What does linoleum class mean?

It is on linoleum often falls choice as the best floor covering during interior decoration. This material is practical and durable, unpretentious in everyday life and does not require special care. In addition, it has a low cost.

However, it must be borne in mind that there are many different types of this material for different rooms. Each of them has its own special characteristics. So, for example, linoleum for a living room should be completely different than the flooring laid in a public place and vice versa.

Among the main advantages of linoleum, many call it durability. It means that the coating retains its original appearance, is not deformed and is not damaged. for a long time, while not requiring special treatment. Indeed, this material is often used in the most difficult rooms, where, for example, natural board or laminate quickly became unusable.And the laminate practically does not change neither appearance, nor the properties throughout many years.

It is not afraid of changes in temperature, high humidity and serves as a negative environment for the development of mold and fungus. If this coating is fixed in the right way and selected in such a way that it meets the objectives of the premises, then it will be able to last for a truly long time.

Most often in the extensive range of types of linoleum, there are three types that characterize the functional orientation of the canvas. Number 2 is usually denoted linoleum for residential premises. They are less thick, but strong enough to withstand everyday loads. In addition, their composition does not contain toxic substances that can have a very negative impact on the body and human health, including chronic diseases.

There are coatings designed specifically for offices and public places. They are marked with the number three, which means their increased thickness and durability.

In this way, production coatings have the best characteristics in terms of abrasion and wear resistance. They can be several times thicker than household-type linoleums, which is understandable, because heavy machinery often operates on the production shops, causing vibrations, and more computers and other computing equipment. Such materials are denoted by the number 4.

To mark the degree of durability, durability and wear resistance of the coating, numbers from 1 to 4 are used, where 1 denotes the fastest-wearing fabric and 4 that withstand heavy loads.

This indicator is usually measured on the basis of the thickness of the linoleum or, in some cases, such as, for example, in a multi-layer coating, from the thickness of its upper layer. The higher the thickness of linoleum, the more advanced its degree of protection against damage.

So, a two-digit number on the package indicates the strength and durability of the material, and also says that where you can use one or another linoleum:

• Class 21 designed for short-term use in living rooms. It is soft and pleasant to the touch, so it will be good to walk on it barefoot. But it is not suitable for living rooms, nurseries and hallways, which still have to withstand a certain load.
• Here will be more appropriate 22 and 23, which are considered more durable. They can be laid in any residential premises, since they are relatively easy to tolerate even greater permeability, as in the hallway. A 21 class is better attributed to the bedroom.
• 23 class can be considered the best wear-resistant linoleum for the floor of an apartment or house, since it is thicker and is considered the most durable and durable.

• Following 31 class Linoleum is used in public institutions. It can be found in the rooms of hotels, receptions and offices of the heads of companies. It is not so different from household linoleum, especially at first glance, but it will serve a much longer period in terms of visiting more people.
• 32 are laid in offices, kindergartens, hospitals, clothing stores. Linoleum of this class successfully cope in situations with increased load.
• Considered even more durable 33 class. It is located in the corridors of companies, large shopping centers, schools. It really is a very durable coating that is not easily damaged. He is easily able to serve more than 10 years under the highest loads.

At train stations, in cinemas and airports it is recommended to choose durable and thick 34 linoleum. It is extremely durable, but it still does not belong to the production classes of the coating, which are marked as 41 and 42. They are able to withstand a lot of weight, including moving vehicles and cargo.

In addition, each subsequent class of coverage is much more expensive than the previous one.

The next indicator that you need to pay attention to when choosing linoleum is a fire-technical classification.

Among these categories are:

• Combustibility. This includes the ability of materials to catch fire, the ease with which they do it and their ability to maintain fire. This indicator is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, where 1 is the most fireproof.This factor should be paid special attention when laying the floor in places with large crowds of people: in the corridors, large offices, in production. There it is not allowed to use it.

• Smoke formation. This parameter indicates the optical density of the smoke curtain during combustion and is calculated from 1 to 3, where 1 is the lowest density. Fire safety regulations allow the use of D2 linoleum even when evacuating from the building, but this parameter should not be higher. In addition, when using such a material, the flame propagation speed should be low.

• Flammability Types of linoleum are divided into flammable, moderately flammable and difficult to ignite. This determines how easy it is to burn a similar coating.

