Heterogeneous linoleum: what is it, structure, application

Sometimes, choosing a floor covering, consumers are faced with the question of which one to purchase - a homogeneous or heterogeneous linoleum, semi-commercial (the price for which is mentioned in the article) or commercial. Before you make an acquisition, you need to become more familiar with the quality characteristics of each coating. In order to omit the homogeneous variety, it is worth mentioning that the prefix "homo-" means "homogeneous". Thus, the coating is chemically uniform and has a polyvinyl chloride base.

Such linoleum differs elasticity and durability, and its color palette is extensive and various. But homogeneous linoleum monotonous in terms of patterns, it can be a pure shade, marble or specks. Therefore, such a coating can often be found in rooms, the floor of which is subjected to high mechanical stress. If even in some places the surface is strongly worn out, the pattern will remain unchanged. Homogeneous linoleum can have a certain direction of the drawing, for example along the entire canvas. However, one can find a chaotically located drawing. The latter is considered not so mark.

What is a heterogeneous linoleum?

If you are interested in a heterogeneous linoleum shop , what it is, you must know in advance. After all, you need to make a purchase with knowledge. Such a floor covering has several layers in the composition, their number can vary from 4 to 6. The thickness of the heterogeneous linoleum is approximately 3.4 mm. The main layers are:

• protective covering;
• Decorative layer;
• Foamed polyvinyl chloride, which is a canvas layer;
• Fiberglass, which may be absent, but it is a substrate.

Each of the above layers fulfills its role. In some cases, a sixth is added, which is intended for special purpose material. This may be an antistatic or anti- slip coating. However, it may not exist, and a special component will be contained in another layer. If it is an anti-slip coating, the corresponding ingredients can be added to the protective or top layer.

Structure

If you decide to purchase a heterogeneous linoleum, what it is, you must learn it. A more complete picture will become after you consider in more detail each layer. The lowest is the substrate, which is polyvinyl chloride, the latter can be chemical or mechanical. It is PVC responsible for sound insulation. In mechanical foam, the structure of the cells has a communicating structure, like that of a sponge. Whereas if you choose a coating with chemical foam, the cells will be isolated from each other.

The latter option is able to absorb water, but it differs in higher strength and comfort in operation. If dents are formed on the surface, they will straighten up within a few hours. Quite often consumers purchase heterogeneous linoleum, what is it, is described in detail in the article. From it you can learn that along with foamed polyvinylchloride, jute and felt are used.

The next layer is the supporting one, in its basis - the fiberglass. It can be called a skeleton, to which the remaining layers are fixed. As for the canvas layer, then it is applied decorative coating. The material undergoes high temperature effects, the layer foams and imparts heat and sound insulation qualities to the coating.

What else you need to know about the structure

Heterogeneous linoleum "Tarkett" also has the above structure, and its decorative layer is applied using cylinders. If we compare with a homogeneous variety, the heterogeneous one has a variety of graphic patterns, it can be imitations of floor coverings like a stone or a parquet, as well as geometric patterns.

In the process of manufacturing linoleum, the manufacturer can add inhibitors to the composition, with their help even volumetric drawings are created. The protective coating is the last layer, it is transparent and consists of pure polyvinyl chloride. It is with the help of it that you can protect the material from abrasion and give it high wear resistance. How thick this layer will be will affect the longevity of the coating.

For reference

If you decide that you need a heterogeneous linoleum, what it is, you should find out before you go shopping. This will allow you to understand that in more expensive variants of commercial coating on top of PVC, a layer of polyurethane or polyacrylate is applied. This coating increases wear resistance and does not involve post-stack treatment. As practice shows, the surface is easy to clean. In some cases, the polyurethane coating is treated with ultraviolet, which makes the linoleum durable.

Application

Linoleum commercial heterogeneous has a wide scope of use. Usually it is laid in rooms, the floor of which is subjected to strong and constant loads. However, on sale you can find varieties of linoleum, which have additional properties that determine the scope of use of the material. For example, an anti-slip coating is intended for:

• Showers;
• Saunas;
• Bathrooms;
• Pools.

If the floor is constantly in contact with water in the room, the anti-slip coating will be the best option. Linoleum commercial heterogeneous can also have antistatic properties, in this case it is placed in X-ray rooms, where this effect is needed.

Cost and thickness

Before buying, consumers pay attention not only to the cost, but also to the thickness of the material. The last parameter can be limited to a minimum mark of 0.7 mm, due to this the service life is significantly increased. These characteristics are semi-commercial linoleum, the price of which is approximately 350 rubles. Per square meter. It can be laid in rooms with medium load. Such material can be attributed to coverings of the middle class, and its main difference is weight. A square meter will weigh about 2.5 kg, whereas in the case of a household meter this parameter is limited to 1.8 kg.