Linoleum
From MaterialProject.org, the free architectural material catalog
Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 09 65 00
Linoleum is natural flooring made from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, limestone and jute.
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]
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]
