Wear resistance, moisture resistance, aesthetics, safety and reliability are properties that you need to pay attention to if you need to buy material for flooring. A 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 about how to choose linoleum, the classification of this coating is given in this article.

Technical properties

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

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

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

Product marking

When purchasing material, the seller is required to present certificates that confirm its quality. The document indicates the fire safety characteristics of linoleum, since manufacturers are required to label their products. The following should be indicated symbols:

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

Materials for making the coating

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

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

1. The natural material is produced using environmentally friendly ingredients such as pine resin, linseed oil and limestone powder. This product does not fade or change color over time; in addition, it is resistant to alkalis, fats and acids. This is a safe material, so they cover floors in children's rooms.
2. PVC linoleum (polyvinyl chloride) is made on fabric, foam and non-woven bases. In addition, there are baseless, single- or multi-layer options.
3. Rubber two-layer coating (Relin), bottom layer which consists of crushed wood (sawdust, shavings, wood chips), and the top one is made 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 this is perfect option, since relin is resistant to harmful reagents.
4. Colloxylin linoleum - thin material without a base, the main disadvantage of which is high flammability. For this reason, it is prohibited to cover wooden floors in rooms with explosive objects.
5. Glypthal coating is made on a woven base 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 polyvinyl chloride materials are used in construction, since the first product will be environmentally friendly, and the second will be cheap and of high quality.

Structure of PVC linoleum

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

• homogeneous;
• heterogeneous.

A homogeneous product is a single-layer material 2 mm thick, 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 sanding, removing about 10% of the thickness of the material.

Homogeneous roll coating is used in rooms with intense loads and in buildings where gurneys or carts are used. The less specific gravity product, the more PVC it ​​contains, and the wear resistance of the material depends on this indicator. The floor covering will retain its 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 to increase wear resistance. The backing is natural fabric, foamed polyvinyl chloride or non-woven fiber. Decorative layer Available in colors to suit every taste.

Application area

The classification of linoleum by application is as follows:

1. Household look.
2. Commercial (industrial).
3. Specialized.
4. Semi-commercial.

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

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

The classification of linoleum by special types is as follows:

1. Covering with a protective layer for sports halls. This material is better protected from contamination and has a high wear resistance class.
2. Anti-slip linoleum with corrugated front part. The product is made with the addition of quartz chips.
3. Roll coating, which has high sound insulation properties, is used to cover the floor in a recording studio.
4. A product with a special antibacterial layer, which is used in hospitals and pharmacies.

Abrasion of linoleum

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

1. Group T is the category of the most durable products.
2. P - weakly abraded linoleum.
3. M - materials that are subject to moderate abrasion.
4. 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 depends 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 flooring. During operation, the product is subject to mechanical stress, which includes moving furniture and simple walking.

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

• 2 - residential buildings (apartments, private houses, dormitories, cottages);
• 3 - office and public premises (schools, institutes, hospitals, etc.);
• 4 - industrial facilities, as well as train stations, airports, subways and other places where people gather at the same time a large number of of people.

The second digit is responsible for the load:

• 1 - low;
• 3 - intense;
• 4 - extremely high.

The main thing is to know the meaning of these numbers in order to understand what classification of linoleum is for 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.

Fire safety characteristics of linoleum

If the floor covering is industrial building made of this material, then the owner of the premises must have a product certificate confirming its quality. Fire safety classification of linoleum includes the following parameters:

1. Flammability of the material (G) — important characteristic, since a product with a G1 index can be installed in industrial premises and places intended for the evacuation of people during a fire. But highly flammable linoleum (G4) is prohibited from being used in the construction of public buildings.
2. Toxicity (T) is a parameter that can be used to determine how much harmful substances releases burning material. This characteristic varies from low toxic (T1) to highly toxic (T4) linoleum. On evacuation stairs and landings, a coating with a characteristic of no more than T2 is laid.
3. Ignition (B) is an indicator of the material's ability to burn. The lower it is, the safer the linoleum.
4. Smoke production (D) is a characteristic that helps determine how much smoke there will be in a fire. There are three options here, so a small number in this case is an indicator safe material.
5. Flame propagation speed (FP) is an important parameter that should not be higher than FP2 when installing flooring in a public building.

