Commercial linoleum - types of VIP class linoleum, its advantages and disadvantages

Linoleum is one of the most popular flooring in urban apartments. It is easy to fit, produced in different colors, besides completely unpretentious and does not require special care. However, linoleum also has a significant drawback - unfortunately, its upper decorative layer is quickly erased, especially in hallways, vestibules and other rooms with high traffic. Thus, the age of ordinary linoleum in such conditions is short. This problem is especially acute in public places: medical institutions, schools, kindergartens, shopping centers, etc. Here, such material is required that even after several years of operation would look perfect. And such material has appeared! Conventional linoleum has been improved and a new coating called “commercial linoleum” has appeared on the construction market.

Commercial linoleum is durable and abrasion resistant.

Where is such linoleum used?

Judging by its name, commercial linoleum was to be used exclusively in offices, shopping centers, office premises and warehouses. However, the scope of its application is not limited to this. In city apartments, in private houses, in summer cottages - commercial linoleum is remarkable everywhere. It is characterized by increased wear resistance and density, so there are no traces of the chair, ladies' heels, bicycle wheels and strollers moved from place to place. This type of linoleum will cope with loads in hallways, home offices, living rooms, children's rooms, and kitchens.

Commercial linoleum is often used for flooring in restaurants and cafes.

Types of commercial coverage and their features

Commercial linoleum is homogeneous and heterogeneous. They differ from each other in structure and, accordingly, in characteristics. Homogeneous commercial linoleum consists of one hard layer with a uniform pattern throughout the thickness. Thus, this pattern is not erased and cannot fade even with prolonged use.

Pure polyvinyl chloride, on the basis of which homogeneous linoleum is made, is an expensive material, therefore, in order to cheapen the final product, manufacturers dilute it with additives: kaolin, talc, limestone. With a large number of additives on the surface of a homogeneous linoleum during operation, white paths that cannot be washed off may appear. Such a nuisance can arise only with linoleum of a dishonest manufacturer, which reduces the cost of goods to the detriment of its quality. Therefore, when choosing a commercial homogeneous linoleum, give preference to the flooring of well-known reputable companies that always observe the correct proportions of additives.

Homogeneous commercial linoleum is uniform throughout its thickness

Even after several years of operation, the appearance of a homogeneous linoleum practically does not change. Its only drawback is the uniformity of colors, which can only be monophonic or granular.

Homogeneous commercial linoleum retains perfect appearance even after years of operation

The heterogeneous version of commercial linoleum has from two layers or more. The top layer is very dense, the degree of mechanical strength of the coating depends on it.The role of the lower layer is made by foamed or ordinary PVC, and the thicker this layer, the better the sound insulation of linoleum.

During production, stone chips or metal dust can be added to the composition of the material - this will make the coating structure embossed and more original.

A heterogeneous commercial linoleum consists of several layers, just like its household counterpart

Original coatings can be created from pieces of multi-colored linoleum

Due to its properties, commercial linoleum is considered one of the best flooring for public buildings.

In order to lay commercial linoleum, the help of professionals is often required

Here is an example of laying commercial linoleum on video:

Advantages and disadvantages of this coating

Commercial linoleum is different:

durability. Commercial linoleum, laid in places with high traffic, will serve no less than ceramic or marble tiles.
a rough, non-slippery surface, due to the addition of quartz chips to the composition.
resistance to deformation. This is achieved due to the protective coating layer, which allows it to be used in any room, including with high humidity.
antistatic effect, due to which commercial linoleum can be used in rooms equipped with a large number of electrical appliances. For example, in a modern kitchen or power plant. The structure of this type of linoleum contains carbon-containing filaments that eliminate static electricity on the coating.
fire safety. Commercial linoleum is characterized by low flammability, and also does not emit harmful substances during combustion.
lack of toxic substances.
resistance to aggressive substances. Any type of commercial linoleum is resistant to the action of acids and alkalis, and therefore can be used in chemical laboratories.

Against the background of the obvious advantages of commercial linoleum, its few shortcomings look insignificant. However, as the saying goes, "the enemy must be known in person." So, commercial linoleum:

It has a small circle of colors (more variety among heterogeneous options), therefore, in order to achieve an interesting effect, they cut several panels of different colors, which are then combined into one “design” coating.
stacked more difficult than household linoleum, and often requires the involvement of professionals.
costs more than household linoleum.

Commercial linoleum allows you to forget about repairing flooring for a long time, so the increased price and difficulties with installation are more than compensated by years of trouble-free operation.

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3 comments

Ekaterina
6 years ago

Elena, it is not advisable to lay on the bare floor, you say so now. I already ran into the conference room with such a problem, during an important meeting, linoleum simply broke off from the heel, and all because of the diligent cleaning of our technical equipment, which simply clogged linoleum at all seams with water. The experts advised me, who had already switched to commercial linoleum, what to do on bare flooring with a heating maximum of +40 degrees, in order to avoid moisture accumulation, they did so. I hope this time linoleum will not deteriorate. But now a thought has crept in, and maybe it will dry out, who knows, please, unsubscribe.
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Lena
6 years ago

We refused linoleum back in the last repair. An exception was made only for the "dirty" corridor, which we grabbed from the general.They chose commercial linoleum, especially since the area of this corridor is small and the purchase could not afford. They peeled off the tiles and laid linoleum on concrete. He has been holding on for about 8 years, he hasn’t gotten anywhere. So, there are clues, there are a lot of scuffs and the general look, of course, is no longer as spectacular as it was at the beginning. But for endurance, it is excusable. Therefore, henceforth, if we use linoleum, then only commercial. In my opinion, there is not even an unpleasant smell from him.
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Gleb
7 years ago

A particularly important element regarding the choice of linoleum is precisely what several factors act at once: the durability, which is somehow necessary if such linoleum was placed in an office building or in a similar place, as well as resistance to various kinds of deformations and damage due to certain temperature changes. That is why all types of commercial linoleum are excellent for use in premises of this kind.
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