How to lay linoleum

The modern construction market offers a wide range of different types of flooring. They have their advantages and disadvantages, while linoleum traditionally remains one of the most popular options. It has an affordable price and excellent performance properties, and the installation process can be easily handled by any home craftsman.

The main thing is to accurately choose the material that is suitable for a specific situation, and follow some recommendations on how to lay or lay it yourself, with your own hands. Laying and installing linoleum in an apartment does not require special skills, however, step-by-step instructions sometimes raise questions.

Types of linoleum

According to experts, linoleum is an affordable and almost universal material. It is widely used for furnishing residential buildings, public and industrial premises. This is due to the large selection of shades, textures and practicality of the flooring. In order for linoleum to serve properly for a sufficiently long time, you need to take a responsible approach to the process of laying it.

REFERENCE! In addition, it is important to choose the right material, because construction stores offer many different types that differ significantly from each other. This or that option may have its own nuances; this should definitely be taken into account before purchasing.

Typically, products are classified according to several significant characteristics. Based on the most common area of ​​application, the following types of coatings are distinguished:

• Household flooring materials are widely used for residential and office applications. A wide variety of patterns and shades can satisfy any wishes. True, the thickness of the protective layer is minimal, so the material has low wear resistance and quickly loses its original appearance.
• Semi-commercial linoleum has a thicker protective layer. Therefore, this coating is highly resistant to abrasion, and its service life is at least 10 years. This material is perfect for office and educational institutions.
• Commercial linoleum has a maximum protective layer thickness and is resistant to significant mechanical loads. As a result, its service life can reach 25 years. This material is widely used in shopping centers and various public places with regular gatherings of large numbers of people.
• A special group consists of specialized materials. They are designed for rooms with unique flooring requirements. For example, this includes anti-slip linoleum for gyms and playgrounds.

A good solution for residential premises is semi-commercial linoleum. It is characterized by optimal wear resistance and at the same time is not as expensive as commercial options.

According to the number of layers, two main groups can be distinguished:

• Multilayer (heterogeneous). The most optimal and practical option.
• Single-layer (homogeneous). Canvases consisting of one layer do not have high strength and durability.

Based on the composition of the material, it is customary to distinguish the following varieties:

• Natural linoleum. From the name it is clear that it is made exclusively from natural ingredients and dyes. This material is resistant to various mechanical loads and retains its attractive appearance throughout its entire service life. True, it is characterized by a relatively high price and insufficient plasticity.
• PVC - linoleum is a more common option. It can consist of one or several layers, have different colors and patterns. However, many users emit a specific odor that persists for some time after purchase. You should also take into account the possibility of strong shrinkage of the canvas when used in a room with elevated air temperatures.
• Glyphthalic (alkyd) coating has additional sound and thermal insulation, but may deform over time.
• Rubber linoleum is practically not used in everyday life, but it can be indispensable in many other areas.
• Nitrocellulose linoleum is characterized by elasticity, moisture resistance and a beautiful shine. However, it cannot be used in crowded places due to the flammability of the material.

Reference! The type of coating or the number of layers is far from the only thing that needs to be taken into account when going to a hardware store.

An equally important factor is the color of the material, since linoleum should fit harmoniously into the overall style of the room. It must be remembered that with the help of certain shades you can visually enlarge the space and create a warm atmosphere.

After purchasing the flooring that is suitable for your specific situation, you need to begin the process of installing it.

What you need for installation

Experts warn that immediately after purchasing the required amount of linoleum, you should leave it unfolded for a couple of days. During this time, it will partially take the shape of the floor, which will greatly facilitate the subsequent process. You can entrust all the work to professionals or save money and do it yourself - it’s not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to carefully prepare the workplace in advance and find all the necessary tools. For work you may need:

• Double-sided tape;
• special glue;
• scissors;
• sharp, durable knife;
• putty knife;
• roller;
• ruler or tape measure;
• a simple pencil or marker.

Important! It is advisable to involve assistants, especially if there is no extensive experience in carrying out construction and repair work.

Regardless of the type of base (concrete or wood), it is important to prepare it carefully:

• Remove previous coating.
• Clear everything of debris and dry it.
• If there are damaged elements (parquet or boards), they need to be replaced. Otherwise, over time, the canvas will take the shape of all the irregularities, so the base must be almost perfect.
• Often, preliminary leveling of the surface is required. Its technology will depend on the specific situation - the number, size of irregularities and the type of base itself. Thus, a wooden floor is usually leveled using sheets of plywood, while other means are used with a concrete base.

Among other things, you should decide in advance on the installation method.It is believed that in small rooms it is not necessary to glue linoleum; it is enough to secure it with baseboards, large furniture and appliances. True, this may not work with soft household linoleum. The fact is that during the summer season, at high temperatures, the floor covering tends to expand. In autumn, it shrinks to its previous size, but as a result, waves form on the surface. Therefore, experts agree that it is better to use glue in the work.

Laying linoleum yourself

When the dimensions of the canvas are not inferior to the parameters of the room, you can use the method without the use of special glue. This also applies to small rooms without excessive loads on the coating. Experts recommend adhering to the following algorithm of actions:

• You need to lay out and carefully trim the linoleum, based on the total area of ​​the room (it is recommended to leave a small margin near the walls).
• Next, double-sided tape is glued around the entire perimeter of the room. The canvas is carefully laid on top and smoothed out.
• You can make cuts in the corners, then the linoleum will lie close to the wall.
• After completing all the preliminary work, you need to remove the protective coating from the tape and carefully glue the canvas onto it.
• For additional fixation, a plinth is nailed (if desired, you can use old planks).

If you use glue in your work, you need to act a little differently. The roll is also cut to the required size and then rolled to half its length. Strictly following the manufacturer's instructions, apply a special composition to the floor with a spatula.After waiting the required time, the linoleum is rolled out again, removing excess glue, and pressed well, after which the operation is repeated on the other side. If a complete canvas was laid, the work will be completed. All that remains is to secure the baseboards. When the surface consists of two or more canvases, you need to carefully combine their patterns and treat the joints with a special compound. The seams between rooms can be closed with decorative thresholds.

Attention! It is recommended to wait a few days for everything to dry thoroughly before you can fully use the new coating.

This is exactly what the instructions for laying linoleum look like in general terms. The technology may have certain nuances, depending on the specific situation.

What to pay attention to

Experts emphasize that the main difficulty of the work lies in the correct cutting of the canvas and preliminary preparation of the base. It should be borne in mind that it is a little more difficult to lay linoleum using glue, but this method allows you to obtain a more stable and durable result. Also, the service life of the flooring will largely depend on proper care. To maintain its attractive appearance for a long time, you should follow some tips:

• When the linoleum is laid, it is advisable to treat it with a special protective substance and then polish it well. It is recommended to repeat this procedure annually.
• Regular cleaning should be carried out using ordinary soap solution or a small amount of detergent (without acetone or solvents in the composition).
• If for any reason damage occurs, you need to carefully make a patch in this place.

Compliance with the correct installation technology and operating conditions of linoleum can significantly extend its service life.

According to many experts and home craftsmen, linoleum is a universal floor covering. It is distinguished by excellent performance properties, affordable price and ease of maintenance. In addition, it is quite possible to cope with the installation process yourself, without resorting to the help of professionals. The main thing is to have the necessary set of tools, do everything carefully and not rush.