The choice of flooring for the hall is a crucial stage, because the comfort and even well-being of households and guests will largely depend on its practicality and design. The most popular and traditional coating is linoleum. It is quite easy to install, durable, and a variety of colors and designs make it possible to fit it into almost any interior.
Species overview
All types of linoleum have different characteristics in terms of resistance to moisture, abrasion, and the thickness of the protective layer. According to these characteristics, several categories are distinguished.
- Domestic. It has a thickness of 0.3 mm and is used only for domestic purposes for rooms with low traffic. Such coverage is unlikely to withstand frequent crowded parties and children, and this should be considered when choosing it. Household linoleum is the most budget.
- Semi-commercial. Its thickness is from 0.3 to 0.5 mm, it is perfect for domestic use in common rooms - living rooms, kitchens, corridors.
- Commercial. It is produced with a thickness of 0.6 mm. Most resistant to abrasion, the effects of heavy objects, does not miss under heels. However, its cost can hardly be called budget, so this type of coverage is practically not used in apartments. But it can be found in offices, government organizations and child care facilities.
- Specialized. This is the so-called production linoleum. It has high resistance to both mechanical and chemical effects.
Materials
Modern manufacturers offer several options for linoleum, which in their composition are very different from each other.You can find on sale different types of this flooring.
PVC
This type of linoleum is made from polyvinyl chloride. In the process, stabilizers, plasticizers and dyes are added. These substances determine not only color, but also texture, and consumer qualities of the final product. This type of flooring is environmentally friendly, has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, is not afraid of moisture and small temperature differences. However, at temperatures below -100 ° C it loses its elasticity and may break. And also such linoleum is afraid of aggressive chemical compounds (alkalis, solvents).
Natural
Usually, jute fiber is used for the base. Depending on the manufacturer’s recipe, coniferous resin, cork flour and wood shavings are applied to it. The product is then coated with natural dyes and soaked in oils. This linoleum is the safest, can be safely used in children's bedrooms. Such a coating does not under any circumstances release toxic substances into the air, since they simply are not present in the composition of the product. Thanks to coniferous resins, this flooring has a bactericidal effect. And also natural linoleum does not fade, has a high resistance to abrasion and leaching of color. But despite all the advantages, there are also disadvantages. Such linoleum can not be bent during transportation, since in places of creases it begins to crack and crumble.
And also despite the presence of oil impregnation, this type of flooring is very afraid of moisture, from which it can swell.
Colloxylin
This type of coating has an integral structure without a base. It is made from cellulose of cotton or wood with the addition of stabilizing and plasticizing agents. Colloxylin linoleum is very flexible and moisture resistant. It does not tolerate solvents and other aggressive chemicals.
Relin (rubber)
It has a double structure. A special rubber compound is applied to the textile base. This product is very flexible, non-slip, perfectly damped. However, there are also disadvantages. So, Relin quickly heats up under the sun and cools for a long time, which is very uncomfortable for domestic use.. In addition, it releases toxic substances into the air, and the “older” the coating, the more toxic compounds are released.
Gliftal
It is produced by applying special alkyd resins to the fabric base. This material, due to its properties, allows you to make the room warmer and more comfortable, as it has heat and sound insulating properties. However, it is very fragile, and it is quite easy to damage it even during installation.
About which linoleum to lay in the living room, you can decide only by carefully weighing all the pros and cons, as well as deciding what qualities a product should have for comfortable and long-term operation.
Thickness
In order for linoleum to last a long time and retain its appearance for the entire period of operation, it is necessary to choose its type, and most importantly, its thickness. In the living rooms, as a rule, they lay linoleum with a thickness of 0.2 to 0.4 mm.
Important: linoleum thickness should be selected taking into account unevenness and floor defects. The smoother the surface, the thinner the coating can be. Therefore, it is better to first make a screed on the floor where the installation of the coating is planned.
For children's rooms and the corridor, a thickness of at least 0.3 mm is recommended, and in the bedroom you can get by with a coating with parameters of 0.1-0.2 mm.
Variety of colors
After you select the material and type of linoleum, you can proceed with the selection of colors and textures. After all, the wrong floor can not only complicate the operation, but also spoil the overall perception of the interior and make the stay in the living room uncomfortable.
In the interior of the living room, you can use a variety of options for both light and dark cover. Read the general recommendations of specialists.
- Dark shades floors are practical, pollution is not so noticeable on them. However, careful use of rich brown and gray colors if the room has a lack of lighting. Thus, if the hall window faces north, it is better to abandon the dark linoleum in favor of the light version.
- If the interior of the living room is actively used bright colors (furniture, accessories, textiles), then the floor covering should be as neutral as possible, without small repeating patterns.
- Plain, soft views linoleum will visually expand the space of the room.
- For living rooms in a classic design, perfect basic colors - milk, beige, brown, gray. For modern fashionable interiors, you can give preference to both monochrome colors (white, black) and bright juicy shades of burgundy, purple, blue and green.
- If there is a lot of solid wood furniture in the interior, then the atmosphere and interior will complement linoleum with a parquet pattern.
Some designers suggest combining several types of linoleum in one room in order to properly place accents or zoning large living rooms.
Selection recommendations
To buy the most suitable and high-quality linoleum, Take the advice of professionals.
- Pay attention to the smell. Indeed, smell can help determine the quality of the flooring. Good linoleum of famous brands does not emit harsh chemical odors, which means that it meets all safety standards.
- Decide on the size. You should consider the slightest ledges under the thresholds, batteries and much more. This will allow you to choose the right linoleum for the room and avoid unnecessary connecting seams.
- To decorate large spaces of the floor it is very important to buy material from one batch. The fact is that situations are not uncommon when linoleum produced at different times has different shades, which is unacceptable, and will definitely “catch the eye”.
- Inspect the product for chips.cracks on the front surface directly in the store.
When choosing linoleum for home, you should give preference to trusted manufacturers who value their reputation, and can also provide all certificates for the quality and safety of products.
Beautiful examples
A great option for linoleum under the laminate for an apartment in a modern style. The gray shade and textured surface completely imitate the laminate, allowing to achieve high decorative flooring.
The unusual linoleum in a small multi-colored strip will be an excellent addition to the bright, modern interior.
Light linoleum with imitation of a parquet board is an excellent option for a classic living room in muted shades.
Living room - a place where all family members gather, as well as host receptions. It is important that the flooring in this room is safe and of high quality. Modern linoleum is a great option. It is safe, beautiful and easily combined with any interior.
See how to choose linoleum for an apartment in the next video.