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Renovations always hit the pocket, especially when it comes to flooring. Laminate, which was once an affordable option, is now disliked by many because of its price. But experienced craftsmen know a very good alternative - linoleum on a felt base. It is a cheaper, and often even much more interesting solution.
Today, you can find linoleum in stores for every taste and budget. The material costs an average of 200 to 500 UAH per m², and laying, depending on the region, will cost approximately 50-200 UAH per m². Compared to laminate, the savings are significant, especially considering that you don't need to buy an additional underlay.
The felt base makes linoleum warm and pleasant for the feet. That is why it is comfortable to walk on such a floor barefoot, even in winter. In addition, this material absorbs sounds much better, so your steps, when you are rushing to work in the morning, will be less disturbing to the neighbors below.
The thickness of linoleum on a felt base varies from 2.5 to 4.5 mm. Therefore, it feels quite soft. This material also has another advantage - ease of installation. That is, if you want to save on this, then you can do the work yourself. The most important stage is the correct preparation of the base.
Wet cleaning for such a floor is not a problem. Most types of laminate cannot withstand too high humidity. Therefore, even a glass of water can ruin them. With linoleum, things are different, because it can be laid even in the kitchen, where liquids on the floor are often. It can also be washed even with a vacuum cleaner with an aqua filter.
When choosing linoleum, you should pay attention to the thickness of the protective layer, because it is responsible for the durability of the coating. High-quality material will last you from 8 to 15 years, while maintaining a decent appearance. The felt base should be even, without bubbles and thickenings.
Linoleum can be welded at the joints using either a cold or hot method - this will create a seamless coating where water will not leak and dirt will not accumulate. However, in small rooms, welding is often done without it: it is enough to carefully trim the edges.
Of course, this material has its quirks. Heavy furniture can leave dents, so it's better to put special pads under the legs of cabinets and tables. And it's not the best choice for rooms with very high traffic, because it's not an industrial coating.
The wear resistance class should be chosen wisely. A simpler option is suitable for a bedroom, but for a hallway or kitchen it is better to take something stronger. It is also worth choosing a proven manufacturer. After all, linoleum is already cheaper than most materials. Therefore, you should not save money, as you will have to repair the floor in 2-3 years.
