Marmoleum for flooring is not cork! All about fashionable coating

Marmoleum is considered a new material for covering the floors of apartments and offices. But it’s not for nothing that they say that all new things are just well-forgotten old objects and technologies, remade taking into account the development of industry. The same thing happened with marmoleum. In essence, This is the familiar linoleum, only made from completely natural materials. Because of this, it is sometimes confused with cork.

REFERENCE! Now this flooring is a sales leader, eclipsing almost all other materials.

It is expected that in the near future such material will replace all coatings. Except, perhaps, parquet, which will remain a luxury item.

What is marmoleum?

The history of the origin of fashionable coating begins in the 17th century, when jute was invented. This is a very durable fabric made from linen, hemp and jus. Around the same time, floors began to be covered with fabric soaked in oils that hardened over time.

Later, a top layer consisting of chalk, pine resin, sawdust, beeswax and oil was attached to the fabric. This is how the first linoleum appeared. Gradually, natural components were replaced with artificial ones, and linoleum became almost completely a chemical fabric.

However, the desire to have an environmentally friendly home has forced us to reconsider the flooring manufacturing process. Components of natural origin were reintroduced into it, an inner layer of cork chips was added, and the hot pressing method was used. This is how we got high-quality and pleasant marmoleum - linoleum made from natural ingredients.

What does the coating look like?

A wide range of colors allows you to create almost any geometric pattern. About a hundred different colors and more than two thousand shades will help you choose a coating exactly in accordance with the wishes of the owners.

True, the absence of drawings or patterns is not entirely familiar to lovers of wood or stone. But you can add a little rigor to the interior, which will suit any style of room decoration. It will also emphasize both the clarity of minimalism or hi-tech, and the charm of Provence or Art Nouveau.

Compound

The main components of the coating are vegetable resins, jute and cork. Sometimes chalk or wood flour is added. After mixing, dyes are added.

Kinds

Natural coating is produced in the following types.

• Rolls. Width from 2 to 6 meters.
• Panels. Dimensions are 90*30 centimeters.
• Tiles. Dimensions are either 50*50 or 30*30 centimeters.

Classes

Distinguish several wear resistance classes marmoleum.

• 21–23. General purpose coating, can be effective in apartments and offices.
• 31–33. Coatings for industrial use, can be installed in offices and small industries.
• 41–43. Super durable coating, effective for shopping centers, industrial enterprises, train stations and airports.

Pros and cons of coverage

Advantages

The advantages of marmoleum include the following properties and characteristics.

• Environmental friendliness and health benefits. It is absolutely non-toxic and does not cause allergies, has good bactericidal properties, thanks to natural resins.
• Long service life. The warranty period of the material is 20–30 years, depending on the wear resistance class. It is not afraid of water and fire, does not lose color or pattern.
• Good heat and sound insulation properties. It does not require additional substrates. The coating can easily withstand temperature changes, so it will be an ideal material for installing heated floors.
• Wide range of colors, which allows you to choose any color or set of colors for a beautiful or unusual finish.
• Attractive price for consumers.
• Possibility of self-installation.

Flaws

The disadvantages include the following.

• Fragility of the material. It cannot be re-rolled. When purchasing panels and tiles, you should carefully check each item, as careless transportation may cause the plates to crack.
• Marmoleum Can only be laid on the floor.

Important! It cannot be used as a decoration for walls or ceilings due to its considerable weight.

• Coating cuts very poorly. As a result, uneven chips are formed that have to be hidden under baseboards or furniture.

Laying

Depending on the type of marmoleum, it or spread like linoleum, or laid like laminate or tiles.

Preliminary leveling of the floor and laying the underlay are very rarely required, only if the floor is heavily trampled, has sharp protrusions or “plays”.

Important! It is better to entrust roll laying to professionals, as the material may break along the folds or crack if dropped.

• Panels should be laid out with extreme care to avoid damaging the grooves.
• Before installation, it is necessary to give the material time to get used to the room. To do this, he is left in the room for several days.
• When laying the coating, it should be taken into account that over time it may increase slightly. Therefore, small gaps should be left between the wall and the edge of the material.
• Skirting boards are attached only to the wall, without touching the base material.

Care

Marmoleum is completely unpretentious to use. It is not afraid of moisture, so it can be washed with ordinary warm water. If desired, you can add neutral detergents.

The only limitation is that you should not rub it with hard brushes or metal sponges. It is better to use soft rags or special mops.

If you follow these simple rules, marmoleum will serve for a long time and delight others with a high-quality coating.