Specifications and properties of linoleum. Types of linoleum: photo, characteristics, choice Linoleum happens

Wear resistance, moisture resistance, aesthetics, safety and reliability are the properties that you need to pay attention to if you need to buy material for flooring. good option is linoleum. But there are many types of this product on the construction market, so you should study its characteristics in more detail. If the question arises of how to choose linoleum, the classification of this coating is given in this article.

Technical properties

Before buying linoleum, you should pay attention to such parameters: roll length, protective layer thickness, degree of wear resistance and guarantee period. The material retains an attractive appearance for 10-15 years, but this figure depends on the type of building, since in industrial conditions it will deteriorate faster than a product laid in a residential building.

The main characteristics of the classification of linoleum include the following parameters:

density;
wear resistance class;
combustibility and toxicity;
heat and sound insulation properties;
moisture resistance;
resistance to harmful substances;
protective layer thickness;
the presence of an antiseptic coating;
propensity to burn out;
abrasion.

Product marking

When buying a material, the seller is obliged to present certificates that confirm its quality. The document indicates the fire performance of linoleum, since manufacturers are required to label their products. Such conventions:

for domestic products - these are GOSTs and TUs.
foreign products are marked in accordance with European quality standards (EN).

Coating materials

Linoleum is produced under industrial conditions using modern technologies and mechanical devices. Reliable and harmless materials are used for its manufacture. In addition, manufacturers treat products with antifungal solutions.

The modern classification of linoleum by the type of film former includes five groups:

Natural material is produced using environmentally friendly components such as pine resin, linseed oil and limestone powder. Such a product does not fade and does not change color over time, in addition, it is resistant to alkalis, fats and acids. This is a safe material, so they cover the floors in children's rooms.
PVC linoleum (polyvinyl chloride) is made on fabric, foam and non-woven bases. In addition, there are baseless, single or multilayer options.
Rubber two-layer coating (relin), the lower layer of which consists of crushed wood (sawdust, shavings, wood chips), and the upper layer of colored rubber. High moisture resistance, strength and elasticity are the advantages of this type of linoleum. However, over time, the material begins to release harmful substances, so it is not used in residential premises. But for industrial buildings it is perfect option, since relin is resistant to harmful reagents.
Colloxylin linoleum is a thin material without a base, the main drawback of which is high flammability. For this reason, it is forbidden to cover them with wooden floors in rooms with explosive objects.
Glyptal coating is made on a woven basis with the addition of coloring pigments and alkyd resins. It should be taken into account when laying: over time, the material will decrease in size.

These are the main types of classification of linoleum by composition. As a rule, coatings made from natural and PVC materials are used in construction, since the first product will be environmentally friendly, and the second will be cheap and of high quality.

The structure of PVC linoleum

Depending on this characteristic, the coating is of two types:

homogeneous;
heterogeneous.

A homogeneous product is a single-layer material with a thickness of 2 mm, in the manufacture of which dyes and PVC granules are used. The pattern on such a floor covering will remain for a long time, since it permeates the entire layer. Such linoleum is restored by grinding, while removing about 10% of the thickness of the material.

Homogeneous roll coating is used in rooms with intensive loads and in buildings where wheelchairs or carts are used. The less specific gravity products, the more it contains PVC, and the wear resistance of the material already depends on this indicator. The floor covering will retain an attractive appearance for about 25 years.

Heterogeneous linoleum - universal finishing material 6 mm thick. The top layer is made of pure PVC, which is supplemented with polyurethane in order to increase wear resistance. The substrate is a natural fabric, foamed polyvinyl chloride or non-woven fiber. decorative layer performed in colors for every taste.

Application area

The classification of linoleum by application is as follows:

Household view.
Commercial (industrial).
Specialized.
Semi-commercial.

Household roll coating has a thickness of 1 to 4 mm. A variety of colors and styles, softness, easy installation and low price are the advantages due to which this type of material is very popular in construction. However, such a coating under heavy load will deteriorate in a few years.

Commercial linoleum - durable material, the protective layer of which has a large thickness. They cover floors in school corridors, hospitals or dance halls. The service life of the product is from 10 to 20 years.

Linoleum classification by special types next:

Coating with a protective layer for sports halls. Such material is better protected from contamination and has a high wear resistance class.
Anti-slip linoleum with a corrugated front. The product is made with the addition of quartz chips.
Roll coating, which has high soundproofing properties, is used to cover the floor in a recording studio.
A product with a special antibacterial layer that is used in hospitals and pharmacies.

