What is linoleum: the main characteristics of linoleum. Linoleum tarkett - technical characteristics of all types of coating

Linoleum is perhaps the most democratic type of flooring. You can meet him, as in fashionable country houses, and in modest city apartments. It is in perfect harmony with the luxury of the baroque interior, and with laconic, restrained high-tech. They choose it both for residential premises and for schools, offices and other public buildings. We are so used to this type of flooring and cannot even imagine how many different offers there are on the market! Well, have you ever heard about homogeneous linoleum, or about alkyd? Not many will answer in the affirmative. Let's see what types of linoleum exist?

Linoleum is closely associated with modern interiors, but few people know that this flooring is more than a hundred years old! In 1864, Frederick Walton received a patent for the invention of linoleum, which was named after the main raw material - linseed oil. Every year the production has expanded, and now it has turned into a popular coating that amazes with a variety of colors and patterns. It can be used to imitate a plank floor, natural stone, carpet and even metal.

Thanks to new technologies for the production of linoleum, a large assortment of these products has appeared on the market, which greatly complicates the choice. What is linoleum: technical characteristics, types and types - let's figure it out?

There are many varieties of linoleum with different operational parameters.

Varieties depending on the binder

In the manufacture of any linoleum, a binder is used, depending on it, the following types of linoleum are distinguished:

  • Natural linoleum is a quality floor covering for residential and commercial use. It is made from exclusively natural ingredients. The composition of a mixture of linseed oil, resin, wood and limestone flour, resin, crushed cork, etc. natural pigments can be added. You can use this coating anywhere: from kindergartens to medical institutions and apartments. Its structure allows it to withstand a load of 160 kg per square centimeter. The disadvantages include a rather meager color palette and high cost.
  • Polyvinyl chloride linoleum (PVC) - made from polymer materials. It is made from artificial materials, but undergoes strict quality control and safety tests, which allows it to be laid even in bedrooms without risk to health. It can have multiple layers, or it can be single layer, with or without backing. The base can be foamed, fabric and heat-insulating. The advantage of this linoleum will be an affordable price, variety color solutions, but the disadvantages include sensitivity to chemicals and temperature extremes.
  • Alkyd or glyphthal linoleum has good heat and sound insulation characteristics. Produced most often on a fabric basis. The disadvantages include fragility, a predisposition to the appearance of creases, deformation and a poor reaction to low temperatures (loses elasticity, warps).
  • Relin(rubber linoleum) is durable, elastic and moisture resistant. It is made from synthetic rubber and bitumen. The lower layer is a mixture of bitumen and crushed recycled rubber, the upper layer is made of colored rubber. Due to hygienic requirements, it is not used in residential premises, but it is excellent for production.
  • Colloxylin linoleum (base - nitrocellulose). This linoleum - the characteristics of which are moisture resistance and elasticity - has high decorative properties, beautiful gloss, but, at the same time, is fire hazardous, prone to shrinkage, and is sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Homogeneous and heterogeneous linoleum

Homogeneous linoleum is a fabric that is homogeneous in structure, with a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm. It does not differ in a variety of patterns, most often monochrome or with a simple pattern. Due to the fact that it has a uniform color throughout its entire thickness, it looks like new for a long time, traces of abrasion on it are practically invisible. Due to its excellent performance and increased wear resistance, such a coating is actively used in rooms with increased floor loads: in airports, public buildings, shops, hallways and halls. From time to time, this linoleum requires special care: it must be covered with a mastic that fills the pores ... This prevents intensive contamination of the coating and allows it to maintain a presentable appearance for a long time. Some manufacturers immediately apply a special polyurethane film to linoleum.

Heterogeneous coatings have a complex, multi-layer structure. The thickness can vary from 2 to 6 mm. Such coverage is more expensive to manufacture and requires more sophisticated technologies. The composition of individual layers can vary significantly, as well as the thickness of the protective layer, on which the wear resistance and the preservation of the brightness of colors and patterns depend. In addition to the fact that this linoleum can please with a variety of colors, it is also practical, resistant to damage.

Varieties of linoleum, depending on the application

Depending on the area in which PVC is used - linoleum, there are commercial, semi-commercial, household and special linoleum.

In areas in which the number of visitors is large (in stores, at train stations, restaurants, cinemas, etc.), commercial linoleum is used, the characteristics of which allow it to cope with stress perfectly. Commercial(or contract) linoleum was developed with the aim of creating an inexpensive, attractive and durable floor covering that would not be inferior in durability to traditional materials. Its significant advantage is the price, ease of installation and wide possibilities for the original design of the floor.

Commercial linoleum is laid in areas that are subject to high traffic loads

Domestic linoleum is used for laying in residential premises, therefore, the requirements for its operational properties are not so great. But close attention is paid to various design solutions... These coatings do not have a very large protective layer, but they have excellent heat and sound insulation properties.

Semi-commercial linoleum has taken a position between commercial and domestic. Linoleum semi-commercial characteristics have very positive and will be appropriate where the load on the flooring is not too high, but still significant.

Special linoleum is intended for rooms that have special requirements. It is given certain specific properties: resistance to low temperatures, to an aggressive environment, etc. These coatings are used, for example, in hospitals, laboratories, gyms and other places.

How do I choose the right coating?

So, you firmly decided that linoleum will flaunt on your floor. It remains to choose the appropriate one. Understandably, color and design will catch the eye first. But, before making a purchase, you need to determine whether the vending linoleum meets your requirements:

  • It will not be superfluous to look at the hygiene certificate, or look for signs on the label that indicate that the product has passed an examination that confirmed its environmental friendliness.
  • Determine which class of coverage you need. You can find out about this from a sales assistant or in a special catalog.
  • Pay attention to the thickness of the back layer of linoleum, sound and heat insulation and resistance to deformation depend on it. The thicker the layer, the warmer the floor, you can determine the thickness by eye. The density is determined by pressing on the linoleum with your fingers, the less the thickness changes under pressure, the higher the density of the base and the more resistant to point loads.
  • Find out what width linoleum is, since it depends on whether you can do without seams. Typically, the width of the linoleum roll is 2 to 4 m (less often 5 m). Standard sizes- 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 m. Choosing the width of linoleum, focus on the size of the room. For example, for a room of 3x6 m, a three-meter linoleum is ideal. And for a corridor with a width of 1.5 meters, even a narrow roll will need to be cut.
  • For summer residents, linoleum with a PVC base backed with polyester would be an ideal choice. This is explained by the fact that PVC does not tolerate frost and temperature changes poorly, and polyester smooths out this disadvantage.
  • When choosing linoleum for the kitchen, you should pay attention to samples with an additional varnish coating, which greatly facilitates cleaning and prevents the penetration of dirt into the structure of linoleum.
  • The antibacterial protective layer can be relevant both for the kitchen and for the nursery. On contact with moisture, it releases silver ions, which are known to have antibacterial properties.

