prices for them.

Many different types of linoleum products are produced today. All elastic coatings are classified according to several criteria:

Product composition

According to this criterion, two types of roll materials are produced for the domestic sphere:

Marmoleum or natural linoleum

Strong, durable and safe flooring made from natural ingredients. Composed of:

Base - jute or linen woven fabric;
Thermally applied linoleum granulate - a mixture of pine resin, modified linseed oil, wood flour, fillers and pigments;
Wax or varnish that protects the surface from abrasion and other loads (used for individual series).

The finished coating is produced in the form of rolls up to 4 m wide and no more than 30 m long, linoleum strips or tiles, as well as in combination with a HDF-board base. All varieties are characterized by:

Product disadvantages:

High requirements for installation;
Characteristic oily smell;
High price.

Natural flooring can be installed in any room, from a children's room to a trading floor, but marmoleum must be selected taking into account the load class.

Synthetic linoleum

In Europe, this type of elastic material is called PVC coating. Developed in our country in the late 50s. as an affordable alternative to natural products. Consisting of calender plastic thermopolymer or combined with:

Bases (foamed PVC, PE felt, combined);
Front layer (a thin layer of dense PVC with a decorative pattern);
Fiberglass (a reinforcing element used by well-known manufacturers to make the material resistant to tensile and deformation loads);
Transparency (wear-resistant surface coating of polyurethane and other tread elastic materials).

Advantages of synthetic linoleum:

Moisture and wear resistance;
Unlimited choice of designs and colors;
Easy to install and maintain;
Partial maintainability;
Acceptable cost;
Durability.

The disadvantages of the material include an unpleasant chemical odor (disappears within 1-3 weeks), toxicity in case of fire and the slippery surface of budget series.

Product structure

What if some consultants insist on buying a baseless coating, while others recommend purchasing a product based on? The fact is that natural and synthetic products are produced in two varieties:

Heterogeneous - multilayer floor materials, structurally consisting of a base, decor and protection;
Homogeneous - homogeneous or single-layer coatings, characterized by extremely high wear resistance and the presence of one pattern throughout the entire depth of the product.

The former can be used in any environment, from a private home to a hotel lobby. But the latter, due to their characteristics and high cost, are used only in commercial, industrial and other similar facilities.

Applications

Coatings are divided into:

Household - heterogeneous materials for residential premises and offices with small pedestrian loads. The width of roll coatings is from 1.5 to 6 m, the length reaches 35 m, the thickness is up to 5 mm. On average, a quality product can last 7-10 years or more.
Semi-commercial - multi-layered, more durable, dense and durable analogue of household series. Recommended for use in residential, office and commercial premises with an average load level.
Commercial - finishing single- and multi-layer materials for premises with intensive traffic (trade, public, industrial and other facilities). The operating period is considerable - at least 15 years, subject to proper selection and installation.
Special - floor coverings for rooms with special requirements: sports, dance halls, transport, hospitals, etc. The thickness of linoleum can reach 10 mm, and the service life is 40 years.

Wear class

If you are not familiar with the basic characteristics of the material, it is enough to find out which load class the manufacturer refers to. Each collection is usually assigned a set of pictograms, including durability. See the table below to determine the most suitable option.

So, when choosing an elastic coating for an apartment, keep in mind: you need natural or synthetic linoleum with a heterogeneous structure from a household or semi-commercial series belonging to 21-23 or 31 classes. Next, focus on your taste and budget.

Manufacturers Overview

High-quality linoleum, chosen in an apartment, must meet several criteria:

Distinguished by good wear, water and chemical resistance, bacteriostatic, odorless;
Serve at least 7 years without signs of abrasion;
Be easy to care for;
Comply with Russian safety standards.

Major manufacturers must send each new collection for research and, as a result, receive a whole package of various certificates: sanitary and hygienic, fire safety, compliance, voluntary testing for the environmental friendliness of the product, etc.

The best linoleum for an apartment can only be provided by well-known manufacturers. We present you an overview of the most common brands:

Tarkett

The concern is known as one of the world's largest manufacturers of natural and synthetic floor and wall coverings. Its history is more than 130 years of ups and downs, phenomenal breakthroughs and high-risk projects. The company has opened its factories almost all over the world, and products are supplied to 140 countries.

The product line includes:

Natural and PVC linoleum for walls and floors of all series: domestic, semi-commercial, commercial and special;
Parquet board;
Laminated parquet;
Cork coverings;
Various related products and accessories.

