What is more durable laminate or linoleum. Choosing a floor covering: which is better - laminate or linoleum. What works best with water

You have planned and decide which is better: laminate or linoleum? Yes, it is really difficult to determine the leader: the price of laminate good quality and linoleum is almost the same. Each material has its pros and cons, it is necessary to analyze the characteristics in more detail along with the visual perception. Before choosing, you should decide for which room the coating is selected, important role play permeability, humidity, the likelihood of mechanical impacts. In today's review, the editors of Nomius.ru will try to help you choose between these two materials, revealing some of the nuances of operational parameters. You just have to choose the color.

Depending on the thickness of the layer and the purpose of linoleum, three categories can be distinguished.

Foundation structure

According to its structure, the coating can be divided into the following types:

• homogeneous, or single layer,- it is made from granules with the addition of dyes. Its thickness is no more than 2 mm, the pattern is applied not on the top coating, but over the entire thickness. This explains the low abrasion of a single-layer material. It is suitable for high traffic areas. It is important to remember: the thinner the layer, the higher its wear resistance;
• heterogeneous- this is a more versatile linoleum, it can contain up to 6 layers. The thickness of the coating reaches 6 mm. The top layer is only made of PVC, sometimes granules are added during the production process, due to which the material acquires a 3D effect. For reinforcement, polyurethane can be included in the composition, which improves wear resistance.

Coating thickness

Thickness is one of the important parameters of linoleum, it can reach up to 0.7-5 mm. Material with a thickness of up to 1 mm is quite rare, and it is not suitable for apartments and houses at all. Ideal option for household purpose stop your choice on linoleum with a thickness of 2-4 mm, and it is important to remember that heat and sound insulation will depend on this parameter. In addition, the characteristics of a thicker base are much better.

This should be known! You can come across such an opinion that durability is primarily affected by the thickness of the coating, but this is a delusion. The increase in service life is affected by the thickness of the protective layer, to be more precise, its abrasion period.

Linoleum classes for wear resistance

The characteristic of wear resistance is the ability to withstand mechanical and physical loads that occur during operation. Another indicator is abrasion, which determines the time for reducing the thickness of the upper protective layer over the entire period of use. The laminate class, depending on its purpose, consists of two numbers:

• the first digit is the scope of coverage: residential, office or industrial premises;
• the second digit (1-4) is the intensity of the load.

For residential use, class 21-23 coverage should be chosen, class 23 has the best performance. For offices, grades 31 and 32 are intended, but for shopping centers and shops, the choice must be stopped at grades 32 and 33, their characteristics are much higher.

Linoleum: pros and cons

In order to objectively compare in the future what is better - laminate or linoleum in the house, you need to analyze their parameters: service life, wear resistance, environmental friendliness, heat, noise and moisture insulation, injury risk and price. Let's highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of linoleum.

1. Affordable cost - almost anyone can afford such a purchase.
2. Moisture and steam impermeability - in connection with which it is recommended to lay it in kitchens, corridors and bathrooms.
3. High wear resistance, resistance to mechanical damage. He is not afraid of women's heels and movement.
4. High sound and heat insulation - the coating is equivalent to wood in these qualities.
5. No additional protective layer required.
6. Injury safe - even the glossy coating has additional protection against slipping.
7. Linoleum can be laid on a substrate or arranged under it.
8. The drawing on the coating is carried out by adding a dye to the material, in connection with this, the pattern will remain for the entire period of operation.
9. Easy care - can be used during cleaning.

For an objective assessment, the negative aspects of linoleum should also be noted:

• it consists of artificial materials, all layers are glued together, there is also rubber in the composition. Only in some types can natural fabric be found in the structure. Therefore, a rather specific smell emanates from it, passing through 2 weeks after laying;
• on the coating there are stripes from shoes with black soles, which are quite difficult to remove;
• requires prior .

The main characteristics of the laminate

Laminate is a great alternative to hardwood flooring, but at a much lower cost. In addition, it has undoubted advantages that are characteristic of parquet.

Board device

A high-quality laminate with a thickness of 5-11 mm consists of five layers, budget coatings can have only 3 layers. Consider the composition of the material 31−33 classes.

Manufacturers can add or change layers to improve performance.

Classes

Laminate is widely used in all residential premises, the only exception is, as well as in offices, warehouses, shopping malls. Manufacturers produce coverage in six classes: 21-23 are intended for housing, 31-33 - for public institutions. For a hallway in an apartment, it is recommended to use a higher one - class 23 or 31, but for a bedroom where the load is low, you can save money and limit yourself to class 21. There is another coating class - 34, it appeared in 2005 and is characterized by increased strength, due to which its service life is much longer.

Strength criteria

The strength criteria of the laminate are determined after testing, in which the panel is fixed on a special fixture and acted upon with an abrasive disc. Two indicators are needed for the study:

• after what number of revolutions the first scratches will appear;
• after what number of revolutions will the complete destruction of the upper layer occur.

