Which linoleum to choose for an apartment according to quality criteria. Which linoleum is best for an apartment Which company linoleum is best for a home

  • 20.06.2020

Tarkett, the world's largest manufacturer of flooring materials with a 130-year history, produces one of the highest quality and most durable coatings - PVC linoleum. Its factories are open all over the world, including in Russia. Since 1995, a plant has been operating in the city of Otradny, Samara Region, for the production of:

  • Household roll floors designed for residential use;
  • Semi-commercial materials used in medium traffic areas (offices, halls, conference rooms);
  • Commercial homogeneous (homogeneous) and heterogeneous (multilayer) flexible PVC used for commercial, commercial, industrial facilities.

In domestic stores, Tarkett products are sold under 4 brands:

  1. Tarkett- the most expensive segment of the best high-quality linoleum 23, 31-33 and 41-43 classes. The assortment includes more than 20 collections for domestic, semi-commercial, commercial and special purposes. characteristic feature series is a variety of designs, as well as an interesting appearance with a believable imitation of the textured surface of parquet, solid board, porcelain stoneware, etc.
  2. Sinteros - a budget option household and commercial PVC coatings 21-23, 31-34 classes. The advantages of linoleum are versatility, practicality and durability. An analogue of this line is the products of the Ukrainian plant Vinisin.
  3. Polystyle- vinyl material of 23, 31-34 and 41 classes, combining an affordable price and Tarkett quality. Available in 6 collections, the assortment is chosen so that each design can be used in any type of premises.

Thus, the Tarkett company produces high-quality PVC linoleum in a huge assortment for every taste, color and budget.

Main advantages:

  • The high level of resistance of linoleum to abrasion and tensile loads. Thanks to a transparent polyurethane tarnsparent and additional protective coatings Extreme Protection, Titanium, R.MAX and others, the surface of the material is inert to water, aggressive household chemicals, abrasives, and shoes. And the use as part of fiberglass ensures the stability of the floor finish to deforming factors.
  • Sanitary and hygienic, fire safety and environmental friendliness. Tarkett's products are the only ones in the Russian Federation that have received the Leaf of Life voluntary eco-testing certificate.
  • Huge selection of designs and textures for parquet, solid board, marble, ceramics, natural stone, textiles and more. There are more than 1000 decors in various shades in the assortment.
  • Possibility to choose felt-based linoleum or foam-based PVC. The first is warmer, recommended for use on the screed. The second is universal.
  • Approved for use in preschool, educational and medical institutions.
  • Easy installation and maintenance.
  • Available in many collections price.
  • Long service life - from 10 to 40 years.

Modern linoleum coatings are wear-resistant, versatile and durable products that are quite safe for health and are approved for use on any objects: 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 is elastic flooring received from its main component: linum - flax, oleum - oil.

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.

Today they produce many various kinds linoleum products. 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;
  • Heat Pressed Linoleum Granules - Resin Blend coniferous trees, 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 unpleasant chemical smell(weathered within 1-3 weeks), toxicity in case of fire and 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:

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

Major manufacturers always 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 product environmental friendliness, 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:

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

Flaws:

  1. The high price of Tarket brand collections;
  2. Cheap series the first few days may emit bad smell.

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:

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

Flaws:

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

Grabo

The Hungarian company Grabo has a century-old 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:

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

Flaws:

  1. A modest selection of designs in domestic stores.
  2. Most series are not recommended for use in combination with floor heating systems.
  3. 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:

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

Flaws:

  1. 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.
  2. Textured embossed coatings are difficult to wash from dirt. Wanted special means care.
  3. 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 is certified in accordance with Russian standards of sanitary quality and safety.

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

  1. The canvas is loose, dents quickly appear.
  2. Exudes an unpleasant chemical smell for a long time.
  3. It is forbidden to lay on heated floors.
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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. Competent choice good linoleum will be the key to his 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 have examined in detail 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 make a choice as much as possible. suitable material for .

Characteristic features high-quality linoleum are considered to be 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.


