Why you need to know how to choose linoleum?
It used to be always thought that linoleum is chosen by those who run from difficulties. After all, there is almost no need to take care of it, making it simple is easy. Also this cover was the cheapest and not always presentable, that's why it was dubbed a budget-class floor. But today everything has changed, and the producers successfully destroy all these stereotypes, and the competition has led to the fact that now, for the successful selection, one must prepare in advance for the trip to the store.
Linoleum today can imitate even a parquet board, and the drawing is so successful that many guests believe that it is not a tree at all, only after it is tested to the touch. Behind it everything is also easy to take care of, it is not afraid of moisture, has good insulating properties, and has high wear resistance. But all these parameters vary, as well as coloring, so it is important to choose a coating for your own conditions of use, because you can not, for example, lay a thin linoleum on a wooden boardwalk, it will not only not decorate it, but will emphasize all the shortcomings.
Choose linoleum - where to start?
Here you are in the store, the first thing you want to pay attention to, and this is natural, this is a drawing. After all, you try to withstand some kind of interior concept. But as soon as you have chosen an approximate line of colors, start the inspection from the documents. Yes, yes, first we look at its harmless .If the cover will lie in a residential apartment, then this is perhaps the most important quality. Look for a special sign on the label, usually a leaf, although it depends on the test lab, but it is better to seek a recognized international mark. If you did not find the label, ask the seller for a hygienic certificate.
Next we define class of linoleum, which we need. How to choose linoleum for your premises, find out by special numbers, which are only two. They are written side by side as one, but in fact they carry a lot of information. The first digit denotes the room, and the second the intensity of the load. The class can be found in the product catalog, the consultant in the store will always help you. So, the first figure will be the following: 2 - living quarters, 3 - office, 4 - production. The second figure will show that it can withstand linoleum: 1 - low load, 2 - medium, 3 and 4 - high and very high. Class 22-23 will be in demand in the apartment, and where there is not much cross-country capability, it is even possible to lay 21.
It is important to learn wear resistance of .According to this parameter, the coatings are divided into household, light commercial, semi-commercial and commercial. The main difference is the top layer( transparent), which is applied over the picture: the thicker it is, the longer the linoleum will last. By the eye it is not determined, we need documents, the class is usually listed there.
How to choose linoleum - what else to pay attention to?
Many people are interested in the question of which liner width is needed for the room, because the known problem is shrinkage over time. But today there is practically no such inconvenience, thanks to new technologies, so mark out boldly the exact width.
Thickness of linoleum is also important, especially if your floor is originally concrete, which means it's cold. A thick covering can be laid on an uneven boardwalk, it will hide the flaws of the surface. Since linoleum consists of several layers, to achieve the effect of warm floors, attention should be paid to the lower layer. This is the basis, it is usually used for PVC foam, and the thicker it is, the warmer the floor will be, and also the sound insulation will be better. The density of this base is responsible for resistance to deformation, so that a fallen heavy object or hairpin does not leave traces on the floor.
Density is determined manually by squeezing two different pieces of linoleum or by weight( heavier than the one that is denser).
You can pay attention to the additional properties of the top layer .Some models can be covered with varnish or an antibacterial layer on top, which adorns, simplifies the care of the coating and creates additional protection for children, if there are such in the house.
Choose linoleum - a couple of tips for the last time
- Buy linoleum only in stores where you can ask for documents and evaluate the goods at room temperature and in the expanded form.
- If you need to cut linoleum for laying, come with the necessary measurements already in the store and cut it there, it will be even and faster.
- Before buying, expand your roll, inspect the surface for flaws.
- It is better to take linoleum in one piece, if it does not work out, then compare the lot, or it can turn out a different shade.
- Do not bend the blade, do not stick anything to it, pack it better in rolls, with the front face inside, and when transporting, bind the roll, and do not seal it.