Rules for the selection of linoleum for different rooms in the apartment. How to choose linoleum - expert advice Selection of linoleum

Choosing linoleum is not just dark or light. Not only with or without pile and matte or glossy. High-quality linoleum should not be pressed through the legs of furniture and torn. That is why when choosing, it is important to pay attention to the technical characteristics. Simple recommendations on how to choose linoleum for an apartment will help you make a clear decision.

It is not necessary to buy the most expensive material. After all, the cost of linoleum can be $5 and $25 per square meter. In order not to overpay for unnecessary properties, we deal with the features and types of linoleum.

Choosing linoleum is important:

Clearly know in which room it will be laid (not everyone is suitable for the kitchen and bathroom);
Decide on the color of linoleum (to expand / narrow the space, wash the floor less often);
Choose the type and class of coverage that is right for your apartment (the difference between them in price is significant);
Correctly measure the room, so that later you do not make seams and joints when laying.

Types of linoleum for the floor, which one to lay in the apartment

How to choose linoleum and not get confused? In fact, out of 5 types of flooring for an apartment, only 2 options are suitable. Let's take a closer look at these main types. Let's talk about their pros and cons in order to know the advantages and disadvantages of each material.

Natural linoleum;
PVC or polyvinyl chloride linoleum.

Natural linoleum (or marmoleum)

This is the most environmentally friendly flooring (among linoleums), made from 98% natural materials. Most of you probably haven't even heard of him.

It consists of:

Jute (burlap) or linen fabric (canvas 2 meters wide) - serves as the basis;
An infused mixture of linseed oil, coniferous resin, ground limestone, wood flour and natural color pigments is applied to the base by pressing, through rolling shafts;
A layer of varnish for protection against abrasion and ease of cleaning.

This type of linoleum is produced in rolls up to 2 meters wide. Sheet material is also on sale. After laying, the smell of linseed oil emanates from it for some time. But it wears off after a few days.

Advantages of natural linoleum:

Harmless to health, does not emit hazardous (toxic) substances;
Dense solid material (due to pressing), practically not squeezed by furniture;
Resistant to abrasion (difficult to scratch), thanks to the protective layer of varnish;
High fire resistance;
Easy to clean;
The service life under the guarantee is from 15 years (in fact, all 30 will lie).

When choosing a marmoleum, you should pay attention to the features of its operation, installation and cost. And remember, there are no wood and tile colors here. Only solid colors. The best manufacturers are Tarkett and Forbo.

Coverage cons:

Very high price. You can buy a square meter from 25-30 dollars (for this money you can). In an ordinary store, natural linoleum is rarely sold. Either under the order, or looking through the Internet;
Do not bend too much (may break). Be very careful when transporting and stacking;
It will not work to lay it on your own, you will have to look for masters;
Requires a very flat floor, as for a laminate. If you do not want it to crack, you will have to fill in the screed.
If the width of the room is more than 2 meters, you will have to dock. In this case, all seams are welded by the "hot" method. You need a special device and a welding cord of a suitable color.

PVC or polyvinyl chloride linoleum

It is with this linoleum that 99% of store shelves are littered. This is a familiar material that lies in many houses (some). It contains no natural substances (one synthetic). However, a quality product meets all environmental requirements. The best firms are Tarkett, Juteks, Komiteks LIN.

For the price, you can choose linoleum for a PVC apartment for any wallet. The shelves are full of different colors. Available in widths up to 5 meters. Will close any room without seams. It won't be hard to install on your own.

However, we choose flooring not only by color. Remember about technical points.

PVC linoleum, in turn, is divided into 2 types:

Hetero gene (multilayer structure);
Homo gene (single-layer structure).

Consists of many layers - 5 or more. Each layer performs its role and is responsible for certain characteristics. It is important to know their purpose in order not to overpay in the store.

The structure of heterogeneous linoleum:

Fiberglass is the base or skeleton on which all subsequent layers are applied. It starts production. Does not allow linoleum to stretch;
A layer of white PVC foam, it is applied on top of the fiberglass. A pattern is printed on top of the foam (this is the next stage), which we see on linoleum;
A protective transparent layer (transport) of polyvinyl chloride in the figure. Provides resistance to abrasion, scratching and fading. Highly its thickness matters. when choosing linoleum. The thicker the top layer, the more difficult it is to scratch the linoleum and push through it with furniture;
Additional protective varnish. Apply almost all manufacturers. It is needed to seal the top protective layer. Linoleum is produced under the influence of high temperatures, while micropores appear in the protective layer.
On the reverse side of the fiberglass, the bottom layer is applied. It can be foamed PVC, felt or other warm base. Purpose - noise absorption and insulation of the final coating. If the bottom layer is made of felt, this is additional insulation. But you can’t put such linoleum in the kitchen, felt is afraid of water and squeezes through over the years. For the kitchen, wet and the most passable premises, we take a coating with a PVC base.