Abrasion of linoleum

This technical parameter- an excellent indicator of how long the top layer of the coating will lose its original appearance. When buying, you should consider the classification of linoleum according to the degree of abrasion, which is divided into 4 key types:

Group T is the category of the most durable products.
P - slightly abraded linoleum.
M - materials that are subject to a moderate degree of abrasion.
F - coatings that deteriorate the fastest.

It is important to know: the level of abrasion depends on the thickness and quality of the top layer of linoleum, and wear resistance - on the size of the entire coating. The second parameter will be discussed in more detail.

Classification of linoleum by wear resistance

The material must be purchased taking into account the type of room in which it will be used as a floor covering. The product during operation is subjected to mechanical loads, which include the movement of furniture and simple walking.

The wear resistance of the coating is determined using the European system EN 685. The classification of linoleum types in this case consists of a two-digit number, the first digit in which indicates the type of room, or rather:

2 - residential buildings (apartments, private houses, hostels, cottages);
3 - office and public spaces(schools, institutes, hospitals, etc.);
4 - industrial facilities, as well as railway stations, airports, subways and other places where it is collected at the same time a large number of of people.

The second digit is responsible for the load:

1 - low;
3 - intensive;
4 - extremely high.

The main thing is to know the meaning of these numbers in order to understand what kind of classification of linoleum in terms of wear resistance. In addition, using this data, you can select the required material, taking into account the type of room and the degree of load on the coating.

Characteristics of the fire safety of linoleum

If the floor covering industrial building made of this material, then the owner of the premises must have a certificate of goods confirming its quality. Linoleum classification by fire safety includes the following options:

The combustibility of the material (G) is an important characteristic, since a product with an indicator of G1 can be placed in industrial premises and places that are intended for evacuation of people during a fire. But highly combustible linoleum (G4) is forbidden to be used in the construction of public buildings.
Toxicity (T) is a parameter that can be used to determine how many harmful substances a burning material emits. This characteristic ranges from low toxicity (T1) to high toxicity (T4) linoleum. On evacuation stairs and platforms, a coating with a characteristic of not more than T2 is laid.
Ignition (B) - an indicator of what the material's ability to burn. The lower it is, the safer the linoleum.
Smoke generation (D) is a characteristic that determines how much smoke there will be during a fire. There are three options, so a small number in this case is an indicator of a safe material.
The flame propagation speed (RP) is an important parameter that should not be higher than RP2 when installing flooring in a public building.

Linoleum is recommended to be mounted on a reaction adhesive, since there are no solvents in its composition. In addition, some manufacturers produce a special fire-resistant material that has enhanced fire-fighting properties.

Linoleum thickness

This parameter depends on the quality and structure of the material. Thickness modern coverage usually is 2-3.5 mm. Thicker options have low strength, so such products are practically not produced.

The quality of the coating depends on the thickness of the technological layers, but the size of the protective layer should also be taken into account.

The classification of linoleum by thickness has the following variations:

Thin roll coating is a material 1-2 mm thick with a protective layer, the dimensions of which are from 0.15 to 0.2 mm. This product cannot be placed heavy furniture.
The medium type coating has a thickness of 2-3 mm with a top layer of more than 0.3 mm. Such material is laid floors in the corridor or hallway.
Thick linoleum is a durable roll coating, the thickness of which is about 3.5 mm. The product withstands long-term loads, while its front layer is not deformed.

Linoleum width

In order not to have to connect individual pieces, you should buy material whose dimensions correspond to the dimensions of the room. Depending on the width, the classification of linoleum is as follows:

Alkyd single color or decorative material Sold in rolls, the width of which is from 2 to 4 m.
Multilayer PVC linoleum is produced 1.5-4 meters.
Relin is monophonic and multi-colored, and in hardware store rolls are sold from 1 to 1.6 m.

Antistatic linoleum

This material - optimal solution for rooms in which a lot of working electrical equipment is installed. Appliances sometimes ignite due to the accumulation of dust, so a special antistatic agent is included in the composition of linoleum. protective covering.

The key advantage is the ability to lay floors in rooms where high-precision equipment is located. Such material is reliable, but its cost is much higher than other types of products.

Finally

The article presents the main criteria and properties by which it is possible to determine the required type of roll coating according to the classification of linoleum. The main thing is to carefully study the requirements and recommendations so as not to waste money, since a certain type of linoleum should be purchased for each type of building. This is a popular material, so there are no problems with the choice suitable product should not occur.

