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 - collections
Natural linoleum collections

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.

Natural linoleum
Linoleum from natural materials in 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.

Natural linoleum
Natural linoleum is a good option for children

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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    1. AvatarOleg


      When they did the repair with his wife, they immediately decided to cover the floors with linoleum, but only natural, so that these floors could serve us for a very long time. It says about a brand of linoleum like Marmoleum. It was he who was offered to us in the store, they said that it is durable, does not deform and is easy to care for. In general, I liked everything and we took this brand, the color is very beautiful, and linoleum has been lying and not spoiling for so many years, it’s really easy to care for, it’s not even scratched. It says that a square meter costs 20-40 US dollars, we bought at 30, so you can not spend more than this amount, since the quality is already good and durable.

    2. AvatarJana


      Of course, it is very attractive to lay natural linoleum in the apartment. This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Previously, even in the store I never wondered if it was natural or synthetic and did not see the difference. However, she could not out of ignorance. It is probably very expensive, but it’s true, for a child’s, for example, an excellent option. We already breathe is not clear what, because even the floors will be environmentally friendly)) And of course, when choosing, especially for those like me, newcomers and ignorant, you need to be very careful in order to avoid cheating. After all, they can tell anything. I will require quality certificates, and maybe in general, take with me for the purchase of a specialist who understands this))

    3. AvatarKarina Karpova


      I was always with both hands FOR natural linoleum. Therefore, when the question arose about the choice, she immediately told her husband about it. He agreed, so it was decided that he would be lying in our apartment.
      What you need to know when buying? You need to choose carefully, because even the word "natural" does not always mean good.Now on the market there are darkness and darkness of various linoleums. You can not drop into one store, see and buy. I advise you to travel around the set before making an informed, right choice. Also, sellers like to bend prices, see all the information on the Internet, it may be slightly cheaper there, but not at all.
      High-quality natural linoleum is more expensive than synthetic. This also must be understood before buying. No need to save on this product, it’s better to buy more, but at the same time it can last for many years. There are many interesting colors, everyone will choose something suitable for themselves.
      Natural linoleum immediately catches the eye of all guests and just those who enter the apartment. It looks stylish, interesting, decorate any interior and design of the apartment.
      For me it was a conscious choice, I love everything natural. The same applies to the place in which I live.

    4. AvatarSergei


      Of all the varieties of linoleum, I personally prefer natural linoleum. At a price, of course, it is more expensive, but this is justified by the excellent performance properties of such a topcoat. Natural linoleum is devoid of the specific odor that synthetic linoleum has and, importantly, it is very pleasant to work with this material, and this affects the quality of installation.

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