What is cheaper linoleum or laminate in the apartment. Laminate or linoleum which is better - comparison of characteristics. Health safety

Buyers choose floor coverings most often according to four basic criteria - cost, beauty, practicality and, paradoxically, fashion. Of the materials of the "economy" and "business" series, the most interesting are laminated parquet and linoleum products in all their diversity.

Elastic coatings have been produced for a little less than a century and a half. Over the past decades, the formula of the product and its properties have changed significantly for the better. Today, linoleum is a flexible finishing material for floors and walls, produced in the form of rolled layers or modular sections (tiles, planks).

There are two types of composition:

natural or marmoleum

Marmoleum.

It is made from a jute base, on which a mixture of linseed oil, natural resin, wood flour, pigments and other components is applied. The surface is covered with protective wax or varnish.

The resulting elastic material is characterized by safety for children and adults, wear and moisture resistance, bacteriostatic and slip resistance. The requirements for laying marmoleum are high, but in operation the flooring is durable, easy to maintain and resistant to household chemicals.

Of the minuses, we note the high price, as well as the characteristic smell.

Synthetic or PVC coated

The polymer analogue of marmoleum was developed more than 60 years ago and today most of the collections are not inferior to natural linoleum, parquet and even porcelain stoneware in many respects. PVC material is considered more practical because it is durable, resistant to abrasion, water, aggressive household chemicals, various biofactors, and easy to operate.

Thanks to various production technologies, homogeneous (single-layer) and heterogeneous (multi-layer) products are produced in all price categories, from economy to premium. But the most important advantage is a huge number of decors in various shades, including new or aged wood, natural and artificial stone, glossy ceramics or matte granite, textiles and much more.

The disadvantages of PVC coating are a chemical smell (which quickly disappears), as well as high requirements for the base.

Both types of resilient flooring materials are available in four series:

Thus, linoleum finishing materials can be safely called universal, presentable and easy to use. At the same time, marmoleum will cost 2-7 times more than a synthetic counterpart.

Laminate - pros and cons

Thin laminated parquet was patented as flooring in the late 70s of the XX century. This material was developed as a budget analogue of solid wood flooring and parquet boards. Today, laminate flooring is positioned as a practical and durable floor finish for every budget.

Unlike linoleum, laminate flooring is hard, but multi-layered. Consists of (top to bottom):

The coating is produced in all, from 21 to 43. Thanks to this, laminated parquet is easy to choose for any type of room. The average service life, subject to proper installation, is 10-20 years. The advantages of the material are also aesthetics, durability, maintainability, ease of maintenance and practicality. The coating can be laid on the floor in the kitchen or bedroom, office or shop, restaurant or school. But the main advantage is considered by many to be the laying method - “floating” castle, without the use of glue, self-tapping screws and other types of fixation.

Cons of laminate (HDF-series): swelling during prolonged contact with water, accumulation of a static charge on the surface, a specific smell (which disappears in 1-2 weeks), the need for sound insulation, as well as high requirements for the base when laying. The latter is especially important, because the comfort and service life of the flooring depends on it.

What to choose

Let's make a reservation right away - we only compare products of well-known brands that strictly monitor the quality of their products and constantly certify them - Forbo, Grabo, Juteks, Pergo, Haro, Krono Group, etc.

For clarity, we will compile a comparative table according to the main characteristics.

Thanks to the table, it can be seen that an elastic coating is cheaper and more practical, but at the same time, laminated parquet imitates wood better due to its rigid structure. Expert opinion:

Often buyers are interested in what warmer. According to this indicator, it is not entirely correct to compare coatings - different thicknesses, many subspecies of products that differ significantly from each other. A striking example is marmoleum and PVC linoleum or HDF laminate and PVC laminate.

If we take average values, then the thermal conductivity coefficient of laminated parquet is 0.15-0.33 W / (m * K), the index of linoleum is 0.17-0.38 W / (m * K). The difference, at first glance, is obvious, but much depends on the density of the coating, cross section, type of base and other parameters. For example, a good, semi-commercial calendered linoleum has almost the same thermal conductivity as an 8 mm class 32 HDF laminate - approximately 0.16-0.17 W / (m * K). As a rule, sellers do not have detailed information. To obtain accurate indicators, ask the store for a product passport (supplied with each batch of goods) or look on the manufacturer's website.

