Choosing linoleum for an apartment
What is the best linoleum for an apartment?
For an apartment, you need to select linoleum with a layer thickness of 2 - 2.5 mm.
The cleanest linoleum from an environmental point of view is marmoleum. It does not accumulate static electricity, is resistant to wear and tear, durable, retains paints for a long time over time. It does not grow bacteria, so it will be appropriate in children's and teenage rooms and in those places where people with asthma live. Since natural linoleum is very fragile and tough, it requires skill in laying. Sometimes linoleum is made of synthetic materials; for an apartment it will be the most justified solution. Linoleum based on synthetic components is made from PVC.
There are 3 types of linoleum:
- Classic - has a base of felt, polyester or jute fiber. Width one and a half - two meters.
- Foamed vinyl - material in rolls is soft and high-strength, width one and a half - four meters.
- Dubbed - has a composition of vinyl on a non-woven base.
What are the criteria for choosing this floor covering?
Linoleum is a durable, practical and inexpensive material.
Criteria for determining a suitable linoleum:
- compliance with its purpose (for the hallway, bathroom, bedroom, nursery and other rooms);
- to what extent it will be able to withstand the existing loads on the floor (the number of residents in the apartment and the permeability of the place affects);
- to what extent the qualities declared by the manufacturer meet the regulatory requirements of such a floor covering (in terms of moisture resistance, noise absorption and thermal insulation, in terms of antistaticity, hygiene);
- how much will fit into the design of the room (sometimes with patterns that are monochrome or imitate the natural texture of wood, stone, tiles, fabric, etc.)
Knowledge of the marking will help to avoid operational problems.
It is worthwhile to study the labeling before buying, if only so as not to be mistaken with the choice. All coating classification is in accordance with the current European system.
The marking has a two-digit designation, in which the first digit indicates the type of room where it is permissible to use linoleum.
For example, 2 - residential, 3 - offices, 4 - industrial premises. The number that follows the first indicates the planned loads in the range from 1 (low) to 4 (high). Let's demonstrate specific examples of choosing a coating in accordance with its brand:
- it is advisable to lay a covering of class 21 in a study or bedroom;
- linoleum 23, 24 classes can be purchased for a family of 5 people, for the kitchen or hallway; here you can consider the option with 31-33 classes - everything will depend on the specific situation.
Another flooring is classified based on the presence or absence of a base:
- Linoleum without base - thin (1.2 - 1.6 mm), single-layer, pattern throughout the entire thickness. Such a coating is relatively inexpensive, it is most suitable for places with high moisture and dirt characteristics. Therefore, his destiny is to cover the floor in the kitchen or in the bathroom. The term of use is from 5 to 7 years. Sometimes you can find baseless linoleum with a protective layer on the surface, which increases its resistance to abrasion.
- Linoleum with a foamed base. Produced in 2 - 3.5 mm thickness. Its design is more complex than the first type, it has more than one layer. Service life - 10 years. They are used in places with a high degree of contamination that require frequent wet cleaning (in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways).
- Linoleum with a warm base. Has a polymer layer up to one and a half millimeters with a uniform throughout the volume or a printed pattern. This layer is glued to a felt or jute base (artificial or natural). The total layers can be up to 5 mm. Coatings from this group keep warm well, are soft and elastic at the same time. Their purpose is any room with low humidity. They have one feature - a slight expansion during operation, when they are "trampled down". Therefore, when linoleum of this group is laid, a small gap (about 0.5 cm) is left between the wall surface and the material.
What technical characteristics should you pay attention to?
Linoleum can dampen sound from shock loads.
Close attention should be paid to:
- thickness;
- resistance to pressure and abrasion;
- waterproofness;
- incombustibility;
- sound and heat insulation properties;
- chromaticity;
- anti-static qualities;
- immunity to chemical compounds.
The most important requirement for linoleum is the degree of its durability. And for residential premises, this degree should be high enough. In other words, linoleum with a layer thickness of 2 - 2.5 mm should be selected for an apartment. The use of a coating in an apartment space thicker than 3 mm does not make sense.
How not to get lost in the variety of coating types?
Laying linoleum should be carried out only on a perfectly flat base.