Heterogeneous material is matte, glossy, rough or smooth. It depends on the properties of the top transparent film. Glossy is very slippery, and embossed linoleum is more difficult to wash (dirt eats into the structure over time).

the coating is single-layer, although an additional protective varnish is always applied on top. It has a homogeneous and very dense structure. It is difficult to push it with the legs of a chair or sofa. If you cut this material throughout the depth will be the same pattern.

Even if you scratch homogeneous linoleum, visual damage is almost invisible. Used most often in shops, offices, schools, hospitals and so on.

Classification by load, how to choose linoleum by class

According to the European standard BS EN ISO 10874 (old EN 685), the main types of linoleum (natural and PVC) are divided into classes. Classification implies the intensity of use of the premises and its type.

The assigned class determines the maximum loads that the coating can withstand. This means that in rooms with the highest traffic (kitchen, living room, corridor, hallway) you need to lay linoleum of a higher class.

The class of linoleum is not always indicated in the store. It can be determined by the thickness of the upper protective layer (transporter). The thicker this layer, the higher the class.

Heterogeneous linoleum coatings by class are divided into:

Household - classes 21-23 (top layer thickness 0.15-0.35 mm). This is the cheapest linoleum. The price per square meter is 5-6 dollars. If you take it to your apartment, then only 23 class;
Semi-commercial - classes 31-34 (protective layer 0.35-0.6 mm). Here is the most normal and durable material for the floor. It costs 2 times more than a household one. Can be laid in public spaces, small office or shop. And grades 33 and 34 can even be put to school;
Commercial - classes 41-43 (top layer 0.6-0.8 mm). It has the longest lifespan. But the prices are already biting a lot, almost like marmoleum. It implies laying in production workshops, office buildings.

The division into occurs according to a different principle. A pan-European classification of premises is as follows.

By playing with shades, you can create various effects in your room. The right color will easily make the room lighter and wider. Colors are our mood, purity, lightness and comfort.

What to look for when choosing the color of linoleum:

Do not match the floor to the color of the doors. You definitely won’t get into the shade, but it won’t look very good. But skirting boards and doors are always selected in color;

On dark linoleum, everything is in plain sight - every speck of dust, wool, scratches and stains after washing the floor;
Stains and dirt are better viewed on light linoleum;

The combination of colors in the interior is of great importance. Shades visually change the space.

If you want to expand the room - under the light walls and ceiling you need a dark floor;
It is necessary to reduce the height of the room - leave the walls light, and do the floor and ceiling in dark colors;
The effect of the tunnel is achieved through a light back wall, and the side walls make the ceiling and floor darker;
I would like to emphasize horizontal lines - we leave the floor and ceiling light, and paint all the walls in dark colors.

How to correctly calculate the amount of linoleum

I don’t want to make joints, weld seams and run to the store for an extra piece. Therefore, before going for linoleum, you need to correctly measure the room. It also has its own characteristics. They are very important to consider when calculating the amount of material.

You need to measure the width of the room both at the beginning of the room and at the end. After all, it can both narrow and expand. The same goes for length. Our builders always do everything by eye;
When taking measurements, remember about doors and other niches and ledges. You need to take a little more linoleum to close this space as well;
Write everything in a notebook and take it with you to the store.

Crib in the store for choosing linoleum

Natural or PVC (heterogeneous, homogeneous). ?)))
Dark coating - dust and scratches are more noticeable (you need to constantly wipe it). Light linoleum - clean until they splatter, the room looks brighter and cleaner;
In the most passable premises (entrance hall, corridor, kitchen), you need to take a class of linoleum from semi-commercial (31-34) and higher. We look at the thickness of the protective layer;
It is more convenient and faster to wash the material with a smooth top layer (but it is slippery). If there is a relief (practically does not slip), dirt will clog into it;
Specifically for the kitchen, it is better to choose linoleum with a foamed bottom layer. This also applies to bathrooms and toilets (wet rooms). Foam is not afraid of water, unlike felt, and does not shrink over the years;
If you are buying a cover for the whole apartment, check that all rolls are from the same batch (so that the color matches);
Write down at home the exact length and width of the room, because no one needs joints and seams;

In this article you will find the most necessary tips on how to choose linoleum for an apartment or house. The importance of the right choice of flooring cannot be overestimated, because usually the floor is laid for a long time, at least 7-10 years.

