Color sets the style and mood, and it is very important that the finishing elements look harmonious. Consider the basic recommendations on what color linoleum to choose.
- To make the floor stand out from the general background, its tone should be in contrast to the wallpaper or furniture. However, the interior must contain objects that match the color of linoleum: textiles, figurines, vases, etc. This will create harmony.
- If the room lacks coziness, choose flooring warm pastel colors.
- Under light walls choose coverage of saturated shades, even if they are pastel and unobtrusive.
- In combination with a floor carpet, wood-like linoleum will look best.
- The reddish-orange floor covering must be in harmony with some other decor.
- If the room is made in warm colors, then a subfloor will not work for it.
- It is better to lay dark linoleum in the room where there is light furniture.
- A light floor is more practical than a dark one, because dust, stains, small debris are not visible on it. This is especially true for the kitchen - after laying dark linoleum, it will have to be cleaned at least twice a day.
What color to choose linoleum for an apartment?
Solid color solutions
When choosing a single-color coating, general design rules apply. Bright colors add dynamics to the room, warm and pastel colors - comfort, citrus fruits create a joyful atmosphere. Among the most popular and easy for visual perception, there are shades of brown and pistachio, golden yellow and beige tones.
For an interior in the style of minimalism, hi-tech and other modern trends, a white coating is suitable. It will add air, light. However, it is worth remembering that such linoleum will deprive the room of comfort and will require constant and careful maintenance. Shades of coffee with milk, sandy-beige colors are shown to retro, English, classic styles.
Most often, linoleum is chosen for the kitchen as a practical and inexpensive option... A warm and family atmosphere is important in this room, which will help to create the following shades:
- green;
- light brown;
- red brown;
- deep yellow;
- gray green;
- woody.
Linoleum and door color
If you need to choose linoleum in a small room (kitchen, bedroom, hallway, office), then it is better to give preference to the coating, the color of which will match the doors.
The skirting board is an important part between the floor and the doors. If the door is dark, and you want to “play” on the contrast by laying a light floor, then you can choose any color of the plinth: either to match the door or the floor. If the linoleum is darker, then the plinth is chosen in the color of the door.
Patterned linoleum
If you like patterned flooring, keep in mind that a bright, detailed ornament will make the room more dynamic (which, for example, does not the best way for the bedroom). A muted pattern, on the contrary, will be soothing.
Drawing imitating wooden planks, will help to visually adjust the room. Overlaid across long room, he will visually "shorten" it. If the drawing runs along a long wall, the room will appear even longer.
If linoleum imitates large square tiles, then the room will visually appear smaller. Small tiles or mosaic patterns will make the room visually larger.
What not to do
- Do not match linoleum to the color of the curtains - the room will be overloaded and difficult for visual perception.
- If there are vases, poufs, chairs with hidden legs on the floor, then their color should be different from the shade of linoleum. Otherwise, you will get the unpleasant impression that the floor and furniture are a single relief.
- Shades of brown and other dark shades are only suitable for light rooms, in which the sun shines most of the day. However, it is worth remembering that color fading and deformation over time is inevitable.
Arriving at the store, you will see a huge variety of types of this material. Before deciding on a choice, it is better to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages and advantages of the existing options in advance:
Natural finish. It is made from cork and wood flour, flax oil, pine resin, fine lime, natural dyes, and the base is jute fabric.
Attention! This type of coverage is suitable for apartments in which asthmatics or allergy sufferers live.
The pluses include
- does not fade and does not change its structure;
- has a dense structure and does not wear out over time;
- due to its bactericidal properties, fungi and other microorganisms do not start in it;
- does not burn and does not smolder;
- has a wide range of color characteristics.
Cons are:
- you need to work carefully with such material, it is quite fragile. It cannot be bent, because cracks will go, or thrown during transportation;
- undesirable to use in rooms with high humidity: toilets, bathrooms;
- relatively expensive coverage.
