Commercial, semi-commercial, household linoleum: their differences and which one to choose

With good reason, linoleum is one of the most popular flooring choices. It is reasonably simple to install, long-lasting, and adaptable. But it’s crucial to comprehend the distinctions between household, semi-commercial, and commercial grades of linoleum when selecting the proper kind. Every type is made with a specific purpose in mind, so choosing the incorrect one now could cause problems later on.

Because commercial linoleum is designed to endure heavy foot traffic and wear and tear, it is perfect for public areas such as schools and businesses. Compared to other types, it is thicker and more durable, and it frequently has extra layers for added protection. Nevertheless, the cost of this durability is higher, and it might not be justified for residential use.

Cost and durability are balanced in semi-commercial linoleum. It works well for high-traffic areas of the house, such as kitchens and hallways, but it can also work well for small businesses that don’t see as much foot traffic as larger commercial spaces. This kind of linoleum strikes a good balance by being reasonably priced and robust.

Conversely, household linoleum is intended for locations with less foot traffic. Although it is the least expensive choice, its durability is not on par with that of commercial or semi-commercial grades. Household linoleum can be a great, reasonably priced option for low-traffic areas like living rooms and bedrooms.

Knowing these distinctions will enable you to choose wisely depending on the particular requirements of your area. There is a type of linoleum that is ideal for every setting, be it a cosy bedroom, a busy kitchen, or an office.

A little bit of the history of linoleum

Many centuries ago, the Vikings used oiled linen fabric for their sails. The term "oiled canvas," or oilcloth, was first used in Europe in 1627 and was applied to ship sails as well as protective coverings and coatings. Furthermore, Nathan Smith, a native of Britain, created the first modern linoleum in 1763 by refining the formula for oilcloth from the previous century. He mixed linseed oil with resin, beeswax, and natural brown dye; the mixture was then sprayed onto the fabric while it was still hot.

When ground cork was first added to the mixture in 1843, the composition saw its next improvement. Over time, rubber was added as a new component, giving the material its elasticity and the Greek word kamptulikon (which means "to bend") in reference to it. However, rubber quickly became more expensive as it became necessary for a new invention: automobile tires. After it became unprofitable, kamptulikon production was halted.

Frederick Walton, an Englishman, is another notable figure in the coating’s history. He invented the first substance known as linoleum, which is derived from the Latin for "linseed oil." The composition also contained wood flour, cork, chalk, and resin in addition to the element that gave the composition its name. Jute fabric was coated with this mixture, and the coating was ready for use after a few weeks of drying.

The first factory to produce linoleum, "Walton, Taylor and Co.", was established in a suburb of London in 1864. Additionally, three factories’ workshops opened in the German Bremen area in 1882. Twenty years from now, Walton will be able to provide its customers with glyftal linoleum, which will have a blend of multiple modified vegetable oils at its core. The material will start to be produced in tsarist Russia by this point.

When experiments with the composition were completed and technology was worked out, the time has come to improve the appearance of the coating. Manufacturers received new colors, attracted famous artists to design solutions, the creation of patterns and drawings. Before the war, this branch of industry flourished, and even kept afloat a dozen years after the restoration of its completion. But already in the 60s, the production of natural linoleum entered a longer period of decline – the use of polyvinyl chloride simplified and made the process of creating flooring cheaper and forced it out of the market for 20 years. Although there was no linseed oil in the PVC polymer material, it was also called linoleum for its external resemblance to its predecessor. When natural linoleum returned to the market in the 80s, it was positioned as a premium flooring for those who could afford environmentally friendly products. Large brands such as Forbo, Grabo and Tarkett abroad and Komiteks LIN in Russia offer it today, some under the alternative name marmoleum.

Naturally, the industrial production of artificial linoleum—a synthetic covering—continues to advance.

Types of linoleum and their differences

There are far more varieties of linoleum than just four. Each property of the material (structure, naturalness, thickness, wear resistance, abrasion resistance, and fire hazard) has a corresponding classification in linoleum. However, each classification is a topic for a different article, so in this one we will focus on the differences between the homogeneous and heterogeneous commercial linoleum subtypes and the types of linoleum classified according to the area of application. Let’s also think about the types of specialty linoleum that are currently offered.

Household

The back of the roll and packaging of linoleum recommended for residential use is marked with 21, 22, or 23. The home sphere is represented by the number 2, and the higher the second number, the greater the sample’s resistance to wear. A square meter weighs between 1.2 and 1.8 kilograms.