In 1995, a plant for the production of PVC linoleum was opened in the Samara region, Otradny. Its products complement the range of Tarket, imported from factories in Eastern Europe. In total, the company owns 4 brands:

Tarkett (EU, Russia) - more than 20 collections of rolled and tile products of premium series made of PVC and natural raw materials. Available in all wear resistance classes: from 21 to 43. The range includes all varieties, from household to special. The main plus of the brand is the widest choice of designs on a smooth or textured canvas;
Sinteros (Russia) - an economy series of PVC coatings of all types in classes from 21 to 34. Buyers are attracted by the availability and practicality of products.
Vinisin (Ukraine) - an analogue of the previous line of universal and durable coatings for homes and public buildings;
Polystyl (Russia) - 6 collections from the mid-price category. Quite a modest selection of designs compared to other brands in grades 23, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41.

Advantages:

High level of density and wear resistance of products due to the use of transparency with additional protective coatings (Extreme Protection, Titan, etc.);
The presence of reinforcing fiberglass in the composition of linoleum, which ensures the deformation resistance of the material;
The most extensive choice of designs and shades in comparison with competitors.
Three types of base for the choice of the buyer: foamed PVC, polyester felt, duplicated;
Allowed for use in children's and medical institutions;
Proven by numerous certificates, the safety of products to the health of users. Including voluntary testing for environmental friendliness "Leaf of Life";
Excellent information support, including media materials and various recommendation brochures;
Easy installation and maintenance;
Prices for any wallet;
Long operational period - from 7 to 50 years.

Flaws:

The high price of Tarket brand collections;
Cheap series may emit an unpleasant odor for the first few days.

Forbo

The Forbo group of companies is a huge number of enterprises of different directions. One of the largest divisions is considered to be an association of 7 European factories that produce floor and wall coverings - Forbo Flooring Systems.

For more than 20 years, the concern has been producing natural linoleum under the Marmoleum brand in various formats and in all classes (21-43). In Russia, a similar plant was opened not so long ago - in 2012 (Kaluga region).

Advantages:

Completely natural and safe for health product;
The range includes both rolled coatings and cut tiles, strips and even combined ones based on HDF-plates;
A good choice of shades and designs for a board, stone, flock, etc.;
High resistance to various abrasive and other abiogenic factors (household chemicals, deformations), etc.;
Bacteriostatic with low thermal conductivity;
In production resistant mineral pigments are used;
Approved for use in sanatorium, medical and children's institutions;
A good information support that makes it easier to choose linoleum for an apartment, house or commercial and commercial facility.
Proven high level of quality and environmental friendliness (full package of certificates according to EN);
Easy installation and maintenance at no extra cost;
Long service life - from 10 to 30 years.

Flaws:

Excessively high price for all collections;
Most decors must be ordered from the factory, and the waiting period is from a month or more.

Grabo

The Hungarian enterprise Grabo has a century-long history. It all started with a workshop for the production of tarpaulin and oilcloth products. Today the company consists of 4 factories, which produce a variety of floor and wall coverings made of wood, polyvinyl chloride.

Synthetic linoleum products are produced in all grades: 21-23, 31-34, 41-43. The household series is presented in a good range of decors and shades, but much more modest than that of competitors.

The company is especially proud of its special PVC linoleum, including transport, sports, bacteriostatic, soundproof, anti-slip and others.

Advantages:

Wear-resistant coatings with a good level of deformation elasticity (due to the presence of fiberglass);
Wide range of designs. There are always even children's and avant-garde series in stock.
Compliance of products with European standards for certification of safety and health protection according to the CE code.
Styling and care without much effort.
Acceptable cost for all collections and classes.
The service life is 10-25 years.

Flaws:

A modest selection of designs in domestic stores.
Most series are not recommended for use in combination with floor heating systems.
Over time, dirt can literally eat into the transparency, so special care is needed

Juteks

The Utex concern dates back to 1938. From a small plant producing packaging products, one of the largest European industrial enterprises has gradually formed. The main specialization is the production of floor and wall PVC linoleum of 21-34 wear resistance classes. In 2009, a plant was opened on the territory of the Russian Federation, in the Vladimir region (Kameshkovo).

At the enterprises belonging to the concern, linoleum is produced under several brands

Juteks - premium products with a smooth and textured surface, manufactured at the facilities of factories in Belgium, Slovenia and the Russian Federation;
Beauflor is a business series in the most popular designs. Manufactured in Slovenia and Russia;
Ideal is an economy category of rolled linoleum for Russian buyers.