PVC linoleum. The basis of such a coating is a heat-insulating fabric or non-woven fabric... It can be either single-layer or multi-layer. According to their purpose, the following types can be distinguished:
- For household (home) use. Slim, inexpensive, shelf life 3-5 years.
- Commercial: for premises with high traffic. Durable, thick, wear-resistant, service life - 20 years.
- An intermediate option is semi-commercial linoleum. Optimal view for offices and apartments with medium traffic. The warranty period is 7-20 years.
PVC linoleum has a lot of advantages:
- low thermal and dielectric properties;
- environmentally friendly;
- does not rot over time;
- easy to fit;
- a wide variety of colors and textures.
But there are also a number of disadvantages:
- does not withstand high temperatures;
- not resistant to chemically active substances: alkalis, solvents;
- with a sharp drop in temperature, it loses its elasticity and begins to crack.
Alkyd. The fabric base of such a material is covered with a layer of alkyd resin. It has increased heat and sound insulation properties, but it is quite fragile and difficult to lay.
Attention! Before laying, alkyd linoleum must be kept in a warm room, otherwise it may deform.
Colloxin coating. The basis of this material is nitrocellulose. Most often it is produced without a base. It is fireproof, has a beautiful gloss, moisture resistance, but very often shrinks and is susceptible to temperature changes.
Two-layer linoleum-relin. The front layer is a mixture of rubber, coloring pigment and filler, and the bottom is old crushed rubber with bitumen. It contains harmful volatile compounds, therefore it is not recommended for use in residential premises.
The choice of linoleum for living rooms
- The living room is a room with average traffic, so it is enough to choose a coating with a top layer thickness of 1.3 mm, and a bottom layer - 0.15-0.2 mm. Because the possibility of abrasion is small enough, then you can stop at an inexpensive form, based on polyester or PVC.
Advice! Choose a color scheme that will look contrasting against the background of wallpaper and furniture. It is better to choose a white coating if there are no animals or babies in the house.
- Bedroom. This room has low traffic, so you can buy material with a total thickness of 1.2-1.5 mm. Linoleum made of foamed PVC or polyester is suitable.
- For a children's room, you need to choose linoleum suitable for rooms with medium and high traffic, abrasion resistant, at least 3 mm thick. For example, a foam-based material with a 0.25 mm protective layer.
What linoleum to choose for non-residential rooms
- Hallway. Here you need to take into account that a lot of people pass in this room, so get a semi-commercial type of material with a total thickness of 3 mm and a protective layer of 0.25 mm.
- Unglazed balcony, unheated loggia, open terraces or verandas. In such rooms, any linoleum will last less than its term, tk. exposed to moisture, sudden temperature changes, direct sunlight.
- Kitchen. This room in the apartment is the second most visited after the hallway. For the kitchen, buy thick PVC-based household linoleum or semi-commercial, but it will cost more. The main rule is that it is wear-resistant and has antimicrobial properties. Linoleum with imitation will best fit into the interior of the kitchen tile: it will match any design and visually expand the room.
Popular linoleum manufacturers
Based on consumer feedback, the five most "top" brands have been compiled:
French manufacturer Gerflor. On the market for over 70 years. The products meet all regulatory conditions for residential and public buildings (schools, hotels, airports). The production uses the most advanced technological advances in this area. The quality of workmanship is monitored science Center constantly monitoring all samples and comparing it with the standards.
Hungarian company Grabo. Produces linoleum based on special fiberglass, which is durable and durable. In addition, this material possesses high rates resistance to deformation, noise and heat insulation. Most grabo linoleum brands consist of 3 layers:
- non-woven fiberglass, acting as a stabilizer;
- protective polyurethane, which gives strength and elasticity;
- polyvinyl chloride, on which the pattern is applied.
The Slovenian company Juteks has been producing high quality floor coverings for over 70 years. The main direction is PVC-based linoleum with a protective PU coating. This layer protects the material from dirt, sun, moisture, allowing for a longer service life.
International concern Armstrong manufactures coatings of increased strength and wear resistance with a wide selection color solutions and at a reasonable price.
