Linoleum is a well-known material that has a wide range of applications in industry and in everyday life. It is used in the design of private interiors, office buildings, cafes, restaurants, offices. On the shelves of modern stores there is such a variety of floor coverings that it is difficult to do without the help of specialists and a design approach.
When choosing a flooring, you should start with a logical question: does linoleum fit into the interior, is it combined with wallpaper, ceiling?
The coating has a coloring, pattern, texture, which should suit the design of the room for which linoleum is selected. The material has different wear resistance, not every type of linoleum can withstand a significant load on the coating.
Linoleum appeared in the history of decor for a long time, and to this day has not lost popularity. At the time of creation back in 1627 it was a strong oiled fabric. The term itself came from a combination of the words "flax" and "oil" (linum + oleum). Therefore, the first coating of this nature was natural material. The idea to patent a product was visited in 1763 by Nathan Smith. Since 1843, additional natural substances began to be added to the fabric.
To date, the composition of linoleum has several layers. Polyvinyl chloride is a thick base layer that allows you to maintain its basic properties: noise insulation, heat preservation in the apartment, moisture resistance, etc. Fiberglass and polyurethane are responsible for the strength of the material. Products are manufactured in the form of rolls, in domestic conditions they are laid by the laying method, in production rooms they are fixed with glue, mastic.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of linoleum more than the disadvantages. It has a low price, elasticity, moisture resistance, unpretentiousness in care. A huge number of colors, drawings, decorative elements. It has a long shelf life of 15-25 years, a lot depends on the patency of the room. Natural linoleum has positive characteristics in terms of environmental safety.
The disadvantages of certain types of material include increased toxicity, a tendency to deformation, drying out. Better linoleum has good characteristics, but its main disadvantage is the high price.
Varieties
There are a large number of varieties of linoleum, differing in the material of manufacture and nature of application. At first glance, it can be difficult to determine how they differ.In most stores, there is no obvious separation, it is easy for the average buyer to get confused, but with a more detailed study the difference is significant.
Household, commercial and semi-commercial linoleum refers to one type, the differences are in the thickness of the coating and the protective layer, in the areas of application: commercial - for non-residential premises, household - for home use. Some classifications also distinguish between stage, ballet linoleum with an ideal matte, glossy surface, which allows you to maximize the accuracy of lighting in the working area, to achieve the desired design effect. It has high sound and sound absorbing characteristics, create favorable conditions for creativity. Sports flooring is a type of commercial, has its own production technology.
For example, to determine which material is high-quality and which is not quite good, an experiment can be performed. Ask the store for a small piece of each type of flooring, place each of them under the leg of a chair and sit on it for a while. Soon, traces and dents will appear on cheap low-quality linoleum, while more wear-resistant material will remain unchanged.
Natural
Natural linoleum is made from limestone, special fiber, linseed oil, tree resins, cork and wood flour, natural dyes. This type of material belongs to the premium class, it has a specific odor that disappears a few weeks after installation. Shelf life of the coating is up to 30 years.
If people living with allergies, bronchial asthma, other respiratory diseases live in the apartment, natural linoleum is the best option for flooring. Natural material has bactericidal properties, does not fade in the sun, does not support combustion, due to natural impregnation.
Eco-design, eco-materials today are actively entering our lives, people pay more attention to the effects of coatings on the environment.
The disadvantages of this type include fragility, excessive susceptibility to deformation, high price.
PVC
The most common type of linoleum that can be found on every counter of construction stores. It is made of fiberglass, on a fabric and non-woven basis, it is single-layer, multi-layer. It has low thermal conductivity, is resistant to abrasion, environmentally friendly, not subject to decay, the appearance of fungus. PVC is easy to lay, it has many colors.
PVC linoleum also has disadvantages. It does not tolerate high temperature, solvent exposure. At low temperatures, it loses elasticity. In terms of structural composition, PVC linoleum is homogeneous and heterogeneous. The first has a homogeneous structure, consists of one layer.
During the production of material quartz sand and lime are added. The more fillers, the cheaper the coating and the shorter the life.
Heterogeneous linoleum has several functional layers. The lower one is the substrate, designed to protect against punching, shock and other loads. The basis of the PVC coating is fiberglass. Adds elasticity to the product, prevents deformation. The next layer is decorative. Upper - PVC in its pure form, protects the material from abrasion.
Relin or rubber
Relin, or rubber linoleum, is lined with a mixture of crushed rubber and bitumen. The front layer is made by mixing rubber, filler, pigment. It has high elasticity, moisture resistance, resistance to aggressive detergents, chemicals.
