Marmoleum® is a flooring covering product used in residential and commercial applications. It is produced by England's Forbo Flooring Company, and is similar to linoleum flooring. Marmoleum® is made from a proprietary blend of wood flour, jute, rosin, and linseed oil. This organic mix is then pressed together and dried to produce sheets or tiles. Though this product has been on the market for over a century, it is becoming more popular due to the growth of the green building movement over the past several decades.
While it is primarily used for floor coverings, Marmoleum® products are also used to make countertops, wall panels, and other types of furnishings. Marmoleum® flooring is often used in the home in place of traditional linoleum, especially in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms. It is also popular with hospitals, medical offices, and schools due to its low-maintenance requirements and natural anti-bacterial properties. Many restaurants use Marmoleum® tabletops or counters to help minimize germs and allow for quick cleanup.
This product is available in a number of different models, and is truly customizable based on color, design, and pattern. Traditional Marmoleum® is sold as sheets or tiles, and is installed using a special adhesive that contains no solvents. Click Marmoleum® is available in panels or squares, and is installed as a floating system. Floating floors are not attached to the subfloor, so no adhesives are needed. Instead, the panels simply click together using tongue-and-groove connectors, allowing for quick and easy installation.
Marmoleum® floors are relatively soft and comfortable underfoot, but are also surprisingly durable. They require little maintenance, and are both easy to clean and highly resistant to stains and spills. Unlike many other flooring options, Marmoleum® is anti-static, which means it won't attract dust. It is also anti-bacterial, due to the presence of the linseed oil, which kills germs as it oxidizes. Marmoleum® is also the only flooring material that has been certified as Asthma and Allergy-Friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Like linoleum, Marmoleum® is considered an environmentally-friendly green building product. It is completely biodegradable and recyclable, and is made from all-natural materials. All of the materials used in Marmoleum® fabrication are rapidly renewable, which means that they have a short regrowth period that has minimal impact on the earth. Finally, Marmoleum® contains no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a common component used in flooring and adhesives, and are linked to poor indoor air quality and respiratory illnesses.