Which is better - a laminate or linoleum: the characteristics of the material

During repair of apartments or at home at a certain stage there is a question about the choice of flooring, which not only affects the appearance of the home, but, ultimately, saves our health. The editors of the online magazine HouseChief.ru studied the latest fashion trends of the selection of quality flooring. Today, we try to understand what is better - laminate or linoleum, what fundamental differences of these materials, and that, above all, need to pay attention when they are selected.

Main characteristics of linoleum

Among the most common flooring materials a special place for many years takes linoleum. Scope of its vast and varied: country houses, apartments, gyms, offices, schools and children gardens, commercial and public buildings - is not the whole list of the premises of varieties, where you can meet this material. Excellent performance properties, durability, easy installation and affordable price have made it so popular.

Scope and kinds depending on the material

Linoleum classified by type of manufacturing and may be material:

1. Natural.
2. Polyvinylchloride (PVC).
3. Kolloksilinovym (nitrocellulose).
4. Glyptal (alkyd).
5. Rubber (Relin).

Brief characteristics is given in the table below:

linoleum - what it is? Its distinctive feature lies in the composition, which includes only natural ingredients. The base substrate is often made of jute. On sale are baseless and products. Such linoleum an environmentally friendly and safe. Sometimes, to improve the wear resistance of the top layer, the polymeric composition is applied to it.

Artificial PVC linoleum is available with or without basis. The basis of the case:

1. Foam.
2. Tissue.
3. A nonwoven heat- (artificial batt of polypropylene fibers and Dacron).

The structure of the base

Often used for domestic purposes semi-commercial type of linoleum. This three-layer structure of the material can see his example:

1. The bottom layer is a foamed PVC substrate (some products are composed of glass fibers that increase the strength and resistance to elongation).
2. Appearance of the coating formed monophonic or multi-color decorative face layer. You may simulate any natural material (stone, Granite, marble, wood).
3. The front surface of the article coated with a wear resistant polyurethane layer having a thickness of 0.4 to 0.6 mm.

Semi-commercial linoleum harder everyday. With a width of 2-4 m it has an optimum thickness of the protective coating and adequately carries as temperature fluctuations and mechanical impact.

coating Thickness

The thickness of the coating affects its service life. Classification is performed based on linoleum wear resistance. This takes into account the entire thickness of the product, together with the substrate.

Important! When choosing the coating thickness, take into account the state of overlap (base) - if it is uneven, the thin linoleum will not be able to hide the flaws.

Classes linoleum wear resistance

Choosing that lay on the floor in an apartment, you must consider not only the appearance of the coating, but also its performance. All kinds of PVC linoleum, in accordance with European and Russian standards are divided into three classes iznosotoykosti depending on the scope of coverage:

1. grades 21-23 - for residential.
2. grades 31-34 - for business and office premises.
3. grades 41-43 - for industrial buildings.

Icon EWC	Load	Purpose of premises
	low	Living spaces
	normal
	high
	low	Office and office space
	normal
	high
	Very high
	low	Industrial premises
	normal
	high

Linoleum - the pros and cons

Of the positive qualities of linoleum can note the following:

Among the shortcomings noted:

Read more about the rules of selection of linoleum and its features will tell the video:

Main characteristics of the laminate

Laminate - a multi-layer panel having a decorative layer and a laminated protective coating. Outwardly such panels imitating Solid wood floor, Parquet or tiles. The surface can simulate any decoration material, often - is wood. And on the panel reproduces not only the natural color and pattern, but also the texture of the wood.

board device

The standard board includes four layers:

1. The protective film of a transparent polymer-based or acrylic melamine resin. Its purpose is to protect the product from fading, abrasion, mechanical stress and temperature extremes.
2. To create the decorative layer using special paper with a pattern that simulates the fine wood, natural stone, ceramic or other material.
3. The base panel is made of Fibreboard increased strength. From the quality of the material depends on the strength and durability of the product. At the end of the base substrate is a castle-type fastener.
4. To prevent deformation of the product when exposed to moisture and temperature extremes bottom layer is made of paper impregnated with resin.

The performance characteristics and, accordingly, more expensive and the production occurs with increasing number of layers.

classes

As with linoleum, laminate classified according to its resilience to stress. laminate and its characteristics classes listed in the table below.

