Types of linoleum in the bathroom, technology and installation process

Beyond aesthetics, choosing the right flooring for your bathroom calls for careful consideration of factors like water resistance, durability, and upkeep. One particularly adaptable choice that blends functionality and style is linoleum. This article examines the different kinds of linoleum that are appropriate for bathrooms, the technology used in their manufacture, and the crucial procedures for installing them.

Resistant flooring materials like linoleum are mainly composed of natural materials like wood flour, cork, and oilseed. Its composition lends linoleum its resilience and environmentally pleasing appearance. Selecting the proper type of linoleum is essential for bathrooms, as moisture and humidity are ongoing concerns. Options include tile linoleum, which offers easier replacement of damaged sections and flexibility in design, and sheet linoleum, which comes in rolls and reduces seams where water could seep through.

The technology used in the manufacture of linoleum guarantees that it is suitable for damp areas such as bathrooms. Protective coatings are frequently added by manufacturers to improve durability and water resistance. Certain linoleum products have antibacterial qualities that prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which is a big help in keeping bathrooms hygienic. When choosing flooring for their bathrooms, homeowners can make well-informed decisions by being aware of these technological factors and choosing an attractive yet durable option.

To ensure longevity and functionality, careful preparation is needed before installing linoleum in bathrooms. To avoid uneven surfaces that could compromise the integrity of the flooring, it usually starts with a thorough cleaning and leveling of the subfloor. Next, apply the adhesive, being careful to allow enough drying time for a strong bond. To stop water from seeping through the sheet linoleum, precise cutting and fitting around fixtures and edges are necessary. Tile linoleum provides greater installation pattern flexibility, enabling artistic designs while preserving ease of upkeep.

Type of Linoleum Technology and Installation Process
Sheet Linoleum Measure the bathroom floor, cut the linoleum to fit, spread adhesive on the floor, lay the linoleum, smooth it out, and trim the edges.
Tile Linoleum Prepare the subfloor, plan the tile layout, apply adhesive, lay the tiles starting from the center, press firmly, and clean off excess adhesive.
Floating Linoleum Ensure the subfloor is clean and dry, lay underlayment, click the linoleum planks together starting from a corner, and cut to fit as needed.

Is it possible to lay it in the bathtub and toilet??

Installing linoleum in the bathroom is advised by experts, however not all varieties of this material are appropriate. The truth is that there are two varieties of linoleum, and they vary from one another based on how uniform the layers are:

  • Heterogeneous. Consists of a synthetic top layer and a bottom layer, which can be textile or synthetic.
  • Homogeneous. Only from PVC. Accordingly, the first type of linoleum can get wet when exposed to moisture and rot if the base is fabric, but the second type is not.

As a result, the bathroom and toilet should only contain homogeneous or synthetically heterogeneous materials, such as foamed PVC.

The composition of the flooring is another element that affects the decision. When exposed to moisture, natural materials made of linseed oil and natural resins can deteriorate; the same is true of the alkyd version that is glued to a fabric base.

Only artificial flooring—most commonly, PVC linoleum—is appropriate for use in bathrooms.

The wall version, which is used to decorate walls and ceilings, has found a specific use among those on the market. It comes in a range of colors and is extremely moisture resistant, so you can also use it as a floor covering.

When it is not advisable to put?

If the material is placed directly on top of the existing tile covering, this is not justified. Through the tile seams, moisture will enter the space, which can cause mold growth and material deterioration.

Some types of linoleum are not suitable for use on bathroom floors.

  • Rubber. Contains bitumen particles, may have a negative impact on health. Not recommended for use in residential premises.
  • Natural (marmoleum). Based on jute fabric, linen components.

Coverings that can be installed in bathrooms include:

  • PVC – linoleum.
  • Colloxin on nitrocellulose.

Colloxin bases and polyvinyl chloride are not heat resistant and should not be used with underfloor heating systems.

Requirements

Installing homogeneous linoleum in the bathroom requires a polyurethane protective layer. For the material to be protected from corroding chemicals and moisture, this layer is crucial.

Apart from this prerequisite, there exist additional ones:

  • The selected covering must be labeled as a semi-commercial or industrial type of linoleum. The household analogue is not suitable for use in the bathroom, as it has reduced resistance to mechanical and chemical influences.
  • Wear resistance class is not lower than 31, use with markings from 31 to 43 is allowed. Protective layer thickness: 0.8 mm.
  • Moisture resistance – 4. This type of material exhibits a lower degree of swelling than coatings of groups 2 and 3. Withstands multiple wet and dry cycles.
  • Anti-slip coating. The friction coefficient is marked with the letter R. A variety with R8-13 is suitable for the bathroom. This material is distinguished by the presence of corundum in the spray composition.
  • The presence of antibacterial additives that prevent the formation of mold.
  • Antistatic. This type of linoleum is able to resist static electricity that accumulates when used with electrical appliances. This parameter can be very important when using them in a wet room.

