Linoleum what to take. Linoleum for the living room: how to choose the best option. Which linoleum is better - on a foam basis or felt

The design of the room not only creates a mood and improves the perception of the surrounding world, but also can tell a lot about the owners of the room. If the view of a house or apartment could be depicted in a play, then the flooring would be in the supporting roles. However, the perception of the whole play would depend on his “play”. Paul not only concludes, leads everything around, but also takes on almost the entire burden of the weight of the actors of the first plan: the furniture.

In this path, linoleum is a completely universal actor. And if once his game was cheap and of poor quality, today he has no equal in reincarnations. It is environmentally friendly, can be both natural and artificial, transform into any material or be itself. Meet linoleum - the king of the floor, the winner of the "Oscar" for the game of the second plan in the design of the premises.

What is the best linoleum?

However, not all linoleum is good. Good, high-quality material still needs to be able to choose. For this flooring, there are several recommendations that will help you figure out which linoleum is best. We are talking about the quality of the coating, because it has to withstand considerable loads.

  • Appointment of linoleum. The European notation system divides linoleum according to its purpose. There are 3 main purposes:
  1. Large industrial buildings, plants, factories, warehouse and logistics complexes. This group is indicated by the number 4 or a pictogram in the form of a plant with a pipe.
  2. The second group - offices of various types, hotels, banquet halls, shopping malls, educational institutions, airport halls, etc. This group is indicated by the number 3 or the pictogram of a high-rise building.
  3. All private, residential buildings are indicated by the number 2 and have a pictogram in the form of a small 2-storey building.

The purpose of linoleum also determines its price, the stronger and more durable the material, the more expensive it is. However, recommended use does not mean mandatory. For a private house, you can choose linoleum with any purpose, but for large shopping malls, linoleum with the purpose of "private house" is definitely not suitable.

  • Abrasion class. In addition to the purpose, each group has 3 classes of abrasion or wear resistance. They are also indicated either by numbers or by pictograms of little men. First class, number 1, 1 man - light load; second class - middle; third class - high load. The purpose and load class for abrasion are applied side by side, complementing one another. So for the most walkable part of the apartment, the corridor at the entrance, assignment 2 and load 3 are suitable, general designation: 23. As well as with the appointment, you can choose any larger class for the premises, the main thing is no less than necessary.
  • Additional protective coating. Of the two copies with the same purpose and load classes, how to choose linoleum that will last a long time and will not cause trouble. It is worth paying attention to the additional protective layer. It is offered mainly by proven, time-tested manufacturers. For all manufacturers, it is called and designated differently, therefore it is not worth listing the names. It is only necessary to say that the best linoleum is likely to have such a layer.

  • Quality certificates. How to choose linoleum that will not emit harmful substances, does not cause allergies, keeps its shape, does not crack? Pay attention to quality certificates. High-quality products of European manufacturers are certified according to European standards EN, domestic - according to GOSTs. Information about this must be indicated on the label.
  • manufacturer and cost. You can buy good linoleum from a responsible manufacturer. The cost of quality material is sometimes comparable to the price of handicraft. How to find a good linoleum, the label will tell. It must contain the address of the manufacturer, his contacts, all information about the product, its service life.

How to choose linoleum for an apartment

You need to choose linoleum for an apartment depending on the number of people living in it and on the purpose of the rooms. For a family of 2-3 people in the walk-through areas, you need to lay linoleum of class 23 and above. In the rest rooms, 22 classes will be enough. If the apartment has an office, a dressing room or a library, class 21 will show itself quite well there. For a larger family, it is better to choose linoleum of higher classes.

The main thing is to choose high-quality linoleum for the apartment, because it will not sell through heavy furniture, and the household will not choke on unpleasant odors or suffer from allergies.

Thanks to various patterns and textures, you can visually increase the area of ​​​​a small apartment, brighten a dark room or delimit zones in a room. Colors and shades set the mood of the rooms. Warm and muted tones will pacify, create coziness. And bright, saturated ones are conducive to creativity, play, active pastime.

