We have five pages of expert guidance notes on Linoleum Flooring:

2. Linoleum flooring compared to alternatives

4. Leading suppliers of linoleum flooring

5. Installing and maintaining linoleum flooring (on this page)

INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING LINOLEUM FLOORING

Laying linoleum sheet

Laying linoleum sheet is not a task for the amateur homeowner. The sheet is difficult to handle and to cut to size, the joints need to be carefully aligned, and for a perfect job you need a 100lb roller. In small rooms such as bathrooms or toilets with a complicated floor shape it is necessary to make a paper template to the exact size and shape of the room, then cut the linoleum using this template.

As a further refinement, and for a more hygienic edge, the sheet linoleum can be turned up along the edge, to produce a curved 'flash cove'.

Rona, a leading Canadian distributor of home improvement products, has produced an informative Youtube video with guidance on laying sheet linoleum. We recommed this video, which is here.

Laying linoleum tiles

Simple linoleum tiles are made of exactly the same material as sheet linoleum, but factory-cut into tiles, typically 12 inches square. They are very much easier to lay than sheet, because they are easier to handle, and are much easier to cut to the room shape. This is because each tile can be individually cut to fit the edge of the room.

The tools and technique for laying linoleum tiles are the same as for vinyl tiles. They are well described in a Youtube video produced by Rona, which is here.

Laying click-together linoleum tiles

Click-together linoleum tiles typically have a thickness of about 10mm, made up of 2mm of linoleum, 7mm of high density fibreboard, and 1mm of cork backing. They have an intricate edge profile which enables adjacent tiles to click firmly together. They are, like simple linoleum tiles, much easier to lay than sheet linoleum. They float on the sub-floor, and do not need to be glued down.

Forbo provides on its website detailed instructions for laying its Marmoleum Click product. Key points include the need to leave the Marmoleum Click boxes, unopened, in the center of the room to be floored for 2-3 days (6 days in winter). Also a gap of 10mm (3/8 inch) needs to be left all around the edge of the floor to allow for expansion and contraction. After installation of the last panels, quarter round molding is installed to cover the expansion joints all around the room. These instructions are here.

Maintaining linoleum flooring

A linoleum floor can be used immediately after laying. You can sweep and dry vacuum the floor straight away, but it is advisable to wait at least five days before carrying out any wet cleaning procedures, or moving heavy furniture onto the floor. This gives the adhesive time to cure and become resistant to dampness and denting.

Manufacturers such as Forbo supply proprietary floor cleaner, which can be used with a clean damp mop. They also supply floor finish, which can be applied to restore the shine of the floor. The frequency with which the finish needs to be applied will vary from every two months to every twelve months depending on the amount of traffic on the floor. Forbo provide detailed maintenance advice for their Marmoleum flooring here.

MORE INFORMATION ON LINOLEUM FLOORING

Please click below for our other guidance notes on linoleum flooring:

Introducing linoleum flooring

Design tips for linoleum flooring

Linoleum flooring compared to alternatives

Leading suppliers of linoleum flooring

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Flooring Product Guides: Carpets, Carpet Tiles, Concrete Flooring, Cork Flooring, Linoleum Flooring, Marble Flooring, Outdoor Carpet, Parquet Flooring, Slate Flooring, Vinyl Tile Flooring.

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