Linoleum options for the kitchen and installation procedure

The right flooring for your kitchen requires striking a balance between upkeep, style, and durability. Linoleum is a highly preferred option because of its durability and adaptability. Natural materials like wood flour, cork dust, linseed oil, and resins are used to make linoleum, which is environmentally friendly and comes in a variety of colors and patterns to match any kitchen’s decor.

Knowing your options when thinking about linoleum for your kitchen will help you make a well-informed choice. There are several varieties of linoleum, such as sheet, tile, and plank forms. Because sheet linoleum is seamless, it’s an excellent choice for minimizing moisture penetration and dirt accumulation. While linoleum planks replicate the appearance of hardwood floors while providing the advantages of linoleum’s durability, linoleum tiles offer simple installation and replacement flexibility.

To ensure longevity and performance, linoleum flooring installation in the kitchen requires careful planning. To start, level the subfloor and give it a thorough cleaning to produce a smooth surface. Using adhesive application or a floating installation technique may be necessary, depending on the type of linoleum selected. While sheet linoleum may require adhesive to be spread over the entire surface before laying, adhesive-backed linoleum tiles or planks are applied directly to the subfloor.

To fit around cabinets, appliances, and corners, precise measuring and cutting are necessary for proper installation. Making sure it fits snugly eliminates any spaces where dirt or moisture could collect. Before being used, linoleum flooring needs to be given time to adjust to the humidity and temperature of the space after installation in order to avoid warping or shifting.

Is the coating suitable??

Based on statistical data, kitchen flooring is the primary application for tiles. But linoleum works well for these things, too. It cleans up easily. He will look good in any interior. As a result, installing it in the kitchen is not impeded.

Installing such a coating in kitchens that see a lot of traffic, like those in cafes and restaurants, is not advised by experts. It will be swiftly removed here. Yes, and slipping on slick surfaces puts cooks at risk for injuries. The majority of industrial kitchens use relief tiles.

Primary requirements

There is always a lot of traffic in the kitchen of any home or apartment. The housewife moves around the kitchen constantly while cooking. Every member of the family, including the dogs, will glance into the kitchen at least once during the day.

Furthermore, there are frequently high humidity levels in this room, and there are noticeable temperature swings while cooking. Food fragments and fat droplets land on the floor.

Consequently, the following considerations should be made when selecting kitchen flooring:

  1. The material must be resistant to moisture and aggressive substances. The kitchen floor has to be washed all the time. This is often done using various chemicals. During cooking, pieces of food of different temperatures will fall on it every now and then. The characteristics of the material must allow it to withstand all this.
  2. Linoleum should not absorb moisture. This will negatively affect the health of people living in the apartment. It must be hygroscopic, i.e.e. repel moisture.
  3. The material should have a slight texture so that even when wet it does not become slippery.
  4. It must be resistant to organic microorganisms. Otherwise, the coating may become a breeding ground for mold or a home for small insects.
  5. One of the main requirements for linoleum for the kitchen is its strength and wear resistance. It must be resistant to abrasion and withstand constant loads. High-quality material can also withstand moderate mechanical impact, such as a dropped knife or a broken glass.
  6. The thickness of linoleum must be at least 2.5 mm. In this case, 0.3 mm should constitute a special protective layer. Otherwise the material will not last long.

A minimum number of joints on the canvas is crucial for the kitchen. The kitchen should ideally have a single layer of linoleum.

The kitchen can use a variety of linoleum types (natural, artificial, etc.).P.).

The following table shows additional characteristics and the appropriate class of linoleum:

To the base

The kitchen’s linoleum base doesn’t need to meet any specific specifications. You can lay this material on wood or concrete. The surface needs to be clean and smooth, that’s all. Friction or inadvertently falling chips will cause the linoleum to deteriorate quickly.

In bedrooms and living rooms, felt backing is frequently required when laying linoleum. It improves the level of heat and sound insulation. Avoid doing this in the kitchen at all costs. In the event that water permeates the material, felt serves as a perfect habitat for pests and mold.

How to choose the most durable and best?