Usually, manufacturers do not hide such advantages, so you should carefully read the label. Having decided on these parameters, you can stop your attention on the color scheme and pattern of linoleum. They must correspond to the purpose of the premises. For example, a living room in warm, natural shades disposes to rest, calm communication, and executed in intense cold colors - gives energy, creates a cheerful mood. A bright contrasting pattern will invigorate, and a monotonous, unobtrusive one will soothe. Coldish and light shades visually increase the space, warm ones will make the room more comfortable.

Linoleum very convenient and relatively cheap floor material - it is hygienic and easy to clean, has a fairly high strength and low thermal conductivity. But, as it turns out, the word linoleum in different time called a completely different material ...

Only in recent years, the demand for natural linoleum has increased dramatically due to its unique environmental properties, and the production of natural linoleum has revived (but not everywhere).
They recalled not only the antibacterial properties, but also the extreme wear resistance of natural linoleum. An indicator of the wear resistance and durability of natural linoleum is a well-known example - in one of the apartment buildings in Europe, an old linoleum was dismantled, which had served for more than 70 years. It turned out that over all these years, only 0.4 mm of the coating worn out with a total thickness of 4 mm of linoleum.



For a long time, the main consumers of natural linoleum were medical and children's institutions: clinics, hospitals, kindergartens and schools. Due to its high wear resistance and durability, natural linoleum has taken root in stores, cinemas, offices, and recent times natural linoleum is increasingly being used in cottage construction. Along with environmental properties, this was largely facilitated by production, which expanded the range of products.
Of the foreign manufacturers on the domestic market of natural linoleum, the most widely represented are Armstrong DLW (Germany) products, which offer their collection of marbled designs.

PVC linoleum

Behind this type of flooring we have firmly entrenched the name "linoleum", although in the west it is still called simply "PVC coating" (apparently, so as not to be confused with natural linoleum).
At present, at least 80% of the world linoleum production is accounted for by “PVC-coating”.
But polymer floor coverings They are made not only from polyvinyl chloride, but also from some other polymers (alkyd, nitrocellulose, rubber), and the polymer coating can be homogeneous and heterogeneous, with or without a base, and in addition, it can have a number of special properties.


The special properties of which-polymer roll floor coverings, in everyday life called polymer linoleum or simply linoleum, include materials with increased sound and heat insulation performance, with different heat resistance (both for high and for low temperatures), with increased moisture-proof properties and chemical resistance, conductive and anti-slip.

Linoleum homogeneous

Homogeneous linoleum is uniform throughout its entire thickness. This is very convenient, since the surface pattern does not change with wear, although the method of producing homogeneous linoleum does not allow obtaining any various patterns.
In addition to polymer (polyvinyl chloride), various fillers are added to homogeneous linoleum to reduce the cost of the material - crushed limestone, kaolin, talc, and the higher the content of fillers, the cheaper linoleum is obtained. But with an excess of filler, linoleum begins to wear out unevenly - the polymer wears off faster, and the remaining filler protrudes to the surface, gets dirty and forms dirt paths.


If you come across cheap and unnamed (without specifying the manufacturer) linoleum, then most likely this is just this case.
Homogeneous linoleum is produced with a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm, therefore a smooth and even surface is required for its installation - any irregularities, cracks and cracks quickly appear through the floor homogeneous baseless linoleum.

Heterogeneous linoleum

Heterogeneous- means heterogeneous, because heterogeneous linoleum consists of several layers, each of which
rykh performs a specific task. As a basis for heterogeneous linoleum, nowadays most often they use a canvas or mesh made of fiberglass, a material that is very strong, durable, non-combustible and moisture resistant. This base is impregnated with polyvinyl chloride, and then, after polymerization of the base, several more layers of polymer are applied on top. These layers contain a coloring pigment (and filler), a pattern can be applied to (printed) on this layer, and the last layer of pure PVC or polyurethane is protective.


The protective layer determines the durability and service life of linoleum, often called a laminate layer, and the thickness of this layer is tenths of a millimeter. The thickness of heterogeneous linoleum is usually 2 to 6 mm (excluding the base).
Unlike homogeneous, heterogeneous linoleum has an extremely rich set of colors and patterns, up to photographs and works of art, therefore, designers are very fond of this type of floor material - linoleum is cheaper than parquet and is much easier to install.

Basic and baseless linoleum

Here again there is some confusion - the basis of heterogeneous linoleum is not the basis? And this is only on the one hand. But there is still the expression "linoleum based on polyvinyl chloride" - and then what kind of linoleum?
In fact, when they talk about basic or baseless (stress on the last syllable!) Linoleum, we are talking about something completely different - about an additional layer of material that is under a layer of linoleum, therefore it is more correct to talk about a substrate, but everyone is already accustomed to the terms "baseless linoleum" or "basic linoleum".
So this very "base" (substrate) is, as it were, an additional layer of the floor covering and is located between the actual linoleum and the floor and can be made of a variety of materials - natural and synthetic fabrics, non-woven natural and synthetic fibers, foam, felt, cardboard, fibers of tropical trees, etc.
The substrate is most often located under heterogeneous linoleum, although homogeneous basic linoleum can also be found.


Most often, the basis - the substrate - of linoleum is a foamed synthetic polymer, and it is far from indifferent how it is obtained. Foaming of the polymer by mechanical means (stirring) allows final product get open-cell foam, and when chemical method foaming - closed-cell.
A backing made of open-cell foam deforms over time, air escapes from the foam cells and the base flattens.
In a substrate made of closed-cell foam, each cell is isolated from the others, and even if some of the cells are destroyed, the original thickness of the substrate is restored. Additional advantages of a closed-cell foam substrate are greater mechanical strength, significantly better heat and sound insulation properties, although such linoleum is more expensive.
Linoleum on a jute fiber substrate has very good heat and sound insulation properties, but, unfortunately, such linoleum is short-lived.

Linoleum based on fiberglass with a foam polyvinyl chloride backing is highly resistant to temperature and humidity extremes and does not shrink. Linoleum based on jute or felt changes its size when temperature and humidity change, and in wet rooms linoleum on jute and felt base cannot be laid - the base will damp and rot.
Fiberglass-based linoleum lasts at least 10 years, and jute-based linoleum - two years.