The arithmetic mean of these values ​​determines the quality standard of the laminate.

Appearance

If we compare laminate with linoleum in appearance, it is difficult to single out a leader in this characteristic. Manufacturers offer various imitations of wood, parquet, stone and tiles in both coatings. color scheme, tint solutions.

Laminate: advantages and disadvantages

For an objective assessment of both coverages, we single out positive traits and disadvantages of laminate.

1. High wear resistance, resistance to abrasion, mechanical stress.
2. Fire resistance is higher than that of linoleum.
3. Easy care - no special tools are required for this.
4. Anti-allergenic - environmentally friendly materials are used in production. In this regard, it is recommended for laying in children's rooms.
5. Simple installation - laying on a substrate or "warm floor" is acceptable.
6. Service life at correct selection and laying can reach 20 years.
7. Low cost - it is affordable for the average buyer.

The disadvantages of laminate should include:

• it is important to correctly determine the wear resistance class of the laminate for each room; for this, you should first study the main characteristics and recommendations of the manufacturer;
• required preliminary preparation bases to perfect evenness;
• laminated panels do not tolerate excessive moisture. After laying, it is recommended to process the butt joints by special means with protective function;
• if broken, swelling of the surface is possible, the appearance of a creak during operation;
• coverage cost high class can exceed the price of even a parquet board.

We compare the parameters and draw conclusions what to choose: laminate or linoleum

To determine which coating is better, you need to compare all the pros and cons of linoleum and laminate. The decisive word will not be the cost at all, but the purpose of the premises for which the material is selected, because it is from right choice and depends on the durability and quality of use.

Laying complexity

Linoleum or laminate: which is cheaper to operate

Linoleum different class still cheaper than a laminate with the same characteristics, this is due to its composition: environmentally friendly materials are used for the production of panels. But with regard to operation, it must be borne in mind that, if the linoleum is seriously damaged in a conspicuous place, it will be necessary to replace the entire canvas, while with a laminate it is possible to replace the deformed section with a similar one.

Which is more expensive: linoleum or laminate

The cost of some classes of laminate can exceed the price of linoleum by approximately 2-2.5 times.

Which is better: laminate or linoleum, according to an expert

We have analyzed all the main parameters and have already determined for ourselves which of the materials is better. I wonder if our conclusions will coincide, which is better in an apartment: laminate or linoleum, according to a professional? According to experts, the laminate has an undeniable advantage - environmental friendliness, a wide variety of textures, durability, resistance to mechanical damage. Otherwise, linoleum shows the best performance: it is easy to maintain, install, moisture resistant, it has higher sound and heat insulation.

Conclusion! Linoleum is best for office space, loggias, kitchens and entrance areas. Laminate should be chosen for bedrooms, living rooms and hallways, as it has a more presentable appearance.

Which is better: laminate or linoleum, according to reviews on the forums

If we analyze consumer reviews, their opinions on popular sites are divided approximately equally. Someone likes the moisture resistance characteristics of linoleum, someone likes the environmental friendliness of the laminate. Therefore, before choosing what to lay on the floor in the apartment, our advice is to analyze the relevant topics on construction forums, see what consumers are dissatisfied with over time, and only then make a choice in favor of one of the materials. Many speak in favor of linoleum thanks to simple care, however, at the same time they emphasize that the price matters, since "the more expensive, the better."

More on MasterGrad: http://www.mastergrad.com/forums/t14152-linoleum-ili-laminat/?page=4.

But the next consumer speaks specifically about the environmental friendliness of the laminate.

More on ForumHouse: https://www.forumhouse.ru/threads/318083/page-2.

Another opinion is in favor of linoleum for a family with small children, although coating defects were found after repair during operation.

And in conclusion, we offer you to get acquainted with another opinion of a professional on the video.

Better, more durable, more pleasant, more reliable, of course, natural floors. However, the cost of parquet, cork and natural stone often inspires a desire to find an economical alternative. Especially if the owners plan only short-term cosmetic changes. In such situations, the flooring ring is dominated by two fighters, each of whom stands for the club of budget materials. Let's see who wins the battle: linoleum or laminate - which will look better, cost less and last longer.

Criteria for the upcoming fight

Let's try on the status of an independent referee, impartially evaluating opponents, and distribute the rounds. We will choose the winner in single combat based on the following qualities:

• aesthetic indicators;
• cost framework;
• safety;
• ease of installation, because we obviously assume that the buyer wants to equip himself with his own hands;
• operational terms;
• attitude to water, to wet cleaning and to household products care;
• thermal and sound insulation properties;
• scope of use;
• vicissitudes of transportation.

We will make verdicts after comparing the "fighters" for each of the criteria.

Consistent comparison of consumer qualities

Round One: Aesthetics

Both types of flooring, due to their affordability, are understandably popular. Its consequence was the supply to the market of a considerable number of brands with an extensive design range. The buyer is offered numerous options in order not to group comrades by taste and color. In both cases, you can choose imitation of wood, marble, onyx, granite, even reptile skin, abstraction, etc. True, a couple of decades ago, linoleum was referred to as "soviet" coatings, but new options completely refute the old opinion. Draw.