Therefore, at the stage of repair planning, it is worth approaching this issue with full responsibility.

What is the most common and popular material used for flooring? - This is linoleum, used both for residential premises and for public and industrial buildings.

It is so diverse in its characteristics that any buyer will find his own version on the market. You can also look at the photo to decide on the color.

When choosing linoleum for an apartment, many buyers focus only on external qualities:

Price.
Design (color, pattern).
Canvas width.

But there are more significant parameters that are not visible, and are only reflected in the characteristics of the material.. More attention should be paid to them. And most importantly, linoleum should not be chosen for an apartment, but for each room separately. After all, despite the fact that all the rooms, the corridor and the kitchen are in the same apartment, they have a different purpose. It's like a family. A separate family can use the services of one hairdresser, but everyone has different hairstyles. It is rare when one good linoleum is optimally suited to all rooms.

You will also be interested in an article about, which describes all the stages of work and some of the secrets.

How to choose linoleum

All manufacturers have linoleums for various purposes in their product line. Conventionally, it can be divided into:

Domestic.
Commercial.

Everything else, such as: office, industrial, semi-commercial, is just a gradation. When choosing linoleum for an apartment, focus on household linoleum. For the degree of its wear resistance (abrasion) is determined by the corresponding parameter.

There is no single correct designation of these categories for all manufacturers. Some manufacturers designate these parameters with a pictogram, others with numbers, and others with letters. Therefore, to clarify this classification, you should read the instructions from the manufacturer. The main thing: the apartment needs linoleum for domestic purposes. There are only rare cases when a very busy family may need a higher class of linoleum.

Linoleum material can be natural and artificial. Natural linoleum is more expensive, but it is also more optimal for the home, especially for the bedroom. It does not have the disadvantages that are inherent in other types of linoleum, except for two, such as:

Rotting (it is affected by a mold fungus).
Fragility in the cold.

Therefore, such material should not be chosen for rooms without heating or with high humidity (in particular for the corridor and balcony). There are many reviews on the Internet that confirm this.

Types and classes of linoleum

Given the set of components, linoleum is divided into natural and synthetic. The first is made from natural ingredients: resin, limestone, linseed oil. Jute fabric or felt is used as a base. It is easy to clean, does not fade, has a small bactericidal effect due to linseed oil, is fire resistant, moderately resistant to chemicals. This is the most environmentally friendly and safe type.

Synthetic linoleum is made from polyvinyl chloride with the addition of various fillers, dyes and plasticizers. It consists of one or more layers, has different types of bases, different drawing technologies. Synthetic tarkett linoleum is cheaper than natural, just as easy to clean, absorbs noise, and has low thermal conductivity.

If you want complete comfort, then it is better to choose antistatic linoleum with copper strips, because. it will save you from discomfort, in case of accumulation of a static charge on slippers or woolen socks.

By appointment, the synthetic type of linoleum is divided into household, commercial, semi-commercial and special. Household, as a rule, single-layer, has a felt or foam base, is diverse in design, the layer thickness is from 1 to 4 mm. It is plastic, easy to fit, clean and absorb sounds. This is the most budget option that you can choose, but with a short service life - 2-3 years with active use.

The commercial appearance of the coating is stronger and more durable, with a thickness of 1.5-3 mm with a protective layer applied, it can be homogeneous with coloring over the entire thickness or heterogeneous, with alternating layers. Semi-commercial linoleum has a substrate, one main layer and a protective coating. In structure, it is similar to household, the difference in the thickness of the upper layer is 0.7 mm. Special linoleum is used for special purpose premises. It is divided into sports, bactericidal, anti-slip.

The class of linoleum is indicated by a number of 2 digits, where the first is the type of room, and the second indicates the degree of abrasion.

Width is an extremely important parameter. How to choose linoleum in an apartment according to this parameter? This is where the size of your space matters. All its advantages, linoleum is able to show only when flooring with a single sheet, without seams and joints. In some rooms, choosing linoleum, you should approach "creatively". For example, in a kitchen 2.5 m wide and 4 m long, you can purchase a canvas 4 m wide and 2.5 m long. where the length and width of the cut of the canvas are determined by you.

The underlay simultaneously insulates and levels the subfloor

The thickness of linoleum must also be selected with reasoning. In theory, the thicker the better. But there are exceptions. For example, if the room has warm floors, then thin linoleum without a base is the best option. Before deciding which linoleum to choose, you need to know how insulated the floor is. By the way, if you liked thin linoleum, but the floors still need to be insulated, then you can use a special substrate. Thick linoleum, on a heat-insulating basis, is immediately ready for laying.

What color and pattern?