It is applied in the closed and open public places, in pools, on sports grounds. It has good adhesion to sports shoes, comfortable, safe to use. Not subject to scratches, damage from sharp objects.
Relin can not be used in residential premises due to environmental insecurity. The composition of the material contains harmful volatile substances.
Alkyd
Alkyd or glyptal coating is made by applying alkyd resin to a fabric base. Contains oils, fillers, pigment, sometimes an antiseptic. It comes in a large assortment, with various colors, patterns, textures. Most often used in technical and public buildings, has good heat and sound insulation properties. Compared with PVC, it has higher mechanical properties.
Linoleum is fragile, it is difficult to stack. Incorrect installation causes cracks, damage. Material should be stored at a temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius. When laying requires careful observance of the rules of installation. During operation and maintenance, it is contraindicated to use alkaline and abrasive substances, acids.
Choosing a floor covering for the house
All linoleum is divided into three main groups. It is commercial, semi-commercial, domestic. The first is the densest, the pattern on it is not erased. Linoleum of this category has a thick protective layer and can withstand huge loads - up to 5 tons per square meter. It is laid in shopping, medical, educational institutions, fitness centers and entertainment complexes, such material lasts up to 50 years.
But such a material contains a large amount of formaldehydes, including phenol. These are quite harmful substances that do not weather over the years. And if in public places with high traffic the material does not pose a serious threat, then in the apartment where you spend most of the time, it can cause serious harm to health. Therefore, for the house they buy other types of linoleum.
Domestic
Household linoleum is suitable for decoration of office and residential premises. The main condition for operation is medium and low traffic. The service life is 10-15 years.Cost-effective, in demand as an inexpensive decorative coating. Differs in universality, simplicity in leaving. It has a wide color gamut, elastic, convenient for transportation. Moisture resistant, well retains heat. Household coating is made on a foam and felt basis.
The disadvantage is that it is thin, with low wear resistance - an average of up to 5 years.
Semi-commercial
Coverage is found in offices, shops with medium traffic, as well as in country cottages, city apartments. The protective layer of semi-commercial linoleum is thicker, it is wear-resistant. It is made on a felt, synthetic basis, which allows you to keep heat indoors. The optimal type of linoleum, with a service life of up to 20 years in apartments with medium traffic.
Color variety
The general perception of the interior depends on what color the flooring will be. Cold gray shades give the rooms a strict, office impression, warm - warm up with home comfort.
For the bedroom, it is recommended to choose light colors and warm shades: beige, cream, milk, coffee. Here you can use the color of marble and wood, choose linoleum with a decorative pattern. Do not make the floors in the children's room gloomy, decorate them with a coating with nice patterns, decorative pictures, and leave the dark color for the study. White linoleum is rarely bought because of soiled, black - because of gloom.
A small room due to the use of the pattern on the flooring increases visually. Small tiles, diagonal pattern, abstract elements - an appropriate option in this case.
Which rooms are better to lay
In order for linoleum to last a long time, you should initially consider the type of room in which the coating will be used.
On the kitchen
Linoleum is an excellent solution for the kitchen. Compared to other materials, it is easy to clean, masking impurities.Certain models have a special antibacterial coating, which is harmless, has no chemical additives. The destruction of microbes occurs due to silver ions contained in the material and activated when air and moisture enter.
Material for the kitchen should be resistant to external influences, including household chemicals and pollution. It is preferable to choose a semi-commercial linoleum with high wear resistance.
In the living room
For the living room, household linoleum with a polyester or foam base, with a sufficient thickness of the protective layer, is most suitable. If the hall is laden with heavy massive furniture, it is better to play it safe and take linoleum of a higher class, with greater thickness and wear resistance. If this is not done, dents will remain on the coating.
The hall is a more walkable room than, for example, a bedroom. The coating in the room should be physically stable, with a protective coating thickness of at least 0.2 mm.
In the nursery
The thickest household linoleum, resistant to damage, or a semi-commercial coating with a reliable protective layer is suitable for a children's room, which is more like a playground than a relaxation room. The material must retain heat, withstand shock, have fireproof properties. When laying, one-piece seamless sheets should be used to avoid injuries. The coating should have antistatic properties, simply put - so that it "does not beat with current."
If funds permit, it is recommended to lay natural linoleum in the children's room. It costs more, but there is no doubt in its ecological properties. As for the colors, the nursery should choose unusual, bright prints that kids like. New 3D linoleum with volumetric drawings, creating the illusion of virtual reality, is gaining more and more popularity.