It is recommended to attach linoleum with reaction glue, since it contains no solvents. In addition, some manufacturers make special fire resistant material, having increased fire-fighting properties.

Linoleum thickness

This parameter depends on the quality and structure of the material. The thickness of modern coating is usually 2-3.5 mm. Thicker versions 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:

1. Thin roll coating is a material 1-2 mm thick with a protective layer, the dimensions of which range from 0.15 to 0.2 mm. Heavy furniture cannot be placed on such a product.
2. The medium type coating has a thickness of 2-3 mm with a top layer of more than 0.3 mm. This material is used to lay floors in the hallway or hallway.
3. Thick linoleum is a durable roll covering, the thickness of which is about 3.5 mm. The product can withstand long-term loads, while its front layer does not deform.

Linoleum width

To avoid having 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:

1. Alkyd monochrome or decorative material Sold in rolls, the width of which ranges from 2 to 4 m.
2. Multilayer PVC linoleum is produced in 1.5-4 meter lengths.
3. Relin can be monochromatic or multi-colored, and in hardware store Rolls from 1 to 1.6 m are sold.

Antistatic linoleum

This material - optimal solution for rooms in which a lot of working electrical equipment is installed. Devices sometimes catch fire due to dust accumulation, so the linoleum contains a special antistatic protective coating.

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

Finally

The article provides the main criteria and properties by which you can determine the required type roll covering according to the classification of linoleum. The main thing is to carefully study the requirements and recommendations so as not to waste money, since for each type of building you should purchase a certain type of linoleum. This is a popular material, so there shouldn’t be any problems choosing the right product.

Characteristics of linoleum, types and differences

Linoleum is probably the most common flooring. What do we know about it, how, besides price, linoleum differs from each other...

The main argument in favor of linoleum is played by factors such as ease of installation, high wear resistance, and compliance with environmental safety requirements.

At the moment, there are quite a lot of types of this flooring, from the simplest and inexpensive to multi-layer and elite.

Linoleum is divided into several types that determine its origin.

PVC linoleum- the material for production is polyvinyl chloride. This type of linoleum is the most common and is produced both without a base and on a base, which can be fabric or heat and sound insulating. PVC linoleum can be single-layer (homogeneous) or multi-layer (heterogeneous).

• Homogeneous linoleum - this is a single-layer PVC linoleum, where the pattern runs throughout the entire thickness of the linoleum; such linoleum is often used in places with high traffic, since it is not afraid of uneven wear.

• Heterogeneous linoleum - is a multi-layer coating, where the top transparent layer is protective, under the transparent layer there is a decorative painted layer, the bottom layer is usually on a foam base.

The main disadvantage of PVC linoleum is the loss of elasticity at low temperatures.

Colloceyline linoleum- the basis of the material is nitrocellulose, produced without additional base.

This type of linoleum has good elasticity and moisture resistance. There is one minus, and not unimportant - linoleum based on nitrocellulose is fire hazardous (rarely used in residential premises).

Glypthal (alkyd) linoleum- the composition includes alkyd resin and has a fabric backing.
Compared with PVC linoleum has more high heat and soundproofing properties. It also has a minus - at negative temperatures it becomes brittle.

Linoleum "Relin"- such linoleum consists of rubber, the bottom layer can be made of recycled rubber bound with bitumen, the top layer is made of synthetic rubber with the addition of pigment and filler.

Thickness and dimensions of linoleum

Linoleum is available in rolls different widths, the most common widths are 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 4.0 meters.

The thickness of linoleum and its substrate plays a big role in further performance.

For example, baseless linoleum can have a thickness from 1.2 to 1.6 mm, and foam-based linoleum can have a thickness from 2 to 4 mm.

Linoleum with warm base can reach up to 1.5 cm in thickness.

Thin linoleum must have an ideal floor base, since a thin coating of linoleum will not smooth out unevenness.

Linoleum with a thick, warm underlay is less demanding on the subfloor.

All types of linoleum can be classified into three main classes

• Household linoleum- intended for use in residential premises. The requirements for household linoleum are high in terms of environmental safety. The wear resistance of this linoleum is not the highest.

