Linoleum is a polymeric material with lightness, springiness and durability. Due to its ability to withstand heavy loads and a wide range of colors, as well as its ease of installation and maintenance, it has become more popular than other types of flooring.
Semi-commercial linoleum has found wide application, the technical characteristics and properties of which make it suitable for use both in residential premises (apartments) and in offices. Properly selected and laid in accordance with the requirements, the material will not only decorate the interior, but will also serve you for many years.
Types of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coatings
Linoleum can be used in various conditions. Depending on their purpose, such coatings are divided into commercial (including the so-called special linoleum), semi-commercial and domestic.
The floors are first covered in large offices and shops, sometimes even in industrial premises, where there is a very largefloor load. The value of the protective layer of such linoleum is 0.8 mm. The composition of such a coating, as a rule, includes additives - antistatic agents, corundum, insulators. Special linoleums have additional characteristics that directly depend on the requirements for their use. Such requirements can be both resistance to aggressive environments, and cold or heat resistance, hydro-, sound- or even electrical insulation.
Semi-commercial are floor coverings for small offices, cafes, hotel rooms, hairdressers or hospital rooms. The protective layer of such linoleums is about half a millimeter.
Residential coatings are mainly used for residential areas where the load intensity is low. The technical characteristics of domestic and semi-commercial linoleum are different, the value of the protective layer of this coating varies between 0.15–0.3 mm.
Structure of semi-commercial coatings
Depending on their structure (composition), coatings are divided into three types: heterogeneous (that is, multilayer), monogenic (single layer) and mixed. The floor covering with a heterogeneous structure includes a reinforced layer made of fiberglass, a base made of foamed PVC, a decorative and protective layer. Semi-commercial linoleum has a multilayer structure, the technical characteristics of which allow it to be used as a universal remedy for all premises with an average load level for at least ten years.
Key Features
Such coating properties as wear resistance and resistance to aggressive environments, color and moisture resistance, sound absorption (directly depends on the size of the substrate) and strength are basic and are of great importance for the right choice. By weight, you can also draw certain conclusions, for example, the weight of 1 m2 of semi-commercial linoleum will be from 2 kilograms to 2.5, and the weight of the household version will be no more than two kilograms.
It will be useful to know that some species have an antibacterial additive. For economical cutting of material, do not forget about the width of the coating. The width of semi-commercial options is from 2 to 4 meters. Colors are not considered here, since the manufacturer currently offers a huge selection of them, from the color of natural wood to stone.
If the choice of material focuses on durability, then the main criterion will be the strength class. Semi-commercial linoleum, the technical characteristics of which are correctly selected for the appropriate room, will last a long time and delight your eyes with fresh and bright colors.
PVC markings
For material such as semi-commercial linoleum, GOST does not currently establish technical characteristics. In Russia, the classification follows the European system EN 685 and consists of two digits. The first one shows the type of premises used (2 - residential, 3 - office, 4 -production), the second - the maximum load (the larger the number, the greater the load the material can withstand). For example, if the application class is 21, then this coating is recommended for use in residential areas with low traffic.
Cost of semi-commercial coatings
The price of this type of material is on average quite pleasant, but may vary depending on the manufacturer. For example, semi-commercial heterogeneous linoleum, the technical characteristics of which allow it to be used in rooms with an average load, from a German manufacturer will be more expensive (on average from 300 to 400 rubles per square meter), compared with the goods of a supplier from Eastern Europe. Of course, Russian linoleum will be half the price, but when buying from elite manufacturers, you can consider budget options, such as Tarkett Sprint, and save a little.
Features of semi-commercial Tarkett coverage
Due to its properties, Tarkett semi-commercial linoleum, the technical characteristics of which we will consider below, is perfect for rooms with a small or medium load on the floor. This material is supplied in rolls with a width of 2 meters to 2.5, has a wide palette of colors and patterns. mm, the weight of one square meter is 2.7 kg, a high degree of resistance to furniture on casters.
LinoleumSemi-commercial Tarkett, the technical characteristics of which fully comply with the requirements for semi-commercial class coatings, has a low cost - about 300 rubles. for 1 m2. Hence, its main feature is an excellent combination of price and quality.
FAQ
- What is the wear resistance class of commercial linoleum? 34-43 class, not lower.
- How thick should commercial linoleum be? It is at least 2 mm.
- What type and type is commercial linoleum? It can be of two types (types): both homogeneous (practically not abraded, since the pattern is made to its full depth), and heterogeneous (multilayer).
- Which linoleum is better to choose: homogeneous or heterogeneous? The differences between them are the width and the method of production. All other indicators are not much different.
- How wide is commercial linoleum? For this class of coatings, the width of the homogeneous option will be no more than two meters, the heterogeneous one - from two to four meters.
- What is the weight of commercial linoleum? The weight of one square meter of such a coating is on average 3 kg. For example, if the area of the room is 46 square meters, then the roll of coating will weigh about 140 kg.
Semi-commercial kitchen linoleum: specifications
Such coatings have a total thickness of 1.5 mm to 3 mm, the value of the protective layer ranging from 0.15 mm to 0.35(moreover, in some models there may be no protective layer). Supplied in rolls starting at 1.5 meters and ending at 4 meters.
Have the following characteristics:
- value of residual deformation - less than 0.2 mm;
- thermal conductivity value ranges from 0.019 to 0.034 W/(m•K);
- water absorption value - no more than one and a half percent;
- sound absorption - up to 18 dB.
The weight of such coatings, as a rule, is one and a half to two kilograms. When you purchase linoleum, you can check its flexibility in a simple way: wrap a rod with a diameter of about 4.5 cm and check the appearance of the surface - it should remain without cracks. Coatings of this class cost no more than 10 euros per square meter.
Kitchen covers are available in various colors and shades: from light to dark, from light pastels to deep monochromes. Thanks to a wide range of colors, it is very easy to create the desired interior in the room. Progressive technologies imitate any materials (wood, stone, etc.). Moreover, a floor covered with linoleum will look no worse than a floor covered with laminate or parquet board.
Properties of PVC coatings
You don't have to be an expert to cover a room with this class of linoleum. It fits on any floor without additional preparation. Thanks to this, not only material costs for preparatory work are reduced, but also the time for their implementation.
Moisture resistance of linoleum favorably distinguishes it from laminate. The latter is very strongly deformed if moisture penetrates into the joints. With high-quality linoleum, this will never happen. The materials covering its pattern will not allow the surface to change. Plus, the protective layer is not afraid of the effects of cleaning products on it. Therefore, it is very convenient to have semi-commercial linoleum on the floor, the technical characteristics of which make it easy and quick to care for the floor covering. All that is needed is to remove dust and do a wet cleaning, you can use cleaning products.
Semi-commercial coatings are quite durable, regardless of temperature differences. Parquet under such conditions diverges after three or four years. Linoleum has been in use for at least seven years.
Laying order
The very first thing to do is clean up the surface. It must be clean, dry and, of course, smooth. If the surface has irregularities, then it is necessary to eliminate them by dry screeding or fill in the self-leveling floor.
The laying procedure is simple. First you need to spread the roll on the floor and leave it in this state for several days for the coating to take an even shape. Only after the linoleum has fully cured can it be fixed to the floor.
When choosing a material, great attention should be paid to the protective layer (more precisely, its size), since both the durability of the coating used and its externalview.
