You can quickly and inexpensively insulate the floor of a room using insulated linoleum. One of the most popular coatings is linoleum. It consists of materials that provide high strength, wear resistance and reliability of the coating. This material is relatively inexpensive, but has high performance qualities. Linoleum can be commercial, semi-commercial and household. Insulated linoleum is used in rooms with too cold concrete or wooden floors. It may have a different basis: you need to pay attention to this when purchasing it.
Types of felt-based linoleum
When the room has a cold floor, it requires either thorough insulation or the use of materials that can provide the surface with thermal insulation. Linoleum is an excellent coating that does not require large material costs, unlike installing a heated floor. Insulated linoleum is used to insulate the floor without additional material costs.
Thick linoleum is often used to cover uneven surfaces to hide cracks and deformations in the floor.
Linoleum can have a different base with complex structure. At the same time, manufacturers offer a wide range of coatings with a variety of designs: geometric, abstract, thematic. This linoleum is elastic, which ensures comfortable movement on the surface.
Popular and in demand today is linoleum on felt base
Types of bases for linoleum:
- Foamed. Characterized by a complex structure. It consists of a top decorative layer. The middle layer is made of foam rubber. It creates excellent thermal insulation and also protects against the penetration of excess noise. The material is quite effective, despite its thinness. The coating is practical and easy to care for.
- Warm. It consists of a film that is glued to the base of a jute or felt surface. The coating has a soft, pleasant surface. The disadvantage is that the top layer is vulnerable to damage. This material should not be laid in a room with high traffic, or in a room with high humidity.
The choice of material quality directly depends on where the linoleum will be laid. It is important to consider the characteristics of the room, its traffic, humidity level and floor finish. Reviews about each type of warm linoleum can be read on the Internet.
How to choose the right warm linoleum
Modern warm linoleum is no longer made from natural materials. Artificial materials have proven their reliability, strength and wear resistance. Warm linoleum can be divided into several types, depending on what base it has. Methods for laying linoleum also depend on what materials it is made from.
For example, linoleum with a felt base can be laid on the floor without preliminary screed.
For installation in residential areas with cold floors, especially on the first floors, felt linoleum is used, which perfectly stores heat and does not allow cold to pass through. It is this kind of linoleum that is best used for a summer house if it is not possible to install a heated floor. In order for linoleum to last a long time, when choosing it you need to follow the advice of professionals.
When choosing insulated linoleum, attention should be paid to its quality and main characteristics
Tips for choosing warm linoleum:
- Linoleum based on jute or felt is best laid in a room with high level humidity.
- If the floor will bear a heavy load, it is better to lay foamed linoleum on it.
- It is important to select linoleum decor to match general style into the interior. When laying, make sure that the design or pattern matches.
- The width of the linoleum should be such that there are not too many joints on the floor.
The choice of linoleum should be influenced by how wear-resistant it is. The service life of the surface will depend on the class of linoleum. When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to product quality certificates.
Layers of linoleum on a foam base
The structure of foam-based linoleum is quite complex. The thickness of linoleum is large enough to provide the surface with heat and make it even. Linoleum with this type of base has a beautiful appearance, which contributes to its popularity among consumers.
One of known species linoleum, which is widely popular and has high-quality characteristics, is Tarkett.
This is linoleum with a heat-insulating surface, wear-resistant, durable and at the same time breathable. Its base consists of six layers, each of them performs its own function. Linoleum is thinner than felt-based flooring, but the addition of fiberglass makes it much stronger.
Many people prefer to choose insulated linoleum because it is easy to care for
Foamed linoleum layers:
- Transparent layer for protection;
- Decorative;
- Foam layer;
- Primed layer;
- Bottom foam layer;
- Back layer.
This is the most practical type flooring. It is easy to care for and wash. It is only important to remember that it is better to clean linoleum every day, and not just once after it becomes impossible to wash it from accumulated dirt and dust.
The process of laying linoleum with pile
This type of coating requires specific attention. It should be noted that choosing linoleum is a simple matter, because they choose it for long period time. The material has a two-cavity structure, which affects the characteristics of linoleum and its performance.
Linoleum with pile is perfect for those who love warmth, comfort and coziness: it is soft, elastic and easy to cover the floor surface with.
But it is worth noting that this material can only be laid in a dry room, since moisture can destroy the structure of linoleum and render it unusable. If the floor experiences heavy loads, it is likely that linoleum with pile may not withstand it. Therefore, before purchasing, it is important to take into account all the nuances and characteristics of the room in which linoleum is to be laid.
