Perhaps more democratic than the floorcovering than linoleum has not yet been invented. Judge for yourself: it is inexpensive, easy to lay, and simple to care for, and no other floor covering can compare with linoleum in terms of the variety of colors and textures. And that is why it is chosen for offices, schools, kindergartens, and, of course, for the home. Wear resistance, cost-effectiveness, good sound and heat insulation fully justify such popularity. Therefore, it is understandable that the construction materials market is almost oversaturated with all kinds of types and brands of linoleum, and the question “how to choose linoleum for the home” is quite justified. With such abundance, it is really difficult to make a choice. Let's try to understand this problem and find out what to be guided by when choosing linoleum.
Elementary selection rules
Praise to modern manufacturers!The width of the linoleum they produce is quite consistent with the width of rooms in standard apartments. Therefore, today there is no need to glue or weld narrow strips of this flooring when laying: you just need to choose linoleum of the desired width. When choosing, remember that thanks to modern technology, linoleum shrinkage no longer occurs, so there is no need to leave a reserve in width when buying. But in length, a reserve of about ten centimeters is needed. This is explained by the fact that the rooms in our houses (alas!) are not always strictly rectangular and one of the walls may be slightly shorter in length than the other. This cannot be seen with the naked eye, but when laying the flooring, such an annoying nuisance can easily be discovered. Having decided on the width of the linoleum, remember the law of harmonious pattern placement. With a longitudinal pattern, for example, imitation of parquet or laminate, it should be located along the length of the room. Therefore, you need to buy linoleum by width, that is, by the size of the short wall. So, if you are buying flooring for a room three by four meters (twelve squares), then you buy linoleum three meters wide. If the room is, for example, five by four, then you need four-meter linoleum. And a few more basic rules:
- check the linoleum for the absence of various damages and defects: bumps, cracks, unpainted places;
- buy linoleum only in specialized stores, where you are guaranteed quality;
- when buying several rolls, buy linoleum only one lot, otherwise there may be a difference in color;
- When making a purchase, ask the seller for a hygienic product certificate.
When you go to the store, measure the length of all sides of the room, and once you have decided on the dimensions, proceed to choosing linoleum by its type.
Types of linoleum
Depending on what materials they are made oflinoleum is made of, it can be natural, polyvinyl chloride, alkyd and rubber. Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of these types of linoleum. Natural linoleum, as the name suggests, is made from natural materials. The base of such a floor covering is made of jute fiber, on which other natural materials are applied: cork oak bark, wood flour, mineral additives, linseed oil or wood resins. Such linoleum has increased strength, high thermal insulation and is environmentally friendly. The disadvantages of natural linoleum include only its homogeneous structure, due to which the color range and design options for such a floor covering are very limited. In addition, linoleum made from natural materials is also quite expensive. PVC linoleum is made of polymeric materials. Such a floor covering can be single-layer and multi-layer. Depending on the number of layers and thickness, this linoleum is called commercial, semi-commercial and household. These varieties differ in their wear resistance. The most durable of them is commercial. It is appropriate to purchase it for corridors, hallways and walk-through rooms (although it will also fit perfectly into other interiors). Semi-commercial linoleum also has a fairly high degree of wear resistance and is suitable for the most "trampled" rooms, as well as rooms with heavy furniture. Household linoleum is the most vulnerable, it is good, for example, for a bedroom, but it will not last long in a kitchen or hallway. PVC linoleum is not the cheapest, but it is quite affordable, and, despite the fact that it is made of artificial materials, it is environmentally friendly. Its main disadvantage is sensitivity to too high and low temperatures and chemicals. Alkyd linoleum, or, as it is also called, glyptal, has increased sound and heat insulation characteristics. At the same time, it is fragile, prone to deformation, cracks and fractures, and unstable to low temperatures. Relin or rubber linoleum is made of synthetic rubber and bitumen. It is very elastic and moisture-resistant, but is practically not used in residential premises due to hygienic requirements. Linoleum based on nitrocellulose (colloxylin) has excellent decorative shine and elasticity, but at the same time it is prone to shrinkage, sensitive to temperature changes, and is fire hazardous.
Selection according to operating conditions
Linoleum manufacturers have provided forthe possibility of choosing this floor covering for specific rooms. The average buyer will be helped in such a choice by the marking according to the European classification system. According to this system, all premises are divided into three types: residential, office and industrial. Residential are designated by the number two, office – three, and industrial – four. The intensity of the load is also determined by numbers: 4 (very high), 3 (just high), 2 (medium), 1 (low). Linoleum is marked with two numbers and a corresponding picture (a pictogram in the form of a house and people), by which you can determine its class. What class of flooring is needed in a particular case, the catalog or the sales consultant will tell you. So, for example, a class 21 flooring is suitable for a bedroom, 23 for a kitchen in a house where one or two people live, and class 31 linoleum is needed in an apartment for a large family. You can determine how resistant linoleum is to deformation (from the impact of furniture legs or heels) by the density of the base. The higher the density, the more durable the linoleum. Density can be determined by the weight of the linoleum: with the same thickness, a denser coating will be heavier. But since it is quite problematic to “weigh” linoleum when buying, you can simply press on it with your fingers: the less the thickness of the linoleum changes, the denser its base.
Choice of color and picture of linoleum
Today it is no longer relevant to be guided bythe concept of "cheerful" when choosing a floor covering pattern. Therefore, when buying linoleum, you should consider what kind of room you are buying it for. Cold light-colored linoleum will visually increase the space, while warm colors will add coziness to any room. A monotonous pattern has a calming effect on a person, while a contrasting and bright one, on the contrary, invigorates. An abstract pattern will emphasize the advantages of furniture and decorative interior items, while a small one will create the impression of additional volume. Therefore, when deciding which linoleum to choose for an apartment, consider not only its quality characteristics, but also its ability to change the interior and influence the emotional state of those who will live in this interior. And may your choice be successful, and your purchase practical and high-quality! We recommend reading:
