The choice between different types of floor coverings is an eternal stumbling block when renovating an apartment or private house. So, linoleum or laminate - which is better, cheaper, more environmentally friendly and more practical? Let's figure it out.
If laminate or linoleum are offered at the same price, which is better to take?
General information
To understand what to choose - laminate or linoleum - first, let's get a clear idea of what both materials represent.
Laminate
The basis of the material is MDF or HDF. In essence, it is just pressed hardboard - fine wood dust in the form of short cellulose fibers and a binder - polymer resin.
A protective coating less than a millimeter thick is applied to the front side. The class of the laminate depends on its thickness and strength. The higher it is, the more wear-resistant this flooring will be. The back side is protected from getting wet by a thin layer of polymer.
All ends represent different elements of a click lock - a simple latch that securely fixes laminate boards, combining them into a single wide shield.
Please note: there is also an adhesive laminate without locks at all, and simple tongue-and-groove connections. However, it is the click lock that has now become the standard.
Linoleum
And here we will leave out of our attention exotic things like expensive types of linoleum, made exclusively from natural materials.
Let's look at the most common types of this coating.
- Homogeneous linoleum- these are, first of all, different types of commercial coatings, made entirely of monolithic polyvinyl chloride with a plasticizer. The pattern is often not a coating, but a dye embedded throughout the entire thickness.
Hence, an almost unlimited service life in high traffic conditions. A side consequence is the absence of a complex pattern on such linoleum.
- Heterogeneous linoleum- this is up to six layers of different materials in a single coating. Foamed polyvinyl chloride, fabric and non-woven fabric bases, felt and some other materials are used. The combination of different layers allows you to obtain a material with specified properties. Including improved heat and sound insulation.
A property common to both types of flooring is that they can be used with an underlay. Actually, its installation is a mandatory operation; for linoleum - optional.
As always, there is a nuance. The rigidity of the laminate distributes the load when walking over a larger area, making it less springy on a thick, soft substrate. But deformation is much more dangerous for him. First of all, click locks suffer.
On the other hand, linoleum can withstand repeated bending more easily. But the floor on a thick substrate will sag very much, and in the case of heavy furniture, the linoleum may be damaged.
Now we have a starting point in order to reasonably decide which is better - linoleum or laminate - for each of the parameters important to the consumer, you can even choose.
Soundproofing
What to choose - linoleum or laminate - if you need maximum sound insulation of the floor?
- Any type of linoleum itself is a plastic coating that partly absorbs shock loads when walking. Thick linoleum with a felt or foam base provides almost complete sound insulation.
On the other hand, thinner and more rigid types of commercial linoleum laid on a concrete base provide almost no sound insulation. Residents of late Soviet-built high-rise buildings are familiar with this fact first-hand.
- In the case of laminate, the soundproofing qualities of the coating depend entirely on the substrate. Laminate itself dampens sound very little. Moreover, when walking along it in hard shoes, the clicking of heels will be clearly audible in neighboring rooms, and, often, on adjacent floors.
Here the scales are clearly tipped in favor of linoleum. However, as Vladimir Semenovich Vysotsky sang, it’s not evening yet.
Insulation
What is warmer - linoleum or laminate?
It is difficult to give a definite answer here. It all depends on how you compare.
If we compare the thermal conductivity of PVC and HDF, linoleum will lose. However, there is a subtlety here. The thickness of laminate used in residential premises STARTS from 6 millimeters. On the other hand, 6 millimeters is the limit of the MAXIMUM thickness of typical linoleum.
Moreover, with such a thickness, it will be a heterogeneous coating, including layers that serve specifically to improve thermal insulation. And it clearly outperforms laminate in terms of thermal insulation properties.
When weighing the pros and cons of laminate and linoleum, you need to remember the cost. We will look at it in detail a little later. Now let’s just say that linoleum, which is close in price to laminate, will surpass it in terms of thermal insulation.
And here again, a big fat “BUT” will mix up all our cards. When comparing which is warmer—laminate or linoleum—we did not take into account the properties of the substrate. And it affects the properties of the floor very strongly. Even two millimeters of cheap isolon will already provide a degree of thermal insulation at least as good as that of thick insulated linoleum.
The resolution can be formulated as follows: when using any type of foam backing under the laminate and thick linoleum without a backing, the advantages of the laminate over linoleum will be noticeable.
Ecology
What is more harmful - laminate or linoleum?
The very formulation of the question is rather naive. Both laminate and linoleum must undergo mandatory certification as a material suitable for use in residential premises.
If there is a certificate, the material is absolutely safe; if it is not there, it is simply not worth buying. The composition may include any material. Including one that poses a very real threat to health.
Yes, this is not a completely complete answer. When deciding which is more harmful - linoleum or laminate - the natural base of the laminate is often mentioned as an argument in its favor. The argument makes you smile.
- Laminate board It is often glued together from two layers of MDF or, more often, HDF (which has a higher density) using phenolic resin.
- Bottom side of laminate protected from moisture by kraft paper impregnated with phenolic.
- Top layer- melamine or acrylic resin. Both compounds are stable, however, in light of the above, it is somewhat naive to talk about the natural origin of the laminate.
To spare the buyer's nerves, manufacturers rarely mention the adhesive base - phenol-formaldehyde resin.
Linoleum is, first of all, polyvinyl chloride, an absolutely stable compound that is used for the production of plastic windows, suspended ceilings and a bunch of inexpensive household utensils.
It will be interesting to compare laminate and linoleum in terms of how they can be disposed of.
What is more environmentally friendly - laminate or linoleum - at the final stage of its life path?
- Laminate flooring can be burned without any impact on the environment. 80% of its mass is wood, and it will burn perfectly in a fire. Recycling along with other wood is also possible.
- But recycling linoleum is a much more serious problem. In a fire it will undergo thermal decomposition with the release of a bunch of toxic substances, and there will be a lot of soot.
Thus, the question of what is more environmentally friendly - linoleum or laminate - can be given a definite answer. Disposing of laminate flooring causes less harm to the environment.
Moisture resistance
What is better for the kitchen - laminate or linoleum?
To answer this question, let’s remember what the features of this room are:
- High humidity. When cooking and washing dishes, a lot of water vapor is released into the air.
- From time to time there is water on the floor. No matter how careful the owners are, either a rag will float down the sink outlet, or the upstairs neighbors will try, or the pan will simply tip over... One way or another, the floor floods from time to time.
So, is linoleum or laminate more suitable for the kitchen?
Of course, linoleum will be much more practical.
- Laminate inevitably swells in water, regardless of class. This happens quickly in hot water, slowly in cold water, but the result is the same: a warped floor.
Linoleum is not afraid of water in principle.
Even if it is equipped with a felt backing, you just need to turn it over and dry the floor covering. However, with properly laid linoleum, water rarely gets under it.
- Linoleum, among other things, will prevent you from flooding your neighbors. Of course, if a moderate amount of water is spilled on the floor. Yes, some laminate substrates are also capable of retaining water, but in this case it cannot be collected with a rag.
Helpful: Laminate flooring, however, is often used to cover the dining area. In this case, the kitchen floor is divided into two parts: laminate and a tiled work area where food is prepared and dishes are washed.
Price
Finally, what is cheaper - laminate or linoleum?
Since both materials are offered by the market in a wide range of consumer properties and prices, it is difficult to give a definite answer.
Perhaps, instead of simply stating what is cheaper - linoleum or laminate - let's give a few indisputable facts:
- Cheap types of linoleum are offered at much lower prices than cheap types of laminate. The difference is 1.5 - 2 times.
- The most expensive market offers for laminate and linoleum (if we exclude various kinds of exclusive exotic products produced to order and commercial solutions) have a ratio of 2.5:1. At the same time, a 12-mm laminate of class 33 costs about 1000 rubles/m2; about 400r/m2 - heterogeneous linoleum with a foam base, having a thickness of 4.2 mm with a protective layer of 0.4 mm.
- For RUR 300/m2 you can buy equally high-quality 32nd class laminate and semi-commercial linoleum.
As you can see, it is impossible to give a clear answer to the question of what is more expensive - linoleum or laminate. But it can be noted that in general, laminate tends to be more expensive.
Floor preparation
Finally, let's compare decks based on how difficult it is to prepare a subfloor for them.
- The rigidity of the laminate allows you to avoid filling small defects and depressions. The laminate will hide them, and the floor surface will be perfect. Linoleum has a very real chance of tearing over a pothole in the floor.
- But linoleum can be laid on a floor that has differences in height and gentle unevenness. Yes, aesthetics will suffer; but if you need a QUICK floor repair, this is a clear advantage.
In addition, a substrate is required under the laminate. Linoleum does just fine without it.
Conclusions
They are obvious. In most respects, linoleum looks like a more practical floor covering. Why is laminate better than linoleum? Perhaps it’s definitely better – just in appearance.
Good luck with the renovation!
Choosing flooring is not an easy task, especially if there are alternative options. Which is better, laminate or linoleum - how not to make a mistake and make the right decision?
Choosing a floor covering
To answer this question, we will analyze each of the coatings by composition, advantages and disadvantages, and also compare their characteristics. The decisive factor when choosing should not even be the price, but the type of room for which this or that coating is needed. After all, the duration and quality of operation of the floor covering depends on it.
Comparison by composition
Reference: Laminate consists of a base made of MDF or chipboard, a layer impregnated with resins that improves protective properties, a layer of decorative paper that imitates wood in appearance, and a laminating polymer coating. Linoleum, namely its synthetic variety, consists of a layer of fiberglass impregnated with PVC paste, a primer layer on which a pattern is applied, and a protective transparent PVC layer.
Natural linoleum consists of environmentally friendly materials, has a high price and excellent quality indicators, so we will compare laminate and PVC linoleum.
Like laminate, which is divided into classes depending on wear resistance, linoleum also has its own gradation. It can be domestic, commercial and semi-commercial. Belonging to one type or another, as in laminate, depends on the thickness and density of the coating.
As we can see, laminate is more environmentally friendly in terms of composition. This is confirmed by the fact that during the burning of the laminate, fewer hazardous toxic substances will be released than from the burning of linoleum.
According to the complexity of installation
The laminated coating is laid on a perfectly flat floor on a special polyethylene backing. The difficulty of fastening the panels together depends on the type of lock.
- The Click connection is easy to do yourself by clicking into place;
- The Lock connection involves knocking the panels with a hammer, which is best left to professionals.
Laying linoleum is not particularly difficult for anyone. In addition, linoleum can visually hide small unevenness and no underlay is required for its installation.
Durability
What is better linoleum or laminate for an apartment in terms of wear resistance?
- Firstly, it depends on the coverage class you choose.
- Secondly, if we compare these two coatings in terms of general parameters, linoleum is less resistant to mechanical stress (it is easier to leave dents from heels or furniture, scratches from animal claws).
Important! In addition, the service life of linoleum is shorter than that of laminate. For comparison, for linoleum it is 10-15 years, while laminate can last up to 20 years, and more in cases of high-class use in residential premises.
The durability of the coating also depends on its resistance to other types of influences. So, in terms of moisture resistance, linoleum wins significantly. It is not at all afraid of moisture, while water getting into the cracks of the laminate threatens to cause it to deform and swell. If a large amount of water gets on the coating or is flooded, it is enough to turn the linoleum over and dry it, but the laminate will most likely have to be replaced. This is why linoleum is better suited for the kitchen.
By thermal conductivity
Laminate has a cooler feel. Linoleum has low thermal conductivity and retains heat better. However, using a heat-insulating backing under the laminate will make it no worse than dense linoleum.
For sound insulation
Laminate is a harder coating, which means it will dampen sounds from contact with it to a lesser extent. Linoleum is a softer material that muffles sounds better. This is why it is more often used in large offices, since silence in work areas helps employees to be more focused and productive.
