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Re: GBlist: Natural Linoleum



I thought this may be of interest to all so I am posting generally.

I have been doing light research on linoleum lately to see if this product
will work for a specific client.  I have found:

1)my client had no reaction to a large sample of linoleum which I gave them.
 Anyone who will be in the store on a regular basis until the linoleum has
finished off-gassing should probably be tested for linseed oil reaction,
especially in an enclosed area such as an office.

2)after many conversations with several people at Forbo, I finally spoke with
a woman distributor in my area who cautioned me about installing this in any
location where water would sit on the product for any length of time (say,
over an hour--this is all Forbo has tested it at).  It was not the face of
the product that was a concern but the edges which absorb water and then
shrink the product, as it is wood particle based.  Forbo definitely
recommends that you have the seams heat welded---if there you use a linoleum
wall base to which the wall edge seams could be heat welded, this problem
would become negligible.  Finally, note the manufacturer's requirement for
moisture tests of the slab and the types of substrate that linoleum can be
installed over--this is fairly specific.

3)as I have seen on the list before, the care of any product is of major
concern.  My gut feeling is that the products you would need to use on the
linoleum in your climate and high traffic pattern in order to care for and
maintain it would be fairly extensive, often and possibly toxic.  I would
certainly take this into consideration when choosing any product.  

As an aside, the upfront cost of linoleum product (not including
installation) in my area is actually less expensive than many sheet vinyl
products...

That's my 3 cents...appreciate any corrections necessary.

Dona Stankus, AIA


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