Design

Laying linoleum with your own hands on a wooden floor. How to lay linoleum on a wooden floor: preliminary preparation

Linoleum is a universal coating that can be laid in a variety of places and conditions, as well as on various types of substrates. It is often used to cover wooden floors made of boards or lined with plywood. Linoleum perfectly protects the surface from excess moisture, and at the same time it looks very nice, because the material can have any color, and choosing the color you like is not difficult. And it’s not at all difficult to lay it yourself. Today we’ll talk about how to lay linoleum on a wooden floor.

Before we talk about the linoleum flooring itself, it is worth noting several specific features of a wooden floor. This will help you understand why this type of finish and this type of base are absolutely compatible.

The floor, made of wood, has a multi-layer structure. It consists of joists on which wooden floorboards are laid. In the space remaining under the boards, various communications can be located, as well as layers of insulation and waterproofing. Thus, the floorboards are protected from moisture coming from below. On top, a layer of linoleum, which is not afraid of water, will help protect them from it. In general, of course, the wooden floor itself is breathable, it has good vapor permeability, but still excess moisture is harmful to it.

Not only the owners of newly built country houses, but also the owners of city apartments of old housing stock are puzzled by the problem of laying linoleum on the floor.

But linoleum can also have a negative impact on a wooden floor. If ventilation is not provided under the floorboards, then moisture willy-nilly will accumulate in the area where the joists are located, because linoleum will not allow it to escape outside and will disrupt the microclimate created under the floor.

However, the linoleum-wood floor combination is one of the best finishing options. Very often, it is this type of finishing coating that allows you to restore the former beauty of the base again. It's simple - boards lose their appearance over time; if they are painted, they constantly need to update the paintwork, which peels off. And thanks to linoleum, you can get a beautiful appearance of the floor quite quickly. At the same time, the coating is durable and will not require updating for many years, unlike the same paint.

On a note! Wooden flooring is considered environmentally friendly; it is optimally suited for installation in apartments where people who take responsibility for their health live. And linoleum, although it is a synthetic material, will never be a source of harmful substances. Therefore, these two materials - wood and linoleum - may well be neighbors.

What kind of linoleum is used on wooden floors?

Any type of linoleum is distinguished from other materials used for finishing by the following positive characteristics. This type of coating is quite durable, has a long service life, is easy to maintain, is not afraid of water, and has a reasonable price with a wide variety of colors and textures. And there are quite a lot of types of linoleum, among them it is easy to choose the type of coating that will be optimal in terms of price and quality.

Table. Main types of linoleum.

View	Characteristic
	An artificially created polymer is used to make this type of coating. The material may have several layers, a different base or not have it at all. The thickest version of this linoleum usually has a foam base and consists of four layers. Its thickness is at least 4 mm. The bottom layer is made of foamed vinyl, followed by a reinforcing layer made of fiberglass. The PVC layer sets the selected color of the material, and also protects the material from negative influences from the outside. This material has improved heat and sound insulation characteristics.
	This linoleum is called “relin”. This is a multilayer material with a thickness of about 3 mm. It is made on the basis of bitumen, crushed rubber or rubber. The upper part is made of thin colored rubber. The material is elastic and not afraid of water.
	This type of coating can have a thickness from 2 to 5 mm. Special pigments, fillers and alkyd resins are used for production. The material is resistant to abrasion, can have different colors, and has excellent sound and heat insulation properties. But in general it is a rather fragile species that can be easily damaged at a break.
	Material that does not have a base. Nitrocellulose is used in its production process. The coating is highly resistant to moisture, does not burn, and is very elastic.

Note! There is also thinner PVC linoleum on sale, up to 3 mm thick. Usually in this case the bottom layer is represented by felt. It also has a fiberglass layer covered with PVC film. If fabric-based linoleum, it does not have a fiberglass layer. The material is not afraid of abrasion and is quite resistant to various factors. Baseless linoleum- the thinnest. It does not have any backing and is usually installed where the floor surface will experience maximum moisture exposure.

Of course, linoleum made from PVC is most often used. Compared to other types, it has a relatively low cost, but at the same time has high quality indicators.

Any type of linoleum can be laid on wooden floors. But it is still recommended to take material with sufficient thickness. If you look at the classification of linoleum, then for use at home it is recommended to purchase a semi-commercial version.

On a note! There are also domestic linoleum, characterized by the smallest thickness, and linoleum commercial, which is the thickest and toughest type of coating, ready to experience maximum loads.

When choosing a material, it is important to take into account the operating conditions. For example, in high-traffic areas in residential buildings, only a semi-commercial option is installed - the household option will quickly lose its appearance. But in the bedroom or nursery, the first one can be the best solution, especially if you want to save money. In any case, it is not recommended to buy a coating less than 3 mm thick.