Round two: price

The initial preponderance of forces on the side of the PVC coating, i.e. linoleum. Notice, not his expensive natural prototype, created from a mixture of resins, oils, wood and dolomite flour applied on a jute base, and a synthetic material with a very low price. The difference between the cheapest representatives of linoleum and laminate will be a multiple of about two. The middle link of a laminated similarity of parquet will be approximately 2.5 times more expensive than a PVC coating of a similar class. There are no upper bounds, because branded brands of the contestants are sometimes more expensive than parquet.

In the championship under the motto "which is cheaper: laminate or linoleum" for last fighter victory.

Glue linoleum to concrete floor you can do it yourself if you know how and what is the best way to do it. Let's talk about it in our article:.

Round Three: Security

The concept is versatile, so we will cover each of the faces:

• Ecology . Both opponents belong to the category of synthetic materials. Despite the 80% content of sawn timber waste in the laminate, their connection is still carried out by artificial means using polymeric binders and chemical adhesive components. Budget linoleum is generally more correct to call. The manufacture of both laminate and vinyl material does not upset the balance of the ecological situation, but the disposal of laminate flooring does not cause difficulties, and it is not so easy to eliminate old linoleum. It does not decompose itself, when burned, it smokes terribly.
• The ability to cause allergies. In both cases, before purchasing, you need to study the certificate, which indicates the possibility of its use for arranging housing and public institutions. Information on the maximum concentration of formaldehyde should also be indicated there. It is desirable that the figure pointing to it persistently tends to zero. IN last resort, was an insignificant number with one, two, or preferably three zeros in front of it. If the product does not have a certificate, you must refuse to purchase it.
• Risk of injury while moving. In order to eliminate this unsightly property, the coatings are given a relief, which at the same time increases the realism of the simulated structure. Damp or oily cheap laminate flooring is said to be slippery, but neither water nor oil can be poured into it, then these cases belong to the category of conversations.

Attention. Both types of budget flooring are classified as combustible finishing materials.

Many are tormented by the question - is it possible to put a laminate on the loggia? We will analyze in more detail the conditions and features of laying, and also, we will help you choose the coating and substrate in the material:

Conclusion: in figuring out which material is safer and which is more environmentally friendly: laminate or linoleum, there are no clear winners. There are caveats to each criterion, just as there are pros and cons to both options.

Round four: styling

Let's start with preparation. Deviations in the control of the rough base with a 2-meter rail applied to the floor plane in an arbitrary direction should not exceed 2 mm, both for laminated flooring and for PVC material. Otherwise, the linoleum will deform, rub off, or even break through in poor-quality areas, and the locking system will be damaged in the laminate and the floor will have to be completely changed.

The substrate spreads under both coatings, but it is optional for laying linoleum. Especially if the back side of the PVC coating is pre-equipped with a layer of felt or expanded polystyrene. Economic plus.

Let's compare the technological qualities of rivals:

• Laying large-sized linoleum sheets on the floor is faster and easier than cutting, adjusting and rallying laminated boards. However, it is not a super-complicated labor-intensive work, it simply requires compliance with step by step instruction and takes more time.
• Linoleum must be attached to the base with glue or double-sided adhesive tape. This is an additional expense item. Laminate floors are now extremely rarely built by joining boards with glue. according to the floating scheme, they are not attached to the base.
• Errors in laying linoleum “planted” on glue cannot be corrected. Laminate flooring can be dismantled into planks and laid again. Not necessarily in the same place.

Both coatings are compatible with underfloor heating systems for water and electric type. Verdict: the score is "drawn" again.

Round five: service life

Unconditional superiority for linoleum. You won’t have to think about replacing it for 10 years, and a number of manufacturers sincerely convince of 3 decades of immaculate service and issue guarantees for this period.

exploit cheap laminate more than 5 years will not work. On average, 2-3 years, which attracts fans to often change the decor and decoration. Laminate flooring of an expensive commercial grade will last 10, and with good care and more years, but its cost is significantly higher than cheap linoleum.

Round Six: The Practical Side

Wash the laminate, and even more so, you can’t fill it with water, it will warp. You will have to part with him. Maximum rare care with a very carefully wrung out damp cloth. Strength tests by impacts with an accidentally dropped heavy object should be abandoned. But its acrylic or melamine protective and decorative coating will not allow the absorption of stains, protect against match and cigarette "burns", and will not allow scratches to appear.

Attention. Care with the use of chemical solvents and abrasive products for laminate flooring is unacceptable.

Linoleum can be washed in a "deck" way if it is laid in one continuous carpet. Just like a vinyl covering made up of several panels with welded seams. If the seams are not welded, you should forget about the deck care method, because. A damp substrate can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. You can burn it without much effort, except for a heat-resistant brand. Linoleum is indifferent to blows, but stiletto heels, thin legs of heavy furniture, sharp claws of pets are not respected, and a dropped corkscrew or a knife blade can leave a hole on it.