The composition of domestic linoleum looks like this. Insulation against heat and sound is provided by the foamed polyvinyl chloride layer at the bottom. A pattern or design is present in the intermediate layer, and the coating is shielded from abrasion by the top layer, which has a thickness of 0.15–0.3 mm.

A high-quality household coating will not suffer from moisture, will not accumulate dust, and the pattern will not fade over time. It is easy to clean such linoleum, and there will be no problems with installation – the owners easily roll out and fix this roll material with their own hands. There are even performance indicators in which the flooring for residential premises surpasses commercial grade linoleum – heat and sound absorption, as well as orthopedic properties (rigidity). An advantage is also the affordable price. But the wear resistance and abrasion resistance indicators are the lowest in the line, so a stepped heel or a dropped fork will cause irreparable damage. On average, household linoleum is laid for 5-7 years, a longer service life without damage will be more of an exception to the rule.

Installing household linoleum in high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and hallway is not advised. However, the bedroom and home office can both use this type of flooring.

Semi-commercial

The manufacturer designates semi-commercial linoleum with a number between 31 and 34, which is a kind of compromise between the best qualities of commercial and household use. It is comparable to the first in that it is simple to install and handle, and to the second in that it is resilient to wear and damage. Semi-commercial flooring is likewise priced in the middle.

Such linoleum is advised by manufacturers to be installed in rooms with average traffic that are not directly attached to the street. Hospital wards, office spaces, and hotel rooms are a few examples of these locations. Semi-commercial linoleum is suitable in the living room, kitchen, and hallway of an apartment.

Although the weight of a square meter of such flooring is between two and three kilograms more than that of a household one, the structure is essentially the same. The protective layer is up to two times thicker, measuring 0.6 mm, and the layers are identical, with the exception of additional reinforcement provided by bonding fiberglass. The semi-commercial linoleum has a higher frame (density of consistency) than household linoleum because of the fiberglass content in its composition. The flooring is resistant to loads and damage because of these features.

Commercial heterogeneous and homogeneous

The requirements for floor coverings are best met by commercial linoleum. It is the leader in terms of strength, durability, abrasion resistance, fire hazard, and also most successfully resists common and point loads, moisture, ultraviolet radiation and chemical reagents. It corresponds to markings with numbers from 41 to 43. Only commercial linoleum can withstand temperatures from -40 to +50 Celsius (for comparison, a comfortable temperature for household and semi-commercial flooring is from -10 to +40 degrees), and only this type of linoleum among synthetic samples will last up to 25 years. This material has one serious drawback – the cost, which exceeds the means of most buyers. But, if you look into it, in the everyday life of an average apartment there are no such loads when commercial linoleum would fully demonstrate its properties.
Commercial flooring reinforced with polyurethane is used in rooms visited not by tens, but by thousands of people per day, as well as by units of equipment and machinery. This includes a plant, factory, wholesale warehouse, university, clinic. As well as an airport, train station, shopping and entertainment center, government agencies.

GOST 11529-86 governs the production of commercial linoleum in the Russian Federation. When a material has this mark on the packaging, it means that it meets state standards and that its technical specifications won’t be compromised.

Depending on the structure, there are two types of commercial linoleum: homogeneous and heterogeneous (the latter being found in semi-commercial and household settings, in contrast to the former type).

The durability of homogeneous linoleum is remarkable. Chalk, lime, and other additives are added to PVC to make it. The substance is homogeneous, thin (no more than 3 mm thick), baseless, and consists of a single layer that is completely covered in paint.

In a heterogeneous coating, the pattern is applied only to the intermediate layer of decor. This layer with a pattern is applied to a base made of foamed polyvinyl chloride or natural materials – jute or felt. And the top layer of heterogeneous linoleum is protective (also working). Made from pressed granules of polyvinyl chloride. The layers are fastened with fiberglass, resulting in a thickness of up to 6 mm. The more expensive the coating, the higher the probability that additional layers have been added to it, enhancing the positive properties of linoleum. The line of heterogeneous linoleums offers a greater variety of patterns and colors, and additives that make the coating specialized can only be added to it.

