A difficult choice between laminate and linoleum - which is better?

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A difficult choice between laminate and linoleum - which is better?

When carrying out repairs it is always not easy to make a choice, which is better - laminate or linoleum, which material is stronger and which will not have a negative impact on health.

To make the right choice, you need to know the properties of these materials, how they behave in different conditions, read reviews about them.

Linoleum is a coating for the floor,which is made of natural components: fabrics made from jute, limestone, wood tar, flour, flaxseed oil.

But such a coating is very expensive, it is difficult to buy in building stores.

What is offered under the name "linoleum", in fact, is a completely artificial material made of polyvinyl chloride.

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If it comes to choosing: linoleum or laminate, then we mean PVC coating.

The material is divided into three categories. Let's take a closer look at them.

Commercial - the most dense coating, is laid in the premises, which are characterized by high traffic. Has an anti-skid effect, therefore it is considered safe;

Household - it is better to lay it only in residential premises, as it is not as stable as commercial. It differs from the commercial one in that it is offered in a wide range.

You can choose a coating that mimics the laying of a stone, parquet, tile or solid;

Semi-commercial - has a density higher than that of a household. You can stack it in living quarters, in public buildings.

Not suitable for styling in workshops, warehouses, for such premises it is worth choosing commercial.

Pros of linoleum:

  • Affordable price - a person with any income can get it;
  • Has a large number of colors, so linoleum can be selected in a room with any design;
  • Laying the cover is very simple. Even one person will be able to cope with this work;
    linoleum has a low thermal conductivity, so the floors in the room will be warmer than with another coating;
  • The material is not rotted, as it contains only synthetic materials;
    has sound absorption;
    Has a long service life.

Linoleum has its drawbacks:

  • There are no natural materials in the composition, therefore it is inferior in quality to wooden parquet and is more harmful in terms of its ecological compatibility;
  • Under the weight of heavy furniture, linoleum can be sold;
  • Linoleum, having a low cost, reacts to temperature changes. So, at a high temperature the coating deforms, and at a low temperature it crackes.

Characteristics of laminate

Laminate has also the second name - "laminated parquet".To a natural parquet the material has no relation, since it differs in composition.

Natural parquet is made from natural wood, and the laminate has several layers: a substrate, a layer of MDF, particleboard, paper, a polymer layer.

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In addition, the laminate can have other layers that will enhance the properties of the coating.

The laminate is divided according to the wear resistance class:

  1. is wear-resistant - it can be laid in rooms where the patency is high;
  2. for residential premises, its durability is lower;
  3. moisture-proof - the edges of laminated boards are impregnated with a special composition.

Laminate has the pros:

  • Presented in any price category, it is possible to choose a coating that is cheaper or more expensive, while the laminate will have additional properties;
  • Presented in a wide range of colors, colors, you can choose the imitation of natural wood, sand, ceramics, metal;
  • It's very easy to pack. The coating is equipped with a special system that allows you to join the planks in a "lock" way.

Laminates are also present at the laminate:

  • If you lay the laminate in the kitchen, the hallway, its service life will be about 5 years;
    in the composition of the material has artificial components, which in comparison with natural, less environmentally friendly;
  • The surface of the laminate can be damaged by sharp objects;
  • If the material is washed frequently, white spots will form on the surface;
  • With the "lock system", the joints between the boards are not sealed, so dirt, sand and moisture will be clogged there. The edge will deteriorate over time, and the properties of the coating will deteriorate;
    laminate is afraid of water. If the surface gets a lot of moisture, the coating will have to be changed.

Selection of material for different room types

For the premises of different purposes the same coating material will not work. After all, the apartment has rooms where high humidity, high permeability, temperature changes.

In the nursery, bedroom, living room as a flooring is better to prefer laminate. It is more ecological than linoleum. To the touch the material is very pleasant.

In the interior of the floor with a laminate will look stylish, fashionable. Photos of coverage options can be found below.

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For kitchen experts recommend choosing linoleum. It perfectly withstand frequent exposure to moisture, the floors can be wiped frequently - the picture on the linoleum will not be erased.

Laminate in the kitchen will last about 5 years, after which you will have to perestilat this material.

In public establishments, where the patency is very high, it is better to prefer linoleum. It absorbs the sounds and steps of visitors who will not distract employees from work.

In the process of using the laminate can begin to creak, the drawing will be erased with time.