With design choices, advice is the hardest thing to give. Color, pattern, pattern, everyone chooses according to their preferences. But there are some points that should be noted. We made a small photo review in order to understand which colors and types are more suitable for a particular material. For example:

The texture of linoleum without a clear pattern, like marble or stone, hides almost any damage to the coating that appears during operation.
Drawing, you can visually increase the size of the room. Frequent, transverse lines on linoleum will optically reduce the length of the room. A room with sparse, longitudinal pattern lines on the floor will get a more elongated look., this is a great option for the home.
Dark linoleum, in a room on the sunny side, according to reviews, will dim the light, but increase the heating of the room. In addition, it will fade faster in bright sunlight. This is ideal for the bedroom.

Will we choose by price?

Indeed, despite the ingrained belief that linoleum is a budget option, prices for some samples can reach and even exceed the most expensive laminate flooring.

Why is this happening? Yes, simply because linoleum is a very practical, environmentally friendly and versatile floor covering, and global brands simply cannot stand aside, creating “elite” options for this product. Therefore, when you come to some specialized stores, you can stumble upon rather high prices.

Average Tarkett Linoleum of medium quality will cost about 400-600 rubles per 1 m 2. What options are offered for this money, you can see in the photo. If you don't have a big budget for floor repairs, you can count on these prices. If your budget is quite small - do not worry, you can find quite good options and cheaper.

Anti-static natural options tend to be even more expensive, have copper tapes for grounding, and are more expensive to install.

Extra options

When choosing linoleum in some rooms, such as a nursery, a hall or a kitchen, you should pay attention to such a parameter as antibacterial properties. Almost all major manufacturers have a series of household linoleums with this property.

Sound and thermal insulation are important qualities, but their disadvantage can be compensated by using them with the required parameters. Soundproofing is best done at least in the hall, bedroom and corridor.

Decided on how to choose the right linoleum? Now for some more helpful tips.

When making a purchase, perform the following quality check:

Check Tarkett linoleum rolled out. It should not have bulges and bumps, delamination of the material. Their presence indicates a defect from the manufacturer.
Household linoleum should not have a persistent specific odor. This smell is inherent in commercial coating. After a while, it will fade, but a trace presence will remain.
Be sure to ask for a hygiene certificate from the seller. All linoleum for residential premises are subject to examination.
If the floors in a bathroom or house are cold, then choose insulated linoleum with a thick layer of insulation.

Which linoleum to choose home

For a long service life of the coating, it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the room, its temperature and humidity conditions. The rooms with the highest traffic are the entrance hall, kitchen, corridor. In addition, they are more often subjected to wet cleaning. This is suitable for household or semi-commercial linoleum with a thickness of 3-4 mm and a top layer of 0.25 mm.

See also great in the interior of apartments and houses.

The living room and bedroom have low traffic, and are often covered with carpets. For these rooms, according to reviews, household linoleum with a fabric or polyester backing 1.2-1.5 mm thick with a coating of 0.1-0.2 mm is the most optimal. In the bathroom and bathroom, where there is high humidity, it is enough to put a synthetic single-layer material with a thickness of 1.5-1.6 mm, with a top layer of 0.25 mm.

You do not need to save money on the covering in the children's room and choose natural antistatic linoleum, which is soft and does not emit any harmful substances. Its thickness should be from 3 mm. If it is impossible to choose a natural one, a household look of linoleum on a fabric or foam base of the same thickness is suitable.

The color of linoleum should be correctly combined with the color of the walls and furniture, the style of the apartment or house. It is better not to choose a light color in rooms with the greatest traffic, but a dark one will not give comfort. In the kitchen, a gathering place for the whole family, all calm shades (beige, blue, brown, gray-green) will do.

If the corridor or hallway is finished with wood, then linoleum will look good in color and wood pattern, as in the photo above. It is better to close the floor in the bathroom with a material of green, blue or aqua. For the bedroom, a light color of the coating, with a medium-sized pattern, is appropriate. It is better not to lay dark linoleum in any room, since such a floor visually reduces the volume of the room, makes the ceiling lower.

The color of linoleum, the nature of the pattern applied to it, should be an important link in the overall design of the room, give it completeness, without losing the practical purpose of the coating.

Using our advice, you can choose not only beautiful, but also practical, relatively inexpensive coverage for your home.

So, it was decided - there will be linoleum on the floor. Now you can go buy something "fun". However, there is no need to rush. After all, there is a whole range of products with different operational parameters on the market. How choose linoleum? You need to be aware of these settings..Tatyana Kuznetsova, Marketing Director of the Household Linoleum category of the company, will answer the most frequent questions of buyers Tarkett in Eastern Europe.

