Many of us have ever experiencedrepair in an apartment or in a private house. And if the repair touched the floor, then surely the question arose about replacing the floor covering. Someone is laying a linoleum or carpet on the floor, someone is laying a parquet or a laminate. Naturally, there is no ideal floor covering, each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. The choice of flooring is now simply huge, and it is impossible to describe all the covers in one article. Therefore, in this article we will consider the two most commonly used materials: linoleum and laminate.
Which is better: linoleum or laminate?Surely, many people will be able to answer this question with confidence. But if you ask a person to argue their answer, there is no intelligible explanation. Many believe that the laminate is definitely better than linoleum, because it is more expensive and more modern. But linoleum, whose characteristics are not inferior, and in some cases even exceed the properties of laminate, also has the right to exist. Let's look at the pros and cons of these two coatings in more detail, so that everyone can decide what is better, linoleum or laminate.
Advantages and disadvantages of laminate.
What is a laminate?Quite often laminate is confused with parquet, considering that laminate is a kind of parquet. But this is not so, laminate and parquet - it's completely different materials. Laminate - is, as a rule, an artificial coating, which has a multi-layer structure. The uppermost layer is responsible for the wear resistance of the laminate and consists of either different resins or a special protective film. Under the protective layer is a decorative coating that externally imitates various materials, for example, parquet, stone or old boards. Next comes the thickest layer, which is often made of special MDF. Well, the lowest layer is polymer.
The main advantage of the laminate is itsresistance to ultraviolet radiation, which allows it to maintain its original color and shade throughout its life. You will be able to rearrange the furniture as many times as you like, or to re-overhaul the carpet and do not notice any changes in the shade of the floor covering. The laminate coating is resistant to high temperatures. For example, a fallen cigarette will not leave a scorched trail on the floor. The legs of cabinets, armchairs, tables, as well as studs of women's shoes are not at all terrible for laminate. Caring for a laminate is simple enough and will not cause you any difficulties. Laying the laminate is possible without dismantling the old coating. Laminate can be laid, for example, on wooden boards or carpeting. Of course, it is undesirable to do so, but it is possible. If you plan to install a warm floor, then it can also be successfully placed under a laminate.
Despite the fact that the laminate is so good, there is athis cover and flaws. When they say that the laminate flooring is durable, it does not mean that it is eternal. Of course, everything once becomes worthless. So with a laminate, laying it, say in the corridor or in the kitchen, get ready after some time to replace the floor covering in these rooms. Laminate is not recommended to be laid in rooms with high humidity and people's permeability. Laminate is able to withstand the pressure of heavy objects for a long time, but it is not able to withstand impacts. So if you drop something on such a floor, then the cover can be damaged. As already mentioned, care for the laminated coating is simple, but requires the use of only high-quality detergents. If you use too aggressive means for cleaning, the coating can become stained, which can not be removed. Laminate does not tolerate the hands of amateurs during laying, as the seams between the laminate panels are the most vulnerable place of this coating. Low-quality styling and frequent subsequent cleaning will quickly render the whole coating unusable.
Advantages and disadvantages of linoleum.
Unlike laminate, linoleum is much cheaper andthis is an important advantage for many. Laminate can never boast such a wide range of colors and a variety of design, like linoleum. Linoleum can lay almost everyone, without having any training for this. What could be easier than laying the linoleum on the floor and trim if necessary superfluous. But, of course, it is better to entrust this operation to professionals. If you are wondering what is better than linoleum or laminate in terms of thermal conductivity and noise absorption, then here, laminate is an outsider. Linoleum is warm and has excellent sound-absorbing properties. In addition, linoleum can have a special anti-slip coating. PVC coating is absolutely not afraid of water, so you can wash linoleum as much as you want and anything.
The disadvantages of linoleum can be attributed to the fact thatthe color of the coating becomes less saturated. Linoleum is unable to withstand a long local surface heating. It's difficult to set quality linoleum on, but the same fallen cigarette will leave a lifelong imprint on the cover. If you have chosen linoleum as a floor covering, then before arranging the furniture, you should think carefully about what will be and where. This is due to the fact that the legs of the furniture push through the linoleum and leave noticeable prints on it. Before you put linoleum, you need to carefully prepare the floor surface. Eliminate all irregularities, protruding nails and the like. If you are laying linoleum on the plank floor, then it should be perfectly flat and the boards should not "walk" in relation to each other. If you do not comply with these requirements, then in places where there are irregularities and the slightest differences in height, linoleum will very quickly start to crack and tear.
As you can see, it is impossible to answer unequivocallythe question is, which is better, linoleum or laminate. Before choosing a cover, you need to take into account all the individual nuances of the premises and compare everything with your financial capabilities. Laminate is undoubtedly a modern and fashionable material, but the cost of such coverage is frightening off many. Linoleum, of course, has drawbacks, but after reading this article, you will probably find it easier to make the right decision in choosing the flooring you need.