• Semi-commercial linoleum- used in medium-traffic areas: restaurants, offices.

• Commercial linoleum- used outside residential premises and designed for very intensive use, can be used in schools, shopping centers and hotels. Commercial linoleum is the most durable and wear-resistant.

Nickname: 

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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 durable - these are the words that could describe 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 has again begun to be in demand; it has practically experienced a “rebirth”. What is the reason for such popularity? And how not to get confused in the numerous types and types of linoleum?

Types of linoleum

Before purchasing material and even detailed interior planning, you need to decide on the type of linoleum you need. Classify materials according to various signs. The simplest division based on the presence of a substrate: basic and non-basic type of coverage. The latter option is characterized by its low price, small thickness (up to 1.6 mm) and fragility. This is only suitable for perfectly flat floors, since it quickly takes the shape of the base, including all the bumps and holes. However, this type of coating is practically not used, as it quickly wears out and loses its appearance.

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

• on warm basis,
• on a foam basis,
• multilayer.

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

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

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

Linoleums are also divided according to the materials used. In this case, we can distinguish natural linoleum, rubber, PVC, hyphthalic and nitrocellulose.

The most best properties has linoleum made from natural materials. Commonly used are tree resin, linseed oil and cork meal. This type of flooring will last for many years and will not fade or crack. The natural option is an excellent choice for the kitchen because it does not absorb grease and creates an environment where it is difficult for bacteria to grow. In addition, natural linoleum retains its size, color and structure for many years.

Rubber linoleum is different high level plasticity. The top layer is made of a special filler and rubber. This material is also moisture resistant.

Common PVC linoleum can be recognized by its specific smell, which takes a very long time to dissipate. The coating is available on different bases (and without a base at all). Attractive appearance, flexibility and elasticity, as well as an affordable price - all these parameters have brought PVC linoleum to the top of sales. But it also has a significant drawback - when low temperatures the coating may crack and even burst.

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

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

Types of linoleum

There is another classification of floor coverings of this type: depending on the place of application. This is caused by special requirements to the strength and wear resistance of the material. Linoleum is distinguished:

• for household purposes,
• semi-commercial,
• commercial.

The first type includes material with a thickness of no more than 4 mm, which is usually made on a foam base. Among its advantages are ease of installation, unpretentiousness and availability wide range colors and textures. But there are also disadvantages: under heavy load, it very quickly loses its attractive appearance and 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 characterized by increased durability, because a special protective coating is applied to it. The thickness of the additional layer is 0.7 mm, which significantly increases 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.

How to choose linoleum: video

Linoleum covering remains popular due to its ease of installation, relatively low cost and practicality. Partly, a significant market share of the coating is ensured by its variety, which greatly expands the possibilities of application. In this material we will describe the main types of linoleum and areas of application, and also provide photo examples of different types for clarity.

Types of linoleum covering

For more accurate orientation in the types of material, it is conventionally divided into types according to design features, materials of manufacture and area of ​​use.

Type of linoleum based on material of manufacture

Depending on the materials used, linoleum is divided into the following types:

• Natural. Natural coatings include components such as cork flour, tree resin, lime, and linseed oil. Typically, this coating is produced on a jute or felt basis. Linoleum is environmentally friendly and has a high fire safety. Natural coatings classified as household coatings and used in rooms with low or medium traffic, such as a children's room, bedroom or office.
• PVC covering. The material is based on polyvinyl chloride with a thin protective layer. The covering can be produced without a base or have an insulated version on a foam, fabric or thermal insulation base. These types of coatings have a characteristic odor that dissipates over time. The material is available in household, commercial or semi-commercial varieties with a large amount color solutions

• and textures. The main disadvantage is toxicity when exposed to high temperatures and high shrinkage. Relin or rubber linoleum. These types of linoleum are usually used in industrial, warehouse and non-residential premises. Most often this is a two-layer material, the top layer of which is made of rubber and may have various colors
• or texture. The coating is resistant to moisture, but it cannot be used in residential areas due to harmful fumes. Nitrocellulose.