- What are the advantages of using linoleum as a floor covering?

To begin with, the decision to use it is an excellent choice in itself. This is a unique material that combines high performance. It is wear-resistant, not afraid of moisture, easy to install. It is easy to take care of him. At the same time, it has good indicators of heat and sound insulation. From the old days there was an opinion that linoleum is something unpresentable. But today, such a coating provides the greatest freedom in interior design. Manufacturers are constantly bringing new trendy collections to the market, and you can choose a design for any room in the apartment.

- They choose most often according to the drawing. Is this correct, or is there something else to look out for first?

- It is clear that at first a person looks at color and design. Well, you can start with this. However, in any case, you need to find out whether the product you like meets your requirements. I would advise first of all to remember, strange as it may sound, about health. The best way to protect yourself is to ask the seller for a hygiene certificate. Also, look for special signs on the label. Products that have passed the examination, which confirmed their environmental friendliness, are labeled. It should be noted that today the only Russian label recognized by the international community and included in the Global Ecolabel Network (GEN) is "Leaf of Life". It is issued by the St. Petersburg Ecological Union. Among our products, linoleum collections are marked with this sign "Moda", "Discovery" and "Idyll".

- When choosing linoleum, is it necessary to take into account in which room it will lie?

Yes, today there are types of coverage with different characteristics. The easiest way to determine for what operating conditions a particular linoleum is intended is to use the European classification system for floor coverings EN 685, which is also used in Russia. According to her, everything rooms are divided into three types. The number 2 denotes residential, the number 3 - office, the number 4 - industrial. Another number determines the intensity of the load: 1 - low, 2 - medium, 3 - high, 4 - very high. The combination of two numbers and the corresponding pictogram (house and little men) denotes flooring class. For example: 22 - residential area with medium load, 33 - office area with high load, etc. What kind of coverage do you need?, you can look in the catalog or ask the sales assistant. So, class 21 linoleum is suitable for a bedroom or an office, 23 for a kitchen and a corridor in an apartment where 1-2 people live. And the same kitchen in an apartment where 3 or more people live needs class 31.

- Is it possible to find out by eye whether this linoleum is wear-resistant or not?

It is this parameter that is difficult to determine just by looking at the coating. The fact is that how resistant the material will be to abrasion depends on the design of the coating as a whole and, first of all, on the thickness of its upper working layer. It is also called transparent (which means "transparent"). Modern linoleum is a "layer cake", in which each layer plays a special role. So, the worker is made of pure PVC, a very durable material. The transparency protects the drawing. The thicker the layer, the longer the coating will last. It is with this indicator that the classification of heterogeneous linoleums is more connected. They are separated for household(21-23 class; transparency thickness 0.1-0.3 mm), light commercial or semi-commercial(31-32 grade; 0.4-0.5 mm) and commercial(33 class and beyond; not less than 0.6 mm). The coating class is determined not only by the thickness of the transparent layer, but also by compliance with many other requirements. Therefore, even at home, there may be zones corresponding to class 31 or even 32 in terms of load (for example, a kitchen or a corridor)

However, as you can understand, due to the small thickness, comparing the transparent layer of two different linoleums by eye is not so easy for a non-professional. Therefore, it is better to focus on wear resistance classes.

- What linoleum will not stretch?

Well, this flaw is definitely a ghost of the past. The "skeleton" for most modern coatings is fiberglass. It is located in the middle of the "pie" and ensures the stability of linear dimensions. It is thanks to fiberglass that linoleum does not shrink or stretch. Unfortunately, today coatings without fiberglass can still be found on the Russian market, but they are quite easy to "identify".

- What characteristics should you pay attention to?

We have already said that modern linoleum has several layers ev. The thickest of them is the back. Most often it is made of PVC foam, also called the base. Back - because it is located on the back of the fiberglass. Several important characteristics depend on it at once. First, sound and heat insulation. And the thicker the foam, the warmer the floor. You can navigate by the total thickness of the coating, which is mainly determined by the back layer. At the same time, these characteristics depend on the density of the foam. The smaller it is, the more sound and heat insulation. But during operation, the buyer is unlikely to feel the difference, which is determined by the density of the foam, since the very presence of a foamed base already makes the linoleum warm.

Further, the base provides the linoleum with resistance to deformation - from heels, furniture legs, etc. So that after such point loads there are no traces left, the base must have sufficient density. And the greater the density, the more resistant the linoleum will be to such influences. This parameter can be estimated by comparing the weight of several coatings with the same thickness (the heaviest material is the densest). Another way to squeeze linoleum with your fingers. The less the thickness of the coating changes under pressure, the higher the density of the base and vice versa.