Advantages:

A good level of wear and water resistance of the transparency due to the use of additional protective layers (Protective Coating, Wear Resistant, etc.).
Application as part of a reinforcing fiberglass, which prevents stretching and tearing of the fabric.
More than 40 annually updated collections with a variety of decors based on PVC and polyester.
Mandatory certification of products according to Russian and European standards. Luxury collections have the conclusion of ecological expertise.
Easy installation and maintenance.
Moderate price.
The service life is 7-30 years.

Flaws:

Budget series are distinguished by a low density of the base layer, a slippery surface, and they exude an unpleasant chemical odor for a long time.
Textured embossed coatings are difficult to wash from dirt. Requires special care products.
Inexpensive series are not recommended to be laid on bases with a built-in "warm floor" system.

Comitex LIN

In 2002, in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic) a plant for the production of floor PVC linoleum on a foam and polyester basis was launched. For the manufacture of the latter, there is a workshop for the production of synthetic felt.

Rolled floor coverings from OAO Komiteks are produced in 5 wear resistance classes (21-23 and 31-32) and 9 collections. There are household, semi-commercial and one commercial series. The number of designs is limited to traditional wood decors, as well as tiles or marble chips. The surface is a calendered laminating film, which is purchased in China. Finished products are certified in accordance with Russian sanitary quality and safety standards.

Advantages:

The surface is waterproof, inert to household chemicals, withstands frequent foot traffic.
Availability of the necessary package of certificates.
Easy installation.
Low cost.
The operating period averages about 5-7 years.

Flaws:

The canvas is loose, dents quickly appear.
Exudes an unpleasant chemical smell for a long time.
It is forbidden to lay on heated floors.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms by mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

Updated: 09/18/2019 22:30:15

Judge: Vladimir Golitsyn

*Overview of the best in the opinion of the editors of the site. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Linoleum is considered to be a public floor covering today in Russia. It does not yield its position in the market to laminate, tile, solid and parquet boards. The material is appreciated by consumers for an affordable price, ease of installation, a large selection of colors and designs. In addition, linoleum allows you to save fallen dishes, insulate the floor, and additionally provide soundproofing to the room. Over the years, the floor covering does not crack, and dirt is easily removed. To choose linoleum, experts advise considering the following criteria.

How to choose the right linoleum

The vending collection should be suitable for the conditions of a particular room. What is good for the hallway is not always suitable for the children's room.

Wear class. Seriously different series of linoleum in terms of wear resistance. If one person lives in the apartment, then you can choose the softest models. But if office employees walk on the floor every day in shoes, then you should give preference to the most durable coating. To make it easier to navigate the world of flooring, an international classification was invented. For residential premises, material of classes 21-23 is suitable, and coatings of classes 31-34 are used in offices.
Additional properties. When buying linoleum, some users want to get a number of additional benefits at the same time. For example, noise absorption, environmental friendliness, water resistance, dirt repellency.
Design. In a wide range of textures, patterns and colors, it is important to choose a floor covering for the design of your room. For some, an imitation of stone or wood is better suited, while for others a plain canvas will look better.
Thickness. The thickness differs significantly in different types of linoleum. If the base of the floor is perfectly flat, then you can buy the thinnest material. And to save on leveling the surface, it's easier to buy flooring with a decent thickness.
Material. For the manufacture of linoleum, different raw materials are used. Recently, the leading position is occupied by their PVC products. There are more and more fans of natural flooring material.

What is better laminate or linoleum

Rating of the best linoleum manufacturers

The best PVC linoleum for home and office

Leading position in the market of floor coverings for home and office is occupied by PVC linoleum. It perfectly combines qualities such as the richness of collections, wear resistance, ease of care. Experts identified several manufacturers of modern material.

The famous company Tarkett specializes in the production of floor materials. The range also includes high-quality linoleum. The company boasts a 130-year history, a large number of branches in different countries, including Russia. In stores, you can buy flooring under several brands.

The most expensive brand is Tarkett. The products are of high quality, the catalog contains 20 different series.

The budget segment is represented by the Sinteros brand. The advantages of the lineup experts include versatility, durability and practicality.

The combination of reasonable price and good quality is observed in the Polystyl brand. You can choose linoleum for any design of the room.

The manufacturer becomes the winner of our rating.

Advantages

huge assortment;
durability;
easy care;
environmental friendliness.

Flaws

the unpleasant smell of cheap linoleum.

