Identification

• One of the first floor coverings to be mass produced was linoleum. Linoleum has a smooth surface and is made from linseed oil. Linseed oil is derived from the flax plant, and transforms into a rubber-like material when exposed to air. Many synthetic flooring products replaced the traditional linoleum, as they prove to be more durable and easier to wash and maintain.
  
  

Benefits

• Linoleum is making a comeback and is considered a green building material. Made from natural materials, it can be recycled, is biodegradable, does not release harmful gasses or substances, does not require chemicals to maintain, and does not adversely affect the air quality. If added to a landfill, linoleum naturally decomposes, making it environmentally friendly. Its primary resource is the sun, and the raw material to make the product is harvested from nature with little stress on energy.
  
  

History

• Linoleum was invented in England in 1860 by Frederick Walton. This rubber-like material made an excellent floor covering. Walton went on to invent a machine that produced linoleum in a variety of patterns. Today linoleum is made by a similar, yet much faster, process. Plastic synthetic materials began to replace linoleum in the 1950s. The new materials proved to be better at resisting moisture than traditional linoleum, and could be produced in a wider array of colors.
  
  

Features

• Manufacturing linoleum begins when purified linseed oil is mixed with oxygen. The oxygenation transforms the oil into a rubbery substance. Gums and heat are added to the material, which provides additional strength. The mixture cures for a period of time before pigment or fillers are added. The mixture is then pressed by a machine which makes it glossy and then a backing is added. The backed linoleum is put into an oven where it is dried and hardened. The final process involves a coating to give it a waxed appearance.
  
  

Types

• Linoleum comes in two basic types; plain linoleum and molded inlaid linoleum. Plain linoleum is made in only one color. It was once called battleship linoleum, as it was used primarily in warships. The second type, molded inlaid linoleum, is made with more than one color and can have elaborate designs. This is typically the linoleum that is used in homes.