Is it possible to lay commercial linoleum in an apartment?

• March 27, 2020
• Floor
• Valeria Guretskikh

If you choose linoleum responsibly and choose the right material, it can last quite a long time. In addition, it will decorate the interior and also provide good sound and thermal insulation.

And in order to choose the right material, it is imperative to know its classification, types, as well as in which specialized stores you can purchase such material.

By type, linoleum can be divided into artificial and natural. Artificial linoleum is also divided into types depending on the material from which it was made.

You definitely need to know these and many other features of linoleum. Thanks to this, you will be able to choose the most suitable material for yourself.

How thick should linoleum be?

In accordance with the European classification of wear resistance class, the thickness

The protective layer (transparency) of household
linoleum
is 0.1 - 0.3 millimeters, semi-commercial - 0.4 - 0.5 millimeters, commercial - at least 0.6 millimeters.

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Material structure

And to find out which class of linoleum is the most durable, it is necessary to study the varieties of this material. So, for example, according to their structure, linoleums can be divided into:

• Homogeneous.
• Heterogeneous.

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

1. Heterogeneous linoleums.

This is linoleum, which is made as a solid material. However, it has no basis. If the material is of sufficient thickness, then such a coating can last for quite a long time.

The main disadvantages of this material include the following:

• The main disadvantage of producing this material is that such linoleum is produced without any patterns on the product.
• The material has increased fragility. This is due to the fact that lime is used in its production. And if there is an excessive amount of it in the composition, therefore, the linoleum is not flexible enough.

To avoid purchasing low-quality material, it is recommended to check it directly in the store. To do this, just bend it. If a white stripe appears, this means that the material can be used. And if a crack appears on the material, then it is best to refuse the purchase.

Technological heterogeneous linoleum consists of several layers. Fiberglass is often used for its manufacture, and both woven and non-woven materials are used as substrates.

The thickness of this material is about 6 mm.

Today, thanks to production technology, the market offers the widest selection of colors and textures, as well as imitation wood, metal surfaces, tiles and leather.

Before purchasing linoleum, it is recommended that you carefully read the certificate for this material. It is necessary to pay attention that the protection layer of this material is made of polyurethane. Thanks to this coating, there will be no marks left on the linoleum from shoes with rubber soles.

2. Homogeneous linoleum.

This material consists of one layer. The thickness of such a product is about 3 mm. The material consists of polyvinyl chloride. Some manufacturers use various fillers during the manufacture of this material, such as lime, talc and even kaolin. It should be noted that the more different fillers contained in linoleum, the poorer the quality of the material becomes. In this case, in order to purchase high-quality linoleum, you need to know that the less weight of 1 square meter of material, the better quality it is.

When installing such linoleum, the laying surface does not need to be carefully prepared. And thanks to the great elasticity of the material, it is possible to protect the base floor from water. Very often this material is used to create coatings in the bathroom. In addition, the material is ideal for those places where there is a risk of increased exposure to abrasive factors. For example, many housewives spend most of their time in the kitchen. They prepare food there, and quite often they have to wash the floor there.

As for corridors, as well as other rooms in which there is heavy traffic, commercial as well as semi-commercial types of linoleum are ideal.

Nature of smell

Quite often, new linoleum emits an unpleasant chemical odor. In order to avoid this, it is recommended that when choosing a floor covering, you smell it, this will help determine its quality. But this method does not always work. In some situations, the aroma from linoleum becomes so strong that it affects the condition of household members.

The nature of the smell of new linoleum is almost always identical. Differences are observed only in the degree of its severity. The smell is chemical, a bit like rubber.

Laminate

Let's start with big Chemistry - with today's most popular and easy-to-install flooring material. Although, if we analyze what we have to drink, what we breathe, and so on, then the materials from which floor coverings are made will not be so harmful to our health. Well, at least they are not more harmful than the rest of our environment. Traditionally, the name “laminate” can be applied to any material that is made by carefully joining, “soldering,” or gluing finished films. Based on the manufacturing method, this material is usually divided into low and high pressure laminates. High-pressure laminate, or composite laminate, has a natural base - particleboard or chipboard, and is covered on top with several layers of very durable paper, which, in turn, is impregnated with various resins. Low pressure laminate has a slightly smaller number of film layers. For both materials, the protective top layer provides the highest levels of wear resistance and strength of all existing floor coverings. The best laminates from well-known manufacturers constantly receive high awards at international and European exhibitions, including awards for the environmental friendliness of the material. Even in Scandinavian countries, where the most stringent requirements are imposed on environmental safety, some laminates have been awarded the Golden Swan environmental label. So modern chemistry can also be harmless.

