What class of linoleum is best for an apartment: class characteristics, recommendations from the masters

Modern linoleum is resistant to wear, durable, versatile and suitable for flooring in residential buildings and in enterprises. A wide range of products is presented on the market of finishing materials. Initially, such a roll coating was made from natural components, and subsequently synthetic PVC appeared, which diversified its types.

IMPORTANT.In addition to price, pattern, colors and composition, the choice of a suitable linoleum is also influenced by the purpose of the room (for sleeping, a corridor, a hall), the degree of traffic and the availability of furniture.

Consider the characteristics of the classes of linoleum and determine suitable for laying in a residential apartment.

Class Characteristics linoleum

Linoleum is classified according to the following features.

Depending on its constituent materials, there are:

Natural (Marmoleum) - It is a strong, safe and durable material made from natural components.

There are the following types:

rolls (maximum width - 4 m., minimum length - 30 m.);
planks or tiles;
combined (based on HDF-plate).

Advantages:

resistant to wear (withstand abrasive, abrasive and deformation loads);
does not allow bacteria to develop on the surface;
characterized by moderate fire resistance;
slightly toxic when melted;
resistant to household chemicals;
withstands the action of weak alkalis;
to be polished;
large selection of colors;
in connection with the use in the manufacture of natural components, safe for health;
has a non-slip coating;
it is easy to care for and clean;
durable.

Disadvantages:

expensive material;
requires high-quality styling;
fragile (cracks may appear during bending);
It is not recommended to lay in rooms with high humidity;
It has an oily smell.

ATTENTION.It can be stacked both in living rooms and in the trading floor. When choosing such a coating, they come from the load on the coating to which it is exposed during operation.

Synthetic (PVC) - single-layer or multi-layer material, developed as an alternative to natural linoleum.

Composition:

a base made of foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PE felt or a combined base;
a thin dense layer of PVC decorated with a decorative pattern;
fiberglass, which serves for strength and increases resistance to tearing and deformation from loads;
polyurethane or other protective surface layer (transparency), which increases the wear resistance of the coating.

Advantages:

affordable price;
not afraid of moisture;
resistant to decay and wear;
wide selection of patterns and colors;
simplicity of laying and subsequent leaving;
to be repaired;
durable.

Disadvantages:

there is a sharp chemical smell that will disappear in a few weeks;
when ignited, toxic smoke is released;
afraid of strong temperature fluctuations (both increase and decrease in temperature);
Cheap types of coating have a slippery surface.

Depending on the structure are divided into:

Single layer (homogeneous) - characterized by high resistance to wear, have one pattern. Expensive, because of which they are not laid in residential premises, but only in commercial, industrial and other enterprises.
Multilayer (heterogeneous) - stack in any rooms.

Depending on the application:

For home (household) - multilayer coatings used in apartments and offices, width from 1.5 to 6 m, length up to 35 m, thickness up to 5 mm. Service life is up to 10 years.
Semi-commercial - multilayer coatings with higher strength, density and durability compared with household coatings.

IMPORTANT.They are recommended to be laid in apartments, offices, retail premises at medium loads.

Commercial (single-layer and multi-layer) - used in commercial, public, industrial premises with high traffic. Service life over 15 years.
Special (up to 10 mm thick, service life up to 40 years) - laid in gyms, hospitals, transport and so on.

Depending on the wear resistance class:

Class for residential premises (intensity of use):

21 (low) - in the bedroom;
22 (normal) - in the living room and hallway;
23 (high) - in the living room and hallway.

Class for office and office space (intensity of use):

31 (low);
32 (normal);
33 (high);
34 (very high).

Class for industrial premises (intensity of use):

41 (low);
42 (normal);
43 (high).

Recommendations from the masters, which class of linoleum is better to choose for home

In the bedroom, it is better to lay natural or household linoleum of class 23 on a heat-insulating base with a thickness of 1.5 mm.
In the nursery it is better to take natural 3 mm thick or household PVC.
In the hall and living room suitable non-slip semi-commercial PVC 31-32 class 2 mm thick.
In the kitchen - natural, household based on foamed PVC or semi-commercial PVC grade 33.
In the hallway, corridor - commercial single-layer 34-43 class 3 mm thick.
In the bathroom and the bathroom, a multilayer commercial linoleum resistant to high humidity is suitable.

To purchase high-quality linoleum for the home, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

determine the characteristics that are necessary for each room;
sniffing at linoleum - in the presence of harmful substances, a sharp smell will come from the coating;
take the canvas according to the size of the room with a small margin in case of need to fit the picture, put it under the threshold or in a niche of heating appliances;
linoleum that meets safety standards has a special marking and certificate;
it is necessary to inspect the roll in the unfolded form to eliminate bumps and other defects;
think over the transportation method in advance and whether the entire canvas will fit in the room;
it is better to purchase linoleum with a protective coating;
Do not fold linoleum in half and stick with adhesive tape on the front side, since traces remain on it from the surface.

With all the variety of choices, safety, abrasion resistance, durability, linoleum price, as well as personal preferences of the buyer will be the main ones.