Hello Dear blog readers! Get ready, as this topic will be very voluminous and dedicated to which linoleum is best for an apartment. In the modern construction market, you can see hundreds of options of different quality and from different manufacturers. Color variations of linoleum can also excite the imagination. Why is linoleum so popular? The fact is that this is the most popular flooring among the population, which has an average income. They also love it for its durability and ergonomics. In our topic, let's start about everything in order.

Summary of this article:

Which linoleum is better to choose for an apartment - household, commercial or semi-commercial?

There is no specific and unambiguously correct answer to this question. If we start talking about household linoleum, then, as the name implies, it is used mainly only in residential areas.

Of the advantages in it, the following can be distinguished:

  • Profitability. It has a very attractive price.
  • Very easy to care for. You don't need any expensive special equipment.
  • As we stated, it has a rich color palette.
  • Very flexible and easy to transport.
  • Well insulates the room.
  • Has good moisture resistance.

As for the semi-commercial option, it is worth saying here that it is something in between a household and a commercial option. It can be laid in places with moderate traffic, which, in principle, means that you can lay it in the presence of a large family home. It has almost the same benefits. Only it's a little more expensive.

Which linoleum is better to lay commercial or semi-commercial, or household - you decide. All options are well suited for housing. The last thing that could be noted is that in choosing household linoleum you still have great freedom in terms of color and type of coating (there are imitating wood, parquet and others).

Commercial linoleum is not often used for laying on the floor in an apartment, because. its cost compared to household and semi-commercial types is very high. If the budget for repair costs is “rubber”, then this is quite a good flooring option that will easily serve you for more than 10 years without any jams, creases, etc.

Which linoleum is better - on a foam basis or felt?

Foam-based linoleum is usually made using foamed PVC on fiberglass. The advantage of foam-based linoleum is its strength. Also resistant to high moisture. Of the minuses of such linoleum, one can single out the price, which is several points higher than that of analogues.

As for the felt base, the advantages of such linoleum include its elasticity and softness of the coating. This, by the way, directly affects the comfort of use.

This option is much cheaper than the foam base, but unlike the latter, the pattern in linoleum with a felt base is applied to its entire thickness, which means that when “rubbing” it will not lose its appearance.

Based on this, we can conclude that in this matter you should be guided by what is most important to you - durability and strength or appearance. As you can see, everything is extremely simple.

What are the dimensions of linoleum?

Now let's move on to the numbers part. As for the size of linoleum, then the situation is as follows:

  • By building codes the thickness of linoleum ranges from 0.7 mm to 4.5 mm. There is also an option with a thickness of less than a millimeter, but such material, as you might already guess, is completely unsuitable for everyday life.
  • The most common linoleum in thickness is from 1.5 to 3 mm. Thanks to this thickness, sound insulation and heat insulation are well kept.

How wide is linoleum?

Regarding the width, the following options are available on the construction market:

  • 2 meters.
  • 2.5 meters.
  • 3 meters.
  • 3.5 meters.
  • 4 meters.
  • 5 meters.

As you can see, there are enough variations in width, which will allow you to avoid a large number of seams when laying. We spoke in more detail about the possible width of linoleum once in an article - what width is linoleum, be sure to study.

What classes is linoleum divided into for wear resistance and fire safety?

By wear resistance, linoleum is divided into the following classes:

  • Virtually indelible (dense wear-resistant linoleum).
  • Weakly abraded.
  • Moderately abraded.
  • Heavily abraded.

As for fire safety, things are much more interesting here. To protect yourself, you should choose it according to the following parameters:

  • Flammability.
  • Toxicity.
  • Smoke generation.
  • Smoke propagation speed.

Now in more detail..

Combustibility is one of the most important indicators of fire safety. In this regard, linoleum has the following marks - from G1 to G4. In this case, G1 indicates low or no flammability, while G4 is an indicator of easy flammability.

When buying coverage, be sure to pay attention to these labels. Especially if linoleum is chosen in a room where there is frequent contact with fire. Practice shows that it is forbidden to lay G4 linoleum where people need to be evacuated in case of fire.

