There are many floor finishing options. Warm floors paired with linoleum are an excellent solution for those who want to make their home more comfortable.
Which linoleum is suitable for heated floors?
Linoleum can be natural, PVC-based, alkyd, nitrocellulose and rubber. Not each of the 5 groups can be used for laying on a warm base. The product will not last long; in addition, if used incorrectly, it can emit harmful fumes in the form of phenol or toluene. A special mark (labeling) on the packaging will help you make your choice.
The best linoleum for heated floors is natural. Pine resin, linseed oil, crushed cork – all these components are safe for health. During proper heating, the coating will not fade or deform.
If the budget does not allow such linoleum for a warm floor, you should choose the vinyl type (PVC). Do not use household products, but semi-commercial or commercial ones, as the performance properties are several orders of magnitude higher. When choosing a material, make sure that it does not have a thermal insulation base, otherwise the operation of the floor heating elements will be meaningless. At first, vinyl may emit a slight unpleasant odor.
Features of linoleum with heated floors
Heated floors can be water (coolant – tubes with water), electric (heating is provided by cables) or infrared (this is a thin film with stripes of graphite). Linoleum for warm water and electric floors must be of a high commercial class.
Infrared flooring is more gentle in terms of its effect on the final floor covering: heating is uniform and does not spoil the original appearance of the floor. When laying infrared heating mats in front of the linoleum, it is recommended to make a layer of fiberboard or plywood.
When purchasing floor finishes, pay attention to the permissible heating temperature indicated by the manufacturer. At 27 degrees, natural linoleum will begin to soften and melt; the heat flow should not exceed 60 W/m2. The PVC product will begin to swell and lose color at 30 degrees.
