What linoleum is better for the house

modern variety of floor coverings unwittingly puts any person making ma nt in square artire or house before the "agony" of choice.Renowned manufacturers, fine building its advertising policy, strongly recommend their products, which is really good.But it happens that for this have to part with the amount, which was not planned.And good old linoleum somehow unfairly overshadow, considering his choice for the poor.In fact, he has a number of advantages, which most likely does not know the consumer.Perhaps we should be more aware of this popular floor covering, linoleum, and learn what is best for your home.

History

Linoleum wrongly attributed to modern and artificial materials, but hidden in the title of its historical roots.Word linoleum is made up of the Latin: linum - meaning flax or linen, and oleum - oil.Patented linoleum was still in 1860 by Englishman Frederick Walton.Initially, the floor covering used warp linen or jute, which was applied oxidized vegetable oil in combination with a cork flour.Technology is constantly improved, manufacturers have learned to apply the pattern on the linoleum and in the beginning of XX century it was one of the most popular materials.

Due to high cost of vegetable raw materials and the development of chemical synthesis, in 60-ies of the last century began to produce outdoor roller coating on a synthetic basis, which left the old name - linoleumalthough it is a completely different material.In the 90s remember the traditions of production of natural linoleum and volume its release is constantly growing, as it has a steady demand.Thus, under the name linoleum teamed a very broad class of flooring both natural and synthetic.

Types linoleum

To make it easier to navigate in the ocean of offers and make the right choice, it is necessary to learn about the kinds of existing linoleum and specifically which ones are suitable for the home.

Linoleum

One of the best choices - is a natural linoleum.For its production are used only natural ingredients: linseed oil, wood flour, jute and linen, natural rosin, limestone.A rich palette of natural dyes together with modern technologies allow be painted in any color this wonderful cover.Linoleum has a number of advantages:

• High strength.Linoleum can withstand pressure up to 16 MPa .
• Linseed oil, which is part of doing such coverage bactericidal.
• High resistance to wear defines a long service life: up to 30-50 years.
• Exclusively natural ingredients define its environmental friendliness.
• Linoleum does not absorb dirt and easy to clean of various contaminants detergents.
• on to positive integer linoleum does not accumulate static electricity.
• not afraid to ultraviolet light, does not fade from the sun.
• has low flammability.

With such an impressive list of advantages, natural linoleum is still not deprived drawbacks:

• Linoleum has a high price, comparable to the floorboard.
• In areas where planned natural linoleum flooring should not be high humidity , as the natural basis rot.
• low elasticity limits the use of linoleum in cold rooms and complicates its installation.
• Features of manufacturing techniques limit the variety of patterns and ornaments.
• only stacked coating of linoleum has a specific smell, which can not please everyone.However, a few months later the smell disappears.

For all supporters environmentally friendly housing, ready to go to the high costs, natural linoleum is the perfect choice for residential buildings.Low humidity limits its use in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC), linoleum

Linoleum PVC (international designation - PVC) is the most widely used.It can be like without the basics, as well as with various kinds of bases:

• fabric basis.For it can be used as jute natural and synthetic fabrics, such as fiberglass.The top coating having a pattern made of PVC.Such linoleum may have an impressive thickness - up to 5 mm.
• nonwoven substrate made of natural felt or synthetic materials can improve the thermal insulation properties, but in areas with high traffic and high humidity use a linoleum is not worth it, because he does not like intensive loads and porous base will absorb moisture very well.

• Foam PVC.Such linoleum began producing in the 90s of the last century, and this kind of support is one of the most popular.The main porous layer of PVC treats all loads and "forgives" minor irregularities in the substrate and the reinforcing fabric retains the geometric dimensions of the canvas.Apply PVC foam can be chemically and mechanically more progressive, which is better, as a linoleum will not wrinkle at high loads.

also made some kinds of linoleum, which combine several types of layers above .Linoleum, which has several of them, called heterogeneous, and one - homogeneous.Number layers and their purposes in linoleum different destinations may be very different from each other.

advantage homogeneous linoleum is that his image is present on the entire depth, so when the inevitable deterioration of its image will not wear off.The thickness of the linoleum can be from 1.5 to 3 millimeters, and it is designed for areas with high traffic.Its use in apartments and houses impractical.The main disadvantages of homogeneous linoleum is its high price, as well as the impossibility of applying the complex drawings.

Polyvinylchloride linoleum has a number of advantages, which explains its widespread use.

• Linoleum PVC has a high elasticity, which greatly simplifies installation.
• Diversity patterns and textures of PVC linoleum allow to realize any idea of ​​interior design.
• Linoleum PVC has a reasonable price.
• Easy to clean from pollution.
• Linoleum known manufacturers is not toxic, it must be confirmed by the presence of the hygienic certificate.

disadvantages of linoleum of PVC are:

• When exposed to high temperatures, the shrinkage of linoleum.
• only after laying a coating of PVC linoleum has an unpleasant specific smell, which disappears after a few weeks of operation.