The Russian company Tarkett uses the most Hi-tech for the production of their products. Today they produce more than 8 linoleum collections, each of which has 60 design options.
- Pay attention to the backing. The denser it is, the better it resists pressure. Heavy rolls - talk about quality material... But for reliability, press on the base, it should "spring" and not be pressed.
Advice! The foam backing saves heat in the room well, increases noise insulation, hides small irregularities in the floor. The felt base resists pressure better, it does not leave traces of furniture, heels and other objects.
- It is desirable that the linoleum for the kitchen has a varnish coating, then it is easier to care for it.
- If there is a lightning bolt on the linoleum marking, it means that it does not accumulate static electricity.
- Purchase material that has a wheel image on it. It means that furniture on wheels can be rolled over such a surface.
- If you plan to install a warm floor in the room, then take the linoleum on which the sign "warm floor" will be depicted.
- The presence of a pungent odor indicates low quality and the use of harmful substances in the production, it is better not to purchase such material.
- The width of the linoleum should match the width of the room.
- Ask your seller for a hygiene certificate.
- Do not fold the material in half, stick tape to the top layer, roll the roll upside down.
- Purchase all material from one batch, as different batches may vary slightly in color.
The floor covering is an important part of the renovation. Therefore, it is worthwhile to carefully approach the choice, study all the recommendations and, in the end, consult with the sellers, especially if you still have doubts.
How to choose linoleum: video
The hall is that part of an apartment or house in which absolutely all family members spend their time. This room is characterized by the greatest traffic. That is why it is necessary to choose the floor covering in the most careful way. It should be of the highest quality, wear-resistant and safe.
One of the most popular flooring options for the hall is linoleum.
Features and Benefits
Linoleum has a number of advantages, thanks to which many people opt for this particular type of flooring:
- Prices on this material low, you can buy a good quality product at a very reasonable price;
- Durability- the coating will serve you for a fairly long time;
- Security- linoleum is made from environmentally friendly materials that are completely safe for health;
- Beautiful appearance, a wide variety of designs and colors of products;
- Invisible joints- the seams of modern products made using the latest technologies will be completely invisible;
- Ease of installation- laying linoleum in the hall is very simple - it is rolled out and glued to the base, and the edges are cut with a special knife and fixed with a plinth.
- It is very comfortable and unpretentious in care;
We can safely say that linoleum has all necessary qualities floor coverings. The most important thing is to choose the right one according to its characteristics and appearance type of product.
Living room flooring requirements
The first and most important requirement for linoleum for the hall is its thickness, which should be at least 1.5-2 mm. The best and most reliable option would be a coating 3-4 mm thick - this option will withstand heavy loads, and also act as additional thermal insulation for the floor.
For such a flooring, there is the concept of a class of wear resistance. For the hall, this parameter should be higher than 21-23. In this case, you can be sure that given view linoleum will serve you for quite a long time - about 8-10 years, and maybe more.
Of course, in the living room the chances of mechanically damaging the floor covering are much less than, for example, in the kitchen, since there are no sharp or hot objects in the room, and aggressive detergents... Therefore, for the hall, you can choose not too expensive types of products.
Ideally, linoleum in the living room should have a felt or jute base with a PVC coating. This material is versatile, it is quite durable, moisture resistant and at the same time soft and warm, it will be pleasant to walk on it even with bare feet. It is very simple to care for this type of linoleum - you just need to wipe it with a slightly damp cloth. The price for this type of coating is also the most optimal.
Some types of linoleum also have bactericidal properties that can prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This will be very important for the living room, especially if children live in the house, since they often like to play just on the floor.
If four-legged friends live in the apartment, then the linoleum flooring will also be the best solution, since this material has antistatic properties and will not attract wool. The main thing is to choose a high-quality version of the product with sufficient thickness so that the flooring does not damage from the claws of pets.
How to choose?
