When home renovations enter the final stage, it’s time to choose flooring. Among all the materials for flooring in rooms with high loads, in particular in the living room, linoleum is ideal in terms of high wear resistance, aesthetic appeal and affordable cost. To decide which linoleum to choose for the living room, you should know what types of this material exist in principle.
Linoleum flooring can have different service life, thickness of the protective layer and intensity of abrasion. Depending on this, linoleums are divided into several areas of purpose and, accordingly, classes.
Household linoleum
Household linoleum belongs to classes 21-23, has a thickness of no more than 0.3 mm and is suitable for rooms with low loads. If it is not customary for your home to regularly host crowded groups of guests, such inexpensive linoleum will fully justify its purpose.
Semi-commercial linoleum
Semi-commercial linoleum, the thickness of which is about 0.3-0.5 mm, is limited to classes 31-32. This type of coating will work great in the living room, which is actively used by all members of your large family.
Commercial linoleum
Commercial linoleum class 33 is the most dense, has a thickness of 0.6 mm and is capable of withstanding significant loads for a long time, but its cost is quite high, so the use of commercial coating in the living room is not practical.
Assortment of linoleums: wide choice possibilities
In the eyes of the inexperienced layman, all linoleums are the same and differ from each other only in shade and color. In fact, this is not true at all. One of the parameters for classifying linoleum floor coverings is the type of binder. On this basis, materials are divided into:
- natural;
- polyvinyl chloride;
- rubber;
- glyphthalic;
- colloxylin.
Today, polyvinyl chloride material is most often used in living room decoration. Aesthetes and connoisseurs of natural materials in the interior also pay attention to natural linoleum, called marmoleum. It is very popular, despite the fairly high cost of such flooring, but in terms of popularity it is still significantly inferior to the sales leader made of polyvinyl chloride.
Homogeneous PVC linoleum
PVC linoleum can be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Homogeneous linoleum consists of one layer - polyvinyl chloride, the structure of which includes, in addition to PVC, small fractions of lime and quartz sand.
Advantages of homogeneous coating:
elasticity, flexibility, ease of cutting, affordable cost.
Flaws:
small thickness, quick wear, low aesthetics when installed on an uneven base floor.
Heterogeneous PVC linoleum
Heterogeneous linoleum includes several layers, each of which is responsible for a specific technical characteristic of the coating: the bottom (substrate) protects the material from crushing and softens weight and dynamic effects. The middle one (fiberglass) is the basis of linoleum and a kind of shock-absorbing pad. Next comes the decorative layer, which is responsible for appearance coverings. And the top one - thin and transparent polyvinyl chloride - forms a film that protects linoleum from abrasions, scratches, fading and other harmful influences.
Advantages of heterogeneous linoleum:
long service life, the ability to disguise minor flaws in the base floor, ease of use.
Flaws:
Difficulties in cutting and installation, higher price than the previous version.
And yet: what kind of linoleum is better to lay in the living room? Based on the above, the ideal solution would be a semi-commercial polyvinyl chloride heterogeneous material on a foam or thermal insulation basis. We'll talk about his appearance a little later.
What should you keep in mind when choosing linoleum for a guest room?
High-quality linoleum has a number of positive qualities and characteristics, thanks to which it is one of the most preferred floor coverings. In particular, these are:
- high heat and sound insulation properties (primarily this applies to heterogeneous varieties of large thickness);
- antistatic, that is, minimal attraction of dust;
- resistance to moisture, chemical compounds and biological influences, for example, mold, mildew, insect attacks;
- good light resistance, preventing fading of the surface and allowing linoleum to look as bright and attractive after 10-15 years as at the time of its installation;
- the possibility of using the coating for the installation of water and electric heated floors;
- ease of cutting, installation and maintenance.
In addition, certain types of material have high anti-slip properties, which is important if there is no textile flooring in the living room. Manufacturers also offer products whose top protective layer has certain bactericidal properties. Pathogenic microorganisms do not linger on such a surface, which means that bactericidal linoleum is safe for children, allergy sufferers and members of your family suffering from chronic diseases.
These characteristics can be attributed to the advantages of linoleum. Unfortunately, there are also a few minor drawbacks. It should be especially noted that linoleums are not always resistant to sudden temperature changes, although this disadvantage is not fundamental for the living room. But the unpleasant smell that a newly purchased coating emits can cause some discomfort to your household. Therefore, laying on the floor new linoleum, check the room thoroughly and use it only a few days after the completion of repair work.
Shades and colors: aesthetics complementing practicality
Having decided on the technical and functional characteristics, you can think about what your linoleum will look like in the living room, what color and decor to choose so that the flooring fits as harmoniously as possible into the interior composition of the room for entertaining and receiving guests.
The dark color of linoleum is practical because it is non-staining, but is only suitable for spacious and well-lit rooms. But if your room does not boast a large area, and the window faces the north shadow side buildings - it is better to choose a light-colored floor covering.
If you have chosen furniture, curtains, wall or ceiling decoration in bright, rich colors, the color of the linoleum should be muted or neutral. Otherwise, your living room will turn into a popular painted box, and the atmosphere in it will be tense and not conducive to relaxation.
A single-color coating will visually expand or lengthen the room, and linoleum with an ornament or artistic image will give order and systematicity to large surfaces.
For classic interiors, choose appropriate shades - warm and noble, but at the same time dim: beige, chocolate, soft gray, dark emerald. For modern high-tech and minimalist environments, more extravagant colors are suitable - black or white, bright blue, yellow, orange, purple, burgundy. Do not forget that too saturated colors excite the psyche and interfere with proper rest.