It is not difficult to lay linoleum, the main thing is
approach this process competently
How to prepare the floor:
- Remove old coating. Assess the condition of the floor without it. The finish must be good, otherwise repair work will need to be carried out.
- Lay a substrate that will serve as a transition layer. It is better to choose the jute option - it has a natural base.
- Covering the floor with plywood sheets will give the surface strength.
- Carry out waterproofing if the floor is covered with wood. To do this, put a film on it. Cover it with fiberboard, prime it, and cover it again with film.
The film floor is laid on top of this entire floor structure. Experts do not advise laying chipboard under linoleum - it’s quite brittle material which can cause the floor to collapse. Linoleum with pile is perfect for dry living spaces with normal humidity levels.
Types of insulated linoleum (video)
Insulated linoleum allows you to significantly save on installing heated floors. It is usually used on cold concrete wood surfaces. Linoleum can have several bases, but they all differ in their heat and sound insulation function. This quality largely depends on the thickness of the coating. You need to choose the material very responsibly, taking into account the characteristics of the room in which the linoleum will be laid. Linoleum comes in three types: household, commercial and semi-commercial. When purchasing, be sure to check the product quality certificate.
When choosing linoleum, we ask ourselves the following questions:
- will it fit into your interior in terms of color, pattern and texture;
- will it withstand the load on the floor;
- does it meet the requirements for moisture resistance, sound insulation and thermal insulation;
- Should I take it on a foam (PVC) basis or on a felt one?
And, of course, everyone would like the flooring to not require replacement for as long as possible and to survive until the next renovation.
What does “linoleum base” mean?
By linoleum base we mean the type of base layer of flooring that is in direct contact with the wood or concrete subfloor.
The reliability, strength, durability of linoleum, as well as sound and heat insulation characteristics directly depend on its thickness and configuration.
The base performs the following functions:
- leveling or masking irregularities (the more there are, the thicker the base layer should be);
- shock absorption – optimal elasticity of the coating helps relieve stress on the joints and spine;
- heat and sound insulation - in this case, the thickness of the layer also plays a role;
- protection of the top decorative layer, which consists in the fact that the base layer prevents the penetration of moisture into the upper layers of the material.
So that you can choose the best linoleum for your home or office, we offer you a short description of its basics.
Foam (PVC) base
Floor coverings based on foamed vinyl or PVC are more durable and resistant to moisture, so they are suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and other rooms with high humidity.
To the advantages of the foam base, manufactured mechanically, it also has high resistance to point and mechanical loads. This means that heel marks on your linoleum, like the prints of furniture legs after rearrangement, will quickly disappear.
Linoleum on such a basis has a relatively small shrinkage - 2 mm, but it is recommended to lay it on as level a floor as possible.
The disadvantages of such a basis we can say that it is thinner (1.5-3.5 mm), respectively, such linoleum is harder and less shock-absorbing. In addition, the PVC base loses its properties when exposed to temperatures exceeding 27 degrees, which should be taken into account if you have a heated floor.
Felt base
Compared to the previous one, this base layer is more environmentally friendly and thicker (up to 5 mm). It is warm and soft, so it represents perfect solution for first floors or private houses.
The thickness of the base provides good soundproofing properties linoleum.
Disadvantages of non-woven base can be called low moisture resistance, susceptibility to rotting and the appearance of fungus, so the presence of a damp and unheated basement under your apartment will inevitably lead to rapid deterioration of the coating. Today, the felt used for this base layer is impregnated with special waterproof and antifungal substances, which gives it relative moisture resistance
Also, compared to foam, the main felt layer is less resistant to point and mechanical loads - in other words, dents left behind by furniture and other heavy objects never disappear.
Felt-based linoleum can shrink up to 10 mm, so before fixing it with skirting boards, you need to let it sit for some time. But you can lay it on a not-so-even floor - the main thing is that it is dry, if protection from moisture is not provided. This linoleum is ideal for a bedroom, living room or nursery, where it will provide the necessary softness and comfort.
As you can see, the answer to the question “Which better base for linoleum? directly depends on the type and characteristics of the room for which this flooring will be used.
Whatever linoleum base you prefer, what is written below may be useful to you. There are 3 types of linoleum - household, commercial and semi-commercial, which differ in thickness, number of colors and patterns.
Household linoleum is characterized by a variety of colors, low price and availability, but its wear resistance is not so high - it will last no more than 5 years. The thickness of household floor coverings varies from 1.3 to 4.5 mm. It is this indicator that determines their reliability and durability.
Therefore, renovation experts advise laying a more durable and thicker (from 4.5 to 8 mm) semi-commercial floor covering on a felt or PVC base. It can withstand average operating loads, and its service life can reach 20 years.