When selecting linoleum, it’s advisable to consider the following factors in addition to technical ones:

  1. Linoleum should not have a strong odor or shine.
  2. The pattern and relief should be clearly visible on it.
  3. If possible, it is better to take material 3 mm thick. He will live longer.
  4. Linoleum with anti-slip properties is chosen for the kitchen.
  5. If the kitchen is covered with several pieces of linoleum, they should all be from the same batch. Otherwise, a person will encounter difficulty in adjusting the pattern and the difference in color scheme.
  6. For the kitchen it is better to choose flooring in dark shades (gray, brown, etc.). This will not only hide dirt (such as fallen crumbs or spilled oil), but will also visually expand the room.
  7. When purchasing material, it is better to give preference to products from well-known brands. This way a person reduces the chance of buying low-quality flooring.

It is preferable to wrap linoleum with the pattern inside when transferring it from the store to the construction site. In this manner, one lessens the possibility of front side damage.

Regarding the Russian market The top-selling items come from the following producers:

Tarkett, Juteks and Grabo

These are reputable producers of various brands of artificial linoleum. Their unique quality is their great strength. This material lasts a long time maintaining its decorative qualities. An extra layer of protective film shields it from mechanical harm. It’s not slick. It stands out for being environmentally friendly, which enables usage even in apartments with young children.

This brand also applies an antiseptic treatment to some of its products. By doing this, pests and viruses are kept from spreading inside.

These brands’ average cost for one square meter of linoleum starts at 200 rubles. Russian rubles are used to indicate all prices. Until the end of 2022, they remain valid.

Forbo

Fobro specializes in using natural resources to produce linoleum. The primary consumers of this brand are those who prefer "natural" home décor. The longevity of this material sets it apart. He is very particular about the foundation, though.

A perfectly level floor must be prepared in order to style it. The linoleum can get damaged by even a small hole. However, if all the requirements are satisfied, this type of material will look beautiful for a lot longer than artificial linoleum. The average cost per milliliter is 1.5–2 thousand rubles.

Lin

The budget-conscious market segment is the main target audience for the LIN brand. Purchasing this type of linoleum is advised if the apartment is occupied by no more than three people.

This is the best choice for those kinds of premises. It becomes unusable very quickly and cannot bear heavy loads. Averaging cost per square meter is 150 rubles.

Tarkett Diva 3 is the best choice for someone who wants the floor covering "under the tile." Its coating is two millimeters thick. However, you can use it in the kitchen because of a thick protective layer (0.4 mm as opposed to 0.2 mm in standard models). It does a good job of replicating the look of tiles. Additionally, the material has an anti-slip coating, which makes using it safe.

Average cost per square meter is 550 rubles.

Instructions: how to lay on a kitchen floor?

It’s important to evaluate the condition of the base before installing linoleum. It ought to be spotless and evenly distributed. The material can be laid down on both wood and concrete. In the individual’s first case It is necessary to ascertain whether the base has any recesses and cracks. They are closed as soon as they are discovered. A unique solution is applied in this case. Finally, a machine is used to sand the surface.

It is very difficult to level a wooden floor without the right equipment. Furthermore, deflection can occur with the material itself. Depending on the humidity and temperature, it can change shape. Therefore, it is preferable to place plywood sheets on top of the floorboards if someone is going to install linoleum on a wooden surface. Putty is used to seal the gaps between them.

It is suggested that an antiseptic be applied to the plywood after it has been installed.

Once the base is ready, you can start getting ready:

  1. The first stage is cutting the material. The rolls are cut so that the pattern at the joints (if any) matches. On each side leave at least 10 mm “in reserve”.
  2. The patterns are left to rest for 72 hours. This is necessary so that the material is completely straightened. If you neglect this rule, after installing the linoleum, folds may appear on it.

It is not permitted to use linoleum that was bought during the winter months. The material may be harmed by this. Rolls are brought in from the cold and kept warm for one or two days. The material cannot be unrolled until after this.

There are various ways to lay the material:

  1. Fastening with double-sided tape. This method is suitable for any room, including the kitchen. After preparing the base, a grid of double-sided tape is created on the floor. The material is fixed to it.
  2. Glue. Used in large rooms with a concrete or tiled base. When using this method, glue is poured on the floor in an even layer, on which the linoleum is laid. Then the composition is compacted using special rollers. This ensures reliable fastening. However, this method has one big drawback. After installation, it is forbidden to enter the room until the composition is completely dry. This process can take up to 7 days.
  3. When installing linoleum in small apartments, the floating method is used. With it, the material is fixed to the baseboards.

The best way to install linoleum in the kitchen is using glue.

There are occasions when a special felt pad is placed on the floor prior to rolling out the material. You can add more thermal insulation with it. On the other hand, experts advise against using it in the kitchen when laying linoleum. This makes the room more fire-prone. Furthermore, felt can serve as a good home for tiny insects.

