Linoleum
Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 09 65 00
Origin and Composition
Linoleum was invented by Frederick Walton in England in 1860. Walton was originally a rubber manufacturer until he invented Linoleum.67 He wanted to create a cheap substitute for the more expensive Kamptulicon rubber compositions. The way that Kamptulicon was made is very close to the linoleum process, simply with the additive of guetta percha, an Indian rubber which comes from the India rubber tree native to the Southeast Asia. This rubber eventually became more expensive due to the lack of these rubber trees.68 Walton got the idea for linoleum by watching the way a skin-like film is created by oxidized linseed oil on paint.69 The name linoleum comes from the Latin word linum, which means flax, and the Latin word oleum, which means oil. The raw material is linseed oil which is mixed with natural resin to make it harder. It is then mixed with powdered cork to add flexibility to the material and limestone to add strength. Wood flour as well as different kinds of pigments are also added. This raw composition is pressed into a burlap or jute backing and then left in a drying chamber for at least 6 weeks before installation.70
Linoleum is natural flooring made from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, limestone and jute.
Harvesting and Manufacturing
The main product that is used to make Linoleum is linseed oil. Linseed oil comes from the flax plant. The fibers as well as the oil from this plant are used for a variety of fabricated materials. The fiber is often used to make linen which is used for clothing and textiles, and the oil is mainly used to make linoleum but is also used to make paint, varnish and ink. Linseed oil is a yellowish colour and is classified as a “drying oil” because with air contact it begins to harden.71 The linseed oil is mixed with natural resin, cork powder, limestone, wood flour and colour pigments which make this material naturally antimicrobial and antistatic.72
Flax was one the most important crops in early North American economy because the flax grows well in colder climates. It could be grown, harvested and manufactured in the same place saving a lot of money on export and importation costs.73 The main production of flax is located in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. This year alone these provinces have produced 930.1 Tonnes of Flax.74 The main Linoleum manufacturers are Forbo which is based out of Switzerland and Tarkett, which was founded in Sweden. These are the leading companies in the world for manufacturing innovative and green flooring. Forbo has over 1400 certified manufacturing facilities in Europe, the United States and Canada. There are sales reps in all of these countries making it extremely easy to get this product.75
Environmental Impact
Linoleum is almost made entirely out of natural material. It is a great choice for ecological friendly flooring. It is one of the lowest VOC emitters, especially when compared to carpeting and vinyl. Although there is a characteristic “odour” evident in newly installed linoleum, this is mainly from the adhesive. However, in recent years there has been a strong initiative to produce eco-friendly adhesives. Linoleum’s environmental “footprint” is rather small. Linoleum contains no heavy metals, and there are options to use a water-based finish. Additionally, new linoleum products such as Marmoleum, which is made by Forbo, have earned environmental certification from the countries of Austria, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, United States New Zealand and Scandinavia.82 Linoleum’s natural bactericidal and anti-static properties reduce the presence of dust and dirt and the subsequent growth of household mites and/or bacteria. There is also no build-up of dirt-attracting static electricity. Due to these characteristics, linoleum has been classified as an asthma and allergy friendly material by The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.83
Recycling
Linoleum is extremely durable. Where carpet has to be replaced in a high traffic areas every 5 years, linoleum can last up to 25-40 years without being replaced. Linoleum has to be incinerated in energy-recycling plants where linoleum products produce a “residual calorific” value that is comparable to that of coal but does not have the same harmful thick black smoke by-product of incinerating coal. Another alternative is allowing linoleum to enter the landfill where it safely biodegrades without off-gassing.84
LEED
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Life Safety & Rating Standards
Traditional uses
Genuine linoleum was invented in 1860 by an Englishman, Frederick Walton.
- It has long been considered an inexpensive and efficient flooring material for high use areas.
- Linoleum is made of organic materials and considered non-allergenic so it is used extensivesly in non-allergenic homes, hospitals and health care facilities.
Finish and aesthetic qualities
Linoleum is known for its vivid and saturated colors.
It is available in traditional marbled patterns, solid colors, contemporary flecked designs or graphic patterns. See manufacturers for available patterns and finishes.