For kitchen

The kitchen in an apartment or house stands apart for a reason. This room is extremely demanding on the flooring. The level of load on it is higher than in all other rooms; in this regard, even the entrance corridor cannot be compared with the kitchen. Therefore, you need to choose linoleum for the kitchen from class 31 and above. And 31 - for small apartments for 1-2 people. Why is that?

Linoleum in the kitchen is subject not only to the usual load from passing people. This is a room with an unnatural microclimate: humidity and high temperature. Under these conditions, various microorganisms feel great. Therefore, it is good if the linoleum for the kitchen also has an antibacterial coating.

In the kitchen, various abrasive materials, grease, acids, and dyes often get on the floor. High-quality linoleum for the kitchen must meekly withstand all the burdens. What kind of linoleum to choose for the kitchen, so that it meets all the requirements without exception? Kitchen linoleum must be with an additional protective layer and must be certified.

The color scheme of linoleum for the kitchen is also slightly different from the general apartment. If you want your family to have a good appetite, choose warm colors, like to sit in the kitchen with your family and have a quiet dinner, enjoying your time - look at calm, neutral, uniform tones.

How to choose linoleum for a private house

It would seem, what difference does it make where the floor is located, in an apartment or in a house. But there is a difference. First of all, in the load, the abrasion of the surface layer. In private houses, with the same number of residents, the load on the surface is higher than in apartments. Therefore, you need to choose linoleum for a house of higher classes than for an apartment. For rest rooms, class 23-31 is suitable, for common areas - 31-32, for rooms with increased load (furnace, corridor, warm veranda, kitchen) - 33 and above.

The design of linoleum for the home is often chosen to match the overall interior. Recently, it has become fashionable to create a natural, ecological interior from natural materials. If finances allow, you can lay natural linoleum on the floor, it is much more durable and stronger than its PVC counterpart. However, its colors leave much to be desired.

If you choose PVC linoleum for your home without saving on quality, it will last for many years. And it can be matched to the color and pattern of the walls, imitating wood, stone, brick, various ceramics. For the attic, designers offer an interesting option - light walls and light linoleum, this will visually expand the attic, avoid the "overhanging" of the walls.

Tarkett, the world's largest manufacturer of flooring materials with a 130-year history, produces one of the highest quality and most durable coatings - PVC linoleum. Its factories are open all over the world, including in Russia. Since 1995, a plant has been operating in the city of Otradny, Samara Region, for the production of:

  • Household roll floors designed for residential use;
  • Semi-commercial materials used in medium traffic areas (offices, halls, conference rooms);
  • Commercial homogeneous (homogeneous) and heterogeneous (multilayer) flexible PVC used for commercial, commercial, industrial facilities.

In domestic stores, Tarkett products are sold under 4 brands:

  1. Tarkett- the most expensive segment of the best high-quality linoleum 23, 31-33 and 41-43 classes. The assortment includes more than 20 collections for domestic, semi-commercial, commercial and special purposes. A characteristic feature of the series is the variety of designs, as well as an interesting appearance with a plausible imitation of the textured surface of parquet, solid board, porcelain stoneware, etc.
  2. Sinteros- a budget option for household and commercial PVC coatings of 21-23, 31-34 classes. The advantages of linoleum are versatility, practicality and durability. An analogue of this line is the products of the Ukrainian plant Vinisin.
  3. Polystyle- vinyl material of 23, 31-34 and 41 classes, combining an affordable price and Tarkett quality. Available in 6 collections, the assortment is chosen so that each design can be used in any type of premises.

Thus, the Tarkett company produces high-quality PVC linoleum in a huge assortment for every taste, color and budget.