The most wear-resistant is a commercial coating intended for premises with the highest traffic. It is the thickest (from 8 to 10 mm), and will last for more than 20 years, but you may not be satisfied with the limited selection of colors and some subtleties with styling.
Important: low-quality linoleum, containing various harmful additives, has a pungent odor and an unhealthy greasy sheen. Trust your sense of smell and all the necessary product certificates.
Like other building materials, linoleum is manufactured in accordance with GOST and must have the appropriate marking, consisting of 2 digits. If there is no marking or there is only one number, this indicates a violation of the manufacturing technology, which may affect the quality of the material.
It is better to purchase linoleum for the kitchen or other rooms in large stores, where it is more likely that it is in good condition. temperature conditions. In any case, it is worth making sure that you have a quality certificate.
It is always better to buy rolled linoleum in one piece. Coatings purchased in different stores may differ in texture and color shades, just like linoleum from different batches of goods.
Do not fold linoleum in half - it can only be rolled with the front part inward.
We hope we have answered many of your questions and wish you fast, inexpensive, high-quality and beautiful repairs!
If you need to insulate the floor, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, then perfect choice There will be linoleum on a felt base. It can be laid not only on a cold concrete floor, but also on an old wooden base. Since this coating has a significant thickness, it can be laid on an uneven surface that cannot be leveled.
The main advantage of this material can be considered the low cost for quick floor insulation. In addition, due to the thick layer of coating, it can be laid on a base that has a slight difference in height.
Felted wool is a good insulator
Additionally, the advantages of felt linoleum include:
- Variety of designs and colors;
- Softness of the floor to the touch;
- Affordable price range;
- Easy installation;
- Resistance to mechanical damage;
- Possibility of laying on uneven ground.
Along with the positive qualities, the coating also has disadvantages:
- Do not install in high traffic areas;
- It is not recommended to use in rooms with high humidity, as mold may form.
This fabric is easy to install These disadvantages are completely compensated by advantages. Affordable price and others positive traits felt-based materials completely cover the existing disadvantages.
Felt flooring is a multi-layer material. On the construction market, such coating is presented in two types.
5 layer structure
Insulated linoleum of five layers has the following structure:
- The first sublayer is made of high-strength polyurethane, which resists external influences;
- The second is protective, 0.7 mm thick;
- The third is the pattern;
- The fourth is an insulated layer (natural felt or jute or fiberglass);
- The fifth is a dense layer of polyvinyl chloride.
Sectional material Each layer fulfills its task assigned to it, and in general gives linoleum its characteristic qualities.
7 layer structure
To add rigidity and increased thermal insulation, manufacturers add two more layers to the coating. The felt covering, consisting of 7 layers, has the following structure:
- The first layer is made of durable polyacrylic or polyurethane;
- The second is protective, made of pure polyvinyl chloride with a thickness of 0.15-0.8 mm;
- The third is a decorative pattern;
- The fourth is made of foamed polyvinyl chloride;
- The fifth layer is fiberglass;
- The sixth layer is a felt backing for linoleum, foamed PVC or jute;
- The last layer (seventh) is protective.
Multilayer linoleum
It is not recommended to lay it in the bathroom In general, it is recommended to lay household or semi-commercial insulated linoleum on a felt basis in the bedroom, children's room, living room in a residential building and apartment on the ground floor. The premises on the ground floor have a cold concrete floor and require thermal insulation. Linoleum is perfect for this, as it has an additional warm layer (felt) that protects the room from cold air. In addition, it is pleasant to walk on this floor barefoot due to the soft-elastic properties of the material.
In order for the flooring to serve for a long time and show only positive qualities, it is necessary to glue it correctly, adjust it to the size of the room and secure it with a plinth. Before laying, be sure to check the moisture level of the base on which the felt linoleum will be laid. It is important to remember that when laying the material may shrink, so allowances should be left on all sides.
Insulated flooring is an excellent solution for the living room The pattern in this coating is applied over the entire thickness, so it can be washed using various detergents, and traces of abrasion will be barely noticeable.
When choosing felt material, it is better to select the width so that laying is done as a whole sheet. If this cannot be done, then the linoleum is laid end-to-end. The connection of sheets must be glued. There are a number of methods that will help you securely connect sheets of material.
Hot welding method
This method is expensive and requires sufficient quantity different instruments (special knives, welding hair dryer, special cord for it).