Specialized

Specialized commercial linoleum is also called such a floor covering, in which one of the performance properties is significantly increased, some of the characteristics are key. For example, acoustic linoleum has an enhanced sound insulation function, the ability to absorb sound up to 19 dB. Hospitals and libraries are regular customers of such rolls on a foam base, thanks to which you can’t hear your footsteps. Anti-slip and sports linoleum have similar characteristics, both are designed to ensure safety. Only in gyms and fitness clubs is slip resistance increased by adding corundum chips to the composition, and in rooms with high humidity, coatings with a corrugated surface are more often used. Models with increased antistatic properties are additionally divided into conductive and current-dissipating and are designed to remove static electricity from the room, which accumulates from the devices used there. The resistance force of conductive linoleum is about 105 Ohm (+-1), current-dissipating – reaches 108 Ohm. The final charge of both coatings is no more than 2 kV, which is achieved by introducing graphite threads into the material.

Places with a lot of office equipment, such as research labs, hospital X-ray rooms, and school computer rooms used for computer science lessons, are covered with anti-static coating. Essential in workshops for the manufacturing of electrical devices, explosives, and their component parts. Special conductive glue and current-removing mesh are used during installation.

Medical facilities and transportation-related linoleums are two distinct categories. Transportation linoleum is utilized in bus and trolleybuses, airline cabins, subway electric trains, and railroad carriages. It has an anti-slip effect in addition to being durable, fire resistant, water resistant, and low toxicity. Carborundum is added to the composition to improve adhesion. Since the cleanliness of the coating is crucial for medical facilities, elements that stop bacteria and fungi from surviving and proliferating are added to this type of specialty linoleum.

When selecting linoleum for your area, it’s critical to comprehend the primary distinctions among household, semi-commercial, and commercial varieties. Commercial linoleum is perfect for public areas and businesses because it is designed to withstand high foot traffic. For light commercial and office applications, semi-commercial linoleum provides a good mix between comfort and durability. Domestic linoleum is made for use in homes and comes in a variety of patterns that are sufficiently durable for daily use. Understanding the particular requirements of your space will enable you to choose the best kind of linoleum that blends affordability, style, and durability.

Which one to choose

The questions "which one?" and "where?" do not come first when choosing linoleum. The location of the linoleum installation, the room’s analysis, any anticipated loads, any desired extra features, and the coating selection all play a role. If there aren’t many people living there or visiting and there isn’t much weight on the floor, you can install cheap household linoleum in an apartment. Semi-commercial linoleum is more appropriate for a home with a large family that hosts visitors frequently. Furthermore, it is worthwhile to select natural samples for the children’s room even if it is decided to install synthetic linoleum in other rooms.

Commercial linoleum has no use in apartments because the loads it is intended for do not occur there, and the additional expenses are not worth it. However, such a covering will be essential for businesses and organizations. especially when a specific type of enhanced-property linoleum is chosen, one that is best suited for the activities that take place in that room.

Pay attention to reputable producers who have a solid track record and are well-established in the industry; these need not be overseas businesses. Large linoleum producers in Russia also provide high-quality goods that can rival those of international businesses. Russian linoleum is more aesthetically pleasing and reasonably priced at the same time.

Never be afraid to request a quality certificate from the seller to confirm that this sample is authentic.

Type of Linoleum Characteristics & Best Uses
Commercial Durable and tough, designed for high-traffic areas like offices, hospitals, and schools. It"s thicker and more resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for spaces that see constant use.
Semi-Commercial A middle-ground option that balances durability and comfort. Suitable for areas with moderate foot traffic like small shops or large kitchens. It’s not as heavy-duty as commercial linoleum but more resilient than household varieties.
Household Softer and more comfortable underfoot, this type is perfect for homes. It’s ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and areas with lower foot traffic. Easier to install and often comes in a wider variety of designs.

The best kind of linoleum for your area will mostly depend on how and where it will be used. Commercial linoleum is the most resilient and is made to handle high foot traffic, which makes it perfect for public spaces like retail stores, offices, and schools. Although it costs more, it provides the best resistance to deterioration.

Cost and durability are balanced in semi-commercial linoleum. It’s a flexible solution that functions well in spaces with moderate traffic, like home offices, kitchens, and small businesses. This kind is less expensive than commercial linoleum, but it still performs well and lasts longer than varieties for homes.

The best places for household linoleum, however, are those that receive little foot traffic in your house. Although it comes in a variety of patterns and colors and is the most affordable option, commercial or semi-commercial linoleum is more durable. Because of this, it’s perfect for rooms like living rooms and bedrooms that don’t get a lot of use.

In the end, the best option will rely on your unique requirements. Take into account your budget, the amount of traffic the area will experience, and the anticipated lifespan of the flooring. Knowing the distinctions between these kinds of linoleum will help you make an informed choice that will benefit your area for many years to come.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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