If your living room does not have a carpet, rug or other additional floor covering, and the furniture is arranged in such a way that the middle of the room remains empty, you can combine plain linoleum with patterned one by placing a decorative insert in the center of the floor. And if a large room needs to be divided into several functional zones, this can be conveniently done using different types linoleum and a narrow dividing border. Such varieties can even contrast with each other in color, but at the same time, each section of the floor should find a color response in the living room - in furniture, wall decoration, door and window openings or other interior details.
There is also a whole list of tips to help you buy a suitable linoleum for the living room: how to choose the width of the material, which surface - glossy or matte - to choose, which linoleum is better - rolled or tiled, whether it is worth fixing it with an adhesive or other mixture or just wrapping the edges of the material under the baseboards. The answers to all these questions are individual and depend on a number of circumstances, so it is better to ask them to a consultant immediately before purchasing linoleum flooring.
Did you like the material? Give thanks with a like.
Linoleum manufacturers offer many material options that differ in composition, thickness, and design. To buy the right one, it is important to consider the basic selection criteria.
Purpose
Household linoleum is intended exclusively for residential premises: apartments, cottages, dachas. It is affordable, and it is easy to choose the right color to match any interior. Most often, household linoleum is made on a foam base, which gives it softness and muffles sound vibrations. Felt can also be used as a substrate, which is more advantageous in terms of sound and heat insulation. Flooring material for household use is not highly wear-resistant, so it is suitable for rooms with a small number of people.
Commercial linoleum is much stronger than household linoleum, but its cost is on average twice the cost of household coating. The material is made of dense PVC and is painted throughout its entire thickness, so even with intense exposure, the pattern on the surface is not erased. Commercial linoleum is designed for use in office, retail and other public spaces with high traffic, and its appearance can be maintained for up to 20 years.
Semi-commercial linoleum is more affordable than commercial linoleum, but it is also quite wear-resistant. For its production, a foam base is used, and the protective layer is thicker than that of household linoleum. This material is suitable for offices with a small number of people, and it is also bought for apartments with pets.
To select linoleum taking into account the specifics and operating conditions, it is recommended to focus on its class. The designation consists of two numbers, the first of which characterizes the room (2 - housing, 3 - offices, 4 - production), and the second shows the intensity of the load on the floor covering (1 - low, 2 - medium, 3 - high, 4 - very high ). For example, the marking “23” means that linoleum is suitable for residential premises with high load: hallways, corridors. The “33” marking makes it possible to use linoleum in offices with a large number of people, as well as in schools, universities and so on.
Thickness
Typically, linoleum manufacturers indicate two parameters - the total thickness and the thickness of the protective layer. The thicker the floor covering, the more layers it contains. The material up to 1.6 mm thick has one layer, that is, the design and protective coating are applied to the substrate. The multilayer structure is much more complex and can consist of up to 6 materials.
When choosing linoleum, you should consider where the coating will be used and what loads it will experience. For example, there are usually no more than two people in a bedroom, and there are no serious mechanical impacts on the material - which means you can choose linoleum with a thickness of 2 mm. In the hallway and kitchen, where there are usually a lot of people, heavy objects can fall on the floor; it is better to lay linoleum about 3 mm thick. This thickness is also quite suitable for a children's room.
A coating with a thickness of 4–6 mm is suitable for offices, educational and medical institutions. Finally, linoleum with a thickness of 8 - 9 mm can be used in industrial and public spaces, gyms and so on.
The protective layer that preserves the pattern from abrasion can also be different. Its thickness is determined by the purpose of the product: for household linoleum this figure does not exceed 0.3 mm, for semi-commercial it is 0.5 mm, for commercial it reaches 0.8 mm.
Drawing
Depending on where the linoleum will be laid, a suitable pattern is selected. For example, imitation tiles look good in the kitchen, bathroom or balcony. Large squares will fit perfectly into spacious rooms, while for small spaces It is better to choose small drawings. The wood pattern is also very popular - it fits harmoniously into both offices and living spaces. For the living room, you can choose a pattern that imitates laminate. If you want something original, it makes sense to take a closer look at materials with artistic or abstract designs. Plain coverings are suitable for gyms, halls, and retail premises.
Dimensions
The width of the linoleum cut is selected depending on the width of the room and can range from 0.5 to 5 m. To avoid having to join the pattern and glue the seam at the junction, it is better to take the material in one piece. The length of the roll can be from 10 to 40 m. The price is indicated per linear meter.
Application specifics
Many manufacturers offer specialized linoleum designed for specific operating conditions. For example, in a room where electrical appliances and computers are operated, material with an antistatic coating should be placed. Sports linoleum is characterized by increased wear resistance and has a safety anti-slip coating. Fire-resistant floor coverings (flammability class G1) should be used in places with high requirements for fire safety. Linoleum intended for underfloor heating systems has antistatic properties and is fireproof.
Reference article based on the expert opinion of the author.
Good afternoon dear friends!
Welcome to the world of Tarkett - the world of ready-made solutions for your home and office!
Today, choosing flooring is not only simple, but also extremely interesting - the variety of flooring options (linoleum, laminate, parquet, tiles, carpet,...) and their designs allow you to create your own unique interior in each home.
However, the variety of options also gives rise to certain difficulties - after all, it is important not to make a mistake with the choice: neither with design nor with quality.
Unfortunately, in stores it often happens that the seller is busy with other customers or cannot advise you for other reasons.
Tarkett, being the leader in the Russian flooring market, also feels its responsibility for your Choice.
That is why the Directory that you see in front of you appeared. It is dedicated to the most popular category in Russia - "linoleum"- and will help you make the right choice.
PVC linoleum - advantages and disadvantages.
