Linoleum and bamboo

The front room of the En-House will be a reception area, and is covered with a natural linoleum floor. Natural linoleum is made from cork, linseed oil, limestone, and jute vegetable fiber. Most linoleum today is made from vinyl, a petroleum product. The natural linoleum does not have any pollution issues during its manufacture, use or disposal.

The linoleum was laid onto the floor from six foot wide rolls. A low odor putty-like adhesive was used to stick it to the cement. The contractor cut the edges to size with a razor knife and laid the material flattly against the walls. Once in place, a heavy steel rolling pin was used to flatten the material and remove any bubbles from the adhesive. The entire operation took about an hour.

The main hallway corridor was fitted with a hard bamboo floor, made by Timbergrass. At the factory, the bamboo is cut lengthwise into strips and then laminated together into solid pieces. Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows back to harvestable size every four years. It is harder than oak or maple and readily accepts a wood stain. The tongues and grooves fit together smoothly.

After the floor was in place, it was finished with OS Color Hard Wax Oil, an all natural product made from linseed oil, sunflower oil, carnuba wax and soybean oil. The product has low volatile organic compound outgassing, and those chemicals that are released are not toxic or irritating. After 24 hours, there is no noticable smell and the floor is safe to touch. The finish is hard and glossy, resistant to stains and water marks.

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