How to choose high-quality linoleum for an apartment

When choosing a finishing material for the floor today, customers do not always pay attention to linoleum. Meanwhile, this is the most proven flooring that has been used for over 270 years. Sometimes it’s quite difficult to understand how to choose linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality and color, as manufacturers offer a huge number of options.

Not everyone today knows that linoleum, as a floor covering, has been tested for centuries, is not inferior to other finishing materials in the number of color options and is very durable. This is a durable and wear-resistant material that does not pose a health hazard and can be used in rooms intended for children, in residential and medical facilities.

Types of linoleum

Not all buyers today know that linoleum was originally made from natural materials, which was reflected in its name.

At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, such a floor finishing material was made on the basis of

• jute, cotton, or flax;
• a hot mixture of natural oils, resins of conifers, wood flour and pigments, which poured fabric;
• linseed oil and oilcake, which formed the basis of such a coating.

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Synthetic analogues began to be made only 60 years ago, using PVC as a material. At the same time, production of linoleum from natural materials continued, only its price was much higher than synthetic analogues.

Marmoleum Performance

In terms of quality and safety of all types of roll flooring, marmoleum is considered the safest and most durable. It is produced only from natural components:

• warp made of jute or linen;
• a special linoleum mixture made from gum resin, linseed oil, wood flour, natural pigments and other natural components;
• natural wax or natural varnish.

The fabric base is poured with a hot oil mixture and, after solidification, is covered with wax or varnish. In terms of quality and color, such a floor covering does not have any complaints. It is distinguished by good wear resistance, maximum safety, a variety of colors and excellent bactericidal properties that provide it with linseed oil.

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All types of natural linoleum (marmoleum) are distinguished by:

• high wear resistance;
• bactericidal qualities;
• low toxicity, moderate fire resistance;
• chemical resistance;
• suitability for grinding and restoration;
• high level of safety, allowing the use of material in rooms where children are;
• anti-slip characteristics;
• ease of maintenance and ease of cleaning;
• long term of operation.

It will provide comfortable and safe living conditions and can be easily restored. Customer reviews confirm that such a roll coating works well in various types of rooms. When choosing a marmoleum, one should deal with its load class in order to understand how to choose natural linoleum for an apartment in terms of quality and safety.

PVC linoleum

This is one of the popular types of flooring sold in rolls. In Russia, it has been produced since the late fifties of the last century. It costs several times cheaper than marmoleum and is characterized by a large variety of front surface.

For its production can be used:

• a synthetic base in the form of foamed PVC, PE felt or a combination of these materials;
• front surface made of durable PVC, on which the drawing is applied;
• a reinforcing layer of fiberglass, which makes linoleum resistant to mechanical tensile stresses;
• wear-resistant polyurethane transparency, which covers the front surface.

Artificial material is different:

• moisture resistance;
• reasonable price;
• ease of installation;
• high decorative properties;
• wear resistance;
• ease of care;
• durability.

Using such material for flooring can significantly save on repairs without sacrificing quality and decorativeness when finishing floors. It should be borne in mind that today a huge selection of such materials is offered on the market. Buyers must understand how to choose linoleum for their apartment so that it is not very expensive, not slippery and safe.

Design features of linoleum

When choosing the appropriate type of linoleum, it should be understood that among natural and artificial analogues there are coating options available on the basis of and without it. Multilayer linoleums are called heterogeneous. The layers in them make up a special strong structure.

Single-layer variants are called homogeneous. They are distinguished by increased wear resistance and pattern stability. High wear resistance is achieved due to the fact that the pattern of the front coating is printed over the entire depth of the material. As the front layer wears out, the decorative coating does not change, which is very convenient and advantageous in places of the highest traffic.

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If it is necessary to finish floors in commercial and public institutions, then a homogeneous coating is usually chosen. It is more expensive and has a high level of wear resistance, as it is designed for increased loads.

In other residential premises, where patency is less, you can use heterogeneous linoleum or marmoleum. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of such coatings, having a width of 1.5 to 6 meters. For a heterogeneous floor finish of this type, the thickness reaches 5 mm, the maximum roll length is 35 meters. The service life of synthetic heterogeneous linoleum is designed for 10 years. Marmoleum will last longer, since it can be easily restored.

Types of linoleum

Buyers who do not know how to choose a beautiful and durable linoleum for their apartment in terms of quality and odorless, should consider that such rolled floor coverings are divided into several types according to their purpose:

1. Domestic coatings, which include heterogeneous linoleums and marmoleums, designed for medium loads. The life of such materials made from artificial components is 7-10 years.
2. Semi-commercial type materials are distinguished by multilayer and increased wear resistance. They are universal and suitable for both home and office.
3. Commercial linoleums are more expensive, as they are designed for operation for 15 years. They are usually laid in public places with increased traffic.
4. Special linoleums are up to 10 mm thick. They are laid in production workshops, gyms and other places with special conditions for the exploitation of the floor. The service life of such coatings is at least 40 years.

It should be understood when choosing such a floor covering that its price depends on the wear resistance, which is determined by the structural features and the material used for the production.

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For the home, you can use heterogeneous natural or artificial linoleum, the wear resistance class of which corresponds to 21-31. These are floor materials that are optimal in price and durability, allowing you to create interiors in different styles.

For commercial facilities, through which a large number of people pass every day, commercial linoleums of a homogeneous type are selected that can withstand increased loads.

Manufacturer

When choosing natural or artificial linoleum, you also need to pay attention to the manufacturer. On the Russian market today there are foreign and domestic companies offering linoleum in a wide range. The photos of different collections show that domestic products are not inferior to imported counterparts.

The Tarkett brand offers high-quality and inexpensive linoleum of various wear resistance classes of Russian and Ukrainian production, which will help to create various interiors and demonstrate resistance to wear. She owns the brands:

• Tarkett;
• Sinteros;
• Vinisin (Ukraine);
• Polysty

Linoleums made in Russia are distinguished by an affordable price, a variety of wear resistance class and decorative surface. The average service life of such linoleum is 7-10 years. This is the best option for flooring for the home, which any average Russian family can afford.

Buyers can easily choose their own wallet of natural or artificial type of linoleum for their wallet, based on their financial capabilities and practical needs.