It is difficult to find another floor covering with which so many myths and legends are associated. And this is understandable: after all, linoleum is the most popular floor covering in Russia. Research into consumer behavior shows the following list of perceived advantages and disadvantages of linoleum compared to other types of flooring:
Advantages:
large range of colors/patterns;
a variety of wear resistance options, taking into account the specifics of the premises (commercial / semi-commercial / household);
easy to clean / does not require special care during operation;
ease of use (does not require special skills for installation);
low price (price per 1 m2 from 180 to 650 rubles);
hides minor defects gender;
water resistance;
versatility / suitable for different types of premises.
Flaws:
has an odor during the first days of use;
prone to mechanical damage: dented, etc.,
unnatural;
slippery;
unfashionable (more typical for the traditional segment).
Note that linoleum is the only type of flooring that has so many “advantages” in the eyes of buyers. And all of the indicated disadvantages of linoleum are completely or partially untrue. Yes, the current ones General requirements to the production of linoleum (compliance with sanitary, epidemiological and fire requirements for the product) ensure the absence of an unpleasant odor and the safety of this type of floor covering for humans. Modern production technologies make it possible to create linoleum with additional consumer properties: with antibacterial coating, with an additional polyester base, with embossing that most accurately imitates the texture of natural materials. For more information about the beliefs that exist about PVC floor coverings, and which of them are true and which are not, see the section “Myths and Legends about Linoleum”.
Note.
All over the world, PVC flooring is called “vinyl”. In our country, the name “linoleum” is firmly attached to them. Therefore, further in the text all 3 possible names will appear: “PVC coatings”, “vinyl”, “linoleum”. 
Why Tarkett?
There are several reasons. This includes more than 100 years of experience in linoleum production, a stable position in the global market, and the company’s recognized leadership in the Russian market. But all this is not the main thing. The main thing is the high-tech and largest production in the world of modern multilayer foamed linoleum, which (unlike the old, traditional):
It has excellent quality and the best assortment in Russia, which is confirmed by consumer ratings - with comparative testing Tarkett linoleum and competitors, Tarkett collections turned out to be the best in the main categories (for example, the Discovery collection);
Unique in design due to the combination of two factors:
all designs are developed in our own Design Center, taking into account the peculiarities of perception of Russians,
Before launching into production, all designs are assessed by more than 2,000 potential buyers during consumer testing of new products in Russian cities;
environmentally friendly, thanks to strict control of the raw materials used, double control (electronic and directly by specialists) of each stage of production, testing samples of all produced linoleum in the laboratory and department technical control(this is why Tarkett linoleum easily passes fire and sanitary-hygienic certification and is recommended for use in hospitals and kindergartens).
In addition, the Tarkett plant is located and officially registered in Russia (Otradny, Samara region), which means the following for you and me:
jobs for our fellow citizens;
stable receipt of tax payments to the budget of our country;
environmental safety (the plant uses one of the most modern systems purification of emissions into the atmosphere).
It is precisely because we are confident in the product that we produce and sell that we take the next step - we make it easier for customers - the most important and strictest judges of our work. According to market research, 96.7% of buyers who bought and laid Tarkett linoleum are satisfied with the purchase and are ready to recommend it to their friends, and the main reason for the dissatisfaction of the rest is the incorrectly selected coating (without taking into account the intensity of the load on the floor in the room).
How to choose linoleum?
It's simple. When choosing ANY floor covering (including linoleum), the main thing is to determine the type of room in which it is intended to be used and assess the expected intensity of the load.
The logic is simple: there are 3 main types of premises: residential, office and industrial. Each of them has its own pictogram and number: house (number 2), office building (number 3) or factory (number 4) 
The intensity of impact on the floor covering inside each of these types of premises can also be different: low, medium, high or very high. The intensity of impact is indicated by little men: one, two, three or four - the more of them, the more intense the load the coating can withstand. 
The combination of the icon with the type of premises with people gives the coverage class: 21,22 or 23 for residential premises, 31,32,33 or 34 for office premises and 41,42,43 for industrial premises. 
Despite such a different appearance of various floor coverings - linoleum, laminate, parquet, carpet, tiles and others - the given system of dividing them into classes is the same. Only the texts that determine whether the floor covering belongs to one class or another are different.
We will focus on the first two groups - “Residential premises” and “Office premises”. Based on the degree of load on the floor covering inside an ordinary house (residential premises), 3 large groups of premises can be distinguished:
The degree of load in office premises is also different:
Note that the degree of load on the floor in the kitchen and corridor of an ordinary apartment is often equal to that of an office (low and medium), and therefore coatings of classes 31 and 32 are also recommended for these rooms.
Based on the above, only on the basis of knowing the answer to the question “Where do you want to lay linoleum? In what room?”, You can give a recommendation for choice. However, in this case, the list of suitable collections will be quite extensive and it will not be easy to navigate through the variety of designs (and, even more so, specific colors). And, as a rule, the more wear-resistant the coating is, the more expensive it will be, so the choice must be made taking into account both economic feasibility and operational necessity.
It is also important to take into account that, in addition to wear resistance, different linoleum may have different thicknesses and different additional values that make its use more pleasant and easier:
An additional protective coating (protective varnish) protects the coating from the penetration of dirt inside and makes it easier to clean. 
Sanitized is a special antibacterial coating that prevents the development of bacteria on the floor surface.
Double base - foam and polyester (textile base). 
Special technologies for creating relief (the more natural linoleum looks, the more difficult and expensive its production).
EXTREME PROTECTION - on collections under the Tarkett brand: “Force”, “Idyll”, “Almaz”, “Discovery”, “Imperial Elite”, “Magic”, “Rainbow”, “Europe”, “Super C”, “Moda” .
Titanium - in collections under the Sinteros brand: “Marathon” and “Arsenal”
Available in Tarkett collections - “Rainbow”, “Idyll”, “Moda”, “Magic”.
