Repair in an apartment: how to choose linoleum

Linoleum is truly a universal type of floor covering that can be used in almost all types of premises. Despite its relatively low cost, it has a rather long service life and does not require any special care. On the existing market of building materials there is a wide range of this type of products, which is difficult to understand even a specialist. Therefore, before you go shopping, you need to figure out which species it is.

Basic types of linoleum

According to its resistance to erasure linoleum is:

• Household . Covered with a thin protective layer (up to 0,35 mm), as a rule, it is used in residential premises, where only a few people will walk on it.
• Semi-commercial . This linoleum has a thicker protective layer (0.5-0.6 mm) and is used for rooms with a weak intensity of motion. It can also be used in living quarters.
• Commercial . The protective layer is thicker than the others (0.7-0.8 mm), and in residential premises it is practically not used, because it is quite unpleasant to the touch, and its cost differs slightly from the cost of the laminate.

But that is not all. Before you choose a linoleum for a room or for any other living space, you should also find out what material its base is made of, which can be of several types:

• With a base of polyvinyl chloride . It has excellent heat and soundproof qualities, besides it has good environmental safety. The only drawback - afraid of low temperatures.
• Alkyd . Also has good heat and soundproof qualities, but more fragile, which makes it difficult to lay it.
• Based on cellulose . It has a pleasant texture and appearance, is elastic, not afraid of moisture. However, it is very sensitive to temperature changes, besides it has a high fire hazard.
• The rubber . Used in rooms with high humidity, but absolutely unsuitable for living quarters, since it emits harmful substances.

Knowing what kind and material of linoleum is made will help you decide the right choice.

For example, how to choose linoleum for a bedroom or for a nursery? First of all, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the bedroom is the only place in the house where a person should not experience any discomfort. Therefore, the most optimal option is considered thin linoleum on foamed basis with the use of natural materials. In a child it is desirable to use a thicker coating (about 3 mm). Of course, also on a natural basis, because in addition to its attractive appearance, it has excellent antimicrobial properties. As for the coloring, it all depends on the interior and personal preferences of the owners of the apartment.

How to choose linoleum: general recommendations

There are several simple rules that you should follow when choosing this type of flooring.

1. The width of the fabric should, if possible, be the same as the width of the room. However, it should be borne in mind that during the laying process, you will have to adjust the picture, especially if the room is not standard. Therefore, the total area of linoleum should be larger than the area of the room.
2. Acquire coverage better in the store, where it is possible to check its quality. Before choosing linoleum, you should ask whether there is a certificate for it.
3. If there are waves, rolls or areas with a peeled off film on the rolled roll, it is better to refuse the purchase. Subsequently, these irregularities will never become better.
4. If you get a coating of one kind, but in different rooms, it is better to take the whole piece. Also, before choosing linoleum, all the nuances of transportation and lifting to the floor should be taken into account, taking into account the width of the door and stairwells.
5. Polyurethane linoleum must necessarily have a cardboard reel inside the roll.
6. In no case can not bend the panel. Also, do not stick to the front surface of the tape, which is then very difficult to remove. Because the roll needs to be folded face up. If this is not possible, wrap it with paper or cellophane.
7. Not covered with a special protective layer of linoleum quickly becomes dirty, and therefore it is better not to take it.
8. Before choosing a linoleum in a store, it is advisable to consider the sample in the room where it is planned to be laid, since it is difficult to choose the appropriate tone from memory.
9. You need to buy linoleum from one delivery. Different parties may differ in color, despite the coincidence of the article.