Methods for laying linoleum

Linoleum on a wooden base - just like on another type of base - can be laid in several ways. In general, they are divided into adhesive and non-adhesive. In the first case, the material is simply rolled out on the base and fixed around the perimeter of the room with plinths. But this option is only suitable for small rooms with low traffic, otherwise the material can easily move and waves will appear on its surface.

The adhesive method can be divided into two subtypes - using glue or using double-sided tape. In both cases, the fixation will be quite reliable, but still, for rooms where the floors are under significant load, only the option using an adhesive composition will be optimal.

On a note! Typically, linoleum is laid with glue only in rooms with an area of more than 20 m2.

Rules for laying linoleum on a wooden floor

In order to properly lay linoleum on a wooden floor, it is recommended to follow several rules:

It is recommended to lay the material so that it lies along the direction of the boards;
when joining individual sections of the covering, you need to ensure that the joint is in the middle of one of the floor boards;
the temperature in the room while laying linoleum should not exceed 20 degrees. But it shouldn’t be too cool here either;
material with a marble pattern should run perpendicular to the window, then the joints will be less noticeable. In general, linoleum must be laid taking into account the direction of incidence of light rays;
if the coating will stick to the base and there will be joints on it, then it is important not to forget to leave an overlap of about 8-10 cm. Only in this case will it be possible to beautifully and neatly connect two pieces of material.

Required tools and materials

To lay linoleum on wood floors, you will need to purchase not only the coating itself, but also certain tools and materials. This could be a tape measure and other measuring materials, a knife for cutting the coating, a notched trowel (if using the adhesive fixation method), a roller for rolling the surface, putty for sealing the seams between the boards.

VX75 - knife for cutting linoleum

To implement the adhesive fixation method, you will need to purchase special glue or double-sided tape. For additional leveling of the floor, plywood, as well as nails or screws, can be useful. If installation involves joining individual strips of linoleum, then you need to buy one to connect them inconspicuously.

Wooden floors are environmentally friendly and can last a long time if properly cared for. But when its appearance becomes unusable, it can be covered with another floor covering. Many people choose linoleum.

Is it possible to lay linoleum on a wooden floor? The clear answer is yes! This is an inexpensive and popular material on the flooring market.

The process of laying linoleum on a wooden floor is not complicated. Anyone can do this job. Most of the time and effort will be spent preparing the basis for this.

If all the rules of installation technology are followed, the flooring will last for many years, and the wooden base underneath will be well preserved.

Which one should you buy linoleum for a wooden floor?

There are many types of linoleum on the market, which differ depending on the materials from which they are composed. All of them are divided into three classes:

For laying laminate flooring at home, the simplest one is suitable - a household one.

Linoleum is a multilayer material. There are several types of this floor covering, which differ in the composition of one of the layers:

All types have good noise and heat insulation and high moisture resistance.

It is definitely worth checking whether the heads of nails and screws are protruding, which can damage the integrity of the linoleum.

If there are any, they can be easily removed by sinking them into the floor using a screwdriver or hammer.

PVC.One of the most common types of substrates, which is suitable for various coatings. The main advantage is the low price.

The coating should be purchased with a margin for allowance for thermal shrinkage and taking into account the unevenness of the walls. The standard reserve is 3-5%.

When transporting linoleum, you should not bend it, as creases are likely to occur. The roll must be placed in the room where the installation will be done so that it warms up to room temperature.

How to properly lay linoleum on a wooden floor

To work, you need to prepare the necessary tools and materials:

When cutting the fabric, be sure to leave an allowance of about 1 cm for future shrinkage.

Eat three ways to lay linoleum on a wooden floor:

After finishing the work, no matter what method was used, it is necessary to trim off the excess material and attach the baseboards.

Linoleum is one of the most popular floor coverings. And this is not surprising. This material is wear-resistant, hygienic, resistant to various types of influences, and has an affordable price. Thanks to a wide range of colors and patterns, linoleum fits harmoniously into many interior styles. It can be laid on almost any base - the only thing is that it must be perfectly prepared. Only a flat, clean and dry surface can become a reliable base for linoleum. So if you plan to lay linoleum on a wooden floor, get ready for a lot of work. Why? It is no secret that one of the key properties of PVC coatings in rolls is high elasticity. This means that it will easily repeat the shape of all the flaws in the base. Just imagine how ugly a linoleum floor will look, from the “appearing” seams and cracks between the boards.

Types of linoleum - which is better to lay on wood?

Depending on the raw materials used to make linoleum, it is divided into different types.