By ease of care
Despite the fact that laminate flooring is resistant to fading in the sun, it requires careful care. It should be wiped with a well-wrung cloth with or without “mild” detergents. In addition, it is necessary to periodically clean the seams between the panels, since dirt often gets there and this can deteriorate the performance characteristics of the laminate. Linoleum is practically easy to maintain, it is resistant to most detergents and is a monolithic coating without gaps.
According to external characteristics
If we compare these two coatings in terms of the variety of colors, then the choice is equally large for both linoleum and laminate. Both of these coatings can imitate both wood and tile. Color solutions can also be varied - from light to dark, from pastel to rich. The only thing in which laminate can have an advantage is the variety of textures (glossy, matte, with relief). In addition, due to its texture, laminate looks more expensive compared to linoleum. Although everyone has their own opinion on this matter.
By price parameters
Various classes of PVC linoleum are on average 1.5-2.5 times cheaper than their corresponding laminate classes. This depends on the composition of the coatings: since the laminate uses more natural materials and claims to be more environmentally friendly, therefore, its price will naturally be higher.
Laminate or linoleum: which is better? Expert opinion. Taking into account all the pros and cons of the described floor coverings, experts recommend paying attention to the type of room for which the covering is selected. As we found out, laminate has its own advantages: it is relatively environmentally friendly, has a richer appearance, is resistant to mechanical stress and has a significant service life with proper care. Otherwise, linoleum is superior to laminate in terms of characteristics, it is easier to maintain and install, it resists moisture better, and has better sound and heat insulation properties.
Depending on these properties, experts advise using linoleum for offices with high traffic, for kitchens, as well as for loggias and balconies. However, if the linoleum is of poor quality, there is a risk that it may crack in severe frosts. It is preferable to use laminate for the bedroom, living room and corridors, since it is more natural and presentable in appearance.
It is still better to use linoleum in the hallway or entrance area if you live where there is a snowy winter. This makes more sense because laminate reacts worse to contact with water, and in winter, as you know, we often bring snow on our shoes, which turns into water indoors.
Which is better: laminate or regular linoleum – let’s sum it up
In choosing between these two coatings, consumer opinions and reviews were roughly divided in half. Some people consider laminate flooring warmer than linoleum, others choose semi-commercial or commercial linoleum and are satisfied with its quality and thermal insulation. Of course, in order to improve all the properties of any coating, you just need to choose its class at a higher level (and remember about the higher price). Many people love laminate for its appearance; it is natural when the consumer wants to create the impression of an expensive renovation for reasonable money (after all, visually it looks like parquet). However, it is important to understand that external “high cost” should not become a decisive factor in choice.
What to choose - laminate or linoleum in the apartment is up to you. If you often change your interior or live in a rented apartment, do not choose coatings that are too expensive, and do not be persuaded by salespeople. The choice between linoleum and laminate should be based solely on your needs and the characteristics of the room.
Carefully study all the pros and cons, decide what is right for you. Visit several specialized construction stores and listen to the recommendations of different specialists if the choice of flooring is an important issue for you. Often, not only the external picture of your kitchen, bedroom and nursery depends on this. Sometimes the health of your family members depends on the right choice of flooring. Require a detailed and accessible description of the product, certificates and guarantees. And we wish you good luck in your choice.
When completing a new home or completing a major renovation, any happy owner of a renovated space wonders which flooring is best to choose.
The variety of materials can be confusing, but laminate and linoleum have become the most popular in recent years.
To figure out which one is best for a particular room, you need to know at least a little more about them.
Today's market is filled with different types of laminate flooring, which differ in color, pattern, quality and cost. It should be noted that different types of material may differ in price, but this does not mean that they have a big difference in quality.
Characteristics
Laminate is a panel 15-40 cm wide, its length is 1-1.5 m, and its thickness varies from 4 to 12 mm.
It consists of several layers, each of which plays its own role.
- The bottommost layer consists of a waterproof material - tarred or unrefined paper. It helps preserve the floor covering on the main floor side. This layer can also have a soundproofing coating or a stand-alone backing.