Grabo

The Hungarian linoleum manufacturer Grabo also has a rich tradition. More than 100 years ago, a small company was organized that made oilcloth and tarpaulin. Today, 4 factories operate under one brand; a wide range of floor coverings is produced in their workshops. The production chain uses natural materials such as rubber, beeswax, linseed oil. Thanks to synthetic additives, it is possible to achieve an affordable price and high performance flooring.

The advantages of Hungarian linoleum experts include high quality, wear resistance, ease of installation and operation. The manufacturer also has disadvantages, for example, a small assortment is presented in Russia. Therefore, the company is in the second position of the rating.

Advantages

high quality;
affordable price;
wear resistance;
ease of installation and maintenance.

Flaws

modest assortment;
laying on a warm floor is not allowed.

The French company Gerflor has been creating floor coverings for about 70 years. A distinctive feature of the linoleum of this European manufacturer is the sophistication and originality of colors. Many collections make even seasoned designers admire. A variety of textures allows you to choose linoleum for the interior of any room. The company focuses on the requirements of European buyers, so there are no complaints about the quality of products from domestic users.

For the manufacture of materials with deep processing are used, so that the floor coverings do not carry the danger in the form of toxic chemical compounds. Experts pay attention to the antistatic properties of linoleum, which is important for rooms with sterile cleanliness.

Advantages

wear resistance and durability;
environmental friendliness;
resistance to mechanical deformations;
originality of colors and textures.

Flaws

high price.

The largest manufacturer of vinyl-based flooring is the South Korean company Alpine Floor. Until recently, the company had to defend its position in the Asian market, and today the products are in demand among Americans, Europeans and Russians. Quartz-vinyl floors, which have been produced since 2010, have become a feature of the manufacturer. There are different color and texture solutions in the assortment. Products are sold on the domestic market at an affordable price, which is an attractive factor.

User ratings are mostly positive. Among the advantages often mentioned beautiful design, moisture resistance, ease of installation and operation. Of the minuses, there is a lack of a guarantee and quality certificates, which does not allow the company to take a higher place in the rating.

Advantages

warm and soft flooring;
resistance to mechanical stress;
noiselessness.

Flaws

come across poor quality products.

The Slovenian factory Juteks started its production activity in 1939 with the production of jute fabric. Today the company is one of the world leaders in flooring. To meet the needs of the Russian consumer, a branch was built in the Vladimir region, where the production of competitive products began in 2009. To expand the range, as well as to improve the quality of manufacturing, the Russian plant was modernized.

Experts consider polyurethane coating to be the main feature of Juteks soft coating, which increases the service life of linoleum, reliably protects the material from many external factors. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the need to order certain types of linoleum.

Advantages

a wide range of;
modern design;
reliable protective coating;
long warranty period (5-10 l).

Flaws

not all models are on sale;
linoleum emits an unpleasant odor.

The best natural linoleum

More and more adherents of environmentally friendly home decoration are becoming in Russia. When choosing flooring, they prefer natural linoleum. Here are a few companies that are famous for their safe products.

Forbo

Dutch flooring manufacturer Forbo has focused on making natural linoleum. To achieve the goals set, all factories of the concern were modernized, new formulations of linoleum were developed. One of the most popular types of flooring material has become a development called Marmoleum. Since 2012, they began to produce it in the Kaluga region. Among the constituent components are only natural materials (wood flour, pine resin, linseed oil, limestone). The catalog contains collections for home use, for finishing offices, retail outlets, industrial facilities.

Users speak flatteringly about environmental friendliness, naturalness and color fastness. The company becomes the winner of our rating.

Advantages

environmental friendliness and safety;
rich model range;
dimensional accuracy;
long service life.

Flaws

high price.

The assortment of the international concern Armstrong includes both synthetic and natural types of linoleum. In the manufacture of environmentally friendly flooring, the manufacturer uses only natural raw materials. Finished products are sold in rolls of various widths. To create an even and smooth coating, it is required to weld the joints. The collection includes different color schemes, from plain to original patterns. The German manufacturer pays a lot of attention to quality control, so cases of buying defective products are extremely rare.

Budget types of linoleum are produced by the domestic manufacturer Komiteks LIN. The enterprise has been mass-producing products since 2002 in Syktyvkar. The base is made on its own line, and the factory buys the laminated film in China. The products of the Russian company have quality certificates and comply with sanitary and hygienic standards. The buyer is offered a standard set consisting of household, semi-commercial and industrial collections. The manufacturer deservedly becomes the winner of our rating.

