Why natural linoleum is good: an overview of the most environmentally friendly flooring
Perhaps for some this will be a sensation - but initially the concept of “linoleum” had nothing to do with the traditional and much-loved PVC coating. The word linoleum comes from the Latin "linum" - the seed of flax and "oleum" - oil. Agree, the name is the embodiment of naturalness. Such is he - natural linoleum, which completely unfairly faded against the background of his “synthetic brother”. The composition of natural linoleum from A to Z is gifts of mother nature: linseed oil, pine resin, wood flour (including from cork oak bark), natural dyes, limestone powder. The base is jute fabric.
So, what is natural linoleum good for:
- The main indisputable advantage of the coating is its durability. Most brands of natural linoleum boast ten to fifteen years of service, and some particularly persistent industrial creations will amuse your eyes and feet for about thirty years.
- Coverage is not prone to the accumulation of static electricity.
- Flaxseed oil gives this floor decoration bactericidal properties.
- Another important feature of natural linoleum is the incombustibility of coating components. Interesting! A burning cigarette, falling to the floor, will not leave a single trace on it.
- Users everywhere note the extraordinary ease of care for natural linoleum - dry and wet floor cleaning ceases to be an onerous occupation for owners.
- The coating is not prone to fading, fading and changing its structure; resistant to household chemicals and aggressive environments. Underfloor heating - not a reason to abandon natural linoleum.
- After all, it does not change its size and does not deform.
Natural linoleum is cruel and fragile, therefore, it must be handled with care during transportation and installation: drops and sharp bends of the material can provoke cracking.
Varieties of natural linoleum
Today, not so many companies are engaged in the production of natural linoleum. The absolute, worldwide recognized leader in this matter is the FORBO group of companies. They own more than 70% of the global market.
Their linoleum made from natural materials is known in all corners of the planet under a bright memorable name.Marmoleum. Unique diverse collections of this coating will qualitatively decorate any interior:
- Marmoleum real - This is a marble pattern, delicately hiding dirt inevitably formed on the floor. The collection is famous for its high wear resistance.
- Drawing Marmoleum frescoresembles a fresco. A distinctive feature is the unusually beautiful pattern.
- Marmoleum walton monotonous and restrained.
- Artoleum - A relatively recent development of the company FORBO. This linoleum is developed by special proprietary technology. Its main difference from marmoleum is the presence of a structural pattern.
Here are some texture examples:
Natural linoleum, as is no longer difficult to guess, is more expensive than its synthetic tribesman. Depending on the collection and thickness, the price per square meter of material ranges from 20-40 US dollars.
Tips for choosing and laying cover
Natural linoleum - a photo of a competent design solution is attached below - must be combined with the walls and the general nature of the interior.
It is preferable to choose a coating with a pattern that does not require fussing with docking. It is better to refuse a large pattern in the apartment - it is good only for non-residential premises with a large area.
Laying natural linoleum with marble stains or plain implies the location of the stripes in the direction of the light - this allows you to achieve the effect of solidity. The cover with the picture is placed along the room. When buying the latter, you should not skimp on the margin in length - so as not to have difficulties with fitting the picture (20 centimeters for each piece will be enough).
It is worth noting that not only aesthetic considerations should guide you in choosing the right collection. Always pay attention to the material resistance class declared by the manufacturer. For example, natural linoleum for the kitchen or hallway (rooms with high traffic) should have a thickness of at least 3 millimeters. For other living rooms, a thinner coating is also suitable.
It is not recommended to use natural linoleum in rooms saturated with moisture - bathrooms, toilets, etc.
Please note that all the bumps in the poorly prepared (poorly cleaned) linoleum base will be striking and will undoubtedly accelerate the wear of the coating. Pay maximum attention and effort to the preparatory phase so as not to bite your elbows later. After transportation, linoleum must be allowed to rest (a few days will be enough) and only after that proceed with planting the coating on the adhesive
Natural linoleum is a worthy decoration of floors in the house: the material is aesthetic, practical, and, subject to all safety precautions, is also durable. This is a good solution not only for kitchens, living rooms and hallways, but also for children's apartments.
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