Reinforced household linoleum: without dents, scratches. What is the difference between household linoleum and semi-commercial - features and characteristics Types and characteristics

The range of modern high-quality floor coverings in the construction supermarkets of our country is growing steadily. Nevertheless, many buyers prefer the time-tested linoleum. And this is understandable. Household linoleum is the perfect combination of quality and price. It is considered the easiest to care for coating of all currently in existence. In addition, it is much cheaper than parquet, laminate, tiles, and it is much easier to lay it. And from a huge variety of types and textures, each buyer can choose the option that is suitable for his home.

Kinds

All linoleum produced today can be divided into three main groups:

Household linoleum, which is used in residential premises.
Semi-commercial (used in rooms with an average level of traffic).
Commercial - designed for rooms with intensive use.

In this article we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of these types.

Linoleum household

This type of material is characterized by 21 or 23 wear resistance classes. Quite affordable cost, high sound insulation, pleasant to the touch surface, environmental friendliness - these are the criteria that manufacturers of this type of material are guided by. Linoleum from the middle price segment looks very impressive. At the same time, models of this type of coating are characterized by low wear resistance. This is due to the small protective layer, which does not exceed 0.35 mm.

It should be noted that household linoleum is suitable for laying only in residential premises. In the kitchen, hallway, it is desirable to lay material with a high level of wear resistance.

And at the same time, this is a very popular material - household linoleum. Customer reviews indicate that it has undeniable advantages. This is a variety of textures that is rarely seen in commercial series. For example, you can buy household linoleum in the form of tiles, with imitation of stone or wood. Household linoleum imitates not only color, but also texture.

Reinforced household linoleum

This coating is used for floors in rooms where the level of traffic is quite low. Such linoleum is very affordable. Its structure consists of three layers:

substrate;
a layer with a pattern;
protective covering.

Felt, jute, polyvinyl chloride can be used as a substrate. The patterned layer defines the appearance of the coating. The protective layer (depending on its thickness) guarantees durability. For reinforced linoleum, it is up to 0.3 mm. In this case, the total thickness of the material is not more than 5 mm.

The advantages of this coating include a variety of colors, ease of installation, heat and sound insulation, and fairly simple maintenance. For a dwelling with an area of \u200b\u200bno more than 20 sq.m, it is enough to fix it with skirting boards. Such a coating will not last too long - no more than ten years.

Linoleum commercial

Commercial linoleum has completely different characteristics. Household is significantly inferior to it in durability and wear resistance. This is a great option for creating floors in offices and salons, as it can be applied to any pattern or company logo. At the same time, it is often used in residential areas with high traffic (hallways, kitchens, swimming pools, etc.). According to the production technology, this type of linoleum is divided into hetero- and homogeneous.

The second option is a panel with a thickness of not more than 3 mm. The drawing is always monochromatic. The composition of this material includes talc, limestone, kaolin. If the specifications are not met, the fillers come to the surface and form a dirty coating. Therefore, in the manufacture of this coating, polyurethane protection is applied to it. The disadvantage of this protective coating can be considered the need for its grinding every six months.

Heterogeneous linoleum is a truly versatile material. It has a multilayer structure. The basis of this coating is fiberglass. The front side is impregnated with PVC paste. The first layer is covered with another layer of PVC. Then the surface is shaped with a pattern, which is fixed with the next layer of PVC, very durable and transparent. The wrong side of the material is a fiberglass base equipped with a backing. It can be jute, fabric or

semi-commercial linoleum

This variety in structure is very similar to household linoleum. The semi-commercial analogue is distinguished by a thicker protective layer. This material is used in public spaces, as well as in residential and walk-through rooms. There are synthetic and natural.

The advantages of this coating include ease of care - it is easy to clean, it is not scary to spill water on it. In addition, it has high sound insulation. However, there are plenty of downsides to this coverage.