Classification and fields of application

Depending on the area of ​​application, household linoleum differs, commercial and semi-commercial... Household linoleum is the cheapest, but also the most diverse in terms of the richness of patterns and colors. As the name suggests, it is intended for flooring in residential (and non-residential) premises with relatively low requirements for durability.

Commercial linoleum it is intended for premises with high load on IOL - these are large offices, shops, schools, train stations, airports and other industrial premises. Since it is used for flooring in industrial buildings, it is also called industrial.
And semi-commercial linoleum is something intermediate in durability between domestic and commercial, it is well suited for corridors in large apartments and public buildings with a small number of visitors. Therefore, such linoleum is often called linoleum for public premises and offices. Sometimes linoleum for sports facilities is allocated into separate classes - such linoleum is used to line playgrounds for volleyball, handball, mini-football, as well as transport linoleum - for laying in subway cars, trains, and airplanes.


For special purposes, special linoleum is also produced - for example, in computer rooms, protection against static electricity is required and a special antistatic linoleum with carbon particles and special conductive linoleum with graphite layers - it is laid on conductive glue on a base with conductive metal tires. There is linoleum, the foot on which does not slip, even if it is covered with water.

Commercial linoleum more often it is single-layer (homogeneous), the pattern in which permeates the entire thickness of the layer - with the wear of such a homogeneous linoleum, the surface layer is abraded, and the pattern does not disappear.
When laying household linoleum, the joints are usually not sealed in any way, and in commercial linoleum, so-called cold or hot welding is necessarily used to seal the joints. Cold welding is filling the joint with special adhesive composition, dissolving the edges of the joint and gluing them. In hot welding, a building hair dryer or a special thermal gun and a special melted cord, laid into the joint, are used to join the edges.
All of the above applies to a large extent to linoleum based on polyvinyl chloride, since linoleums based on other chemical compounds - alkyd, nitrocellulose, rubber - are less common. But polymer linoleum is becoming an increasingly complex composite material and its service life has already increased from two to three years to 10-15 (the service life of natural linoleum is at least 50 years).

Pressed PVC tiles

Extruded PVC tiles are very similar in structure to the structure of heterogeneous linoleum, but synthetic resins are added to PVC. The thickness of the outer protective layer of pressed PVC tiles reaches 1 mm with a total tile thickness of up to 3 mm.
The outer surface of the pressed tile can be very varied up to imitation natural stone, parquet, wood and even metal. At the same time, knots of wood or cracks in parquet can be felt by touch. The shape and size of the press
The tiles are also varied, which allows designers to use their imagination without restrictions - for example, it is very difficult to combine "wood" with "metal" with the help of other floor coverings.


Leading companies in their collections of pressed PVC tiles provide borders, corners and other decorative elements, which significantly expands the scope of this floor covering.
High performance and a variety of types and colors of the surface determine the extreme popularity of pressed PVC tiles for floor coverings in premises of a wide variety of purposes, which allows PVC tiles to successfully compete with both artistic parquet and artistic linoleum.
To indicate the features of certain brands of pressed PVC tiles, the same pictograms are used as for linoleum.
Among the products of all kinds of brands of linoleum and design tiles offered on the domestic market, there is an absolute predominance of foreign manufacturers. These are world-renowned firms - Tarkett Sommer, Sweden, Armstrong DLW, Germany, АМТ1СО and ALTRO, England, Linofatra, Czech Republic. Moreover, these companies offer an extremely wide range of types, colors and art collections of their products.

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For many years, linoleum remains a fairly popular flooring. On the construction market, there are various types of linoleum with a variety of shades and textures. This makes it possible to find a solution for any interior. In addition, it has a number of advantages: affordable price, durability and ease of installation.

From the constituent components from which the flooring material is made, all types of floor linoleum can be divided into 5 groups.

Natural

It is made from natural ingredients: flax oil, pine tree resin, oak bark flour, limestone and natural pigments. It can be with or without a base. Jute fiber is used for the base.

Made from ecological raw materials

The advantages of this material include: environmental friendliness, resistance to fading, resistance to aggressive chemicals, fats. Possesses bactericidal and antistatic properties. During transportation, try not to bend, otherwise the coating may crack. It can be laid in an apartment where there are increased requirements for the naturalness of the floor (children's room, bedroom).

PVC Coating (Polyvinyl Chloride)

It is made from a synthetic substance (polyvinyl chloride) with the addition of inexpensive plasticizers, various additives, fillers and dyes. It is produced on a different basis (foamed, fabric or thermal insulation). Can be single-layer or multi-layer.


Such material is quite cheap

Among the advantages are the low price, the variety of designs. The disadvantages of this type of linoleum include flammability, high shrinkage, and the presence of a synthetic odor that has been present for a long time.

Relin

This flooring is made from bitumen or crushed rubber. It is a two-layer material where top layer it is synthetic rubber with additives. The advantages include moisture resistance, plasticity. This type of flooring is used in public places (hospitals, airports, garages, elevators). The durable composition of linoleum helps to easily cope with mechanical stress, from shoe studs to car studs.


Suitable for floors with high traffic

Hyphthalic or alkyd linoleum

This flooring consists of alkyd resins and pigments applied to a woven backing. Heat and soundproof linoleum has increased fragility. Over time, it can change its size (taper in length and expand in width). While maintaining the optimum temperature for the flooring, it will be able to serve for a long time.


Warm and soundproof

The cover can be one-color, multi-colored or patterned in the form of tiles, marble or wood.

Nitrocellulose and collokeilin

Has no basis. Thin nitrocellulose coating. Among the advantages are elasticity, moisture resistance, shine. The disadvantages include easy flammability. To reduce flammability, fire retardant boric acid is added to the composition.


Decking is not recommended for use at home

This type of flooring is prohibited to use for home, childcare facilities, only in public and industrial places.

Depending on the area of ​​application and the ability to withstand loads, the flooring is divided into these types of linoleum.

Semi-commercial

Such linoleum contains the properties of both commercial and household material. It is recommended for use in living rooms with high traffic. You can buy such material for any interior, because the variety of designs is amazing: from monochromatic without a pattern to linoleum in the form of tiles, marble or other material.


The canvas is suitable for busy living spaces

The peculiarity of this linoleum is that it can be bought at a price like a household material. For the production of such a coating, various components are used, but mainly it is polyvinyl chloride, as it is produced by the Tarkett company. Linoleum has a protective layer that gives wear resistance and durability.