Linoleum has long gained popularity in the domestic market. It continues to hold its leading position to this day. Such popularity is understandable, because it is quite easy to install, has high wear resistance, provides a huge number of textures and colors to choose from, and at the same time has an affordable price.

"Pros and cons"

The advantages of the considered material include:

Ease of installation. This is one of the main "pluses" of this flooring. After all, thanks to him, the buyer can save additional cash and do it yourself.
Unpretentiousness in care. Traces of dirt on the flooring in question are less noticeable than on parquet or laminate, and even if they appear, they can be easily removed by wet cleaning.
High moisture resistance, as well as resistance to acidic environments. Due to this property, linoleum can be laid in rooms where there is high humidity air, and wipe it as often as necessary.
High level of thermal insulation.
Low sound transmission.
No need for an additional layer of protection.
Elasticity and lack of slip effect, which ensures safe operation. This factor is especially important if there are children in the apartment.
The widest selection of textures and colors. This makes it possible to implement even the most unique design ideas.

Disadvantages include:

The production uses harmful chemicals, but in general it complies with all established sanitary standards and rules.
With a long location in the same place of heavy objects, dents may appear.

Types of linoleum

There are several classifications of the considered flooring. Let's consider each of them.

Classification based on materials of manufacture

Linoleum from natural ingredients

For its production are used:

lime;
wood resin;
linseed oil;
cork flour.

This species is the most environmentally friendly and safe for health. It is resistant to bacteria, has antistatic properties, does not absorb grease, and is also flame retardant.

Attention ! It is not necessary to lay such a coating in rooms without heating or with high level humidity, as it is prone to rotting, and also becomes brittle when low temperatures.

PVC linoleum (polyvinyl chloride)

This type can be produced on a fabric, non-woven thermal insulation or foam base. According to its structure, it can be single-layer or multi-layer. The main disadvantage is the presence of a pungent odor, which disappears for a long time, as well as a large shrinkage.

Rubber linoleum, or relin

It consists of 2 layers. It is based on bitumen or rubber, which has already been in use. The outer layer is made from synthetic rubber, a specific filler and dyes. This type is very plastic and well withstands exposure to high humidity.

Nitrocellulose linoleum (collokeyline)

It is a thin coating made from nitrocellulose. It has a beautiful glossy sheen, very elastic and moisture resistant. The main "minus" is the increased fire hazard.

Alkyd linoleum (giftal)

Consists of fabric material, alkyd resins, dyes. It has excellent heat and sound insulation properties, but at the same time it is a rather fragile material.

Classification based on material structure

Basic

This type has a heat-insulating fabric or non-woven backing. Very flexible, thanks to which it perfectly fits on any surface.

Baseless

This coating is quite thin. Its thickness is from one and a half to three millimeters. Laying such linoleum can only be done on a perfectly flat surface. it cheap material with a short service life.

Homogeneous

Has a uniform structure. Consists of a mixture of PVC granules and pigments. The drawing is not located on its upper layer, but completely permeates the entire material. Homogeneous linoleum is perfect for installation in rooms with a high pass rate, as it is very resistant to abrasion.

Heterogeneous

May have up to six layers. Its base is fiberglass. The backing may be foam, woven or non-woven.

Classification based on scope

When choosing linoleum, you should know that it is divided into classes. So, in Europe there are 21-23, 31-34, 41-43 classes of linoleum. They differ not only in appearance, but also technical properties. According to domestic standards, linoleum is divided into three types depending on the place of use, and each of the types is divided into classes. You can find the classes of linoleum and their description in the table below.

Thus, depending on the place of application, there are:

Domestic

It is used for laying in rooms intended for housing. Has a wide selection of colors and decor. Most often, it is a heterogeneous coating with a protective outer layer from 0.15 to 0.3 mm. This type has low wear resistance, unlike semi-commercial and commercial counterparts, but it is more environmentally friendly.

semi-commercial

Used in medium traffic conditions (cafes, shops, offices). According to the characteristics inherent in it, it is located between the domestic and commercial types.

Commercial

Lay in rooms with high traffic (production, large shops or offices). It can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. The protective layer is approximately 0.8 millimeters and often contains additives (insulators, antistatic agents, and possibly corundum). It has high wear resistance and keeps its original appearance for a long time.

Linoleum grades PR, VT, M, TTN

For laying in an apartment, linoleum is considered the most suitable, which has the following markings PR, VT, M, TTN. Let's figure out what they mean.