When choosing linoleum in the living room, pay attention to the following points:
- The product should not have a pungent odor, otherwise it may contain substances harmful to health;
- The pattern of the coating should be clear, and the greasy sheen should be absent;
- The seller must have quality certificates for this material, if any, you can verify the safety of the composition;
- Linoleum must have a protective layer that will provide a longer service life;
- When determining the dimensions of the material required for your room, do not forget to take into account a small margin for adjusting the coating;
- Review carefully upper layer product and check for any damage.
Color options
It is very important that the chosen linoleum is not only High Quality, but also fits perfectly into the interior of your home. Therefore, when choosing it, you must focus on the overall design of the living room.
Linoleum is considered to be in the morning. white and other light shades- beige, light gray, milk, cream. The coating in these colors will perfectly fit into any interior, it will look very stylish and modern.
The light coating will be in harmony with absolutely any furniture. And one more plus - white linoleum will visually increase the size of a small room. However, this color has its own minus - it is quite easily soiled. Therefore, if you have small children and pets, it is better to give up light linoleum and choose a more practical color.
The choice of linoleum colors is simply huge - from bright and saturated options to muted pastel colors. There is a wide variety of patterns and designs as well. Therefore, you can choose the design of this floor covering for every taste and color.
Linoleum under the laminate will look very beautiful and stylish in the living room. Thanks to modern technologies It will be almost impossible to visually distinguish between linoleum and laminate flooring.
For classic style interior, you can choose linoleum sand shades. Products of dark shades with beautiful patterns and curls in an oriental style will also look stylish.
In general, when choosing the color of linoleum in the living room, you can be guided by the following principle: if you want the floor covering to stand out from the general background, then choose shades that will contrast with the color of furniture and walls. And vice versa - for harmonious combination color the floor with the interior of the room, match it with furniture and other interior items.
When choosing linoleum for the living room, be sure to take into account all the nuances described above, and then you can easily choose the right product for you, which will delight the whole family for many years.
Useful Tips on how to choose linoleum, you will find in the video below.
Linoleum is the most popular floor covering among the population with an average living standard. Firstly, the price is not as high as that of parquet or carpet, and secondly, the service life is normal. And today's manufacturers offer a wide variety of colors, choose any! But it turns out that although this material is well known to consumers, there are many nuances that must be considered when buying. Therefore, this article is devoted to the question of which linoleum to choose, because the house has different rooms with their own operational characteristics.
What to look at before buying?
To understand in detail how to choose linoleum for your home, you should know the main criteria for a rational purchase:
- compliance with the purpose - the nursery is a room, or a bedroom, a kitchen;
- characteristics - the degree of wear resistance, noise absorption, antistaticity, moisture resistance, antibacterial properties;
- whether linoleum will be able to withstand the load, taking into account the number of people living and the rate of permeability;
- whether harmony is created in the interior - linoleum can be monochromatic, with abstract drawings, with imitation different textures: wood, tiles, stone.
If all of the above criteria are taken into account, the buyer will not be lost in modern diversity, because he will know exactly how to choose linoleum for an apartment, as well as for a private house.
What kind of linoleum is there?
Perhaps, linoleum can be called the most democratic floor covering. The arguments for confirming these words are significant, because the material fits in schools and offices, and, of course, in a house / apartment. Therefore, it is clear why the market offers various types of linoleum: how to choose the best one? The question is not difficult, you just need to understand the problem and then everything will become clear.
- made from wood flour, pine resin, limestone powder, natural dyes, and the basis is jute fabric. Due to the fact that this material is made from purely natural components, it is excellent for a children's room, rooms where asthmatics and allergy sufferers live. Therefore, if the question of which linoleum to choose for an apartment is being decided, this is an excellent option - an environmentally friendly material that does not harm health, as well as resistant to abrasion, does not fade in the sun, and has bactericidal properties.
PVC linoleum is made either on a fabric basis or on a non-woven thermal insulation. Domestic manufacturers use European technologies, so everyone can afford such linoleum, because the price of the products is affordable.
Advantages:
- low thermal conductivity;
- wide palette of patterns, shades;
- pronounced dielectric characteristics;
- ease of installation.