This type of coating is also called colloxylin and it is a single-layer coating without a base. The material is classified as a special coating and is often used in gyms due to its high elasticity, moisture resistance and strength. The main disadvantage of the coating is flammability and toxicity when exposed to high temperatures.

For your information. Alkyd linoleum can also be classified as special coatings, but it is gradually leaving the market due to the advent of more reliable and modern coatings. Alkyd or hyptal linoleum has good thermal insulation properties, but it is very fragile and has a short service life.

• Types of linoleum by area of ​​application Household linoleum. This type includes natural and synthetic PVC coating 21-24 classes, which have a foam or fabric base. The coating thickness is no more than 4 mm and has a large amount. The coating is soft, has high soundproofing and thermal insulation properties, but does not withstand high mechanical stress. Such linoleum is laid in children's rooms, bedrooms and offices. It can also be installed in living rooms and halls with low traffic.
• Semi-commercial linoleum. The structure of a semi-commercial coating differs from a household coating only in the presence of a thicker protective layer, which is applied to the decorative PVC coating, which significantly increases its service life. This type of linoleum is used in living rooms or hallways, as well as in administrative buildings and offices with low or medium traffic. The coating has a wear resistance class of 31-32.
• Commercial linoleum. Varieties of linoleum for commercial use are made from polyvinyl chloride and often have a single-layer structure without additional backing. These are coatings of wear resistance class 33-34, which have high strength characteristics due to a reliable protective layer. The pattern on such a coating is applied by embossing and coated with a polyurethane compound. This type of linoleum is used in shopping centers, schools, and administrative buildings with high traffic.

For your information. There is also a special linoleum, which is endowed with certain characteristics for specialized premises. Such linoleum options are installed in gyms, rooms with high humidity, server rooms with a large number of high-precision electrical appliances or in transport. These materials have enhanced antistatic, antibacterial and strength characteristics.

Types of linoleum by structure

Linoleum can have a different material structure, consisting of one or several layers. Besides decorative PVC coatings, the material can be produced with or without a substrate. By internal structure, linoleum is divided into:

• Homogeneous. This is a single-layer type of linoleum, which is made of a homogeneous mixture of polyvinyl chloride with coloring elements. This is the strongest and most durable material, since the design and paint are preserved throughout the entire thickness of the material. Most commercial coatings are made homogeneous and do not have a base. The material itself is quite thick and is laid on a prepared concrete surface.
• Heterogeneous. These are multilayer types of linoleum for flooring, where the number of layers can reach up to six. Typically, the first layer is the base and can be made of fabric or PVC foam. The second layer contains fiberglass, which significantly enhances strength. The next layer is a decorative coating with a pattern, which is covered with a protective layer that protects the decorative coating from abrasion. Heterogeneous coatings include semi-commercial and household coatings.

For your information. Sometimes linoleum covering is divided into two types according to the presence or absence of a base. If the coating does not have a base, then an additional substrate must be used to lay it and the thickness of such a coating is from 1.5 to 3 mm. Linoleum with a base already has a backing made of foamed polyvinyl chloride, jute or felt. These types of linoleum are also called insulated and no additional underlay is required for their installation.

Despite the fact that manufacturers have provided the flooring market with a diverse range that meets all requirements and building regulations, in the process of choosing a covering for their home, the consumer still opts for traditional linoleum. This is due to the fact that using this flooring as an example, the manufacturer has the opportunity to demonstrate optimal combination price and quality, which is not always possible with similar materials. In addition, linoleum is one of the most unpretentious and, unlike parquet, easy to install materials. It would seem that the choice is obvious, but there are pitfalls here too. The flooring market is developing, and linoleum also continues to improve. All this leads to the fact that the consumer has to deal with a large number of varieties of linoleum, each of which is characterized by its purpose, advantages and disadvantages. Faced with a choice, an inexperienced master who does not have theoretical knowledge O various types linoleum, often unable to quickly navigate, which leads to various kinds of difficulties and errors when choosing suitable material. To prevent them, and to help inexperienced craftsmen in the process of choosing a popular floor covering, our experts have prepared this article telling about the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of each type of linoleum.

