What is the name of linoleum that is laid like laminate?

A relatively new material that combines the advantages of both of the above, and has recently appeared on the market, is called modular linoleum. Essentially, the material used is the same as rolled linoleum, but is produced in the form of rectangular or square planks with dimensions of 32.4 × 65.5, 16.3 × 98.0 and 49 × 49 cm, respectively. Sizes vary among different manufacturers. The locks, unlike laminate, do not snap into place, but are attached to a special glue, so the joints between the slats are almost impossible to notice.

This type of linoleum is called PVC tiles, vinyl tiles.

Distinctive features

Many will ask the question - if both materials are placed in a lock, then what is the difference between them during operation? Laminate seems to be thicker and more impressive in terms of durability. Let's take a closer look at the properties of the new material:

• the thickness of linoleum is from 2 to 6 mm, and it has 4 layers - an adhesive base, a decorative layer with a pattern - imitation of wood, stone, any texture, a protective polyvinyl chloride layer, and a varnish that gives the linoleum a glossy or matte finish;
• not dangerous to human and animal health from an environmental point of view, in this sense it corresponds to a laminate, although the latter is made from more natural materials (pressed cardboard, wood waste);
• good insulating properties of polyvinyl chloride, which prevents dirt from being absorbed into the material and moisture from penetrating into it (including at the joints), combined with good mechanical strength and the absence of drying out after a certain time;
• the possibility of using heated floors, due to the resistance of PVC linoleum to deformation under the influence of heat;
• noise insulation is at a fairly high level, steps on the linoleum are much less audible to neighbors below, and the characteristic clicking sound when walking on it in heels is inaudible.

Based on the results of an examination carried out by an international commission, according to the European classification EN 685, the highest quality modular linoleum produced was assigned wear resistance class 43, meaning strength properties approaching those of porcelain stoneware. When purchasing material, you should pay attention to this criterion and choose material with this particular class. It is not cheap - decent linoleum costs around 1000-1500 rubles per square meter, but it pays for itself with a long service life and the ability to replace individual fragments that have become unusable if the above advantages are present.

What happens

Divided by application into:

• office - with increased resistance to footsteps or to chairs riding on it, rather thin, not having much noise-insulating properties;
• home - thicker and softer than the commercial version, having a layer of pile in the substrate, which gives better noise and heat insulation properties to the material.

The official classification divides the material into three classes - household, semi-commercial and commercial.

According to the shape of the lamellas, they can be classified into:

• square;
• rectangular.

Depending on the technology used, locks at joints can be either self-adhesive or with an adhesive applied to them.

Depending on the technology and material of manufacture, various fire safety classes are assigned: G2, V3, RP2, D2, T2 and so on, if anyone is interested, detailed information can be found on the Internet.

The thickness varies from 2 to 6 millimeters, depending on the purpose of the material, one or another layer (backing or protective PVC) is made thicker.

What are the features of this material?

Most models in this category are made from polyvinyl chloride, in contrast to the rolled version made from cork flour, PVC, rubber or nitrocellulose. It has a smaller thickness than the rolled version (the thickness of the latter in some cases reaches 10 mm).

And the last question - why lay lamellas at all if you can roll out a roll? The answer is simple - in case of mechanical damage to the surface, it is enough to replace a small fragment of it, and easily and quickly, instead of completely replacing the roll or coming up with some kind of patch.