- The main dense layer of the laminate is made of wood fiber, pressed into a board with a thickness of 4 to 12 mm. Its rigidity holds the shape of the panel, and there are tongue-and-groove fastenings on it, with the help of which a monolithic floor covering is created.
- The next layer is decorative. It consists of a laminated film, which has various patterns that imitate different types of wood, stone, parquet, sand and other materials.
- The top layer protects the laminate from mechanical stress such as scratches or abrasion. It consists of acrylic or melamine resins, which are applied in several layers. Their number varies from two or more - the more there are, the more reliable and durable the coating.
This top layer is used to determine the class of the laminate.
Coating properties
Laminate panels, like any building material, have their positive and negative qualities.
Advantages
Laminate is light in weight, but can withstand greater loads than wood flooring. It is moisture resistant and hygroscopic, it does not crack. Thanks to the protective film, it is resistant to scratches and abrasions.
This also includes its resistance to ultraviolet radiation - it does not fade or change color over time.
Its practicality is obvious, since once you install it, you can forget about the problem of repairing the floor for decades.
Environmental friendliness
Laminate is based on natural materials and does not contain resins or formaldehydes harmful to the human body, unlike other floor coverings.
Its production is subject to high material safety requirements, so it can be safely installed in any room of a house or apartment.
Aesthetics
Laminated film perfectly imitates the pattern of any texture, be it wood or stone.
The laid laminate flooring is almost impossible to distinguish from natural parquet. Designers use this material for general interior design, using its aesthetic qualities.
Hygiene
Since laminate is moisture resistant, mold cannot grow on it. The material is easy to clean - just regular wet cleaning is enough.
The laminate panels fit so tightly against each other that dirt particles cannot get between them.
This can also be attributed to its positive properties.
Flaws
This flooring has significantly fewer negative qualities than positive ones, but they still exist:
- some types of laminate can attract dust and small debris due to the fact that they can accumulate static electricity;
- the material is not able to make the floor as warm as natural parquet can do.
These are almost minor negative points compared to all its advantages. But it should be noted that these shortcomings are completely correctable.
Linoleum is a rolled flooring material. It is available in several types and with a variety of patterns, has many colors and shades. It can be easily selected to suit every taste and any interior.
Characteristics
- Linoleum is produced in different thicknesses - thin and insulated, in widths of 1.5 m, 2 m, 2.5 m, 3 and 4 m.
- The thickness of the baseless thin coating varies from 1.2 to 1.6 mm.
- Insulated has a foam backing from 2 to 4 mm, and linoleum with a warm thick base can have a thickness of 1.5 cm.
If thin linoleum is laid, the floors under it are leveled to perfect condition.
A coating on a thick base can easily hide small irregularities.
Types of linoleum
This flooring is available in several types and from different materials:
- PVC linoleum is the most common type of this covering; it is produced without a base and on a heat-sound-insulating or fabric base.
This material is also divided into homogeneous (single-layer) and heterogeneous (multilayer) types: 
- Heterogeneous linoleum consists of several layers. The first, lower one is a foamed or insulated backing, followed by a decorative layer with a pattern and a transparent top one - a protective film.
- Homogeneous linoleum is a material whose pattern runs throughout its entire thickness, so it is not afraid of abrasion. This type is good for laying in places with high traffic.
PVC linoleum does not tolerate temperature changes well; it deforms when it significantly increases or decreases.
- Colloxyline linoleum - made from nitrocellulose without a base, it is elastic and waterproof, but it is almost never used in residential premises, as it is a fire hazard.
- Alkyd or glyphthalic linoleum - made on the basis of alkyd resin, on a fabric backing. This type of linoleum has good heat and sound insulation properties compared to PVC.
The disadvantage of this type of flooring is that it does not tolerate low temperatures well, it becomes brittle and can break. 
- "Relin" is linoleum made on a rubber base.
Its bottom layer consists of recycled rubber mixed with bitumen, which is covered on top with rubber, to which fillers and pigments have been added.