Main advantages:

  • The high level of resistance of linoleum to abrasion and tensile loads. Thanks to a transparent polyurethane tarnsparent and additional protective coatings Extreme Protection, Titanium, R.MAX and others, the surface of the material is inert to water, aggressive household chemicals, abrasives, and shoes. And the use as part of fiberglass ensures the stability of the floor finish to deforming factors.
  • Sanitary and hygienic, fire safety and environmental friendliness. Tarkett's products are the only ones in the Russian Federation that have received the Leaf of Life voluntary eco-testing certificate.
  • A huge selection of designs and structures for parquet, solid board, marble, ceramics, natural stone, textiles and much more. There are more than 1000 decors in various shades in the assortment.
  • Possibility to choose felt-based linoleum or foam-based PVC. The first is warmer, recommended for use on the screed. The second is universal.
  • Approved for use in preschool, educational and medical institutions.
  • Easy installation and maintenance.
  • Available in many collections price.
  • Long service life - from 10 to 40 years.

Despite the expansion of the flooring market, the production of linoleum does not slow down. The use of safe technologies and an affordable price have made this product one of the most popular products in its category. At the same time, buyers are increasingly concerned about the issue of choice. The range is expanding every year, causing an urgent question: "what kind of linoleum is still better?". Today we will try to give you an answer to this question.

What to focus on when choosing linoleum?

Making a choice is always very difficult. Criteria that are of paramount importance for some are not so important for others. In order not to regret your choice in the future, you should consider in which room the linoleum will be laid. When making a purchase, be guided by the characteristics of the rooms, namely:

  • Maximum permeability of the premises;
  • Purpose of the room;
  • Premises requiring special conditions (protection against moisture, grease, abrasion);
  • General design of the rooms.

Varieties of linoleum

To understand: which linoleum is better for an apartment, you need to understand its varieties. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each, you can choose the necessary product without being disappointed later.

natural linoleum

Natural linoleum contains only harmless components. In addition to the basis of jute fabric, pine resins, cork and wood flour, linseed oil, lime powder, and natural dyes are used in the production of such products. The use of such coatings is permissible even in children's rooms. It is also safe for allergy sufferers.

Components that are part of natural linoleum

Advantages:

  • compliance with environmental standards;
  • bactericidal properties of the material;
  • abrasion resistance;
  • does not shed with time;
  • does not fade in the sun;
  • does not support combustion;
  • variety of colors;
  • ease of operation.

Disadvantages:

  • not resistant to moisture, which is why it is not advisable to lay it in the kitchen and corridor;
  • when bending linoleum, cracks may appear on the surface, this should be taken into account when transporting and working with the product;
  • rather high price compared to artificial linoleums.

PVC (polyvinylchloride) linoleum

The main binder in PVC linoleums is polyvinyl chloride. The composition of the product also contains plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers and dyes.

Advantages:

  • antistatic coating;
  • low thermal conductivity;
  • moisture resistance;
  • ease of installation;
  • environmental Safety;
  • variety of colors.

Disadvantages:

  • instability to alkalis and solvents;
  • shrinks after laying;
  • Under the influence of low temperatures, the elasticity of the material decreases, which can lead to cracking.

PVC linoleums come with a base (fabric, non-fabric, foam), without a base, single-layer, multi-layer

By appointment, PVC linoleum is divided into:

  • Domestic. The thickness of household linoleum is 1-4 mm. It can have a polyester or foam backing. The service life of household PVC linoleum is not more than 5 years;
  • Commercial. Commercial linoleum has a very high degree of wear resistance. It has a very thick protective layer. It is used in offices and work areas. The service life of commercial linoleum is 1-25 years;
  • Semi-commercial. The structure of the semi-commercial linoleum is similar to the household one, but has a thickened protective layer (up to 0.7 mm). It is laid in the rooms of the apartment with the greatest traffic (kitchens, hallways), in office premises with low traffic. The service life of semi-commercial linoleum is 7-20 years;
  • Specialized. Such linoleum is developed for certain tasks. Sports - covered with a polyurethane layer that improves wear resistance. Bactericidal - contains antifungal and antibacterial additives. Anti-slip - thanks to the quartz chips added to it, it has a relief surface. Noise-absorbing - has a thickened base.

glyptal

Glyphthalic linoleum is made by applying alkyd resin to a fabric base. Before laying the product should lie down in a warm room. So that after laying it is not deformed.