In the hall
The entrance hall is a passageway that needs additional protection.The characteristics of the coating for the corridor approximately coincide with the properties of linoleum for the kitchen. The best option is semi-commercial, at least 3 mm thick.
As for the design - at the discretion of the owner. Most often, decorative linoleum with a pattern of tiles and parquet is laid in the corridor.
Linoleum Tips
When choosing linoleum, you should adhere to the basic rules:
Look at the notation. Each type of coating has its own marking, consisting of two numbers. The first of them means the class of linoleum: 1 - for rooms in which passability is minimal, 2 - household, 3 - semi-commercial, 4 - commercial. The second digit indicates the degree of load maintained by the coating: 1 - minimum, 4 - maximum.
Pay attention to the smell. Low-quality linoleum with a high content of harmful substances will have a sharp specific smell and an unhealthy shine (not to be confused with a natural coating that smells like linseed oil).
Try to bend the edge of the coating. On thin cheap linoleum there will be a trace from the bend, high-quality - will return to its original form, natural - will break.
When measuring a room for the purchase of a certain amount of material, take into account a stock of at least 5 cm, including niches under the battery, a place near the door so that the floor covering is not smaller than the room itself.
Regardless of how many rooms you are planning to design with one type of coating, linoleum should be bought in one piece. Otherwise, it is likely that you can sell cuts from different lots, which differ in color and texture. Do not forget to ask sellers for quality certificates for products.
When transporting material from the store to the room, in no case do not fold it in half - there will be traces of bends. Gently roll it face up inward.
What to do to make linoleum last longer
In order for linoleum to please its excellent qualities for many years, special care is necessary for it. The basic rule is to wipe more often, but do not abuse moisture. Linoleum is not friendly with a lot of water, with the exception of religion. It is important not to excessively get involved in household chemicals and not to use aggressive means. If stains from foodstuffs, felt-tip pens, markers appear on linoleum, use standard cleaning products to remove them.
In the absence of sufficient humidity in the room, the material may dry out and even crack. To avoid this, the coating every two months should be rubbed with linseed oil, linseed oil.
When laying linoleum in a room with an area of less than 25 square meters, it is categorically not recommended to stick it to the floor surface. The fact that a non-glued coating deforms over time is collected in an accordion near the furniture - just a stereotype.
Conclusion
Linoleum is one of the most popular and affordable types of flooring. Without the advice of professionals, it is difficult to understand all its properties and characteristics. Before buying material for the design of the living room, kitchen, hallway, consult a specialist, read the photo, and also follow the above tips, and linoleum in the interior will delight you for a long time!
Linoleum is a well-known material that has a wide range of applications in industry and in everyday life. It is used in the design of private interiors, office buildings, cafes, restaurants, offices. On the shelves of modern stores there is such a variety of floor coverings that it is difficult to do without the help of specialists and a design approach.
When choosing a flooring, you should start with a logical question: does linoleum fit into the interior, is it combined with wallpaper, ceiling?
The coating has a coloring, pattern, texture, which should suit the design of the room for which linoleum is selected. The material has different wear resistance, not every type of linoleum can withstand a significant load on the coating.
Content
From the history
Linoleum appeared in the history of decor for a long time, and to this day has not lost popularity. At the time of creation back in 1627 it was a strong oiled fabric. The term itself came from a combination of the words "flax" and "oil" (linum + oleum). Therefore, the first coating of this nature was natural material. The idea to patent a product was visited in 1763 by Nathan Smith. Since 1843, additional natural substances began to be added to the fabric.
To date, the composition of linoleum has several layers. Polyvinyl chloride is a thick base layer that allows you to maintain its basic properties: noise insulation, heat preservation in the apartment, moisture resistance, etc. Fiberglass and polyurethane are responsible for the strength of the material. Products are manufactured in the form of rolls, in domestic conditions they are laid by the laying method, in production rooms they are fixed with glue, mastic.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of linoleum more than the disadvantages. It has a low price, elasticity, moisture resistance, unpretentiousness in care. A huge number of colors, drawings, decorative elements. It has a long shelf life of 15-25 years, a lot depends on the patency of the room. Natural linoleum has positive characteristics in terms of environmental safety.
The disadvantages of certain types of material include increased toxicity, a tendency to deformation, drying out. Better linoleum has good characteristics, but its main disadvantage is the high price.