In the manufacture of synthetic linoleum, some toxic resins are used that can be released into the atmosphere. Toluene and xylene, which are part of it, irritate the eyes, cause serious skin diseases and can even cause some disorders in the nervous system. Polyvinyl chloride is able to decompose even at room temperature. When inhaled by the decomposition products, it enters the human body, and through the pores of the skin it enters the bloodstream, poisoning the liver. Therefore, it is better to choose natural samples.

Linoleum natural

It is an environmentally friendly and harmless material. It is not subject to deformation, wear and tear. The composition of this coating includes linseed oil, cork flour, resins, limestone powder, natural dyes. Often this type is covered with polymers, but in large specialized stores you can buy natural linoleum that does not have a varnish layer.

Linseed oil gives the material unique bactericidal qualities that do not disappear with time. This linoleum is fire resistant and easy to care for both dry and wet.

Natural linoleum does not change color, does not fade, is resistant to ethyl alcohol, fats and non-concentrated acids. Only alkalis and mechanical impact can damage it. Therefore, many believe that this is the best household linoleum.

Manufacturers

Today, five major linoleum manufacturers are fighting for the championship on the Russian market, with which we would like to introduce you.

Gerflor (France)

The world-famous Gerflor company has been fruitfully working in the flooring market for 70 years. The brand has been a market leader for a long time thanks to a huge range of unique solutions that fully comply with regulatory requirements. The company pays great attention to product quality.

Linoleum is one of the most common types of flooring. Its affordable price and wide range will satisfy the needs of any buyer. In addition, manufacturers offer a wide range of colors for their products.

Linoleum can be used in any premises: apartments, offices, gardens and schools. But for each type of premises, its own type of such coverage is suitable. Knowing its characteristics, you can easily choose the best option for yourself.

Variety of species

What types of linoleum coatings can not be found in the consumer market. They are classified according to the class of wear resistance (that is, resistance to loads), and by abrasion, and by combustibility. Distinguish products from natural material and artificial. The surface of this product is also replete with variety: it can be matte and glossy, embossed and rough.

Given all the qualities of linoleum coating, it is divided into 3 groups:

Commercial. This type of coating is the most dense and durable. It can be used in public and industrial premises with high traffic. Commercial linoleum has a fairly high price. Its service life can reach 20 years.
semi-commercial. Suitable for areas with low traffic, such as kitchens or corridors. It consists of 5-6 layers, the protective one reaches a thickness of 0.5 mm. This flooring will last you 10 years.
Domestic. The most commonly used type of flooring.

Properties

The thickness of a sheet of household linoleum can reach up to 5 mm. In most cases, it consists of 5 layers. Its base is represented mainly by polyvinyl chloride, which is the substrate. Also, jute, polyester, felt are used for the base.

By the way, according to consumer reviews, PVC is a pretty good material. There are no scratches or dents on it. And its price is lower than other base materials.

Inside the canvas is fiberglass. It performs a stabilizing function. That is, this layer prevents the material from deforming and spreading. The canvas becomes stronger and more stable. From above fiber glass covers the made foam PVC. This is, firstly, a barrier to noise. It is especially relevant for apartments above the second floor, in order to reduce the audibility from below. Secondly, this layer performs a thermal insulation function.

The next layer is decorative, on it there is a drawing of the product. It is applied using a special machine. It should be noted that it is the household linoleum that has the widest choice of decor, various colors and ornaments are presented. There are drawings for laminate and parquet.

On top of the decorative layer is a protective one. It is also made of PVC and supplemented with a polyurethane film that protects the product from stress. The width of the protective layer for household linoleum sheets is up to 0.3 mm. It is he who ensures the durability of the product. The thicker this layer, the higher the price. Experts recommend using products with a protection thickness of 0.15 mm in rooms with the least traffic (bedroom), and with higher traffic, for example, in a nursery - 0.2 mm. For the corridor and kitchen, an indicator of 0.25 mm is suitable.