Icon numeral coating grade	appointment	Description	Operating life, years
Living spaces
	Appliance for areas with low load intensity.	Vulnerable to moisture, strikes and abrasive loads.	2–3
	Domestic (Average load).	Vulnerable to moisture and hit loads.	4
	Domestic (High load).	Withstands mechanical impact and other loads.	4–6
Facilities for public use
	Commercial (low load power).	Used in public areas of low permeability. The apartment building is suitable for any room.	8–10
	Commercial (normal load).	It is used in residential areas and public facilities.	5 (public); 12, (living).
	Commercial (high load).	For rooms with high traffic. Wear-resistant, not afraid to mechanical stress and strain.	6 (public); 15-20 (living).
	Commercial (increased load power).	It is used in public buildings and industrial buildings.	20 (public); 25, (living).

Appearance

The advantage is to laminate a wide range of natural colors of natural wood. Manufacturers from different countries offer a collection with unique textures and colors.

Appearance of the laminate from different manufacturers
Balterio (Belgium)
Egger (Germany)
Pergo (Sweden)
Kronospan (Russia)

Laminate - advantages and disadvantages

Of the positive qualities of the laminate are the following:

Of the minuses note the following:

What to choose laminate or linoleum - compare options and make conclusions

Choosing a floor covering material, take into account the operating conditions in the room. I understand that it is better on the floor - linoleum or laminate will allow a review of the basic properties of materials.

Mounting

The base for linoleum should be level, smooth, dry and stable. Of the tools necessary to prepare:

1. Roulette.
2. Building a knife to trim the linoleum like "dolphin".
3. Glue and the adhesive composition of the joint.
4. Two-way and masking tape.
5. Metal ruler.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

Illustration	Description
	Roll rolled room and give him lie down for a while. During the summer, enough to leave it for a couple hours.
	The edges are cut and customize the roll in the corners, so that he was as straight as possible distributed over the floor surface.
	After one day, you can start laying the canvas. To do this, roll folded to the middle of the room.
	To fix the linoleum on the floor using double-sided tape. His adhesively bonded to the base and released from the protective film adhesive layer.
	Cloth gently straighten that it is uniformly stuck to the tape. This same procedure is repeated with the second part of the roll.
	When the presence interface for its use cold welding method using a special adhesive.
	One portion of the web is laid on the other overlap by 3-5 cm. With a sharp knife and a metal ruler make the cut in the middle. The lower and upper trim is removed.
	The edges of the blades are fixed with double-sided tape.
	On top of the glued joint masking tape.
	On the surface of the adhesive tape incision is made to glue the tube needle went smoothly.
	The tip of the nozzle is introduced into the joint and is advanced along the entire joint. In this adhesive tape surface must be wetted with glue by the width is 5 mm.
	After about 10 minutes, the masking tape is removed after liquid on the surface dries. After 24 hours, linoleum is ready for operation.
	In the last step on the perimeter of the room fixed floor.

Comment

Mikhail Starostin

Team leader repair and construction company "Home Premium"

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"For laying linoleum, unlike laminate substrate availability is not a prerequisite."

Existing floor covering is removed and the base surface are aligned, if necessary, and is purified from contaminants. Laying laminate is as follows:

Illustration	Description
	Laminate is left in an open container in a room for several days, so that he has adapted to the temperature and humidity conditions.
	When laying the vapor barrier film and give birth to a wall disposed adjacent to the web (overlapping).
	substrate arrangement direction should be perpendicular to the direction of stacking the panels. Places material glued joints masking tape.
	Along the perimeter of the room set wedges.
	Laying the initial number of boards produced with groove to the wall.
	The last panel is cut, leaving a gap to the wall under the wedge.
	Trimming is performed via jigsaw.
	the next row of the panel is placed at an angle to the previous one, is inserted into the lock and snap.
	The appearance of the castle mount.
	If necessary, carry out trimming of the last row of panels.

Related article:

Laying laminate own hands: step by step video instruction. Do you want to freshen up the floor in their home? You have chosen a laminate for this purpose? If yes, then laying laminate with their hands, which is described in this article is for you. After reading it, you can make sure that it is very simple.