Commercial

Commercial linoleum is highly abrasion resistant. For the manufacture, a synthetic material is used - polyvinyl chloride. The pattern is applied across the entire thickness of the layer, which makes the erasure of the picture invisible. The service life of such a flooring can be about 25 years.


Has large lines of operation

The excellent performance of the coating allows it to be installed in hospitals, offices, retail outlets and other premises. The anti-slip properties make it safe to use.

Commercial coatings come in a variety of designs and colors. You can choose linoleum in the form of laminate, marble, wood, or opt for flooring without a pattern. Interesting ideas are obtained by combining different patterns and colors. Thus, the room can be perfectly divided into zones. For this, sheets of different design are hot-welded to obtain a solid sheet.


Safe without slipping

Usually the canvases are 1.5-2 mm thick and 2 m wide.

Domestic

Unlike commercial, this type of coating is used mainly in a residential building and apartment due to its low strength and durability. It quickly loses its attractiveness and appearance... It can be used in public places, but only where there is a low or medium floor load.


Mainly used in homes

The positive properties include:

  • Reasonable price compared to other coatings;
  • Unpretentious material to care for;
  • Variety of colors and designs;
  • Moisture-resistant, heat-insulating and elastic flooring;
  • Easy to transport.

It is inexpensive and varied.

It has a wide range of colors and designs: solid-colored linoleum in the form of parquet, with wood imitation, structured, smooth.

We will find out what types of linoleum are in structure. There are two types of them: homogeneous and heterogeneous.

Homogeneous

Such linoleum is a homogeneous material with a thickness of 1.5-3 mm. Its peculiarity is that the design does not differ in variety. This is either a plain flooring, or a covering with a simple pattern. The applied pattern or uniform color makes the coating resistant to abrasion, which allows it to retain its original appearance for a long time.


Such a flooring will retain its appearance for a long time.

Remarkable technical characteristics make it possible to use the material in rooms with increased stress (airport, shop, hall, public buildings). Over time, to improve its appearance, it is covered with a special mastic that fills the pores. This makes it possible not to absorb dirt and retains an excellent appearance for a long time. Instead of mastic, manufacturers apply a special layer of polyurethane film to linoleum.

Heterogeneous

This type of coating has a structure consisting of several layers. Because of this, its thickness ranges from 2 to 6 mm. Sophisticated production technology makes such linoleum more expensive. The components in the layers may vary, as well as the thickness of the protection layer, which provides durability and a variety of patterns. Among the advantages are resistance to damage and the presence of a variety of designs.


This canvas has many layers.

A variety of colors will help embody the most daring design ideas... So, dark linoleum will help create a soft and cozy atmosphere in the bedroom. Contrast between dark floors and light ones, bright elements in the interior will emphasize the dignity of the room.

Baseless

Material consisting of one layer 1.2-1.6 mm thick with a pattern applied along its entire length. This type of flooring is used in rooms with a high degree of moisture and dirt. Recommended for kitchens or bathrooms. The operational period is 5-7 years. Since the flooring has no base, it must be laid on a flat base.


Recommended for use in bathroom or kitchen

Foam-based

The main layer is fiberglass, and chemical foam is applied to it on both sides. It makes the coating soft and elastic, at the same time warm and soundproof, and the fiberglass does not allow the material to change its dimensions.

The top layer has decorative pattern, on which a protective transparent polyvinyl chloride coating is applied.

Thanks to the multi-layer structure, the service life is about 10 years. It can be installed in a kitchen, hallway, toilet or bathroom.

On a warm basis

This material contains a layer of polymer 1.5 mm thick, which is glued to a natural jute or felt base, which increases the thickness of the flooring up to 5 mm. It can be plain or with a printed pattern. It has excellent thermal conductivity, resilience and softness. Used for rooms with low humidity. During service, it can expand, which should be taken into account when laying, leaving a margin between the wall and the covering. When laying, it is better to lay it with a whole canvas without joints, otherwise the moisture that gets in can cause rotting of the base.

Modern types of linoleum for flooring are in high demand among the average consumer. The coating is characterized by high performance characteristics, a wide choice of colors and ease of installation.

In the manufacture of linoleum, modern components and technologies are used. This allows you to create a floor covering that is not inferior, and in some aspects even superior to laminated board and its counterparts.

Classification based on material

Elastic coverings made from natural raw materials or PVC are the ideal choice for the home

The classification of linoleum into types is carried out taking into account a number of characteristics and physical properties. The most important are: the main component of the coating, the class of wear resistance, the scope of the material, the structure and cost.

The first classification is based on the material used as the binder. This component directly affects the physical properties of the material, its quality and service life.

According to the binding material, the following types of linoleum can be distinguished:

  • natural - an environmentally friendly and safe coating based on wood resin, processed cork flour, linseed oil and lime. It has high wear resistance, abrasion resistance, does not electrify, does not fade. Practically does not burn and does not emit harmful substances;
  • polyvinyl chloride - a coating based on foamed polyvinyl chloride with a thin PVC film as a protective layer. In addition to PVC, it can have a non-woven heat-insulating backing or a woven base. New PVC linoleum has a pronounced chemical odor, which disappears during operation;
  • rubber - linoleum from recycled materials, crushed rubber and bitumen. The face layer is presented thin film made of synthetic rubber with the addition of coloring pigments. Stacked in production and storage areas. Possesses high resistance to moisture and water, is plastic and withstands shock load well;
  • nitrocellulose - a single-layer, baseless coating made of nitrocellulose. Differs in increased elasticity, elasticity and moisture resistance. Used for floor cladding in gyms and indoor stadiums. Flammable and toxic when heated;
  • alkyd - a coating on a woven substrate based on alkyd resins and dyes. Differs in high heat and sound insulation qualities. Not intended for use in rooms with high mechanical and shock loads due to its fragility and short service life.

The types and properties of these coatings vary greatly due to the components used for their production. For flooring in apartments and private housing, only two of them are used - these are natural and polyvinyl chloride linoleum.

The rest of the types can be attributed to highly specialized coatings that fit in specific conditions to solve a specific problem. The production of alkyd or glyphthalic linoleum is completely reduced due to the appearance of cheaper, stronger and more wear-resistant coatings.

Classification based on wear resistance and application

The area of ​​application of the material is only a recommendation of the manufacturer

The second classification of linoleum into types is based on the scope of the coating. The degree of strength and wear resistance is determined by the class, which is indicated by a digital index. The higher given value, the greater the strength of the material.

Strength and wear resistance refers to the ability to withstand loads of various origins. Material over high class it has an increased service life, more resistant to abrasives, less abrasion with increased cross-country ability, etc.