Multilayer coatings are considered versatile in use. They are based on fiberglass. On the front side, it is impregnated with PVC paste. The latter is covered with a layer of "canvas" PVC of a different composition. A drawing is applied to its surface using large engraved impression cylinders. 6 colors are involved. A translucent layer of high strength PVC (0.15 mm thick) finally fixes the pattern. From the inside out, a substrate is attached to the fiberglass base. It comes in jute, polyester, fabric and PVC foam. The best is a foam backing that has the same thermal expansion parameters as the outer layer. This makes it possible not to deform the coating when heated. A coating is considered superior in quality if its substrate is applied mechanically rather than chemically.
Independent opinion on the best linoleum
For a home, you should choose a durable coating. Especially if there are small children or animals in it. It's obvious. But how do you determine the strength of a material? This is very easy to do. We need to conduct our own investigation. A piece of the coating that you are going to buy is useful for this, so it must be obtained for personal use (you can ask in the store). With this piece, you will have to conduct a small experiment in order to identify the "pros" and "cons" of this coating on your personal experience.
What should be done?
You can bend, scratch, try to tear. That is, check for resistance to mechanical stress. A good coating will not tear, dent, crack or break. For example, try to tear the material with your hands, like tearing paper: a good coating will not allow you to do this. The fold check should reveal the following: a small jam that forms when the edge of the piece is bent should straighten itself (if, of course, the material is of high quality). No cracks or breaks should occur. Scratching on a piece should also not leave any visible traces (and even more deep scratches).
Apply what you've learned. And happy choice!
The modern variety of floor coverings unwittingly puts any person making repairs in an apartment or a house, before the "torment" of choice. Well-known manufacturers, perfectly building their advertising policy, persistently recommend their products, which are really good. But it happens that for this you will have to part with the amount that was not planned. And the good old linoleum for some reason is undeservedly relegated to the background, considering it a choice for the poor. In fact, it has a number of advantages that the consumer most likely does not know about. It may be worthwhile to be more aware of this popular flooring and find out which linoleum is best for your home.
Linoleum is mistakenly attributed to modern and artificial materials, but its historical roots are hidden in the name. The word linoleum consists of Latin: linum - meaning flax or linen, and oleum - oil. Linoleum was patented back in 1860 by the Englishman Frederick Walton. Originally, this flooring used a woven linen or jute backing to which oxidized vegetable oil was applied in combination with cork flour. Technologies have been constantly improving, manufacturers have learned to apply patterns on linoleum, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was one of the most popular materials.
Due to the high cost of plant materials and the development of chemical synthesis, in the 60s of the last century, they began to produce floor rolls on a synthetic basis, which they left with the old name - linoleum, although this is a completely different material. In the 90s, they remembered the traditions of the production of natural linoleum, and the volume of its production is constantly increasing, since there is a steady demand for it. Thus, under the name linoleum, a very wide class of flooring, both natural and synthetic, was united.
Types of linoleum
To find it easier to navigate the ocean of proposals and make the right choice, it is worth learning about the types of existing linoleums and specifically which ones are suitable for the home.
Natural linoleum
One of the best choices is natural linoleum. For its production, only natural ingredients are used: linseed oil, wood flour, jute or linen, natural wood resin, limestone. A rich palette of natural dyes, together with modern technologies, make it possible to paint this wonderful coating in any color. Natural linoleum has a number of undeniable advantages:
- High strength. Natural linoleum can withstand pressure up to 16 MPa.
- Linseed oil, which is part of the composition, makes this coating bactericidal.
- High wear resistance determines a long service life: up to 30-50 years.
- Exclusively natural ingredients determine its environmental friendliness.
- Natural linoleum does not absorb dirt and is easily cleaned from various dirt with detergents.
- Static electricity does not accumulate on the natural linoleum.
- Not afraid of ultraviolet rays, does not fade from the sun.
- Has a low flammability.
With such an impressive list of advantages, natural linoleum is still not without drawbacks:
- Natural linoleum has a high price, comparable to a parquet board.
- In rooms where a natural linoleum coating is planned, there should not be high humidity, since the natural base is subject to decay.
- Low elasticity limits the use of natural linoleum in cold rooms and makes it difficult to install.
- Features of manufacturing technology limit the variety of patterns and ornaments.
- Only the laid natural linoleum covering has a specific smell, which may not please everyone. However, after a few months, the smell disappears.