This technique is complex and expensive Before gluing the joint, linoleum on felt is well glued to the base. Then, at the joint, a recess is cut along the length, and excess parts of the material are removed. A hot welding hair dryer with a special nozzle at a temperature of 400 degrees Celsius is passed along a cord that is laid in a recess. After the molten cord hardens, the remains are cut off using a sharp knife.
After hardening, the seam is reliable and the composition matches the components of linoleum.
It is rarely used at home This method is only suitable for use by professional craftsmen and not for home use.
Cold welding
One of the reliable and simple ways gluing is the cold welding of linoleum on a felt base. To work you will need: a knife, a ruler, masking tape, cold welding.
First, the edges are carefully joined so that the pattern completely matches. Next the edges are glued masking tape so as not to be smeared by cold welding. The seam is cut with a knife, and felt-based linoleum glue is poured into the middle. The tape is removed after the weld has hardened.
Docking with installation of thresholds
This method is used at the junction of coatings made of different rooms. This connection is carried out as follows:
- Laying and joining of coating sheets according to the pattern;
- Threshold size determination;
- Adjustment to sill size;
- Secure the threshold using self-tapping screws.
May cause inconvenience in use in the future This fastening method is inexpensive and easy to implement. True, the protruding part of the threshold can cause inconvenience during operation. Also, there is difficulty in selecting suitable color under linoleum.
Using tape
Before laying felt linoleum, the base of the floor is well cleaned of debris and dust, and then primed. When laying sheets of covering, it is necessary that the pattern matches. Then tape is glued to the base of the floor where the two edges of the material meet. Gradually and carefully remove the film from the tape and glue the edges of the sheets. This method is considered not very reliable for firmly connecting joints.
This is not the most reliable option
Insulated linoleum can be found from many manufacturers. When choosing a coating, you should pay attention to three main characteristics: wear resistance, the overall thickness of the material and the thickness of the protective layer.
First of all, you need to look at the thickness For apartments, it is advisable to give preference to wear resistance class 23 and a coating thickness of at least 3 mm with a protective layer of 0.3-0.4 mm.
Each manufacturer sets its own prices for Decoration Materials. The table below shows the manufacturers and approximate prices on felt flooring.
Perhaps such a coating is not durable compared to expensive tiles or parquet, but you can change the floor every 10 years without significant financial costs.
This material is a simple solution for flooring Brand Tarkett
Felt-based Tarquette linoleum is one of the best products of this company. Tarkett produces products highest quality. Felt covering comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. This makes it possible to choose flooring for any design solution.
Hello Dear blog readers! Get ready, as this topic will be very voluminous and dedicated to which linoleum is best for an apartment. In the modern construction market you can see hundreds of options of varying quality and from different manufacturers. The color variations of linoleum can also excite the imagination. Why is linoleum so popular? The fact is that this is the most popular flooring among the population with average income. They also love it for its durability and ergonomics. In our topic, let's start with everything in order.
Summary of this article:
Which linoleum is better to choose for an apartment - domestic, commercial or semi-commercial?
There is no specific and uniquely correct answer to this question. If we start talking about household linoleum, then, as the name suggests, it is used mainly only in residential areas.
Among the advantages in it are the following:
- Economical. It has a very attractive price.
- Very easy to care for. You don't need any expensive special equipment.
- As we stated, it has a rich color palette.
- Very elastic and easy to transport.
- It insulates the room well.
- Has good moisture resistance.
As for the semi-commercial option, it is worth saying that it is something between the household and commercial options. It can be installed in moderate traffic areas, which basically means you can install it if you have a large family home. It has almost the same advantages. It's just a little more expensive.
It’s up to you to decide which linoleum is best to lay, commercial or semi-commercial, or household. All options are well suited for home use. The last thing that could be noted is that when choosing household linoleum you still have great freedom in terms of color and type of coating (there are those imitating wood, parquet and others).
Commercial linoleum is not often used for laying on apartment floors, because... its cost compared to household and semi-commercial types is very high. If your budget for repair costs is “rubbery,” then this is a pretty good option for flooring that will easily serve you for more than 10 years without any jams, creases, etc.
Which linoleum is better - foam or felt?
Foam-based linoleum is usually made using foamed PVC onto fiberglass. The advantage of foam-based linoleum is its strength. Also resistant to high moisture. One of the disadvantages of such linoleum is the price, which is several points higher than its analogues.
As for the felt base, the advantages of such linoleum include its elasticity and softness of the coating. This, by the way, directly affects the comfort of use.
This option is much cheaper than a foam base, but unlike the latter, the pattern in linoleum with a felt base is applied to its entire thickness, which means that when “wiping” it will not lose its appearance.