Linoleum: main advantages and disadvantages

For linoleum, rightly called one of the most economical and popular materials among those offered construction market, are characterized by certain advantages and disadvantages, which we will consider below.

Fundamental advantages of linoleum:

• The ease of installation of flooring is one of the main advantages of linoleum, thanks to which you can install the flooring yourself;
• Ease of operation and low maintenance, since, unlike laminate or parquet, traces of street dirt are less visible on linoleum, which is especially important for rooms with high traffic;
• No application required protective coating, mandatory for parquet;
• Moisture resistance and resistance to acids, which makes it possible to lay linoleum in rooms with frequent wet cleaning;
• Elasticity and low slip level, ensuring the safety of people’s movement, which allows the use of linoleum as a floor covering in gyms and public places;
• High heat and soundproofing characteristics, which is also relevant not only for residential but also public premises;
• Thanks to the variety of decor and colors, designers have an inexhaustible field for realizing their most daring ideas.

Disadvantages of linoleum:

Before you lay linoleum, you need to make sure that the base on which you will lay the linoleum is perfectly level. But in general, this applies to any floor covering;

• In the process of using synthetic linoleum, chemical components are used, but PVC coatings comply with sanitary and hygienic requirements and standards;
• If furniture is moved, you may find dents in the flooring left by the furniture.

Important! If you carefully analyze the disadvantages and advantages of linoleum, you will notice that the latter predominate and are more convincing, and therefore not every floor covering is able to compete with linoleum.

Scope of use of linoleum: main varieties

In the process of choosing linoleum for residential or public premises, it is important to consider not only external characteristics material, but also its physical properties. Elastic PVC coatings, in accordance with the degree of wear resistance, distinguish several classes of linoleum application. In accordance with European standards, linoleum is classified into 21-23, 31-34, 41-43 use classes. Russian standards suggest the division of linoleum in accordance with the scope of its use, that is, there are three main types of flooring, each of which includes linoleum of a certain class.

In accordance with this characteristic, household linoleum, commercial and semi-commercial linoleum are distinguished, each of which is intended for installation in rooms with varying traffic levels. In addition, special-purpose linoleum is distinguished separately.

Under the concept household linoleum This means a floor covering of class 21-23, made on a foam base and characterized by a multi-layer structure. Among the advantages of this class of material are high-quality sound insulation properties, environmental friendliness, high decorative characteristics and pleasant tactile sensations upon contact with the surface of the coating - these are the main characteristics that the manufacturer provides in the process of manufacturing cheap linoleum. However, it is impossible to create a material that meets all requirements, and therefore, a budget option loses to its more expensive counterparts. Protective layer thickness household linoleum does not exceed 0.1-0.35 mm, as a result of which this material suffers from low wear resistance and insufficiently impressive appearance. Used for residential premises only.

Commercial linoleum, also called technical, is a floor covering with increased wear resistance, belonging to application class 41-43. The manufacturer guarantees at least 10 years of service in areas characterized by high traffic. These include school corridors and classrooms, reception areas, trading floors and even airports. The strength of this coating is ensured different ways. If the strength of homogeneous (single-layer) linoleum is ensured due to the density and uniformity of the material, then to ensure the reliability of the heterogeneous material, the manufacturer uses additional strengthening and stabilizing layers. Environmentally friendly technical linoleum in no way inferior household varieties, and therefore, it can also be used for domestic purposes, which is significantly limited due to the high cost of the material.

In addition to technical and household linoleum, there is a “golden mean” - semi-commercial linoleum, implying material with 31-34 application class. It is characterized by greater wear resistance compared to household linoleum, and less demanding installation than commercial flooring. Semi-commercial linoleum can be used in both household and public spaces, characterized by average cross-country ability.

Types of linoleum photo

Layer composition and technical characteristics of semi-commercial linoleum

This type of flooring consists of three layers:

• PVC backing(for the semi-commercial variety, only foamed). Some models are characterized by the addition of glass fiber to the foam backing, which increases the strength of the material and allows it to avoid stretching. In addition, fiberglass performs heat and sound insulation functions, which even allows it to be separated into a separate, independent layer;
• Decorative layer responsible for the appearance of the floor covering. It can be either monochromatic or include several colors, and also imitate any natural materials, including stone, granite or wood;
• PVC or polyurethane protective layer, preventing premature wear of the coating. For semi-commercial varieties of linoleum, its thickness is 0.4-0.6 mm.