Natural linoleum is a great choice for living spaces for all green living enthusiasts who are willing to go for high costs. Low moisture resistance limits its use in bathrooms and hallways.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linoleum
PVC linoleum (international designation - PVC) is the most widely used. It can be either without a base or with different types of bases:
- Fabric base. For it, both natural jute and synthetic fabrics, for example, fiberglass, can be used. The patterned top cover is made of PVC. Such linoleum can have an impressive thickness - up to 5 mm.
- A non-woven base made of natural felt or synthetic materials can improve thermal insulation properties, but in rooms with high traffic and high humidity, such linoleum should not be used, since it does not like intense loads, and the porous base will perfectly absorb moisture.
- Foamed PVC base. Such linoleum began to be produced in the 90s of the last century, and this type of substrate is one of the most popular. The main porous layer of PVC absorbs all loads and “forgives” small irregularities in the base, and the reinforcing fabric retains the geometric dimensions of the canvas. Foamed PVC can be applied chemically and in a more progressive mechanical way, which is better, since such linoleum will not wrinkle under high loads.
Also, some types of linoleum are made, which combine several types of the above layers. Linoleum, which has several of them, is called heterogeneous, and one is homogeneous. The number of layers and their purpose in linoleum for various purposes can be very different from each other.
The advantage of homogeneous linoleum is that its pattern is present throughout its entire depth, therefore, with its inevitable wear, the pattern will not be erased. The thickness of such linoleum can be from 1.5 to 3 millimeters, and it is intended for rooms with high traffic. Its use in apartments and houses is impractical. The main disadvantages of homogeneous linoleum are its high price, as well as the impossibility of applying complex patterns.
PVC linoleum has a number of advantages that explain its widespread use.
- PVC linoleum has high elasticity, which greatly simplifies its installation.
- A variety of patterns and textures of PVC linoleum will allow you to realize any idea of \u200b\u200binterior design.
- PVC linoleum has a reasonable price.
- Easily cleaned from dirt.
- Linoleum from well-known manufacturers is non-toxic, which must be confirmed by a hygienic certificate.
The disadvantages of PVC linoleum are:
- When exposed to high temperatures, linoleum shrinks.
- Only after installation, the PVC linoleum coating has an unpleasant specific odor, which disappears after several weeks of operation.
Alkyd linoleum
Alkyd, also called glyphthalic, linoleum is always made on a fabric base, on which modified alkyd or glyphthalic resins with special fillers that improve the properties of the coating are applied using a special technology. Pigments and dyes are also added, which make linoleum either one-color or multi-colored. The advantages of this type of linoleum are:
- Compared to PVC linoleums, glyphthalic linoleums have better heat and sound insulation properties.
- Such linoleums are extremely durable, they can last 40-50 years.
- Contamination from such a coating is easier to remove than from PVC.
The disadvantages of alkyd linoleum are:
- Low elasticity at temperatures close to zero.
- Alkyd linoleums require qualified installation.
- Insufficient fire safety severely limits their use in residential premises.
Glyphthal linoleum is widely used in transport: flooring in carriages, cabins of sea transport, and airplanes.
Rubber linoleum (relin)
Such linoleum is made in two layers: the lower one is made of recycled rubber, the upper one is made of synthetic rubber painted in various colors. These layers are connected to each other with bituminous mastic. These floor coverings have several advantages:
- Excellent water resistance allows you to install the relay in the wettest rooms.
- High elasticity and strength.
- Excellent anti-slip properties.
- Long service life.
Rubber linoleums can be used near swimming pools, in garages, workshops, sports rooms and halls, but in residential premises their use is contraindicated, as they emit harmful substances into the ambient air.
Nitrocellulose ( colloxylin) linoleum
These types of linoleums are a single-layer, baseless coating made from nitrocellulose with the addition of various components: gypsum, red lead, plasticizers and dyes. Currently, such coatings made of this material are not used because of the increased fire hazard.
It is possible that such an abundance of information about the types of linoleum will further complicate the choice. Moreover, most modern linoleums are heterogeneous and can combine several different layers. That is why European manufacturers have developed a special standard EN685, in which linoleums are divided into classes depending on the strength characteristics and scope of application in certain rooms. Each class is designated by a two-digit numerical code and a corresponding pictogram.
The first number in the class indicates:
- 2 - linoleum is intended for residential use.