Available in the Tarkett collections - “Rainbow”, “Idyll”.
For example, the unique patented TRUTEX technology is found in only one Takett collection - Magic. Mechanical embossing is present in the “Idyll”, “Discovery”, “Force”, “Moda”, “Imperial Elite” collections.
It is also necessary to take into account that our choice is always influenced by a combination of factors: the appearance (design and colors) and texture of the product, our internal values and ideas about linoleum, the importance of individual coating parameters (safety, durability, comfort, softness, etc. .) and many others. Each collection of linoleum not only has different technical characteristics, but is also aimed at different customers - with different income levels, different tastes and different lifestyles. All this is reflected in key ideas collections and designs of each of them.
Having tested all our linoleum collections for their resistance to various types of loads typical for different residential and office premises, we recommend certain linoleum collections taking into account their price ratio, technical characteristics and service life under certain conditions. However, a "recommended" collection does not mean "required", i.e. does not mean that collections with higher wear resistance cannot be used in rooms with low load on the flooring - it all depends on the choice of the buyer. In our practice, there are examples when people installed class 43 floor coverings in their apartment, designed for industrial loads, simply because they liked them.
That is why the “5 stars” principle was applied to all household and semi-commercial linoleum collections (classes 21 to 34) - they were grouped taking into account 3 factors: quality, perceived value by customers and selling price. The “5 star” status is assigned to the most expensive and high-quality collections, while the “1 star” status is assigned to the simplest and most economical collections. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND that the assigned status (“star rating”) may change, which reflects the correspondence of the collection to the type of expected load, i.e. indicates how suitable each of the recommended collections is for a particular room.
See Table 1, Collection Application Areas.
Table 1. Areas of application of collections.
The names of the collections read as follows: Discovery, Imperial Elite, Force, Moda, Eruption.
How to choose a design and color?
Having decided on the list of suitable collections, you can move on to the most exciting part - choosing the design of the future floor.
The design of a room - both an apartment and an office - is always a creative matter, universal solutions doesn't exist here. The same color looks different in the shade and in the light, under natural and artificial light. Also, the same design looks different in a large and small room. However, there are several principles, the observance of which will allow you, without limiting your imagination, to create an interior that is correct in terms of color and geometry of the room.
The first such pattern is taking into account the characteristics characteristic of Russian residents color associations:
Shades of green and yellow perfectly relieve fatigue;
Beige and muted shades of yellow give a feeling of warmth, coziness and comfort;
Turquoise is associated with freshness (and therefore perfect for the bathroom);
Blue calms, relieves tension (good for meeting rooms); The color blue has a similar effect - it can even induce drowsiness (which is why it is often used in bedrooms);
Orange, yellow and red invigorate, tone, uplift, and also bring a feeling of warmth to cool rooms;
Gray ideally “creates” a work environment;
White - a pure and cool color - can be an excellent basis for bold design solutions, but is rarely used without a bright, contrasting “pair”, since in large quantities it can cause discomfort;
Black is good in small quantities (accents) - to give a special, sophisticated style to the room; in combination with white and red it forms a minimalist “Japanese” interior.
As you know, colors are divided into warm and cold. The coldest colors are blue or blue, and the warmest is orange. The main mass is based on the play of warm and cold colors design techniques. So, in order to visually expand the room, it is necessary to use cool light colors. And, conversely, in order to make the room more comfortable, it is recommended to use warm shades. In addition, warm colors add light and warmth to the interior, while cold colors add coolness and tranquility. That is why warm colors will make a dark northern room “warmer”, and cool shades will refresh a sun-drenched room on a hot summer day. Bright, rich colors set the style of the room, attract attention, invigorate, delimit space (and therefore are ideal for accents). And muted, light ones calm and enlarge the room, “blurring” the boundaries of individual zones.
The second pattern is based on these facts - taking into account the brightness/saturation of color and its coldness/warmth in the design of a room.
Example 1. A living room in warm and muted colors will be conducive to close communication, quiet and leisurely conversations, and tenderness. In this option, a floor of warm, soft colors, without sharp contrasting elements, is also appropriate - for example, designs from Bristol, Gea, Balchug, Nubia, Kuba, Acapulco, Itaka, Sarah, Messina, Sherwood, Charli, Jura, Luara, Oregon, Kilim, Pasadena , Kyoto, California, Charleston, Oxford, Akira. 
A living room in cold or rich colors will refresh, invigorate, and create an intense type of communication. On the floor in such a living room, rich colors or a contrasting pattern would be appropriate - for example, the designs of Pear Effect Palech, Bora, Borodino, Faberge, Persiya, Peru, Bridge, Sobranie, Tango, Porto. 
An office meeting room, decorated in cool blue or gray tones, will help conduct business meetings, setting up all participants to rationally search for options for solving a complex problem. In such a meeting room, a cold-colored floor without a pronounced pattern would look great - for example, the designs of Arizona, Gres, Prado, Volcano, Disco, Moda, Libra, Orion, Tornado, Platina. 
A meeting room in deep, dark, noble, warm colors (burgundy, brown and gold, etc.) will be conducive to private communication of closed negotiations and one-on-one meetings. The chic of such a meeting room can be emphasized by a textured floor with a design of wood, stone or tile - rich, deep color(for example, designs Charleston, Oxford, Tango, Pasadena, Orion, Platina, Prado, Sorbona, Moda). 
A bedroom in the attic with an uneven (sloping) ceiling will look more spacious, and the walls will not “press” on you if you use light, muted colors (both warm and cold) in its design. Moreover, the colder the color used for decoration and the less its shades differ for the floor, walls and ceiling, the more noticeable the effect will be. Cool shades in the design of the bedroom will not only visually enlarge it, but will refresh the room, help you relax, sleep better and gain strength (for example, designs by Kyoto, Tenere, Kabare, Sahara, Tivoli, Grace). 