Technical characteristics of semi-commercial linoleum:

• Weight 1 sq. meters - 2-2.5 kg, unlike household linoleum, weight 1 sq. meters of which does not exceed 1.2-1.8 kg;
• When choosing semi-commercial linoleum, the width of which is from 2 to 4 meters, you should know that thanks to optimal thickness the protective layer is resistant not only to temperature, but also to mechanical stress;
• The warranty for this linoleum is from 7 to 20 years.

Types of linoleum according to the material used

Taking this feature into account, the following types of linoleum are distinguished:

• Natural linoleum;
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC linoleum);
• Colloxylin (nitrocellulose linoleum);
• Glyphthalic (alkyd linoleum);
• Rubber linoleum or so-called relin.

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Natural linoleum, the distinctive feature of which is the presence of only natural components, is considered absolutely harmless and environmentally friendly pure material. For its production, wood and limestone flour, flour obtained from balsa wood, linseed oil, natural resins of coniferous trees and natural dyes. For the manufacture of load-bearing base natural materials are also used - most often jute fabric. Sometimes, to increase the wear resistance of natural linoleum, it is coated with a polymer, but you can purchase flooring without a varnish layer. Natural linoleum can be either baseless or fabric-based. Natural linoleum has the following advantages:

• High wear resistance combined with a spectacular appearance;
• Optimal fire resistance and resistance to flame spread in case of fire;
• Easy to maintain, limited to dry or wet cleaning, and long-term preservation initial characteristics;
• Bactericidal properties provided by linseed oil, included in its composition;
• No tendency to accumulate static electricity;
• Resistant to ultraviolet radiation, non-concentrated acids and ethyl alcohol.

Important! Despite undeniable advantages, this material has one significant drawback - insufficient plasticity, and therefore difficulties often arise during its transportation, since careless handling can cause kinks.

PVC linoleum, just like natural material, can be produced with or without a base. Natural materials are now rarely used as a basis, which have been replaced by synthetic ones. There are baseless synthetic linoleum, linoleum on foam, fabric or heat and sound insulating non-woven base.

Important! A popular representative of linoleum using a non-woven heat and sound insulating backing is felt-based PVC linoleum, the manufacturing process of which uses a thick backing made of artificial felt. Thanks to its unique structure When laying linoleum on a felt base, there is no need to glue it or use a screed. This type of linoleum, the dimensions of which vary from 1.5 to 3.5 m in width, has a transparent protective layer, as well as a needle-punched heat and sound insulating base made of polypropylene and lavsan fibers, and is used mainly for domestic purposes.

An important disadvantage of synthetic linoleum, with the exception of those models for which a foam or fiberglass base is used, is the large shrinkage when used at elevated temperatures and the presence of artificial components in its composition. Despite the fact that they meet all quality standards and are absolutely harmless, there is a stereotype in the world that the presence of artificial components in the composition of the material affects not only its quality, but also environmental safety. Besides, characteristic feature Such floor covering has a specific smell that disappears during its use.

According to the number of layers, PVC linoleum can be divided into two groups: homogeneous, consisting of one layer, and heterogeneous, which includes several layers.

• Homogeneous linoleum is a panel with a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm, characterized by a monochromatic pattern. Limestone, talc and kaolin are used for its production. To prevent the fillers that make up linoleum from reaching its surface, polyurethane protection is applied to it. A significant disadvantage of such linoleum is the need to sand off the protective coating at least once every 3-6 months;
• Heterogeneous PVC linoleums are a more versatile and practical floor covering with a multi-layer structure. The basis for this floor covering is fiberglass impregnated with polyvinyl chloride paste, covered on the front side with a PVC layer with a different composition. It is on this that the manufacturer applies a design, which is protected by a transparent high-strength polyvinyl chloride layer, the thickness of which does not exceed 0.15 mm.