Let's balance and decide what is more practical: laminate or linoleum. We will award the victory to the vinyl material, taking into account the fact that it lasts much longer.

Round seven: heat engineering with sound insulation

The insulating qualities of both compared materials leave much to be improved. They directly depend on the thickness of the laminated plates and on the presence of a substrate on the back of the linoleum. By themselves, neither the vinyl nor the wood-based substrates prevent the passage of heat and noise. This work is done for them by expanded polystyrene, felt, cork or a composite layer.

High-quality artistic laminate - a worthy replacement block parquet. You can read more about what kind of coating it is, what types there are and how to install it yourself, you can read on our website:.

Because The laminate is laid in a floating manner and is not attached to a rough substrate, the use of an underlay is a must. Otherwise, he will "click" under his feet. Soft flexible linoleum does not respond to steps as noisily. However, a cement floor finished with linoleum without an insulating lining will be incredibly cold. In short, a draw.

Round Eight: Scope of Use

The laminated floor looks a little nobler than its rustic rival, but it is very capricious and sensitive to moisture. Therefore, it is not laid in hygienic rooms and in kitchens. Most often they are used where it is necessary to make repairs with a certain frequency: in children's rooms, in hallways, less often in living rooms and bedrooms.

Linoleum does not care about all the troubles. Wash-rub it can be as much as you want with any means. Only an abrasive is undesirable unless it is homogeneous, i.e. full thickness dyed material. The top layer of a homogeneous coating from the abrasive action can also be erased, it's just not visually determined. The idea is that vinyl flooring can be placed wherever you want. True, there are rarely lovers of arranging linoleum floors in bedrooms, nurseries, offices, living rooms. This "workhorse" serves in kitchens and bathrooms, works great on the floor in the hallways.

Conclusion: not a single material was without limitations. Draw.

Round nine: transportation

It is easier to deliver to the object laminate, neatly packaged in easy-to-move packs. You can transport it in the trunk of a personal car, deliver it to the apartment by elevator. It is more difficult with linoleum: it is sold in rolls. The larger the area of ​​​​the room being finished, the more the uncomfortable, too high bundle with a height of 2 m or more will weigh. Sometimes it can not be pushed into the elevator. It will be necessary to splurge on the delivery and services of movers. Laminate won.

Well, so what in the end?

Score three-one in favor of linoleum. However, neither the practicality nor the longevity of vinyl flooring will convince those who have made the firm decision to purchase and install laminate flooring. We sincerely wish them success in the difficult path of an independent finisher.

Comparison of materials by main parameters

As you can see, there are a lot of parameters and all of them must be taken into account when planning repairs. If you neglect something important, then the purchase will not bring pleasure and will simply interfere with life! Judging by the reviews of those who chose the flooring without thinking, the shortcomings are very annoying, for years.

What is better to lay on the floor - laminate or linoleum, is decided taking into account the requirements for a particular room. Comparison of floor coverings according to the most significant parameters will help in choosing.

Laminate or linoleum - which is better to choose in an apartment

We have considered all the pros and cons of the two popular floors and, in our opinion, there is not much difference between these coatings. Neither one nor the other is eternal, unlike the same tile floor, for example (although it is cold).

Judging by consumer reviews, laminate is not the best choice for the kitchen, since keeping track of moisture there is simply unrealistic and the floor becomes unusable much faster.

So, if service life is of great importance to you, then it is better to take linoleum for the kitchen.

Although, according to some experts from building markets, moisture resistant laminate- also allowed.

It is almost impossible to find such a person who, at least once in his life, has not faced the need to do big renovation your dwelling. Modern features market of materials for construction and repair provide the widest possibilities for those who would like to make their home not only habitable, but also beautiful, cozy and 100% safe.

Schematic diagram of the laminate flooring.

For residential areas, you can choose a less toxic laminate. In addition, it is more fashionable and pleasant to the touch. Laminate is perfect for living room, bedroom, home hallway.

For the kitchen, you can give preference to linoleum. If a laminate is laid in the kitchen, then most likely, after 4-7 years its aesthetic appearance will deteriorate and you will have to change it.

For offices it is recommended to use commercial linoleum. After all, laminate floors begin to creak over time. Of course, this can negatively affect the image of the company. In addition, there is another significant drawback. Laminate has poor sound insulation. If there are a lot of people walking along the corridors in the office, noise is created. Such an environment does not contribute to the good performance of employees.

If there is a question of flooring for a balcony or loggia, we recommend asking the price of linoleum. From high humidity and cold laminate becomes unusable. Linoleum is good for such flooring.

So what is better, beautiful linoleum or laminate - it's up to you. But do not always trust sellers. Sometimes they just want to quickly and profitably sell goods. Determine for yourself the criteria for choosing a coating: for which room, whether color, texture, quality are important. This will help you make the right choice.