PVC linoleum made from polymer material. It may be without a base, or maybe on a foam, fabric or heat-insulating base.
Foamed linoleum is four-layer. This coating provides good heat and sound insulation, in addition, it is durable and strong, but not flexible enough. Suitable for rooms with high humidity and traffic.
Fabric-based linoleum has two layers: the bottom is fabric, the top is protective. The coating is very plastic and durable.
Linoleum on a heat-sound-insulating basis has a bottom layer of felt or foamed reinforced synthetic material. The top layer is a polyvinyl chloride film.
Linoleum without base has a homogeneous structure and is resistant to abrasion and moisture.
Alkyd linoleum made from alkyd resins with mineral fillers. The base can be made from both natural and synthetic materials. It has the disadvantage of not being very flexible and prone to cracks and creases.
Rubber linoleum– its bottom layer is made of a mixture of bitumen and crushed recycled rubber, the top layer is made of their colored rubber. It is characterized by high plasticity and water resistance, and is most often used in industrial and industrial premises.
Colloxyl linoleum– coating based on nitrocellulose. Sufficiently flexible, fireproof with a peculiar shine.

Any of these types boasts a variety of colors, patterns and textures. The pattern applied to the base is covered with a film, the thickness of which determines the wear resistance of linoleum and its cost. The higher the wear resistance, the wider the scope of application of the coating. Properly selected flooring with high wear resistance will be appropriate not only in an apartment, but also in public buildings and industrial workshops; it will serve for a long time and effectively.

Proper preparation of the base for installation

So, before you is a plank surface or parquet that has served its time. What should you do first? Of course, you need to decide how best to prepare such a foundation. And this requires a thorough examination.

If the parts of the floor structure are not affected by mold and have only minor flaws, then you can do this:

secure all planks/boards;
remove the “high spots” of the coating using a plane or grinder;
drown the heads of nails and screws, fill the resulting indentations;
Fill cracks, chips, and gaps between the floorboards with a special compound. It is recommended to fill wide cracks with narrow, specially prepared slats;
sand the surface.

If the wooden floor is unevenly worn, there are clearly defective floorboards, the optimal solution would be to lay sheets of moisture-resistant plywood on it. The material is attached to the base with self-tapping screws, after which, similar to the algorithm described above, all the caps are “hidden”; the surface in places where it is necessary is puttied and then sanded. Laying linoleum on plywood, as practice shows, is subsequently as easy and problem-free as possible.

Laying linoleum on a wooden floor should be done only after high-quality preparation of the surface, sealing of all cracks, cracks and chips

If preparing a plank floor requires too much physical and time investment, the best option to solve the problem of a defective base is to level the surface with plywood sheets

After you have carried out all the necessary manipulations with the base and cleaned it thoroughly, you can begin further work.

Conditions for successful installation

The temperature in the rooms before installation of the coating must be stable for at least 48 hours. It is desirable that it exceed 18 degrees. The temperature of the base should not fall below 15 degrees. Recommended humidity – 40-60%.

Before laying linoleum on a wooden floor, it is necessary to allow the material to acclimatize to the room. Usually this “stage” requires at least 24 hours. Avoid dropping the cover and make sure it does not wrinkle.

Please also pay attention to the following points:

If you have to work with several rolls within one room, you need to make sure that they are from the same batch. Joining material of the same color, but from different batches, can lead to a visual imbalance in the seam area;
It is recommended to lay the PVC coating in a reverse manner - that is, the cut sheets should be in contact with each other on the “same” sides. This is again necessary to avoid color differences. True, there are exceptions to this rule - natural linoleum and wood-patterned flooring always flow in the same direction.

Worth knowing! The different concentrations of color pigments along the long edges of the roll are due to the technological features of PVC production.

Technology of laying linoleum covering

You can lay linoleum on a wooden floor in the following ways:

No gluing. This method is the simplest, but not reliable. Only suitable for small rooms up to 12 square meters. Its essence lies in the fact that a carefully leveled coating is simply pressed along the perimeter with baseboards.
Fixed with double-sided tape. This installation technology ensures longer service life of the material. Adhesive tape is first applied around the perimeter of the room, and then in the form of a lattice with a side of about 50 centimeters - over the entire surface of the floor. The protective paper film is removed from the adhesive tape only when the linoleum is already directly glued. And not all at once, but meter by meter, as the work process progresses. Each surface area is thoroughly smoothed.
With glue fit. The most durable option, and if the room is large, then the only reasonable one.