Photo: parkethold.ru

In all respects, high-pressure laminates are somewhat safer in environmental terms , because they emit substances harmful to the human body. So even people who have a tendency to allergic manifestations and special sensitivity to harmful substances will feel quite comfortable in any room with such a floor covering. Experts say that laminates have one significant drawback: they are static. But today, manufacturers have already mastered the technology for producing materials with antistatic coating. In practice, this is easy to check - you need to rub the laminate a little and then throw a sheet of paper on it. Paper will not stick to antistatic laminate.

Description

Commercial linoleum is used as a floor covering in high-traffic areas - essentially, it is a version of an industrial flooring material. May vary depending on how many layers each specific option includes. The most common method of sale is in lengths, the length of which can be chosen by the buyer.

The main component of the coating is PVC, which is highly resistant to wear, due to which its service life is much longer than that of many analogues. And the painted top layer allows the coating to serve without wearing off for a very long period.

Commercial linoleum is best used for high traffic areas

What classes does it come in?

Now let's move on to specifics. In this block you will learn what linoleum is and how to choose it.

Linoleum comes in several classes, here they are:

Myth No. 4: it’s not prestigious and it’s embarrassing

Here, yes, if you take the cheapest linoleum, which is painted in unnatural colors and looks like oilcloth - it is, it looks disgusting, to put it mildly. But if you choose something more expensive, with good texture and color, without any oilcloth reflections, then the floor will look pretty decent.

Often, good linoleum is much more impressive than inexpensive laminate. And more practical, which is the most important thing. You need to take care of the laminate: under no circumstances allow drops of water to get on it, otherwise it will swell. And linoleum is an absolutely unpretentious thing.

Cork

How can you fake a cork? Although, with modern technology it is certainly possible. Only this is an expensive material, and counterfeiting it with synthetics and chemicals will also be expensive and unprofitable. So cork floors are also natural. Cork is the bark of the Portuguese cork tree, a very light, porous and incredibly pleasant to the touch material. A cork floor, when pressure is applied to it, for example, when walking on it in heels, shows amazing miracles of elasticity, squeezing, but certainly returning to its original state. And it is the cork layer that is responsible for this miracle, which by nature has such an extraordinary “airy” structure. From a medical point of view, cork flooring is very useful. It perfectly absorbs, and this characteristic property is very favorable for a person, as it allows the legs to rest, while also unloading the spine. This effect of the material is especially useful for people who have ailments in the musculoskeletal system.

Photo: parquetservice.ru

The floor surface is antistatic, silky, and it is very easy to remove any dirt or grease from it. This flooring does not attract dust and is not a source of unpleasant odors. People suffering from allergic diseases can breathe easily and freely in rooms with cork floors. And besides this, this coating is not only an excellent shock absorber, its elastic action and porous structure make any movement around the apartment almost silent. So, by laying cork on the floor, you also get additional noise protection. Try throwing a bunch of keys onto a laminate or parquet floor, and then do the same with a cork - and, as they say, feel the difference. By the way, you will also feel the difference in price. And get ready to spend a lot of money.

Manufacturers

Having understood the main characteristics of commercial linoleum, you should also pay attention to the manufacturers. Contact only trusted companies, and to make it easier for you, we have reviewed the main brands that have positive reviews from customers.

It is worth purchasing products only from trusted manufacturers

The market for linoleum manufacturers is not limited to these companies; we recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the company you have chosen and look for consumer reviews about it.

Interior solutions

You can approach the choice of linoleum creatively and beautifully emphasize the advantages of the room, skillfully hiding the shortcomings. Remember - linoleum should complement the overall concept of the room, and not overload it.

Check out the concepts offered by experienced designers, try experimenting with different options, reworking them and adding to them.

For offices designed in a modern or minimalist style, you can use linoleum with original large prints.

In offices or other premises, you can use commercial linoleum with various prints

Linoleum with imitation laminate will help complement the composition, made in black and gray shades. In such a room, furniture in warm colors with a similar texture will look good.

