Which is better - laminate or linoleum?

When arranging your own home or any workroom, there is always a desire to make the interior as attractive, practical as possible, in accordance with a particular vision of aesthetics. One of the most significant factors is the choice of flooring, and the most pressing issue today in this regard is the question of which is better - laminate or linoleum? All the pros and cons, as well as a full review with a comparison of these materials on the most important criteria, you will find in this article.

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The device of the laminate and linoleum

To correctly understand what to choose - linoleum or laminate, you must first know what these materials are made of and what are the features of their device. They are as follows:

1. Laminate. The basis of this coating is natural wood. Usually these are pressed MDF boards. To harden and give a more attractive appearance, polymer resins are added to the composition and a PVC coating is applied. It is supplied for sale in small collections of elements.
2. Linoleum. Such a coating is made of natural or synthetic fibers based on PVC. Depending on the class, the material may have a different number of pressed and glued layers. Cloths are sold in roll form with various width parameters, so it is possible to create a seamless floor decor for rooms of various quadratures.

Laminate or linoleum - which is better, expert opinion can be taken into account. But you need to personally understand what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options for flooring.

Pros of linoleum:

1. High wear resistance.
2. Low price of coatings on a synthetic base.
3. Simplicity of laying technology.
4. Durability.
5. Variant properties of noise and heat insulation.
6. Possibility of choosing a coating of a suitable quality class for specific operating conditions by the criterion of the intensity and frequency of movement of people.
7. Ease of leaving - transfers any detergents, and is also suitable for classic floor washing.

Minuses:

1. The possibility of deformation of the canvas when installing heavy furniture.
2. The high cost of the material on a completely natural basis.
3. Relative sensitivity to temperature fluctuations.
4. A more modest appearance, despite the richness of colors.

Advantages of the laminate:

1. Environmentally friendly, natural material.
2. High esthetics and presentable appearance.
3. Easy to install, but more labor intensive.
4. Low price when comparing such a wood flooring with a natural plank or parquet coating.
5. Good thermal insulation properties due to wood in the base and the use of an additional substrate.

Disadvantages:

1. Relative mechanical strength - deforms when heavy objects fall, prone to scratching.
2. It does not tolerate moisture, so special care is required.
3. There may be a creak when walking on the surface after a certain period of use.
4. Noisy background when walking.

Based on the general pros and cons, you can already decide which is better - a laminate or linoleum for your room. In order to have the most complete picture of all the features of different types of coatings, we suggest paying attention to the choice of material for a particular type of room, as well as an additional comparison in terms of characteristics.

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Laminate or linoleum for a bedroom, kitchen, living room, corridor?

Different rooms in a private house or apartment are usually operated with varying degrees of intensity. In addition, each has its own specific atmosphere and living conditions. Therefore, in order to determine whether a laminate or linoleum is better, you must certainly take into account the purpose of the rooms or the space in which you plan to update the floor. Here the recommendations will be as follows.

Living room

Usually, this is the most solid room in the house, but it should also be the most comfortable. It is here that the residents of the apartment spend most of the time and invite guests to communicate here. Therefore, what to choose - a laminate or linoleum, decide for specific tasks:

1. If you plan to create an elite designer interior with special elegance and solidity, the answer is obvious - this is a laminate.
2. If you prefer a simpler modern and practical option “for centuries” - this is linoleum.

Bedroom

A special atmosphere should reign here, everything should be as natural and organic as possible in order to contribute to a relaxing holiday. Therefore, if financial opportunities allow, give preference to the laminate.

Corridor

For the corridor, you can choose different finishes, so here as nowhere is the question more relevant, which is better - laminate or linoleum. To cope with this task competently, build on these criteria:

• the space between the rooms in the back of the house or apartment is better to decorate with a laminate, especially if it is a corridor between the nursery and the bedroom;
• for the hallway, choose a more convenient and less easily soiled linoleum.

Kitchen

All family members constantly crowd in the kitchen, and guests are often met in this cozy room. But do not forget that it is in such a room that there are negative factors:

• cooking is constantly taking place;
• a large number of diverse equipment is installed;
• temperature and humidity jump;
• fat is regularly sprayed;
• food may fall.

Therefore, the choice between laminate and linoleum is unambiguous in favor of the second. Delicate wood flooring will not withstand such intense adverse conditions for a long time.

Children

Regarding the nursery, everything is somewhat more complicated. It all depends on what exactly will be a priority for you from the following factors:

1. Ecological cleanliness and naturalness are the most important criteria when choosing any finishing materials for a child’s room. Laminate meets more high requirements. But it can give a greater sliding effect, and even by its structure is more solid. Therefore, it can provoke situations unsafe for the health of your child and lead to injuries.
2. Practicality and wear resistance. Young children are very mobile, every day they find entertainment, play and have fun - and all this happens very actively. Do not forget about spilled, scattered, smeared pens, powders, paints, toy fillers, food, goodies, plasticine, etc. Therefore, to solve several problems at the same time in terms of practicality and convenience - both yours and the baby, what to choose - linoleum or laminate, obviously. It will be linoleum. But it must be of very good quality, have all certificates of hygienic purity and be distinguished by a certain degree of softness.

Important! If you are choosing a coating for an office building, here it is also certainly better to choose good quality linoleum.

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Important features to compare

Having a complete picture of what is best to choose - a laminate or linoleum, you will be the one after you take into account the following criteria:

1. Price. Laminate, even economy class, will cost more than good linoleum. Therefore, based on the requirements of a clear budget, it is better to buy really high-quality linoleum, and not a second-class laminate.
2. Decorative possibilities. Both materials have the same advantages here.Each of them can have different patterns, possess the texture that impresses you the most. Therefore, what to choose - laminate or linoleum, decide only according to your preferences.
3. Security. Safety includes several factors - fire, hygiene, physical. Here, more attention should be paid not to the type of material, but to the quality of its manufacture and the integrity of the manufacturer.
4. Styling method. Regarding speed and ease of laying, linoleum will be simpler - at least due to the integrity of the canvas.
5. Durability and wear resistance. In this regard, linoleum is a priority.
6. Care. According to the criterion of care, linoleum is also more interesting. It can be washed, cleaned by various means. Laminate flooring will require extremely delicate handling and certain restrictions.

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Stock footage

Now it’s probably easier for you to decide whether to prefer laminate or linoleum. Properly set your goals and consider the features of the operation of the rooms, then the newly created original room decor will last you a long time, and you will not be puzzled by the need for a new repair, but you will enjoy the comfort of your own home.