There are also certain disadvantages, we are talking about sensitivity to high temperatures, instability to chemicals. So, if the temperature in the room drops sharply, then elasticity is lost and PVC linoleum can crack.
In addition, the considered flooring can be alkyd, colloxin, and linoleum-relin is also common.
Classification and marking of coatings
In order to accurately answer the question of how to choose the right linoleum, you need to understand the marking that corresponds to the purpose of the room. As for the first digit of this very marking, it varies from one to four:
- 1 - for rooms with minimal traffic;
- 2 - residential rooms;
- 3 - offices;
- 4 - production facilities.
And the second number indicates the expected load, which means that one, respectively, is the lowest, four is the highest load. For example, a class 21 coating is perfect for an office and a bedroom, for the kitchen and hallway it is advisable to buy class 23-24 linoleum.
To cover the topic in more detail, you need to give a few more examples. Take the hallway, for example. Of course, the entrance hall, the corridor are premises with a very high degree of traffic. This means that the most the best option- linoleum with a thickness of at least 3 mm.
Important: it is advisable to pay increased attention to the thickness of the protective layer, it must be at least 0.25 mm.
Also, before buying, you need to assess the quality of the surface on which this flooring will be laid in the future. The smoother the surface, the thinner the linoleum can be and vice versa. The perfect solution for the hallway - household linoleum with a foamed base. Or it could be an expensive semi-commercial linoleum with increased durability.
How to choose a good linoleum? This multifaceted question worries many consumers. So that the purchase in the future does not become a reason for disappointments associated with low quality, you should adhere to the following guidelines:
- trust your own sense of smell: the presence of a pungent odor clearly indicates that the coating contains harmful additives. High-quality linoleum, both synthetic and natural, does not have an unpleasant odor;
- the drawing must be clear;
- compliance with safety standards - good linoleum undergoes a special examination, is labeled, and the seller must also present a hygiene certificate;
- the quality must be checked in a rolled form: for the absence of bumps, areas with a peeled film. These indicators indicate a marriage, such a coating cannot be bought, because the existing irregularities cannot be smoothed;
- it is advisable to give preference to material with a special protective film - such linoleum is easy to clean, retains its original appearance for a long time;
- all linoleum must be from the same batch - even when the articles are the same, color differences are possible.
The question of choice is not so difficult, if you know all the subtleties and nuances. All of the above tips will help buyers make the right choice, the purchase will not bring any grief in the future, that is, during operation.
Linoleum is one of the most sought-after floor coverings for residential buildings and office space. There is nothing surprising in this, because it is inexpensive and easy to care for. At the same time, the surface, which is covered with linoleum, is smooth, warm, and resistant to abrasion.
Luxury material design
Attention! Linoleum has an impressive number of advantages. They are the reason for the popularity of this flooring. It is important to correctly approach the issue of choosing material for an apartment, taking into account its class and type.
Natural covering: the pros and cons of this option
In addition to the usual synthetic linoleum, natural is also produced. In its manufacture, a fabric is used on which a mixture of natural resins is applied, linseed oil, wood flour, lime powder and pigments to acquire color. This coating is environmentally friendly. It is used without fear for health in children's rooms. Impurities (even greasy, coloring substances) are easily removed from the surface of natural linoleum, it does not lose color when it gets into sun rays, has bactericidal properties.
Natural components in the composition, excellently retaining heat, have a beneficial effect on the human body. The surface is resistant to friction and scuffing. The only disadvantage of natural linoleum is the high price.
Synthetic material: what is it, what are its features
The synthetic coating has its own number of advantages: it is easy to bend, durable, and waterproof. The downside can be the poor quality and toxicity of cheap materials. Therefore, when choosing a synthetic coating, pay special attention to its component composition and the presence of a quality certificate.
Synthetic coatings are classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous.
Homogeneous variant
This type of linoleum is durable, with a dense, homogeneous structure, but it has no base. The rough surface excludes slipping, light dirt is not visible on it. The service life of a homogeneous coating is approximately 5 years, but if it has been specially protective agent, then this will extend the service life by another 2-3 years. A plus can be considered a reasonable price, a variety of shades and patterns, interesting design solutions.