Important! Linoleum, the pattern on which is applied not chemically, but mechanically, is more consistent with quality standards and is a more reliable floor covering.

In addition to fiberglass, the production of linoleum uses a backing that can be foam, polyester, fabric or jute. It is applied to the fiberglass base from the reverse side and prevents the linoleum from deforming when exposed to high temperatures.

Less common, but still used in construction practice, varieties of linoleum are the following types flooring:

• Colloxylin or so-called nitrocellulose linoleum, which is a thin baseless floor covering characterized by elasticity and high moisture resistance. But, despite these advantages, it is not resistant to fire;
• Glypthal linoleum, superior to polyvinyl chloride varieties in terms of heat and soundproofing indicators, are made using a fabric base. A characteristic feature of this variety is its increase in width and decrease in length of the stripes;
• Relin - rubber linoleum is a material consisting of two layers, the bottom of which is made of crushed rubber bound with bitumen-containing materials, and the top is a mixture of synthetic rubber, fillers and pigments. Distinctive feature RELINA is elastic and highly moisture resistant.

Types of linoleum according to the type of base

To fully answer the question: “How to choose linoleum?”, you need to familiarize yourself with its varieties depending on the type of base used, systematizing the information already obtained previously. In accordance with this feature, there are:

• Baseless linoleum, which is a thin single-layer coating without a base. It is characterized by low cost and is used for domestic premises with high humidity such as kitchens and bathrooms. Due to its small thickness, it should only be laid on a completely flat base;
• Foamed linoleum It is a multilayer structure with a thickness of 2 to 3.5 mm and does not require gluing over the entire area of ​​the canvas, but only along the diagonals and corners. Just like the previous variety, it is used in domestic premises with high humidity levels, where the joints of the panels are welded hot welding or cold, using specialized liquid formulations;

• Warm-based linoleum is a floor covering consisting of a base made of natural or artificial jute or felt, and a top protective polymer layer. The thickness of felt-based linoleum is at least 5 mm. Due to its elasticity and ability to retain heat, warm-based linoleum is used in domestic premises with normal humidity levels. Experts recommend laying it in a single sheet, without joints, as this will prevent moisture from getting through the joint onto the base. Since it expands slightly during operation, this must be taken into account during the installation process, leaving a small gap between the coating and the wall, not exceeding 5 mm.

Special types of linoleum: brief description

Antistatic linoleum characterized by a structure that prevents the accumulation of static electricity associated with a large number of operating electrical appliances. Due to the fact that dust negatively affects highly sensitive devices, the antistatic coating of linoleum prevents its accumulation. Unlike other types of linoleum, antistatic linoleum can be used in rooms where high-precision equipment is located;

Sports linoleum- material intended for installation of flooring in sports premises. Due to the fact that high-strength polyvinyl chloride is used as the top layer of sports linoleum, it is able to withstand increased loads and at the same time maintain its original performance characteristics. It is characterized by strength, elasticity and safety;

Liquid linoleum, also called polymer self-leveling flooring, is an innovative development and does not differ in appearance from ordinary linoleum, but feels reminiscent of ceramic tiles to the touch.

What are its main advantages?

• Due to the fact that the floor is poured at the same time, there are no gaps or joining seams;
• You can use it in rooms with varying configuration complexity without wasting time on joining the pattern;
• Due to the inclusion of various dyes and decorative pigments in its composition, it is characterized by the widest color palette;
• High strength, reliability and impact resistance of the coating, due to its significantly greater thickness compared to other varieties (more than 1.5 mm);
• Absolute waterproofness, ensuring the effectiveness of its use in rooms with high humidity;
• Environmental safety, making it possible to use it in children's rooms.

3D linoleum- another innovative development of flooring manufacturers that allows you to emphasize unique style any room. The ability to visually increase the space of a room several times, thanks to 3D effects, is not the only advantage of this material. Thanks to the use of modern technologies, the manufacturer, taking into account the wishes of the customer, applies drawings with 3D effects to the linoleum, which, when viewed, will create the impression of volume. Like others innovative developments, 3D linoleum is characterized by high wear resistance, impact resistance and resistance to temperature fluctuations.