Linoleum PR

Marking PR means that the linoleum was produced by the smear method. From foreign manufacturers this method- The most common. This is due to its simplicity and low cost. The floor covering produced by the lubrication method meets all established standards.

According to the manufacturing method, such types of linoleum are also distinguished, such as:

VK, or roller-calender;
PRP, or contact - promazy;
EC, or extrusion;
EKP, or extrusion, having a transparent PVC film on top.

Linoleum W

Marking BT means that the coating has a needle-punched base, consisting of a mixture of synthetic and recycled fibers with an upper protective cover of lavsan and other artificial fibers that prevent the base from rotting. Also, depending on the material used for the substrate, there are:

VTK - the underlying base is the same as that of VT, but has a frame;
C - the subbase consists of artificial fibers;
X - the base is also antiseptic, but consisting of synthetic fibers.
D (L) - antiseptic base, consisting of bast fibers or jute.

Linoleum M

"M" means that it is a one-color or marble-like linoleum having several layers. In addition, by the number of layers, linoleum can be:

MP - multilayer, coated with a transparent PVC film with a pattern;
O - single-layer, with a monophonic or marble color.

Linoleum TTN

It is a baseless, flame retardant PVC coating. It is produced by the roller-calender method according to the recipe approved by the customer. It is subdivided into TTN-1 and TTN-2. The latter is highly wear resistant.

When buying linoleum, it is necessary to take into account the patency of the room, its level of humidity and temperature conditions.

You can also help with the choice of linoleum for each room in your apartment by watching the video below:

Linoleum is perhaps the most democratic type of flooring. You can meet him both in fashionable country houses and in modest city apartments. It successfully harmonizes both with the luxury of the Baroque interior and with the laconic, restrained hi-tech. It is chosen both for residential premises and for schools, offices and other public buildings. We are so accustomed to this type of flooring and we have no idea how many different offers there are on the market! Well, have you ever heard about homogeneous linoleum, or about alkyd? Not many will answer in the affirmative. Let's see what types of linoleum exist?

Linoleum is closely associated with us modern interior, but few people know that this flooring is over a hundred years old! In 1864, Frederick Walton received a patent for the invention of linoleum, which was named after the main raw material - linseed oil. Every year, production has expanded, and now it has become a popular coating that amazes with a variety of colors and patterns. With it, you can imitate a plank floor, a natural stone, carpet and even metal.

Thanks to new technologies for the production of linoleum, a large assortment of these products has appeared on the market, which greatly complicates the choice. What happens linoleum: specifications, types and types - let's see?

Varieties depending on the binder

In the manufacture of any linoleum, a binder is used, depending on it, the following types of linoleum are distinguished:

Natural linoleum - high-quality flooring for domestic and commercial use. It is made exclusively from natural ingredients. As part of a mixture of linseed oil, resin, wood and limestone flour, resin, crushed cork, etc. natural pigments can be added. Use this coating can be anywhere: from kindergartens to medical institutions and apartments. Its structure allows it to withstand a load of 160 kg per 1 cm square. The disadvantages include rather poor color palette and high cost.
PVC linoleum (PVC) - they are made polymer materials. It is made from artificial materials, but passes strict quality control and is tested for safety, which allows you to lay it even in bedrooms without risk to health. It can have several layers, or be single-layer, with or without a base. The base can be foam, fabric and heat-insulating. The advantage of this linoleum will be affordable price, variety color solutions, but the minuses include sensitivity to chemicals and temperature extremes.
Alkyd or glyptal linoleum has good heat and sound insulation characteristics. It is produced most often on a fabric basis. The disadvantages include fragility, a predisposition to the appearance of creases, deformation and poor response to low temperatures (loses elasticity, warps).
relin(rubber linoleum) is durable, elastic and moisture resistant. It is made from synthetic rubber and bitumen. The bottom layer is a mixture of bitumen and crushed recycled rubber, the top layer is made of colored rubber. By virtue of hygiene requirements, in residential premises it is not used, but it is great for production.
colloxylin linoleum (base - nitrocellulose). This linoleum - whose characteristics are moisture resistance and elasticity - has high decorative properties, beautiful shine, but at the same time, fire hazard, prone to shrinkage, sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Homogeneous and heterogeneous linoleum

Homogeneous linoleum - a canvas of a uniform structure, with a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm. It does not differ in a variety of patterns, most often plain or with a simple pattern. Due to the fact that it has a uniform color throughout its thickness, it looks like new for a long time, and traces of abrasion are almost invisible on it. Due to excellent performance characteristics and increased wear resistance, such a coating is actively used in rooms with increased loads on the floor: at airports, public buildings, shops, hallways and halls. From time to time, this linoleum requires special care: it must be covered with mastic, which fills the pores. This prevents intense contamination of the coating and allows it to keep presentable appearance over a long period of time. Some manufacturers immediately apply a special polyurethane film to the linoleum.