According to the scope of application, linoleum is divided into the following types:

  1. Household - natural and polyvinyl chloride linoleum, intended for use in domestic premises. Available on a woven or foam base. It has a strength class of 21-23, a wide choice of colors and textures. Differs in increased softness, well dampens penetrating sounds and retains heat in the room. Main area of ​​application: children's rooms, bedrooms, study for one person.
  2. Semi-commercial - cover on PVC based... It differs from household linoleum in a thicker protective layer (0.5 mm), which makes it possible to lay the cladding in the hallway, hall, small offices. Has a 31-34 class of wear resistance.
  3. Commercial - a specialized type of linoleum for use in high traffic conditions. Has 41-43 strength class. High wear resistance is ensured by a thick face layer (0.8-1 mm) with the addition of insulators and stabilizing additives.

This group also includes highly specialized types of commercial linoleum, which are used for special tasks. For example, a commercial version with an extra strong polyurethane layer is used for styling in sports facilities.

A special coating with bactericidal protection and sterilizing effect has been developed for hospitals and medical institutions.

Structure-based classification

The structure of resilient floor coverings

Various types of floor linoleum can have a different structure, which is due to the need to obtain a unique set of technical characteristics of the coating. Using simplest structure consisting of one technological layer, the material is characterized by high wear resistance with a minimum of decorative properties.

Increasing or adding 2-3 layers allows you to give the material increased sound and heat insulation qualities, increases the rigidity or elasticity of the coating, increases resistance to moisture, etc.

By structure, linoleum is divided into two types:

  1. Homogeneous - homogeneous single-layer linoleum throughout the entire thickness of the material. In the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride granules and various dyes are used. The pattern and texture are located across the entire thickness. This gives the material low abrasion and the ability to lay in places with high traffic of people. Mainly fits in production areas and in public areas.
  2. Heterogeneous - PVC covering, consisting of 2-6 layers with a total thickness of 6-8 mm. The coating is based on woven fiber or foamed PVC base, fiberglass, natural backing, decorative and protective layer. It is used for flooring in apartments, private houses, household premises and low-pass offices.

By the presence of a base, linoleum is divided into baseless, with a foamed PVC base, with a base of polyester and pile. When laying baseless linoleum, it is required to use a damper substrate to reduce the load on the coating and increase the total thickness of the facing layer.

What type is suitable for an apartment

The Tarkett company produces good material in terms of price-quality ratio

In the conditions of a city apartment and a private house, the most priority is to use household and semi-commercial linoleum. The use of specialized types is not rational, since in a typical apartment the load exerted is at a low or medium level.

An additional set of properties and qualities of a specialized coating will simply not be useful. In addition, the cost of such a facing material is much lower than household counterparts.

Sometimes manufacturers can use markings: PR, VT, M, TTH. PR is a spreading method that is used in the production of most types of household linoleum. Has the most low cost with full compliance with technological standards.

VT - marking indicates the presence of a needle-punched backing made of synthetic fibers protected by a mylar layer. This method eliminates the formation of decay processes and decay of the base.

M - marble-like or one-color coating. Differs in the number of layers. Multilayer marbled linoleum has a separate decorative layer, protected by a transparent PVC film. The single-layer coating has a monochromatic marbled color.

TTH is a base, flame retardant PVC linoleum. In production, a unique recipe is used for the specific needs of the customer. It is divided into two types with normal and increased wear resistance.

Manufacturers and cost

On Russian market a lot of both European and domestic manufacturers are represented. Most of the brands in their assortment have various types of linoleum from different price categories.

The best quality and proven companies include Tarkett, Finefloor, LG Hausys, Juteks, Grabo, IVC, Sinteros, Vinisin. The average prices for products from various manufacturers are shown in the summary table below.

The minimum price for a household type of coverage starts from 210 rubles / m2. This coating has a protective layer thickness of up to 0.15-0.20 mm and an average service life of 10-12 years. The cost of semi-commercial linoleum starts at 340 rubles / m2. This is a more durable coating with a protective layer of up to 0.5 mm and a service life of 15 years.

According to the binder material, modern linoleums can be divided into five large groups: natural, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), glyphthalic (alkyd), colloxylin (nitrocellulose) and rubber (relin).


Natural linoleum, as its name suggests, contains mainly natural ingredients. It is baseless and has a base, which is used as non-woven materials or fabrics made from natural fibers. In terms of chemical composition, natural linoleum is the closest thing to the original flooring. It is not for nothing that the term "linoleum" comes from two Latin words: linum - flaxseed and oleum - oil. The main components of natural linoleum are linseed oil, wood flour, pine tree resin, cork bark flour, limestone powder and natural dyes. The supporting base is also natural jute fabric.

In addition to durability, environmental friendliness and decorativeness, natural linoleum also meets a number of operational requirements. It is fire resistant and does not spread the flame in the event of a fire. It can be easily cleaned of dust, therefore it is suitable for people with respiratory system disorders and allergies. Dry cleaning for him is comparable in efficiency to wet cleaning.

It is also important that after laying it retains its size. Thanks to linseed oil, the material has bactericidal properties and does not accumulate an electrostatic charge. Natural linoleum does not fade, does not change color and structure over time, is resistant to non-concentrated acids, ethyl alcohol, fats, but is destroyed by prolonged exposure to alkali. This is not surprising if you remember that it contains limestone. When transporting such linoleum and working with it, sharp bends should be avoided - it can crack.

Polyvinyl chloride linoleum is produced on foamed, fabric, heat and sound insulating non-woven bases or baseless, single and multi-layer. The disadvantage of PVC linoleums (except for foamed, with a fiberglass base) is their significant shrinkage - up to 2% at elevated temperatures. The material has a specific smell, although it disappears over time. Glyphthal linoleum is made on a fabric basis. It has better heat and sound insulation properties than PVC linoleum. Over time, its stripes decrease slightly in length, but increase in width. Colloxylin linoleum (nitrocellulose) is a baseless, single-layer, thin material. Its advantages include good moisture resistance and elasticity, and its disadvantages include increased flammability.

The most versatile are multilayer (heterogeneous) coatings. The basis of the material is fiberglass. From the front side, it is impregnated with PVC paste, and already a "canvas" layer of PVC of a different composition is applied to it. The pattern is applied to this surface using large engraved impression cylinders. Up to 6 colors are used. Finally, the drawing is fixed with a high-strength transparent PVC layer (thickness - up to 0.15 mm). A backing is applied from the inside out onto the fiberglass base. It can be jute, fabric, polyester or foamed PVC. According to experts, the optimal foam substrate, which has the same indicators of thermal expansion as the face layer. This avoids surface deformation when heated. A better quality is the material in which the substrate is applied mechanically rather than chemically.