Positive and negative qualities of linoleum
Advantages
Linoleum has a large number of positive qualities, which is why it is very popular:
- Affordability makes it possible for even a family with an average income to purchase the most expensive option;
- Easy to maintain - linoleum does not require much effort when cleaning, It is enough to wipe it with a damp cloth or walk over it with a vacuum cleaner;
- The material makes it possible to move around it silently, which contributes to the creation of comfort;
- A coating on a warm substrate, having a thickness of 1.5 cm, can create a good;
- Linoleum has a fairly low thermal conductivity, so the floor will not be cold, even if.
Naturally, in this case it is better to choose thick linoleum on a warm backing;
- The form of the material and its width basically always allows you to lay it yourself in an apartment or house, without using joints of the canvases. If you still had to connect two pieces, you can use ;
- The abundance of colors, shades and patterns allows you to make the necessary choice for any room;
- Long service life, which ranges from 10 to 15 years.
Flaws
The flooring also has its disadvantages, which you also need to know about: 
- The material is not made on a natural basis and is an artificial product. The exception is natural linoleum, but it has not yet become widespread;
- Not resistant to chemical influences (solvents, dyes);
- reacts to changes in temperature conditions, while it becomes fragile and can be deformed;
- Vulnerability when coming into contact with hot objects;
- Traces from furniture placed on it remain on the linoleum, which are not subsequently removed;
Moving furniture on this flooring is strictly prohibited, as it can be easily fatally damaged, it may become deformed or, at best, scratches will remain on it.
Material comparison criteria
If you are faced with the question of choosing between these materials, you need to make a comparison and identify all the pros and cons of linoleum and laminate.
Floor coverings have not only fundamental differences, but also similarities, so if you rely on them, the materials can sometimes become interchangeable.
Comparison table
| Qualities | Laminate | |
| Durability | The service life depends on the type, class and quality of the material, as well as the correctness of its operation, and on average ranges from 10 to 15 years | The same as for linoleum, but the service life is from 12 to 20 years |
| Water resistance | Both materials are water resistant because they have protective coatings. Given this quality, they can be considered interchangeable. | Interchangeable with linoleum. |
| Thermal conductivity, which is warmer. | This property of the material depends on the thickness of the coating and on the substrate present; some types may be equivalent. | The same as for linoleum. |
| Soundproofing | The level of sound insulation also depends on the thickness of the material, but generally it is higher for linoleum than for laminate. | The same as for linoleum. |
| Fire safety and toxicity | The material may have different levels of this indicator, which is indicated on the packaging by letters and numbers from G1 to G4. Toxicity is also indicated by a letter and a number in increasing order from T1 to T4. |
The material is less flammable, so this indicator is not always indicated on its packaging. |
| Laying material | The covering is easy to install, and this work can be done independently: if the width of the linoleum matches the width of the room. In some cases, it is necessary to connect the blades using special welding. | Having studied the laying technology, you can easily lay the material. |
| Care | The floor covering is easy to clean with wet cleaning. | Laminate flooring is easy to maintain, just like linoleum. |
| Design | Linoleum has a richer range of colors and a variety of patterns. | Laminate is not as rich in colors as linoleum. |
| Strength | Not as durable as laminate. | Laminate is a more durable material than linoleum. |
| Mechanical resistance | Dents from furniture and heels may form on the coating. Moving furniture can damage or even tear linoleum. Animals will not be able to damage the material with their claws. |
Resistant to various mechanical influences, including abrasion. |
| Environmental friendliness, which is more harmful than laminate or linoleum. | The material is artificial, so it can cause allergic reactions. | It is environmentally friendly, as it contains a minimum of non-natural ingredients. |
Based on this data, you can decide which material is most suitable for your room.
Material prices
Prices for laying flooring per 1 m2 vary: for laminate from 120 to 550 rubles, for linoleum from 80 to 300 rubles.
What will cost more: laminate or linoleum? Let's compare prices.
