Increasing requirements for finishing materials often forces users to turn to new types of coatings. But far from all are ready to abandon the advantages of more familiar means of surface design. Especially when it comes to inexpensive materials, which include linoleum. It is far from always always suitable to use such floorings in standard versions - although the coating is advantageously affordable, its strength qualities leave much to be desired. And very different impressions are caused by industrial linoleum, representing a modified version of traditional materials of this type. These models are used in the design of public premises, production and office space - in fact, for this reason, the coating is also called commercial.
General information about industrial linoleum
To reveal the features of this material, it should be noted that almost every floor covering has a gradation in wear resistance classes. The same applies to linoleum. The design of surfaces in places with high traffic or in warehouses where the use of wheeled vehicles is intended involves the use of strong and durable material. These requirements are met by industrial linoleum, which is the most wear-resistant in its family. High strength characteristics are achieved due to the introduction of special additives and protective layers into the coating structure. Of particular importance is the base substrate, which uses high-strength formations. Now it is worth considering in more detail the other advantages of such flooring.
Advantages of industrial linoleum
The main advantage of commercial linoleum models is due to the already indicated specifics of its use. It is resistant in conditions of heavy use. Depending on the manufacturing technology and the raw materials used, such coatings can last about 10-15 years. For comparison, only in rare cases, a similar service life is demonstrated by household counterparts at home. It is also worth noting the additional performance properties that receive specialized coatings. For example, industrial antistatic linoleum can be used in server rooms. There are also conductive, anti-slip and antibacterial versions of the coating, which are used in various fields. With the help of special processing and the inclusion of special additives, manufacturers endow the material with certain qualities, enhancing certain properties.
Varieties of linoleum
The main classification involves the separation of industrial linoleums by structural structure. There are two approaches to the formation of such paintings - homogeneous and heterogeneous. In the first case, the material is a homogeneous layer, which can be restored until complete abrasion. Therefore, from a decorative point of view, this is the best option. Usually, semi-commercial linoleum is made according to this principle, which retains decent quality of wear resistance and at the same time retains design value for a long time. Homogeneous coatings are more often used in public buildings and offices. If you plan to design areas on the production site, then it is better to turn to heterogeneous linoleum. Such coatings have a special protective layer of polyvinyl chloride, which complements an already strong base. As a result, mechanical resistance and durability of the flooring structure are ensured.
Material Sizes
Industrial coatings are available both in traditional rolls and in the form of plates. The maximum length of the rolls is usually 25 m, and then pieces of the size necessary for the buyer are formed. As for the width, it is 1-2 m in standard formats. In plates, also dimensional values vary in wide ranges. But since we are talking about wear-resistant coatings, it is much more important to evaluate the thickness parameters. So, semi-commercial linoleum raises the floor by an average of 2-3 mm. This value is close to household coatings, but separately it is worth adding a protective layer with a thickness of about 1 mm. Full-fledged commercial models have a structure with a height of 7 mm, which makes it possible to form a durable flooring with optimal mechanical strength. By the way, the thickness of linoleum affects not only its resistance to abrasion and physical damage. Dense massive sheets also provide effective thermal insulation with noise reduction.
Decorative qualities
Industrial types of linoleum have a few minuses, but they also have. Such models lose to household counterparts in terms of decorativeness, due to two factors. First of all, the meager choice of designs is due to the areas of application of such coatings. Factory and warehouse premises, corridors and offices do not involve bright and spectacular colors; therefore, manufacturers do not seek to fill their collections with such models. The second point is related to the fact that linoleum for industrial premises is designed to maintain its structure for a long time. At the same time, intensive operating conditions still do not leave chances to preserve the original appearance of the surface. That is, the base remains solid, and the outer layer gradually loses its former decorative effect. This also applies to homogeneous coatings, the unevenness of abrasion of which distorts the texture properties.
Manufacturer's Reviews
Quality materials for flooring are produced by Tarkett. According to the owners of commercial models of this line, ready-made floorings cope with mechanical stresses and at the same time are easy to care for. On the domestic market, the Tarkett industrial linoleum is represented in the collections of Prima, Monolith, Melody, etc. The products of the manufacturers Linodur and Synteros are also noteworthy. In this case, in addition to the quality of coatings, the buyer can count on an affordable price tag. True, many users note a modest choice of textured solutions in the model lines of these companies.
How much is linoleum industrial?
It should be noted right away that linoleum, even in industrial versions, remains quite attractive in terms of cost - in any case, compared to laminate and parquet. The entry level is represented by coating models that can be purchased on average for 300-350 rubles / m 2 . These are not bad solutions in terms of quality, but you should not expect longevity from them. In this sense, industrial linoleum is preferable, the prices for which start from 500 rubles / m 2 . For such money, for example, you can get a high-quality coating containing natural components, which will also have additional protective properties, for example, from fire and water.
Installation technique
Roll models are stacked on the same principle as household linoleum. That is, the surface on which the glue is applied is initially cleaned, and then it is coated with a finishing material. The joints formed between the strips are additionally sealed with sealed cords. A different installation approach should be taken if tile material was purchased. This is industrial linoleum, the laying of which involves the formation of a special substrate - usually from a cork. There are models in which there is already such a basis, so you can immediately proceed to the stage of connecting the panels. This is done using Click locking mechanisms, which are located at the ends. Glue in this case is not necessary to use, but for higher reliability, and such a fixation will not be superfluous.
Conclusion
Despite the improvement of linoleum production technologies, this coating still occupies its own special niche in the general group of flooring materials. As before, this flooring is associated with an affordable price and average decorative qualities. But at the same time, technological progress significantly improved the strength characteristics that linoleum industrial in modern versions possesses. Of course, its price has increased in comparison with household coatings, but competing coatings with similar properties of wear resistance and reliability, as a rule, are more expensive. If high-quality linoleum of increased strength can be purchased for 500-600 rubles / m 2 , then, for example, laminated panels are estimated at 1-1.5 thousand rubles / m 2 . True, the decorative effect of the laminate is much higher than in the case of linoleum.