Based on this, we can conclude that in this matter you should be guided by what is most important to you - durability and strength or appearance. As you can see, everything is extremely simple.
What sizes of linoleum are there?
Now let's move on to the numbers part. As for the size of linoleum, the situation is as follows:
- According to building codes, the thickness of linoleum ranges from 0.7 mm to 4.5 mm. There is also an option less than a millimeter thick, but such material, as you might already guess, is completely unsuitable for everyday use.
- The most common thickness of linoleum is from 1.5 to 3 mm. Thanks to this thickness, sound insulation and thermal insulation are well maintained.
How wide is linoleum?
Regarding width, the following options are available on the construction market:
- 2 meters.
- 2.5 meters.
- 3 meters.
- 3.5 meters.
- 4 meters.
- 5 meters.
As you can see, there are enough variations in width, which will allow you to avoid a large number of seams when laying. We already spoke in more detail about the possible width of linoleum once in an article - be sure to study what width linoleum is.
What classes is linoleum divided into based on wear resistance and fire safety?
According to wear resistance, linoleum is divided into the following classes:
- Virtually indestructible (dense wear-resistant linoleum).
- Lightly abraded.
- Moderately abrasive.
- Heavily abraded.
As for fire safety, things are much more interesting here. To protect yourself, you should choose it according to the following parameters:
- Flammability.
- Toxicity.
- Smoke formation.
- Speed of smoke spread.
Now in more detail..
Flammability is one of the most important indicators of fire safety. In this regard, linoleum has the following marks - from G1 to G4. In this case, G1 indicates low or no flammability, while G4 is an indicator of easy flammability.
When purchasing coverage, be sure to pay attention to these labels. Especially if the linoleum is placed in a room where there is frequent contact with fire. Practice shows that G4 linoleum is prohibited from being laid where it is necessary to evacuate people in case of fire.
As for toxicity, this indicator characterizes the amount of toxic substances released during a fire. The toxicity level here is determined in a similar way to the flammability marks - from T1 to T4.
The T1 coating is low-toxic, while the T4 coating is highly toxic and can cause rapid poisoning of the body when the material burns.
Smoke generation is another one important factor. It shows the amount of smoke released during combustion. D1 – practically does not emit smoke when burning. D4 – when burning, a large amount of smoke is generated and the room becomes smoky very quickly.
The speed of smoke spread refers to the indicators above. RP1 – smoke spreads slowly or does not spread at all. RP4 – when a fire occurs, almost instantaneous smoke occurs.
To summarize, let’s say that when choosing linoleum, do not forget to pay attention to all the accompanying marks. This will protect you and your home from unforeseen circumstances.
According to European standards, linoleum has a certain two-digit marking. The first number characterizes the type of room. The second is the intensity of the load.
The first number is as follows:
- 2 – living quarters.
- 3 – office premises.
- 4 – production premises.
The second number is as follows:
- 1 – low load intensity.
- 2 – average load intensity.
- 3 – high load intensity.
- 4 – very high load intensity.
If you choose linoleum, then follow the following markings:
- 21 – premises for short-term use (this includes, for example, bedrooms)
- 22 – linoleum for living rooms, kitchens, children's rooms.
- 23 – linoleum for hallways, corridors and common areas in communal apartments.
These are the main residential markings. After them there are already markings for the numbers 3 and 4. This linoleum is already suitable only for hotels, commercial premises, shops, warehouses, etc.
Is natural or artificial linoleum better for an apartment?
This question is very interesting and almost always excites the minds of those who are going to choose linoleum. So let's figure out which linoleum to choose for your apartment.
In the production of linoleum from natural components, oak bark flour and ordinary wood flour are used. Various organic oils and pine resin are often added.
Practice shows that linoleum made from natural ingredients is an environmentally friendly material and is especially popular among those people who have children or allergies.
It is suitable for those who decide to save money, but it is worth remembering that this material is not as fireproof as its natural counterpart (due to the lack of oils). It also has a rather unpleasant chemical smell.
Our advice is the following - if you are faced with the choice of natural or artificial linoleum, then pay attention to such factors as the frequency of use of the room and the presence of children or pets. These are the most basic things to focus on.
These two concepts may turn out to be a dark forest for the average buyer. In fact, everything is simpler than it seems, and we will help you not to get confused in this terminology and easily distinguish one material from another and not make a mistake when purchasing.
Heterogeneous linoleum what is it?
Heterogeneous linoleum is linoleum that consists of several layers. Their thickness is usually from 2 to 6 mm. The basis of such linoleum is reinforcing fiberglass, which is coated with PVC.
