Linoleum, which is one of the most popular materials for arranging floors in a residential area, is very widely represented in many trade enterprises, which allows you to decorate the interior in strict accordance with the tastes of each homeowner. Knowing how to choose the right linoleum, you can choose a variant of this versatile flooring that would simultaneously meet personal preferences and have excellent performance.
So, what points should be decided when choosing linoleum. We tell.
First question: where do we put it?
Since the linoleum options offered for sale differ significantly in their qualities, depending on the place of installation, they can be conditionally divided into the following groups:
- for flooring in - here it is best to use polyvinyl chloride linoleum: the high resistance of such a material, the possibility of processing it with chemicals - which is especially important when fats get on it - allows you to keep the cleanliness and beauty of the flooring. The presence of a protective top layer increases the degree of resistance to mechanical stress and aggressive substances;
- flooring in living rooms is best done with multilayer linoleum on a foam base: the presence of increased noise and heat insulating properties ensures that the required temperature is maintained in the room and the absence of extraneous sounds.
A discreet pattern is preferable for the kitchen, but in the rooms it is already possible to select a pattern on linoleum to your taste: in a flower, “under the parquet” - any options in the living room will look great, emphasizing the individuality of the room, its style and the owner’s taste.
Question two: what is the optimal roll width and what are its other dimensional characteristics?
When deciding which linoleum to choose for an apartment, you should pay close attention to the width of the roll. Standard sizes are in the range of 1.5-4.0 m at a step of 0.5 m. The material consumption when laying on the floor, as well as the degree of complexity of cutting and the number (they still have to be repaired) largely depend on the width!
Usually, the length of one sheet of linoleum in a roll is 3 m or more, which allows you to cut a piece of the required length and thereby minimize material consumption during installation.
The thickness of the coating can also vary significantly: from 1.6 to 5.0 mm. The average thickness of linoleum intended for laying in a living room can be considered 2.5 mm.
Binder material - question three
When choosing linoleum, which will be laid in rooms with high traffic (corridors, rooms without carpets), you should focus on options that are as resistant to abrasion as possible. All types of alkyd linoleum with high rates of heat and sound insulation perfectly retain their original qualities and appearance. However, their low resistance to moisture makes this option not very suitable for the kitchen.
Linoleum made of PVC is considered the most resistant to moisture. On the shelves of trade enterprises, it is represented quite widely. As practice shows, the slightly higher cost of this type of flooring is a direct consequence of its improved qualities.
Color solution
The variety of colors of linoleum is pleasing to the eye, but it also makes the choice difficult. Linoleum with a simple ornament (“under the parquet”, in squares) is the easiest to cut. In this regard, the options for imported production differ from domestic brands in a positive way. The convenience of their installation lies in the fact that the pattern on imported linoleums is often applied in such a way that the opposite edges of the roll have a pattern that is a continuation of itself.
The main rule for choosing an ornament when choosing linoleum is that a large pattern looks most impressive in large rooms, and a small pattern will “play” in small rooms.
Matching the wallpaper and the color scheme of the flooring creates a harmonious impression of the room. Therefore, when choosing, it is necessary to take into account the prevailing color in the room.
When deciding which linoleum is better to choose, you should follow the following tips from professionals:
- You should buy linoleum a little more than is required according to the measurements of the room being made out.
- The presence of a quality certificate can protect the buyer from low-quality fakes that have low hygienic and operational properties.
- You can check the quality of the selected type of linoleum as follows: wrinkle a small sample of it in your hand. In the absence of creases, pronounced cracks and loss of color brightness, we can safely talk about the high quality of the product.
- The choice of PVC foam coating samples will ensure a longer service life of linoleum due to its absence of contact with the concrete floor slab.
- The clarity of the applied pattern, the absence of its blurring also speaks of the high quality of the material.
The rating of the main brands of this flooring, compiled by experts, will undoubtedly help guide you in the selection of linoleum.
The following video will certainly help you navigate the world of linoleums:
