Linoleum industrial: types, description, advantages

Increasing the requirements for finishing materials often forces users to refer to new types of coatings. But not all are ready to give up the advantages of more familiar means of surface design. Especially when it comes to inexpensive materials, which include linoleum. It is not always appropriate to use such decks in standard versions - covering, though profitable, with an affordable price tag, but its strength properties leave much to be desired. And very different impressions are caused by industrial linoleum, which represents a modified version of traditional materials of this type. These models are used in the design of public premises, production and office space - in fact, for this reason, the cover is also called commercial.

General information about industrial linoleum

For the disclosure of the features of this material, it should be noted that virtually every floor covering has a gradation in terms of wear resistance classes. The same applies to linoleum. The design of surfaces in areas with increased cross-country ability or in warehouses where the use of wheeled equipment is supposed to involve the use of a durable and durable material. To such requirements corresponds linoleum industrial, which is the most wear-resistant in its family. High strength characteristics are achieved by adding special additives and protective layers to the coating structure. Of particular importance is the base substrate, which consists of high-strength layers. Now it is worthwhile to consider in more detail other advantages of such decking.

Advantages of industrial linoleum

The main advantage of commercial linoleum models is due to the already indicated specificity of its use. This is resistance in conditions of intensive operation. Depending on the manufacturing technology and the raw materials used, such coatings can serve for about 10-15 years. For comparison, only in rare cases, a similar service life is demonstrated by household counterparts at home. Also worth noting are the additional performance properties that are obtained by specialized coatings. For example, industrial antistatic linoleum can be used in server rooms. There are also conductive, anti-skid and antibacterial versions of the coating, which are used in different areas. With the help of special processing and the inclusion of special additives, manufacturers endow the material with certain qualities, enhancing certain properties.

Types of linoleum

The main classification involves the separation of industrial linoleum by structural arrangement. There are two approaches to the formation of such canvases - homogeneous and heterogeneous. In the first case, the material is a homogeneous layer, which can be restored to the point of complete abrasion. Therefore, from a decorative point of view, this is the best option. Usually, semi-commercial linoleum is manufactured according to this principle, which retains worthy qualities of wear resistance and at the same time retains design value for a long time. Homogeneous coatings are more often used in public premises and offices. If it is planned to design areas in production, it is better to refer to heterogeneous linoleum. These coatings have a special protective layer of PVC, which complements an already solid foundation. As a result, the mechanical stability and durability of the structure of the flooring is ensured.

Sizes of material

Industrial coatings are produced in both traditional rolls and in the form of slabs. The maximum length of rolls is usually 25 m, and then the segments of the buyer's size are formed. As for the width, it is 1-2 m in standard formats. In plates, also, the dimensional values vary in wide ranges. But since we are talking about wear-resistant coatings, it is much more important to evaluate the thickness parameters. So, semi-commercial linoleum raises the floor on average by 2-3 mm. This value is close to household coatings, but a protective layer with a thickness of the order of 1 mm should be added to it separately. Full-scale commercial models have a structure of 7 mm high, which makes it possible to form a durable floor with optimal mechanical strength. By the way, the thickness of linoleum affects not only its resistance to abrasion and physical damage. Dense, massive sheets also provide effective heat insulation with noise reduction.

Decorative qualities

The industrial types of linoleum have a few minuses, but they too are. Such models lose to household analogues in terms of decorativeness, which is explained by two factors. First of all, a scanty choice of designs is due to the application of such coatings. Factory and storage facilities, corridors and offices do not imply the introduction of bright and effective colors, so manufacturers do not seek to fill their collections with such models. The second point is that linoleum for industrial premises is designed to preserve its structure for a long time. At the same time, intensive operating conditions still leave no chance of preserving the original appearance of the surface. That is, the base remains intact, and the outer layer gradually loses the former decorative effect. This also applies to homogeneous coatings, whose unevenness of abrasion distorts the texture properties.

Reviews of manufacturers

Quality materials for floor laying are produced by the company "Tarkett". As owners of commercial models of this line note, ready-made decks cope with mechanical influences and at the same time are easy to care for. In the domestic market, the industrial linoleum "Tarkett" is represented in the collections of "Prima", "Monolith", "Melody", etc. The products of the producers "Linodur" and "Synteros" deserve attention. In this case, in addition to the quality of the coatings, the buyer can count on an affordable price tag. True, many users note a modest choice of textural solutions in the model lines of these companies.

How much does an industrial linoleum cost?

At once it is necessary to note that linoleum even in industrial designs remains attractive enough on cost a material - anyway in comparison with a laminate and a parquet board. The initial level is represented by models of coatings, which can be purchased on average for 300-350 rubles / m ² . These are good quality solutions, but wait for them to longevity should not be. In this sense, industrial linoleum is preferable, the prices for which start from 500 rubles / m ² . For such money, for example, you can get a high-quality coating with the content of natural ingredients, which will also have additional protective properties, such as fire and water.

Installation technique

Roll models are laid in the same way as household linoleum. That is, the surface on which the glue is applied is initially cleaned, and then it is covered with the finishing material. The joints formed between the stripes are additionally sealed with sealing cords. Another approach to installation should be used if the material was purchased in the form of a tile. This is an industrial linoleum, the laying of which provides for the formation of a special substrate - usually a cork. There are models in which there is already such a foundation, so you can immediately proceed to the stage of connecting the panels. This is done with the help of Click locks, which are located on the ends. Glue in this case is not necessary, but for higher reliability and such fixation will not be superfluous.

Conclusion

Despite the improvement of linoleum production technologies, this coating still occupies its special niche in the general group of flooring materials. As before, this flooring is associated with an affordable price and average decorative qualities. But at the same time, technological progress has significantly improved the strength characteristics that linoleum in modern versions have. Of course, its price has grown in comparison with household coatings, but competing coatings with similar properties of wear resistance and reliability tend to be more expensive. If high-quality linoleum of increased strength can be purchased for 500-600 rub./m2, then, for example, laminated panels are estimated at 1-1.5 thousand rubles / m ² . However, the decorative effect from the laminate is noticeably higher than in the case of linoleum.