- 3 - for office or commercial premises.
- 4 - for industrial premises.
The second number in the class indicates the degree of load that linoleum can withstand:
Household linoleum
Linoleum, belonging to classes 21-23, is usually called household. According to EN685 standards, it must have the following characteristics:
- Specific weight 1.25-2.25 kg / m 2.
- Thickness - from 0.15 to 3 mm.
- Flexibility and elasticity should be such that no cracks should form when wound on a 45 mm rod.
- Sound absorption - not less than 13-18 dB.
- Water absorption should be no more than 1-1.5%.
- Shrinkage during operation - no more than 0.2 mm per 1 meter.
The cost of household linoleum from well-known manufacturers can range from 3 to 10 euros per square meter.
Semi-commercial linoleum
Linoleum, which belongs to classes 31-34, is called semi-commercial, and it is intended mainly for office and office space. Must have the following characteristics:
- Specific gravity 1.6-2.5 kg / m 2.
- Elasticity and flexibility should be such that when winding on a cylinder with a diameter of 10-40 mm, no cracks should form in the linoleum.
- Sound absorption should be at least 12-16 dB.
- Shrinkage during operation - no more than 0.1 mm per 1 meter.
- The service life guaranteed by the manufacturer is at least 7-20 years.
Semi-commercial linoleum is an excellent solution for modern offices
The cost of semi-commercial linoleum ranges from 5 to 15 euros per square meter. A slight difference in the price of household and semi-commercial linoleum makes it advisable to use it for domestic purposes in those rooms where there is an increased load on the floor covering: kitchens, hallways and others.
Commercial linoleum
If linoleum belongs to classes from 41 to 43, then it is called commercial. Its purpose is in rooms with intensive movement of people and equipment. Such linoleums have a hardened layer-film (up to 0.8 mm), even lower shrinkage (0.02-0.1 mm / m) and a warranty period of operation (from 10 to 25 years).
The relatively high cost of such linoleum (10-40 euros per square meter), combined with technical characteristics that are excessive for apartments and houses, make its use in residential premises impractical. Some commercial linoleums may have special uses:
- Sports surfaces that are soft and resilient for good contact with sports shoes.
- Coatings that are resistant to chemicals and have bactericidal properties, which are very useful in medical institutions.
- Anti-slip coatings near pools and other areas with high humidity.
- Antistatic coatings.
The thickness of the protective layer of linoleum
Most modern linoleums have on their surface a durable protective film made of pure PVC. It is its thickness that should be taken into account when choosing linoleum, depending on the purpose of the room. Manufacturers offer the following gradation:
- A 0.15 mm thick film is quite suitable for using such linoleum in living rooms and bedrooms.
- A protective layer of 0.20 mm will be optimal for children's rooms.
- 0.25 mm - for kitchens, hallways and corridors.
- 0.30 mm - service and office space with an average load.
- A protective layer of 0.50 mm or more - for rooms with high and very high loads.
Find out what methods are used for, from our new article.
Linoleum marking
When choosing linoleum, all its technical data must be provided by the seller along with the necessary certificates: compliance and hygiene. Manufacturers of high-quality linoleum always put their logo on the back, as well as all the information that will greatly help the buyer:
- Linoleum class - will help you make the right choice.
- Lot number - if you plan to purchase a large amount of linoleum, then it is desirable that it be from one batch.
- Date of manufacture.
Also, the manufacturer can apply additional pictograms that indicate the special properties of the coating. Such possible designations are shown in the figure.
Prices for a popular line of linoleums for home
Linoleum for home
How to choose linoleum correctly?
Now that there is complete clarity with the types of existing linoleums, you can indicate a number of important points that will help you make the right choice.
- You should purchase linoleum only in specialized stores where all storage requirements are met, and there is also a full set of accompanying documents confirming compliance with standards and safety.
- Depending on the purpose of the room, a linoleum class is selected and it is better to do this with some margin: one step higher than necessary.
- Particular attention should be paid to the thickness of the linoleum, its strength and the presence of an upper protective layer.
- It is necessary to strive to ensure that the linoleum flooring does not have connecting seams or there are a minimum of them. This is achieved by carefully measuring the premises and choosing the rolls of the required width.