Price table for linoleum
| Price | Class | Thickness in cm | Material of manufacture | Price per 1 m2 in rubles |
| Inexpensive | Domestic | From 0.2 to 0.4 | PVC | 120 — 390 |
| Commercial | From 1 to 1.7 | Rubber | 600 — 900 | |
| Semi-commercial | From 0.2 to 0.4 | Alkyd | 230 — 320 | |
| Average | Domestic | From 1.5 to 0.3 | Colloxylin | 240 — 550 |
| Commercial | From 1 to 2.5 | Rubber | 515- 580 | |
| Semi-commercial | From 0.2 to 0.4 | Alkyd | 480 — 525 | |
| Premium | Domestic | From 0.2 to 0.5 | PVC | 365 — 600 |
| Commercial | From 1 to 4 | Rubber | 1600 — 3000 | |
| Semi-commercial | From 0.2 to 0.4 | Alkyd | 520 — 650 |
Laminate price table
What rooms are the materials suitable for?
Laminate and linoleum are divided according to strength by the criteria of cross-country ability, i.e. wear resistance. Public organizations and buildings need a coating that can withstand the passage of a large number of people for a long time; office premises also need to be covered with reliable, durable material. Therefore, floor coverings are available in several classes.
Laminate classification
It is indicated on each package with two numbers, the first of which indicates the intended use for residential or non-residential premises, and the second indicates the degree of strength of the coating:
- material for living rooms is indicated by numbers from 21 to 23,
- for non-residential and work premises from 31 to 33.
But it should be noted that recently many manufacturers are refusing to produce laminates of class 21-23, since materials of class 31-33 are more popular, since in terms of their environmental friendliness they are no different from coatings for residential premises.
- 31 - laminate for offices where there is no heavy load on the coating, also good for bedroom;
- 32 - material for public organizations with more intensive traffic, for the home, it good for living room, balcony and bathroom;
- 33 - laminate for rooms with heavy traffic, where it bears heavy loads, for example, shops and hotels. In residential premises, this class of coating is installed in the hallway or kitchen.
Classification of linoleum
Linoleum is also divided according to wear resistance; there are three classes:
- Household - this material is used in residential premises.
It has high wear resistance and environmental safety, and this is one of the most important requirements for this floor covering.
It can be placed in any room of the apartment, it will last quite a long time.
- Semi-commercial - this class is intended for office premises and catering organizations; it has wear resistance for average traffic.
This class of linoleum is rarely installed in residential premises, since it is not necessary.
- Commercial is the most wear-resistant and durable class of linoleum.
Therefore, it is laid in public buildings such as shops, schools, hotels, etc.
When choosing a floor covering, you need to take care not only of its aesthetic value, but also of its environmental friendliness.
Choosing the right wear resistance class will help save your family budget. Based on all the data received, it will not be difficult to choose the right option.
If the renovation is focused on affordable floor coverings, then you will have to choose from two options - laminate or linoleum. In both options, the price is almost the same, but the materials have their advantages and disadvantages. To make it easier for you to make a choice, let's look at the coatings separately and compare their performance and aesthetic characteristics.
Modern linoleum is associated with artificial materials. However, Frederick Walton, the inventor of this flooring, intended it exclusively as a natural covering. Over the century and a half that has passed since its creation, the main component - linseed oil - has been forced out of linoleum. Natural linoleum is still used today, but polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is most often used as a binder. There is no point in comparing absolutely natural linoleum with laminate, due to the obvious advantages of the latter. Therefore, below we will only talk about coatings with a PVC base. Conventionally, it can be classified into three categories.
- Household linoleum. The thickness does not exceed 4 mm. It has a complex structure - most often it is a foam material, on top of which there is a decorative layer with a protective surface. This type of linoleum has a short service life, which is compensated by its low price and soft base.
- Commercial linoleum. The densest fabric with maximum wear resistance. Less attention is paid to the appearance of such material, so the choice of patterns and colors is slightly limited. The surface is sometimes specially treated to reduce slipping.
- Semi-commercial linoleum. The structure is similar to the household version, but the protective layer is thicker and is at least 0.7 mm thick.
The cost of linoleum is greatly influenced by the presence or absence of a base of insulation.
What kind of linoleum is there in an apartment? Basically, the pattern of linoleum imitates natural materials - wood, marble and natural stone. In linoleum options for the kitchen, a pattern imitating ceramic tiles is often used.