Surface forms / shapes
Currently Linoleum comes in:
- Tiles
- Sheets
- Custom cut pieces to create desired floor designs
- Decorative Rugs
Cost analysis
- Product: $2-3 / SqFt [1]
- Installation: $5-7 / SqFt [2]
Bibliography
67 ReCork by Amorim, ReCork by Amorim: About, 2010, http://recork.org/about/ (accessed 10 18, 2010).
68 Elizabeth Wilhide, Flooring: The Essential Source Book for Planning, Selecting, and Restoring Floors, (New York: Ryland Peter’s & Small, 2005), 114.
69 Encyclopedia Britannica Online, India Rubber Plant, 2010, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285613/India-rubber-plant (accessed 10 16, 2010).
70 Mary Bellis, Linoleum-The History of Linoleum, http://inventors.about.com/od/lstartinventions/a/linoleum.htm, (accessed 10 15, 2010).
71 Encyclopedia Britannica Online, India Rubber Plant, 2010, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285613/India-rubber-plant (accessed 10 16, 2010).
72Encyclopædia Britannica Online, Linseed Oil, 2010, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/342617/linseed-oil (accessed 10 15, 2010).
73 Cory Binggeli, Field Guide to Commercial Interiors, (New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2009).
74 Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Flax: A Crop from America’s Past Renewed Potential, http://www.jeffersoninstitute.org/pubs/flax.shtml (accessed 10 17, 2010).
75 Flax Council of Canada, Statistics, Production of Flax, by Province, Canada, http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.jsp?p=statistics2&mp=statistics (accessed 10 17, 2010).
83 Flax Council of Canada, What is Linoleum: Industrial Uses, http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.jsp?p=industrial3&mp=industrial, (accessed 10 17, 2010).
84 Green Floors, Learn More About What Makes Linoleum “Green”, http://www.greenfloors.com/HP_Linoleum_Table_Insert.htm (accessed 10 16, 2010).
Material properties
Material performance
- Life Expectancy: If installed and maintained correctly, it can last more than 40 years
- Naturally anti-Bacterial and hygenic
- Extremely durable in high traffic areas such as hallways and kitchens.
- Smooth surface will not trap dirt, moisture or other debris.
- Chips, gouges or scratches are less noticeable and easy to fix because the entire thickness of linoleum (except for the jute backing) is homogenous, so the color and pattern extends throughout the entire surface.
Protection:
- With a permanently bonded, high performace manufacturer's coating it will resist stains and clean easily.
- Without this protection, it will need regular maintenance including polishing and stripping.
Acoustic property
- Average R Value is 0.08 [3]
Manufacturing process and assembly
Linoleum is made from natural, raw materials. Linseed oil, which comes from the flax plant, is the primary ingredient. Other ingredients include wood or cork powder, resins and ground limestone. Mineral pigments provide the rich colors.
The ingredients are mixed together, then rolled out between two cylinders (a process called "calendaring") onto a jute backing. The linoleum is then cured in ovens for 14 to 21 days. Some manufacturers bond a high performance coating to the surface to improve the floor’s ability to resist stains and scratches, and to make cleaning easier. The resulting floor is then rolled on cores, ready for installation. Sheet linoleum is available in many thicknesses. 2.5 mm is suitable for residential use. It is sold in a two-meter (or 6' 7") width size.
Installation:
- It is recommended that Linoleum is installed by a professional.
- Two seaming methods
- Heat-weld: A color-coordinated linoleum rod is melted with a special welding tool to create a seam. The seam becomes part of the design
- Adhesive: A specialty seam adhesive is used to bond the floor edges to each other and seal the seams.
- NOTE: When installed Linoleum tends to grow in width and shrink in length, this needs to be compensated for when installing the material.
Environment and Life Safety
Environmental impact
Lionelum is a natural, hypo-allergenic material
- Linseed oil, cork and jute are all rapidly renewable resources.
- FloorScore Certified product
- Many manufacturers use recycled content in the production of Linoleum Flooring
- Linoleum is considered a hypo-allergenic material and improves interior air quality
Flammability rating
- Fire Performance: Class 1 (per ASTM E 648)
- Smoke Density: Less than 450 (per ASTM E 662).
Coefficient of friction
- Static coefficient of friction: > 0.5 (per ASTM D 2047)
- Static Load Limit: 500 psi (per ASTM F 970)
References
Notes
Student contributions
- Amy Pagano, Spring 09
See also
Similar materials
External links
Additional resources
- Powell, Jane. Linoleum. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2003.
- Sanz, Cynthia. "Working with Linoleum Flooring" This Old House Magazine. [4]