Often buyers try to figure out what greener. At first glance, the question is controversial. Manufacturers of laminated parquet appeal to the fact that the products are 90-95% wood. But at the same time, they are silent that the remaining percentages are melamine, phenol-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde and other rather toxic compounds used as binders, surface protection and other things. At the same time, almost all over the world, natural marmoleum is approved for installation in children's, school and medical institutions as the most environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic and bacteriostatic material. In the same way, PVC coatings from the "antibacterial", "sanitary" series are approved for use. What is more harmful and more dangerous in the end?

In fact, everything is simple. A long-established certification system will help you resolve this dilemma. When conducting tests, Russian certifying organizations check the compliance of laminate and linoleum with all mandatory standards, including the presence of toxic substances in the composition, the level of their release into the air (maximum permissible concentrations - MPC), etc. Linoleum from Tarkett or Forbo, as well as laminate from BerryAlloc or Kaindl pass all types of research with equal success and receive a full package of documents confirming the safety of products: a sanitary and hygienic conclusion, a certificate of conformity, fire safety.

There is another important point. Some large manufacturers understand that it is easy to intimidate buyers with various myths that marketers and PR masters come up with that are not entirely clean at hand. Therefore, they order additional certification of products on a voluntary basis. For example, Tarket has the right to mark its linoleum with the Russian sign "Leaf of Life", and the German laminate from HDM has been assigned a similar environmental identifier "Blue Angel" (Der Blaue Engel).

Thus, it does not matter what color or thickness the coating in the apartment is planned to be laid. Choose quality products that comply with Russian and international safety standards.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms by mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

When choosing a finishing material for rooms for various purposes, the question often arises of what is better to choose. The dilemma usually arises between laminate and linoleum.

What is laminate

Laminate can easily imitate parquet, while its quality indicators are much higher

Laminate is a modern flooring that perfectly imitates parquet and solid wood boards or ceramic tiles, and is also available in stylized stone, leather and metal styles.

The laminated board is represented by four or five main layers:

• soundproof underlay;
• a stabilizing layer that increases stiffness and protects the material from deformation;
• carrier or main HDF layer, providing sound and heat insulation, as well as equipped with a locking system for docking with adjacent elements;
• paper decorative layer with a pattern that imitates natural or artificial finishing materials;
• upper protective layer based on acrylic or melamine resin, which makes the surface resistant to wear.

Despite the fact that the laminate consists of several layers, its thickness is only 6–12 mm. At the same time, their soundproofing properties directly depend on the thickness of the plates.

The presence of the Click or Lock locking system facilitates the process of installing a laminated board and makes the grip as reliable as possible.

Advantages of quality laminate:

• environmental safety and naturalness;
• aesthetic appearance;
• durability and ease of maintenance.

What is the difference between linoleum

Linoleum is laid or glued on a flat, dry base using polymer mastics or special adhesives.

Traditional linoleum of natural or synthetic type can be represented by expensive heterogeneous or cheaper budget finishing material.

Main groups:

• natural varieties based on linseed oil, pine resin, oak bark powder, crushed limestone and natural dyes;
• polyvinyl chloride types are represented by materials on non-woven, fabric and foam bases, and can also be made in baseless, single-layer and multi-layer versions;
• colloxin (nitrocellulose) varieties are a thin baseless material with high moisture resistance and elasticity;
• glyptal finishing material on a woven basis has high soundproofing and heat-insulating properties;
• two-layer rubber relin has an excellent level of elasticity and moisture resistance, but is not used for finishing in residential premises.

Linoleum is produced in the form of rolls with a length of 6 to 45 m, a width of 0.5 to 5 m and a thickness of 1.5 to 5 mm (special linoleums for laying in industrial, warehouse, public or sports facilities have a thickness of up to 8–9 mm ).

Natural linoleum is the most environmentally friendly finishing material of all types of this coating; has high wear resistance, low flammability, abrasion resistance, antistatic, relatively long service life.

All PVC linoleums are classified depending on several criteria represented by the structure, the presence or absence of a base and the scope.