Advantages:

  • increased thermal insulation;
  • increased sound insulation.

Disadvantages:

  • brittleness of the material;
  • the complexity of laying due to the possibility of cracks.

colloxylin

Colloxylin linoleum is a baseless single-layer floor covering.

It is made from wood or cotton cellulose nitrate, plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers.

Advantages:

  • moisture resistance;
  • flexibility (preserved even at low temperatures);
  • elasticity.

Disadvantages:

  • shrinkage risk;
  • instability to organic solvents, alkalis, acids;
  • high coefficient of heat absorption;
  • responds to temperature changes.

Relin linoleum is a two-layer flooring material.

The top layer is natural rubber rubber, which has increased strength and hardness. The bottom layer is rubber based on styrene rubber, which has a medium hardness and improves the cushioning properties of the material.

Advantages:

  • low slip;
  • good depreciation properties;
  • firmness and elasticity.

Disadvantages:

  • high thermal conductivity;
  • instability to solvents;
  • the presence in the composition of harmful substances evaporating over time.

The choice of linoleum with a focus on the purpose of the room

To know which linoleum is better to choose for a particular room, you need to know the labeling of the product. It consists of two numbers. First digit:

  • 1 - means that the product is intended for rooms with minimal traffic,
  • 2 - for residential premises,
  • 3 - office,
  • 4 - production.

The second indicates the possible loads on the pavement and ranges from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest).

What is better to put in the living room?

Passage of the guest room is moderate. For her, a coating with a thickness of 1.5 mm is chosen. Since the susceptibility to mechanical stress is low, an inexpensive PVC-based household linoleum is suitable.

Inexpensive household linoleum is suitable for the living room

Children's room

In children's rooms, the main attention is paid to the environmental friendliness of coatings. Therefore, it is better to choose a natural product. Let it not be so durable, but it will not harm the health of the child.

In the children's room it is better to lay natural linoleum

sleeping area

The bedroom is a low traffic area. Here you can lay linoleum with a thickness of 1.2 mm. As an option - PVC linoleum on a foam basis or household polyester.

Entrance hall, kitchen, corridor

These rooms have the highest traffic in the apartment. It is advisable to lay linoleum 3 mm thick here. For such premises, you can choose household PVC linoleum or even semi-commercial.

For the kitchen, you can choose semi-commercial linoleum

In custody

Understanding which company's linoleum is better, we can say with confidence that the domestic industry is not far behind European competitors. One of the leading domestic firms in the production of flooring can be called Tarkett. Imported linoleums are represented by such companies as Juteks, Forbo, Venus, IVS.

In addition to the characteristics described, when choosing linoleum for an apartment, you should pay attention to its appearance. The presence of relief and greasy shine should alert you. The strong smell of the product indicates its harmfulness. It is unlikely that such linoleum can be laid in residential premises. Therefore, do not rush to choose. As the saying goes: "Measure seven times - cut once!".

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 different quality and from different manufacturers. 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, which has an average income. They also love it for its durability and ergonomics. In our topic, let's start about everything in order.

Summary of this article:

Which linoleum is better to choose for an apartment - household, commercial or semi-commercial?

There is no specific and unambiguously correct answer to this question. If we start talking about household linoleum, then, as the name implies, it is used mainly only in residential areas.

Of the advantages in it, the following can be distinguished:

  • Profitability. 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 flexible and easy to transport.
  • Well insulates the room.
  • Has good moisture resistance.

As for the semi-commercial option, it is worth saying here that it is something in between a household and a commercial option. It can be laid in places with moderate traffic, which, in principle, means that you can lay it in the presence of a large family home. It has almost the same benefits. Only it's a little more expensive.

Which linoleum is better to lay commercial or semi-commercial, or household - you decide. All options are well suited for housing. The last thing that could be noted is that in choosing household linoleum you still have great freedom in terms of color and type of coating (there are imitating wood, parquet and others).

