Eco Lino flooring
The alternative to vinyl PVC
Eco Lino Flooring - My review
This is a man-made flooring which holds some great eco credentials. As it is man-made the materials must still be processed and manufactured, using lots of energy and creating waste. It is not a 100% true eco choice, it is a good bridge between natural products and synthetic products. Manufactured products will always be lesser to natural and sustainable products that are not manufactured. For flooring, and in particular areas that require moisture resistance, lino is a good eco alternative.
Description
♦ Linoleum flooring was previously made with vinyl, cork dust and a variety of chemicals in the 60s and 70s
♦ Nowadays eco lino flooring is made from natural materials; linseed oil, hessian, pine rosins, wood flour, limestone with a jute backing and colouring
♦ Available in a large variety of colours and patterns
♦ Available in sheeting or tiles
Cost
♦ Similar cost to wood and carpet flooring choices
♦ Long lifespan extends makes it cost effective (up to 30 years)
Uses
♦ Suitable for residential and commercial flooring
♦ Ideal for bathrooms, ensuites and kitchens where resilient flooring is needed
♦ Table, desk and worktops, trim and stair treads
Advantages
♦ Comfortable and warm underfoot
♦ Non-toxic
♦ Natural linseed oil creates good antibacterial properties
♦ Able to wipe away liquid spills without staining
♦ Good anti-static properties – doesn’t attract dust
♦ Waterproof
♦ Good resistance to fire; burns from cigarettes can be rubbed off
♦ Flexible
♦ Damage such as scratches and scuffs are not easy to spot as the colourway is not a surface print
♦ Good resistance to indentation from static loads (double the resistance to vinyl tiles)
♦ Good resistance to cracks and abrasions
♦ Linoleum gets tougher with time as the linseed oil cures
♦ Is self healing to some degree
Disadvantages
♦ Lower sound absorption properties
♦ After installation the linseed oil releases a natural odour as it cures
Embodied Energy
♦ High levels of embodied energy during fabric manufacture and distribution
Source/Origin
♦ Natural materials sourced from European planted forests
Renewable
♦ Raw materials are natural and sustainable and rapidly renewable
Environment & Health
♦ The materials used are harvested with little energy consumption
♦ Production does not need anti-bacterial agents which are chemical based
♦ Production does not create chemical by products or emissions
♦ No chemical additives (e.g. formaldehyde) or VOCs if solvent free / water based adhesive is used
♦ Linoleum used with a low VOC adhesive releases a lesser amount of toxic vapours than vinyl
♦ Long life span reduces the need for virgin product manufacture and the need to fill landfill sites with waste
♦ No negative health consequences across the complete lifecycle; extraction, manufacture, use and disposal
♦ Natural linseed oil offgases aldehyde emissions which some people, especially those who suffer with multiple sensitivities may be affected by
Performance
♦ Highly durable with a lifespan of up to 40 years
♦ Linseed cures over a long time, getting stronger Maintenance
♦ Easy to clean with a brush or hoover
♦ Clean regularly with a damp cloth/mop with mild detergent (non chemical based)
♦ Avoid contact with petrol based substances, acid and alkalis Recyclable
♦ Yes all materials are recyclable Disposal / Biodegradable
♦ Eco lino flooring is 100% biodegradable
Go back to the Eco Materials main page
Return from Eco lino flooring to the homepage
|