Advantages of high-quality modern roll material:

• excellent water resistance and sufficient density;
• good antistatic;
• a wide range of design options.

What is better to choose

Both laminate and linoleum are offered on the market in a wide range of consumer properties and prices.

The choice between laminate and linoleum, according to experts, is made depending on the importance for the consumer of such parameters as sound insulation, insulation, ecology, moisture resistance and cost.

For home

In the conditions of private households, it is equally important to use both materials for arranging flooring.

They have fairly high thermal insulation performance, but cheap linoleum models are flammable, which must be taken into account if there is a fireplace or other open fire heating system in the house. In addition, linoleum and laminate are perfect for arranging "warm floors" in a country house.

For an apartment

For the flooring of the bedroom, dining room and living room, it is advisable to purchase a solid laminated board, which has a more stylish, modern and attractive appearance.

It is desirable to make the floor surface in the kitchen and in the children's bedroom or playroom more practical, reliable and durable.

For giving

In seasonal summer cottages, as well as on balconies and loggias without a stable heating system, it is recommended to lay only modern laminate.

The use of rolled flooring in flooring, which does not have sufficient resistance to temperature extremes or high humidity, will require too frequent replacement of the finishing material.

Video: What to lay - laminate or linoleum

High-quality laminated board and high-quality linoleum have almost the same price, but the appearance of the laminate seems more expensive and presentable. However, if you wish, you can always perform quite a budget floor finish with good linoleum, imitating an expensive laminate.

Laminate and linoleum are the most common types of flooring. In the past decade, interior designers and buyers have been favoring laminate flooring as it is believed to mimic wood flooring better. However, the production technology of linoleum also does not stand still, and in terms of aesthetic and operational qualities, linoleum is no longer inferior to its eternal rival.

Principles of comparison: what is better - laminate or linoleum?

Before us, as consumers, the age-old question arises: which is better - laminate or linoleum? The choice is not easy. Let's think logically.

We will consider the application of these floor coverings in a residential area. Laminate is usually used in living rooms and bedrooms, linoleum - in the kitchen, balcony. And only the hallway is the place where these materials are used in equal proportions.

As a result, we compare which is better laminate or linoleum for an apartment, in the hallway, class 23 material. Area with high traffic and pollution levels.

Laminate VS Linoleu: which is better?

Criteria for evaluation:

1. Appearance
2. Ease of installation
3. Coating strength
4. Noise-absorbing properties
5. Thermal conductivity and heat retention
6. Environmental friendliness
7. Ease of maintenance
8. Life time
9. Ease of repair

So, the initial score is 0-0.

What is better in appearance?

In terms of the number of colors, textures and patterns, linoleum is superior to laminate. When using linoleum, you can achieve various visual effects and solve non-standard interior design problems. Imitation of granite chips, natural stone or colored geometric shapes in linoleum is better.

The choice of textures and colors in the laminate is less. But it is believed that it looks "richer" and cozier, and is suitable for any style of interior. Imitation of natural wood and parquet in laminate looks better.

The second nuance is the joints. In a small room with a simple geometry, linoleum is laid in a single sheet, but with a large area or bends, it is laid joint to joint, which can be very noticeable and spoil the whole impression. In this sense, the laminate does look more advantageous, however, we cannot award it a winning point due to the installation characteristics (more on this below, and you will understand why).

What looks better laminate or linoleum - everyone decides for himself. Who likes what. There is a draw - 1:1. But for the number of texture variations, we give linoleum 1 extra point.

What is cheaper laminate or linoleum?

These floor coverings are available in various price ranges. Naturally, the cheapest representatives of linoleum and laminate lose to their expensive counterparts. But since we are comparing coatings with approximately the same characteristics, the picture is as follows: the average price of household linoleum is per square meter, the laminate will cost per square.

Add the cost of the underlay, which is required for laminate and not required for linoleum.

The winner is obvious - 1 point for linoleum!

What is easier to install?

Ideally, both materials require an exceptionally flat floor, and in this case, their installation will not be difficult even for a novice builder. Both coatings will have to be cut off if there are protrusions, but this problem is easily solved.