Commercial linoleum is not often used for laying on the floor in an apartment, because. its cost compared to household and semi-commercial types is very high. If the budget for repair costs is “rubber”, then this is quite a good flooring option that will easily serve you for more than 10 years without any jams, creases, etc.

Which linoleum is better - on a foam basis or felt?

Foam-based linoleum is usually made using foamed PVC on fiberglass. The advantage of foam-based linoleum is its strength. Also resistant to high moisture. Of the minuses of such linoleum, one can single out the price, which is several points higher than that of 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 the foam base, but unlike the latter, the drawing in linoleum with a felt base is applied to its entire thickness, which means that when “rubbing” 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 are the dimensions of linoleum?

Now let's move on to the numbers part. As for the size of linoleum, then 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 with a thickness of less than a millimeter, but such material, as you might already guess, is completely unsuitable for everyday life.
  • The most common linoleum in thickness is from 1.5 to 3 mm. Thanks to this thickness, sound insulation and heat insulation are well kept.

How wide is linoleum?

Regarding the 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 spoke in more detail about the possible width of linoleum once in the article - what width is linoleum, be sure to study.

What classes is linoleum divided into for wear resistance and fire safety?

By wear resistance, linoleum is divided into the following classes:

  • Virtually indelible (dense wear-resistant linoleum).
  • Weakly abraded.
  • Moderately abraded.
  • 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 generation.
  • Smoke propagation speed.

Now in more detail..

Combustibility 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 buying coverage, be sure to pay attention to these labels. Especially if linoleum is chosen in a room where there is frequent contact with fire. Practice shows that it is forbidden to lay G4 linoleum where people need to be evacuated in case of fire.

As for toxicity, this indicator characterizes the amount of toxic substances released during a fire. The level of toxicity here is determined in a similar way to flammability labels - 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 important factor. It shows the amount of smoke emitted during combustion. D1 - practically does not emit smoke during combustion. D4 - when burning, a large amount of smoke is formed and the room smokes very quickly.

The rate of spread of smoke - refers to the indicators above. WP1 - smoke spreads slowly or does not spread at all. RP4 - when ignited, almost instantaneous smoke occurs.

Summing up, let's say that when choosing linoleum, do not forget to pay attention to all related marks. This will protect you and your home from unforeseen circumstances.

According to European standards, linoleum has a certain two-digit marking. The first digit characterizes the type of room. The second is the intensity of the load.

The first digit is:

  • 2 - living quarters.
  • 3 - office premises.
  • 4 - industrial premises.

The second digit 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 - rooms 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 number 3 and 4. Such 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 an apartment.

In the production of linoleum from natural ingredients, oak bark flour is used, as well as ordinary wood flour. It is not uncommon to add various organic oils and pine resin.

Practice shows that linoleum made from natural ingredients is an environmentally friendly material and is especially popular with those people who have a child or have 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 as follows - if you are faced with the choice of natural or artificial linoleum, then pay attention to factors such as the frequency of use of the premises and the presence of children or pets. These are the most basic things to focus on.

These two concepts can 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 buying.

What is heterogeneous linoleum?

Heterogeneous linoleum is a linoleum that consists of several layers. Their thickness is usually from 2 to 6 mm. The basis of such linoleum is a reinforcing fiberglass, which is coated with PVC.

A different pattern is applied to the PVC on top. It is worth saying that heterogeneous linoleum is a rather difficult material to manufacture.

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 a narrower selection of patterns.

It is also worth considering the fact that this linoleum already has a specialization - it is most often used in shops, corridors of public places, 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 unequivocal - 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 require a grinder to clean it, which is not a good option at home. Therefore, it is worth leaving this option more for technical rooms.

As for heterogeneous linoleum, in terms of cleaning, a conventional soap-based detergent is sufficient, which is always available at home.

Most people are interested in a reasonable question - which company's linoleum is the best for laying on the floor in an apartment? We answer .. To date, Tarkett linoleum is considered the best and most reliable option.

