When deciding how to choose linoleum for the kitchen, you need to carefully study all the advantages or disadvantages of each kind of this flooring. If previously it was valued solely because of the low cost and simplicity in the stowage, now this material is able to compete in many technical indicators.
Which linoleum to choose for the kitchen?
This type of coatings has been used in the interior for decades, its characteristics and design have constantly improved, new types have emerged. There are a lot of difficulties in the questions, how to choose linoleum in the kitchen, what technical characteristics are decisive when using this flooring material. When solving a difficult problem, it is necessary to take into account four main criteria:
- The technology of manufacturing linoleum - in production, mainly synthetic or natural components were used.
- The resistance of the flooring to a variety of mechanical loads is the second most important criterion in the question of how to choose linoleum for the kitchen.
- Useful properties of the material - bactericidal or anti-skid additives, glossy or matte varnish for additional protection of the decorative layer.
- The quality of the texture and the coloring of the flooring is an important factor, which largely influences the solution of the problem, how to choose linoleum for home cooking.
What class of linoleum to choose for the kitchen?
If you are thinking about how to choose the right linoleum for the kitchen, you should learn to understand the classification of this flooring material. For example, in terms of the degree of abrasion, it is divided into four main groups, designated by marking with special letters. The elite and expensive group of T include the most resistant linoleum. Slightly rubbed hard linoleum Group P , it is cheaper and quite suitable for household kitchens. Linoleum floors of group M - moderately abradable, and group F - budgetary and highly abraded products, which it is better not to buy for the kitchen.
Classification of linoleum for wear resistance is indicated in passport data in two digits. The first index tells about the type of room in which it is recommended to use this material. The second index will tell a person who is interested in the problem of how to choose linoleum for the kitchen, the permissible intensity of the mechanical load in the room for which he is going to buy the coating. The rational and the most durable choice for this room is class 32 and above.
First digit of classification:
- 2 - linoleum for living rooms.
- 3 - it is allowed to lay in office premises.
- 4 - can be used in industrial or any public buildings.
The second number of classification:
- 1 - for rooms with low load.
- 2 - for rooms with medium traffic.
- 3 - linoleum is able to withstand high load intensity.
- 4 - elite and the most stable linoleum coverings.
Linoleum thickness for kitchen
The thickness of the decorative floor - the most important factor in solving the problem, which linoleum is better for the kitchen. It affects the durability, thermal insulation properties, comfort. For linoleum with a small thickness, you need to carefully prepare the rough floor, in this case, any irregularities or pebbles will be visible on a soft surface. When using a bottom heating system, on the contrary, a large thickness of the material is a drawback due to a decrease in thermal conductivity.
The thickness of linoleum, depending on the class of products:
- Household linoleum (21-23) - up to 2 mm.
- Covering the semi-commercial class (31-34) - from 2 mm to 3 mm.
- Commercial varieties of linoleum (41-43) - from 2 mm to 3.5 mm.
Natural linoleum for the kitchen
Considering the existing types of linoleum for the kitchen, many people are interested in the environmental friendliness of the future sex. According to international standards, a material with at least 30% of linseed oil can be considered natural, and the binding components do not exceed a third of the total amount of the substances used in its production.
What is included in the composition of natural linoleum:
- crushed bark;
- wood flour;
- jute;
- flax oil;
- natural resins;
- natural pigments;
- limestone.
Wishing in the question of how to choose linoleum for the kitchen, to give preference to a natural kind, you need to know exactly all its shortcomings. The use of natural components affects the moisture resistance, according to this index, synthetics are preferable to wet rooms. Natural linoleum is more expensive, inferior to an artificial fellow by elasticity, has a smaller choice of colors, can produce up to a month specific smells.
Pros of natural linoleum:
- Good wear resistance.
- Ecological compatibility.
- Durability of high-quality linoleum (up to 40 years).
- Persistent color does not burn out in the open sun.
- Flaxseed oil is famous for its bactericidal qualities.
Semi-commercial linoleum for kitchen
Many experts recommend solving the problem of how to choose the best linoleum for the kitchen, by purchasing a semi-commercial grade coating (31-41). It is heavier (up to 2.5 kg / m 2 ), has a thick protective layer (up to 0.6 mm), perfectly imitates natural materials, it protects well from cold and extraneous sounds. Considering all listed factors, it is recommended to make a choice of linoleum in the kitchen in favor of products of a dense semi-commercial class with a longer service life.
Design of linoleum in the kitchen
Unlike the boring design half a century ago, a modern beautiful linoleum in the kitchen is made in any style. For a classic interior, it's easy to purchase a cover for a board or parquet from any sort of wood - dark or whitened oak, cherry, pine, even bamboo or rosewood. Quality materials are able to have an invoice that realistically copies the natural pattern of the desired wood or stone. Connoisseurs of exotic can find linoleum with abstract patterns, or oriental motifs.
Dark linoleum in the kitchen
The decision to lay a dark floor material or black linoleum in the kitchen requires a thorough examination at the home board. The dark floor is unprofitable to use in a small room, it visually narrows the frame and makes the room unfriendly. Dark chocolate or dark gray version is allowed to choose for the kitchen, here you can advantageously play on the contrast of shades, make the interior noble, expensive and stylish.
Light linoleum in the kitchen
Advantages of light linoleum can be used advantageously in a small small apartment. White linoleum in the kitchen will help to avoid discomfort and push the boundaries of the walls, it will be better to reflect the sunlight and create a cheerful atmosphere. To reduce the feeling of sterility, you need to choose a coating with patterns, colored impregnations, an interesting texture. So you can easily avoid monotony, and the kitchen environment will become less boring.
Linoleum for kitchen tiles
Ceramics - a beautiful and durable material, but it is cold and has a mediocre soundproofing. Linoleum under the tile in this respect is a good alternative when it is necessary to choose the optimal cover for the kitchen. Naturally, you need to be able to find the right color solution, which corresponds to the general style of the room. Now you can choose a linoleum with an imitation of any pattern or option of laying the tiles on the floor.
Methods of imitating tiles in the kitchen:
- Traditional styling.
- Tile laid with offset.
- Diagonal styling.
- Tile on the floor with a Christmas tree.
- Laying tiles in the form of a modular grid with elements of different sizes.
- Multicolored mosaic tiles.
Knowing all the advantages of different types of tile laying, it is easier to choose which linoleum to lay in the kitchen. For example, an imitation of a transverse styling or an original zigzag pattern visually expands the space. For traditional styles, linoleum is suitable for marble tiles or under porcelain stoneware. In the bright kitchen in ethnic design, tiled floors in patchwork style or a coating for aged ceramics look great, in a Mediterranean interior - a realistic copy of terracotta tiles.