When carrying out repairs, the question often arises, which is better - laminate or linoleum in an apartment? There is no single answer, since each of the materials has several categories that differ significantly in their main performance characteristics. In addition, the choice is largely determined by the characteristics of the premises - attendance, humidity, the need for sanitation, the likelihood mechanical damage and so on. There is one more nuance - some properties of floor coverings depend on installation - the quality of its execution, the use of a substrate, etc.

Laminate is sometimes called a natural material due to the presence of cellulose (wood) fibers in its composition, however, this statement is not entirely true, because a polymer resin serves as a binder for them. In fact, the basis of the laminate is pressed hardboard (more precisely, MDF or HDF), and in general the material is multi-layered - the base is covered with protective layers on both sides.

On the back side, the polymer layer or kraft paper with phenolic impregnation protects mainly from moisture, and the outer (front) surface has a multifunctional coating of acrylic or melamine resin, which partly prevents moisture (it is allowed to wipe the laminate with a wrung out wet cloth, but the coating deteriorates with direct contact with water) and protects against mechanical damage.

The question of what is better to lay: laminate or linoleum is decided for a specific room, for example, for a kitchen with high humidity, a laminate will not be the best solution.

The thickness of the surface protective layer determines the strength class of the material, but even for the most stable coatings it does not exceed 1 mm.

Laminate is a block flooring (as opposed to rolled linoleum), which is mounted from small "planks".

• The most common laminate, in which the ends of all elements are click latches. Laying such a coating is as simple as possible, although some say the disadvantage of click laminate is the presence of small gaps between the blocks, which moisture can get into. The obvious advantages of this type of laminate include the possibility of creating a "floating" coating that does not have a rigid adhesion to the base floor over the entire surface.
• Adhesive laminates are less common, their installation is more difficult, due to the rigid connection to the floor surface, cracks from thermal deformation can occur if the temperature changes sharply in the room, but the gaps between the laminate boards, when properly installed, are impervious to moisture.
• The most rare sheet pile laminate with a characteristic relief of the end sides.

Types of laminate connection

The main disadvantage of laminate flooring is its susceptibility to moisture. Coatings of this type of any class do not tolerate water, warp, deform and cannot be restored. If moisture gets in, damaged elements can be replaced, and for a click coating, it will be enough to disassemble the damaged area, and the boards “planted” on the glue will have to be cut out.

Laminate classes

The class of flooring and its purpose is determined by the strength of the material and the thickness of the upper protective layer.

• Class 31 - the least protected and designed for low-intensity use, typical for bedrooms, pantries and other similar premises. In an apartment or in a house, the service life of such a laminate, depending on the conditions, will be 10-12 years.
• Grade 32 laminate can carry medium loads, so it is quite suitable for home use, where it will last 12-15 years, but for commercial premises it is not advisable to choose such a coating.
• Class 33 laminate is considered commercial, although it is the least durable in its category. Such a coating can be used when finishing sports halls, and at home it can be chosen for the most visited rooms (for example, living rooms).

Laminate in the interior of the apartment

Appearance

Initially, laminate was used as a floor covering, visually almost indistinguishable from natural wood. Similar Models Until now, they are popular as attractive in appearance and organically combined with various interior styles. The range of the most famous manufacturers usually includes classic and original wood grain laminate options:

• natural (a thin layer of varnish is almost invisible and the coating looks like ordinary wood),
• glossy (in such models, the lacquer coating is not only noticeable, but also characteristic feature, the coating imitates lacquered wood),
• matte (visually similar to well-oiled natural parquet),
• aged (the color of such a coating is darker, like that of a tree "with experience"),
• textured (similar to boards with rough processing),
• waxed (warm and soft sheen of boards, characteristic of wooden floors rubbed with wax).

Laminate can also be patterned

Laminate production technology allows you to create coatings that are completely different from wood, the most original and fashionable are stone-like and leather-like laminates.

Linoleum is a rolled floor covering, the main advantages of which are moisture resistance and water resistance. Such material not only easily tolerates wet cleaning, including with the use of detergents, but also (if properly installed) is able to retain small amounts of spilled or leaking water in emergency cases.

Variants of linoleum patterns also differ in variety.

In many ways, the qualities and characteristics of linoleum are determined by its type.

• Natural linoleum is so different from other types in composition, characteristics and price that it is increasingly being isolated into a separate category of flooring and called marmoleum. Jute-based marmoleum is coated only from natural ingredients - chalk and wood flour, bound by oxidized linseed oil and resins, and the drawing is done using natural dyes. Due to the high price, marmoleum should be excluded from comparative analysis, whose purpose is to determine which is better, linoleum or laminate in the house.
• Nitrocellulose coatings are characterized by plasticity and high strength at a small thickness. However, nitrocellulose linoleum is not recommended for use due to its high flammability.
• Linoleum made of glyptal (a special type of plastic) is produced on a fabric basis and therefore is characterized by increased heat and sound insulation. During operation, it deforms - it stretches in width and "shrinks" in length.
• Rubber linoleum is the most moisture resistant and elastic, thanks to which it can easily be laid on an uneven base. It is not used at home, because it has a high toxicity.
• PVC linoleum is the most common type used for commercial premises, rooms in apartments and houses, therefore, in the future, the properties and purpose of this particular type of flooring will be considered. Polyvinyl chloride linoleum can “sit down” a little over time. Such material is produced baseless or on a fabric, foam, fiber basis.

