Keeping linoleum beautiful for longer
To maximise the lifespan of our superior Marmoleum products, minimise costs and contribute towards healthy indoor air, three key factors must be respected.
PROPER CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
Flooring plays an important functional and aesthetic role in building interior design. Linoleum is a popular choice of flooring for a wide range of interiors as it is hard-wearing, water-resistant, stain-resistant and available in a multitude of colours and designs.
Today, linoleum is a popular choice of flooring for many interiors, from schools, shops and offices to leisure facilities, hospitals and care homes, as it is easy and inexpensive to clean, looks new for a long time and is long-lasting, providing a good return on investment.
Made of natural materials, it is a sustainable product that contributes towards healthy air in indoor environments, making it the best natural flooring solution.
Myths busted
Invented over 150 years ago, linoleum was revered for many years as a resilient floor covering. Traditionally a product used in kitchens, linoleum has since come a very long way in terms of design and quality, with innovative developments in adhesives, surface treatment and linoleum technology.
Despite the many product innovations that have vastly improved the characteristics of linoleum, some common myths surrounding this flooring product still remain:
MYTH 1: Linoleum needs to be treated with polymer and wax
Linoleum flooring previously required the annual application of a polymer-based or wax treatment to keep it water-resistant and protect it against stains, wear and accidents. However, due to advances in technology and the adoption of new techniques increasing the performance of linoleum, these treatments are no longer needed.
MYTH 2: Linoleum cannot cope with excessive water
Linoleum is in fact water-resistant as a result of surface finishes creating a waterproof layer. With a watertight installation, it can cope with large amounts of water, even in areas of intensive use.
MYTH 3: Mould grows under a linoleum floor
This may have been the case in the past with older, cheaper, poorer-quality linoleum products. But with today’s superior linoleum products and adhesives, there is no space for mould to grow under the flooring. The natural antibacterial properties of linoleum also make it resistant to the growth of mould and mildew.
Protective surface finishes
One of the greatest attributes of linoleum today is the surface finish. The protective surface finish is the reason why polymer and wax treatments are now a thing of the past. Forbo Flooring’s Marmoleum with Topshield pro surface finish, for example, is composed of a two-layer system. The first layer is a primer that bonds with the linoleum surface and is both thermal and UV-cured to create an initial layer of protection.
The top protective layer of lacquer gives the flooring an even stronger and smoother surface. It is harder wearing and more resistant to scratches, scuffs and stains. As the surface is smoother, less dirt builds up on the floor so it is easier to clean. These innovative, protective surface finishes help to retain the original appearance of the flooring, so it looks new for longer.
Key factors for long-lasting beauty
To keep linoleum looking beautiful, some key factors need to be respected:
Cleaning and maintenance
When you take care of your floor and clean it when necessary, it will stay beautiful for longer without the need for wax or polymer. Good cleaning & maintenance will save time and money. Topshield pro also reduces the need to use chemicals and harsh cleaning agents.
Entrance systems
Installing a Nuway or coral entrance system is fundamental to modern building design. Not only can it prevent up to 95% of walked in dirt and moisture from being tracked in, thereby prolonging the life of interior floor coverings, but it can also reduce the time spent cleaning your interior floor coverings by up to 65%.
Furniture protection
Using the right furniture leg protection for tables and chairs will safeguard your floor at all times. Applying protection to the base of your furniture will help retain the appearance of your floor for longer.
Choice of colour and pattern
The design and even the colour of your chosen floor covering can influence its appearance over time. For example, in a school with heavy footfall and little time for cleaning, it is recommended to use a Marmoleum floor covering with a stronger design in softer tones.
Read more on how to keep linoleum looking beautiful in our latest whitepaper, which highlights the importance of a proper cleaning and maintenance regime and the key steps that should be taken to maximise the lifespan of this natural flooring product.
TO THE WHITEPAPER