Linoleum with imitation parquet Minus - a relatively short service life, rapid abrasion, cracks may form on the surface. This product is delivered in rolls, the width of which is 2, 3 or 4 meters. Sometimes linoleum is also found in the form of tiles, which is very convenient.
Heterogeneous variant
It has a complex structure, is multilayer and is impregnated with a special glass fiber paste, which increases strength and significantly extends the service life. To improve performance, a protective compound is applied to the top layer to prevent moisture from entering.
The mechanical underlay dampens noise and becomes an additional insulation for the floor. Advantages of heterogeneous linoleum: durability, strength, softness, warmth, high noise insulation properties.
Attention! H People often strive for originality when choosing appropriate floor coverings. To do this, metal dust or stone chips are added to heterogeneous linoleum. The result is impressive.
Read also: - choice of texture, styling rules
Varieties of linoleum
In turn, the heterogeneous coverage is divided into household and commercial. The latter has higher performance characteristics than for household use, it is recommended to use it in kitchens, baths, hallways, that is, in rooms with extreme conditions, where durability is required from the coating.
Bright hues in the interior Please note that the thicker the coating, the higher its wear resistance, it is allowed to lay the coating thinner in bedrooms, and thicker in places where people constantly walk.
Household linoleum - interesting option for home. It is in demand among those people for whom durability, environmental friendliness and warmth in the house are important. The coating has optimal sound insulation properties. At the same time, household coatings amaze with a variety of designs. It will be possible to find a suitable option for any interior.
Linoleum does not withstand high temperatures, so it is undesirable to lay it in rooms with radiators and stoves close to the floor. Care is reduced to wiping the surface with a damp cloth. Application is contraindicated chemicals, since the latter can cause discoloration of the coating and damage the upper protective layer. The question arises, which linoleum is better for your own apartment: household or semi-commercial.
Semi-commercial linoleum and its characteristics
What is semi-commercial linoleum? Professionals recommend choosing just such an option instead of the usual household one. Semi-commercial linoleum is a medium-strength option between household and commercial.
At the same time, the average cost of the product is also noted, which becomes a significant advantage. Semi-commercial material is suitable for rooms with moderately high to normal traffic. Such a floor covering is supplied with a needle punched or foam base. The thickness of the protective layer is 0.3 mm or more. The product is sold in rolls, the width of which varies from 2 to 4 meters.
Spectacular flooring What other types of linoleum are available?
There are also other types of linoleum. Household material can be antistatic. The purpose of this floor covering is to prevent static electricity. This problem arises in cases where an impressive amount of equipment is working in the room. At the same time, the amount of dust significantly affects the functioning of all electrical appliances. If it accumulates, fire can also occur.
A special anti-static coating helps prevent such situations and reduces dust build-up. The main advantage of such a coating is the ability to use it in special premises where high-precision equipment is installed. Other types of linoleum are not allowed to be used in them. Other advantages of the antistatic material include increased strength and reliability. The price of the coating is slightly higher than that of analogues.
Another option is insulated linoleum. It is a thermoplastic PVC version. It is based on synthetics or natural fibers. Polyester, jute or felt are often chosen as the base. Sometimes preference is also given to combined double options, for example, foamed polyethylene or polyester. Such materials are characterized by increased tear resistance, but at the same time elasticity and softness. Spreading such a covering on the floor is very simple and easy to care for. Insulated flooring will be an excellent option for country house, summer cottages or cottages.
Special sports linoleum is also produced. It has increased elasticity, strength, cleanliness and injury safety. This coating is non-slip, no seams and dries quickly
Linoleum for an apartment Now you know which, commercial and semi-commercial linoleum or household, is better. The difference is significant, the choice depends on the traffic and other features of the room. The differences between household and semi-commercial linoleum are in the degree of wear resistance and durability of service. Keep this in mind when choosing your preferred option.