Let's look at the adhesive installation of linoleum on a wooden base in more detail. Work order:

mark and cut the linoleum with a margin of about 5 centimeters for each side. After the linoleum has sat well in the room, all excess material can be “eliminated”;
Wrap the prepared canvas with the base up, freeing up half the area of the rough surface for applying glue;
draw a line along the folded edge along the base with a pencil - this will be the boundary for applying the glue;
armed with a notched trowel, apply glue to the base (observe the line);
After maintaining the required period of time specified in the instructions for the adhesive composition, lay the PVC coating on the “fixing” layer and carefully smooth (roll) the surface - first by hand, and then using a roller. The coating must be rolled first in the transverse direction and then in the longitudinal direction;
The same must be done with the second half of the canvas.

We invite you to use our online calculator to calculate the required amount of linoleum:

If the room is large, you will probably have to work with two or even three sheets of linoleum. This, of course, complicates the task a little, but the whole principle remains the same - first glue and press one half of the canvas, then the second. Just remember that each subsequent canvas must overlap the previous one (about 2 centimeters). This allows you to cut both edges at the same time, resulting in perfectly joined seams.

Linoleum fixed exclusively with skirting boards, as a rule, does not last long, since any excessive impact on such a floor structure can cause its deformation

High-quality adhesive installation of linoleum on a wooden base ensures a good appearance of the floor covering, its wear resistance and durability

The cutting of joints is carried out two to three days after laying the linoleum. It is produced using a long metal ruler and a special sharp knife. The resulting seams are cleaned of any protruding compound and pressed with a board and weight until completely dry.

If the material sheets were glued really carefully, the seams will be almost invisible. But it won’t hurt to completely isolate them. For this, cold or hot welding is used. The strongest possible mechanical joint is obtained by hot welding, but in everyday life they usually use cold welding. This is explained by the fact that working with it does not require special equipment or special skills.

How to care for linoleum?

To increase the service life of linoleum coating, you must not neglect taking care of it. You should not use active cleaning substances for cleaning - they cause the surface of the material to crack and dull. To clean, use either special compounds, or take care of the floor “classically” - wash it with a simple damp cloth.

You can protect linoleum from premature aging using mastics and polishes. To avoid scratches and breaks in the coating, it is advisable to put special “caps” made of soft material on furniture legs.

Despite the caustic and biased remarks of those who consider linoleum to be a relic of the Soviet Union, this material, due to its characteristics, is still widely used today. Practicality, low cost and a number of other advantages persuade thrifty owners in favor of linoleum, despite the huge selection of newfangled building materials. If we put aside bias, linoleum coating can be used on any basis, including on a wooden floor.

Advantages and disadvantages of linoleum covering on a wooden floor

Wood itself is one of the most beautiful and reliable types of flooring. However, in a number of cases, home craftsmen come to the conclusion that it has served its purpose. One option to avoid a complete replacement of the coating is to use linoleum.

This is interesting: the name “linoleum” originally referred only to a material made entirely from natural raw materials, which included jute fabric, wood flour and resin, flax oil and limestone powder. When plastic-based artificial floor coverings began to come into use, this name began to be used in relation to them.

The use of linoleum coating in combination with a wooden floor provides a number of advantages that can not only update the appearance of the room, but also significantly improve comfort:

A wooden floor covered with linoleum has a significant increase in thermal conductivity; this material also has good moisture-insulating characteristics.
Linoleum coating will save money on repairs; at a low cost, the service life of such a floor is from 30 to 50 years, while linoleum is not susceptible to rotting.
Floors covered with linoleum are not noisy and you cannot slip on them.
It is worth noting such a positive quality as a huge selection of colors, allowing you to fit the flooring into the overall design of the room.
To cover a wooden floor with linoleum, you do not need to have any special skills; a home craftsman can do the entire amount of work independently and alone.

Before choosing linoleum flooring, it is worth considering its negative sides. These include low resistance to loads. If, for example, you put furniture on linoleum, dents will remain on the floor over time. Cheap varieties of this material are sensitive to both high and low temperatures. Exposure to cold can cause linoleum to crack, and high temperatures can deform it.

Criterias of choice

Currently, several types of linoleum coating are sold on the market, differing both in material and in the method of combining layers.

Rubber-based linoleum should not be chosen to cover a wooden floor. This material does not allow air to pass through at all, and the wood under its surface will quickly rot.
Natural jute-based linoleum can only be recommended to zealous lovers of environmentally friendly materials. It will not last long on a wooden floor, as the material is fragile and inelastic. But its price is quite high.
Colloxyl linoleum made from nitrocellulose, which is a mat without any underlying base, is much better suited for covering a wooden floor. This material combines resistance to high temperatures, wear resistance and flexibility with environmental friendliness. You can even lay it on a wooden floor with slight unevenness.
Alkyd linoleum contains more artificial components and is made from alkyd resins and a mixture of minerals. The material is quite brittle, so it is recommended to place it only on a perfectly leveled base. Possessing high wear resistance, it will last for a very long time. It is worth noting its high thermal insulation properties.
If you put the optimal ratio of price and practicality in the first place, the leading place will be taken by linoleum made of polyvinyl chloride. It is usually made multilayer, which ensures a long service life, reliable heat retention and good sound insulation. When using it, special attention should be paid to ensuring ventilation of the wooden floor, since PVC linoleum does not allow moisture to pass through and the floor underneath can rot quite quickly. Produced using fabric, foam, heat and sound insulating base.