Alkyd linoleum

Alkyd, still called Gliphtal, linoleum is always made on the basis of tissue, which is applied by a special technology or modified alkyd resin Gliphtal with special fillers that improve the properties of the coating.Also make pigments and dyes that make linoleum or monochrome or multi-color.The advantages of this type of linoleum are:

• In comparison with PVC linoleum, Gliphtal have best heat - and sound insulating properties.
• Such linoleum is extremely wear-resistant, they can serve 40-50 years.
• Pollution from such coatings are removed easier than PVC.

disadvantages Alkyd linoleum are:

• low elasticity at temperatures close to zero.
• Alkyd linoleum require skilled installation.
• Inadequate fire protection severely limits their use in residential areas.

Gliphtal linoleum is widely used in public transport: flooring in cars, cabins of sea transport, aircraft .

Rubber linoleum (Relin )

Such linoleum make a two-layer: the bottom - made of recycled rubber, the upper - painted in different colors of synthetic rubber .Between these layers are linked mastic asphalt.Such floor coverings have some advantages:

• Excellent water resistance allows you to lay Relin in most "wet" areas.
• High elasticity and strength.
• excellent anti-slip properties.
• long service life.

Rubber linoleum can be used near swimming pools, garages, workshops, sports rooms and halls, but in a residential area of ​​use is contraindicated,since they release into the surrounding air pollutants.

nitrocellulose ( kolloksilinovy ​​) linoleum

These types of linoleum is a single layer without a base coat, produced nitrocellulose with the addition of various components: gypsum, red lead, plasticizers and dyes.Currently, such a coating of this material is not used because of high fire risk.

linoleum What better house

possible that such an abundance of information about the kinds of linoleum still further complicate the choice.Especially since the majority of modern linoleum are heterogeneous and can combine several different layers .That is why the European manufacturers have developed a special standard EN685 , where linoleum are divided into classes depending on the strength characteristics and applications in various areas.Each class is indicated by a two-digit numerical code and the corresponding icon to it.

The first digit indicates the class:

• 2 - linoleum is designed for premises.
• 3 - for office or commercial premises.
• 4 - for industrial buildings.

second digit indicates the degree of the class load, which is able to withstand the linoleum:

• 1 - low load.
• 2 - average load.
• 3 - high load.
• 4- very high load.

Household linoleum

Linoleum, belonging to the class 21-23, called the household.By the standards of EN685 he must have the following characteristics:

• Specific weight 1,25-2,25 kg / m 2.
• thickness - from 0.15 to 3 mm.
• flexibility and elasticity must be such that when rolled up on a rod 45 mm in diameter should not form cracks.
• Sound absorption - no less than 13-18 dB .
• Water absorption should be no more than 1-1.5%.
• Shrinkage during operation - not more than 0.2 mm per 1 m.

cost of domestic well-known manufacturers of linoleum can be in the range from 3 to 10 euros per square meter.

semi-commercial linoleum

Linoleum, belonging to the classes 31-34 are called semi-commercial, and it is intended mainly for offices and office space.Must possess the following characteristics:

• Specific gravity 1.6-2.5 kg / m 2.
• elasticity and flexibility should be such that when wound on a cylinder with a diameter of 10-40 mm linoleum should not be formed cracks.
• Absorption should be not less than 12-16 dB .
• shrinkage during operation - no more than 0.1 mm per 1 meter.
• Lifetime, guaranteed by the manufacturer, at least 7-20 years.

cost of semi-commercial linoleum is from 5 to 15 euros per square IU tr adratny.The small difference in price for domestic and semi-commercial linoleum makes the feasibility of its use for domestic purposes in those areas where the increased load on the covering of a floor: kitchen, lobby and others.

Commercial linoleum

If linoleum belongs to a class of 41 to 43, it is called commercial.Its purpose - a floor coverings in areas with intense movement of people and equipment.Such linoleum have reinforced layer film (0.8 mm), even lower shrinkage (0.02-0.1 mm / m) and the warranty period (from 10 to 25 years).

The relatively high cost of such a linoleum (10-40 euros per square IU tr adratny) in conjunction with redundant for apartments and houses technical characteristics make its use in residential areasinexpedient.Some commercial linoleum may have a special purpose:

• Sports flooring having softness and elasticity for good contact with sports shoes.
• coatings having resistance to chemicals and has antibacterial properties, which is very useful in medical institutions.
• skid coating near the swimming pools and other wet areas.
• antistatic coating.

thickness of the protective layer of linoleum

Most modern linoleum has on its surface a solid protective film of pure PVC .It its thickness must be considered when choosing linoleum depending on the destination premises.Manufacturers offer following graduation:

• film 0,15 mm thick quite suitable for this linoleum living rooms and bedrooms.
• protective layer of 0.20 mm is optimal for children's rooms.
• 0,25 mm - for kitchens , hallways and corridors.
• 0,30 mm - service and office space with an average load.