Heterogeneous coatings have a complex, multilayer structure. The thickness can vary from 2 to 6 mm. Such a coating is more expensive to manufacture and requires more sophisticated technologies. The composition of individual layers can vary significantly, as well as the thickness of the protective layer, on which the wear resistance and preservation of the brightness of colors and patterns depend. In addition to the fact that this linoleum can please with a variety of colors, it is also practical, resistant to damage.

Varieties of linoleum depending on the application

Depending on the area in which PVC - linoleum is used, there are commercial, semi-commercial, household and special linoleum.

In areas where the number of visitors is high (in shops, train stations, restaurants, cinemas, etc.) use commercial linoleum, the characteristics of which allow him to perfectly cope with the loads. Commercial(or contract) linoleum was developed with the aim of creating an inexpensive, attractive and durable flooring that would not be inferior in terms of wear resistance to traditional materials. Its significant advantage is the price, ease of installation and ample opportunities for original design gender.

Domestic Linoleum is used for flooring in residential premises, so the requirements for its performance properties are not so great. But close attention given to diverse design solutions. These coatings do not have a very large protective layer, but they have excellent heat and sound insulation properties.

semi-commercial linoleum has taken a position between commercial and domestic. Semi-commercial linoleum has very positive characteristics and will be appropriate where the load on the flooring is not too high, but still significant.

Special linoleum is intended for rooms that have special requirements. It is given certain specific properties: resistance to low temperatures, to aggressive environments, etc. These coatings are used, for example, in hospitals, laboratories, gyms and other places.

How to choose the right coverage?

So, you have firmly decided that linoleum will show off on your floor. It remains to choose the right one. It is clear that color and design will attract attention first. But, before making a purchase, you need to determine whether the vending linoleum meets your requirements:

It would not be superfluous to look at the hygiene certificate, or look for signs on the label that indicate that the product has passed an examination that confirmed its environmental friendliness.
Determine what grade of coverage you need. You can find out about this from the sales assistant or in a special catalog.
Pay attention to the thickness of the back layer of linoleum, sound and heat insulation and resistance to deformation depend on it. The thicker the layer, the warmer the floor, you can determine the thickness by eye. The density is determined by pressing on the linoleum with your fingers, the less the thickness changes under pressure, the higher the density of the base and more resistant to point loads.
Find out how wide linoleum is, because it depends on whether it will be possible to do without seams. Usually, the width of a linoleum roll is from 2 to 4 m (rarely 5 m). Standard sizes- 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 m. When choosing the width of the linoleum, be guided by the size of the room. For example, for a room of 3x6 m, a three-meter linoleum is ideal. And for a corridor 1.5 meters wide, even a narrow roll will need to be cut.
For summer residents perfect choice will become linoleum with a PVC base, duplicated with polyester. This is explained by the fact that PVC does not tolerate frost and temperature extremes, and polyester smooths out this drawback.
When choosing linoleum for the kitchen, you should pay attention to samples with additional lacquered, which greatly facilitates cleaning and prevents the penetration of dirt into the structure of linoleum.
An antibacterial protective layer can be relevant, both for the kitchen and for the nursery. When in contact with moisture, it releases silver ions, which are known to have antibacterial properties.

Usually, such advantages are not hidden by manufacturers, so you should carefully read the label. Having decided on these parameters, you can stop your attention on color scheme and drawing of linoleum. They must match the purpose of the room. For example, a living room in warm, natural shades is conducive to relaxation, calm communication, and made in intense cold colors - gives energy, creates a cheerful mood. A bright contrasting pattern will invigorate, and a monotonous, unobtrusive pattern will calm you down. Coldish and light shades will visually enlarge the space, warm ones will make the room more comfortable.

Having learned a little more about linoleum: what happens, its characteristics and properties, I think you can easily choose the right one. After all, the use of linoleum provides a very wide freedom in the design of any interior. Manufacturers bring to the market all new current collections that allow you to make any room unique.