Photo gallery: types of linoleum

Calculation of the required amount of material

Having decided on the characteristics of the material, you should calculate the required amount of coating. Modern manufacturers produce linoleum in widths from one and a half to five meters in increments of 0.5 m. If the size of the room allows, it is worth choosing linoleum that will cover the floor with one sheet, without joints. In this case, you will not have to combine the pattern on adjacent strips, that is, material savings will be achieved. In addition, the absence of unnecessary joints will provide the coating with an ideal appearance.

Measurements of length and width should be made between opposite walls in several places, taking the largest distance for further calculations. When measuring, the dimensions of technological niches should be taken into account, and the depth of all recesses is added to the total width of the room. To the results obtained, add 5 cm of overlap for each wall. For example, if the room dimensions are 8 m long and 6 m wide. Taking into account the overlap, the required coverage area will be 8.1 x 6.1 = 49.41 sq.m. You should round up. If saving material is in the foreground, the dimensions of technological niches can be ignored; in this case, they will be covered with separate pieces of material, and the joints can be welded or disguised with decorative thresholds.

Having calculated the total area of the required material, you should convert square meters into linear meters, which will allow you to determine the required number of rolls. The linoleum footage is calculated as follows:

To determine the number of strips required for covering, the width of the room is divided by the width of the selected linoleum. Most likely, the value will be inaccurate; it should be rounded up. For example, with a room width of 6 m and a roll width of 4 m, you will need 6/4 = 1.5 strips, that is, rounding up, 2 strips of material.
After this, the size of the length of the room is multiplied by the required number of stripes, the result in this case is rounded up.
An overlap of 5 cm is added to the result obtained.

When making calculations, the need to join the pattern should be taken into account. The pattern on linoleum has a step length similar to, for example, repeat on wallpaper. For correct joining, an amount of material equal to the step length of the pattern should be added to the length of each canvas, including this data in the final calculation.

Tools and materials

To lay linoleum you will need the simplest tools. The preliminary preparation of a wooden floor requires much more expense.

For preparatory work you may need:

If sanding work will be carried out, you will need a sanding machine, a plane or a hand sander.
To seal the joints you will need spatulas and putty.
A hammer, screwdriver, nails and screws will be needed to strengthen floorboards, attach baseboards and lay flooring.
The material of the flooring itself may also be required - sheets of plywood or chipboard.

For the actual work of laying linoleum, a different set is needed:

A sharp construction knife or short shoemaker's knife.
An even strip or ruler 1 to 3 m long.
A regular spatula with teeth if the linoleum is to be placed on glue.
Special mastic or glue for laying linoleum.
Cold welding or a heat gun with a special nozzle for hot welding.

Preliminary work on preparing the foundation

When starting work, you should assess the condition of the wooden floor and prepare its surface for leveling. To do this, you should vigorously walk and jump over the entire surface, identifying weak and wobbly floorboards.

It is advisable to lift 2-3 boards and inspect them from the reverse side. The fact that the wood is rotten may be indicated by a change in color or the presence of mold. If the floor is “walking”, it is worth checking the condition of the joists. If necessary, place bricks or bars under the logs. It is better to replace rotten boards, otherwise this process will spread to the entire surface of the floor. If you find traces of wood-boring beetles on wood, you should invest in special bioprotective preparations. All skirting boards are dismantled.

Floorboards can squeak as a result of simply rubbing against each other. To eliminate it, you can pour graphite powder or talc into the cracks. After this, you can begin leveling the floor.

