What is more environmentally friendly, laminate or linoleum?

When choosing a floor covering, you need to rely on many qualities. Not the least of which is environmental friendliness. This criterion is especially important in cases where there are children or people prone to allergies in the house. The most popular types of flooring include laminate and linoleum. Let's figure out which one is more environmentally friendly.

Laminate characteristics

Before comparing a separate characteristic of coatings, namely environmental friendliness, it is necessary to understand what each of these materials is. You need to know what they consist of and what technology is used to produce them. Let's start from the bottom.

The laminate consists of 4 layers:

• First - stabilizing layer. It provides protection against damage and deformation, making the board stronger. Consists of paraffin-impregnated plastic or cardboard.
• Second - carrier. This is the main component of the laminate board, and it is also the thickest layer. This layer is a dense slab of wood fiber. Its main functions are thermal and sound insulation, as well as protection of other layers from moisture. It is also called load-bearing because it contains a lock, which is responsible for fastening the boards together.
• The third is decorative. It consists of paper that displays the desired design.Basically it replicates natural wood, however, you can see many different options.
• The fourth is protective. It consists of melamine, resin or acrylic. Its task is to protect the coating from scratches and other technical damage. It also gives the laminate a beautiful shine.

So, we see that laminate is not a solid wood board, but a dense wood-fiber base surrounded by several layers. We figured out what laminate is, now about linoleum.

Characteristics of linoleum

Linoleum is more popular than laminate. It is used not only in private houses and apartments, but also in production, offices, shopping centers, clinics, and schools. Depending on the scope of application, there are different classes of linoleum. We will consider household, that is, one that is used for private purposes.

Household linoleum also consists of several layers:

• The base is the first layer. It consists of foamed polyvinyl chloride.
• The second is decorative. Also consists of foamed PVC.
• The third is protective. This is a transparent film that protects the surface from abrasion.

Together these layers make up no more than 4mm. We described heterogeneous linoleum, when there is a decorative layer on which a pattern is applied. There is also homogeneous linoleum, where the pattern is applied to the base.

Note! When choosing, consider whether you are buying a homogeneous or heterogeneous type; the number of layers and all characteristics depend on this.

Thus, linoleum is foamed polyvinyl chloride, which contains a decorative layer and a protective film.

What indicators affect the environmental friendliness of raw materials?

The main indicators that affect the environmental friendliness of raw materials are the manufacturing method and composition.We analyzed them in detail. But there are some other indicators that affect this characteristic. These include:

• the ability to cause an allergic reaction;
• complexity and type of disposal.

In everyday understanding, environmental friendliness is determined by the impact on human health. Globally, recycling is of great importance, as it affects the environment as a whole, and, consequently, human health outside the home.

Which is safer, laminate or linoleum?

Now, based on the above, we will analyze and conclude what is more harmful and what is safer.

• Compound. None of the materials presented are natural. They are both made using chemical compounds. But the laminate contains wood chips, which has a positive effect on its environmental friendliness. Linoleum is based on PVC, which foams thanks to chemicals.
• Allergenicity. Allergies can be caused by each of the materials. Laminate flooring contains resins, and linoleum contains other chemicals. It all depends on the personal intolerance of the components.
• Disposal. Due to the fact that laminate is a wood-based material, it is easier to recycle. Linoleum takes a long time to decompose and, when burned, releases many harmful substances.

In general, laminate can be called a more environmentally friendly material when viewed from a global point of view. But for a user in a coated room, none of the materials will cause harm, maintaining the balance of the atmosphere in the apartment and not emitting large amounts of harmful substances.