Various patterns are applied to the PVC on top. It is worth saying that heterogeneous linoleum is a rather difficult material to produce.
Homogeneous linoleum what is it?
Unlike heterogeneous linoleum, homogeneous is a homogeneous material. Its thickness varies from 1.5 to 3 mm. Also, the main difference between homogeneous linoleum is that it provides more narrow choice drawings.
It is also worth considering that this linoleum already has a specialization - it is most often used in shops, corridors of public places, and front doors.
Now let's move on to the main question - which of these two linoleum is better for an apartment?
The answer will be clear - the best option for an apartment is a heterogeneous option. Homogeneous ones have one very unpleasant property - it is almost impossible to clean it with ordinary detergents due to the presence of lime in it.
It absorbs dirt well and may need to be cleaned Grinder, which is not a very good option at home. Therefore it is worth leaving this option more for technical rooms.
As for heterogeneous linoleum, in terms of cleaning, the usual detergent soap-based, which is always available at home.
Most people are interested in a reasonable question - which company is the best linoleum for laying on the floor in an apartment? We answer... Today, linoleum from the Tarkett company is considered the best and most reliable option.
Of course, there are other linoleum manufacturers, whose products can also be safely laid on the floors of apartments. For example, such as – Grabo (Grabo), Forbo (Forbo), Ideal (Ideal), Gerflor (Gerflor), Juteks (Juteks) and others.
Their price/quality ratio is very good, i.e. when laying on the floor, you can be sure that the flooring will not wear out to holes in the coming years.
That's all. Now you know which company (brand) is best to lay linoleum on the floor in your apartment. The choice is naturally yours - we only give advice and recommendations.
Next, we will consider the nuances of choosing linoleum for a certain type of home space. This is a very important part of our article, since, based on all of the above, you can see that linoleum is not such a simple material as it might seem at first glance.
Which linoleum to choose for the kitchen?
There is no need to hide the fact that linoleum has already become a traditional material for the kitchen, which continues to be popular. The kitchen is a very finicky place, so the choice of flooring should be approached with the utmost care.
The most important question to ask yourself when choosing linoleum is natural or synthetic coating?
If you decide to choose natural coating, then you can be sure that it will consist of environmentally friendly materials. It will have the following advantages:
- The coating will be hygienic.
- Fire resistant thanks to natural materials.
- You can choose from a wide variety of coloring pages.
- It is resistant to heat, which means that a heated floor system can be installed underneath it.
Synthetic material differs from natural material only in some respects. Advantages of synthetics:
- Has dielectric properties.
- Resistant to heat.
- It has a low price, unlike its natural counterpart.
So what should you choose? Here it is worth considering that natural material is more expensive, while synthetic material is more accessible. The main advice is that if you have the money, then of course you should choose the natural option.
But if you decide to save money, then synthetics will also be a good choice. We talked in more detail about choosing linoleum specifically for the kitchen in the article - I advise you to study which linoleum for the kitchen to choose.
What is the best linoleum for the bathroom?
Regarding the choice of linoleum for the bathroom, there are the following basic tips that must be strictly followed:
- Choose waterproof linoleum. In the bathroom the humidity is much higher than in other parts of the house/apartment.
- You should definitely choose options with a coating that has ribbed elements. They will protect you from unexpected falls, since linoleum becomes a very slippery surface after water gets in.
- Also choose linoleum that will be resistant to physical activity objects pressing on him ( washing machine, sink, etc.), and also, which will withstand exposure to various detergents.
Masters advise using homogeneous coatings in the bathtub.
How to choose the right linoleum for the bedroom?
Everyone knows that a person spends almost a third of his life in the bedroom. And for the bedroom, linoleum made only from natural materials is more suitable than ever.
Since such linoleum is bactericidal, it will have a pleasant effect on your well-being. It also withstands sunlight well and does not emit harmful substances into the air.
By the way, natural linoleum in the bedroom is very suitable for people with allergies or bronchial asthma.
How to choose the right linoleum for a living room in an apartment?
For the hall you should choose household linoleum. Pay attention to the thickness - it should be average, since the hall is a place with moderate load.
A semi-commercial option is perfect. It must have a wear resistance class of 21-23. Good options for the hall you can call linoleum on a jute or felt basis.
These materials are quite elastic, soft and retain heat well. It is very pleasant to walk on them and they are absolutely safe for your health. A nice bonus is that these materials are easy to wash and easy to care for.
If you have pets, then due to the antistatic properties, wool will not stick to them (the materials).
Which linoleum should I use for the hallway and corridor?