Basic mistakes

Excessive haste is the biggest mistake people make when installing flooring themselves. Prior to installation, linoleum needs to be given time to rest in a straightened position. Otherwise, it will not have time to fully straighten and will try to regain the semicircular shape in which it was in the roll.

The skirting boards cannot be fastened "tightly" when installing using the floating technique. The material will compress and expand in response to a sudden change in temperature, which frequently occurs when cooking in the kitchen. It might break if it is firmly secured to the baseboards.

Advantages and disadvantages

Principal benefits of linoleum:

  1. Wear resistance. High-quality flooring will not be damaged after an accidental drop of a knife or kitchen hammer. Pets" claws won"t cause him much harm either. The average service life of linoleum exceeds 15 years.
  2. Easy maintenance. Linoleum does not require special maintenance measures. It is enough to carry out wet cleaning periodically. It is easy to wash off even the most difficult stains.
  3. Insulation. Due to its density, linoleum is an additional sound and heat insulating layer. Statistics show that in rooms with such flooring the air temperature is 1-2 degrees higher than in apartments with tiles or parquet.
  4. Big choice. Linoleum can be selected to suit any interior design. He has a large lineup.
  5. Low cost. High-quality linoleum can be purchased for 200-300 rubles. m.kv.

The information is not without flaws, though:

  1. If heavy furniture with long thin legs is placed on the flooring, it leaves marks that cannot be removed.
  2. No matter what technologies are used to create this material, linoleum will always look slightly unnatural.
  3. When installing in winter, the coating must be allowed to sit for several days in a warm room.
  4. Any unevenness in the base will cause rapid wear of the coating.
  5. Incorrect joining of sheets greatly spoils the appearance of the room.

We look at adaptable flooring options and detailed installation instructions in our guide to linoleum for kitchens. Learn how linoleum can improve the aesthetics of your kitchen with its long-lasting qualities, low maintenance requirements, and variety of design options. This article covers everything you need to know about choosing, installing, and maintaining linoleum floors for a fashionable and useful kitchen area, regardless of your budget or preference for eco-friendly materials.

Cost of specialist services

It is preferable to leave flooring installation to an expert if a person lacks confidence in their skills. One meter square of linoleum costs between 300 and 600 rubles to complete. In light of this, the owner of the premises will have to pay the master between 6,000 and 8,000 rubles in order to install the material in a kitchen measuring 20 m³.

Useful video

In the video, professional guidance on linoleum for the kitchen:

When selecting linoleum for your kitchen floor, you should take a number of things into account, including style, maintenance, and durability. Because of its durability and ease of cleaning, linoleum is a popular option that is perfect for high-traffic areas like the kitchen.

Make quality and thickness your top priorities when choosing linoleum for your kitchen. Generally speaking, thicker linoleum is more resilient to deterioration. Choose linoleum with a protective layer as well to make it more stain- and moisture-resistant, meaning it will last longer and require less upkeep.

The subfloor must be carefully prepared to make sure it is smooth, dry, and clean before installing linoleum in the kitchen. In order to avoid imperfections or bumps that may eventually compromise the performance and appearance of the linoleum, proper subfloor preparation is essential.

After the subfloor is prepared, tiles or linoleum sheets are carefully placed and glued in place. When installing, accuracy is essential to preventing air bubbles and gaps and guaranteeing a smooth finish. Before putting the linoleum to heavy use, it is advised to give it at least 24 hours to adjust to the humidity and temperature of the room after installation.

In summary, linoleum presents a flexible and useful flooring solution for kitchens, fusing long-lastingness with minimal upkeep and an array of design options. You can take pleasure in a fashionable and useful kitchen floor for many years to come by being aware of the installation procedure and selecting the appropriate kind of linoleum.

Video on the topic

Laying linoleum in the kitchen. How do I do it.

Laying linoleum under a standing kitchen.

Selection and Laying of LINOLEUM

Linoleum for the kitchen: its advantages and recommendations for the right choice

What kind of linoleum for the corridor, for the kitchen and hallway?

Linoleum without thresholds throughout the entire apartment\ Cold welding of joints

What factor is most important for you when choosing materials for building a house??
Share to friends
Fedor Pavlov

Interior designer, author of books on residential design. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

Rate author
StroyArsenal62.com
Add a comment