• Toxicity burning products. Poisoning by toxic substances during fires is one of the most frequent causes of deaths, from which about 80% of the victims die. Therefore, this indicator is also worth paying attention to when buying linoleum.

• Flame speed over the surface. This parameter is also divided into 4 categories.It is more difficult to make accurate calculations here, because a lot depends on the temperature of linoleum in the room, the presence of wind and the flammability of the material.

Another important fact is that certain laying materials can increase the fire hazard of linoleum, which initially can be quite low. Therefore, it is better to lay such coatings on a two-component reactive glue that does not contain synthetic solvents and water.

This classification plays an important role in the finishing of schools, kindergartens and other public institutions, as the Emergencies Ministry employees have certain standards by which they carry out sanitary and fire tests.

When you purchase you need to require certificates of quality, confirming the properties indicated on the package. For schools and other public facilities allowed flooring with rates higher than B2, D2, T2, FP1.

Buying material for the home, it also makes sense to take care of their safety. Perhaps you should pay attention to such super-modern flooring material as fire-resistant linoleum.It has extremely high fire safety performance.

The modern range of the flooring market provides customers with a wide range of options. So, among linoleum are presented:

• Homogeneous. It has a homogeneous structure, and the figure is applied to the whole mass. Regardless of monophonic or color texture, such an application can permanently ensure the preservation of a brilliant appearance. Neither time nor friability do not affect this indicator.

• Heterogeneous. It is considered more versatile and is used much more often. It consists of several layers that provide better springiness and support. In addition, an additional substrate between the layers of linoleum can significantly increase its strength. For these purposes, the space between the PVC sheets is filled with fiberglass.

Very often, especially when laying floors in residential premises,owners want to provide additional thermal insulation or noise insulation. In this case, the bottom layer is applied to felt or jute. They have excellent heat-conducting properties and serve as an additional substrate. In addition, they provide protection from noise coming from neighboring apartments, which makes living much more comfortable. It is also important their influence on the tactile sensations of the tenants. This floor is perceived much more comfortable.

The thickness of the coating depends on the purpose for which you plan to use the room. Usually, only the thickness of the working layer, that is, the upper one, on which the drawing is applied and with which people interact daily, is considered.

The simplest household linoleum has a thickness of from 1 to 3 mm, semi-commercial or, in other words, office - about 5 mm, and production types - from 6 mm and thicker. The back side of the cover is especially functional, but you can also pay attention to it. Usually it consists of foamed PVC.

Due to its many positive qualities, linoleum is used in interior decoration almost everywhere. This is an extremely economical and unpretentious material. Modern technologies have allowed to create a coating that does not change its appearance under the influence of loads and temperatures, and also does not tear and does not stretch. It is pleasant to the touch, so it makes a healthy competition for parquet and laminated floors when finishing children's and bedrooms.

Flooring is widely used in production. Products with a high class of strength make it a frequent visitor to railway stations, airports and factories, where they are subjected to enormous loads due to high traffic or heavy vehicles. No other material has the same remarkable damping properties that facilitate the work of vehicles in large warehouses, factories and research laboratories.

In addition, this material is very easy to install, which is another important advantage in favor of this material. If the width of the strips is not enough, for example, in very large rooms, they can be firmly fastened using a special hot-welding apparatus or “cold”welding ", that is, a special adhesive composition that can guarantee the same degree of strength. These joints will be almost impossible to detect with the naked eye and they will not cause any inconvenience during operation.

Choosing linoleum, of course, it is very important not only to be guided by the table of wear resistance, but also to look at the appearance of the coating to the occupant of the house or the client and to harmonize with the other details of the situation.

But there are many other, no less important parameters, among which - security. It is not recommended to purchase excessively toxic materials neither for laying the floor nor for finishing. Arranging repairs in the house It is recommended to pay attention to the formulation of used adhesives. So, for example, serious reactive mixtures are always used for the treatment of seams, and there's nothing to be done about it.

In addition, indicators such as flammability and flammability are very important not only in an institution with a large number of people, but also in an ordinary apartment.

It is important to pay due attention to your comfort and do not choose too thin linoleum, especially if you plan to put it on a self-leveling floor. It is better to take care of a special substrate, the purpose of which is to make the house warm and the life of the household more comfortable.

In the next video you will receive advice on how to choose linoleum from an expert in this field.