Ways to level a wooden floor

To level a wooden floor before laying linoleum, several methods are used, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages:

If the floor is level and in good condition, it can be leveled by scraping. This is the simplest and least expensive method. Before sanding, the nail heads should be sunk into the surface of the floorboards and the peeling paint should be removed. You can scrape using a special machine or manually, using a plane or scraper. Gaps between boards and recessed nail heads should be filled with putty. The disadvantage of this method is the presence of unevenness on the floor surface. To eliminate them, you will have to choose linoleum on a foam or felt basis or use a backing. Fragile and brittle types of linoleum coating are not recommended for use on such a floor.
Using a scraping machine will ensure a high-quality leveling of the floor
The use of a self-leveling mixture solves the problem of uneven floors. You should choose mixtures specifically designed for pouring wooden floors. The mixture is diluted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, after which the entire floor surface is poured with it. The result is a perfectly smooth surface on which any linoleum can be laid. The disadvantages include the fact that when using the mixture, a “stone” surface is formed, deprived of all the advantages of a wooden floor. On this basis, it is also advisable to use a substrate for thermal and waterproofing.
For filling, use a mixture intended for wooden floors
The most commonly used leveling method is using sheet material - hardboard, chipboard, plywood, furniture panels. The panels are glued to the floor using a mixture of gypsum and PVA glue, or parquet varnish. Then they are additionally fastened using a construction stapler, nails or self-tapping screws. The seams between the sheets are puttied, the surface is covered with 2-3 layers of drying oil. This method, unlike the previous one, does not allow achieving a perfectly smooth surface. However, the sheet material serves as an additional substrate for linoleum, enhancing sound and heat insulation properties.
Plywood forms an additional heat-insulating layer

Do you need a backing?

It is worth immediately noting that the most commonly used types of linoleum coating are already equipped with a base based on foamed PVC or felt, that is, these layers already serve as a base for waterproofing and thermal insulation of the floor surface. However, in a number of cases the use of a substrate is justified:

Floor leveling. If the base for the linoleum covering is not ideal, the underlay will help smooth out unevenness and avoid deformation and breakouts of the linoleum. This solution will increase the cost, but will extend the life of the floor.
The use of baseless linoleum implies the need to lay a backing underneath it to enhance moisture insulation and reduce thermal conductivity.
Cold floor. If a screed was made from a self-leveling mixture on a wooden floor, it is worth thinking about a backing that allows you to retain heat.

In all other cases, using a substrate for linoleum covering will only be an unnecessary waste of effort and money.

Currently, manufacturers offer a large selection of substrates, but not every one is suitable for use under linoleum covering.

The most common isolon substrate, made from polyethylene foam. Some craftsmen use it when laying linoleum, but a number of its properties negatively affect further use. This material is easily deformed and does not restore its shape well, so a floor with such a substrate will soon lose its attractive appearance and go in “waves.” In addition, the use of isolon can lead to a greenhouse effect. It does not allow water vapor to pass through, which causes accelerated rotting of the wooden floor.

Using isolite can shorten the service life of linoleum

Cork backing is much better suited for linoleum. Its positive property is the ability to hide small irregularities; it is a good sound and heat insulator. However, there are also negative aspects - such a coating is noticeably springy, which entails accelerated wear of the linoleum. In addition, furniture installed on such a covering will “walk”. The cost of such material is quite high, so the price of the substrate may exceed the price of linoleum.

Cork coating has high elasticity

Under linoleum covering it is best to use a rigid backing made from a mixture of wool, jute and flax. This environmentally friendly, high-density material is an excellent heat insulator and smoothes out unevenness of the base well. The material is treated with fire retardants and antifungal agents, which eliminates the risk of mold.

The backing is made from a mixture of flax, jute and wool and is quite rigid and durable.

Instructions for laying linoleum with your own hands

Linoleum should be laid at a favorable temperature range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 40–60%. During delivery, creases and kinks should be avoided. If delivery is made during the cold period, the linoleum should be kept indoors without unrolling the rolls for several hours. After this, the material can be unrolled and spread on the prepared surface for adaptation. Experts advise keeping linoleum in this way for about two days. After this, you can begin installation using one of the methods listed below.

Loose laying method

If the area of the room does not exceed 25 square meters, there is no need to attach the linoleum sheet to the floor. It is enough to lay it on the surface and secure it around the perimeter with plinths. The seams between the sheets are sealed using cold or hot welding. The order of work in this case is as follows:

If the room is covered in width by one sheet of material, it is spread on the floor. The canvas with the pattern should run parallel to the walls; for accuracy, you can use a tape measure. However, if the walls in the room are uneven, it is better to determine the general direction visually rather than measure the distance from one of the walls.

In small rooms, linoleum can be laid without joints

After this, trimming is done using a knife and ruler. First, large pieces are cut off, then small excesses are removed, taking into account an overlap of 2–3 cm to compensate for thermal expansion. In the corners on the reverse side of the canvas, a mark is made at the contact point, after which a cut is made towards the corner.

Cutting is done after the material has rested for two days.