The basis of foamed PVC is sometimes supplemented by a duplicating polyester. The main advantage of combining these materials is manifested when used in seasonal country houses. A layer of polyester, located under a layer of foam, protects it from freezing. This is important because PVC foam does not tolerate freeze-thaw cycles well. Polyester also provides reliable protection. Stratification is excluded here, since both materials are interconnected at the molecular level. Thus, coatings on a duplicate basis are an ideal choice for summer residents.

- Are there linoleums that are best suited for specific spaces, such as the kitchen?

In addition to wear resistance, it is worth paying attention to the additional protection of the material. Large manufacturers apply another additional protective layer on top of the transparency - varnish. Covering micro-irregularities, it greatly facilitates cleaning, preventing the penetration of dirt into the structure of the coating, which is very important in the kitchen. In this case, matte and glossy varnish is used. The latter at any time gives the impression of a freshly washed floor. Tarkett has, for example, products with a combination lacquer finish. Glossy and matte areas alternate according to the pattern, creating an original effect. Another protective layer - antibacterial - may be relevant for the kitchen or nursery. Its mechanism of action is simple and does not entail any side effects. Upon contact with air moisture, silver ions are released from the layer, which have antibacterial properties. Thus, the reproduction of microbes on the floor surface becomes impossible. Usually, manufacturers do not hide such advantages, so you just need to read the label more carefully.

First, of course, the color scheme should match the use of the room. Cold light shades visually enlarge the space, warm ones make the room more comfortable. A bright contrast pattern is invigorating, while a monotonous pattern is soothing. For example, a living room in warm muted colors encourages relaxation, reflection, calm communication, and in intense cold colors with clear elements, it gives energy and sets the mood for friendly parties. All this applies to flooring. Especially if a complete change of interior begins with linoleum. But even if the task is simply to update the floor, then here you can achieve an excellent result. The coating will visually enlarge the room if you choose small tiles as a pattern for a small kitchen. The same effect is obtained by placing any "tile" or "board" pattern diagonally. The abstract design of the floor remarkably emphasizes the dignity of interior items - furniture, decorative elements. Fans of everything original can pick up linoleum with a voluminous, three-dimensional design. It is created by fusing pieces of PVC (called "chips") into transparency, as well as other artistic techniques.

Now we are armed enough with knowledge to go to the store. Guided by the expert's answers: how to choose linoleum, any buyer can choose quality linoleum that meets all requirements.

Linoleum for home- quite democratic, public material. It has been used as a practical floor covering for over a hundred years. What explains its continued popularity? It has a relatively low price, is easy to install, and is presented in a variety of options. In addition, it is comfortable to use: soft and springy underfoot. At the same time, the coating has the necessary strength - it does not tear, does not crack, does not swell from water, like a laminate. The modern consumer has a wide choice of numerous types offered by the market. A competent choice of good linoleum will be the key to its successful and long service. So how to choose and lay linoleum at home correctly, what should you pay attention to so that linoleum serves faithfully for the prescribed period? Let's figure it out together.

Thickness from 0.15 to 3 millimeters.
Weight 1.25 - 2.25 kg per square meter.
It should have such elasticity and flexibility that it does not break or crack when wound on a standard rod d 45 mm.
The water absorption index is not more than 1.5%.
Indicators and - from 13-18 dB.
Shrinkage during use - should not exceed 0.2 mm per meter.

Semi-commercial linoleum

This is linoleum from class 31 to 34, which is usually used in typical office and office spaces.

It has the following characteristics: Refers to classes 41-43. It is used as a floor covering in rooms where the floor has a particularly high load, and where there is an active movement of people and even equipment. It is equipped with a special hardening layer, has minimal shrinkage, and has a service life of up to 25 years. The combination of the high price of such a material, with such technical characteristics that are not required for ordinary residential apartments, makes its use at home impractical.

Separate linoleums of this group are produced with a special purpose, these are:

Coatings for sports. They are characterized by special elasticity and softness, which provide excellent grip of the floor surface with shoes.
Coatings are antistatic.
Coatings that are resistant to chemicals and have high bactericidal properties. Designed for various medical institutions.
Coatings are anti-slip. Used in swimming pools and other areas characterized by a high level of humidity.

How to choose linoleum?

We examined in detail the different types and types of linoleum. Based on their description, we have identified those important conditions, guided by which, it will be easier for you to choose the most suitable material for.

The characteristic features of high-quality linoleum are the absence of a pungent odor, oily sheen, but the presence of a relief. Drawing in the original high-quality coating looks natural and clear. One and a half meter pattern step is considered the most preferable. Flooring manufacturers always affix a special company logo on their products. Also, high-class linoleum should have from five layers.