As for toxicity, this indicator characterizes the amount of toxic substances released during a fire. The level of toxicity here is determined in a similar way to flammability labels - from T1 to T4.

The T1 coating is low toxic, while the T4 coating is highly toxic and can cause rapid poisoning of the body when the material burns.

Smoke generation is another important factor. It shows the amount of smoke emitted during combustion. D1 - practically does not emit smoke during combustion. D4 - during combustion, it is formed a large number of smoke and the room quickly becomes smoky.

The rate of spread of smoke - refers to the indicators above. WP1 - smoke spreads slowly or does not spread at all. RP4 - when ignited, almost instantaneous smoke occurs.

Summing up, let's say that when choosing linoleum, do not forget to pay attention to all related marks. This will protect you and your home from unforeseen circumstances.

According to European standards, linoleum has a certain two-digit marking. The first digit characterizes the type of room. The second is the intensity of the load.

The first digit is:

  • 2 - living quarters.
  • 3 - office premises.
  • 4 - industrial premises.

The second digit is as follows:

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

If you choose linoleum, then follow the following markings:

  • 21 - rooms for short-term use (this includes, for example, bedrooms)
  • 22 - linoleum for living rooms, kitchens, children's rooms.
  • 23 - linoleum for hallways, corridors and common areas in communal apartments.

These are the main residential markings. After them, there are already markings for the number 3 and 4. Such linoleum is already suitable only for hotels, commercial premises, shops, warehouses, etc.

Is natural or artificial linoleum better for an apartment?

This question is very interesting and almost always excites the minds of those who are going to choose linoleum. So let's figure out which linoleum to choose for an apartment.

In the production of linoleum from natural ingredients, oak bark flour is used, as well as ordinary wood flour. It is not uncommon to add various organic oils and pine resin.

Practice shows that linoleum made from natural ingredients is an environmentally friendly material and is especially popular with those people who have a child or have allergies.

It is suitable for those who decide to save money, but it is worth remembering that this material is not as fireproof as its natural counterpart (due to the lack of oils). It also has a rather unpleasant chemical smell.

Our advice is as follows - if you are faced with the choice of natural or artificial linoleum, then pay attention to factors such as the frequency of use of the premises and the presence of children or pets. These are the most basic things to focus on.

These two concepts can turn out to be a dark forest for the average buyer. In fact, everything is simpler than it seems, and we will help you not to get confused in this terminology and easily distinguish one material from another and not make a mistake when buying.

What is heterogeneous linoleum?

Heterogeneous linoleum is a linoleum that consists of several layers. Their thickness is usually from 2 to 6 mm. The basis of such linoleum is a reinforcing fiberglass, which is coated with PVC.

A different pattern is applied to the PVC on top. It is worth saying that heterogeneous linoleum is a rather difficult material to manufacture.

Homogeneous linoleum what is it?

Unlike heterogeneous linoleum, homogeneous is a homogeneous material. Its thickness varies from 1.5 to 3 mm. Also, the main difference between homogeneous linoleum is that it provides a narrower selection of patterns.

It is also worth considering the fact that this linoleum already has a specialization - it is most often used in shops, corridors of public places, front doors.

Now let's move on to the main question - which of these two linoleum is better for an apartment?

The answer will be unequivocal - the best option for an apartment is a heterogeneous option. Homogeneous ones have one very unpleasant property - it is almost impossible to clean it with ordinary detergents due to the presence of lime in it.

It absorbs dirt well and may require a grinder to clean it, which is not a good option at home. Therefore, it is worth leaving this option more for technical rooms.

As for heterogeneous linoleum, in terms of cleaning, a conventional soap-based detergent is sufficient, which is always available at home.

Most people are interested in a reasonable question - which company's linoleum is the best for laying on the floor in an apartment? We answer .. To date, Tarkett linoleum is considered the best and most reliable option.

Of course, there are other manufacturers of linoleum, whose products can also be safely laid on the floor in apartments. For example, such as - Grabo (Grabo), Forbo (Forbo), Ideal (Ideal), Gerflor (Gerflor), Juteks (Dzhuteks) and others.

