We hear the terms Linoleum and Marmoleum and perhaps wonder what they are. Perhaps the best way I can say this is that Marmoleum is a trademark for a brand of linoleum just as Formica is a trademark for a brand of countertops, Pergo a trademark for a brand of laminate floors or Kleenex a trademark for a brand of tissue. Each of these products may be very similar to other products but they have a uniqueness of their own.

Marmoleum is the registered trademark of Forbo. As with many other linoleum products, Marmoleum is a natural organic material produced for uses such as floor covering and counter tops.  Linoleum is a uniquely attractive yet durable floor covering that is highly resistant to heavy rolling loads and foot traffic.

Linoleum itself is unique in the sense that every installation can be different should a person choose to have it that way. Marmoleum likes it to be known that with their product unlimited designs can be made. This can be achieved by using standard and custom designs, inserts and borders selecting the custom blend from over 100 colors.

Like other linoleum products Marmoleum is primarily a natural product that is manufactured from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, and natural jute backing for sheet material. For tile the Marmoleum brand uses a backing made of polyester.

Marmoleum is a great performer. The products durability has shown to be enhanced by time as its exposure to the air uniquely hardens it in a way that allows it to retain its qualities of comfort under foot and quiet. It is anti-static, dust will not cling to the floor making it easier to clean which is a benefit for those with allergies and asthma concerns. The product is hygienic, having bactericidal properties that prevent microorganisms including Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus Aureus from multiplying themselves. These many benefits make its use ideal for a number of types of installations including medical. While many of these same benefits are also found in other linoleum products you might enjoy viewing the uniqueness of the Marmoleum line.

Written by Thomas MacIntosh;

When concrete floors are painted with an epoxy coating we get what is known as the epoxy flooring. Also referred to as polymer seamless floors, these floorings are used as a replacement for concrete sealants. They either have a clear or colored finish. More popular in industries, epoxy flooring is also used in garages, work areas, pool decks, and even in bathrooms for elderly people. Read more

Concrete floor covering is the most basic form of floor covering. Before installing any other floor remodeling plan, many people have concrete floor covering. Read more

Frequently dealers, contractors, installers and others are under the mistaken belief that moisture & pH testing are not required or even necessary for a flooring or floor covering installation. This will often prove to be a costly and sometime fatal error not only damaging resilient floor covering, laminate flooring, and hardwood or bamboo floor but also glue down or double stick carpet installed on a concrete substrate.

You installed the job and it looked absolutely beautiful. You were paid in full and the consumer sent you a letter complimenting you on the great job. A few months later you receive a call that the hardwood is buckled or the carpet is full of wrinkles. You contact an independent floorcovering inspector who finds that the floor has failed due to a concrete moisture or alkalinity situation. Suddenly you as the contractor, dealer or installer are getting the blame for this installation failure and the consumer wants a full replacement. “This is not our problem,” you say, “we didn’t poor the slab and that’s where the moisture and/or alkali are located.”

Perhaps the floor covering and/or adhesive manufacturer are receiving the blame because their products failed to hold up to the moisture or alkalinity. You soon find out though that the manufacturer has an out, for the concrete did not meet their requirements. Is the hardwood buckling or the carpet coming up your fault or that of someone else? Hopefully you won’t have to find out whose responsibility it is, but if you do, lets pray that you made the required test before the installation and maintained the records.

In many cases the court will decide that a failed installation is the fault of the contractor, dealer or installer, so always protect yourself by testing the concrete before beginning the installation.

Remember that bigger bucks are made by preventing problems instead of by making them!