- The modern variety of colors, textures, patterns of linoleum allows you to make any choice, but at the same time, you must take into account the purpose of the room, pleasant color schemes for a comfortable stay in it and the preferences of all household members.
- In rooms with possible strong pollution, it is better to use glossy linoleum.
- When buying, you must carefully examine the entire surface of the linoleum and make sure that there is no damage.
- Poor preparation of the base and an illiterate one can negate all the advantages of this coating.
Video: How to choose the right linoleum for your home?
To make the right choice of linoleum for an apartment, you need to determine the criteria that it must meet in a particular room. To do this, define:
- maximum floor load (permeability, use of furniture on wheels, walking in shoes with heels, etc.);
- specific conditions (high humidity, temperature drops, etc.);
- room design.
A festive and elegant look can be created using a finishing material in light pastel colors.
Juicy colors (green, orange, etc.) will fill the atmosphere of fun and cheerfulness.
How to choose high-quality linoleum for an apartment - useful tips from professionals
- If linoleum has a pungent and strong smell, then cheap and low-quality raw materials were used in the production. A quality coating (natural and artificial) should be odorless.
- You have the right to demand from the seller a certificate of compliance of this coating with technical, fire and sanitary standards.
- Buy linoleum from a specialty store that stores materials in a heated room.
- Choose a covering that is wide enough to fit seamlessly. So it will have a more presentable appearance and will not cause hassle with styling.
- If you buy different pieces, make sure that they are from the same batch and match in shade.
- Check the quality of the unfolded coverage. If there are bumps or waves on the surface, they will not smooth out.
- A peeling top layer, burrs on the edges, or poorly printed design indicate a defect.
- Choose a coating with additional special properties (sound insulation, antistatic, etc.) only if necessary. You shouldn't overpay for them if their availability is not important.
- In the store, pay attention to the weight of the material. The heavier it is, the higher its density and longer service life.
- You cannot fold linoleum by bending it. Roll the front sides inward.
If you find a defect in the covering of the house, do not despair. According to the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights” (Article 18), you have the right to:
- price drop;
- replacement for a product of a similar brand (model) or another brand, with compensation in the price difference;
- return the defective product and return the money in full.
Modern linoleum perfectly imitates the color and texture of various materials (tiles, stone, parquet). However, some housewives note that linoleum with a rough texture requires more thorough cleaning.
In places with a high degree of pollution, it is advised to lay linoleum in dark shades or with an abstract pattern. You should abandon the light floor in the kitchen and in the hallway.
Many people note that laying linoleum does not require special skills. This allows you to make the installation yourself.
Which linoleum company to choose for an apartment?
As for the question of which company is better to lay in an apartment, here preference should be given to proven brands. They have been supplying their products to the market for more than one year. The quality of their products has already been studied and evaluated by consumers.
Tarkett is one of the leading Russian firms, whose product quality meets international standards. From foreign manufacturers, consumers prefer
At the last stage of the renovation of the premises, the question arises of choosing a decorative floor covering. If there are no special preferences, then your choice can be made in favor of an inexpensive, but quite durable and popular material - linoleum. But the difficulty is that choosing high-quality linoleum for an apartment is not so easy because of the rich assortment.
Linoleum is a decorative material made in the form of a dense roll coating. Its subdivision takes place depending on the underlying material and the strength class of the coating. Let's figure out how to choose the right linoleum for an apartment so that you don't have to change it in a couple of years.
Natural linoleum consists of a jute fabric impregnated with linseed oil, wood flour and resin. Such a coating is safe for human health, therefore, its installation is allowed in any premises.
PVC linoleum consists of synthetic polymers and dyes, so the colors of the coating are distinguished by their sophistication and variety. Due to the low cost of the basic materials for the manufacture of linoleum, its final cost remains affordable. But along with the advantages there are also disadvantages - the material is fire hazardous.
PVC linoleum is divided into three types:
- Homogeneous is a coating without a base, it consists of limestone, talc and kaolin. The main advantage of this coating is its high strength, which allows it to be used in the most severe conditions. The choice of colors is limited to monochromatic shades.
- Heterogeneous (composite) is a material consisting of several layers: a fiberglass structure, polyvinyl chloride foam, a decorative layer and a protective layer in the form of a transparent film. It is not as durable as a homogeneous analogue, but the richness of the colors of this coating is practically unlimited in both color combinations and patterns.
