Semi-commercial linoleum: what is it and where is it used?

Linoleum has been known for a very long time, but its semi-commercial variety is still not well known to Russian consumers. And at the same time it deserves serious attention and allows you to decorate the floors beautifully, elegantly. It is only necessary to choose the material thoroughly, taking into account its features and individual varieties.

Semi-commercial linoleum - something between a commercial and household category of this finishing material. Compared with the first, it is easier and more convenient to install, and the second one is ahead of the strength and resistance to various mechanical effects.The width of the canvas - 200 centimeters, it calmly transfers strong heat, almost does not suffer from open fire.

Some companies are trying to circumvent competitors, releasing non-slip coating, taking care of protection against burnout in the sun and about increasing the resistance to water ingress. It will not be a problem to find semi-commercial linoleum impregnated with pathological fungi and bacteria (it is compatible with floor heating systems).

The hardness of semi-commercial linoleum, the relatively low price for a synthetic variety of it and excellent insulation performance, sound insulation - undoubted advantages. Consumers will be happy and easy installation, and simple follow-up care. There are no minuses per se, except for the obvious artificiality of the available material.

It makes no sense to pay for natural semi-commercial linoleum, for a comparable amount you will be sold natural stone, cork, and mahogany.

The thickness of linoleum is considered small if it is less than one and a half millimeters. If it exceeds this indicator, the material is classified as thick-layer.

The second type is preferable, it can be put (provided a well-prepared base) anywhere. The facial layer (it is thickened up to 0.35–0.5 millimeters) strengthened, as compared with household variants, is able to work for at least one and a half decades.

For your information: linoleum, which is laid in the form of a solid web, shows itself best, without cutting or welding pieces. It is more hermetic, and even if the liquid spills, it will not fall down, will not cause swelling of the coating and rotting of the substrate.

Therefore, the width should be taken with the stock, its size should exceed the size of the room. If the width of the room being repaired is 2 meters, then add 50 cm, and for a hall 4 m wide you can buy 5 meters. Rolls most often reach 20-30 meters long.

Any linoleum invariably belongs to one or another class of wear resistance.

A feature of semi-commercial coverage is that the minimum category of its strength is 32. This is the way versions for ordinary apartments and offices of small organizations are marked.

If a lot of people visit your premises, you need to take coverage of class 33, and if the flow of visitors is very high, not lower than 34th. If there are machine tools in the building, loaders are constantly driving, you will have to pay for the 41st strength category.

Linoleum is classified primarily according to the thickness of the protective layer, which determines the resistance to mechanical stress. The commercial type is the strongest, it can be used even in the factory workshop or in a large shopping center, where the mass of people is constantly moving. The household option is soft, suitable mainly for bedrooms and living rooms. That is, for those places of the house (apartment), where people do not go too actively.

Any semi-commercial linoleum is based on foamed polyvinyl chloride (as opposed to domestic, in which you can use fabric). The substrate is responsible for the bonding of layers and gives the whole structure rigidity. Next comes a decorative layer, which uses monochrome or bright blotches of the painting.

It is also possible imitation of other finishing materials (log log, boards, masonry). The protective surface in thickness is 0.4-0.6 millimeters (which is more than the usual indicator).

Installation of the floor covering of all three main types is the same:

• Draft floor should be made perfectly smooth - the slightest defect will immediately affect the outer layer and not only spoil the mood, but also reduce the service life of linoleum. For this purpose, the old coating must be dismantled, and a new one is put on plywood, drywall or chipboard.

• The surface under the finish is required to measure, take into account any of its features. Having found the unevenness of the walls, it is better to buy coatings in excess, a few centimeters from all sides will be inexpensive, and time and nerves will save a lot.
• Pruning after fitting patterns is carried out on the line with a sharply sharpened knife. Smooth joints are obtained using a simple technique - linoleum is put on overlap and carefully cut through the intended border to the base, then connect the places of the incisions by cold welding.

Synthetic coatings are divided by the number of layers. The multi-layered version, which is also heterogeneous, includes a fiberglass mesh, which gives increased strength and becomes a reliable guarantee against deformation. Due to the presence in the composition of the glass ensures good heat retention and extinction of extraneous sounds. The last moment is very important in any apartment located on floors above the first.

Linoleum with foam backing is extremely popular, because:

• it is easy to dock;
• you can make the seam almost invisible;
• the basis of a covering is moisture-proof.