What should be the basis?

Fundamental prerequisites for the foundation:

  • Under linoleum, the rough coating should be smooth and not have large differences.
  • Tile or wooden floors on joists cannot be used as a base.
  • Cement-sand screed up to 50-70 mm thick is allowed.
  • Height differences should be no more than 5 mm per 2 meters of length, otherwise dents and creases will form on the material during operation.

How to make the right choice?

When selecting flooring for a bathroom, it’s crucial to keep in mind these basic guidelines:

  • Focus primarily on the quality of the material, not design or price. It is better to trust a famous brand than a little-known manufacturer.
  • Check product labeling. There are several icons on the back of the linoleum that will help you make the right choice. They indicate such parameters as moisture resistance, wear resistance, environmental friendliness, antistatic.

You can select linoleum with confidence if you consider the coating requirements mentioned above.

Manufacturers will sometimes label their products with information about how they should be used in bathrooms and wet rooms. The decision is much simpler in this instance.

When deciding whether to buy linoleum with a 0.2 or 0.3 mm protective coating, it is preferable to focus on the 0.3 mm surface because it is more resilient and lasts longer.

Selecting a heterogeneous variety requires you to go with a thicker protective layer starting at 0.7 mm.

We examine the various linoleum types that are best for bathroom floors in our comprehensive guide, outlining their special advantages as well as installation considerations. We hope to provide you with the necessary knowledge to select and install linoleum that not only complements the design of your bathroom but also endures over time, from comprehending the technology underlying linoleum production to helpful hints on getting ready and laying it down.

Manufacturers rating

The following manufacturers of linoleum that are readily available on the market are noteworthy:

  • Tarkett.
  • Grabo.
  • Girlflor.
  • Juteks.
  • Sinteros.

Tarkett

The oldest business, having been in the PVC coating industry for over a century. The "Leaf of Life" award has given the brand’s products the status of environmentally friendly materials.

Displays his bathroom collection:

  • Optima. Material in natural warm and cold colors. Has 2 versions: in rolls and tiles. Has excellent resistance to chemicals.
  • Thoreau. Highly resistant to mechanical pressure and sharp objects, antistatic. Can be used in conjunction with electric heated floors.
  • Melody. Belongs to the group of commercial linoleum with a high degree of strength. Protective layer thickness 2 mm. Has resistance to chemical compounds. Can be used with underfloor heating system. Shades – stone.
  • Zenith. Good material class 34 and 43. Has an anti-slip surface, friction index R 10. Natural shades for self-leveling floors.

The cost of Tarkett flooring in the Russian Federation is 1225 rubles per square meter.

This page has all of Tarkett’s linoleum-related information.

Grabo

Hungarian producer of vinyl flooring. features products of the highest caliber. The company creates a wide range of synthetic and natural coatings for different applications.

Grabo’s bathroom collection:

  1. Fortis. Linoleum with high strength and abrasion resistance. Colors from yellow to black with standard stone design.
  2. Polis. Coating design with small streaks, similar to tiles or marble. Layer thickness – 2 mm.
  3. Fortis Fitt. Represents the line supplied for fitness rooms. Well suited for the bathroom, made in fashionable colors.

In Russia, prices range from 1290 to 1900 rubles per square meter.

Gerflor

French company that has been in business since 1937. distinguished by the coatings’ dependability and safety. The following collections represent a special line of linoleum for the bathroom:

  1. Elegance. Application class 34 and 43. Type of flooring – homogeneous. Anti-slip class R9. Due to its properties, it can be successfully used not only for the floor in the bathroom, but also as a base (tray) for a shower room.
  2. Mipolam Classic. This collection can be successfully used as flooring in wet rooms, especially in bathrooms, where hygiene is so important. The antibacterial coating resists any contamination, the protective layer is resistant to any chemicals used in everyday life. The design of this collection imitates marble coating.

Collections cost between 1000 and 2160 rubles per square meter.

Juteks

Slovenian producer of PVC goods for home and business applications. holds a branch of its own within the Russian Federation.

Selections for heterogeneous linoleum on foamed PVC for wet rooms:

  • Premium Nevada – a collection whose design includes imitation tiles, parquet, laminate. It has good performance characteristics: strength, slip resistance.
  • Pro Sirius – reliable, good protective layer. Allowed to be used in combination with electric floors.
  • Premium speaker can be used in the bathroom, repels current.

The collection fee is 1700 rubles per square meter.