And in conclusion - rubber linoleum (relin). This is a two-layer material. The lower, lining layer is made of used crushed rubber. In this case, bitumen plays the role of a binder. The face layer consists of a mixture of synthetic rubber with fillers and pigments. Relin has excellent water resistance and increased elasticity. The last two types of linoleum in residential premises are practically not used. Another way to classify linoleums is by the presence or absence of a base.

Baseless linoleum is a rather thin, from 1.2 to 1.6 mm, single-layer canvas with a pattern throughout its entire thickness. Such material is also called homogeneous. It is relatively cheap, most suitable for places with high levels of humidity and pollution, therefore it is mainly used in kitchens and bathrooms. Since it is very thin, it must be placed on a flat surface. It is better to glue this material over the entire area. Service life 5-7 years. Sometimes a special protective layer is applied to the surface of baseless linoleum, which increases its resistance to abrasion and makes it easier to clean the floor.

Foamed linoleum is available in thicknesses from 2 to 3.5 mm and is already a much more complex multilayer structure. Serves up to 10 years. It is used in places of high pollution and where frequent wet cleaning is required (kitchens, hallways, bathrooms). It is not at all necessary to glue this linoleum over the entire area, it is enough criss-cross. If you cannot do without joints when laying canvases in wet rooms, it is better to weld them with hot welding using a special cord or cold welding with special liquid compounds.

Finally, in a separate group linoleums can be distinguished on a warm basis. This is a material consisting of a polymer layer up to 1.5 mm thick with a printed or uniform pattern throughout the volume. The layer is glued onto a base made of natural or synthetic jute or felt. The total blade thickness can be up to 5 mm. Linoleums of this group retain heat well, are soft enough and elastic at the same time. Designed for any living space where there is no high humidity. It is advisable to lay such linoleum with one sheet without joints, otherwise water may get on the base and rot. But since linoleum is available in widths up to 4 m, such problems usually do not arise. Another feature of such materials is some expansion during operation (the so-called trampling). Therefore, when laying linoleum on a warm basis under the plinth, a small, about 0.5 cm, gap is left between the wall and the material.


Technical characteristics of linoleum


The main technical characteristics of linoleums are: abrasion and indentation resistance, density, water resistance, flammability, heat and sound insulation properties, color indicators and a number of other more specific parameters (for example, antistatic and resistance to impact chemical substances). Many foreign manufacturers prefer to explain the properties of their products with expressive pictograms. This is both visual and allows the consumer to understand the features of a particular material without translation. Since the requirements for the durability of linoleums for residential premises are very high, a material with a thickness of 2-2.5 mm is considered optimal. It is not advisable to use coverings thicker than 3 mm in the living space.

In recent years, varieties of linoleum with improved consumer properties have appeared on the Russian market. These materials were developed for premises with special operating conditions and received a general name commercial linoleum... Although it would be more correct to call them special or, say, linoleums for office premises. Note, however, that such coatings can be used with equal success in residential premises. By its structure, special linoleum, like ordinary linoleum, is divided into homogeneous (single-layer), heterogeneous (multi-layer) and natural.

According to the scope - on general purpose linoleum (characterized by increased wear resistance, a variety of patterns and shades), non-slip (contains additives that increase friction), antistatic, conductive, sports (ensures safety of a fall, good ball rebound and reliable adhesion to the sole of sports shoes), medical (the substances contained in it prevent the appearance and spread of bacteria and fungi in the room) and heat and sound insulation. In short, there are special linoleums for all occasions.

In residential premises, linoleum of various types is very often used for flooring (baseless, with fabric, heat and sound insulating underlay, single and multi-layer, rubber) and polyvinyl chloride tiles. The popularity of this type of flooring is explained by the strength, hygiene of the materials, they are beautiful, quiet when walking, and do not require special care. Linoleum and tiles are glued to the prepared base using adhesives and mastics, the choice of which depends on the quality of the finishing material used in the work.

Choosing the right flooring is the key to its long-term use. And in recent years, the Russian buyer cannot complain about the insufficient assortment of goods of this kind: there are all kinds of rugs, parquet boards, laminate floors, and different types on sale. tile, and, of course, linoleum. Someone will say, they say, we know him, nothing interesting! But there is no need to rush. Modern linoleum is a new generation material that is fundamentally different from its not too presentable ancestor. Among the newly acquired qualities is the previously unattainable ecological purity.

Excellent decorative properties and strength characteristics allow linoleum to confidently compete in bedrooms and living rooms with laminate or carpet, and in corridors, bathrooms and kitchens - with ceramic tiles. It is not inferior to its rivals in terms of service life: most of the linoleum brands are designed to be used for 7-10 years, and some for 30 years. Note that in order to extend the life of the coating, it is important to avoid serious mistakes both during its installation and during operation.

The variety of modern linoleums is impressive. For example, only German manufacturers produce about 250 material options in about 100 colors. And every year the collections are updated. Moreover, the changes apply not only to the design, but also to the properties of the products. However, despite the metamorphoses experienced, linoleum remains the most democratic floor covering. Only the most upscale, elite brands come close to the prices of laminate and parquet board... As for the simplicity and low cost of laying, here linoleum is still unmatched. Two problems associated with this promising material have not yet been completely resolved: it does not tolerate frost well, direct sunlight and some of its species have a specific smell.



DIY linoleum laying technology


The simplest option for laying linoleum is under the baseboard. When fixing the coating with glue, it is recommended to use special notched trowels. For example, for PVC materials, spatulas with an A2 type blade are mainly used, providing an adhesive consumption of 250 g / sq. m. For natural linoleum, the best blade is type B1 (glue consumption 450 g / sq. m). In addition, the consumption of the adhesive depends on its own properties and the characteristics of the floor covering.

Glue for natural linoleum - contact. This means that immediately after application, the material can be applied to the base. Adhesives for PVC linoleum, as a rule, require a 5-10 minute waiting period ("maturation"), and only after that the coating should be attached. When the linoleum is completely laid, it must either be rolled with special heavy rollers, or rubbed to the base using a cork board. This is done both to remove bubbles and to improve the uniformity of adhesion of the material. The resulting bubbles (swellings) are pierced and the canvas is rolled back or pressed with a load for several (at least two) days. The seams are welded, if necessary (depending on the composition of the coating, a cold or hot welding method is used).