Humidity resistance

The essential difference between the laminate and linoleum lies in the degree of water resistance of the material. Despite the fact that some types of laminates are positioned as a moisture-proof, linoleum is better to tolerate exposure to moisture. It must be remembered that linoleum forms a monolithic coating, while the laminate has joints between the panels, in which moisture is undesirable.

Soundproofing

Being a softer material, linoleum dampens the sound of steps, and falling objects. Hard laminate thus has no quality.

Linoleum or laminate - that warmer

On the insulating properties of the coating affects the quality backing - the material of which it is made and its thickness. Linoleum on the basis of a fabric or felt is warmer and more dense.

Can I use "warm floor" system

For the device "warm floor" become thin linoleum, so it is better to pass through the heat indoors. To compensate the small thickness of the coating can be by means of a cork substrate.

Environmentally friendly

And he and the other material is intended for use in residential areas, therefore, from the point of view of sustainability, both of them are not dangerous for humans and the environment.

Durability

Durability of the coatings depends on the operating conditions and the abrasion resistance class. Linoleum is more susceptible to mechanical damage - dents, scratches, and even rupture. Its service life varies from 10 to 15 years, while the laminate can last 20 years or more under the conditions of correct operation.

Easy maintenance

Laminate, linoleum in comparison with the more fastidious in the care. Joints between panels are cleaned from dirt, and the surface wiped with a wet cloth hardly with detergents not containing abrasive particles. Linoleum even with joints forming a monolithic waterproof coating, which can be wash any detergents.

What looks better coverage

External performance of both types of coatings a wide range of colors and simulated materials - wood, tiles, parquet, stone. However, the laminate has the advantage - it may have a glossy, matte, or embossed. Sometimes it is impossible to distinguish from real wood, which is unusual for linoleum.

Which is cheaper: linoleum or laminate

At a cost of less linoleum laminate of the same class resistance. What's more - linoleum or laminate - seen from the table with average prices on some samples.

Illustration	Name	durability class	Average cost (as of April 2018), RUR / m2
	Oak Laminate Kronstar Peritus 2999	33	569
	Laminate Tarket 832 Vintage Oak Rawhide	32	728
	Quick Step Laminate Oak Italian beige UF3832	32	1 138
	Oak Laminate Westerhof Lansing	34	590
	Semi-commercial linoleum IVC Monetta 029	32	656
	Linoleum Forbo Emerald Plus 5070	32	527
	Linoleum Forbo Emerald Spectra 5598	33	527
	Linoleum Forbo Emerald Wood 8601	33	527

Laminate or linoleum - it is better, according to the expert

According to experts, taking into account all the pros and cons of the coatings, their choice should be based primarily on the operating conditions in a particular area. Based on the foregoing, the laminate is superior to the linoleum on the ecology, Decorative, duration of operation and resistance to mechanical stress. Linoleum less fastidious in the care and easy to install, water resistance and shows the best performance and sound insulation.

Linoleum is recommended for "wet" rooms - kitchens, glazed loggias and balconies and bathrooms. In the hallway, this material will provide the best conditions for maintaining cleanliness - linoleum can often wash. In areas with low permeability (bedroom, Living room and corridor) Using the laminate.

For details on selecting flooring video tell:

Laminate or linoleum - which is better: consumer reviews

Consumer opinion, judging by the reviews, in favor of a material divided. Some believe a significant disadvantage gulkost laminate and his fear of water and prefer a warmer, in their opinion, the linoleum. For someone aesthetic component comes to the fore - externally laminate can imitate expensive and rare woods. Below are unbiased reviews of consumers on the quality of, the nuances of installation and maintenance of linoleum.

Review of linoleum Tarkett brand:

Feedback on the linoleum brand Sinteros:

Feedback on the linoleum brand Tarkett Premium:

But reviews of the most popular brands of laminate:

Review of laminate brands Megafloor:

Another review of the laminate brand Megafloor:

Review of laminate brands Kronotex:

Linoleum and laminate flooring in interior photos

Which is better - a laminate or linoleum in the apartment - everyone decides for himself. Photography demonstrate aesthetic qualities of each of these floor coverings.

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Our readers will be interested in stories from personal experience, when they will decide what is best in the house - a laminate or linoleum. Reviews, personal opinions about the pros and cons of linoleum or laminate, questions and clarifications to the author can be left in the comments.