Linoleum flooring – benefits, cleaning & cost
Lino flooring is becoming a popular choice because it’s natural, eco-friendly, hard-wearing and attractive. Find out why you should also consider installing linoleum flooring here.
Lino is a natural, eco-friendly flooring option
What is linoleum flooring?
Proper linoleum flooring is made from linseed oil and other natural substances such as wood flour and cork dust with a canvas or burlap backing; the most popular brand of linoleum flooring is Marmoleum.
Lino is sometimes confused with different flooring types. Many people refer to safety flooring as lino but as Craig Marshall from BU Interiors in Surrey points out: “Safety flooring is thinner and includes small pieces of metal, so it’s cheaper, but not as eco-friendly as linoleum.”
Vinyl (uPVC) flooring, made from un-plasticised polyvinyl chloride, is also wrongly referred to as linoleum sometimes. David Morley, from Authentic Natural Floors in Stockport says: “People used vinyl flooring instead of linoleum for a while but then they realised that synthetic flooring gives off gases that cause allergies.”
Benefits of linoleum flooring
“Marmoleum is really taking off in America at the moment because of the eco-friendly aspect,” says Craig, “We are expecting it to become more of a trend in the UK soon. ” Lino has also become popular because of the vivid colour and design options now available.
Flooring specialist David points out that: “Marmoleum has real health benefits, which is why they have started using it in hospitals again. People have realised that linseed oil is anti-bacterial.” As well as repelling bacteria, lino does not trap dirt or moisture which can irritate asthma and respiratory illnesses.
Linoleum flooring is practical; it’s hard-wearing and durable and usually comes with at least a 25 year warranty. If you purchase a high quality lino, with a minimum thickness of 2.5mm that has been bonded, it will resist stains, scratches and water easily. Its durability makes lino suitable for high-traffic areas like hallways and its antibacterial and easy to clean nature is perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
Maintaining and cleaning linoleum
As with wood or laminate flooring, prolonged exposure to water can damage lino, so it is important to clean carefully and be sure to mop up any spillages immediately and sweep regularly. If the lino is bonded properly it will just need cleaning with a mild detergent or cleaner recommended by the manufacturer; use a damp, not soaking, mop. “You can buy maintenance kits to go with Marmoleum flooring,” David explains. If your linoleum flooring has not been specially bonded, then it can discolour with age and will need regular polishing or waxing
Cost of lino flooring
The cost of linoleum flooring varies depending on the quality, design and area you wish to cover. As a rough guide David says that Marmoleum will cost around £30 to £36 per square meter.
You should always get a least three quotes from a professional flooring installer, this is important because, as
David points out: “Natural fibres tend to shrink and expand according to the humidity, so flooring fitters would need to go back and adjust the work.”
AB