There are thin-layer (thickness up to 1.5 mm) and thick-layer (1.5-4 mm) household linoleums. Thin canvas is used very rarely. It is fragile and does not withstand loads well. In addition, it does not have a base, and therefore requires the additional use of a substrate.

The service life of household linoleum is 5-8 years. Of all the types, it is the least wear-resistant. Therefore, in rooms where a large number of people accumulate, it is not advisable to lay such a canvas: it quickly fails, wears out and deforms. In this case, its service life is reduced to 2 years.

But for apartments, houses or cottages, such linoleum is the best option for a number of reasons:

it is easily transported to its destination due to its compact roll and light weight;
affordability;
easy to clean: just wipe it with a damp cloth;
color spectrum for every taste;
has such qualities as strength, moisture resistance, thermal insulation;
environmental friendliness. This applies to models that contain jute, linseed oil or have a paper base.

reinforced

To improve the quality of household linoleum, manufacturers reinforce it. From the usual it is distinguished by increased wear resistance. Such a product can cover the floor not only in the apartment, but also in schools, kindergartens.

The thickness of the protective layer of reinforced linoleum is 0.5 mm.

It consists of the following layers:

base comes first. It can be made of PVC, felt or jute;
foam layer, which will provide sound insulation;
decorative layer;
protective.

The service life of such a product is increased to 10 years.

There are models with a foam base. It is fiberglass coated on both sides with foam. Also among the varieties of this reinforced coating is a felt-based canvas. Its base is PVC, reinforced with lavsan or polypropylene fibers. Both of these coatings are designed to provide heat and sound insulation. And due to its strength can be used in industrial premises.

How to bed?

It is best to lay linoleum in a single sheet.

For this you need:

After delivery of the material, leave it for a day in a spread form. This will allow the product to level out, get used to the humidity and temperature of the room. The canvas should be slightly larger than the size of the room so that the edges slightly overlap the walls.
Prepare the surface: it should be flat, dry, without damage.
Adjust the canvas with a construction knife to the size of the room.
Fix the product. If the area of the room is less than 20m², skirting boards are sufficient for this purpose. If it exceeds this figure, a special glue is used.

There are times when a new sheet of linoleum is laid on an old canvas. To do this, the previous material must be firmly fixed on the floor, it should not have folds and waves. This installation method is possible if you are sure that your floor is perfectly flat.

If you cover a wooden floor with linoleum, then it also needs to be prepared:

fix loose boards;
cover the gaps between them with a putty consisting of wood flour and PVA glue;
if any board is severely damaged, replace it with a new one.

Cold welding

Depending on the width of the roll, household linoleum can be laid as a single sheet (with a width of 4 m) or several strips can be used by joining them (if the roll is 1.5 m wide). This process occurs thanks to two technologies: hot and cold welding. But since the household canvas does not tolerate high temperatures, such a type of docking as cold welding is suitable for it. This is a method in which glue is used to cover the edges of linoleum.

This type of fixation must be carried out in several stages:

remove dirt from the joints of linoleum;
put a wide adhesive tape on the seam and make an incision at the joints. This will protect the edges of the canvas from getting glue;
fill the distance between two sheets with adhesive. After it hardens, you can remove the tape.

Linoleum is in great demand and confidently leads in sales in the niche of affordable flooring. Modern production and the introduction of new technologies have allowed manufacturers to produce truly cheap material with high performance.

Household linoleum is the simplest and most budgetary type of roll coating. The main scope of application is typical apartments, private houses, cottages and other residential premises. It is distinguished by a wide choice of colors, sizes, the presence of various types of substrates and a low price.

Structure and characteristics

Standard household type PVC linoleum has a five-layer structure. The bottom layer is a polyvinyl chloride base, which acts as a substrate and comes into contact with the floor surface during installation.

This is followed by a layer of fiberglass or a carrier base for a decorative pattern. Fiberglass is used only in more expensive household coatings and acts as a stabilizing substrate, reinforcing the carcass and stability of the material. Coatings with fiberglass are less worn out and spread during operation.

