Here at Floormart, we offer a wide range of linoleum flooring options, both in sheet and tile form. But what is linoleum?

Having been around for over 150 years, linoleum is a popular floor covering made from materials such as linoxyn (linseed oil), natural resins, sawdust, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate. By combining such materials, it gives linoleum the durability it is known for, as well as making it water resistant and comfortable to walk on. High-quality linoleum flooring, commonly known as inlaid, is made by joining and inlaying solid pieces of linoleum. High-quality linoleum is durable yet flexible, thus making it the perfect option for busy buildings where a more rigid option, such as ceramic tiles, would be prone to cracking. Additionally, thanks to the materials utilised in the development of linoleum, it is environmentally conscious and biodegradable. 

In order to create the wide variety of colours and patterns that linoleum has become so well known for, pigments are added to the materials, different quantities being included and mixed in a variety of ways to create a vast array of flooring options. Additionally, strips of uncured linoleum are cut and pieced together in a patchwork-fashion before being hot rolled to connect them to each other and the backing. This allowed for geometrical designs to be created, booming in popularity during the late 20th century and early 21st century. 

How is linoleum made? 

Linoleum is the result of a meticulous process that blends innovation with traditional craftsmanship, and has been doing so for more than a century. Skill, care, and patience are all essential throughout the development and manufacturing stage, the use of natural ingredients meaning that the procedure cannot be rushed.

1. Making Linoleum Cement

Linseed oil and pine rosin are gradually heated and mixed with air for 24 hours. The resulting linoleum cement is laid out on the ground to cool and then cut into pieces.

2. Creating Linoleum granules

Linoleum cement is added to wood and cork flour (for lightness, durability, strength and flexibility), calcium carbonate (a natural filler that brings stability), recycled linoleum and pigments to create a trial batch of linoleum granules.

3. Testing the Linoleum granules

The minute linoleum granules are pressed flat in the laminator, creating a roll that is tested for colour, quality and consistency before starting larger-scale production.

4. Creating Linoleum granules on a larger scale

During this stage, the linoleum cement is mixed with the other ingredients in bigger quantities, yielding a greater output of granules.

5. Linoleum granules are made into sheets

Lamination and calendering* is when the linoleum granules are heated before passing through the laminator and then move on to be calendered.

* A calender is a set of heated rolls to which Linoleum is fed, to be rolled out into a continuous sheet as it passes through the rolls.

6. Linoleum sheets are dried and seasoned

After calendering, the linoleum sheets are hung to dry and season for 20 days or more in room-sized, concrete ovens. This enhances their flexibility and resilience to indentation.

7. Protection and quality control

Finally, a protective layer is applied to the surface before the linoleum undergoes visual examination for imperfections. The thickness is likewise carefully checked.

Advantages of choosing linoleum 

The durability of linoleum is one of the most common reasons as to why people choose it as their flooring option. When properly maintained and cared for, linoleum can last for decades, making it an extremely cost-effective choice. Linoleum being made from all-natural, renewable materials also makes it a desirable flooring solution, many businesses now consider their impact on the environment and consciously make more eco-friendly choices. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties make it an extremely popular option for kitchens and bathrooms as linoleum naturally resists bacteria and the growing of mold. Comfort and design versatility are also advantages of choosing linoleum as your flooring solutions, the material being able to provide insulation against cold floors whilst also being aesthetically versatile. 

 

Why choose linoleum flooring and where can it be used?

Whilst linoleum flooring can be used across a wide range of applications, it is most commonly advised for areas of heavy traffic, or where the cleaning of messes needs to be done quickly and effectively. Rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens would also benefit highly from linoleum flooring thanks to its waterproof qualities, meaning spills can be easily wiped away without presenting a slip risk. With its endless aesthetic possibility, linoleum flooring can be used in any environment where a unique design is desired, from educational facilities to care homes. The beneficial qualities of linoleum flooring solutions make it the ideal choice where intensively cleaning routines cannot be carried out regularly, whether due to time constraints or busyness of the area.  

Marmoleum by Forbo Flooring Systems 

Forbo Flooring Systems are the global leaders in linoleum flooring thanks to their iconic Marmoleum collection. Featuring up to 98% natural raw materials, Forbo have ensured their linoleum flooring solution is climate positive, without the need for offsetting. With innovative designs to accommodate a variety of commercial settings, Marmoleum can accommodate most professional environments thanks to its renowned durability. The Forbo Flooring Systems Marmoleum range includes: Forbo Marmoleum Click, Forbo Marmoleum Modular Tiles, and Forbo Marmoleum Sheets. By providing their Marmoleum range in a variety of installation methods, they have ensured flexibility of use and can be applied regardless of environment size or any unusual building layouts.  

Marmoleum Click 

The Forbo Marmoleum Click flooring range offers an easy-to-install linoleum flooring solution, utilising a tongue and groove locking system design to facilitate a secure and glueless installation whilst ensuring a professional finish. With a wide colour range, you can create endless design possibilities, all whilst knowing Forbo Marmoleum is made from all natural materials. The Marmoleum Click range by Forbo Flooring Systems comes in three different sizes: 30cm x 30cm, 60cm x 30cm, and 90cm x 30cm. By offering different sizes, Forbo ensures that their range is able to accommodate both small and large spaces without impeding on creative freedoms. 

Forbo Marmoleum Click Linoleum | Cloudy Sand

Marmoleum Modular Tiles

The Forbo Marmoleum Modular Tiles range offers the opportunity to create unique flooring patterns, with the ability to use a number of different tiles to create a design that is completely original. With tile patterns to replicate natural elements, such as wood and stone, as well as tiles in vibrant colours, the only limit to design is your imagination. This natural, sustainable flooring linoleum floor covering is available in tiles of 50x50cm & 50x25cm and planks of 100x25cm in various colours and designs.

Forbo Marmoleum Modular | Granada

Marmoleum Sheet 

The Forbo Marmoleum Sheet line is made up of a variety of ranges and products, meaning your creative freedom is not limited by what is available. Here at Floormart, we offer the following ranges: Marmoleum Real, Marmoleum Fresco, Marmoleum Vivace, Marmoleum Striato, Marmoleum Graphic and Marmoleum Piano, as well as many other design options. Having such an extensive choice of marmoleum sheets means that whatever your flooring requirements are, there is a Forbo Marmoleum Sheet for you. Created using 97% natural raw materials, Forbo Marmoleum Sheets are one of the most sustainable floor coverings out there allowing you to positively impact the environment, without sacrificing your stylistic choices.

Forbo Marmoleum Real | Forest Ground

You can explore our entire range of linoleum flooring at www.floormart.co.uk, with experts on hand to answer any queries you may have regarding your flooring needs.