A contrasting floor in such a bedroom (textured, dark, rich in color - for example, Alaska, Pear Effect, Tango, Petergof, Peru, Porto, Kilim designs) will set the style of the room, clearly indicating the geometry of the room (in this case it is also better to make the ceiling and walls one light tone). A striking example A bedroom in red tones can serve as a contrasting design - invigorating, charging with energy and passion. This bedroom will look especially stylish with a dark shade of Tango or Alaska designs on the floor. 
Delicate, clean, but not bright colors in the bedroom kindergarten will help to “put to sleep” a little fidget (for example, designs Laguna, Colibri, Grace, Evita).
And the bright, saturated colors of the playroom will invigorate children, contribute to the development of their thinking and creativity(for example, Konfetti, Limpopo, Shapito, RaLLi designs from the Rainbow collection). 
Designed in warm colors the kitchen will promote increased appetite, and cool colors (for example, blue) used in decorating the same kitchen will help you stick to your chosen diet. “Wooden” and abstract designs, like the most popular ones for the kitchen - “tiled” - are presented in both “warm” and “cold” colors - Acapulco, Daccar, Lotus, Serenada, Siam, Sobranie, Murano, Amaretto, Marocco, Montro , Trevi, Valencia, Odri, Venezia, Samua, Tossa, Tiffany. 
The third pattern is the use of geometry in flooring design.
Visually expand narrow room you can simply direct the “wooden” design diagonally across the room or across long walls (for example, the Preston design in the “Magic” collection). 
Natural materials (wood, stone, etc.) and their high-quality imitations make the room “more expensive” and “more environmentally friendly”. “Board” designs (palace parquet, parquet or, wider, deck board) due to the soft texture of wood and warm colors make the room more comfortable and calm. 
Tiles, common in kitchens and hallways, can also make a room appear larger or smaller. Thus, large tiles will perfectly emphasize the size of a large kitchen, but will “steal” the space of a small one, compressing it even more (for example, the Murano design in the Imperial Elite collection).
And vice versa, small tiles that can fit organically into a small kitchen and visually increase its area will not look harmonious in a large one (for example, Magosso’s design in the “Magic” collection). 
A universal solution for most rooms is tiles that combine elements of different sizes - for example, Trevi, Daccar, Serenada designs. Interesting point- any tile of any size, located diagonally in the room, visually enlarges it.
Abstract designs on the floor, which set the style of the room, perfectly emphasize the advantages of furniture and interior decorative elements (for example, designs by Nubia, Savanna, Shanson, Sorento, Kanjon, Sahara, Fiji, Gres, Prado, Caribic, Amazonka, Disco, Sanremo). 
The combination of familiar abstract, “tiled” or “board” designs with decorative elements (lines, colors, shells) can make the interior truly unique, unobtrusively distinguishing it from the mass of similar ones. After all, interior elements, individually selected to match the floor design theme, will unite the space into a solid, complete, stylish interior (for example, designs by Laguna, Grace, Odri, Evita, Tossa, Vivaldi). 
Experiment! Bright ideas and successful solutions to you!
To lay the selected coating without seams, you must do the following:
measure the maximum width and length of the floor surface in the room, including niches and doorways;
taking into account the curvature of the walls, add 8 cm (80 mm) to each measurement
select the appropriate maximum roll width;
make sure (by asking the seller) that there is sufficient balance in the roll of the width you need.
If you are going to use several pieces of linoleum, you need to make allowance for the selection of the pattern. And in order for the shades of the pattern to differ as little as possible, it is necessary to take pieces from one roll or one batch.
THE MOST IMPORTANT!
Any coating you choose will last a long time only if it is glued
on a prepared base - level, strong, dry and clean.
Please note that the Tarkett WARRANTY applies to
all collections only if they are laid in specially prepared
professionals licensed to install flooring
coverings.
Myths and Legends about linoleum.
“Household stuff - it’s soft and gets trampled on quickly.”
Household linoleum is different - there are economy segment products designed for a short service life, and there are high-end products that look prestigious and last a very long time. Therefore, it is important to choose a balance between cost and service life in a certain type of room. After all, you can lay very wear-resistant commercial linoleum at home, which will not wear down even in 50 years, but it will cost much more than household linoleum.
“You need one that doesn’t crack or dry out.”
Cracking is typical only for old, “Soviet” or simply low-quality linoleum. Technological process production was configured in such a way that the initial components were not always used in the correct proportions and fully reacted, ensuring a strong connection. Later, this manifested itself precisely in the fact that the linear dimensions of the canvas changed over time. It’s like with bad sour cream - if it is diluted with water, then over time it will still separate into the original product and water. The TARKETT company uses completely different production technologies - absolutely all components of modern foamed linoleum are firmly connected to each other, and therefore the product does not dry out or crack.
“There are no inscriptions on the back of the linoleum, which means it’s a fake.”
Not certainly in that way. Counterfeiting is extremely rare - modern production is too complex. If two pieces of linoleum (one with printing on the back/back, and the other without) have no other differences (clearness of the pattern, density/hardness, color and evenness of the back), then these are products of the same manufacturer. The lack of printing may be due to production features.
“Rough linoleum is very difficult to wash.”
If the manufacturer incorrectly developed the formulation of the protective varnish or applied it to the linoleum incorrectly (without repeating the surface topography), then this is possible. It is the additional protective varnish that protects the coating from dirt penetration inside and makes it easier to clean. There is only one way out - choose a proven product. For example, Tarkett. And always with an additional protective layer (EXTREME PROTECTION or Titanium). Then ordinary soap and water and (from time to time) specially recommended linoleum care products will be enough for cleaning.