Their price/quality ratio is very good, ie. when laying on the floor, you can be sure that the flooring will not be worn down to holes in the coming years.

That's all. Now you know which company (brand) of linoleum is better to lay on the floor in the apartment. The choice is naturally yours - we only give advice and recommendations.

Next, we will consider the nuances of choosing linoleum for a certain type of home space. This is a very important part of our article, because, based on all of the above, you can see that linoleum is not such a simple material as it might seem at first glance.

How to choose linoleum for the kitchen?

It should not be hidden that linoleum has already become a traditional material for the kitchen, which never ceases to be popular. The kitchen is a very picky place, so the choice of flooring should be approached with all care.

The most important question to ask yourself when choosing linoleum is natural or synthetic coating?

If you decide to choose natural coating, then you can be sure that it will consist of environmentally friendly materials. It will have the following benefits:

  • The cover will be hygienic.
  • Fire resistant thanks to natural materials.
  • You can choose from a large variety of coloring pages.
  • It is resistant to heat, which means that it is possible to carry out a floor heating system under it.

Synthetic material differs from natural only in some parameters. Advantages of synthetics:

  • It has dielectric properties.
  • Heat resistant.
  • It has a low price, unlike its natural counterpart.

So what to choose? It is worth considering here that natural material more expensive, and synthetic is more affordable. The main advice - if you have money, then of course you should choose a natural option.

But if you decide to save money, then synthetics will also be a good choice. We talked in more detail about the choice of linoleum for the kitchen in the article - which linoleum for the kitchen to choose, I advise you to study.

What is the best linoleum for the bathroom?

Regarding the choice of linoleum for the bathroom, there are the following basic tips that must be strictly observed:

  • Choose waterproof linoleum. In the bathroom, the humidity is much higher than in other parts of the house/apartment.
  • Be sure to choose options with a coating that has ribbed elements. They will protect you from unforeseen falls, as linoleum becomes a very slippery surface after water has entered.
  • Also choose linoleum that will be resistant to physical activity objects pressing on him washing machine, sink, etc.) as well as one that will withstand a variety of detergents.

Masters advise putting homogeneous coatings in the bath.

How to choose the right linoleum for the bedroom?

Everyone knows that a person spends almost a third of his life in the bedroom. And for the bedroom, linoleum only from natural materials is better than ever.

Since such linoleum is bactericidal, it will have a pleasant effect on your well-being. It also withstands the sun's rays well and does not emit harmful substances into the air.

By the way, natural linoleum in the bedroom is very suitable for people with allergies or bronchial asthma.

Linoleum for the hall in the apartment how to choose right?

For the hall it is worth choosing household linoleum. Pay attention to the thickness - it should be medium, since the hall is a place with a moderate load.

A semi-commercial option is perfect. It should have the 21-23rd wear resistance class. good options for the hall you can call linoleum on a jute or felt basis.

These materials are quite elastic, soft and retain heat well. It is very pleasant to walk on them and they are absolutely safe for your health. A nice bonus is that these materials are easy to wash and easy to care for.

If there are pets, then due to the antistatic properties, wool will not stick to them (materials).

Linoleum for the hallway and corridor what to use?

Most masters advise choosing semi-commercial linoleum in the hallway and corridor. It is ideal for the reasons that the corridor is the place with the highest traffic in the apartment.

Semi-commercial linoleum will not allow footprints to appear on it. Also, practice shows that it is almost impossible to damage this coating by force.

Choose semi-commercial foam-based linoleum - it will last longer, unlike other options. As for colors, although semi-commercial linoleum is not replete with the same print options that are available in the household, there are also plenty to choose from.

How to choose linoleum in the nursery?

The most basic advice in choosing linoleum for a children's room is naturalness. Recently, children may experience big number allergy sufferers and linoleum from natural materials in this case will the best choice from your side.

Remember that the children's room is a rather aggressive place. Your child will play with toys there and drop things on the floor. Naturally, this will affect its integrity.

