Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum flooring is a mixture of linseed oil, gums, resins, pigment, wood flour, cork dust and other filling materials. It is available in rolls and width about 1.80 meters or 3.60 meters and also available in tiles. The thickness varies from 2 mm to 6 mm, the greater values being adopted for floors subject to heavy wear as in case of shops, offices, hospital etc. Linoleum should be laid as an effective damp proof course. This type of flooring should confirm to IS 653 in all respects.

Adhesive used for laying linoleum flooring should be recommended by manufacturers of the floor covering and should confirm to specifications laid down for adhesive as IS 1198.

(This Picture is Contributed by "Condeliza')

Linoleum - a new trend

While Laying Linoleum Flooring

1. Base Coat under Linoleum Flooring:

• The earth should be properly compacted with the help of watering and ramming.
• Sand piling should be done, which helps to ensure proper compaction of the earth under floor.
• Lay 100 mm thick fine sand on compacted earth.
• After laying fine sand, lay 100 mm thick cement concrete in the ratio 1:8:16.
• It must be ensured that the base coat laid is fully compacted by hand rammers or with surface vibrator.

2. Leveling Concrete

• A layer of leveling concrete should be at least 25 mm thick.
• Cement concrete should be in the ratio of 1:2:4.
• It should be laid in proper slope and in level.
• It should be perfectly compacted.
• It should be cured for 7 days.

3. Top Layer of Linoleum Flooring

• Linoleum floor material should be stored in clean, dry and well ventilated place without exposure to direct sun light.
• Linoleum should be kept at a temperature not less than 20 degrees Celsius for at least 48 hours before it is unrolled.
• It should be unrolled and loose laid out flat for 2 to 3 days before it cut to sizes.
• Before laying the surface it should be clean and dry.
• The sheet should be cut to required size and shape with a sharp straight edge.
• Adhesive should be applied with the help of brush on the base of the floor.
• Then the sheet is firmly pressed down and is rolled with a light cast iron 70 kg roller to ensure whether the sheet sticks properly.
• The sheet should be fixed by keeping butt joints and the joints should be very fine.
• Sand bags should be placed over edges and the joints to keep the sheets should be pressed down to prevent curling.
• After laying the surface, it should be cleaned with soap and wet cloth and be wiped dry.
• The surface should be wax polished for smooth shining, but care should be taken that no excess polish is used to avoid floor slippery.

(This Picture is Contributed by "Condeliza")

Linoleum tiles in kithchen

Advantages of Linoleum Flooring

• This type of flooring is easy to clean and maintain.
  It is less expensive.
• Linoleum flooring is durable and easy to maintain.
  It is attractive in appearance.
• Linoleum flooring reduces the noise.
• Linoleum flooring is best suitable for shops, offices, laundries, children room and drawing room etc.
  

Disadvantages of Linoleum Flooring

• Linoleum flooring may dent or damage if large and sharp objects are dropped on the surface of it.
• It becomes dangerously slippery when high polish is applied on the surface.
• Linoleum flooring is highly flammable and catches fire easily.
• Linoleum flooring may get damaged if furniture legs are without rubber caps.