Care and appearance
Laminate copes much better with imitation of a coating made of natural material. Floors made from laminate look attractive primarily because they are very reminiscent of classic parquet. Apart from imitation wood, there is no fundamental difference between laminated boards and linoleum.
The photo shows a nice imitation of wood, but laminate is cheaper than natural parquet Maintaining the original attractiveness of laminate flooring is much more difficult. It practically does not fade in the sun, but requires careful care. Such floors need to be washed with special products. For linoleum, ordinary water is enough.
Prices
What is cheaper: linoleum or laminate? Depending on the characteristics you need, there are several answers to this question. High-quality linoleum is practically not inferior to laminate in price, but on average, linoleum is usually cheaper. The use of natural materials in laminated boards implies high environmental safety, but also sets the price level higher than the minimum cost of linoleum. 
Conclusion
Both materials have unique characteristics, and each can be used successfully in certain conditions. That is why it is most effective to use different types of flooring in different rooms. If we are talking about a balcony or loggia, then linoleum will look better, and in the room and living room, it is more profitable to use laminate. In any case, when choosing a floor covering, you should not start your search with the cheapest option, because the main source of savings is its service life.
Repair is a complex and responsible undertaking, but most of the time is, of course, spent on choosing materials, because you want to achieve the optimal result, which means deciding on the color scheme, texture and other nuances. The result should be the room of your dreams, so it would be a good idea to first prepare for the variety of assortments in the relevant stores and only then go shopping.
What to choose: laminate or linoleum?
The importance of flooring is undeniable. Depending on the purpose of the room, you can opt for parquet boards or carpet, tiles, linoleum or laminate. When choosing from the last listed, it is worth noting that each of the materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. Undoubtedly, linoleum and laminate are approximately in the same price range.
The environmental friendliness of the coating is of great importance. It is impossible to say unequivocally what is more harmful - laminate or linoleum, because synthetic materials are used in their production. However, laminate is more environmentally friendly, if only because the production technology of this floor covering involves the hardening of all “chemistry”. You can also judge the greater “harmfulness” of linoleum by the specific smell, which is especially noticeable in stores where this material is sold. If the environmental friendliness of the flooring is of great importance to you, for example, for a child’s room, then it is better to opt for laminate.
What is warmer: laminate or linoleum?
For those who like to live in an apartment without slippers, thermal insulation of the floor is of no small importance. Any floor covering requires the use of a special insulating substrate, on which the warmth of the floor largely depends, but the floor covering itself also has its own level of thermal insulation. In terms of thermal insulation, these floor coverings are approximately at the same level, however, it should be borne in mind that it is better not to use laminate in a room with excessive humidity, for example, in the kitchen. While linoleum is usually laid in a single layer, laminate is assembled from strips, resulting in seams and joints. Although the floor looks beautiful, it is impossible to achieve complete moisture insulation in the case of laminate, and regular moisture in the seams reduces the service life of the coating. Laminate or linoleum in the kitchen are equally short-lived (no more than 10 years), while the laminate absorbs moisture, and with frequent washing it loses its original appearance. Water spilled on linoleum won't go away, but it can cause you to slip and fall. When choosing flooring for the kitchen, it is better to give preference to tiles with relief or expensive linoleum with a rubberized surface.
What is more expensive: laminate or linoleum?
Each of these floor coverings has its own classification, which ultimately affects the price. In addition to the thickness of the floor covering, the manufacturer, wear resistance, environmental friendliness, and the use of natural materials are of great importance. 
materials, imitation parquet boards and other factors. Comparing the price per square meter, the conclusion suggests itself that there is not much difference in cost, even taking into account the service fee for the correct flooring. Before making a choice, it is worth considering that linoleum can be made entirely from natural materials, while laminate requires more careful care and maintaining certain temperature and humidity conditions in the room.
When you find yourself in a flooring store, the best decision would be to listen to your inner voice, or even better, close your eyes for a moment and imagine how you see the floor in your apartment.