Most craftsmen advise choosing semi-commercial type linoleum for the hallway and corridor. It is ideal for the reasons that the corridor is the place with the highest traffic in the apartment.
Semi-commercial linoleum will not allow shoe marks to appear on it. Also, practice shows that it is almost impossible to damage this coating by force.
Choose semi-commercial linoleum on a foam basis - it will last longer, unlike other options. As for colors, semi-commercial linoleum, although not replete with the same print options as are available in household ones, still has plenty to choose from.
How to choose linoleum for a children's room?
The most basic advice in choosing linoleum for a children's room is naturalness. Among children Lately there may be a large number of allergy sufferers and linoleum made from natural materials in this case will best choice from your side.
Remember that a children's room is a rather aggressive place. Your child will play with toys there and drop things on the floor. Naturally this will affect its integrity.
The second main piece of advice is to avoid frequent replacement of the flooring, you should choose linoleum with a thickness of at least 3 mm for the children's room. Foam-based household linoleum is perfect.
As for colors, it is better to choose a material as bright as possible for the children's room. This will delight and cheer up not only you, but also your child.
Which linoleum is best to lay on a wooden floor?
Perhaps most people experience severe wear and tear wooden surfaces. This is especially true for gender. Over time, it loses its original appearance, which even careful polishing cannot restore. What to do in this case? The answer is simple - lay linoleum. But the next question arises - which linoleum is best placed on a wooden floor?
For laying on a wooden floor, it is better to choose linoleum with good thermal insulation properties. In combination with wood, this will give an excellent effect and heat will be retained in the room for a long time. As for its options, it all depends on the room in which it will be used, so it’s up to you to decide whether to choose a household, semi-commercial or commercial option.
As for the specifics, linoleum is well suited for wooden floors. tissue based. Also linoleum without a base, which has a uniform structure. Experts also recommend colloxyl linoleum; it is flexible and easy to install, but if the room is not ventilated for several days, a slight chemical smell remains.
Which linoleum is better to lay on a concrete floor?
Since a concrete floor is an inhospitable, cold covering, when choosing linoleum you should give preference only to multilayer options with a foamed and insulated base.
Why only this type? If you choose any other linoleum, then, of course, it will also fit well on concrete, but all year round you will notice that the floor is cold. This can have a major impact on your health.
Is it possible to paint linoleum and with what paint?
It just so happens that not everyone has the opportunity to immediately re-cover the entire coating after defects appear on the linoleum. Most resort to cunning methods. One of them is painting. Let's say straight away - linoleum can be painted. Another question is how coloring composition should I do this to prevent things from getting worse?
The most popular paints for linoleum are oil-based, alkyd and acrylic options. With them in order:
- Oil paints are the most a budget option. If you follow the dynamics of development of the construction market, then this paint is already outdated. But it fits well on the surface and does not create unevenness. Of the minuses, one can highlight only a rather sharp and bad smell during painting and during the drying process. This paint also needs to be renewed periodically, as it wears off over time.
- Alkyd paints are much more advanced, unlike the oil version. This paint is very elastic, resistant to water and is distinguished by its durability. It also does not fade in the sun. Dries quite quickly (in just a couple of hours). The only negative is that, like the oil version, it has a pungent odor when painting.
- Acrylic paints are the most suitable option for linoleum. Dries quickly and holds up well mechanical damage. The service life of such paints is very long. One of the nice little things is that the paint composition withstands chemical attack well (especially useful when you need to wash the floor with various means).
As we were able to find out, linoleum can be painted. The approach to paint depends only on the size of your budget. Of course, if it is not big, then they will suit you oil paints, if average or good - then alkyd and acrylic. But practice shows that it is better to pay money once for good material than to spend a lot of money on redoing the work later.
Is linoleum harmful to health?
After everything that we have listed in this article, a specific question creeps in - is linoleum harmful to health? As we found out, linoleum comes from natural material, but it comes from PVC and its analogues. The first one, of course, is completely safe.
The second can be harmful to children and adults with allergies. In fact, with proper care, linoleum made from artificial materials will also be safe. Simply, you should not neglect the rules of installation and care of the latter.
Most importantly, remember:
- If you have artificial linoleum, then ventilate the room at least once a day.
- Don't put artificial material in children's rooms and bedrooms.
- Use only specialized detergents.
Choosing flooring is one of the important stages of home improvement. Despite the variety of flooring materials, linoleum can be called a classic. This is a practical, cheap and durable material that has many advantages. You can find it on sale different types linoleum. One of them is felt-based linoleum.
