Linoleum for an apartment
Along with laminate, linoleum for an apartment is a popular floor covering. In comparison with the status, but expensive and demanding in the installation and maintenance of parquet and carpet, laminate and linoleum benefit due to ease of use and low price. Laminate is more often in demand among buyers who doubt whether linoleum in the apartment is harmful to health. And those who competently build the choice of linoleum in an apartment, of course, know how to lay such a floor without harm.
Choosing linoleum for an apartment, the owners are lost. Which manufacturer is preferable, what is the average thickness of linoleum for an apartment, is it worth buying household or semi-commercial linoleum, is sound insulation of the floor in the apartment under linoleum necessary - we will consider these and other issues in this article.
The content of the article
Roll Coating Classification
How to choose linoleum for an apartment, the classifications will tell you - by composition (natural and artificial), by scope of application (household, semi-commercial, commercial and special) and by wear resistance class.
Product Composition
Natural linoleum costs more than artificial linoleum, so there is no reason to spend money to lay such linoleum on the floor in the whole apartment. It consists of cork or wood flour, linseed oil (which, incidentally, gave the name the first coating of this type), wood resins, natural coloring pigments and jute fibers.
Such a coating is environmentally friendly, will last for many years without losing its “marketable” appearance, does not accumulate static electricity and disinfects the air in the room due to the antibacterial properties of flax oil. The choice of linoleum in an apartment should be stopped in kind, if you have to lay a children's room or bedroom.
Artificial linoleum is divided into alkyd (glyphthalic), polyvinyl chloride, colloxylin and rubber.
Alkyd consists of a polymer mass (with the addition of glycerin, anhydride and other additives), superimposed on a fabric base. This is hardly a good linoleum for an apartment, since the increased fragility of the coating requires careful installation, otherwise cracks will appear.
Rubber includes 2 layers, the bottom is bitumen with crushed rubber, the top is pigment-colored rubber. Resists aggressive reagents and high humidity, loud noise. But over time, it will evaporate substances harmful to the human body. Such linoleum should not be laid on the floor in the apartment so as not to endanger the health of the family.
The basis for colloxylin linoleum is wood or cotton cellulose nitrate, cast in a thin layer without a backing. A very flexible coating, but increased flammability and susceptibility to alkalis and acids makes it an unsuitable option for a living room.
The choice of linoleum in the apartment, if you prefer a synthetic composition, it is worth stopping on PVC linoleum. Polyvinyl chloride coating is resistant to moisture, temperature extremes, chemicals used in everyday life, mechanical damage. However, it does not have the disadvantages inherent in other artificial coatings.
Product structure
PVC coating is further divided into homogeneous (single layer) and heterogeneous (consisting of several layers).If the extremely wear-resistant homogeneous linoleum pattern is applied in full depth and the structure of the entire coating is homogeneous, then in a heterogeneous pattern it contains only a decor layer. Under this layer is the base layer - used both from foamed PVC, and from jute or felt. And above the layer with the pattern, a layer of protection from pressed granules of polyvinyl chloride is applied (it is also called the working layer). There are coatings with additional layers. Despite their properties, builders recommend laying additional linoleum substrates in the apartment for reliable sound and heat insulation.
Homogeneous coating is often commercial, but heterogeneous - it is household and semi-commercial linoleum, which interests us more, because we decide which linoleum is better for an apartment, and not for an office building. Thus, we are smoothly approaching the classification of linoleum by application.
Fields of application
Many people know the concept of “linoleum class”, but not everyone knows how the numbers that define this concept are deciphered, and, accordingly, which linoleum class to choose for an apartment. In a two-digit number, which is affixed to the back of the coating along the entire roll, the first digit indicates the scope. 2 is household linoleum, 3 is semi-commercial, 4 is commercial. As a rule, commercial in residential premises is not applicable. This is due to the fact that there is no point in overpaying for coverage, which is designed for cross-country ability and loads that are tens of times higher than the real ones for a residential building. Builders will recommend that you choose linoleum household or semi-commercial for your apartment.
