Everything you need to know about linoleum flooring

What is Linoleum Flooring?

Linoleum flooring is a popular material that has been in existence since the 18^th century. It is a natural flooring option.

Linoleum flooring is manufactured using linseeds, cork, calcium carbonate, and other additives. It is a great flooring option that comes in different patterns and sizes. There are different colors to suit your taste and preference. It is an ideal flooring option for high traffic areas, and it is one of the most durable flooring options.

Pros of linoleum flooring

1. Durability

 Linoleum floors are durable, and they have warranties that stretch as far as 25 years. A linoleum floor that is well taken care of can last up to 40 years.

2. Bio-degradable

The materials used to make linoleum floors are environmentally friendly in that when their lifespan ends, they can be burned to produce eco-friendly fuel. The remains can also be put in a landfill since they are bio-degradable.

3. Hypoallergenic

Linoleum floors tend to repel dust and dirt, unlike other flooring options that gather dust and dirt particles. This property goes a long way to help those allergic people because they will not fear stepping on dirt and dust-laden floors that trigger the allergies.

4. Good for Moist Surfaces

 Regularly maintained and well-installed linoleum floors are usually the best option for moisture-prone floors such as the bathroom and the kitchen. This is because the linoleum floor is impenetrable.

5. Comfort and Warmth

Do you need a comfortable floor underfoot and is warm all year long, even during the unbearable winters? Then linoleum floor is your answer.

6. Aesthetically Appealing

 During its manufacture, different pigments are always added to the floor to suit different designs and patterns. The beauty of these pigments is that they always take a long time before fading, unlike vinyl and laminate floors. The pigments are always applied deep up to the wear layer.

7. Ease of Installation

If you are a DIY enthusiast, then this flooring option is the most suited for you. You do not need to be a pro to know how to install linoleum flooring. With basic carpet installation skills, you can install your linoleum floor without any problem. This may go a long way to cutting the installation costs. The sheet linoleum floor is the only flooring option that is complex to install. Therefore, contact a professional to install it.

8. Ease of Maintenance

 Linoleum floors require low maintenance. Occasional sweeping and mopping will suffice to keep it in tip-top condition.

Cons of linoleum

1. Fragile

Linoleum floors are prone to damage from sharp objects such as furniture legs and high heels.

2. Ambering

 When exposed to sunlight, linoleum floors tend to turn yellow or darken. This process is called ‘ambering’. This causes the floor to lose its color and the aesthetic beauty that it had when new. 

3. Susceptible to Moisture

 Ill-fitted linoleum floors are susceptible to moisture damage. Therefore, you should be careful to install your floor properly.

4. Irritating

 Newly installed linoleum floors are usually slippery and produce an odor that may be a bit irritating.

5. Expensive

 Linoleum flooring is an expensive option compared to other floor options such as laminate and vinyl floors.

Types of Linoleum Flooring

The primary advantage of linoleum flooring is that you are spoiled for choice in available designs, patterns, and materials. Below are the main linoleum flooring options.

Linoleum Sheet Flooring

This is the most popular linoleum flooring option. It is also the most complex of all the linoleum flooring options to install. It is advisable to contact a professional to help you with linoleum sheet installation. The flooring is available in a wide range of designs, patterns, and colors. The average width of linoleum flooring rolls is about six feet, but they come in different sizes and shapes to fit your taste and preference.

 Linoleum Floor Tiles

It is similar to tile flooring, but it has the edge over porcelain and ceramic tiles. This is because it is comfortable underfoot; therefore, one can stand for long without any discomfort. This feature has led to its extensive use in hospitals and other medical facilities. It is also dust and dirt repellent (hypoallergic), which is great for allergic people.  Linoleum tile is also preferred over other tiles because of its low maintenance.

Forbo Linoleum

This is a type of linoleum that produces other linoleum types. In fact, it is considered a linoleum brand. It produces linoleum floors such as the Artoleum, which has a camouflaging characteristic. These floors are also durable and resistant to heat.

Solid Colored Linoleum

This is a linoleum floor type that has different shades of colors and patterns. It is also resistant to fade for a long time.