Of course, there are other manufacturers of linoleum, whose products can also be safely laid on the floor in apartments. For example, such as - Grabo (Grabo), Forbo (Forbo), Ideal (Ideal), Gerflor (Gerflor), Juteks (Dzhuteks) and others.

Their price/quality ratio is very good, ie. when laying on the floor, you can be sure that the flooring will not be worn down to holes in the coming years.

That's all. Now you know which company (brand) of linoleum is better to lay on the floor in the 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, because, based on all of the above, you can see that linoleum is not such a simple material as it might seem at first glance.

How to choose linoleum for the kitchen?

It should not be hidden that linoleum has already become a traditional material for the kitchen, which never ceases to be popular. The kitchen is a very picky place, so the choice of flooring should be approached with all care.

The most important question to ask yourself when choosing linoleum is natural or synthetic coating?

If you decide to choose a natural coating, you can be sure that it will consist of environmentally friendly materials. It will have the following benefits:

  • The cover will be hygienic.
  • Fire resistant thanks to natural materials.
  • You can choose from a large variety of coloring pages.
  • It is resistant to heat, which means that it is possible to carry out a floor heating system under it.

Synthetic material differs from natural only in some parameters. Advantages of synthetics:

  • It has dielectric properties.
  • Heat resistant.
  • It has a low price, unlike its natural counterpart.

So what to choose? Here it is worth considering that natural material is more expensive, and synthetic is more affordable. The main advice - if you have money, then of course you should choose a natural option.

But if you decide to save money, then synthetics will also be a good choice. We talked in more detail about the choice of linoleum for the kitchen in the article - which linoleum for the kitchen to choose, I advise you to study.

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 observed:

  • Choose waterproof linoleum. In the bathroom, the humidity is much higher than in other parts of the house/apartment.
  • Be sure to choose options with a coating that has ribbed elements. They will protect you from unforeseen falls, as linoleum becomes a very slippery surface after water has entered.
  • Also choose linoleum that will be resistant to the physical stress of objects pressing on it (washing machine, sink, etc.), as well as that will withstand the effects of various detergents.

Masters advise putting homogeneous coatings in the bath.

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 only from natural materials is better than ever.

Since such linoleum is bactericidal, it will have a pleasant effect on your well-being. It also withstands the sun's rays 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.

Linoleum for the hall in the apartment how to choose right?

For the hall it is worth choosing household linoleum. Pay attention to the thickness - it should be medium, since the hall is a place with a moderate load.

A semi-commercial option is perfect. It should have the 21-23rd wear resistance class. Good options for the hall can be called 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 there are pets, then due to the antistatic properties, wool will not stick to them (materials).

Linoleum for the hallway and corridor what to use?

Most masters advise choosing semi-commercial linoleum in 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 footprints to appear on it. Also, practice shows that it is almost impossible to damage this coating by force.

Choose semi-commercial foam-based linoleum - it will last longer, unlike other options. As for colors, although semi-commercial linoleum is not replete with the same print options that are available in the household, there are also plenty to choose from.

How to choose linoleum in the nursery?

The most basic advice in choosing linoleum for a children's room is naturalness. Among children, a large number of allergy sufferers can recently be observed and linoleum made from natural materials in this case will be the best choice on your part.

Remember that the 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 advice is that in order to avoid frequent replacement of the floor covering, it is worth choosing linoleum with a thickness of at least 3 mm in the nursery. Foam-based household linoleum is perfect.

As for the colors, it is better to choose the material for the children's room as brightly as possible. This will delight and cheer up not only you, but also your child.

What is the best linoleum to lay on a wooden floor?

Perhaps most people are faced with severe wear and tear on wooden surfaces. This is especially true for gender. Over time, it loses its original appearance, which even careful polishing does not allow to 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. Together with wood, this will give an excellent effect and the heat will remain indoors 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, fabric-based linoleum is well suited to a wooden floor. Also linoleum without a base, which has a uniform structure. Masters also advise colloxyl linoleum, it is flexible and easy to install, but if the room is not ventilated for several days, a natural chemical smell remains.

