If you want a kitchen floor that is warm and easy to walk on, then you need to consider linoleum flooring. The wide range of colors and designs and the fact that it is natural make it very popular. The composition is linseed oil, cork powder or wood flour, ground limestone, and color pigments. This mixture is placed on a jute, burlap or canvas surface. Linoleum or lino takes its name from the Latin equivalents for flax (linum) and oil (oleum). This floor does not break porcelain and is not easily damaged by water.
Because the whole layer of the floor is homogeneous – the shade and the design are the same on the whole floor – the chipping of the floor does not reduce its beauty. Linoleum floor is great for high traffic areas and this is why it is commonly used even in office spaces.
If you don’t have much money to spend on kitchen flooring but are still looking for elegant options, then linoleum flooring is a good choice for you; the floor is very durable and cost effective.
Whether you want a simple or floral design for your floor, linoleum flooring offers you plenty of choice. The designs are artistic and creative. Because the raw material used in the linoleum floor is ecological and anti-bacterial, if you have people suffering from respiratory disorders such as asthma, this floor is a good choice.
Cost of linoleum flooring
- Thickness, quality and design are some of the determinants of cost. A more complex design that uses many colors will cost more than a simple model. Linoleum flooring runs around $2-$3 per square foot.
- Installing linoleum flooring will cost you up to $7 per square foot. Only if you are absolutely sure of your flooring skills should you try it as a DIY project.
- The guarantee can be from 5 to 25 years.
- Armstrong and Forbo are the two popular producers of linoleum flooring.
Tips for buying a linoleum floor
1. Depending on where the linoleum floor will be used, you can get one with a protective coating. Because the kitchen area sees a lot of traffic and you don’t want to spend all your time cleaning it, the linoleum floor should be coated with a layer of high-performance, scratch-resistant stain.
2. Concrete with a high water content cannot be the underlying surface for the linoleum floor.
3. Linoleum flooring comes in different shapes, sizes and thicknesses. The tiles can warp and have bent edges after a few years.
4. Interior design magazines are great places to look for ideas on how to make your linoleum floor look more creative.
5. A traditional, natural, wooden design works best with a linoleum floor.
Installation of linoleum flooring
The subsurface must be made even and dry before laying the linoleum floor. Using a Calcium Chloride test you can find out the rate at which moisture escapes from the concrete subfloor. This should be less than prescribed by the manufacturer of the linoleum floor. A pH greater than 10 can damage the adhesive and the floor will be ruined. With a bond test you can find out if the concrete floor has a sealer; this is important as the performance of the adhesive is affected by the sealing substance.
Because linoleum shrinks in length and expands in width, hiring a professional to lay the floor is the best option. You don’t want to do the job yourself and then realize a few years later that you have to redo it completely because you didn’t understand the basic features of the floor.
To keep grime and moisture away, seams should be protected with seals.
The linoleum floor has a very long life; it can last up to 40 years.
Linoleum floor maintenance
Like any other floor, even your linoleum floor must be maintained exactly as the manufacturer insists.
If not sealed with a protective layer, this floor can become porous and therefore look dull very quickly. Stains can make the floor lose its luster; this is when you should polish the linoleum floor.
Sweep and mop the floor regularly. Use a cleaner that has been approved by the manufacturer. This is because the surface needs a neutral pH cleaning agent.
Standing water, damp subsoil, or constant exposure to moisture can all damage the floor.
If there is heavy furniture in the kitchen, there may be bumps and dents on the floor. This is the reason why you must use ground protectors.
Area rugs prevent scratches from appearing on the floor.