- Mixed consists of foamed PVC, fiberglass and polyurethane film.
Rubber linoleum consists of synthetic rubber or rubber compounds. The coating has several layers. Each of them performs its own functions. The front cover has an attractive appearance and protective functions. The bottom layer replaces the underlay and provides good adhesion to the substrate.
Alkyd linoleum consists of a fabric coated with alkyd resin and other fillers. The coating is produced in various colors. Such linoleum has thermal and sound insulation. But at the same time it is fragile and unstable to temperature changes.
Synthetic linoleum is unstable to high temperatures, therefore, when heated, its structure is destroyed and substances that are harmful to human health are released.
Classes
Linoleum is divided into strength classes: household, semi-commercial, commercial and commercial special. Each of them has its own strength characteristics and is intended for laying in rooms with a certain load (traffic). Each species is designated by a two-digit number. The first number indicates the class of linoleum, and the second indicates its thickness (strength).
- Domestic has the lowest strength indicators. Marking: 11, 12, 13, 14. That is, the first unit indicates that the linoleum is household, and the second indicates the thickness of the protective layer.
- Semi-commercial used in rooms with low traffic - living quarters. The marking is the same: 21, 22, 23, 24.
- Commercial used in rooms with heavy loads: offices, shops, corridors. Marking: 31, 32, 33, 34.
- Commercial special linoleum is used in production or storage facilities. Marking 41, 42, 43, 44.
Characteristics of household linoleums
Household linoleum is a decorative coating for rooms with low traffic (traffic), for example, a bedroom. Such a coating is not designed to withstand high mechanical stresses, therefore it is very easily deformed and destroyed.
Household linoleum can be of various types:
- Foam-based (PVC). This type of coating consists of several layers laid on a fiberglass backing. Its distinctive feature is its strength and variety of colors and patterns.
- On felt or jute base, it can be covered with a layer of PVC or natural products. The distinctive properties of this coating are softness when walking and a warm surface. However, the strength characteristics are inferior to PVC linoleum.
Another important characteristic of household linoleum is coating thickness... It varies between 1-4 mm and directly affects the strength. The front side of linoleum is covered with a protective film to increase durability, and there is also antibacterial protection. This coating is used in children's rooms.
How to choose high-quality linoleum for an apartment
Not all manufacturers follow the technology for manufacturing floor coverings. Such linoleum does not meet quality standards and is practically unusable. It will lose its decorative properties in a couple of years. Let's figure it out,.
Signs of quality material
- Smell. Synthetic materials do not have a pronounced odor. Natural linoleum smells like linseed oil, but it cannot be confused with the smell of chemicals that are impregnated with low-quality linoleum. A distinct "chemical" odor also indicates that the coating is unsafe for human health.
- The linoleum surface should not shine like a varnished coating.
- Linoleum storage should be carried out in an appropriate climate, since changes in temperature and humidity of the ambient air have a destructive effect on the coating. Therefore, it is better to purchase material in closed stores equipped with climatic equipment.
- Certified product. High-quality linoleum has documents confirming that it has been tested. They can be requested from the seller. In addition to the documents, special marks are made on the cover itself.
- Before purchasing the material, it is necessary to unfold the roll on the floor and make a visual inspection for the presence of visible defects: sharp bends, peeling of the protective layer, dents, cracks and abrasions. It is better not to purchase material with defects, even at a reduced price, because they are most likely unrecoverable.
Precautions after purchase
- Linoleum needs to be rolled into a roll, but not folded, because despite its flexibility it can deform.
- The folding of the cover is done with the front side inward. You should also avoid sticking tape to the front surface of the coating.
- When folding a roll of linoleum, one should take into account its size, whether it will fit into the car, whether it will pass through the entrance.
- It is better to buy a coating with a small margin. After all, it is not always possible to buy a small piece of the same coating.
The choice of color and shade of linoleum
- If the room is living, then warm colors will work very well, but you should choose shades that go well with the general interior and furniture. If a wood-colored coating is used, then the choice can be made to match the doors and the skirting boards can be matched to the color.
- The color of linoleum for the kitchen and hallway is chosen from dark and non-marking shades, but the choice is made in accordance with the interior of the room.
- The color of the nursery flooring can be chosen from bright colors and with an interesting structure.