Laying linoleum on adhesive materials is considered the most durable and reliable. Before applying the mastic, the surface must be cleaned of dirt and dust. The back side of linoleum is primed before the sticker one day before starting work. A mastic or other adhesive is applied to the base. At the joints of the panels, an uncoated strip 10 cm wide is left. After 10-15 minutes, the bent half of the panel is glued and pressed to the base. Then the second half of the panel is glued in the same way. There is another way of gluing linoleum: the panel is rolled into a roll up to about half the length with the front side inward. Mastic is applied to the base, and then the roll is carefully rolled out and the panel is glued to the base. The second half is glued in the same order.


The adhesion strength depends on the thoroughness of the rolling of the panels. To do this, when gluing, the panels are carefully smoothed by hand using pieces of burlap or rolled with a roller. To remove air, rolling is carried out from the middle to the edges. When glued, adjacent panels initially overlap one another by 15-20 mm. Approximately 2-3 days after laying the linoleum, the edges should be finally cut and glued: a ruler is applied along the edge of the panels and pressed tightly. Then, with a knife, both panels laid in this place with an overlap are cut through at once. The non-glued edges of the cut panels are carefully lifted, their back and base are cleaned of dust and a thin layer of adhesive is applied to the base. The edges of the panels are pressed tightly against the base and rolled. So that the knives do not become dull, and there is no violation of the surface of the base, before cutting under the edges of the linoleum panels, strips of fiberboard with a thickness of 2-3 mm and a width of 30-40 mm are placed along the entire length.


To make the riser cutout, you need a hardboard template. The space around the pipe is measured squarely. Then the measurement results are transferred to cardboard. A circle is drawn in the middle of the square on cardboard, the diameter of which should be equal to the diameter of the riser. The circle is cut out so that a hole remains in the cardboard. This hole is transferred to the linoleum and cut out. It is not recommended to apply them with a layer. The mastic is rubbed with a floor polisher or a soft brush until it shines. When washing the linoleum coating, soap can be added only in case of severe contamination, since linoleum loses its shine and fades from soap and soda.

When gluing, it is necessary to avoid getting air under the coating. It is impossible to lay the material close to the walls; it is necessary to leave a small gap. In order for the adhesive to be applied evenly and precisely in the amount required to apply each specific type of coating, it is necessary to use notched trowels with replaceable blades. At the same time, due to the different shape and pitch of the spatula teeth, the required glue consumption is ensured.
Having glued the coating, it is necessary to either roll it with heavy special rollers or rub it in with a cork board. This is done both to remove bubbles and for better adhesion. Thermal insulation of linoleum and PVC coatings is minimal, therefore it is advisable, and in cold rooms it is imperative to lay them on thermal insulation layer(for example, mineral wool, felt).

The lifespan of traditional and modern floor coverings is highly dependent on the correct installation. But washing and cleaning using solvents, acidic detergents also harm them, they are destroyed by constant exposure to water. You can rub linoleum with a woolen lint-free cloth, wax and water. But, despite the fact that linoleum and PVC coating are roll materials, there are still styling features. So when laying natural linoleum, the relative humidity of the floor should not exceed 3.5%.

Bonding linoleum has its own characteristics, since the absorption of moisture from the glue can lead to a temporary softening of the coating and a significant change in its geometric dimensions. This phenomenon was unknown with the prior art resin and solvent based adhesives as they dried immediately. Modern dispersion adhesives contain up to 30% water, which evaporates during the mixing process. It partially disappears into the layers under the coating, but is partially absorbed by the coating itself. Substrates with low hygroscopicity give the bulk of the water directly into the linoleum. Therefore, only those adhesives are suitable for gluing natural linoleum that set so quickly that natural changes in the original dimensions of the coating do not have time to appear.


Mastics for gluing linoleum and tiles


When purchasing a floor covering in a store, it makes sense to buy the necessary industrial-grade mastic, completely ready for use. For gluing PVC coatings use acrylic dispersion glue or glue recommended by the linoleum manufacturer. Adhesives for this type of linoleum generally have a waiting (maturation) time of 5-10 minutes, that is, the coating can be glued only after the glue has “matured” on the substrate. The packaging of the glue usually contains all the necessary information about these parameters.

Mastics are pasty compositions including an adhesive base, solvents, plasticizers. Mastics should have good adhesive properties both in relation to linoleum and to substrates, easily spread with a layer 0.3-0.5 mm thick, be resistant to temperatures up to 50-60 degrees. Store the mastic in a hermetically sealed container at a temperature of 5-20 degrees for no more than two months. It is used for gluing almost all types of linoleum.

Kumaron-rubber mastics are of two brands - KN-2 and KN-3. If the mastic is in the form of briquettes, before use it should be crushed and thinned with gasoline in the amount of 30 percent of the mass of briquettes. These mastics are used for gluing polyvinyl chloride linoleum on a fabric and cardboard base and single-layer without a base. Linoleum on a woven backing and PVC tiles are glued on cold mastic (like "Biscuses"), which is a solution of bitumen in white spirit and turpentine with fillers (cement) and additives (latex).

Linoleum on a heat and sound insulating base is glued to the base using an adhesive prepared on the basis of CMC - "Bustilata". Universal for gluing of various kinds linoleum and tiles are dispersion adhesives - compositions based on a dispersion of AK-215-23, a 10% aqueous solution of CMC, a 10% solution of pine rosin in xylene with fillers in the form of kaolin and talc. Dispersion adhesives equally firmly attach linoleum to a base made of concrete, cement-sand screed and chipboards.

Baseless and rubber linoleums are glued on coumarone-neurite (dispersion) adhesives, which are solutions of coumarone resins and synthetic rubber in a mixture of gasoline and ethyl acetate with fillers and additives. Floor coverings, among which we single out linoleum (natural and vinyl), carpet (on a jute, polyvinyl chloride or polymer-bitumen basis) and sheet cork, cannot be mounted using only two adhesives, as in the case of wallpaper. For natural linoleum, adhesives in the form of an aqueous dispersion are more suitable (Uzin-LE 2401 from UZIN, Okamul L14 from KIESEL, Super Sader Tac from BOSTIK FINDLEY), and for vinyl linoleum and carpet - based on PVC (Uzin-KE ​​418, Okamul E9 and Sader flex from the same firms). For carpet on a jute backing, special aqueous dispersions with a bactericidal-fungicidal additive Uzin-KE ​​2008 from UZIN and Okamul T6 plus from KIESEL have been developed. There are also cheaper brands of these adhesives without additives.