Linoleum is a time-tested type of flooring. It is presented in a large assortment, and you need to select it depending on the type of room.

Therefore, we will consider how to choose linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality, so that it is not only beautiful, but also environmentally safe, and is operated for a longer time.

Today, floor coverings are presented on the market in a huge assortment - laminate, parquet, tile, porcelain stoneware, but linoleum does not lose its popularity. Its design is diverse and many-sided, the flooring is quite simple, and the price is affordable for any consumer.

But first, let's briefly get acquainted with its types in terms of binding materials, class, scope, and how to choose the right linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality.

The main types of linoleum

To decide which material to choose for an apartment, consider its types, based on the composition, the main advantages and disadvantages.

natural linoleum

Its cake can be described as follows: a linoleum mixture of natural ingredients is applied to a jute substrate - wood flour, lime, coniferous resin, flax oil, natural dyes. The mixture is pressed and dried according to the technology, as a result, a building material that is strong in structure is obtained.

Pros:

High strength, wear resistance;
Ecological cleanliness, thanks to natural ingredients;
Antistatic properties, resistant to ultraviolet;
fire safety;
The presence of bactericidal properties (thanks to flax oil);
Long service life (20 years or more).

Minuses:

High cost compared to synthetic counterparts;
The material is quite fragile and hard, so care should be taken when transporting;
It is better to entrust laying to a specialist, since you yourself may not be able to cope with this qualitatively;
It is not recommended to lay in rooms with high humidity.

PVC linoleum

It is produced on a fabric, non-woven heat and sound insulation basis or without a basis. It can be single layer or have multiple layers. PVC linoleum is most in demand in the consumer market, as it is the most affordable in terms of price.

Pros:

Environmental safety (it is non-toxic);
Moisture resistance, it is not subject to decay;
Ease of installation;
A wide variety of color palettes, patterns, patterns, imitations for a variety of finishing building materials;
Low thermal conductivity;
Possesses dielectric properties;
Unpretentious in care.

Minuses:

Susceptible to negative temperatures - its elastic properties are reduced, and it can easily crack;
Under the influence of elevated temperature, it can shrink;
Unpleasant specific smell in the first weeks after laying.

Alkyd linoleum

This type always has a fabric base, with alkyd resins applied to it, which improves its properties.

Main advantages:

Improved properties of sound and heat insulation;
Increased wear resistance.

Flaws:

Decreased elasticity with decreasing temperature;
It is advisable to entrust the laying to a specialist;
Before laying, he must spend the night warm in order to exclude a change in geometric dimensions.

Relin (rubber linoleum)

It is two-layered: the base is made of converted rubber, the front layer is made of a mixture of a rubber carrier with a pigment.

Positive sides:

High water resistance;
Strength, elasticity;
Long service life.

Negative: in residential apartments, its use is unacceptable, since relin emits harmful substances. But it is successfully used in sports facilities, swimming pools, garages.

Colloxylin linoleum

This is a single-layer baseless coating made of nitrocellulose with the addition of gypsum, plasticizers, dyes.

Advantages:

Quite elastic;
Moisture resistant building material;
Has a decorative sheen.

Disadvantages: prone to shrinkage, unstable to temperature changes.

Consider how to choose linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality, so that it matches the nature of the room, the requirements for flooring.

Criteria for choosing linoleum

The material must meet the necessary requirements of the room where it will be laid. These are moisture resistance, wear resistance, heat-insulating and sound-proofing properties, antistatic, fire safety and so on.

In addition, when choosing linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality, it should be taken into account that the actual load on the floor in living rooms is less than in the kitchen, in the hallway, and in the corridor, therefore, the characteristics of the purchased building material should be different.

Linoleum in appearance is selected based on the design of the room, its style, and the overall color scheme.

It is marked by class, based on its composition and degree of wear resistance. The class is conditionally indicated in the form of two digits, where the first characterizes the type of room, for example:
2 - living rooms of the apartment, public buildings;
3 - office rooms;
4 - production areas.

1 - low degree;
2 - average intensity;
3 - high load intensity;
4 - very high intensity.

Considering how to choose linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality, you need to know that all types of building materials have an upper protective (working) layer, the thickness of which determines the wear resistance of the material.

The protective coating protects against mechanical damage, retains aesthetic and operational parameters for a longer time and is applied with a thickness of 0.15 mm (household) to 0.8 mm (commercial).