The decorative layer is applied to the substrate using a special machine with rollers. The color and applied texture depends on the specific collection in the manufacturer's line.

To protect the pattern, a protective layer up to 0.7 mm thick is applied to its surface. The thicker this coating, the more wear-resistant linoleum has, and thus has a longer service life.

The material has a rich selection of colors and textures.

The last but not least layer is a small thickness polyurethane film that protects the linoleum from abrasive and shock loads. When buying, it is recommended to pay attention to the presence and thickness of the two outer layers.

There are also more multilayer coatings. For example, warm types of household coatings have an additional base that increases the thermal insulation properties of the material. The presence of additional insulation increases the moisture-resistant qualities of the coating and allows it to be laid in rooms with high humidity.

The most important characteristics of household linoleum include:

wear resistance class;
abrasion group;
degree of flammability;
toxicity.

The wear resistance class is determined by a two-digit index: 21, 22, 23, 23-31. The first digit indicates the household belonging of the coating, the second is the ability to withstand heavy loads.

The larger the second number, the more durable and wear-resistant the material is. The abrasion group indicates how the lining is deformed during operation under the influence of an abrasion load. The most priority is to choose a coating with the “T” index.

The combustibility group is how linoleum behaves under the influence of open fire. It is marked with a letter and a number: G1, G2, G3, G4. The lower the number, the less flammable the material is.

Toxicity characterizes the ability of a coating to release harmful substances during use. Marked by analogy: T1, T2, T3, T4. It is desirable that linoleum belongs to the first or second group.

The thickness of the protective layer varies from 0.1 to 0.35 mm. Roll width from 1.5 to 5 m.

Types and characteristics

In the presence of a felt base, the material has high thermal insulation qualities

The classification of household linoleum can be performed according to several criteria. The most common grouping is according to the structure and type of substrate material. By structure, linoleum is divided into homogeneous (single-layer) and heterogeneous (multi-layer).

Homogeneous coating is not in great demand, due to the complexity of production and inappropriate for this variety. Multilayer linoleum is the main form of release, as it has a low price with very high performance.

Depending on the thickness, linoleum is divided into two groups:

Thin-layer - thickness up to 1.5 mm.
Thick-layer - thickness from 1.5 to 4 mm.

The thin-layer coating does not have a base and requires the use of a full-fledged substrate. It is used quite rarely due to low strength and wear resistance. Thick coatings are more durable. It can be laid without a substrate, subject to the quality of the preparation of the bearing surface.

The basis of household linoleum is made of PVC, polyester, felt or jute. The PVC base is the most common and is used for most types of linoleums.

Coating structure from the manufacturer Tarkett

The felt base gives the material increased thermal insulation qualities. It is used when laying linoleum on a cold floor is required, without the installation of a full-fledged heat-insulating layer. The felt also provides good cushioning and walking comfort.

Among the advantages of household linoleum are:

ease of installation - the flooring technology of the coating is not complicated. You can do the work yourself after studying the brief instructions;
availability - the average cost of the material does not exceed 400 rubles / m2. There are also cheaper products from various manufacturers;
content - linoleum is easy to clean with plain water with the addition of a minimum amount of detergents;
assortment - the color palette and the number of textures are extensive, which makes it possible to choose a coating for a different interior.

The main disadvantage of such linoleum is its service life. If we compare it with other types, then the household look has a maximum service life of 8-10 years, depending on the load and operating conditions.

Differences from semi-commercial coverage

The choice of linoleum is inextricably linked with the search for a better coating for specific conditions. The most pressing question is how household linoleum differs from semi-commercial one, because not a single consumer wants to overpay for the material.

Semi-commercial linoleum is almost the same household type with higher wear resistance, strength and additional qualities. The coating itself consists of 5 or 7 layers. The seven-layer coating has a layer of fiberglass, which enhances rigidity and gives higher strength indicators.