But it is not worth saving so that you do not have to re-grind the coating later due to the appearance of mold. For carpet and carpet tiles on a polymer-bitumen basis, conductive Uzin-KE ​​2428L adhesives from UZIN, Klefa fix from BOSTIK FINDLEY with a graphite filler have been developed, which simplifies the grounding of the coating to prevent the accumulation of electrostatic charge on it. For carpet tiles, the Sader adhesif compound from BOSTIK FINDLEY is recommended, which allows multiple fixing of the module to be removed and installed again. The cork coating adheres well with water-based compositions Uzin-6N 276 (UZIN), Okapren KK extra (KIESEL), K12 (PUFAS), intended for porous surfaces. For all of the above coatings, you can use frost-resistant solvent-based adhesives Maxiglue, Plastiglue NM from BOSTIK FINDLEY or polyurethane adhesives-compounds Uzin-KR 430 from UZIN, Okamul PU from KIESEL, Tomsit R710 from HENKEL, Colle 455 from BOSTIK FINDLEY. But they are three times more expensive than water.

When using any of the adhesives, immediately after laying the flooring on the floor, roll it several times with a roller from the center to the periphery - to remove air bubbles, evenly distribute the adhesive layer and squeeze out its excess along the edges. Ceramic tiles are most often laid on cement mix where a little glue is added. But for cladding rooms with high humidity (bathroom, sauna dressing room) and water-filled containers (swimming pool, hot tub), waterproof adhesive mixtures are successfully used, for example, an innumerable number of Ceresit brands from HENKEL or Terra fix brands from TERRACO, as well as epoxy adhesive compound Epocolor from BOSTIK FINDLEY.

Mixtures can be frost-resistant, with operating temperatures below -30 ° C. To dilute the mixture, instead of water, special solutions are recommended, for example Terra bond A from TERRACO. The adhesive compound is available in six different colors and can be successfully used as a grout between glued tiles. More than a dozen adhesives different compositions is offered by INDEX, and Elastocool AB two-component glue keeps tiles in frost down to -40 ° C and resists cracks up to 2 mm wide.

Linoleum tools


Tools for linoleum work: a knife well sharpened so that it does not tear the edges; ruler, notched trowel 150-200 mm wide with turned teeth 1.5 mm high and a distance of 3 mm between them. This spatula is used when the mastic spreads. For thicker mastic, you can use a regular metal or wooden spatula of the correct width. The knife should be sharpened well and guided so that it cuts the linoleum, and does not tear its edges. Ruler. The edges of the linoleum are cut along the ruler. Long (2-3 m) and short (1 m) rulers are used. They can be wooden, precisely planed, or metal. The width of the wooden rulers is 50-100 mm, the thickness is 15-25 mm. A narrow metal ruler can be stuffed onto a wooden one.

A notched trowel is made of roofing, and even better from thick steel, 150-200 mm long, with turned teeth 1.5 mm deep and a distance of 3 mm between them. The spatula is fixed in the handle. Using a notched trowel, level the mastic applied to the base of the floor. Excess mastic is shifted with a spatula blade, and only the one that passes between the teeth remains on the base. First, the mastic takes the form of even grooves, and then spreads out, forming an even thin layer with a thickness of 1 to 1.5 mm. A notched trowel is used only in cases where the mastic has the ability to spread. If the mastic does not spread, then it is applied with ordinary wooden or metal spatulas as evenly as possible.


Several useful tips when laying linoleum with your own hands


The thinner the linoleum, the stricter the requirements for the surface on which it is laid. Please note: the unevenness of a poorly prepared base will not only be conspicuous, but also significantly accelerate the wear of the coating. In addition, the base must be dry. Most flooring materials (PVC coverings, natural linoleum, etc.) do not allow water to pass through. The maximum permissible moisture content of the base is determined by the indicator of the maximum residual moisture. It is not the same for different materials, but usually does not exceed 4.5%.

The prepared base must be thoroughly cleaned of debris and dust with a vacuum cleaner. New rolls of linoleum are rolled out and allowed to lie down so that the smell disappears and the material smoothes a little. There are a number of recommendations regarding the direction of laying the coating, but there are no uniform rules - it all depends on the size of the room and rolls, lighting, and the method of attaching the canvases. For example, stripes that are monochrome or have a marble pattern are laid in the direction of light - this creates the impression of a solid coating. Linoleum with a pattern is placed along the room. But do not forget when buying such material to make a margin in length (10-20 cm for each piece) to fit the pattern.

After a decision has been made on the method of laying the material, they begin to cut it. To do this, it is better to use special scissors with replaceable blades. Trapezoidal blades are used for marking and hook blades are used for final trimming. When cutting, you need to leave a small margin (5-6 cm) for cutting linoleum to the walls. Cutting to the wall is done only after the main cutting of the material is completed. In order to make the edge even, use a special tool called a wall marker.


To check the moisture content of the screed, put a napkin on the cement, and on it - a plastic wrap so that it overlaps the napkin on all sides by 10-15 cm. Tape the edges of the film to the screed. Put something heavy on top and leave it for 15 hours. If after this time the paper remains dry, then everything is in order, you can start laying the linoleum. If the paper becomes wet, then it is worth waiting with the stacking. Let's remind that the screed “ripening” time is 25-30 days. Recently, self-leveling mixtures have been used to level floors. Their "ripening" time is 6-8 hours.

If it is necessary to glue parts of a large area made of a homogeneous material (floor coverings, facing panels, wallpaper), it is more convenient to purchase ready-made glue in a plastic (canister, bucket weighing 8-15 kg) or tin (a can weighing 1-5 kg) containers, and in the form of a dry mixtures - in a paper bag weighing 1-25 kg.


In case of repairs, it is best to have a cartridge with a 400 g universal assembly adhesive "liquid nails" at hand.

Do not under any circumstances neglect the air-curing operation for the solvent-based adhesive, as the presence of the latter in the adhesive joint leads to the formation of a porous joint with a rather low strength. The water-based adhesive is sensitive to water freezing, therefore it must be applied at a temperature not lower than 5 ° C. The upper temperature limit for each glue is different and is indicated in the accompanying instructions. The easiest way to protect the seam from moisture is to paint it after gluing.

For hot-curing glue, it is most convenient to use a hair dryer as a source of uniform heating with hot air with a temperature of up to 80 ° C. Higher temperature curing can be done with an infrared source. Consider the consumption of glue when installing all wood-based materials (chipboard, fiberboard, MDF), drywall, rubber, foam, porous wall panels significantly higher than for hard plastics, including carpet backing and ceramic tiles.