How to choose linoleum for the kitchen

Linoleum is classified as the most popular materials for flooring.It is useful in almost any environment, and including well-suited for use in the kitchen or in the hallway, because it has a large enough "set of" positive kaches TV to I deck is in these conditions.

How to choose linoleum for the kitchen with skill, how not to get lost in variety its species, the materials from which it may be made, in particular qualities of this or that type of coveragein a wide range of textures and colors?These issues and devoted this publication. And besides, perhaps, there is a need that, to explain some of the nuances in the preparation and of the material and of the subfloor to the floor, the main techniques styling with calculation , to linoleum served mostlong term.

requirements linoleum for the kitchen

kitchen room can be called a zone of special people movement intensity (the hostess "pulls" the day on the crowded rooms many hundreds of meters), high humidity and frequent fluctuations of temperaturemodes.In addition, the kitchen room always comes a lot of different vapors, does not possible also avoid accidental fatty drops on the floor.Considering all these factors, it is necessary to choose a material that meets the following requirements:

• Resistance to moisture and hygiene - linoleum must be easy to succumb to frequent wet cleaning, but that including - and with the use of chemical household cleaners.
• Low water absorption - the material does not absorb moisture.
• floor surface, even in the moistened state, should not become slippery.
• Resistance to different microorganisms on it - it is impossible to cover the floor became a hotbed of development of microflora or household insects.
• High resistance to abrasion - it should last for a long time, despite the rather intense pressure due to the movement of people and furniture.
• strength of linoleum - accidentally uronennye tableware or metal devices (. Knives, spoons etc ) should not violate the integrity of the coating.

addition to linoleum served as long as possible, the joints of his paintings should be the minimum number, so it is desirable to acquire the material that covers the floor floor of , without welds.Product form material - up to 4 meter rolls, it should be allowed to do so, especially - kitchen facilities.

Species linoleum

Generally, there are two main types of linoleum - is a material made from natural ingredients or of different synthetic components.Each type has its own characteristics, and in which sufficient advantages and disadvantages.

Linoleum

natural material made from of calc and cork conglomerate, crushed to a powder, wood resins, linseed oil, and natural pigments.Mixtures of these components are applied to on natural number as the basis of jute or flax fiber.

production technology like linoleum from natural raw materials has changed little for more than a century, ever since its release has been mastered.Upgrades undergone only ways of image and durability and brightness of the color of the material.

This coating mind the following qualities are inherent:

• Linoleum is absolutely environmentally friendly material.
• Operational life of flooring is from 25 to 45 years.
• It is resistant to ultraviolet light, aggressive chemicals, as well as almost any cleaning agents .
• Such linoleum has a high wear resistance.
• He gives floor good enough heat - and sound quality.
• Linseed oil, which is one of the components of a natural material, gives covering more and antiseptic properties.
• Linoleum easily amenable cleaning, because it does not absorb, it got dirt and grease.

However, you need to immediately focus on the fact that this coating has a very high price, so most of the flooring in kitchens sold more cheapest artificial linoleum.No need to save on to positive integer material for flooring, for example, in the children's room and in the bedroom for the adults - there it would be more appropriate, as it will help protect the occupants health of the occurrence of such common in recent yearsdiseases such as allergic reactions.

Artificial linoleum

coating made of artificial materials, also has its positive qualities.However, it is not as durable as natural linoleum, and serve as a rule, not more than 15 years, depending on the material quality.

synthetic surface is made of different materials. So, distinguish PVC linoleum, alkyd (Gliphtal), rubber (Relin) and kolloksilovy .However, in the domestic environment is not used all kinds.

Kolloksilovy , for example, has a nitrocellulose base, and for all its high-strength quality is extremely fire-hazardous - it simply may not be used in residential or public buildings.In the rubber are also several other area of ​​application - it is more appropriate for warehouses and industrial buildings, sports grounds.Gliphtal coating (always on the basis of tissue), in principle, suitable for apartments, but still does not enjoy great popularity as a linoleum "capricious" in the installation and insufficiently resistant to temperature extremes.

The housing indisputable "flagship» remains PVC linoleum, which, according to experts, is completely safe for human health, except in cases of individual intolerance of one of the components of the material.

Linoleum having certain amount layers, is defined as heterogeneous.If the material is baseless and is composed of two layers - basic and protective, it is called homogeneous.

Multilayer PVC linoleum (heterogeneous) for premises, is a fairly complex multi-component structure:

• Lower, which is the basis, the compact layer.
• Flexible PVC substrate.
• layer, giving the strength of the coating, is made mostly of glass fiber.
• thin layer of polyvinyl chloride.
• decorate film coated pattern.
• layer that increases durability ( Transparent ), with a thickness of 0.14 to 0.7 mm.
• upper protective film.

With homogeneous linoleum everything easier - had one layer, and the pattern, if any, applied across the thickness of the material.It is understood that the abrasion resistance of the material is obtained at a much higher - even a little wear will not break the outer coating types.Such linoleum can be subtle, but often reaches a thickness of even 10 ÷ 15 mm, However, such a thick material rarely used for residential, as it is quite expensive.