Varieties
There are a large number of varieties of linoleum, differing in the material of manufacture and nature of application. At first glance, it can be difficult to determine how they differ.In most stores, there is no obvious separation, it is easy for the average buyer to get confused, but with a more detailed study the difference is significant.
Household, commercial and semi-commercial linoleum refers to one type, the differences are in the thickness of the coating and the protective layer, in the areas of application: commercial - for non-residential premises, household - for home use. Some classifications also distinguish between stage, ballet linoleum with an ideal matte, glossy surface, which allows you to maximize the accuracy of lighting in the working area, to achieve the desired design effect. It has high sound and sound absorbing characteristics, create favorable conditions for creativity. Sports flooring is a type of commercial, has its own production technology.
For example, to determine which material is high-quality and which is not quite good, an experiment can be performed. Ask the store for a small piece of each type of flooring, place each of them under the leg of a chair and sit on it for a while. Soon, traces and dents will appear on cheap low-quality linoleum, while more wear-resistant material will remain unchanged.
Natural
Natural linoleum is made from limestone, special fiber, linseed oil, tree resins, cork and wood flour, natural dyes. This type of material belongs to the premium class, it has a specific odor that disappears a few weeks after installation. Shelf life of the coating is up to 30 years.
If people living with allergies, bronchial asthma, other respiratory diseases live in the apartment, natural linoleum is the best option for flooring. Natural material has bactericidal properties, does not fade in the sun, does not support combustion, due to natural impregnation.
Eco-design, eco-materials today are actively entering our lives, people pay more attention to the effects of coatings on the environment.
The disadvantages of this type include fragility, excessive susceptibility to deformation, high price.
PVC
The most common type of linoleum that can be found on every counter of construction stores. It is made of fiberglass, on a fabric and non-woven basis, it is single-layer, multi-layer. It has low thermal conductivity, is resistant to abrasion, environmentally friendly, not subject to decay, the appearance of fungus. PVC is easy to lay, it has many colors.
PVC linoleum also has disadvantages. It does not tolerate high temperature, solvent exposure. At low temperatures, it loses elasticity. In terms of structural composition, PVC linoleum is homogeneous and heterogeneous. The first has a homogeneous structure, consists of one layer.
During the production of material quartz sand and lime are added. The more fillers, the cheaper the coating and the shorter the life.
Heterogeneous linoleum has several functional layers. The lower one is the substrate, designed to protect against punching, shock and other loads. The basis of the PVC coating is fiberglass. Adds elasticity to the product, prevents deformation. The next layer is decorative. Upper - PVC in its pure form, protects the material from abrasion.
Relin or rubber
Relin, or rubber linoleum, is lined with a mixture of crushed rubber and bitumen. The front layer is made by mixing rubber, filler, pigment. It has high elasticity, moisture resistance, resistance to aggressive detergents, chemicals.
It is applied in the closed and open public places, in pools, on sports grounds. It has good adhesion to sports shoes, comfortable, safe to use. Not subject to scratches, damage from sharp objects.
Relin can not be used in residential premises due to environmental insecurity. The composition of the material contains harmful volatile substances.
Alkyd
Alkyd or glyptal coating is made by applying alkyd resin to a fabric base. Contains oils, fillers, pigment, sometimes an antiseptic. It comes in a large assortment, with various colors, patterns, textures. Most often used in technical and public buildings, has good heat and sound insulation properties. Compared with PVC, it has higher mechanical properties.
Linoleum is fragile, it is difficult to stack. Incorrect installation causes cracks, damage. Material should be stored at a temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius. When laying requires careful observance of the rules of installation. During operation and maintenance, it is contraindicated to use alkaline and abrasive substances, acids.
Choosing a floor covering for the house
All linoleum is divided into three main groups. It is commercial, semi-commercial, domestic. The first is the densest, the pattern on it is not erased. Linoleum of this category has a thick protective layer and can withstand huge loads - up to 5 tons per square meter. It is laid in shopping, medical, educational institutions, fitness centers and entertainment complexes, such material lasts up to 50 years.
But such a material contains a large amount of formaldehydes, including phenol. These are quite harmful substances that do not weather over the years. And if in public places with high traffic the material does not pose a serious threat, then in the apartment where you spend most of the time, it can cause serious harm to health. Therefore, for the house they buy other types of linoleum.