For uneven surfaces and surfaces with slight slopes, variants are possible. If small depressions successfully hide both coatings, then there will be problems with bulges. When laying a laminate, since the grooves may not match, and for linoleum, after some time, all these bumps will be very noticeable and even cracks and breaks may appear. For linoleum, slopes are not dangerous, and the laminate will have to be laid taking into account the direction of the slope.

Of course, it will not do without pitfalls. If the laminate is laid too tightly, then over time it will begin to creak, noticeable gaps will appear. This can also happen when the temperature and humidity of the air in the room changes. When leaving gaps between the wall and the first line of the laminate, a wide baseboard will be required (some experts recommend not placing cabinets on the laminate to allow the laminate to “walk” a little). In this regard, linoleum has no such problems.

Summing up in this nomination, we believe that each coating has styling features, therefore we do not take them into account. In terms of ease of installation, laminate and linoleum are equal and each is awarded a point.

Which coating is stronger?

In terms of resistance to external loads, the laminate wins. It is almost impossible to accidentally scratch it, it is not afraid of the claws of pets, heels. Linoleum of the class under consideration is less resistant: it deforms under the weight of bulky furniture, the top layer can be damaged by sharp hairpins, dog paws, and can also melt under the influence of a hot object (for example, if a lit cigarette falls or a hot pan is placed on it. Unlikely, but there is still a chance).

It should be noted that the laminate can wear out in places of regular use under heavy loads.

Since we are considering the entrance hall, it is likely that sand will periodically accumulate there, interaction with which is undesirable for both coatings, since micro-scratches may appear in which dust will get stuck and over time this will become visible to the naked eye.

Taking into account the described nuances, 1 point is awarded to the laminate.

What kind of coating absorbs noise better?

In this category, the undoubted leader is linoleum. This is due to the composition itself and the number of layers in this coating. If the bottom layer is made of felt, then your movements will be barely audible.

In contrast to the laminate, which by its nature is very "voiced". Even if you go barefoot (not to mention shoes with any heel), then the neighbors below will know exactly your location. And if you have children or a small dog in your house, then how they walk will be heard throughout the apartment building. A high-quality substrate will save, but it will cost much more.

Without hesitation, the score goes to linoleum.

Which cover is the best at retaining heat?

In this matter, we award a draw. First, both of these coatings have approximately the same thermal conductivity. Secondly, a lot depends on the substrate. Thirdly, both laminate and linoleum allow you to install the so-called, but that's another story.

As for which surface is more pleasant to walk on, it is difficult to find a definite answer, since it all depends on personal preferences.

What works best with water?

It must be said directly - the laminate is afraid of water! Under the influence of water, the laminate begins to swell and deform, and the liquid that has penetrated under the laminate substrate will not evaporate quickly, which will cause the appearance of mold, fungus and all other similar delights. If a flood happened, then most likely there will be a serious repair.

Linoleum, on the other hand, is able to retain water on the surface, and in the event of a large “flood”, it can be removed, dried and laid back without loss.

Another point to linoleum.

Which coating is more environmentally friendly?

A very modern question. Here you need to look at the manufacturer, his reputation and the additives he uses. We can say that these floor coverings, made in accordance with existing standards and approved requirements, will be equally safe. At the same time, “Chinese fakes” or materials from an unknown manufacturer can emit vapors that are hazardous to health.

When buying, pay attention to the badges of quality certificates.

A point for each.

What is easier to care for?

There are several nuances. On the one hand, the laminate attracts dust and gets dirty faster, but it does not “absorb” dirt. Dust does not stick to linoleum, with significant pollution (remember that we are considering the hallway), it is much more difficult to wipe it off. Especially, it concerns black stripes from boots.

On the other hand, laminate is demanding on a large amount of moisture and the detergents used. Linoleum in this regard is less capricious.

There is no clear leader. Draw again.

What will last longer laminate or linoleum?

As already noted, the technologies for the production of these materials have improved significantly over the past few years, so it is difficult to determine a clear leader in this nomination.

Manufacturers of both floor coverings claim that the classes in question will last more than 10 years. The service life will naturally be affected by the load, extreme situations that we cannot take into account when awarding points.

We analyzed