Scope of linoleum

The degree of wear resistance determines the scope of synthetic linoleum:

Household linoleum (wear resistance class 21 - 23) is used in residential apartments, it is elastic, designed for light loads, easy to clean, with a protective layer thickness of 0.15mm - 0.25mm.

semi-commercial linoleum (wear resistance class 31 - 34) suitable for an apartment in the hallway, kitchen, corridor of the apartment, as well as in small offices, shops, pharmacies, hospital wards, hotels.

commercial linoleum (wear resistance class 41 - 43) are laid in shops, offices, industrial premises with a high degree of load and traffic. It has increased strength characteristics and is the thickest version of linoleum.

The choice of linoleum for the apartment

Bedroom

In the bedroom where we spend little time, class 21 is suitable. Another indicator is important for longer use of the material and resistance to mechanical stress. This is the size of the protective layer for the bedroom equal to 0.15mm.

Living room

For the living room, where we gather with the whole family and spend more time, thereby increasing the load on the floor, class 22 linoleum is suitable, the protective layer is 0.15 - 0.2 mm.

Hallway and corridor

There is a high degree of cross-country ability, since all family members move along the corridor more than once. For the hallway and corridor, a class 23 would be an acceptable option, or if the family is large, then a semi-commercial version of 31 - 32 classes, select a protective layer of 0.25 mm and above.

Children's room

In the children's room, everything depends on the age of the child or two, his activity. We consider the nursery as a room with medium traffic, but with the possibility of damage to the coating. If this happens, then we will repair the linoleum.

For children, choose class 22 - 23, a protective layer of 0.2 mm. In addition, the floor in the children's room should not be too smooth so that the child does not slip on it, it is better to choose a material with a textured surface.

The choice of linoleum for the kitchen

In the kitchen, the floor must have high wear resistance, be resistant to mechanical stress, and not react to household chemicals.

You can choose household 23, 24 classes, if you cook a little and the family is small. If there are 5 or more people in the family, then it is better to choose a class 31 - 32 with a protective layer thickness of 0.4 or more.

Choice of color, pattern

Studying the question of how to choose linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality, let's stop along the way on the color and pattern of the floor, which plays an important role in the interior.

A variety of textures and colors allow you to design stylish and interesting options. Due to light colors, correctly selected pattern, you can visually expand the space.

The floor of the bedroom, children's room is better to decorate in light, warm colors of cream, coffee with milk, beige. Linoleum imitating parquet, laminate, wenge, an interesting pattern will look calm and appropriate.

In the kitchen, you can choose a coating that imitates marble, ceramic tiles, natural stone, mosaics. If the kitchen space is small, then the floor covering with small tiles will visually expand it. If the tile floor is in tune with the kitchen apron, then the overall design will benefit from this.

In addition, the orientation to the cardinal points should also be taken into account. If your living room is facing the sunny side, then cool colors are preferred, and vice versa, the north side loves warm colors. Choose a pattern from the samples above or your preference.

The entrance hall, the corridor are the most polluted rooms, so the floor in the hallway should not be chosen in one color. It is well perceived in the form of a carpet, under a laminate, parquet, stone.

Consider how to choose linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality.

It is recommended to buy material in winter in a store where it is properly stored and the store is heated.
Feel free to smell the coating - it should not have an unpleasant pungent odor. If the smell is present, then it is better not to buy such a building material, since it may contain additives that are harmful to health in its composition.

Ask the seller for a certificate of quality, material compliance with standards. In addition, the roll must have a special marking of the product.

Check the quality of the coating by rolling it out. It should be without delamination of the protective film, waves, irregularities.

After an external inspection, run your hand over the surface of the coating, the material should not be “oily”.

If you are making a purchase for several rooms at once, then it is advisable to buy in one piece. Based on the size of the roll, figure out if you can bring it into the apartment along the stairwell without bending it. Often, a long roll has to be brought in through the window, if these are the first floors.

Going to the store, you have the size of the required piece for flooring. For example, the width of household linoleum is produced in multiples of 0.5 meters in size from 1.5 m to 5 m. If you have a room 2.8 meters wide, then you choose a 3-meter canvas, the excess is cut off. Along the length, add the presence of sills, protrusions to the calculation.

When packing the workpiece, do not fold it in half, it must be rolled up with the front surface inward. The adhesive tape should not touch the front side, since the adhesive layer is then difficult to wash off, which will affect the quality.

Purchased material is transported only in rolls. If you want to transport a wide roll on the trunk of a car, then a bar or reel is inserted inside the roll, on which it was wound. So that the edges do not sag and the quality does not suffer, place wooden boards under the roll on the trunk and secure.

We examined how to choose quality linoleum for an apartment and, following these simple rules, you will choose exactly what you need.