The second main advice is that in order to avoid frequent replacement of the floor covering, it is worth choosing linoleum with a thickness of at least 3 mm in the nursery. Foam-based household linoleum is perfect.

As for the colors, it is better to choose the material for the children's room as brightly as possible. This will delight and cheer up not only you, but also your child.

What is the best linoleum to lay on a wooden floor?

Perhaps most people experience a lot of wear and tear. wooden surfaces. This is especially true for gender. Over time, it loses its original appearance, which even careful polishing does not allow to restore. What to do in this case? The answer is simple - lay linoleum. But the next question arises - which linoleum is best placed on a wooden floor?

For laying on a wooden floor, it is better to choose linoleum with good thermal insulation properties. Together with wood, this will give an excellent effect and the heat will remain indoors for a long time. As for its options, it all depends on the room in which it will be used, so it's up to you to decide whether to choose a household, semi-commercial or commercial option.

As for the specifics, fabric-based linoleum is well suited to a wooden floor. Also linoleum without a base, which has a uniform structure. Masters also advise colloxyl linoleum, it is flexible and easy to install, but if the room is not ventilated for several days, an unforced chemical smell remains.

What is the best linoleum to lay on a concrete floor?

Since the concrete floor is an inhospitable cold coating, in terms of choosing linoleum, it is worth giving preference only to multi-layer options with a foamed and insulated base.

Why only this type? If you choose any other linoleum, then, of course, it will also lie well on concrete, but all year round you will notice that the floor is cold. This can have a huge impact on health.

Is it possible to paint linoleum and with what paint?

It just so happened that not everyone has the opportunity, after the appearance of defects in linoleum, to immediately re-lay the entire coating. Most resort to cunning methods. One of them is painting. Let's just say right away - you can paint linoleum. Another question is what kind of coloring composition to do this so that it does not turn out worse?

The most popular paints for linoleum are oil, alkyd and acrylic options. With them in order:

  • Oil paints are the most budget option. If you follow the dynamics of the development of the construction market, then this paint is already outdated. But on the other hand, it fits well on the surface and does not create irregularities. Of the minuses, only a rather sharp and unpleasant smell can be distinguished during painting and during the drying process. Also, this paint must be periodically updated, as it wears off over time.
  • Alkyd paints are much more advanced than the oil version. Such paint is very elastic, resistant to water and is distinguished by its durability. It also does not fade in the sun. It dries fairly quickly (in just a couple of hours). The only negative is that, like the oil version, when painting, it has a pungent odor.
  • Acrylic paints are the most suitable option for linoleum. Dries quickly, withstands mechanical damage well. The service life of such paints is very long. Of the pleasant things - the composition of the paint withstands chemical exposure well (especially useful when you need to wash the floor with various means).

As we were able to find out - it is possible to paint linoleum. The approach to paint depends only on the size of your budget. Of course, if it is not big, then it will suit you. oil paints, if medium or good - then alkyd and acrylic. But practice shows that it is better to pay money for good material once than to spend big money on reworking the work later.

Is linoleum harmful to health?

After all that we have listed in this article, a specific question creeps in - is linoleum harmful to health? As we found out, linoleum is made from natural material, and sometimes it is made of PVC and its analogues. The first, of course, is completely safe.

The second can be harmful to children and adults with allergies. In fact, with proper care, linoleum made of artificial materials will also be safe. Simply do not neglect the rules of laying and caring for the latter.

Most importantly, remember:

  • If you have artificial linoleum, then ventilate the room at least once a day.
  • Do not put artificial material in nurseries and bedrooms.
  • Use only specialized detergents.

Linoleum - the best solution for an apartment

Today, linoleum is a popular flooring used everywhere. It is used not only in public buildings, offices, but also in private apartments and houses. small price, good operational properties, as well as a variety of colors makes it versatile, allowing you to fit into any home interior.

Even for professionals it is difficult to decide on a variety of materials, not to mention ordinary people. To choose the right linoleum for an apartment, consider existing species, their characteristics and selection principle.