The front layer of the semi-commercial coating is thicker. The average thickness varies from 0.35 to 0.5 mm, which increases the service life of the cladding up to 15-17 years. This also affects the cost of the material, which is significantly higher than household counterparts by 200-300 rubles / m2.

If we compare these types in terms of the appropriateness of the choice, it is recommended to build on the patency of the room. Household types are best laid in the bedroom, children's room or office.

Semi-commercial coating is desirable to be laid in the hallway and kitchen, since it is in these rooms that increased wear resistance is required. Otherwise, the use of this material is not always justified.

That is, it does not make sense to lay more expensive material if the flooring is temporary, laid for 5-7 years, etc. A more detailed comparison of both types can be seen in the table above.

The instruction for laying household linoleum provides that the cladding is laid on a pre-prepared base. The main requirements are a flat and dry surface without cracks, potholes, chips.

Brief laying scheme with adhesive fixation

In the process of preparation, it will be necessary to dismantle the old floor covering up to the ceiling. Next, debris, dust is removed and an inspection is carried out for damage.

If the base has pronounced damage to the concrete, then a leveling cement-sand screed is installed. The minimum layer thickness is 7 cm. To strengthen and give strength, it is better to use a ready-made mixture of the M500 brand and fiberglass.

The load-bearing base without damage with a slight displacement relative to the level is repaired by pouring a self-leveling compound. This is a thin-layer self-leveling floor 1-1.5 cm thick. The mixture is poured onto a cleaned surface, covered with a primer in 2 layers.

It is recommended to lay linoleum in one piece without welding individual pieces. This will ensure reliable sealing of the base and protect the material from water ingress under the coating. To do this, you will need to purchase a roll of linoleum slightly wider than the room itself.

For example, for a room 2.5 m wide - a roll 3 m wide. The material should be delivered to the repair site 2 days before laying. This is necessary to adapt the linoleum to air humidity and room temperature.

The coated roll is rolled out along the length of the room with an overlap on the walls. Further, with the help of a construction knife, it is adjusted according to the size of the room. If necessary, it is laid with a minimum number of joints, which are glued together by cold welding. For fixing to the floor, a special glue is used, which is applied to a clean floor treated with a primer.

Of all the variety of floor coverings, PVC-based artificial household linoleum combines sufficiently high strength and wear resistance, a huge variety of colors and textures, and an ideal price / quality ratio. The linoleum coating is very easy to lay on the prepared surface, this allows you to do the work on your own, it is easy to clean with any household detergent, which makes it easier to clean.

Different thicknesses of the protective film and some differences in the main layer of the material allow you to choose linoleum for residential and public buildings at no extra cost, obtaining balanced coating characteristics depending on the purpose of the room. In the bedroom, living room, study and other similar rooms, linoleum is used, which is characterized by an acceptable price, sufficient strength characteristics and the richest collection of textures and colors, allowing you to choose a harmonious combination in any stylistic.

The order of prices in the article is indicated in rubles based on the dollar exchange rate 1 $ = 65 rubles.

The main characteristics of household linoleum

Currently, a huge amount of various household-class linoleum is being produced with different base materials and manufacturing technologies. Linoleum happens:

Natural, PVC or glyptal;
Baseless, with a base of natural woven materials or durable synthetic fibers;
Various thicknesses and widths;
Homogeneous (single layer) or heterogeneous (multilayer);
Painted over the entire thickness of the coating or with a thin decorative layer.

Household grade linoleum, made from natural linseed oil, natural resins, fillers and applied on a jute fabric base, has unique wear resistance and excellent environmental performance. But its price is so high that the cost of such a coating is comparable, and in some cases even exceeds the cost of floors made of natural parquet boards, which sharply limits the possibility of its use for inexpensive repairs.