According to the manufacturing method, PVC linoleum can be homo- or heterogeneous.

• The choice of colors of heterogeneous linoleum is much larger due to the fact that the coating pattern is exclusively in top layer multilayer material. This production technology removes almost all restrictions regarding the choice of scale and the complexity of the pattern. Fiberglass in the composition of heterogeneous linoleum prevents tensile and compressive deformation of the floor covering.
• The drawing of homogeneous linoleum is carried out over the entire thickness of the coating, due to which it becomes resistant to abrasion. Unlike heterogeneous, homogeneous linoleum can be restored with noticeable surface wear - such coatings are “grinded”, removing 1/20-1/5 of the thickness of the coating with a uniform structure. The advantage of homogeneous varieties is high strength and durability. Such linoleum not only withstands the steps of people, but also retains its qualities when moving carts and wheelchairs along it. At the same time, the service life of the coating reaches 25 years or more.

1. What is cheaper: laminate or linoleum?

As we wrote above, it all depends on the manufacturer.

There is a laminate, which is much cheaper than linoleum, for example. But, if we take into account average prices, then the laminate will always be more expensive. Of course, if different types laminate, but there is no point in discussing them now.

In addition, if linoleum can be laid just like that, on a screed, then for a laminate you definitely need to purchase a substrate. This is not to say that it is very expensive, but still, in the end it increases the cost per square meter.

If you save on the substrate, then the laminate will knock hard and last much less, as it will be strongly pressed through on the slightest bumps.

Objective complexity of choice

• On the first floors of high-rise buildings, especially in new buildings, it is recommended to lay linoleum. The premises on the ground floor of the house are a risk zone for high humidity penetration from the basement, and if you immediately lay a laminate in all rooms, a situation may arise when, within a short time, the joints of the lamellas will swell and the coating will become unusable. To deal with this problem is possible only with the help of the organization of reliable waterproofing.
• In a private house, the situation will be similar. Laying laminate before obtaining reliable information about the degree of humidity in each room should not be. In this case, it is recommended to lay linoleum, parquet boards or arrange traditional plank floors.
• For one-room studios, it is best to use a laminate, but in the kitchen area it is still advisable to put rolled material.
• For the equipment of the living room, it is desirable to use a laminate. This material harmoniously fits into any interior of the main room and allows you to show the level of prosperity of the owners of the home.
• The corridor, hallway and kitchen are the places with the highest traffic and pollution levels. Accordingly, in these rooms it is recommended to lay only linoleum.
• The balcony is a room where significant temperature and humidity fluctuations occur, so it is impossible to use a laminate in this case, it is better to put a durable and practical linoleum.
• For the children's room and bedroom, it is necessary to use a laminate with higher environmental performance.

However, a wide range of such products at the same time is in many cases a rather difficult problem. In fact, it is not easy to understand the numerous shades and technical specifications such as floor coverings. Manufacturers of this type of building materials offer many impeccable novelties that literally adorn both standard apartments and luxurious mansions. In view of all this, the fundamental choice - linoleum or laminate - for an inexperienced consumer causes a lot of trouble.

Scheme of differences between laminate locks.

In this case, it will come in handy helpful tips designed to help a person choose exactly the option that would satisfy his highest requirements. In this sense, probably ideal option there would be a floor made of well-crafted, but at the same time quite expensive wooden planks or sophisticated parquet. But considerations of practicality and moderate cost of flooring often force us to look for other ways to give the interior a harmonious look.

When choosing a floor covering, of course, you want to prefer something more reliable, durable, natural and pleasant. But the price of natural stone, cork, as well as parquet inspires the consumer with a desire to find a more economical alternative. This is especially true for those owners who plan only short-term cosmetic changes. In these situations, two material options can be compared, namely linoleum and laminate. It will be better to consider these two floor coverings, taking into account several indicators that are most important to the modern consumer, such characteristics as cost and shelf life.

The most important selection criteria

If you are faced with the task of deciding which is better - laminate or linoleum in an apartment, then you need to pay attention to the price of the material, external indicators, ease of installation, and safety. It is important to consider that you will most likely be doing the laying of the material yourself so that the budget floor does not turn out to be more expensive through the use of professional help. It is also important to pay attention to how each of the varieties of material tolerates exposure to water, since you will periodically have to wet clean. Important qualities are also soundproofing, as well as thermal characteristics.

