How to choose the right linoleum for laying on a warm floor: the main criteria

As a coating for a warm floor, linoleum is not very popular. The reason for this is the strong opinion of consumers that when heated, it releases harmful substances - phenol, toluene, vinyl chloride, etc. Such a development of events is quite possible, but only under certain factors. For example, when using the wrong brand of linoleum or in case of non-compliance with the temperature conditions recommended by the manufacturer. If you approach the problem of choice wisely, then linoleum for a warm floor can be as successful a purchase as “traditional” tiles or parquet.

What types of linoleum can I use?

We are used to thinking that linoleum is a thin vinyl coating that is dominated by chemical components. But it is not so. In the modern market there are 5 groups of this material:

natural (marmoleum) - completely safe, natural material, which is characterized by durability, fire resistance, antistatic;
PVC linoleum (vinyl) - the most popular and inexpensive, when heated, it can emit an unpleasant odor;
alkyd (glyphthalic) - produced on a fabric basis, has high thermal insulation properties. Over time (especially when heated) is able to noticeably deform;
nitrocellulose (colloxylin) is a thin single-layer material with good moisture resistance, but a significant drawback is its rapid flammability;
rubber (relin) - a two-layer linoleum containing rubber particles, bitumen, synthetic rubber. It does not tolerate heat and is rarely used in residential premises.

Judging by these characteristics, not all types of linoleum are suitable for laying on a warm base. The most optimal choice is natural linoleum, a little worse - PVC linoleum. Alkyd, nitrocellulose and rubber materials for coating on heated substrates are rarely used.

Option # 1 - Natural Marmoleum

If the budget allows you, give preference to natural linoleum. It is made from natural ingredients: linseed oil, pine resin, crushed cork, lime powder, natural dyes. Accordingly, when heated, this type of linoleum is not able to release harmful substances into the air. And this is the main argument in favor of marmoleum, as a coating for a warm floor. In addition to absolute safety, natural linoleum completely retains its dimensions when heated and is not deformed. It is fireproof and in case of fire does not contribute to the spread of fire. Marmoleum does not change its color over time and does not fade in the sun.

Marmoleum begins to soften already at 27 ° C, so the power of the underfloor heating under it should not exceed 60W / m2

Option # 2 - vinyl linoleum (PVC)

Marmoleum, although good, is not yet very common on our shelves. Therefore, if you could not find it, you can get by with "little blood" - purchase PVC linoleum for the warm floor. It is best to use for these purposes not domestic, but commercial or semi-commercial types, which are distinguished by higher strength and better performance properties. Immediately discard the material on a heat-insulating base. It will prevent the passage of heat from the heating elements into the room, thereby significantly reducing the effectiveness of the underfloor heating system. Choose linoleum on a thin fabric basis or without it at all.Using vinyl linoleum, remember its synthetic origin. At first, even high-quality vinyl emits an unpleasant odor when heated, which disappears after a few weeks.

Between thin vinyl linoleum and infrared heating mats, plywood or fiberboard is usually laid - to level the surface and prevent deformation of the coating

Important features of the thermal regime

In principle, in order to choose linoleum for a warm floor, you do not need to have special knowledge and understand the properties of the material. Coating manufacturers will tell you whether their products can be used for underfloor heating or not. How? By marking.

The permissible heating temperature is also indicated next to the marking sign - it must be observed without fail. For marmoleum, the limiting temperature is about 27 ° C; above this limit, its surface begins to soften, melt, and tear. Vinyl linoleum can heat up to 29-30 ° C, after which it can swell, deform or lose color. Also, almost certainly phenols and all kinds of unpleasant gases will be asked for an exit. To comply with the required temperature of the warm floor, you will have to purchase a high-quality temperature controller, which will automatically maintain the specified mode.

Linoleum marking allowing the use of flooring for underfloor heating systems

What type of warm floor is better suited for linoleum?

The choice of the underfloor heating system that you are going to cover with linoleum should also be treated responsibly. Warm floor can be:

water;
electric;
infrared.