This finishing material was very popular a couple of decades ago. At that moment, its advantageous difference from other types floor coverings was relatively low cost. In addition, a clear advantage of linoleum is its wear resistance. Cheap and for a long time - these are the words that could characterize this material. But now the market situation has changed, of course, the price is still very great importance. However, many people prefer, albeit expensive, but natural materials. Linoleum again began to be in demand, he practically survived the "second birth". What is the reason for such popularity? And how not to get confused in the many types and types of linoleum?

Linoleum types

Before buying material and even detailed interior planning, you need to decide on the type of linoleum that you need. Classify materials according to various criteria. The simplest division by the presence of a substrate: basic and non-basic type of coating. The latter option is distinguished by its low price, small thickness (up to 1.6 mm) and fragility. This is only on a perfectly flat floor, since it quickly takes the form of a base, including all tubercles and pits. However, this type of coating is practically not used, as it wears out quickly and loses its appearance.

The main type includes all other linoleums with a substrate. But they also have their own characteristics and differences. There are three classes:

on the warm base,
foam base,
multilayer.

Linoleum on a warm basis consists of two layers: polymer top and lining. The basis is synthetic or natural felt (jute is also used). The maximum thickness of such linoleum is 5 mm, and only 1.5 mm of them is occupied by the top layer. Basic the disadvantage of this material is low moisture resistance, warm-based linoleum is not suitable for kitchens either. But it will look great in the bedroom, nursery or living room.

foam base allows you to use this flooring in the hallway and bathroom, as well as in the kitchen. Such linoleum is not afraid of water and heavy soiling, grease stains can be easily removed from it. The thickness of the material is from 2 to 3.5 mm.

Multilayer linoleum is particularly wear-resistant and durable. Restrictions on use are imposed by the substrate, which can be either jute or polyester or made of foamed PVC. Linoleum itself of this type made from fiberglass, special impregnation is also used.

Also share linoleums according to the materials used. In this case, one can distinguish natural linoleum, rubber, PVC, giftal and nitrocellulose.

The best properties are linoleum, made from natural materials . Wood resin, linseed oil and cork flour are commonly used. This flooring will last long years, will not fade or crack. natural option - great choice for the kitchen, because it does not absorb grease and creates an environment in which it is difficult for bacteria to multiply. In addition, natural linoleum retains its size, color and structure for many years.

Rubber linoleum has a high level of plasticity. The top layer is made of a special filler and rubber. Also, this material is resistant to moisture.

Common PVC linoleum can be recognized by a specific smell, which disappears for a very long time. Coverage is available for different bases(and no basis at all). Attractive appearance, flexibility and elasticity, as well as an affordable price - all these parameters brought PVC linoleum to the top of sales. But it also has a significant drawback - at low temperatures, the coating can crack and even burst.

Giftal linoleum inferior to the PVC counterpart in terms of strength and flexibility. Cracks often appear on it. At the same time, it has excellent performance in terms of sound and heat insulation, suitable for apartments in houses with good audibility. It is worth considering one of its features: over time, it increases in the width of the strips, but decreases in length.

Nitrocellulose provides the floor covering with elasticity and moisture resistance. This linoleum has a specific luster. But there is also a clear drawback - a high fire hazard.

Varieties of linoleum

There is another classification of floor coverings of this type: depending on the place of application. Caused it special requirements to the strength and wear resistance of the material. Allocate linoleum:

for household purposes
semi-commercial,
commercial.

The first type includes material with a thickness of not more than 4 mm, which is usually made on a foam basis. Among its advantages are ease of installation, unpretentiousness and the presence of a wide range of colors and textures. But there are also disadvantages: under heavy load, it loses its attractive appearance very quickly, wears out.

The second type is also often used in houses and apartments, despite the fact that it was originally intended for finishing small offices, hotel rooms, etc. This material is highly resistant, because a special protective coating is applied to it. The thickness of the additional layer is 0.7 mm, which greatly increases the service life. Otherwise, the properties are close to standard household linoleum.

Commercial linoleum was designed for high traffic areas. These are not only large offices and halls of business centers, but also schools, hospitals, museums, etc. To maintain an attractive appearance with such a high load on the coating, PVC is usually used.

How to choose the right linoleum?

It is very difficult not to get lost in such a variety of options. To understand what type and type of material you need, analyze your flooring requirements.

Worth considering:

density,
moisture resistance,
wear resistance,
heat and sound insulation properties,
thickness
flammability
available colors and textures.