Sinteros

The coatings’ dependability and safety set the manufacturer apart. The company’s primary focus is on producing eco-friendly linoleum for residential and commercial uses.

Selections for moist areas:

  1. Horizon. Application class 34 and 43. High quality polyurethane coating. Resistant to moisture and chemicals. Collection design – abstraction.
  2. Bonus. Semi-commercial collection class 32. Has a moisture-resistant coating. Linoleum of this brand can be used with electric floors.

The collection will set you back 500 rubles per square meter.

Laying technology

You must first get the base ready:

  1. Before work, you will need to remove the old coating, dismantle it and clean the surface.
  2. Next, you will need to cover all cracks and joints with cement putty, go around all corners with sealant or damper tape, and, if necessary, level the base with a self-leveling mixture.
  3. First you need to roll out the linoleum sheet and let it rest in room conditions for several days.

It is worthwhile to do insulation work after base preparation. Using floating technology, the heat-insulating layer is installed, carefully fixing the material. Adhesive is used to adhere waterproofing to the insulation layer.

The process of installing linoleum in the bathroom involves adhering to the wall. In this instance, the remaining portion is covered with a unique plinth and oriented towards the wall.

A metal ruler is used for marking linoleum. And a knife is used to make the cuts.

Guidelines for installing linoleum in the restroom:

  1. Unscrew the corner and half of the canvas, apply glue and press it to the floor.
  2. The remaining adhesive must be removed using a roller.
  3. If linoleum flooring is carried out in separate sheets, then first the central part is attached, and then the separate ones extending onto the walls. The seams between the canvases are fixed using sealant.
  4. The connection of rolls in room conditions is carried out using cold welding or hot. When using the second option, a special cord is used, which is sealed between the joints.

Connelly plinths, which are fixed to the floor covering and oriented perpendicular to the floor, are advised by craftsmen. This device has a special clip at the top for holding the blade in place.

Masking tape is applied to the material prior to installation on the wall. During work, it will help prevent glue stains.

They make on-the-spot cuts, bending the material, to fix the linoleum in the corners.

The video makes the installation very evident:

Difficulties and errors

The most frequent error made when selecting linoleum is to buy a material with a foundation made of fabric. The coating will start to fail if moisture penetrates.

When installing, it is preferable to secure the linoleum so that it does not adhere directly to the walls because water can seep beneath the finish and cause damage, particularly in the case of a foamed PVC base. You must approach walls that are 10 cm high when using the installation method. In this instance, the coating has a long shelf life.

Applying adhesive to walls without first using masking tape as a guide tape is a mistake. Excess glue from linoleum smoothing will show up on the wall and make it more difficult to remove.

Advantages and disadvantages

According to customer reviews, installing linoleum in the bathroom has the following concrete advantages:

  • It"s not as cold and slippery as tiles.
  • Warm for feet, rough surface.
  • Convenient markings for cutting linoleum.
  • Beauty and decorativeness of coating.

The coating’s drawbacks include dampness and the possibility of moisture seeping under the linoleum, which could result in the growth of fungus and an unpleasant stench.

User advice: only apply the coating as one continuous, joint-free piece that extends onto the walls.

Reviews are available here and here.

Average prices for work

The list of procedures that must be completed determines how much work will cost.

The installation of the coating will cost 500 rubles per square meter with glue if we only look at the installation costs and ignore the base preparation and waterproofing costs.

Preliminary and additional relevant work:

  • Dismantling the screed – 600 RUR/sq. m.
  • Installation of concrete pavement – 1800 rubles/sq.m. m.
  • Priming – 60 rub/sq. m.
  • Partial floor leveling – 300 rubles/sq.m. m.

The cost of hot or cold welding varies and can reach 200 rubles per square meter. The cost per square meter for skirting board installation is 160 rubles.

The look and usability of your bathroom can be greatly improved by selecting the correct kind of linoleum. For every taste and price range, there’s a perfect fit, from cushioned vinyl to more robust and water-resistant varieties. Making the best decision requires an understanding of the unique requirements of a bathroom setting, such as moisture resistance and durability.

Installing is a simple task that is frequently accomplished with simple tools and a little perseverance. Installing a floor successfully requires careful preparation, making sure the surface is smooth, dry, and clean. A professional finish can be ensured by carefully measuring and cutting the linoleum to fit after the floor has been prepped.

By following these instructions, you can ensure that your newly installed bathroom floor is not only long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing, but also save time and effort. Gaining an understanding of the fundamentals of linoleum types and installation techniques will help you get the best outcome for your bathroom renovation project, regardless of whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional.

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Timur Kiselev

Professional builder with 15 years of experience. I know everything about the construction of houses, cottages, bathhouses and other buildings. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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