Floating Linoleum Flooring

 This is the easiest flooring option to install. It is usually ideal for the kitchen floors. It comes in planks that are installed onto the floor frame without using adhesive glue.

Marble Linoleum Flooring

This is a cheap linoleum flooring option that leaves your floor with a sophisticated look without breaking the bank. They leave your house with an elegant and contemporary look that will leave you admiring your floor all day.

Patterned Linoleum Flooring

This is a flooring option that is made with those that love experimenting in mind. It makes your floor a little bit of a canvas that awaits your creativity and imagination to draw it and make those unique patterns that leave long-lasting impressions.

Linoleum Flooring Cost

Linoleum floors are a bit expensive than other flooring options such as vinyl and laminate floors. The average cost of linoleum floors is about $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot. The prices vary according to the thickness of the material. This is because thicker linoleums imply that a lot of pigments were used. Dark linoleum floors are also more expensive than light ones.

How to Install Linoleum Flooring

Though linoleum floors are fairly easy to install, they can present some challenges to those who have no experience in floor installation.

Step 1: Acclimate the linoleum to the room

Linoleum materials tend to shrink or expand when installed in areas where they have not been used before. To avoid making a linoleum floor with unsightly lumps and bumps, you need to leave it in the room. You should wait for at least 24 hours for the material to be the normal size during the installation.

step 2: Remove the baseboard

A baseboard is a wooden trim that runs around the base of the wall, which helps hold the floor in place. This will be instrumental in helping you fit your linoleum floor, especially at the edges.

Step 3: Make the floor level

The linoleum floor installation requires a flat and a near-perfect floor. For wooden floors, you can level it with plywood underlayment and a leveler for any minor imperfection. You can correct a concrete floor by adding concrete to the low spots, while minor bumps can be leveled using a mason’s chisel. For a severely damaged floor or a floor that can’t hold linoleum, use plywood underlay all over the floor so that it may provide the smoothness required for the installation process.

Step 4: Take the measurement and cut the material into the correct sizes

Use your tape measure and measure the dimensions of your house. Once you take the measurements, have a rough sketch of the room. Then, cut the linoleum according to the measurements, designs, and patterns that you desire. Make sure to use the acclimated linoleum materials for a more accurate cut.

step 5: Laying the linoleum

Lay the linoleum into place and fit them properly according to the dimensions. The walls may require a flat and straight object to crease the linoleum against the wall. A camping and linoleum knives are necessary to trim the edges. Corners require you to have V-shaped cuts to cut off excess linoleum materials.

step 6: Apply adhesive

Peel back the edges of the linoleum materials and apply the adhesive as per the manufacturer’s directions. Some linoleum materials require adhesives only at the joints, while others require even application on the underside. Once you apply, press it firmly on the floor to stick well

step 7: Use a roller to even the floor

A heavy roller is required for this exercise. Start from the middle towards the edges and make sure you don’t leave undesired lumps and valleys. Use a solvent under the manufacturer’s guide to remove excess linoleum on the edges.

step 8: Apply the linoleum sealant

 The manufacturer always recommends the best sealant. The sealant helps the linoleum to have a long life. Use a brush to apply the sealant all over the surface of the floor. Don’t apply the sealant at the edges and the spaces where two linoleum materials meet because it might lead to premature damage and peeling.

Step 9: Leave your floor to dry

 Most sealants and adhesives require 24 hours to be completely dry. Some may take a longer period, confirm from the manufacturer’s direction. It is prudent to leave the floor to dry fully to avoid bumps that may form while the floor is still wet with the sealant and adhesive.

step 10: replace the baseboards

After the stipulated time, replace the baseboards to their position. Once done, the floor will be ready to use; therefore, you can bring your stuff. For heavy furniture and appliances, use plywood to move them instead of dragging them since this can destroy the floor. Make the necessary changes to the doors and other objects that may interfere with the raised floor.

If you require a cheaper alternative to hardwood, a more stylish and elegant floor option than the laminate and vinyl, then the answer is linoleum. Another great feature about it is that you can rest easy knowing that you contribute to the well-being of our planet since it is eco-friendly. At All American Flooring,  we have linoleum flooring rolls in different designs. If you are from around, feel free to visit us for a deal of a lifetime.