What is the best linoleum to lay on a concrete floor?

Since the concrete floor is an inhospitable cold coating, in terms of choosing linoleum, it is worth giving preference only to multi-layer options with a foamed and insulated base.

Why only this type? If you choose any other linoleum, then of course it will also lie well on concrete, but all year round you will notice that the floor is cold. This can have a huge impact on health.

Is it possible to paint linoleum and with what paint?

It just so happened that not everyone has the opportunity, after the appearance of defects in linoleum, to immediately re-lay the entire coating. Most resort to cunning methods. One of them is painting. Let's just say right away - you can paint linoleum. Another question is what kind of coloring composition to do this so that it does not turn out worse?

The most popular paints for linoleum are oil, alkyd and acrylic options. With them in order:

  • Oil paints are the most budget option. If you follow the dynamics of the development of the construction market, then this paint is already outdated. But on the other hand, it fits well on the surface and does not create irregularities. Of the minuses, only a rather sharp and unpleasant smell can be distinguished during painting and during the drying process. Also, this paint must be periodically updated, as it wears off over time.
  • Alkyd paints are much more advanced than the oil version. Such paint is very elastic, resistant to water and is distinguished by its durability. It also does not fade in the sun. It dries fairly quickly (in just a couple of hours). The only negative is that, like the oil version, when painting, it has a pungent odor.
  • Acrylic paints are the most suitable option for linoleum. Dries quickly, withstands mechanical damage well. The service life of such paints is very long. Of the pleasant things - the composition of the paint withstands chemical exposure well (especially useful when you need to wash the floor with various means).

As we were able to find out - it is possible to paint linoleum. The approach to paint depends only on the size of your budget. Of course, if it is not large, then oil paints will suit you, if it is medium or good, then alkyd and acrylic. But practice shows that it is better to pay money for good material once than to spend big money on reworking the work later.

Is linoleum harmful to health?

After all that we have listed in this article, a specific question creeps in - is linoleum harmful to health? As we found out, linoleum is made from natural material, and sometimes it is made of PVC and its analogues. The first, of course, is completely safe.

The second can be harmful to children and adults with allergies. In fact, with proper care, linoleum made of artificial materials will also be safe. Simply do not neglect the rules of laying and caring for the latter.

Most importantly, remember:

  • If you have artificial linoleum, then ventilate the room at least once a day.
  • Do not put artificial material in nurseries and bedrooms.
  • Use only specialized detergents.

Linoleum remains one of the most popular floor coverings. Many, when repairing an apartment, are faced with the need to select the right coverage, and many questions arise here, since there are a lot of varieties of linoleum. In this article we will tell you how to choose linoleum for an apartment and specifically for each type of room.

Natural or artificial material


Before starting the selection, it is necessary to clearly define what type of linoleum you will use, natural or artificial. Natural linoleum includes such components as:

  • wood flour;
  • natural resins;
  • Linseed oil;
  • natural dyes.

Of course, this material is environmentally friendly, meets all fire safety standards, and is easily cleaned from various types of contaminants. However, the cost of such material is an order of magnitude higher than that of artificial analogues. The natural coating does not conduct electricity and practically does not shrink after installation.

The composition of artificial linoleum includes polyvinyl chloride and many other chemical components. Household and semi-commercial material is safe, but when exposed to temperatures above 27 degrees, it begins to exude toxic substances. In addition, it has a much greater shrinkage than natural, but it is much cheaper.

Important. When repairing apartments, experts do not recommend laying commercial and rubber linoleum in residential premises, since environmental safety requirements for them are underestimated and their use is only permissible in office buildings with good ventilation.

Linoleum class selection


When deciding which linoleum to choose for an apartment and specific rooms, you need to study the coverage classes:

  • In rooms with low traffic, such as a bedroom or study, you can lay linoleum of 21-22 wear resistance class;
  • In the living room, you can lay a floor of class 22, if 1-2 people live in the apartment. If the family is large, then it is better to use class 23;
  • For children's rooms, class 21 is used if there is a small child or class 22-23 if there are several children;
  • In the presence of a large family and the frequent reception of guests, it is better to use class 31-32 linoleum in living rooms and hallways.