If a room requires two or more strips, one of them is laid and trimmed first. The second strip is laid and equal to the first. To prevent accidental movement, the first strip at the junction with the second can be attached to the floor with double-sided tape. When laying the second strip, you should align the pattern, then trim it, also securing the joint with double-sided tape. It should be noted that usually the joint is made in the center of the room, and its direction should go along the line of greatest illumination, from the windows. In this case, the seam will be least noticeable. In some cases, a pattern on the covering can look advantageous in the center of the room. Then a different technology is used - a whole strip is laid in the center, and two narrow strips of linoleum are joined to it near the walls.

When joining, double-sided tape is used to secure the panels.

The joints between the strips are glued using cold and hot welding. Hot welding requires certain experience and special equipment - a construction hair dryer with a special nozzle and a cord made of low-melting polymer. When heated, the polymer fills the seam between the linoleum sheets, holding them together securely. Due to its simplicity and high reliability, home craftsmen often use cold welding, which is an adhesive composition. With its help, you can glue linoleum sheets in two ways. If the linoleum is not attached to the floor and the pattern allows them to partially overlap each other, two panels are trimmed at once. This results in a perfectly joined seam without gaps. In the second case, the panels are simply moved and gluing is performed. Before introducing the adhesive composition, masking tape is glued to the seam and cut along the seam. Then glue is introduced into the seam in such an amount that the composition protrudes above the surface of the seam. After drying, the masking tape is removed.
Finally, the linoleum sheets are fixed along the walls with plinths.

Important: There are two types of cold welding currently produced. Type A is intended for gluing linoleum sheets during initial installation. Type C is used for gluing old joints and joints of considerable width.

Photo gallery: sequence of works

Landing linoleum on glue

When the floor area is large, it makes sense to fix the covering to the base. Special mastics and glues are ideal for these purposes, a wide range of which are available on any construction market. When choosing an adhesive composition, you should pay attention to its compliance with the selected type of linoleum. No backing is used when laying on glue. Cutting and trimming linoleum is done in the same way as in the case of free laying. However, the subsequent steps are different:

Strips of linoleum laid out on the floor are carefully rolled into a roll from the far wall to the middle of the room. After this, diluted glue is applied to the floor surface using a notched trowel from the center to the walls.

The glue is applied with a spatula from the center to the walls

The coating roll is carefully rolled out, and at the same time smoothed to eliminate air cavities. When the canvas is laid out, it should be rolled with a roller from the center to the walls to evenly distribute the adhesive mass. The second part of the coating is glued in a similar way.

Rolling is done to remove air pockets and distribute the glue evenly

The joints between the canvases are connected using the methods described above by cold or hot welding. Along the perimeter, the linoleum is fixed with skirting boards.

Fixation with using double sided tape

As an original method of fixing linoleum coverings, the method of gluing with double-sided tape is sometimes used. In this case, marking, cutting and cutting of the covering fabric is carried out using the methods described above. Then the linoleum sheet is rolled into a roll, as when planted with glue to the middle of the room. After this, the work order is as follows:

Double-sided tape is glued to the floor surface in parallel strips perpendicular to the walls or in diagonal directions at an angle of 45 degrees to the walls in increments of 15–20 cm, resulting in a pattern in the form of squares.

Linoleum is glued with double-sided tape

At the next stage, the rolled part of the roll is gradually rolled out from the center to the wall, while the top protective layer is removed from the adhesive tape. When rolling, roll the surface with a roller.
The seams are also joined using hot or cold welding. At the last stage, skirting boards are attached to the walls.

Video: gluing linoleum to a floor leveled using plywood sheets

As can be seen from the above, linoleum is an indispensable material for covering a wooden floor in cases where there is a need to make a new floor yourself. At the same time, such a coating will provide a modern and attractive look at a minimum cost.

Parquet, laminate or other flooring in your home can fail over time. However, there is a simple way using the most unpretentious canvas to install. Therefore, we will consider installation methods, the choice of underlay for linoleum on a wooden floor and some of the nuances of the work.

We glue linoleum with our own hands

Types of material

Linoleum is still a popular flooring choice. It is loved because it is inexpensive, durable, easy to clean and can be installed on any substrate. Depending on what raw materials are used in its manufacture, it is divided into several categories.

PVC

The main components are synthetic polymers. It can have several bases, for example it can be made of fabric, foam or soundproofing material. Depending on its base, the coating will differ in quality characteristics.

Alkyd

It is made from resins of the same name with the addition of mineral fillers. The basis can be either synthetic or natural fabrics. It retains heat well and has little noise absorption, but this type is prone to cracking.

Rubber

Well suited for industrial use. The bottom layer is bitumen and rubber. It’s worth noting right away that it does not allow air to pass through, so it is not suitable for laying on wood.

Killoxyl

It is based on nitrocellulose. It is quite flexible and plastic, and most importantly, fireproof.

