Marmoleum installation
June 2008
Can someone recommend an installer for marmoleum besides John
Frick (too busy) and Anderson Flooring (too expensive)?
jean
You might try Yvonne Kettels of She Custom Building, 510-520-0295. She has
experience with marmoleum, is very experienced and responsible, remodels kitchens
and bathrooms, among other things. Has done great work for me, friends, families
from our school.
TLF
March 2008
Hello--We are planning a kitchen remodel and I am looking into
floor options. We would like to go as ''green'' as possible and
both cork floors and marmoleum have been recommended to us. I
am wondering if anyone has either of these floors in their
kitchen and if so how you like them? We have a toddler so we
definitely need something that does not scratch easy, is easy
to clean and as spill-proof as possible.
I'd appreciate any feedback, positive or negative, that you may
have.
Thanks!
We were looking into the same options a few years ago and chose cork. Like you, we
have two small children. We went and visited some homes that had marmoleum and
what I didn't like about it were the seams. One house had put marmoleum in just a
month or so before and the seam was already discolored and filthy looking. It
looked like they had had the floor for 20 years.
We went with cork interlocking tiles and have been very happy. (actually the same
pattern that was in Sunset magazine last month. Its warm and beautiful. And the
best thing is that you can't see ANY spills. Its like the disappearing floor,. I was
just
thinking yesterday how we used to clean our linoleum floor constantly, but with
cork, we just sweep every once in awhile and then clean once a week. Its fairly easy
to clean. Just a damp mop with some sort of murphy's oil soap.
We've had it for 2 years now. Yes it gets a little dented under places where there are
chairs, but I don't mind that at all. It just sort of adds to the patina. We got a
very
''grainy'' looking pattern, so it doesn't really show. Also, we were warned about
water damaging the floor and have had no problems with that. We have our share of
spills, but we just clean them up within 15 minutes or so and the floor is fine. After
you put the floor in, you can add an extra layer of polyeurothane and that helps with
spills.
We haven't had any problems with scratching despite the fact that we have two
rambunctious children.
loving my cork
We installed Marmoleum Click floors ourselves in our kitchen
about two years ago and would never consider anything else! I
am SO happy I didn't go with my initial plan to install tile or
hardwood. Our Marmoleum is smooth, doesn't scratch, and hardly
ever needs to be mopped just because the surface seems to repel
dirt and grease. Plus, it's comfortable on the feet. My mom
copied me and has Marmoleum floors too, although she did the
regular tiled Marmoleum (non-Click) in a checkerboard pattern
and had to have professional installation to do it.
I bought our Marmoleum at Anderson Carpet/Floors in Oakland.
Marmoleum Lover
We have marmoleum in our bathroom. It is VERY spill resistant,
and fairly scratch=proof, plus you can actually sand it with
sand paper to get scratches out. However, don't use it if you
expect to have humidity, probably not as much a problem in a
kitchen as a bathroom maybe? We have been very disappointed in
the bathroom with it, because anywhere that water sits for a
bit it gets mildewed. If you treat it with bleach, it fades a
bit. And next to impossible to use sand paper in tight corners.
We're ready to get rid of it after about 7 years. My two cents
worth.
anon
We installed Marmoleum floors in the kitchen and the bathroom of one house, lived
there for a year, and liked them so much that we did it again in the second (and
final!) house remodel: kitchen and bathroom. With two young sons and a cat, the
floors got a workout but still look great. And the color choices are fun -- be bold!
Another convenient thing about Marmoleum, although with cork it might've been
just as easy -- the water line to the fridge wasn't hooked up correctly so there was
a terrible slow leak for weeks behind the fridge that went through the cabinet, the
floor, the subfloor and down to the crawlspace. The contractor was able to peel up
the Marmoleum, allow the subfloor to dry, and then stick it back down again. Thank
goodness we didn't do tile or wood!
JV
Have you visited the showroom at EcoHome Improvement on San Pablo
near Dwight? The people their are very knowledgeable and
helpful. I'm sure they'd have good information and ideas for you.
anon
We also have a toddler. We have cork flooring in our kitchen and we love it! It has
done more than held up: it has thrived. We have had a leak in our washing machine
and while the cabinetry warped, the floor showed not one sign of water damage.
It is amazing to walk on; it ''gives'' slightly, putting a spring in your step
(which in
the kitchen is nice!). Supposedly, it can heal itself of slight wounds (if a knife
falls
on it, for example), but we have not had that experience. It cleans with a dry mop
(same as wood flooring), and its pattern hides dirt.
I wish I had it in every room in the house!
feel good about the planet
Both products are green and reliable, around as flooring for 50+
years. Marmoleum is natural,linseed oil based and is the same
material through and through, so scratches are less noticeable.
Maintenance requires a special sealer, look for a non-toxic green
version of that to avoid V.O.C.s. Additionally it only comes in
6foot wide rolls so there is often a seam somewhere on the
floor--get a professional and experienced installer! Cork is soft
and durable, some of my clients have even installed it
themselves. Either is a good decision, I'm leaning toward
marmoleum for a more waterproof seal and resistance to the
scratching and denting a toddler can dish out.(mine is 6 now) I
also personally like the retro. look of it. But then again, cork
can look wonderfully modern and simple too...I am committed to
ecological home building so I think that you are making a great
decision for your child and their future by choosing either
environmentally responsible floor! I may have other references if
you'd like more info. on green kitchens feel free to call me.
Berkeley Craftsmen Builders 510 815 0125
Mark
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