The complexity of the choice is obvious. Especially if the criteria for each person are different. In order not to regret the purchased floor covering, you need to focus on the following basic parameters when choosing:

  • purpose of the room;
  • special requirements for flooring, depending on living conditions;
  • apartment design.

In order to choose the right linoleum, you need to consider the above parameters. This will help you enjoy the beauty and quality of the selected linoleum for a long time.

Types of linoleum


Types - from synthetic materials to natural components

Before you make a choice, you need to study what materials are available. To date, the list of types of linoleum is diverse, ranging from synthetic materials to natural components. Having studied the types of linoleum, their positive and negative sides you can decide what to lay in the apartment.

natural linoleum


Brand Armstrong

This type is made from a mixture of wood flour, flax oil, limestone powder, various resins, cork flour and natural dyes, which is applied to a base of jute woven material. It is used in rooms where there are people with asthmatic and allergic problems, as well as children.

Advantages:

  • natural;
  • abrasion resistance;
  • does not fade in the sun;
  • type of design;
  • has bactericidal properties.

Flaws:

  • expensive;
  • fragile;
  • afraid of moisture.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)


PVC type

Among synthetic materials, it is popular with a different base (baseless, foam-based or woven-based).

When laying in an apartment, preference is given to felt-based PVC material. Thanks to its thick layer, it does not need an underlay and does not require gluing to the floor.

The main disadvantage of such a coating is that it shrinks over time, as well as the presence of a specific smell. There is an opinion that synthetic material is capable of releasing harmful substances - the production technology makes it possible to make them harmless, which is confirmed by quality certificates.

Glyptal linoleum


glyptal type

This coating is obtained by fixing alkyd resin on the fabric. The material has good sound and heat insulating properties. But the inherent fragility of the composition complicates the laying process due to the likelihood of chips and cracks. It is recommended to keep the material warm before laying to avoid deformation.

colloxin


colloxin type

This type of coating is made from nitrocellulose. Linoleum of this type does not have a base: it is not afraid of moisture, it is not combustible, it has a decorative sheen. But, its negative sides are: reaction to temperature changes and the ability to shrink.

Linoleum relin


rubber type

It is a two-layer composition, which has a lower layer - a bitumen-rubber mixture, and an upper layer - a mixture of rubber, paint and filler.

The cover is flexible and moisture resistant. But the presence of toxic, volatile components does not make it possible to lay it in apartments and where people live.

Wear classes


Wear classes - commercial, semi-commercial and household

When determining which linoleum to choose for an apartment, you need to take into account the wear resistance of the material and the type of room. Depending on the speed of erasing and the size of the layer of protection applied, all linoleums are divided into three classes.

Commercial

It is characterized by a high degree of wear resistance. Such a coating may be single-layer or multi-layer. Strength achieved different ways: due to compaction of the material or by adding special stabilizing agents. It is used in offices, schools, hospitals.

semi-commercial

This class is more durable than household. It also has a variety of colors and patterns. It can be laid in the kitchen, in the hallway, living room. Responds well to moving furniture, moderate load.

Domestic

Such linoleum poorly resists abrasion, but it has a large selection of colors and designs. It is usually used in rooms where there is low traffic (bedroom). low price does not affect the material, it looks high quality and expensive. In places of an apartment with high traffic, it is not recommended to lay it.

Abrasion groups


Selection by abrasion group

Linoleum is also selected according to the abrasion group. What is this parameter and what is it for?

This construction parameter indicates the rate of wear of the coating. According to European standards, it is defined as follows: a piece of material is brought to a rotating abrasive. It must withstand 25 thousand rotations. After the experiment, the layer thickness is measured and the group is determined. There are several groups:

  • T - the coating does not have inclusions, and decreases by 0.08 mm (high wear);
  • P - the layer decreases in thickness by 0.8-0.15 mm (medium wear);
  • M - the material is reduced in thickness by 0.15-0.3 mm (low wear);
  • F - the layer decreases in thickness by 0.3-0.6 mm (weak material).