Despite their obvious differences, all these types are sold in a huge variety of colors and textures. Their wear resistance and price will depend on the raw materials from which they are made and the thickness of the top protective film. Therefore, study all its characteristics and consider how busy the room where you want to use it is.

Choosing a substrate

When deciding how to lay linoleum on a wooden floor, another question arises - whether an underlay is needed and what type to choose. If you are faced with the task of improving sound and heat insulation, then the substrate can be very useful. You need to choose it based on your needs.

For soundproofing

Good for sound insulation. Not only does it make the room quieter, but the flooring is also softer. However, cork is completely unsuitable for rooms with heavy furniture, since the legs can leave dents in the product.

A combined option, which includes jute, wool and linen, is also suitable here. Due to its rigidity, it will provide a hard and durable coating.

Polymer foam material can also make the room quieter. However, of all the options, it can be called the most capricious, since over time its structure loses its shape and sticks together. This causes trodden paths to form on the surface of your floor where you walk most often. To avoid this, the plywood is laid first and the insulation is usually placed underneath.

For thermal insulation

The idea of transforming a house or apartment can be supplemented with insulation. Therefore, you can take a closer look at substrates made of flax fibers. They do not accumulate moisture and provide a special microclimate between synthetic canvas and wood. The foamed type also has heat-insulating properties, but does not allow air to pass through, which can lead to fungus.

Flooring methods

There are two installation methods from which you can choose how to glue synthetic flooring.

No glue

It can be laid without the use of adhesives. This method is the simplest, but it is not particularly reliable, since the canvas will only be held in place by. This technology is used if the room is very small.

With double-sided tape

It can also be fixed with double-sided tape. It is pasted throughout the room in the form of a grid with sides of approximately 50 centimeters.

On glue

Glue for linoleum on a wooden floor will be the best option, as it will provide reliable and durable adhesion to the base. If you are thinking about how to glue it, then PVA will do the job best. For better adhesion, add a little gypsum to it. Prepare this mixture in batches as it hardens quickly. The gypsum in the glue will also help fill small cracks in old boards.

Installation subtleties

In order for the linoleum laid on a wooden floor to be beautiful and smooth, you need to learn a few tricks that will simplify your work and make the result better.

Temperature is very important here. Two days before work, try to ensure a stable temperature in the room. The most comfortable environment is considered to be no more than 18 degrees, and the base should be heated to 15. Don’t forget about humidity levels. The recommended level is no higher than 60%.

Give the material one more day to adapt. Unfold the roll, straighten it and lay it out with an allowance of 8 centimeters on the walls. Do not drop the roll during transportation as this may cause dents, cracks and scuffs.

If the installation area is large and you bought several sheets of the product, make sure that they are from the same batch. Otherwise, during installation you risk encountering problems with color and thickness mismatches.

The joints of the sheets must be laid with identical sides facing each other. However, this rule does not apply to canvases with certain textures and patterns that need to be laid in one direction.

How to put linoleum on a wooden floor

Before laying linoleum on a wooden floor, the surface must be carefully prepared. After all, a good foundation is the key to long service life and wear resistance of the floor, regardless of its type.

It is worth studying all the details and subtleties of installation work in order to ultimately get the perfect result. Let's look at the process step by step: is it possible to lay it on boards, how and what to lay plywood on.

Preparatory work

If installation will be carried out on boards, old parquet or laminate, remove the baseboard and remove all dirt accumulated under them. After this, inspect the surface. If you do not notice any serious flaws or fungal damage, then you need to secure all the parts properly.

Carefully punch through each existing nail. All heads of nails and screws must be “sunk” into the wood. If you neglect this step, holes may appear on your coating in the future.

If installation will be carried out on boards or laminate, remove the baseboard and remove all dirt accumulated under them. After this, inspect the surface. If you do not notice any serious flaws or fungal damage, then you need to secure all the parts properly. Carefully punch through each existing nail. All heads of nails and screws must be “sunk” into the wood. If you neglect this step, holes may appear on your coating in the future.

For small cracks, putty is suitable, and for sealing wider cracks you can use thin wooden plastics that are pre-lubricated with glue. Using a hammer, carefully hammer them into the recesses until they are completely level with the surface.

After all the flaws in the form of bulges and depressions have been corrected and the glue has dried, sand the surface and carefully remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner. To protect the wood from pests and mold, treat it with a primer. This will be the final stage of processing the boards before laying the covering.

Remove the baseboards and clean the floor from dust and dirt. If protrusions and bulges are detected in some areas, you need to scrape. If the differences in height between the floorboards are small, then you can skip this step. If the surface has not been painted, then it should be allowed to dry thoroughly. If insulation is needed, install foam insulation on the subfloor. Next you can start working with plywood.