Linoleum with an imitation of stone texture, made in brick tones, will help make rooms with a bright interior more comfortable.

Linoleum under parquet with “zigzags” will make the interior warmer and less boring, especially if figurines, pillows and a large number of small shelves are used as decorative accessories.

For dining areas in Provencal style, imitation light tiles are suitable - this covering option will emphasize the light shades in the interior and allow you to pay more attention to details.

Commercial linoleum is great for hallways

You can choose a covering with various interesting patterns that will transform the room

For an office, you can choose commercial linoleum, designed to look like a wooden floor, laminate

For use in the premises of various companies, you can choose a “strict” plain commercial linoleum

Dark-colored linoleum is well suited for public spaces.

Often commercial linoleum is laid in stores

Myth #2: Only suitable for narrow rooms

Anyone who has not gone to a construction market for a long time is simply confident that the linoleum panels have not changed and there is a choice of widths from 1.5 to 3 meters. This means that in a larger room it will be necessary to make ugly joints from plastic or iron strips, and no beauty or integrity will come of it.

But we hasten to please you: everything has not been like that for a long time.

Firstly, there are now both four and five meter panels on the market, but there are certainly far fewer of them than standard ones. If you don’t find the right color from the wide canvases, then don’t worry either: no strips are needed.

Secondly, now there is a special welding for linoleum, and the seam is almost invisible. This name is, of course, very approximate. In fact, welding is nothing more than ordinary butt gluing of seams, but the composition of the fastening composition is such that it literally dissolves the linoleum and splices the pieces together. As a result, the surface comes out intact and cannot burst at the joint.

Smell: how to choose linoleum so that it does not emit an unpleasant odor?

SITUATION I want to lay linoleum throughout the entire apartment, incl.
in the nursery. However, in many forums they complain about the unpleasant smell of linoleum, which does not disappear for years; Moreover, well-known brands from equally well-known manufacturers are mentioned. There are even complaints about the heavy smell of natural linoleum (marmoleum) and cork floors. I don’t know what to think - my friends have the cheapest linoleum, there is no smell. Is it a matter of the manufacturer, the styling, the room temperature, or just plain luck? Maybe someone got a defective batch?

Tell me what to do? After all, in a store they can show you a sample that doesn’t smell, but they can bring you smelly linoleum from the warehouse.

All other things being equal, what technical characteristics of linoleum mean less odor? Which manufacturers' linoleum smells less? Which linoleum has less odor - commercial, semi-commercial or household? How to choose linoleum in practice so that it does not have an unpleasant odor?

Regards, Anna.

User ID not specified.

How to choose linoleum for an apartment.

There is natural linoleum (based on the natural components of wood flour, linseed oil, burlap (base) and dyes) and there is PVC linoleum (polyvinyl chloride, chemistry in one word). Mostly PVC linoleum is sold in stores; you can tell by its appearance and just smell the linoleum.

Natural linoleum smells like linseed oil, wood and does not have a pungent odor and is quite comfortable to smell (you won’t feel the chemicals here), also natural linoleum is homogeneous (all components are mixed and applied to burlap) so its color scheme is monochromatic, not as rich as There are no PVC, drawings or patterns here. Natural linoleum in its pure form (in a roll) is now very difficult to find; natural linoleum is often found in the form of dies (like laminate). You can look at natural linoleum by following the links https://pro-poly.ru/catalog/list/linoleum- forbo-artoleum-piano/ https://pro-poly.ru/catalog/list/linoleum-forbo-artoleum-scala/ https://pro-poly.ru/catalog/list/linoleum-forbo-fresco/ https: //pro-poly.ru/catalog/list/linoleum-armstrong-colorette-festival-of-colours-lpx/ https://pro-poly.ru/catalog/list/linoleum-armstrong-granette-pur/

The main differences between PVC linoleum are the smell of chemicals (sharply unpleasant) and multi-layering (there is a transparent protective layer, pattern, backing), although there is also homogeneous PVC linoleum, but you can easily distinguish it from natural one by the smell.

Now about the choice.

If funds allow and there are no requirements for appearance, then of course it is better to choose natural linoleum.