Inclusions that may be in the material consist of a mixture of quartz sand and chalk. This mixture reduces the wear resistance of the material. The clean material resists abrasion well and has a high wear resistance group.

Which linoleum to choose for an apartment

When determining which linoleum to choose, you should understand the markings that are applied to the material. It indicates the coverage class and consists of two digits. The first classifies the type of room, and the second classifies the expected traffic. For the living room and bedroom, choose class 21, for the corridor and kitchen, give preference to marking 23-24.

Living room


Dark colors in the living room

In this room, the throughput load is average. Therefore, linoleum here can be laid with a thickness of 1.5 mm. Give preference to household PVC linoleum with a low price.

Bedroom


The bedroom can use household polyester or PVC

Determining the patency in the room will help determine which linoleum to choose in the bedroom. The load on the floor here is small, so for flooring you can use household polyester or PVC foam-based linoleum with a thickness of 1.2 mm or more.

Kitchen


In the kitchen we use a durable semi-commercial wear resistance class

This room has high traffic, high humidity, the presence of dirt and exposure to cleaning solutions. Therefore, for the kitchen, it is recommended to choose a durable semi-commercial material with a thickness of at least 3 mm. Described in detail so that it lasts longer. For this room, a design in the form of ceramic tiles is preferable.

Children's room


In the children's room only natural material

The materials in this room are subject to increased requirements. Here you can use only natural material. Of course, the service life will be lower, but the health of the child in this case is more important.

Balcony


Balcony - moisture-resistant and frost-resistant materials

Temperature fluctuations, exposure to sunlight, possible humidity - all these negative factors test the flooring on the balcony for strength. Usually, moisture-resistant and frost-resistant materials that have an anti-slip coating are chosen for this room. The material is chosen as office space with a heavy load.

The corridor


In the corridor - PVC

To choose linoleum in the hallway or corridor, you need to understand that this is a room with high traffic and pollution. PVC linoleum (household or semi-commercial), 3 mm thick, which is recommended to be placed in the corridor, can withstand such loads.

Choosing a good floor covering from the variety presented is not an easy task. In order not to be disappointed and get high-quality linoleum for an apartment, trust your intuition and follow the basic tips when choosing:

  • the absence of a pungent odor indicates the absence of harmful substances;
  • a distinct pattern on the coating without a greasy sheen;
  • the material must have certificates of quality and safe composition;
  • the presence of a protective layer will help to preserve the material in its original form for a long time;
  • material should be bought with a margin for fitting (pattern, ledges, niches, thresholds);
  • verify upper layer linoleum for defects and flaws.

Considering all the nuances, it will not be difficult to choose a floor covering, and the purchase will not bring unpleasant impressions during operation.

Which linoleum to choose for the hall


Hall - PVC coating on a jute or felt basis

For the hall it is better to choose a universal moisture-resistant flooring. It is resistant to sunlight, repels dirt. Affordable price and ease of installation make the coating an ideal option.

Choose for the hall PVC coating on a jute or felt basis. This material is elastic, soft and warm, allowing you to walk on it barefoot without discomfort. The drawing is applied over the entire thickness of the linoleum for the apartment, so its erasure will not be noticeable. Such linoleum is easy to clean, does not attract dust and debris.

Cleans with common detergents.

Which company's linoleum is better to choose for an apartment


Coverage by different companies

On the market, the coating is presented in a wide variety, both domestic and foreign manufacturers. How to choose the right linoleum for the home, which manufacturer to prefer? We can say with confidence that the material of our production is not inferior in terms of characteristics to European ones. The Tarkett company has proven itself well. Among foreign manufacturers, give preference to such firms as

  • Gerflor;
  • Juteks;
  • Forbo;
  • Grabo.

Tarkett is the world's leading manufacturer of floor coverings. PVC linoleum of this company is available in a different price range and is durable and wear resistant.

The French company Gerflor produces products of excellent quality, taking into account decorative and specifications. These coatings are easy to lay even without the help of professionals. They are easy to maintain, have good sound and heat insulation properties.