Using synthetic materials, it was possible to obtain acceptable quality, optimal price and good environmental characteristics of linoleum, which led to its wide distribution. Prices for household linoleum start at 200 rubles / m2. But the optimal ratio of price and quality in most cases is at around 400-500 rubles. per metre.

Until recently, the manufacturing technology of domestic linoleum made it possible to obtain mostly thin-layer uniform coatings with a dull monotonous pattern, but with the advent of multi-layer heterogeneous linoleum, the situation has changed radically. Now even cheap household linoleum is produced using multilayer technology.

The foamed linoleum underlayment provides excellent thermal and sound insulation properties, which are especially important when laying floors on concrete bases. The porous structure of the PVC base is able to withstand alternating loads, bending under the weight of a person walking on it and instantly restoring its original shape after the load is removed. Therefore, walking on such linoleum is very comfortable.

A durable fiberglass mesh impregnated with a special paste, which determines the strength characteristics of linoleum and largely eliminates its main drawback - a significant coefficient of linear expansion with temperature changes. Some models of linoleum do not use mesh, but use a thicker foam base.

Next comes the decorative layer, which is responsible for the tactile characteristics of the coating and its appearance. This layer, due to the low heat transfer coefficient, creates the impression of a warm surface upon touch, which is pleasant to stand on not only in shoes, but also barefoot, and the applied decorative pattern allows you to create original patterns or imitate various natural materials.

For the wear resistance of linoleum, a protective layer of durable and transparent polyvinyl chloride is responsible, which for household-grade linoleum does not exceed 0.3 mm, and the service life guaranteed by the manufacturer is 15 years. In some cases, an additional polyurethane layer is applied to the surface, which increases the resistance of the surface to abrasion, which is important when installing floors in a kitchen or corridor.

How to choose household high-quality linoleum?

There is a huge variety of materials from foreign and domestic manufacturers on the flooring market. These are mainly Belgian brands IVC, Beau Floor, Ideal, Jutex brand from Slovenia and household linoleum Tarkett, whose production is located in Russia.

When choosing a material, you should follow a few simple recommendations and especially trust "sales consultants", who sometimes have little idea of the quality characteristics of the goods they offer:

We focus primarily on our sense of smell. If linoleum emits a very sharp "chemical" smell, then you need to stay away from such a coating. The best linoleum has almost no smell.
Considering the vending sample, you should pay attention to the condition of the surface, which should not have spots or too pronounced gloss. High-quality linoleum has a uniform, closer to matte, surface with a clearly defined pattern.
When choosing a household new linoleum, it would be useful to ask about the thickness of the protective layer, on which the wear resistance and durability of the coating depend, which come close to the parameters of semi-commercial models at a slightly lower price.
After looking at the model you like, especially the manufacturer is unknown, do not be too lazy to check the linoleum in the rolled state for the absence of dents and bumps that can occur when the production technology is violated, leading to material heterogeneity.
Be sure to pay attention to the factory marking, in which the manufacturer indicates the characteristics and features of the use of the material.

The multinational transnational corporation TARKETT, developing the production of floor coverings in the Russian Federation, produces about 640,000 square meters of linoleum per year, which is recognized as one of the highest quality on the market and offered at the lowest price.

Household linoleum Tarkett has two dozen collections of very different price ranges. Collections Grace, Fashion, Favorit, Magic, Discovery, Empire, Grand, Favorit are presented in 21-32 wear resistance classes and provide customers with a roll coating up to 4 m wide. Premium household linoleum, which has a reinforced protective layer of 0.3 mm, can be successfully used in the bathroom or in the kitchen without reducing the service life.

The adequate order of prices for premium linoleum is in the range from 800 - 2000 rubles / m2.

Having chosen linoleum as a floor covering, you should definitely consider whether it makes sense to use expensive commercial flooring models in the apartment in pursuit of strength and durability. Is it worth overpaying for characteristics that are unnecessary in everyday life or limiting ourselves to high-quality household coatings with a long service life.

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