Expert advice on choosing linoleum for home

Linoleum is a great option for finishing the floor. The most important buying factor is the low price. In addition, the service life of linoleum is 15-20 years, it is unpretentious in care, it is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, it is easy to install. In addition, now manufacturers produce linoleum in different interesting colors, so it can look very stylish. One question remains: how to choose it?

Tip 1: Choose household linoleum

Depending on the purpose, there are three types of linoleum: commercial, semi-commercial and household. For the house, regardless of the room, household will be enough. It is quite durable, so there is no point in overpaying for extra thickness. Commercial linoleum is laid, for example, in public transport, where hundreds or even thousands of people pass through it a day. It is unlikely that a similar load can be imagined in the home of an ordinary family. Therefore, do not be fooled by a commercial divorce and narrow down the range of choice to household linoleum.

Tip 2: Look at wear resistance

Wear resistance can be called one of the main parameters when choosing linoleum. After all, it depends on how practical it will be in everyday life. So that you do not have to conduct experiments in the store, manufacturers have developed a classification. From 21 to 24 classes are considered optimal for residential premises.

Tip 3: Choose according to the type of room

Agree that even in the same house, the premises have completely different passability. So in the bedroom it is minimal, so here you can safely lay linoleum of the 21st class. But for the kitchen, children’s room and living room, class 22 or 23 is more suitable. The biggest load usually falls on the hallway, here it is better to stop at the 24th grade. The same applies to bathrooms.

But this is an average advice, the lifestyle of your family specifically may differ. If, for example, you are professionally engaged in cooking and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it is better to choose class 24 for this room.

Tip 4: It is better to have one linoleum for the entire space

The previous advice is relevant if you decide to make repairs in one particular room. But if you are moving into a new house or completely renovating an apartment, it is better to choose one linoleum for all rooms at once. In this case, 24 classes. Such a solution will look much more advantageous from the point of view of design, will facilitate the selection and purchase, as well as the styling process. And you will definitely not have any unnecessary unnecessary scraps. And please note, all linoleum must be from the same batch, otherwise there may be slight differences in color and patterns.

Tip 5: Compare additional features

You have chosen two types of linoleum of the same class, which for some reason differ greatly in price. Perhaps it’s about additional characteristics. These include antistatic, fire resistance, noise insulation, anti-slip effect, the presence of an additional protective layer. At the stage of purchase, they may not seem significant, but you will have to face electrification or a slippery floor every day. And your safety depends on fire resistance. As for the additional protective layer, this is a plus primarily for ease of cleaning. And problems with noise insulation can be solved not only with the help of linoleum itself.

Tip 6: Spare no expense on the substrate

Firstly, it can help solve the issue of noise insulation. Secondly, it will even out small irregularities of the floor. Thirdly, it will make the floor warmer. Keep in mind: a foamed substrate for laminate will not work. It crumples too quickly under the soft material. It is better to stop at a jute or a combined substrate based on it (with the addition of flax and wool).

Tip 7: Sniff and take a closer look

Yes, it didn’t seem to you. Poor-quality linoleum gives out the smell in the first place. If it is caustic, you should not take linoleum in any case. High-quality linoleum has almost no smell. As for the appearance, it should not shine too much. “Greasy” gloss is another sign of the use of harmful substances in linoleum.

Tip 8: The simpler the design, the better

Linoleum is not the type of finish that should become the main accent in the interior. Yes, it is functional, but it is unlikely to become a point of pride for the owners of the apartment or house. Do not choose linoleum with an active pattern – so it will attract too much attention.

Models with a very small, almost indistinguishable pattern will look good. Linoleum under laminate also looks great. But imitation of exquisite parquet, marble or tiles usually looks cheap. Geometric patterns can be advantageous from catchy drawings, but then the rest of the interior should be neutral.

You should also be careful with plain linoleum: all stains and scuffs can be noticeable on it. If you like this type of finish, you can choose a higher-class linoleum suitable for office premises for reinsurance. Then he won’t be afraid of any scratches.

Tip 9: Save wisely

You can’t buy a piece of linoleum exactly the size of the room. It is always necessary to take with a margin for a possible marriage or adjustment of the drawing. Even if it is not enough just a little bit, you will have to completely change the entire coating, otherwise an ugly joint will appear on the floor. If you want to save money, it is better to opt for linoleum without a pattern, then there will be no questions with fitting.

Tip 10: Decide on priorities

Of course, I want the perfect linoleum to combine all the positive characteristics at once. It was inexpensive, eco-friendly, high-strength, stylish and so on. But in order not to get upset during a trip to the store, it is better to determine in advance for yourself which parameter will be the key and start from it.

In general, if you need linoleum for only one room, then you can look for a segment in the leftovers, usually they make good discounts on them. Do not neglect the sales: linoleum is a type of finish, the fashion for which changes extremely slowly, so you can find excellent models at discounts!