Comparison of materials by external characteristics

If you are thinking about which is better - laminate or linoleum in an apartment, then you need to pay attention to the aesthetic performance of both coatings. Due to the fact that the described finishing materials have a fairly low price, they are both popular with consumers. Before the buyer in the store there are numerous options that have all sorts of colors and textures. You can choose both linoleum and laminate in imitation natural materials by type of granite, wood, marble and even leather. In this fight for outward sign it is impossible to determine the winner, since linoleum and laminate today are produced in very attractive design solutions.

Comparison of materials by cost

If you still have not decided which is better - linoleum or laminate, consumer reviews are worth considering. Initially, the advantage in the matter of price is on the side of the PVC coating, which refers to linoleum. It is worth noting that its expensive natural prototype loses in this race. The laminated coating will be 2.5 times more expensive than PVC material. This indicates that linoleum in all respects is much cheaper than laminate. If we compare the average prices, then linoleum, of course, will be cheaper.

Comparison of safety materials

If you are faced with the question of which is better - linoleum or laminate, reviews on given parameter needs to be studied. The issue of safety is of great interest to consumers, it is divided into several criteria, one of which is environmental friendliness. Both materials are synthetic. Despite the fact that the laminate contains lumber in the amount of 80 percent, their connection is carried out by an artificial method, which uses polymer binders, as well as chemical components. If we consider budget linoleum, then it can be classified as vinyl coatings. It is made as a laminate in terms of environmental balance, however, it will be quite simple to dispose of laminate flooring, which cannot be said about linoleum.

Consumers often pay attention to this when they think about whether laminate or linoleum is better for a bedroom. The latter version of the material does not decompose on its own, but when exposed to fire, it begins to smoke. He has the ability to develop allergies in humans. In both cases, before buying, you need to familiarize yourself with the certificate, which should indicate the possibility of using the coating for arranging residential premises and public institutions. These documents must indicate the amount of formaldehyde. Experts say that this indicator should be close to zero. As a last resort, this number should be insignificant. If the product does not have a certificate, then it is advisable to refuse to purchase it.

Risk of injury

If you are thinking about what to lay on the floor - laminate or linoleum, then you also need to pay attention to the ability of each material to ensure that a person may be in danger during its operation. So, there is a risk of injury when moving on the surface. In order to eliminate such an unpleasant property, the manufacturer gives the surface of the coating a relief, which, at the same time, increases the realism of the simulated structure.

If a cheap laminate flooring is flooded with oil or water, you can slip on it, but you need to consider what is top coat does not withstand exposure to oil or water, so this case can only be attributed to the category of conversations. It should also be taken into account that both types of the materials described are classified as combustible. That is why, figuring out which material is more environmentally friendly and safer, there is no way to identify a winner in this area.

Styling features

If you think before purchasing - laminate or linoleum, what to choose, then you need to take into account that the deviations in the control of the draft base should not exceed 2 millimeters, with regard to laminated and PVC coatings. Otherwise, the linoleum may be deformed, torn in poor quality areas, and as for the laminate, its locking system may require a complete replacement.

The substrate must be laid under both coatings, however, such manipulations are not necessary for laying linoleum. Moreover, the reverse side of the coating is equipped with a layer of expanded polystyrene or felt. Based on this, and considering own experience, you can choose the coverage that suits you.

Economic benefits

When considering linoleum or laminate for purchase, the pros and cons of each coating must be studied. It is important to compare technological features. Thus, if you want to complete the work in a shorter time and spend less effort, then it is preferable to choose large-sized linoleum. After all, it will be much easier, because laminated boards need to be adjusted in size and connected to each other. But experts say that laying laminate is not such a difficult and time-consuming task, it will only be necessary to follow the instructions and follow the rules. However, this will still take more time, which is why it is worth considering what to choose - laminate or linoleum.

Which is better, expert opinion will help to understand. Experts say that linoleum can be fixed to the surface with glue or with double-sided adhesive tape. This can be considered an additional expense item. Laminate floors are rarely equipped by joining the elements with glue. When laying a laminate using a technology called floating, it is not fixed to the base. Whereas if the linoleum is laid on glue, then it will no longer be possible to correct the errors. Laminate flooring can be dismantled and laid again after laying. It is not necessary to do this in the same place, it is permissible to use the boards in any other room. Quite often, consumers think what to choose - linoleum or laminate when they want to install a heating system in their home. Both coatings are compatible with underfloor heating, whether it is electric or water. In the fight according to this criterion, none of the coatings breaks into the first positions.

Best before date

If you do not know what to choose - linoleum or laminate, then you can pay attention to one more criterion, which is expressed in the duration of the service life. In this matter, primacy can be given to linoleum. The owners will not have to think about replacing it for 10 years, some manufacturers guarantee the possibility of using such a floor for 30 years.

If you buy a cheap laminate, it will last about 5 years, and then it will begin to lose its quality characteristics and appearance. Such coverage quite often attracts those buyers who are used to changing the situation every three years. If you choose a laminate floor, which belongs to the expensive options, then its shelf life will be 10 years. If you take good care of such a floor, then its quality characteristics will be better compared to cheap linoleum.