Experts and users primarily note the affordable price of linoleum, the resistance of its top layer to moisture and household detergents, and ease of maintenance. The weak side of the product is considered to be a short service life and a persistent odor.

Advantages

affordability;
simple installation;
easy care;
availability of certificates.

Flaws

low density;
short service life.

Another Russian manufacturer Bazis Astoria was included in the rating of inexpensive linoleums. The main purpose of the floor material is the living quarters of apartments and private houses, where there is no serious mechanical load on the coating. Linoleum has such useful properties as heat and noise insulation, unpretentiousness in operation. Due to the elastic foam, a shock-absorbing base layer is formed, which makes linoleum pleasant for walking. The company implements different designs, from solid colors to imitation wood.

Users rate the flooring highly for its affordable price, beautiful design and softness. But in terms of resistance to deformation, linoleum is inferior to competitors. In addition, the surface becomes slippery when wet.

Advantages

affordable price;
beautiful appearance;
heat and sound insulation.

Flaws

dents from chairs are formed;
moisture must be removed quickly.

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Despite the expansion of the flooring market, the production of linoleum does not slow 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 range 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?

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, be guided by the characteristics of the rooms, namely:

Maximum permeability of the premises;
Purpose of the room;
Premises requiring special conditions (protection against moisture, grease, abrasion);
General design of the rooms.

Varieties of linoleum

To understand: which linoleum is better 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 basis of jute fabric, 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 that are part of natural linoleum

Advantages:

compliance with environmental standards;
bactericidal properties of the material;
abrasion resistance;
does not shed with time;
does not fade in the sun;
does not support combustion;
variety of colors;
ease of operation.

Flaws:

not resistant 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;
rather high price compared to artificial linoleums.

PVC (polyvinylchloride) linoleum

The main binder in PVC linoleums is polyvinyl chloride. The composition of 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;
Under the influence of 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

By appointment, PVC linoleum is divided into:

Domestic. The thickness of household linoleum is 1-4 mm. It can have a polyester or foam backing. The service life of household PVC linoleum is not more than 5 years;
Commercial. Commercial linoleum has a very high degree of wear resistance. It has a very thick protective layer. It is used in offices and work areas. The service life of commercial linoleum is 1-25 years;
Semi-commercial. The structure of the semi-commercial linoleum is similar to the household one, but has a thickened protective layer (up to 0.7 mm). It is laid in the rooms of the apartment with the greatest traffic (kitchens, hallways), in office premises with low traffic. The service life of semi-commercial linoleum is 7-20 years;
Specialized. Such linoleum is developed for certain 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. Noise-absorbing - has a thickened base.

glyptal

Glyphthalic linoleum is made by applying alkyd resin to a fabric base. Before laying the product should lie down in a warm room. So that after laying it is not deformed.

Advantages:

increased thermal insulation;
increased sound insulation.

Flaws:

brittleness 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 (preserved even at low temperatures);
elasticity.

Flaws:

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

Relin linoleum is a two-layer flooring material.

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

Advantages:

low slip;
good depreciation properties;
firmness and elasticity.

Flaws:

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 labeling of the product. 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 indicates the possible loads on the pavement and ranges from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest).

What is better to put in the living room?

Passage of the guest room is moderate. For her, a coating with a thickness of 1.5 mm is chosen. Since the susceptibility to mechanical stress is low, an inexpensive PVC-based household linoleum is suitable.

Inexpensive household linoleum is suitable for the living room

Children's room

In children's rooms, the main attention is paid to the environmental friendliness of coatings. Therefore, it is better to choose a natural product. Let it not be so durable, but it will not harm the health of the child.

In the children's room it is better to lay natural linoleum

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 basis or household polyester.

Entrance hall, kitchen, corridor

These rooms have the highest traffic in the apartment. It is advisable to lay linoleum 3 mm thick 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 company's linoleum is better, we can say with confidence that the domestic industry is not far behind European competitors. One of the leading domestic firms in the production of flooring can be called Tarkett. Imported linoleums are represented by such companies as Juteks, Forbo, Venus, IVS.

In addition to the characteristics described, 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, do not rush to choose. As the saying goes: "Measure seven times - cut once!".

Choosing a floor covering for your home, you need to approach this issue quite seriously. After all, it carries not only an aesthetic component, but is also a restraining element for loads.

Not all areas in the apartment are exposed to the same influences. The most passable, and therefore having a large load on the floor, are the corridor and the kitchen. The living room is a special room in which we not only spend our leisure time, but also receive guests. Therefore, the flooring in it should be not only practical, but also beautiful.