Artificial PVC linoleum flooring in the kitchen has a considerable number of positive qualities, which are consistent with the requirements for coatings for kitchen floors:

• Material easy to clean.
• It is water resistant and non-hygroscopic.
• PVC linoleum is sufficiently resistant to mechanical impact and abrasion.
• The average service life of 10 years, but the linoleum with good quality and will last 15 years or more.
• Such coverage is quite affordable, as it significantly cheaper than natural materials, laminate or parquet.
• Linoleum is quite easy to installation - with this kind of work is quite possible to cope on their own.
• Pleases the variety of textures, patterns and designs that successfully mimic any natural floor covering -. stone and ceramic tiles, parquet flooring, wooden flooring, cork and etc , may have a different geometric and ornamental decoration.
• Many models have a small relief, which is a good measure for preventing a slip on a wet surface.

Classification by fields of application

in performance linoleum is divided into three main classes, which define the scope of its application.Classes are denoted by double-digits.The first digit indicates the destination coating (2 - accommodation, 3 - office, commercial or social, 4 - industrial), and the second - on the degree of resistance to mechanical and abrasive loads in his class:

• Commercial (more correctly itscalled manufacturing or industrial) material designated as class 41 or higher (up to 43).It has a solid polyurethane transparent protective film thickness of 0,6 - 0,7 mm and is used mostly in industrial factories, logistics centers, warehouses, production halls and etc .. he was not used in residential areas - its operational capabilities there is simply no demand .
• semi-commercial linoleum 31 - 34 class, with a protective layer thickness of 0,4 - 0,5 mm for the flooring in the office, social, commercial establishments.It is designed for a high enough traffic, so it makes good surface resistance to abrasion (abrasive loads).

Classes 33 and 34 - is for very high loads and even extreme intensity (eg, train stations and supermarkets), and apply them to the residential home or apartment - is absolutely meaningless, simply on the basis of an excessively high cost.But classes covering 31 or even better 32 - very well suited for the flooring in the kitchen and the room will be able to serve for as long as possible.

• Household linoleum intended for premises, designated classes 21 - 23, may have a protective coating with a thickness of 0.3 to 0.5 mm.It is suitable for any room of an apartment or house, but will still serve less time in comparison to semi-commercial.

From the above it can be concluded that for the kitchen perfectly suited material with the following characteristics:

• semi-commercial linoleum (31 - 32 classes).
• hath a moth-eye textured - -slip and non-hygroscopic surface.
• desirable thickness of the protective coating is less than 0.25 mm, and still better - at least 0.3 mm.

Video: how to approach the selection of linoleum

Product form material

Linoleum is available not only in rolls having a width of one and a half to five meters, but also in other forms,that for some artists seem to be more convenient for installation.

1. example, coverage in square tiles or long narrow panels, reminiscent of a laminate board.They are easy to install and perfectly mimic the laminate, parquet, stone or ceramic tile.

Such material is available to install even for inexperienced artists, because they do not have a large size. Main to set it - right to hold the floor layout, to keep in operation following the planned lines.

have material, produced in such a form has its positive qualities and serious disadvantages:

• Convenient such form of linoleum, not only for the installation,and the replacement of damaged coating areas.Obviously, it is not necessary to dismantle all the material from the surface, and you can only replace the part that needs it.
• However, a major drawback of linoleum tiles is the large amount of joints, which is highly undesirable for kitchen facilities, which usually increased humidity and high concentration of various vapors.Poor glued tiles and moisture or dirt into the joints between them will certainly lead to the detachment of the material from the floor.Therefore, such a coating cleaning should be done very carefully, using a minimum of water.

2. More one option for flooring in the kitchen can become so-called "liquid linoleum» or self-leveling floor.This option is ideally suited for this room, so it forms a seamless monolithic surface.Such a floor will last a long time, which is superior to all kinds of material.It also has numerous ornamental species, which may even be invented independently.

coating advantage can be called and that it also serves excellent floor waterproofing.If you wish to change the design of the kitchen, self-leveling floor is not necessary to dismantle it will serve as an excellent basis for the new smooth surface.

floor covered "liquid" the linoleum is not afraid to numerous cleanings detergents and easy to care for, as it has a smooth surface.

This option is an environmentally friendly coating, due to the fact that it consists of harmless after curing epoxy or polyurethane resins.

composition for pouring is produced immediately before application to the floor, with the mixed two components - the basic structure itself based resin and hardener.

After hardening obtained non-hygroscopic, water-resistant surface, which if you want you can give surround visual or special decorative effect.

However, such a coating called "linoleum" is possible only with a big "stretch".Rather, it refers to polymeric fluid floors , about which it is told in a separate publication from our website.

How not to be mistaken with the quality of linoleum for the kitchen?

Coming to the store for the selection and purchase linoleum covering for the kitchen, you need to pay attention to some points that need to talk about high-quality material.