All this will negatively affect the image of the company and entail additional costs for repairs.

On the balcony or loggia experts advise to lay linoleum. Laminate frost can deteriorate.

It is worth remembering that you do not need to choose a cheap coating material, it can crack from frost or deform from the heat.

Opinion of experts - it is better to choose a more expensive material, with it this will not happen.

We compare laminate and linoleum

Both coatings must be compared with different criteria before choosing.

At the cost of

In building stores are presented materials for flooring of various quality. The price they also have different. Often there is a question, what is cheaper, to lay the floor with linoleum or laminate.

Before deciding on the material, it is important to determine the budget for the floor covering. Reviews recommend - if you want a quality, inexpensive floor, then you should prefer linoleum.

It is worth while choosing material to pay attention to such a property as wear resistance. Depending on how often the coating will be abrasion, a kind of laminate or linoleum is chosen.

The higher the class of perceived load, the more expensive the flooring material will cost.

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Practicality of

Before deciding on buying a laminate or linoleum, it is worth analyzing the effect of not only moisture, but also other factors.

If you lay the material in the kitchen, heavy, sharp objects may fall on the floor during operation.

They can damage linoleum - through holes will spoil appearance, reduce performance.

In turn, it is not afraid of moisture, unlike the laminate.

The main condition - do not allow water to enter the coating.

Otherwise it will develop mold, fungus, on the linoleum, waves, mounds, the coating will have to be completely dismantled.

Thermal conductivity

The laminate has a greater thermal conductivity than linoleum.

But during repair work it is possible to lay a special layer on the floor, which will increase this property for two materials, therefore at the expense of additional heaters, this property can be equalized for laminate and linoleum.

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Aesthetic appeal

Linoleum looks on the floor posh. With its help, you can create an imitation of parquet from expensive wood, stone. Such a floor will fit into the room with any, even the most refined and expensive repairs.

On the photo you can choose a cover that perfectly fits into the interior.

Linoleum, thanks to a wide range and color options, can be selected for any situation.
When selecting a coating, it is important to take into account the state of the surface of the base substrate.

Linoleum is very plastic material, but he will not hide the elevations of the floor, on the contrary - emphasize.

If the irregularities are also sharp, the linoleum can tear, it will not be suitable for use.

If the unevenness of the floor is not more than 5 mm, you can lay a laminate. If any plaque is damaged, it can be replaced.

Thanks to the "locking system" the bar is easily removed, in its place it is necessary to lay a new one and connect it with the existing boards.

The main condition - to choose the bar for replacing the same color as the main laminate floor in the apartment.

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If part of the linoleum is damaged, it will not be possible to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the coating. The damaged part needs to be cut out, and in its place insert the patch.

"Cold welding" will help to join the seams, but they will be visible on the floor.

Fastening material

When installing a laminate, there is no need to use glue. With the help of the "lock" system, parts can be easily connected together. On the perimeter of the room, it is pressed with a plinth.

Linoleum can also be fixed with a plinth, it can be laid on the floor using adhesive.

When laying a cover, you may wonder whether it is possible to lay a laminate on a linoleum.

This is allowed, but only under one condition - the linoleum covering should be in perfect condition if there is a desire to change the appearance of the floor.

All other reasons for such actions do not allow:

  • linoleum so worn that there are through holes;
  • coating blown up;
  • the base of the coating was broken.

In case of occurrence of at least one reason, experts recommend completely to remove linoleum and laminate to be laid on the cleaned base base.

An important characteristic of linoleum is its thickness and softness level. On a thick material the substrate under the laminate can not be stacked - the old linoleum will perform its functions.

The floor in the room will be warmer, the sound insulation will increase.

Do not lay a new coating of laminate on a soft linoleum. Laminate flooring can not last a long time.

Under the influence of loads the lower covering will shrink, parts of the laminate will "walk", which will inevitably lead to the appearance and further growth of cracks between the boards.

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There will be clogged sand, dust. The boards themselves will creak and sag. In a short time you will have to remodel the entire floor.

If the service life of linoleum is exhausted, but apparently it looks intact, then the advises advise you to refrain from laying a laminate on it.

The old covering needs to be completely removed, since in time it will start to fall behind the floor, the new coatings will deteriorate.

Each type of coating has a large number of pluses.

To choose the coverage for a particular room, it is worth to be guided by its capabilities, taste, take into account the interior in the apartment and the conditions in which the floor will be used.

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