Types of linoleum used in modern interiors (21 photos)

Linoleum is considered one of the most economical and popular floor coverings for the home in the domestic profile market. Thanks to the tireless development of the industry, users can choose the best option from dozens of items that differ in properties, cost, operational capabilities and durability.

Advantages and disadvantages of finishing material

The key advantages of linoleum are:

• ease of installation, the possibility of independent work;
• no need to apply a protective coating, unlike natural wooden surfaces;
• it is a non-slip and flexible material that you can safely move around, so it is often used as a budget option in public places and schools;
• a large assortment of colors and decor allows you to implement any design ideas;
• unpretentiousness in leaving, a possibility of fast cleaning;
• resistance to contact with acids and moisture; frequent surface washing is acceptable;
• optimal sound and heat insulation characteristics.

Weaknesses:

• you must first carefully align the base;
• if you move the furniture from place to place, you can notice dents;
• low-cost varieties may turn out to be of poor quality, emitting harmful chemicals.

General product classification

Types of linoleum for the floor by area of ​​use:

• commercial;
• semi-commercial;
• special;
• domestic.

According to the presence of the base, the products are divided into simple and having a special basis. Finally, in structure there are single-layer and multilayer variations, and in composition - natural and synthetic.

Varieties of linoleum in the field of application

When choosing a floor covering, one should take into account not only the external signs of the product, but also its physical properties. According to Russian standards, there are 3 categories of linoleum on the market:

• For residential premises - 21, 22, 23 classes for areas with low, medium and high traffic, respectively.
• For office and office space - 31-34 classes.
• For production areas - 41-43 classes.

Household linoleum has a multilayer structure, it is made on a foam basis. The material has high decorative and soundproofing characteristics, is pleasant to the touch, environmentally friendly. The maximum thickness of the protective layer does not exceed 0.35 mm, this level of wear resistance is sufficient only for residential premises.

Technical or commercial coverage is not afraid of most types of mechanical impacts arising in areas with high traffic: airports, school corridors, trading floors. The material does not emit harmful substances, its only negative is its high cost.

Semi-commercial linoleum can be used both at home and in public places, it, unlike the previous version, does not impose high requirements on the base on which to be laid.

The composition and technical properties of the semi-commercial category

Similar types of linoleum are multilayer, they include:

• polyvinyl chloride substrate, which in some cases is supplemented with fiberglass. This measure significantly increases the operational resource of the product, prevents its destruction and stretching;
• the decorative layer provides an aesthetic component, there are monochrome and multi-colored materials, imitations of granite, stone, wood, tile floor;
• polyurethane or PVC protection to prevent premature wear.

Significant technical characteristics should be noted:

• the mass of a square meter of material can reach 2.5 kg, while for household linoleum this figure does not exceed 1.8 kg;
• Warranty period varies between 7-20 years depending on the brand of the manufacturer;
• the width of the material can be 2-4 meters.

Types of linoleum depending on the base material

Here are distinguished:

• natural;
• nitrocellulose (colloxylin);
• rubber;
• PVC
• glyptal linoleum.

The most harmless is the natural range - it is an environmentally friendly material made from cork, limestone, wood flour, coniferous resins, linseed oil, natural dyes. The supporting base is made of jute fabric, if desired, you can find variations without the upper varnish layer. Product Advantages:

• nice appearance, wear resistance of the coating;
• admissibility of both wet and dry cleaning;
• the surface does not accumulate static electricity;
• high fire resistance;
• bactericidal properties;
• the material is not afraid of contact with UV radiation, ethyl alcohol and dilute acids.

The only drawback of natural linoleum is its low ductility, special care must be taken during transportation in order to avoid excesses and breaks.

PVC rulers can be woven or available without them. Depending on the number of layers, there are homogeneous and heterogeneous materials. In the first case, the thickness of the material can reach 3 mm, as a rule, it is monophonic, talc, limestone, kaolin serve as basic components, the product is covered with polyurethane protection. Multilayer heterogeneous linoleums are based on fiberglass, on the front side they are covered with a layer of PVC, on which a drawing is subsequently applied.

The following types of linoleum are less common:

• glyptal - has high sound and heat insulation performance, the fabric base is used in the manufacture;
• colloxylin - a thin finishing material that does not have a base, it is moisture resistant, elastic, but subject to fire;
• The rubber version consists of two layers. As a base, crushed rubber is used; a mixture of fillers, rubber, and coloring pigments is applied to it. The coating is not afraid of deformations and frequent contact with water (along with ceramic tiles).

The value of production

Asking the question of what types of linoleum are, it is impossible to ignore such a criterion as the essence of the foundation. The following types of linoleum are distinguished here:

1. Unfounded - this is a single-layer coating related to the budget price segment, it is actively used as a finish for bathrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, that is, household premises characterized by a high level of humidity. Since the material is thin, before laying it is necessary to properly level the floors.
2. On a foam basis, these are multilayer panels, the thickness of which reaches 3.5 mm, they are glued at the corners and diagonals, the joints are welded. This view is used in the same place as the previous version.
3. On a warm basis - the base is felt or jute, a polymer layer is applied on top. To prevent moisture from entering the substrate, it is recommended to lay it in a single piece (without joints).

Special types of flooring

To linoleum has become a worthy alternative to tiles or carpeting, you should pay attention to its modern modifications. So the antistatic material which is used in rooms where the highly sensitive equipment functions is very demanded.

Sports linoleum is widely distributed in facilities intended for active pastime. The top layer is made of high-strength polyvinyl chloride, which retains its original properties even in intensive use. The floor turns out to be resilient, durable, and safety.

Liquid linoleum for the home is used in the form of a polymer bulk floor, as a result, a surface is formed that resembles ceramic tiles in texture. With a one-time filling, joining seams and gaps are excluded, it becomes possible to finish floors in rooms with a complex configuration. The material is absolutely waterproof and presented in a rich color scheme, environmentally friendly. Due to the increased thickness, in comparison with classical analogues, a special impact resistance is achieved.

Innovative 3D-linoleum visually expands the space, creates a unique style in the room. Modern technology allows you to apply any pattern that seems voluminous to the coating. Like other varieties, this finish has excellent performance - durability, resistance to mechanical stress and temperature extremes.

The profile market is full of offers: there is an economical baseless product, for those who appreciate the naturalness of materials, natural “warm” linoleum is suitable, progressive homeowners can choose a non-standard solution that meets their needs. The main thing is to decide on the budget and key requirements.