Article Number : 3913 |
|
Article Detail |
|
 | |
| Date | 11/25/2008 8:47:29 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3913 |
| Abstract | By K.J. Quinn Linoleum marketers are making a big push to recapture the nation’s interest in a flooring that was prominent in many American homes for more than 120 years, thanks to an environmental movement that studies have found is impacting interior design choices... |
| Article | By K.J. Quinn Linoleum marketers are making a big push to recapture the nation’s interest in a flooring that was prominent in many American homes for more than 120 years, thanks to an environmental movement that studies have found is impacting interior design choices. An appreciation for the product’s green benefits, observers say, is a major reason why more consumers and specifiers are gravitating toward the product. “Linoleum is enjoying a fresh resurgence in large part due to greater environmental awareness of building materials,” said Dominic Rice, product management, Armstrong Floor Products. “Green building requirements strive for such goals as increased health and well being of occupants; better indoor air quality, lower operating costs, reduced maintenance and longer product life.” Armstrong’s flagship Marmorette line anchors its linoleum collection, designed to work within a variety of environments. Made from linseed and other renewable resources, linoleum is valued as a natural product that combines beauty and performance. Environmental advantages coupled with its durability and life cycle costs make it a popular choice for an array of commercial and residential applications, experts say. Life cycle costs are low because linoleum is so durable and easy to maintain. “Our tough xf finish provides the industry’s best surface protection,” Jeff Krejsa, director of marketing, Johnsonite, said of the company’s linoleum flooring. “It requires no initial wax or polish and can save up to 30% on maintenance and 50% on water, detergents and energy over its lifetime.” And because Linoleum xf is homogeneous, the color and pattern go all the way through the flooring, so there are no wear patterns over years of use. According to industry members, the composition of linoleum coupled with improvements to maintenance improves indoor air quality, areas that contribute to LEED accreditation. A case in point is Forbo’s Marmoleum, the cornerstone of how it creates better environments. “Marmoleum has the lowest environmental footprint, carries the most independent, LCA [life cycle assessment]-based environmental labels and certifications, offers a dynamic color palette that makes it a leader in color and design, and provides a 100-year-plus track record of performance and durability,” noted Tim Cole, director of environmental initiatives and product development. Sustainable floor Linoleum has been widely viewed as a sustainable product because of the huge percentage of rapidly renewable resources that make up the content. This is reportedly accepted in the specification and end-user community as a responsible environmental choice for commercial installations. “What has improved even further is the surface treatment applied to our linoleum,” Krejsa reports. “The xf surface treatment reduces considerably the ongoing maintenance, reducing the use of chemicals and waste water.” An estimated one-third of U.S. linoleum sales are generated from the residential market, driven largely by the product’s green benefits. Linoleum marketers say they consider this sector fertile ground because advertising is directed toward people looking for not only a sustainable solution in the floor, but a unique design alternative for the house that offers healthy advantages. This is a key selling point for many suppliers since linoleum naturally inhibits bacteria growth. “When your issues include keeping a dust-free environment due to allergy and asthma concerns, Marmoleum is the natural choice,” Forbo’s Cole said. “The anti-static properties of Marmoleum not only reduce the potential for electric shock, but makes the floor easier to clean in that dust and dirt will not easily adhere to it.” The bactericidal properties of Marmoleum are said to prevent micro-organisms, including Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus Aureus, from multiplying themselves. Life cycle cost advantages Since they do not require a finish, linoleum floors are easily maintainable. The fact that the product actually gets harder with age makes it remarkably durable as well. A case in point is Radio City Music Hall in New York, where the Rockettes have danced on the same linoleum stage floor for decades. Last year, Armstrong developed a new durable top layer for its linoleum floors called NaturCote to increase resistance to scratches and scuffs while maintaining the floor’s appearance at a low-maintenance cost. Because NaturCote is bonded to the floor’s surface, the floor is protected from accidental exposure to high pH cleaners and stripping solutions. The finish also eliminates the need for polishing, a time-consuming initial maintenance step. “If, after careful evaluation, it’s determined that initial polish preparation is not necessary, the linoleum floor will look great and be ready for foot traffic the moment it’s installed, saving the time and costs associated with traditional maintenance methods,” Rice said. The reduced maintenance also helps lower waste treatment needs because there are fewer cleaning agents and water that need disposal. Indeed, life-cycle analysis shows linoleum products are the ecologically preferred floor covering. The renewable materials, experts concur, underlie the charm that gives each design its inimitable and distinguished look. |