Wear class
To find out the linoleum wear resistance class, pay attention to the second digit in the double-digit number on the back of the coating. 1 will report low wear resistance, 2 - normal, 3 - high, 4 - very high. Accordingly, if 31 is indicated on the roll side, this is a semi-commercial coating with low wear resistance, and if 23 is household linoleum, which has high wear resistance. Which class of linoleum to choose for the apartment, choose, starting from the premises. 21 is suitable for a nursery and a bedroom, 31 and 32 are suitable for a kitchen, a living room, an entrance hall and a corridor in a large house. And if at home there are 1 or 2 people who do not often receive guests, 22-23 classes are also suitable.
Manufacturers Overview
In construction stores, an abundance of flooring manufacturers scatter eyes. The difference between the price categories makes you think deeply, and it’s easy to be disappointed in the help of consultants. They are likely to recommend a brand that is “stale” or whose representative they are, receiving interest on the sale. Therefore, we will make a brief review of the popular linoleum manufacturers represented on the Russian market.
Tarkett
The German-Russian manufacturer Tarkett supplies the market with both natural linoleum and other types of flooring - parquet, laminate, rubber and vinyl coatings, as well as specialized sports. Tarkett sells over a million square meters of flooring each year. Thousands of apartments, hotels, schools, hospitals, retail and office facilities, sports halls located in 100 countries are covered with flooring of this brand.
A synthesis of longstanding traditions with innovative technologies helps to create unique products. When choosing such linoleum for an apartment, beware of fakes, as often popular brands are faked. And for certified products, Tarkett is fully responsible.
Forbo
Forbo from the Netherlands offers its customers not only a wide range of floor coverings, but also construction adhesives, drive and light lifting and handling equipment. With 65% market share, Forbo Flooring Systems is a leader in the production of various floor coverings for commercial use: natural linoleum (Marmoleum), project vinyl, needle-punched carpeting, carpet tiles and flocked coatings. Forbo Marmoleum is supplied in rolls and tiles and is protected by Topshield's patented double protective layer. It prevents the formation of scratches and stains and helps to restore the coating during operation. A distinctive feature of Forbo's business is environmental concern, the choice of linoleum in an apartment from this brand will be a contribution to the mission.
Grabo
Grabo flooring is manufactured by the Hungarian concern Graboplast. For 30 years, this manufacturer has been a strong player in the arena of the international market, supplying high-quality, hygienic, high-tech linoleum and parquet. The attention of this brand is focused on specialized sports and stage coverings, but the semi-commercial linoleum, which is the best suited for the apartment, is also presented with five lines. Dirt-repellent and soundproofing properties will ensure comfortable use and easy cleaning from contamination. And the ease of installation will save on apartment renovation, while laying quality linoleum.
Juteks
Juteks is a joint project of Russia and Slovenia. Products attract attention at a low price, but this is not the only advantage of flooring from this brand. To increase the level of wear resistance, a thickened protective coating and an additional layer of fiberglass are used. Blue Line's patented technology enhances surface elasticity and protects against moisture and contamination. A distinctive feature of the design of Juteks linoleum is embossing on the surface, imitating the outlines of the material whose pattern is applied to the coating - stone, ceramic or wood.
Komiteks LIN
Another inexpensive, but experienced and reliable linoleum producer is Komitex Lin, a company from Russia. Russian manufacturers are no less technologically advanced and susceptible to innovation, and therefore do not offer products cheaper than their Western counterparts. The economics of local producers are transportation, not the latest science. Feel free to consider Komitex Lin, if you have not yet decided which linoleum to choose for the apartment. Surprise yourself with the calendaring protective layer, the patented Ecopol non-woven base and the absence of shrinkage.
In conclusion, we recall that another factor in choosing linoleum for the floor will be design. When planning an apartment renovation, consider whether wallpaper and linoleum are combined, how furniture, curtains and other elements of the atmosphere fit into the interior. What will make the interior whole and what will bring contrast. Also in choosing linoleum for an apartment, we recommend using photos and customer reviews. Impressions of users will provide more information than advertising descriptions of manufacturers and sellers.
Linoleum for the apartment: Video