Varieties

For many years, linoleum has been the undisputed leader among floor coverings. It is suitable for any premises, you just need to make the right choice. The hall is no exception.

Here are the main points that you should pay attention to when choosing linoleum flooring for the living room.

There are several variations of types of linoleum:

household: wear resistance class - 21-23, protective layer thickness - 0.3 mm, withstands small loads;
semi-commercial: wear resistance class - 31-32, protective layer thickness - 0.5 mm, withstands moderate loads;
commercial: wear resistance class - 33, protective layer thickness - 0.6 mm, withstands fairly large and prolonged loads.

For the living room, household linoleum will be enough, since the patency of this room is small.

The material matters a lot. There are products to choose from: PVC, rubber, natural, colloxylin, glyptal.

In the hall, choose a PVC covering with a jute or felt base. Professionals say that such material is best suited for the living room.

There are several types of it:

homogeneous: has 1 layer with impurities of lime and quartz sand. It is stretchy and fairly easy to shape. But due to its small thickness, it quickly becomes unusable. In addition, all the unevenness of the floor is visible through it;
heterogeneous: consists of several layers, each of which performs its own function: protective, shock-absorbing, decorative.

Choose the second option for the hall PVC coating. It will hide floor defects, provide thermal insulation, and last quite a long time.

How to choose?

To choose the right flooring for your room, follow some guidelines:

In the cold season, it is better to buy linoleum in a store, and not in the market, as it tends to deform under the influence of low temperatures. In addition, in the store it is more convenient to inspect the canvas for defects.
To find out what size the purchased product should be, measure the area of \u200b\u200byour hall and leave allowances on all sides of a few centimeters.

Notice the smell. A quality product should not emit a "flavor". For a recreation area, this is unacceptable.
You can not ignore this type of linoleum, like marmoleum. It is made of natural materials and has two positive qualities at once: no smell and antibacterial effect. And this is very important if there are children in your house, because the living room often becomes their play area.
A product with an anti-slip layer is ideal for a living room if it is devoid of carpets.

Also, one nuance should be taken into account. If you choose linoleum not for an apartment, but for a sports, concert, assembly hall, then the selection criteria here are slightly different. The main thing to rely on is that all of the above audiences have a high degree of traffic, that is, they are subjected to a large mechanical load: walking, rearranging furniture, and exposure to heels. Therefore, the linoleum coating for these halls must be, first of all, durable.

For this purpose, choose at least a semi-commercial look, and preferably a commercial one, with anti-slip properties.

Color spectrum

After the choice on the structure of linoleum is made, the most pleasant thing remains - to decide on the color. There are also some rules here.

If your living room is spacious enough, any color will suit the floor: light, dark, bright. Moreover, dark shades will be more practical to use. If the living room has small dimensions, choose light colors for the linoleum flooring. They visually expand the space and get rid of the oppressive atmosphere.

It must be remembered that the floor, like any other part of the room, must be combined with the interior.

If your living room is made in a classic style, use linoleum in warm, discreet tones for it. For modern styles, bolder solutions in the form of bright colors are suitable. And minimalism is favorably emphasized by floor coverings in black and white.

The floor can become the focus of attention in your room. If the interior items are made in a calm, discreet style, and there is no carpet, enliven the room with beautiful linoleum with ornaments or large patterns.

Properly selected, they can visually stretch or expand the space, if necessary.

If your floor is nevertheless decorated with a carpet, then the linoleum flooring should be laid plain and discreet so that it creates a background and favorably emphasizes the pattern of the carpet. Also, modesty in color is advised to be observed if all the components of the interior have rich, catchy tones.

Linoleum looks beautiful and noble, made under parquet or laminate. It looks especially impressive in a room with wooden furniture. Currently, the production of linoleum has stepped far ahead. There is no limit to fantasy in its decoration. Therefore, you can easily choose the option for your particular room.

Peculiarities

Modern technologies for the manufacture of linoleum have taken it to a new level. And now it can compete in quality with other, more presentable types of flooring.

Relying on the fact that the hall is a room for the whole family, as well as for guests, properly selected linoleum will provide you with:

heat and sound insulation;
minimum dust;
antiallergic, antibacterial effects;
reduce the slip effect, which is especially important if children run around in the living room;
use for "warm" floors;
moisture resistance;
ease of care;
minimum costs.

As you can see, each room has its own criteria for choosing linoleum. Knowing all the nuances, you can choose a product for yourself wisely, which will serve you for many years and will please you with its appearance.

How to choose linoleum - the next video.