What is special about this type of flooring? What are its advantages and disadvantages? How to choose material? What do users say about it? We will look at the answers to all questions, which will help you have a complete picture about felt linoleum.
Advantages and disadvantages
Everyone knows what linoleum is. This is a floor covering made from polymer materials. Felt-based linoleum is an insulated option. It is used for concrete floors to make operation more comfortable. Felt-based linoleum has disadvantages and advantages that characterize the material.
The advantages of the products include:
- Easy to care for. Dust and dirt will not be visible on the surface. Cleaning is a pleasure. The covering is easy to vacuum, sweep and wash. It is not afraid of wet cleaning.
- You can do the work of laying felt material yourself. This saves money. In addition, the floor does not need to be pre-prepared to perfection. The products are laid directly on the subfloor.
- Easy to use. Unlike wood or tiles, it is more pleasant and comfortable to move around. Many people walk on it barefoot, not afraid to drive a rolling pin into their feet.
- Due to the felt layer, the product acquires excellent sound and thermal insulation. This allows you to walk on the floor barefoot and not get sick. And if this is the second floor, then the felt material will protect it from noise from the first floor.
- The product has an affordable price, with all the positive aspects.
- A large assortment of products allows you to choose a variety of patterns on the surface. You can create harmonious design premises.
The disadvantages of the products include:
- short service life. Frequently used coating will last no more than 10 years;
- in comparison with its brother, foam-based linoleum, felt material is not as resistant to mechanical stress and is less wear-resistant;
- although upper layer can be washed by yourself roll material afraid of moisture. This means that the scope of use is decreasing. Use felt linoleum for the bathroom, kitchen and other rooms with high humidity it is forbidden.
There are clearly more positive aspects to felt linoleum. This is what makes the material so popular among many developers. The price-quality ratio also tempts many. But the choice of products depends on several other factors.
Structure of felt-based products
Although the thickness of linoleum is not very large, the products have a rather complex structure. It consists of several layers that play their role. Most often, the number of layers does not exceed 6. The bottom layer is the substrate, which consists of felt. It is due to this that linoleum acquires excellent thermal and sound insulation properties with a small thickness. The felt layer reaches 3 mm, no more. To make the rolled material tougher, it contains a layer of fiberglass. Another layer is decorative. This is what we see: drawing, imitation of material and patterns on the surface. Since it passes through the entire thickness of the layer, it can not wear off for a long time and retain its original appearance.
Roll material needs protection. This is why a protective layer is created. It consists of thin PVC, 0.15-0.8 mm thick. Another layer is applied behind it, protecting the product from dust and dirt that can penetrate the structure. This layer is made of polyurethane or polyacrylic.
Linoleum Tarquette
Felt-based Tarquette linoleum is one of the best products that occupies a leading position in the market. The company produces sex materials best quality. You can find linoleum on sale different colors and textures. The product is protected by a thick ball. With it, the coating is quite wear-resistant and can be used in high-traffic areas.
Now regarding the classes of linoleum. When choosing a product, first of all you need to know its classification. In Russia they use the European classification of products. It is a combination of two numbers. The first indicates the type of room where the roll material can be used, and the second indicates the load exerted on the coating. Here's an example:
- 2 - used for residential premises;
- 3 - used for office-type premises;
- 4 -- production premises.
Second digit:
- 1 - low wear resistance;
- 2 - average wear resistance;
- 3 - high wear resistance;
- 4 - very high wear resistance.
If we talk about Tarkett linoleum, then it is class 23/32. Its thickness is 3.2 mm, 0.5 mm of which is the protective layer. Class 23 is used for the corridor, common area. It is also placed in the hallway. Class 32 is used for children's institutions and boutiques. It can be seen in fitting rooms and office-type premises. The most wear-resistant linoleum is class 43. It is used for industrial production, storage facilities. For normal use, semi-commercial felt-based linoleum is suitable.
Rules for choosing warm linoleum
The main task when purchasing is to choose correct option, suitable for a particular room. To do this we will consider general recommendations concerning linoleum as a floor covering, as well as the features of felt products. Here's what to consider:
So, if you need to additionally insulate your concrete or wood floor, then felt-based linoleum is an excellent solution. But its properties do not allow the material to be used in some rooms. And if treated with care, the coating will last for many years. To do this, it is recommended to regularly clean the surface and perform wet cleaning.
Bonding linoleum on a felt base
Choosing linoleum is one thing, but laying it is quite another. Sometimes the store does not have a product that is suitable in width for the room. In this case, the linoleum is glued together. How to do it? There are several options for exactly how to do this.
Linoleum is joined in these simple ways.