Renovation is an exciting event for every family. It is considered that the time and the amount of money planned for the renovation work will be doubled. And so it goes. Often this process is delayed for a long time, and the money is spent 50% than expected. In order not to get into such a situation, you need to clearly think over the design, budget and decide on the materials. Choosing a floor covering is not an easy, responsible decision. After all, the right floor covering is the final note of a successful renovation. Expert opinion which is better: laminate or linoleum ambiguous. Both materials are in the same price range and are in great demand. Let's try to find out what will be more practical and more convenient.

Laminate

Laminate- multilayer material imitating wood. Consists of inner and decorative layers. The coating is made by pressing small cellulose fibers and gluing and then coating with a polymer film. The film has excellent wear resistance and decorative properties. This material is non-toxic and safe. If this is not a fake, the coating contains no formaldehyde and harmful dyes, which add to the cheap counter fact.

Interesting fact: Laminate is often confused with natural parquet. Many people think that this is the same material. But this is not the case. The parquet is made from natural wood and has ecological properties due to its natural origin. Laminate, although it contains wood, but its percentage is very small, therefore it is classified as an unnatural flooring. The distinguishing factor of laminate from parquet is the price. Laminate is cheaper, and the various colors of the coating imitate natural wood.

Laminated flooring is available in four use cases:

1. For home- class 31 (AC3).
2. Universal, for home and commercial premises - class 32 (AC4).
3. Heavy Duty Commercial- class 33 (AC5-AC6).
4. For industrial use in conditions of increased load, sports clubs, gyms - Class 34.

There are also waterproof coating types that can be used for the bathroom and kitchen.

Advantages

Realistic imitation of parquet flooring and relatively low cost give laminate flooring an increasing level of popularity. In addition to them, it has the following advantages:

1. Appearance- the coating looks expensive, modern.
2. Wear resistance up to 37%- the coating is able to withstand the load, is inert to damage and cracks.
3. Zero degree of deformation throughout the life of the laminate, there are no traces of heavy furniture and women's shoes.
4. Ease of maintenance- the coating does not need constant special care. Household dirt can be easily removed without leaving any residue. To give the effect of shine, the floor is rubbed with a special mastic, then the coating has a noble appearance.
5. Fire resistance- a burning match accidentally dropped will not leave a trace on the laminate.
6. Durability and sound insulation.

Helpful hint: Covering light shades visually enlarges the space of the apartment. Geometric patterns and longitudinal lines refresh the interior and give it a finished look.

disadvantages

Laminate, like any other material, has disadvantages. This factor is strongly influenced by the price of the coating, the cheaper it is, the higher the manifestation of disadvantages.

1. The most basic flaw in the coverage is its hygroscopicity... All types of material, except for waterproof options, are afraid of moisture. The longer the fluid is in contact with the floor, the more likely the laminate is to swell. As a result, the floor warps and loses its appearance.
2. Coverage below class 31 have a low resistance to wiping, compared to linoleum. In places where the coating is used more often than another, scuffs appear.

Styling

Working with the material does not require special skills. It is enough to read the instructions and start working. The only condition for a high-quality result is a flat floor. If laying is planned on a wooden base, then the floor is leveled using OSB. If a screed acts as a subfloor, it is worth using a leveling mass for leveling. The substrate acts as a compensator and acts as a buffer that reduces the negative impact of an insufficiently prepared base.
In no case should you use roll insulation instead of a laminate underlay. Outwardly, these materials are similar, but their structure is absolutely opposite. Foamed insulation does not allow moisture vapor to pass through, which means that all vapors will linger on it and then be absorbed into the laminate. This will expand the cover and break the connecting latches. As a result, the laminate will become unusable within a year.

Linoleum

Linoleum- a type of synthetic floor cloth, which is made from polymeric materials. Better to call it "PVC coating", since real linoleum is produced from natural materials. Linseed oil, jute linen, limestone powder, wood chips and resin are used for production. This coating is not sold in every hardware store and is not cheap. What we are used to seeing in our apartments and other places is nothing more than a synthetic analogue. The most common raw material for its production is PVC.
Helpful advice: In order not to get fake when buying a coating, pay attention to the smell of linoleum. The smell of a certified coating is not pungent, and it disappears within 24 hours after installation. The smell of a fake coating is acrid, pungent. It persists for a long time. Contra fact toxic fumes can harm your health.

Depending on the type of room and place of application, linoleum is divided into the following types:

1. Domestic- a coating of medium wear resistance, but with an abundance of colors. It has good heat and sound insulation. The small protective layer of the material indicates its intended use for residential use.
2. Commercial- suitable for use in offices, hospitals, places where many people pass. It is characterized by a high degree of wear, low price, and durability. The range of colors is stricter than that of a household PVC coating.
3. Medium commercial- symbiosis of the first two types, has an average degree of stress.
4. Special- depending on the place of installation, it is endowed with the quality of resistance to temperature changes or chemical attack. Can be used in hospitals, gyms, laboratories.

Helpful advice: For the kitchen, you need to take linoleum with an additional varnish coating, this will simplify cleaning and protect the linoleum from getting dirt inside.

Advantages

This popular type of flooring has many advantages and benefits:

1. Availability and price- shops offer a wide range of coatings. The pricing policy is quite diverse and allows you to choose linoleum at the buyer's expense;
2. Security- the coating is not slippery material;
3. Lifetime- up to 45 years old;
4. Fast and easy installation;
5. High noise isolation;
6. Warming effect;
7. Tightness- the coating does not allow water to pass through, if you spread it in one piece - the probability of flooding neighbors is reduced to zero.

The abundance of textures, patterns and colors will help to bring to life any design solution.

disadvantages

1. Sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature - as a result of deformation and fragility of the coating.
2. Due to the plasticity of the material - on it there are dents from furniture, heavy objects.
3. The material is vulnerable to mechanical damage- it can be torn or cut through if handled carelessly.
4. On contact with burning objects on the floor, there may be traces of burning.

Styling

Linoleum is available in rolls from 1 to 5 meters wide. It is easy enough to find the right size for the canvas. Do-it-yourself styling. The surface must be flat, for this we use a substrate or fiberboard sheets. We spread the roll and let it warm up to room temperature. In a day, it will level out and take the shape of the room. Then we cut off the edges, and fix the canvas along the edges with plinths.
Helpful Hint: Do not rush to trim the linoleum immediately after spreading. Give him a rest. Let it lie down for a day, during this time it will heat up and slightly creep to its final state.

Comparison of laminate and linoleum

• Soundproofing. Laminate attenuates sound weakly, but if you use a special substrate, the sound insulation rate will increase. Linoleum, due to its plasticity, provides a good level of sound insulation.

• Moisture resistance. When exposed to moisture, the coating inevitably swells, therefore, in rooms with a high level of humidity, it is better to use linoleum. PVC coating is higher than that of laminated coating.

• Price. Almost the same

• Ecology. And that and that material must have a certificate of conformity. Both laminate and linoleum are artificial materials. They cannot be more harmful or more useful than each other.

Summing up, we see that, depending on the place of application of the conditions of use, both coatings have both pros and cons. Therefore, for each specific case, the choice of the floor cloth should be individual. Laminate withstands mechanical stress, it is not afraid of dents from the heels and legs of chairs, this allows you to use it for rooms not cluttered with furniture. Linoleum can be washed with water and all-purpose detergents, so it can be laid in the kitchen.