Practical component

Thinking about what to choose - laminate or linoleum, you must also pay attention to the features of the operation of each coating. It is impossible to wash a laminate, for example, as well as fill it with water, as it can warp. With such a coating after exposure to water, you will have to part. The maximum that you can afford with this floor is processing with well-wrung rags. But the impact of heavy objects such a coating does not withstand at all. However, an acrylic or melamine finish will prevent dents, cigarette burns, and scratches. Maintenance with the use of chemical and abrasive products for the laminated coating is unacceptable. If you are thinking about what to choose - laminate or linoleum, you need to consider that the latter option may be deck cleaned. This is true if the laying was carried out with a continuous carpet.

Such cleaning can also be carried out in the presence of a coating, which is composed of separate canvases welded with seams. If the seams were not welded, then this care method must be forgotten, since the substrate will be wet and become a breeding ground for mold and fungi. You can burn through such a coating quite easily, which cannot be said about the heat-resistant variety of the brand. Linoleum easily endures impacts, but the heels and thin legs of furniture, as well as the sharp claws of pets, will be fatal for it. When thinking about which is better - laminate or linoleum in terms of practicality, vinyl-based material should be awarded the victory, as it lasts longer.

Sound insulation and thermal performance

If you still have not decided for yourself which is better - laminate or linoleum, then you need to pay attention also to sound and thermal insulation. The insulating properties of both materials leave much to be desired. These indicators directly depend on the thickness of the laminated boards and on the presence of a substrate on reverse side linoleum.

If we talk about vinyl and particle board, they do not interfere with the passage of noise and heat. These tasks for them should be performed by felt, a composite layer, as well as expanded polystyrene. Due to the fact that the laminate is laid in a floating technology and is not fixed to the rough substrate, the use of an underlay acts as necessary stage. Otherwise, it will click underfoot.

When choosing a laminate or linoleum, which is better for the kitchen, you need to think in advance. If we talk about soft linoleum, then it does not respond so loudly with noise at a step. But if it was laid on a cement floor without the use of heat-insulating linings, then the coating will be very cold. In this matter, none of the materials can also be awarded primacy.

Application area

Many consumers do not know what to choose - laminate or linoleum. What's better? An expert's opinion can help you decide. Experts say that you should definitely consider the appearance of the coating. For example, laminate looks somewhat nobler than linoleum, but it is more capricious and sensitive to moisture. This indicates that it is less commonly used in kitchens and hygienic areas. It is most often used where there is a need for repairs from time to time (this applies to hallways, children's rooms, bedrooms and living rooms). But linoleum does not care about all the problems. You can wipe it off dirt as much as you like, using any means for this (except abrasive ones). Vinyl flooring fits anywhere, but it is quite rare to find consumers who want to lay linoleum in nurseries, living rooms, and bedrooms. Quite often, its installation is carried out in bathrooms or hallways. As a conclusion, it can be said with confidence that none of the materials is without limitations, therefore, in this matter, it will not be possible to award the championship to anyone.

Features of transportation

If you are thinking about what is better to lay - laminate or linoleum, then initially you need to pay attention to the features of transportation. It is enough just to deliver the laminate to the place, which is neatly packed by the manufacturer in separate packs. You can even carry the material in the trunk of your car, but an elevator will help in delivering it to the apartment.

In this matter, with linoleum, everything is more complicated. If the kitchen needs repair, laminate or linoleum can be laid on the floor. However, before that, you need to choose one material. It should be noted that it will be quite difficult to deal with linoleum upon delivery, since it is sold in overall rolls. The larger the area of ​​​​the room, the more the material will weigh, and the roll will be too voluminous to drag it into the elevator. It will be necessary to spend additional cash for delivery and services of loaders. In terms of ease of transportation, it is the laminate flooring for your home that wins.

Finally

If you are thinking about what material to lay - laminate or linoleum in an apartment, then you need to consider all the parameters of each coating. If we take into account the above circumstances, then linoleum wins this race with a score of 3: 1. But the long service life and practicality of the vinyl coating will not convince the consumer that it is necessary to use it, and not a laminate that is noble in appearance, based on the material of the woodworking industry.

Quite often for the consumer important points are not all, but only a few criteria, which are expressed in cost and appearance. Buyers pay attention to whether the material is environmentally friendly. But not many people know how to make sure the words of the seller are correct. Quite often, certificates and other documentation are simply hidden from the consumer. In no case should you put up with this if you are concerned about the health of your loved ones.

Many consider the laminate to be not comfortable enough for living space, since it is quite difficult to move around it, for example, in house slippers on a rubber solid base, without creating a lot of noise. This can be a real problem for families with small children. That is why, before purchasing, it is necessary to carefully consider all the most important criteria for choosing flooring for you, taking into account the interests of all households, financial capabilities, interior features, etc.