Water floor heating - This is a system of tubes through which the coolant passes - water. This option is rarely used in urban apartments that are heated by central heating. In addition, water floors will require a tie between the pipes and linoleum, which is undesirable for rooms with low ceilings.

AT floor heating system The main element is the heating cable, which also fits in the thickness of the cement screed. An electric underfloor heating is simpler than a water one, in addition it is characterized by more uniform heating over its entire area, which is very important for maintaining the dimensions of linoleum laid on top. However, the electric floor heats up quickly, which means that linoleum on its surface can easily be deformed. Therefore, experts do not recommend this type of heating system for linoleum coating.

The last type of underfloor heating - infrared, which is a thin film with graphite strips-heaters. When connected to the mains, the canvas of the system begins to uniformly and gradually warm up, which eliminates the deformation of linoleum, possible with sharp temperature changes. Infrared floors can have a power of 60 W / m² - 400 W / m². If you decide to use linoleum, then use a canvas with a power of 60 W / m² up to 150 W / m². This is enough to warm linoleum to 27-30 ° C and at the same time maintain the original properties of the material.

Cables of an electric heat-insulated floor are poured with a cement screed. Only then linoleum is laid on a leveled surface

Linoleum is a good choice for infrared warm floor

Infrared underfloor heating - a good choice for laying under linoleum

Thus, in tandem with linoleum, the infrared warm floor is best manifested. It can be used for gentle, uniform heating, which does not change the appearance and operational characteristics of any type of linoleum. And finally, we want to present you an instruction from two videos on how to choose the right infrared heating system:

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3 comments

Irada Kadirova
9 months ago

The article is written correctly, except that it is ADVERTISING IR film. And here, there are elements of manipulation
1. “However, the electric floor heats up quickly, which means that linoleum on its surface can easily be deformed.” - El. underfloor heating, namely cable underfloor heating, can be of different types. In the case of linoleum, it is worth using a standard cable, which is poured with a 3-5cm screed, in which case there will be a screed between the linoleum and the cable, which slowly warms up, conveys heat from the cable to the linoleum. And of course, under linoleum, in any case, there will be plywood or others for leveling the base. So quick heating of linoleum will not happen.
In the case of IR film - between it and linoleum there will be only plywood or others to align the base. So which of these options is heating FASTER?
2. “Therefore, experts do not recommend this type of heating system for linoleum coating.” Links to specialists, please provide, - authoritative sources, for example manufacturers of linoleum or electric floor heating (cable), or links to DBN, state. builds norms where it is written
3. Please indicate in which European countries, except for the CIS countries, is the use of IR film allowed as a warm floor?
IR film was designed for ceiling heating.
4. Do you know that there is no grounding in the IR film? (Look at your picture with the installation of the film) This only means that if there is a current leakage (damage to the current-carrying strip on the film, violation of the tightness of the connections, damage to the wires connecting the IR film to the regulator), the RCD will not turn off the 220v power supply to the film, and under your feet will be 220v.
So in the case of film, plywood is not for alignment, but in order to protect you from electric shock. But where the current leakage goes is the second question.
However, film sellers do not care about everything that happens after the sale is completed. They simply do not know how it all works.
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Maria Siryak
4 years ago

As a consultant in a store building, I’ll say that, first of all, before laying linoleum, you need to carefully level the floor (otherwise there will be so-called “humps” and it will be “uncomfortable” to walk). If your floor is usually cold, choose linoleum with insulation (with “hairs” on the back), and if the floor itself is warm, then choose normal. The best linoleum is natural because it is completely safe. We only make marmoleum for ourselves, including on the warm floor.
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Marina
6 years ago

We also thought for a long time about how to choose the best in order to lay on the warm floor.
Many said that linoleum should never be placed on such a floor, but somehow I did not believe it, and our workers said that everything would be fine, only linoleum needs to be bought high-quality and durable. And they did so, she was disappointed and never upset that she had decided. I don’t really understand why many people don’t like him so much, because if you find a high-quality, and also interesting in its design, you can decorate the room even more and make it even more beautiful, so I advise everyone.
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