“The stronger the gloss, the faster it will come off” protective film».
It is hardly possible. The glossiness of the image is just an effect, a design element of linoleum, not a film. Sometimes, to create a more realistic, three-dimensional image, manufacturers even combine shiny and matte surfaces in one design (for example, the Imperial Elite collection from Tarkett).
“Over time, the “glitters” (chips) are trampled out of the linoleum)
This is impossible unless some mechanical force is used - for example, cutting them out with a knife. The fact is that “glitters” (or, as manufacturers call them, “chips”) are sealed into the product, covered on top with the very layer that ensures the wear resistance of the product (transparency). Take, for example, a bead and drop it into molten glass. When the glass cools and hardens, the bead will be visible, but it will be impossible to get it out. 
“You need linoleum that doesn’t break.”
Everything is simple here. Linoleum breaks when transported incorrectly and when you try to unwrap it immediately after bringing it from the cold into a warm room. Linoleum must be unpacked at a temperature not lower than +15°C. If it is less than +10°C outside, you can unpack and unwrap the delivered roll only after 24 hours, and if it is less than 0°C, then no less than two days after transportation in a warm room.
“Light linoleum leaves traces over time (the places where we walk change color and are not washed).”
This, unfortunately, can happen with any linoleum - light, dark, or variegated. Paths are formed for several reasons:
chemically aggressive coloring substances (paint, drying oil, bitumen) on the base of the floor can penetrate through the coating over time;
an aggressive external environment (a kitchen with an endless amount of drops of grease, detergents, etc., walking in shoes whose soles contain black rubber, etc.) can, over time, allow dirt and stains to penetrate from above into the coating without an additional protective layer (varnish).
Since in ordinary apartment or office, it is impossible to control everything that gets on the floor, it is necessary to choose products with additional protection and not choose white and very light shades for the floor of rooms with high load on the floor. In this case, either very serious care for the coating will be needed (with frequent use of special products), or it will be necessary to choose products of a higher class (and more expensive) than is required for a certain type of room.
Light spots can also appear due to improper care of the coating - when using aggressive cleaning agents and detergents. In addition, any uneven base and installation without gluing only aggravate all of the above effects. For more details, see “BUYER’S NOTE: Laying PVC coverings. Care. Guarantee".
“The thicker the linoleum, the better and more durable.”
One characteristic cannot determine whether a product is “good” or “bad.” Is a car with a 3 liter engine good or bad? Which bag is better - large or small? It depends on what for - you will answer.
“Better” is always a set of several characteristics that are important specifically for you and the room where you are going to lay linoleum. For example, safety for children is important.
This means it is “better” to choose a coating with a thick layer of foam, an additional polyester base and an antibacterial coating. It is important that there are no traces of furniture legs and that you can walk on the floor in heels - it is “better” to choose dense collections with a thick transparency (0.5 mm or more). And the thickness of the product itself says quite little about its properties - for example, very wear-resistant semi-commercial linoleum looks thin compared to thick household linoleum.
“Linoleum on polyester shrinks.”
Do you mean that the seams can come apart, as happened with the old “Soviet” linoleum? If we are talking about this, then now this cannot happen with foamed linoleum - the fiberglass in the structure makes it stable and does not allow it to change in size. And modern linoleum on a double base (lena + polyester) combines only the best from two production options - the softness, heat and sound insulation of polyester and the stability of linear dimensions, the strength of linoleum on a foam base.
“In a humid climate, linoleum on polyester rots and fungus appears.”
Polyester itself is a synthetic fiber, and therefore simply cannot rot. Your regular autumn jackets don’t rot in a humid climate, do they? The linoleum is covered with a protective varnish on top, which does not allow water to pass through at all. Therefore, if it was laid correctly and water does not get under the coating, then the fungus simply has nowhere to come from. Even if it suddenly floods, you can simply peel back the linoleum and let it dry - both it and the floor underneath it - and put it back. There won't be any problems. If you know that water will run constantly or frequently, it is better to immediately select tiles- This is the only type of flooring that, when installed correctly, can withstand CONSTANT exposure to water. 
“With a backing, linoleum is softer, warmer, and more pleasant to walk on.”
What do you mean by underlay - a separate underlay for linoleum or a polyester base? If the first, then unlike laminate and parquet, linoleum does not require the use of additional cushioning materials. Moreover, for long service For linoleum, good adhesion to a flat floor is vital - ideal if it is generally glued over the entire surface. And any gasket worsens adhesion, accelerating wear of the coating. It's like putting a sheet of thick paper on the table and trying to pierce it - it won't work. And put a sheet of paper on the foam rubber - it will pierce easily. Linoleum, of course, is not paper, but you are guaranteed increased wear of the coating with the backing. That is why ALL manufacturers unanimously say that it is IMPOSSIBLE to use substrates for linoleum. If you meant polyester directly as the backing of the floor covering, then you should choose a product with a double base (foam + polyester). For example, such TARKETT collections as “Rainbow” and “Idyll”.
“An imported product is better than a Russian one.”
Fortunately, everything is not so simple. If such a trend existed before, it is no longer the case. Today, the Tarkett plant in Russia is the largest and most modern linoleum production site in the world. Tarkett products are even recognized by competitors as the best and are often copied. In addition, according to consumer opinion research, ordinary people like you or me - major collections (eg Discovery) are recognized the best products in their categories.
“The felt base is warmer than the foam.”
It all depends on the design of the product - on the ratio of the total thickness and the thickness of felt or polyester, on the presence and thickness of the foam layer, on the density of the product, etc. There is no clear answer. It is better to compare 2 specific products.
“What’s the point of buying expensive linoleum?”
