Marmoleum flooring is the newest ‘green’ floor choice among many home owners today. The materials that go into this type of floor are natural which do not emit toxics, and thus, makes it an environmental-friendly floor choice. It is durable, soft and comfortable to walk on which does not require much maintenance as it does not attract dust. It is also resistant to spills and stains, very easy to clean, and is anti-bacterial. Installing marmoleum flooring is environmental-friendly as solvent-free adhesives can be used. Follow the step-by-step guide below to install marmoleum flooring.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Speed square
- Solvent-free adhesives
- Sealer
- Cement
- Water
- Marmoleum flooring
- Utility knife
- Square-notched trowel (1/16 by 1/16 inches)
- Chalk line
- Steel hand roller
- Putty knife
- Hammer
- 100lb roller
- Scribing tool
- Hook knife
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Scrapper
- Mudding knife
- Sandpaper
- Hairspray
- Under-scribe tool
- Acrylic sealer
Step 1 – Remove Any Obstacles
Wear gloves for protection from cuts. Scan and remove any obstacles, such as screws, nails and staples, from the floor. If there are any nails sticking up, use a hammer to pound them down. Use a screwdriver to screw down any screws that are raised. Pull out any staples found. Briefly scan and run over the floor using a scrapper to be sure that all obstacles are being removed.
Step 2 – Fill Seams
Mix the cement with water until it is sticky. Then, spread a layer of the cement mixture over low spots and all seams with a mudding knife. Spread it smoothly so that lesser sanding is required later on. Allow the cement to air dry.
Step 3 – Smooth Floor
After the cement is dry, scrape the excess hardened cement off using a putty knife. Sanding with a sandpaper may be required to make it smooth.
Step 4 – Mark Border Layout
After the seams are smoothed out, mark an indication of the layout of the border with a chalk line. To prevent the chalk line from smudging, spray a little bit of hairspray.
Step 5 – Installing Border Pieces
Pre-cut and dry fit the border pieces before gluing down permanently. Use a speed square to cut a 45 degree angle with a utility knife, where the border pieces meet. This is to have the joint mitered. Take the borders up. Using the square notched trowel, spread the solvent-free adhesive. Then, lay down the border pieces immediately into their correct places. Use a steel hand roller to run over the border pieces to make sure that all the edges are glued down. Do a cut at the bottom of the mitered joint so that it overlaps the piece on the top. Mark the top piece with a scribing tool and utility knife. Then, use a hook knife to finish and get the perfect cut.
Step 6 – Installing Main Floor
Lay the marmoleum flooring loosely. Roughly cut it with extra 1 inch at the borders. Fold the main flooring in half and spread the adhesive on the exposed half. Then, unfold the flooring back onto the floor and have it glued down immediately. Use the 100lb roller to run over the flooring to ensure that it is glued down properly and remove any air bubbles.
Step 7 – Trim and Finish the Floor
After the entire flooring is glued down, trim each edge with an under-scribe tool. Be sure that there is adhesive underneath the edges. Use the 100lb roller to re-roll the whole flooring again. Then, apply a few coats of acrylic sealer to finish the floor.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