Domestic
Household linoleum is suitable for decoration of office and residential premises. The main condition for operation is medium and low traffic. The service life is 10-15 years.Cost-effective, in demand as an inexpensive decorative coating. Differs in universality, simplicity in leaving. It has a wide color gamut, elastic, convenient for transportation. Moisture resistant, well retains heat. Household coating is made on a foam and felt basis.
The disadvantage is that it is thin, with low wear resistance - an average of up to 5 years.
Semi-commercial
Coverage is found in offices, shops with medium traffic, as well as in country cottages, city apartments. The protective layer of semi-commercial linoleum is thicker, it is wear-resistant. It is made on a felt, synthetic basis, which allows you to keep heat indoors. The optimal type of linoleum, with a service life of up to 20 years in apartments with medium traffic.
Color variety
The general perception of the interior depends on what color the flooring will be. Cold gray shades give the rooms a strict, office impression, warm - warm up with home comfort.
For the bedroom, it is recommended to choose light colors and warm shades: beige, cream, milk, coffee. Here you can use the color of marble and wood, choose linoleum with a decorative pattern. Do not make the floors in the children's room gloomy, decorate them with a coating with nice patterns, decorative pictures, and leave the dark color for the study. White linoleum is rarely bought because of soiled, black - because of gloom.
A small room due to the use of the pattern on the flooring increases visually. Small tiles, diagonal pattern, abstract elements - an appropriate option in this case.
Which rooms are better to lay
In order for linoleum to last a long time, you should initially consider the type of room in which the coating will be used.
On the kitchen
Linoleum is an excellent solution for the kitchen. Compared to other materials, it is easy to clean, masking impurities.Certain models have a special antibacterial coating, which is harmless, has no chemical additives. The destruction of microbes occurs due to silver ions contained in the material and activated when air and moisture enter.
Material for the kitchen should be resistant to external influences, including household chemicals and pollution. It is preferable to choose a semi-commercial linoleum with high wear resistance.
In the living room
For the living room, household linoleum with a polyester or foam base, with a sufficient thickness of the protective layer, is most suitable. If the hall is laden with heavy massive furniture, it is better to play it safe and take linoleum of a higher class, with greater thickness and wear resistance. If this is not done, dents will remain on the coating.
The hall is a more walkable room than, for example, a bedroom. The coating in the room should be physically stable, with a protective coating thickness of at least 0.2 mm.
In the nursery
The thickest household linoleum, resistant to damage, or a semi-commercial coating with a reliable protective layer is suitable for a children's room, which is more like a playground than a relaxation room. The material must retain heat, withstand shock, have fireproof properties. When laying, one-piece seamless sheets should be used to avoid injuries. The coating should have antistatic properties, simply put - so that it "does not beat with current."
If funds permit, it is recommended to lay natural linoleum in the children's room. It costs more, but there is no doubt in its ecological properties. As for the colors, the nursery should choose unusual, bright prints that kids like. New 3D linoleum with volumetric drawings, creating the illusion of virtual reality, is gaining more and more popularity.
In the hall
The entrance hall is a passageway that needs additional protection.The characteristics of the coating for the corridor approximately coincide with the properties of linoleum for the kitchen. The best option is semi-commercial, at least 3 mm thick.
As for the design - at the discretion of the owner. Most often, decorative linoleum with a pattern of tiles and parquet is laid in the corridor.
Linoleum Tips
When choosing linoleum, you should adhere to the basic rules:
Regardless of how many rooms you are planning to design with one type of coating, linoleum should be bought in one piece. Otherwise, it is likely that you can sell cuts from different lots, which differ in color and texture. Do not forget to ask sellers for quality certificates for products.
When transporting material from the store to the room, in no case do not fold it in half - there will be traces of bends. Gently roll it face up inward.
What to do to make linoleum last longer
In order for linoleum to please its excellent qualities for many years, special care is necessary for it. The basic rule is to wipe more often, but do not abuse moisture. Linoleum is not friendly with a lot of water, with the exception of religion. It is important not to excessively get involved in household chemicals and not to use aggressive means. If stains from foodstuffs, felt-tip pens, markers appear on linoleum, use standard cleaning products to remove them.
In the absence of sufficient humidity in the room, the material may dry out and even crack. To avoid this, the coating every two months should be rubbed with linseed oil, linseed oil.
Conclusion
Linoleum is one of the most popular and affordable types of flooring. Without the advice of professionals, it is difficult to understand all its properties and characteristics. Before buying material for the design of the living room, kitchen, hallway, consult a specialist, read the photo, and also follow the above tips, and linoleum in the interior will delight you for a long time!