The more expensive linoleum, the better quality it is, the more natural it looks, and the easier it is to care for. After all, the price directly depends not only on the wear resistance of the coating, but also on what technologies the manufacturer uses in its production, what is the density of the linoleum (guaranteeing no marks from furniture legs), relief, additional protective layer (facilitating cleaning), whether there is a special antibacterial coating , additional polyester base, etc. So in everything - take clothes: 2 identical turtlenecks, made from different materials, will serve differently and look different after one or two washes. And in a year? But flooring is not bought for a year, two or three!
In addition, we must not forget about the “full cost” of the coating - the cost with installation. Laying laminate (and especially parquet) can be up to 50% of the cost square meter coverings in the store. Professional installation of linoleum is much cheaper.
Today linoleum is the most popular category of flooring in Russia. And the price factor is not at all decisive in this championship. The reason is that the product itself has changed fundamentally - not only externally, but also in essence. “This is no longer linoleum,” that’s what our customers say.
Key ideas of the collections and their main technical characteristics.
Linoleum remains one of the popular floor coverings. Many, when renovating an apartment, are faced with the need to select required coverage and here many questions arise, since there are a lot of varieties of linoleum. In this article we will tell you how to choose linoleum for an apartment and specifically for each type of room.
Natural or artificial material
Before you start choosing, you need to clearly decide what type of linoleum you will use, natural or artificial. Natural linoleum includes such components as:
- Wood flour;
- Natural resins;
- Linseed oil;
- Natural dyes.
Of course, this material is environmentally friendly, meets all fire safety standards, and is easy to clean. various types pollution. However, the cost of such material is an order of magnitude higher than that of artificial analogues. Natural coating does not conduct electricity and has virtually no shrinkage after installation.
Part artificial linoleum includes polyvinyl chloride and many other chemical components. Household and semi-commercial material is safe, but when exposed to temperatures above 27 degrees, it begins to emit toxic substances. In addition, it has much greater shrinkage than natural, but is much cheaper.
Important. When renovating apartments, experts do not recommend laying commercial and rubber linoleum in residential premises, since the requirements environmental safety they are underestimated and their use is permissible only in administrative buildings with good ventilation.
Selection of linoleum class
When deciding which linoleum to choose for an apartment and specific rooms, you need to study the coating classes:
- In rooms with low traffic, such as a bedroom or office, you can lay linoleum of wear resistance class 21-22;
- In the living room you can lay a 22 class covering if 1-2 people live in the apartment. If the family is large, then it is better to use class 23;
- For children's rooms, grade 21 is used if there is a small child or grade 22-23 if there are several children;
- If you have a large family and often receive guests, it is better to use class 31-32 linoleum in living rooms and hallways.
For your information. The higher the coating class, the higher its cost. If you have limited financial resources, then you should not buy a higher class of coverage than is required by the premises.
Selection of linoleum for a specific room
Kitchen linoleum
When choosing a linoleum covering for the kitchen, you need to be guided by two main criteria: the material’s resistance to mechanical stress and moisture resistance. The most the best solution for the kitchen there will be natural linoleum, which is also called “marmoleum”. This is a natural covering on a fabric base, which is usually jute. This linoleum will last quite a long time, has high strength and makes it possible to easily remove various pollution using modern detergents.
If your financial capabilities do not allow you to use a natural coating, then you can buy synthetic linoleum, only at the time of purchase you need to check the service life of the material. You should not save on kitchen linoleum; make sure that the material complies with GOST standards and quality certificates from the manufacturer.
Important. Deciding which linoleum to use for an apartment kitchen area, take into account the opinion of experts who recommend using semi-commercial coating. This linoleum has a durable decorative layer, a reinforced protective coating and is dense enough to withstand an accidental fall of kitchen equipment.
Typically, materials with imitation are chosen for the kitchen. natural stone, parquet board or ceramic tiles. It must be remembered that the kitchen requires increased antiseptic properties. Natural linoleum itself is an antiseptic due to the use of flax. For synthetic coatings, it is necessary to use a substrate with antiseptic characteristics, for example jute.
Important. Try to select the width of the roll in such a way that the coating does not have joints, since this is the most vulnerable area of the material given the characteristics of the kitchen premises.
Linoleum for the corridor and hallway
The most vulnerable linoleum in an apartment is in the corridor and hallway, since these are the rooms with the highest traffic, which greatly accelerates the process of abrasion of the coating. If one or two people live in an apartment, then there is no point in overpaying and you can use class 22-23 coverage.
At big family and high traffic flow of the room, the coating must have at least 0.25 mm of a protective layer and a thickness of at least 4 mm. The most reliable option would be to use class 31-32 coating, which is also used in office premises with low traffic.
Important. Before laying material in the hallway, make sure that the floor has a perfectly flat surface with no bulges or depressions. Use PVC or cork backing. It is not recommended to use a jute or linen backing, since it has a low density and will only increase the abrasion of the coating.
Linoleum for an office or bedroom
Covering on a soft foam base, this is the best linoleum for an apartment, which can be laid in a bedroom or study. In these rooms, minimal traffic and material density can be sacrificed for the maximum level of comfort. For these purposes, class 21 household artificial turf is used, which has a foamed PVC base, as well as single layer material, laid on a soft jute or linen backing.
For your information. In a child's bedroom it is strongly recommended to use only natural coating household series with a more durable base of class 22-23, since an active child creates a considerable load and mechanical impact on the coating when playing with toys.
Linoleum for the living room
When choosing which linoleum is better for an apartment, household or semi-commercial when laying in the living room, you need to proceed from the degree of load on the coating. For example. If you live in the apartment big family of 4-5 people or the owners like to often receive guests, then it is better to lay semi-commercial linoleum of class 31-32, which is also used for the corridor. If you frequently receive guests, there is a high probability of damage to the linoleum, so it is not worth laying an expensive coating, since it will have to be replaced after 7-9 years of operation.