If natural linoleum is not suitable for you, then it is better to buy household linoleum for your apartment, it has the least smell of PVC and has less formaldehyde, then semi-commercial, but you should not take commercial, otherwise you are guaranteed a headache.

Again, household linoleum is produced by many manufacturers; it is better to take linoleum produced in Europe (there the requirements for environmental friendliness of products and production are more stringent than in Russia or China), so you need to pay attention to where this collection of linoleum was produced.

For example, the same well-known manufacturer Tarket has factories in Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, and Sweden. You can determine it by the certificate of conformity; it shows the country of origin. This situation often occurs: under one brand, the company produces various collections of linoleum in different countries (Russia, China, Belgium), and in the store for all collections they will tell you that this is Belgium; if in doubt, see the Certificate of Conformity.

There is also a Sanitary and Epidemiological Conclusion (SEZ) where you can see the presence of formaldehyde and other harmful substances.

If you are buying based on a sample, it is better to find out the country of origin, the smell has most likely already dissipated, but if the sample has a strong unpleasant odor, in any case it is better not to buy smelly linoleum.

Modern linoleum and the one produced in the USSR are two big differences, as they say in Odessa! Times change, technologies improve, but in the minds of most consumers to this day there remains a strong belief that this coating is the choice of the poor, it has a short service life, and in general, it is a wildly harmful thing.

In this article we will try to dissuade you and tell you which linoleum is best to choose for your apartment. Here you will find characteristics and descriptions of different types, as well as recommendations for choosing the optimal parameters for certain rooms.

Myth #3: Very impractical and short-lived

And here we, too, as in the first block, will say: depending on what kind of linoleum.

Yes, to this day there are coatings on the surface of which the slightest pressure leaves dented marks, not to mention marks from heels and other aggressive things. But not all linoleum is like this!

There are incredibly durable floors that will serve you faithfully for decades, without losing their original appearance. But we talk about this point in more detail below, in a separate block, since the topic of making the right choice is extensive.

What is important here is the class, the top coating and many other things that are worth paying attention to.

We can only say that in 90% of cases, the base of linoleum is fiberglass, and this guarantees that the canvas will not “sit down” over time and will not deform, and there is also no reason to fear that it will tear from some little thing.

Selection of adhesive mixture

The seller recommends using two-component polyurethane glue, but this is not the best choice, since the fabric is weakly attached to this composition. This will significantly reduce the service life and manifest itself in the form of various coating irregularities. It is best to use water-dispersion glue, which has optimal characteristics.

Bottom line

Natural linoleum is an almost ideal floor covering. If the owner has enough funds to purchase it, then you will not have to regret this choice, because such a coating is a guarantee of quality, reliability, environmental friendliness and the longest service life.

Installation difficulties can be avoided if you seek the help of specialists. Many construction companies will take responsibility for selecting materials, carrying out work, and supplement all this with a guarantee for a certain period.

Main characteristics

The described ecological linoleum is produced, like synthetic polyvinyl chloride products, in roll form. There is also a variety presented in the form of tiles. The process of installing tiles is more complex and painstaking.

Standard dimensions of rolled marmoleum: width 2 meters, thickness from 2 to 4 millimeters. The thickest layers are laid in public places, where there is regularly high traffic and, as a result, increased load on the floor covering (more: “How to lay marmoleum correctly”).

Tips and tricks

If the above methods do not bring the desired result, then there are the following recommendations:

1. If the chemical smell does not disappear for a long time (more than a month), then it is best to completely replace the coating. Leaving linoleum smelling is dangerous, as it affects the condition of the residents.
2. To speed up the results, an air purifier is installed. Additionally, an air freshener is used, which can work automatically.
3. A quartz lamp will help cleanse the room of harmful substances. It not only eliminates chemical compounds, but also helps speed up the odor removal process.
4. Using lemon helps eliminate the aroma in a short time if you apply it directly to the cuts themselves.

How strong the smell of linoleum will depend on what material it is made of. Less synthetic materials emit the aroma of flaxseed oil and do not cause serious discomfort. This smell disappears on its own within a week. If the humidity in the room is high, then the specified period increases.

Polyvinyl chloride, which is often used to make flooring, also emits odor. As a rule, it lasts up to three weeks. If the material is laid out face down before installation and left for a couple of days, this will help ventilate the room as quickly as possible.