Note. The higher the class of coverage, the higher its cost.. If you have limited financial resources, then you should not buy coverage of a larger class than the room requires.

Selection of linoleum for a specific room

Kitchen linoleum


When choosing a linoleum coating for the kitchen, you need to be guided by two main criteria, the material's resistance to mechanical stress and moisture resistance. The best solution for the kitchen will be natural linoleum, which also has the name "marmoleum". This is a natural fabric-based coating, which is usually used as jute. This linoleum will last long enough, has high strength and makes it possible to easily remove various contaminants using modern detergents.

If financial possibilities do not allow the use of a natural coating, then you can also buy synthetic linoleum, only at the time of purchase it is necessary to clarify the service life of the material. You should not save on kitchen linoleum, make sure that the material meets GOST standards and quality certificates from the manufacturer.

Important. When deciding which linoleum for an apartment to use in the kitchen, take into account the opinion of experts who recommend using a semi-commercial coating. This linoleum has a durable decorative layer, reinforced protective coating and has sufficient density to withstand accidental drops of kitchen utensils.

Usually, for the kitchen, material is chosen that imitates natural stone, parquet boards or ceramic tiles. It must be remembered that increased antiseptic indicators are needed for the kitchen. Natural linoleum itself is an antiseptic due to the use of flax. With synthetic coatings, it is necessary to use a substrate with antiseptic characteristics, such as jute.

Important. Try to choose the width of the roll in such a way that the coating does not have joints, since this is the most vulnerable point of the material with the features of the kitchen.

Linoleum for the corridor and hallway


The most vulnerable linoleum in the apartment is in the corridor and hallway, since these are the premises with the highest traffic, which greatly accelerates the process of abrasion of the coating. If one or two people live in the apartment, then it makes no sense to overpay and you can use coverage of class 22-23.

With a large family and high traffic in the premises, the coating must have at least 0.25 mm of the protective layer and a thickness of at least 4 mm. The most reliable option would be to use a class 31-32 coating, which is also used in office premises with low traffic.

Important. Before laying the material in the hallway, make sure that the floor is a perfectly flat surface that does not have bulges and depressions. Use PVC backing or cork. A jute or linen backing is not recommended, since it has a low density and will only increase the abrasion of the coating.

Linoleum for an office or bedroom


Soft foam coating is the best linoleum for an apartment that can be laid in a bedroom or office. In these rooms, the minimum permeability and the density of the material can be sacrificed for the sake of the maximum level of comfort. For these purposes, a class 21 household artificial surface is used, which has a foamed PVC base, as well as a single-layer material laid on a soft jute or linen substrate.

Note. In the children's bedroom, it is strongly recommended to use only the natural coating of the household series with a more durable base of grade 22-23, since an active child creates a considerable load and mechanical impact on the coating when playing with toys.

Linoleum for the living room


When choosing which linoleum is best for an apartment, household or semi-commercial when laying in the living room, one must proceed from the degree of load on the coating. For example. If a large family of 4-5 people lives in the apartment or the owners often like to receive guests, then it is better to lay semi-commercial class 31-32 linoleum, which is also used for the corridor. With frequent reception of guests, there is a high probability of damage to the linoleum, so you should not lay an expensive coating, since it will have to be changed after 7-9 years of operation.

But if 1-2 people live in an apartment, then the patency of the room is minimal and a household coating of class 22-23 with a protective coating thickness of 0.15 to 0.20 mm is sufficient.

Tatyana, city of Voronezh

During the renovation, synthetic linoleum was laid in the hallway and a linen backing was used. On the coating were clearly visible traces of not only my heels, but also from my husband's shoes, which disappeared over time. Initially, they thought that they had got low-quality linoleum and wanted to make a claim to the store. But then it turned out that it was necessary to use a denser substrate. They changed jute to cork and the traces stopped appearing.