Modern technologies have significantly improved the consumer qualities of linoleum. Today, linoleum under the laminate, combining practicality, versatility and high quality, successfully withstands the competition among other floor coverings.
Kinds
Linoleum, including those similar to laminate, is classified by type depending on the materials of manufacture, design features and directions of use.
According to the materials, it can be different:
- Natural;
- PVC;
- Rubber (relay);
- Nitrocellulose.
According to the degree of wear resistance, the following categories are distinguished.
- Domestic. These are natural and synthetic PVC coatings (21-24 wear resistance classes) on foam and fabric bases. Product thickness is about 4 mm. The coating is soft, with high sound and heat insulation parameters, subject to mechanical stress.
Used for children's rooms, bedrooms and offices, as linoleum under the laminate. It is characterized by a low price, practicality and aesthetics;
- Semi-commercial (class 31-32). Structurally differs from the first in a thicker protective layer, and therefore more durable. Designed for living rooms, hallways, kitchens, as well as offices with a low level of attendance. Plausibly imitates laminated panels;
- Commercial (33-34 grade). Made from polyvinyl chloride. This type (in most cases it has a single-layer structure and without an additional substrate) is produced for shopping centers, schools, office buildings with intensive attendance. Complies with fire and hygiene standards. A product with a powerful protective layer (more than 0.5 mm), which significantly increases its durability (up to 25 years). Withstands pressure, friction and other mechanical influences well. Has a high cost.
Different linoleum is produced in structure:
- Homogeneous (in one layer), made from a mixture of polyvinyl chloride with dyes. It is considered the most durable and wear-resistant;
- Heterogeneous (multilayer - five or more layers). Usually the first layer is the base. Made of fabric or PVC foam. The second includes fiberglass for added strength. The third has a decorative function and also has a protective layer. Both semi-commercial types and household linen are heterogeneous.
On sale, a homogeneous canvas is usually represented by a narrow assortment: mainly monophonic (light, dark) shades. There are also unusual novelties.
Multi-layer options are more popular due to the wide range of shades imitating laminate, wood, tiles.
Linoleum coatings are also divided into two types - with or without a base. The first ones have a backing made of polyvinyl chloride, jute or felt (warm versions); for their installation, no additional backing is required. Modern linoleum can be laid in curly pieces in non-standard rooms and even in separate strips.
Material
As mentioned above, linoleum is divided according to the types of raw materials used in the production.
- Natural coatings include cork flour, tree resin, lime and flax oil. The base is usually made of jute or felt. This type of canvas is environmentally friendly and non-flammable, therefore it is appropriate in children's and bedrooms.
- PVC includes polyvinyl chloride and a thin layer of protection. The product is produced without a base or as a warmed version. At first, it has a characteristic odor that does not last long. Available in all types. The disadvantages are toxicity at high temperatures and noticeable shrinkage.
- Relin is a product for industrial premises. Often it includes two layers, the top layer is usually rubber. The coating is resistant to moisture, but has non-ecological fumes.
- Nitrocellulose or colloxylin types are performed in a single-layer version without a base. These are special coatings, used, for example, in gyms because of their high elasticity, resistance to moisture and strength. Toxic and not resistant to fire at high temperatures.
Most often, the structure of coatings for a laminate includes five layers, including a substrate. In addition to PVC, lime powder, talc and quartz sand can be added to them.
The size
Linoleum is sold in roll and tile versions. The width of the cover supplied in rolls is from 1.5 to 4 m. Vinyl cover with a fabric backing is produced in a width of 1.6-3 m. The tiles are usually produced in the form of squares and stripes. The sizes are different: 30x30, 45x45, 60x60, 30x60, 10x100, 20x100, 18x92 cm and so on. PVC products are produced with a thickness of 0.7 to 4.5 mm. The most popular options are 1.5–3 mm.
Unlike household “budget” types (1.2–1.6 mm), a single-layer commercial PVC coating is of medium thickness (2-3 mm) and is quite wear-resistant. The thickest is acoustic linoleum, which provides a high degree of sound insulation, which determines its use in music rooms.
For linoleum with imitation under a laminate, the most common size is most often used - 120x20 cm. In some Tarkett, Juteks, Grabo collections there are shortened or elongated laminated strips.
Colour
The canvas for the laminate is produced in three colors.
- Natural wood shades (light and rich honey, amber, muted blue-gray and graphite tones under the old wood);
- Shades of bleached wood ("gray" linoleum). Includes about 40 semitones, from snow-white to gray-blue;
- Shades with imitation of staining (light ocher, dark chocolate).
When choosing linoleum, it is important to correctly select the direction of the stripes and colors, taking into account the functionality of the room and its style solution. It comes in a variety of shades, from milky white ash to dark wenge. The light color under the laminate looks good in living rooms and in children's rooms. For the hallway, an imitation of cherry wood would be an excellent choice. Coloring "bleached oak" is most appropriate in small rooms with a lack of light. The light floor expands the space, gives it a feeling of lightness.
Almost all natural shades (ash, pine, oak, cherry and others) are considered universal. Whether at home or office, this is a perfectly suitable solution.
When using solid wood or wood grain furniture, the coating should be 1-3 tones darker or lighter.
Distinctive characteristics
Laminate coatings have advantages that, in some cases, are not inherent in laminate.