- In addition to the color of linoleum, there is also a structure: longitudinal, transverse and diagonal lines. Each of them creates its own visual effect of increasing the space of the room.
Now you know how to choose high-quality linoleum for your home. It remains only to choose the color and texture of the coating to highlight the interior of the room.
Video - how to choose linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality and performance class:
When choosing a floor covering for your home, you need to take this issue seriously enough. After all, it carries in itself not only an aesthetic component, but is also a restraining element for loads.
Not all areas in an apartment are exposed to the same effects. The most passable, which means that they have a large load on the floor, are the corridor and the kitchen. The living room is a special room in which we not only spend our leisure time, but also receive guests. Therefore, the floor covering in it should be not only practical, but also beautiful.
Varieties
For many years, linoleum has been the undoubted leader among floor coverings. It is suitable for any premises, you just need to make the right choice. The hall is no exception.
Here are the main points to look out for when choosing linoleum flooring for your living room.
There are several variations of the types of linoleum:
- household: wear resistance class - 21-23, protective layer thickness - 0.3 mm, withstands small loads;
- semi-commercial: wear resistance class - 31-32, protective layer thickness - 0.5 mm, withstands medium loads;
- commercial: wear resistance class - 33, protective layer thickness - 0.6 mm, withstands sufficiently large and long-term loads.
For a living room, household linoleum will be enough, since the permeability of this room is small.
The material is of great importance.There are products to choose from: polyvinyl chloride, rubber, natural, colloxylin, glyphthalic.
In the hall, choose a PVC covering with a jute or felt base. Professionals say that this material is best suited for the living room.
There are several types of it:
- homogeneous: has 1 layer with admixtures of lime and quartz sand. It is elastic and quite easy to shape. But due to its small thickness it quickly deteriorates. In addition, all the unevenness of the floor is visible through it;
- heterogeneous: consists of several layers, each of which performs its own function: protective, shock-absorbing, decorative.
Choose the second option of PVC covering for the hall. It will hide floor defects, provide thermal insulation, and will last for a long time.
How to choose?
To choose a quality floor covering for your room, follow some guidelines:
- In the cold season, it is better to buy linoleum in a store, and not on the market, since it tends to deform under the influence of low temperatures. In addition, it is more convenient to inspect the canvas for defects in the store.
- To find out what size the purchased product should be, measure the area of \u200b\u200byour hall and leave allowances on all sides by a few centimeters.
- Pay attention to the smell. A quality product should not emit "aroma". This is unacceptable for a recreation area.
- You cannot ignore this type of linoleum, like marmoleum. It is made from natural materials and has two positive qualities at once: odorless and antibacterial. And this is very important if there are children in your house, because the living room often becomes their play area.
- A product with an anti-slip layer is ideal for a living room without carpets.
You should also consider one nuance. If you choose linoleum not for an apartment, but for a sports, concert, assembly hall, then the selection criteria here are slightly different. The main thing that one has to rely on is that all of the above audiences have a high degree of passability, that is, they are exposed to a large mechanical load: walking, rearranging furniture, exposure to heels. Therefore, the linoleum covering for these halls must, above all, be durable.
For this purpose, choose at least a semi-commercial type, and preferably a commercial one with anti-slip properties.
Color spectrum
After the choice on the structure of linoleum is made, the most pleasant thing remains - to decide on the color. There are some rules here as well.
If your living room is spacious enough, any color will suit the floor: light, dark, bright. Moreover, dark shades will be more practical to use. If the living room is small, choose light colors for the linoleum coating. They visually expand the space and get rid of the oppressive atmosphere.
It must be remembered that the floor, like any other part of the room, must be combined with the interior.
If your living room is made in a classic style, use linoleum in warm, discreet colors for it. For modern styles, more daring solutions in the form of bright colors are suitable. And minimalism is favorably emphasized by floor coverings in black and white colors.
Gender can become an accentuation of attention in your room. If the interior items are made in a calm, discreet style, and there is no carpet, enliven the room with beautiful linoleum with an ornament or a large pattern.
Correctly selected, they can visually stretch or expand the space if necessary.
If your floor is still decorated with a carpet, then the linoleum covering should be laid in a monochromatic and discreet so that it creates a background and favorably emphasizes the pattern of the carpet. Also, modesty in color is advised to be observed if all components of the interior have rich, catchy tones.