Like all other varieties, this one falls well only on an extremely flat or specially prepared floor. Semi-commercial linoleum on felt, as well as on fabric, can be glued to any surface. But remember, only cold welding and brazing will help to assemble the web into a single composition.Textile base in contact with water will be spoiled, however, for her, which is very good, you will not need any additional substrate.

Linoleum, imitating parquet, is in increasing demand in the past few years. In the line of any self-respecting producer there will be imitations of both ordinary species (cherries, beech, oak) and exotics:

• rosewood;
• zebrano;
• bamboo

Modern technologies make it possible to reproduce both texture and exterior drawings, a plank from an array, and even a mosaic on wood. By choosing an unusual coloring, you will demonstrate to others around your originality and the ability to experiment. Linoleum "under the tile" can have a different aesthetic effect: for example, small patterns can give a room sophistication and charm. Large ornaments are designed to visually push the walls, and you can add chic to the decor with their help, if the texture is glossy or matte.

White linoleum may well be a good solution in the bathroom (there he is able to imitate the look of tile), a good idea would be to use it in the corridor. If the room is bright, it is advisable to make the floor darker to increase the space.

It is impossible to arrange the floor, the ceiling and the walls in one color, it is uncomfortable to be in such a room, it turns out to be faceless and not memorable. The 3D effect can be very attractive, but you also need to use it skillfully.

Lively and original images of the marine theme are quite appropriate in the bathrooms, but in other parts of the house they can be recommended only to adherents of this style.

An excellent opportunity to emphasize your desire for nature will be pictures of animals, birds. And you can simply choose the option with a "green lawn", this story is emotionally pleasant and does not bother for a long time.

Linoleum under laminate is a good way to demonstrate your aesthetic taste and reproduce the appearance of a more perfect coating.A serious advantage over a real laminate is that there will be no joints and the installation of imitation is much simpler than a true laminate.

A serious and solid atmosphere is brought into the house with the colors of ash and oak, mahogany; reproduction of cherry, teak texture and color is appropriate in a retro setting.

Popular manufacturing companies:

• In semi-commercial linoleum any manufacturer, including the Belgian, adds additives for maximum resistance to wear. World famous company Tarkett, acting as a “trendsetter” in the field of flooring, is constantly working on protective layers. They are trying to make them as functional as possible and at the same time relatively thin in order to facilitate the linoleum being produced.
• French corporation Gerflor For many decades, creating and producing original flooring. At the same time, delights never deviate in any way from the established quality standards. Testing and testing of samples of finished products are under the most stringent requirements.

• Hungarian concern Grabo uses fiberglass that maximizes the service life and makes the material more stable. It perfectly resists any deformation, extinguishes extraneous noise and stores heat. The optimal balance of layers is achieved through calendered polyvinyl chloride.
• Slovenian company Juteks It began its activities several decades ago and now stands out not only for its vast experience, but also for the active use of the latest developments. Its products are sold well even in Australia. The coating due to the special treatment perfectly resists moisture, intense sunlight, does not get dirty and is easy to clean.
• Transnational company Armstrong - the largest manufacturer of linoleum on the planet, it is known for its excellent strength and resistance to wear of each sample of its products. For Russia, such advantages of its products as heat saving and sound insulation are especially significant.

Semi-commercial for the kitchen and for any other room is selected for the execution of the base layer and the protective layer. It is these layers that determine how well the cover will cope with the opening tasks.If the goal is to ensure the longest possible service and high portability of mechanical loads, give priority to the protective strip. But to combat freezing and noise, more important is a powerful substrate.

For wet rooms, take only the water resistant variety. By the way: so that the material does not lose its qualities during transportation, put it vertically and maintain the room temperature during operation. Acclimatization under normal conditions of use occurs within 24 hours. Find out about all the possibilities of coverage: there is no point in paying for adaptation to warm floors, if you want to heat the house with radiators only.

No reliability of the floor does not mean that you can put it and forget about it once and for all. Daily use is always dirt, dust, excess moisture, and all this needs to be removed as soon as possible. Not to mention all sorts of stains that spoil the look.It is advisable to wash semi-commercial linoleum using soft floor cloths moistened with soapy water.

The use of abrasives, hard sponges and wire brushes is strictly unacceptable. With all the resistance of the coating to the pressure it is appropriate to use special linings for furniture legs.

The design possibilities of semi-commercial linoleum are quite large. He can depict not only geometric figures or be monophonic, sometimes it contains expressive drawings and ornaments. Now the types of linoleum that reproduce natural stone (especially granite), wood of expensive varieties and similar finishing materials of the highest quality are in high demand.

For how to properly lay linoleum, see this video.