This includes the following:
- Resistant to moisture;
- Simplicity of styling;
- Thermal insulation properties;
- Lack of noise when walking;
- Resistant to various kinds of damage and scratches;
- The integrity of the canvas;
- Durability (according to the conditions of use).
Linoleum is placed away from open sources of fire and so as not to be exposed to direct sunlight.
Design
The imitation laminate design is widely used in the production of roll-to-roll PVC sheets. In expensive series, the surface structure is more noticeable, where thin lines and their bends, various nuances and frayed areas, and a chamfer are repeated in relief. A wealth of visual effects are created - volumetric flooring, old boardwalk with gaps, endless board and others.
In rooms with low light levels, light colors are recommended. For example, the color of bleached wood is used in interiors in the styles of antique, English classicism, Renaissance, minimalism and others. A product under a laminate in wenge or bog oak can visually overload the room, and therefore it must be diluted with light tones of walls and furniture. Such a canvas looks beautiful in various semi-antique interiors.
For the correct selection, it is important to choose an accent - an element that serves as a starting point of color (door, furniture, flooring). You can also experiment with texture.
For example, furniture with a lacquered finish and a matte shade, linoleum with a relief embossing and a pattern like aged wood or a floor with an imitation of laminate for radial sawing, and furnishings like wood with tangential sawing.
The aesthetics of linoleum application significantly depends on the color of the wood species that it imitates.
- Ash, oak, mahogany, beech give the room a solid and rich look, create an atmosphere of efficiency (manager's office). Design for valuable species is appropriate both in spacious living rooms and in the fireplace rooms of country houses;
- Cherry, teak, exotic species look stylish in retro interiors.
How to choose?
The main selection criteria are as follows:
- The functionality of the premises and the frequency of its visits;
- Room interior and style;
- Product marking;
- Structure and shade;
- Manufacturer, price.
One of the main criteria is the wear resistance class.
- 2 - material for housing;
- 3 - for offices;
- 4 - industrial premises.
According to the intensity of abrasion, there are such levels.
- 1 - low;
- 2 - medium;
- 3 - high;
- 4 is the highest.
In the strength and durability of linoleum, its thickness, density and the presence of a protective coating are essential.
You need to know the following:
- For living rooms with a minimum attendance, a material with a protection thickness of 0.12 to 0.15 mm is used;
- In rooms with an average attendance (medium load) - with a twenty-millimeter layer of protection;
- In rooms with high traffic, the thickness of the top layer is at least 0.25 mm;
- In public buildings - from 0.50 mm.
A large amount of fillers leads to a decrease in the strength of the coating. The correct choice of the manufacturer is also important.
In high-flow areas, it is better to use single-layer linoleum, which preserves the integrity of the surface structure longer. The worn areas are practically invisible on it, it does not require laying of any substrates.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of linoleum for laminated flooring are as follows.
- Durability and long life (semi-commercial and commercial options);
- Great appearance and many shades;
- Easy installation;
- Keeps warm well;
- Fireproof;
- Moisture resistant.
Despite the abundance of advantages, the coating also has disadvantages:
- The presence of harmful substances in some species. The smell is felt. Laminate is more environmentally friendly;
- High price for quality materials;
- The complexity of the repair. In most cases, it is carried out only when replacing the entire blade.
Famous manufacturers and reviews
Tarkett produces high quality PVC linoleum flooring. In the city of Otradny, Samara Region, various types of production have been launched.
- Household rolled floors;
- Semi-commercial materials (for offices, halls and conference rooms);
- Commercial single-layer and multi-layer flexible PVC products (for commercial, commercial and industrial facilities).
Products of almost all wear resistance classes are produced under three brands.
- Tarkett - high quality linoleum of almost all types;
- Sinteros - budget options for household and commercial coatings;
- Polystyl is a vinyl material. Affordability and quality Tarkett. Versatility is the advantage of the collections.
The company produces a wide range of relatively inexpensive products for almost every taste and color.
The main advantages are as follows:
- High level of strength and wear resistance;
- Environmental friendliness and safety. Products are used by preschool and medical institutions;
- The breadth of design solutions (about 1000 decors);
- The choice of warm and versatile linoleum;
- Easy installation and maintenance;
- Availability of affordable prices;
- Long service life (10 to 40 years).
The disadvantages of linoleum are:
- High prices for specialized products;
- Low-cost options for products smell unpleasant at first, but over time, the smell disappears.
Reviews
The consumer notes, as a rule, the quality and affordable price of products, as well as the plausibility of imitations. Linoleum is dense, non-slip, not easily soiled, easy to clean, does not make noise when walking. Other manufacturers also occupy high places in the consumer rating.
- Products under the Hungarian Grabo brand (household coatings 21-23 and 31-32 wear resistance classes);
- Forbo Flooring Systems (Forbo) products. The main type of products is natural coatings;
- Products of the Russian-Belgian joint venture (holding Beaulieu International Group). Trade marks: Juteks (Belgium, Slovenia, Russia); Beauflor (Slovenia, Russia); "Ideal" (RF).
Successful examples and options
Realistic imitation of the pattern and texture of natural wood in the interior.
It is convenient to lay linoleum under a laminate with a pattern in the production area.
Linoleum under the laminate in the kitchen.
How to choose linoleum, see the next video.