But if 1-2 people live in an apartment, then the traffic of the room is minimal and a household coating of class 22-23 with a protective coating thickness of 0.15 to 0.20 mm is sufficient.
Tatyana, Voronezh city
During the renovation, synthetic linoleum was laid in the hallway and a linen backing was used. On the covering there were clearly visible marks from not only my heels, but also from my husband’s shoes, which disappeared over time. Initially, we thought that we had received low-quality linoleum and wanted to file a claim with the store. But then it turned out that it was necessary to use a denser substrate. We changed the jute one to cork and the marks stopped appearing.
June 1, 2016Specialization: facade finishing, interior finishing, construction of summer houses, garages. Experience of an amateur gardener and gardener. We also have experience in repairing cars and motorcycles. Hobbies: playing the guitar and many other things that I don’t have time for :)
Linoleum has been one of the most common flooring materials for many years, due to its practicality and good performance characteristics. True, in fairness it should be noted that the latter largely depend on the model of the product and its quality. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people are interested in how the quality of linoleum is determined in a store before purchasing?
Below I will tell you what to look for and how to test the coating in order to purchase a quality product. Of course, we will not consider testing methods that require special equipment or laboratory conditions.
Determining the quality of the coating
First of all, it should be said that there is no linoleum that is completely unsuitable for use as a floor covering. Only the scope of application of the models differs.
Thus, some types of coating are intended for use in residential premises, while others are intended for use in offices and all kinds of public institutions. Therefore, next I will tell you how to choose linoleum for an apartment or house, i.e. for residential premises.
So, when choosing, you need to pay attention to the following points:
Below we will take a closer look at all these nuances.
Parameter 1: smell
One of the main requirements for finishing materials, including floor coverings, is environmentally friendly. In the case of linoleum, environmental friendliness is evidenced by the absence of a sharp chemical odor.
If you smell a strong odor, it means that toxic substances were used in the manufacture of the material. As a rule, industrial coatings smell unpleasant, the main requirement for which is high strength and resistance to abrasion. In residential premises, of course, you should not use such material.
When purchasing, you should smell the roll, not the sample.
The fact is that samples are often treated with special compounds, as a result of which they are odorless.
Also, proof of the safety of the coating is the presence of international environmental labeling. True, not all domestic models have it. Therefore, its absence does not mean that this is a toxic product.
Option 2: pattern and color
If you want to buy linoleum High Quality, one cannot help but pay attention to his drawing. It should be expressive and clear. If the drawing does not contain clear contours, this indicates the low quality of the product, accordingly, performance characteristics perhaps they also leave much to be desired.
In addition, when considering the surface of the coating, you need to pay attention to some other points:
- corrugation– if it is missing, the floor can turn out to be quite slippery and, accordingly, dangerous;
- colors– it is better to use a coating of calm natural tones. In this case, the material will not fade in the sun in a short time, and the eyes will not get tired of it. For example, wood-look linoleum is an excellent option;
- presence of peeling areas– if the transparent film begins to peel off in some places, you should refuse to purchase such a product, as the canvas will quickly become unusable.
The good quality of a product is often indicated by the presence of the manufacturer's trademark.
Parameter 3: thickness
When choosing a coating, be sure to pay attention to the cut.
As a rule, the canvas consists of three main layers:
- protective – is a protective transparent coating that provides the material with resistance to abrasion and other mechanical stress;
- the front layer is the main layer, the thickness of which also determines the strength of the fabric;
- substrate - provides thermal insulation. The backing can be foam or felt. It should be noted that the foam base is more practical and durable.
As you might guess, linoleum good quality must have a sufficiently thick first and second layer, on which the performance of the canvas depends. There are sometimes models on sale that feel quite thick to the touch due to the backing, but their protective layer is very thin. It is better to refuse to purchase such a product, since such a coating may simply begin to tear during operation.
When choosing a canvas, you should crumple its edge with your hands or press on the surface with your fingernail.
If the surface is not deformed, then the product is of good quality.
It must be said that there is also single-layer linoleum (homogeneous), which does not contain a backing. A special feature of this material is its increased thermal conductivity. So he is excellent.
Parameter 4: strength and abrasion class
The quality of the coating is often indicated by the class of wear resistance and abrasion. The wear resistance class is marked with two numbers:
| Number location | Designation |
| First | Talks about the purpose of the material:
|
| Second | Characterizes the level of permissible load intensity. According to this parameter, the coating is divided into four types:
|
If you come across class 21 linoleum, then keep in mind that it is the least wear-resistant and is only suitable for use in rooms with low traffic, for example. But linoleum of the 23rd or 24th class can be laid even in the hallway.
Also an important indicator of durability is the abrasion group. According to this parameter, the product is divided into the following types:
It must be said that the abrasion group, unlike the strength class, does not depend on the thickness of the material. Of course, the above figures are conditional and were obtained during testing of the coating in laboratory conditions. But, in any case, this parameter indicates the durability and strength of the product.
Parameter 5: Cost
Often the indicator of quality is the cost of the material. Of course, if the coating is expensive, this does not guarantee its quality. However, the highest quality linoleum cannot be cheap.
Therefore, below I will give the cost of some well-proven models, which will allow you to navigate the price:
In the photo - industrial homogeneous linoleum HORIZON
Here, in fact, are all the instructions for determining the quality of linoleum, which I wanted to introduce you to. Of course, it should also be taken into account that the performance qualities of the coating largely depend on the material from which it is made. On our portal you can find detailed information about the types of linoleum and their features, which will also help you make the right choice.
