This word is probably the most abused of all those given to floor coverings. It is pronounced incorrectly, viz: magnolia, meloleum, namoliam, naloeum, molian, and in various other ways. The accent is on the second syllable, li-no-le-um.

Linoleum is oxidized linseed oil and ground cork, mixed to a plastic cement and applied with a heavy pressure to a prepared burlap backing. The important ingredient is the cork, which being full of minute air-cells, makes it a non-conductor of heat and cold.

Linoleums are very easily cleaned and very serviceable, and for this reason are growing in demand each day, and are being used in all rooms of the house.

Different Grades

There are three general types of linoleums. There is the "plain" linoleum, where the compound is applied in one solid color to the backing, and is left without any decoration, and the "printed" linoleum, which has the pattern printed in decorative colors on the surface of the plain goods, and can be bought for from forty-five cents to a dollar a square yard, owing to the quality.

The "inlaid" linoleum is the best grade and is made in small patterns and matched together by special machinery, similar to tile flooring, hence the word inlay or inlaid linoleum. To detect inlaid linoleum, examine the edge and it will be seen that each figure runs through to the back or burlap.

Inlaid linoleum can be purchased for from $1.00 to $2.00 per square yard. As there are many grades on the market, it will necessitate an expenditure of about $1.50 per square yard to secure the quality that will give the best service.

Seconds

What is known as "seconds" or damaged linoleum is sometimes sold by the mills at a discount, and it is upon these "seconds" that one sometimes sees attractive quotations. One must be guided by the fact that low prices, or price cutting, does not necessarily mean a lowering of the price of the standard grade, as often these seemingly standard grades are but "seconds" or remnants.

Linoleum Preservation

The surface of linoleums may be preserved to a great degree by applying some kind of a varnish preparation when the linoleum is newly laid, and repeating the operation about twice a year.

Computing Yardage

Linoleum comes in rolls of about sixty square yards; however, if the rolls are over two yards wide, the yardage is greater. They run in different widths from a yard to four yards, and as they are always figured and priced by the square yard, it is necessary to compute the surface to square yards, to determine the amount needed for a given floor. Many do not consider this fact and most salesmen overlook this point, consequently there is often a misunderstanding when the bill is rendered.

Waste And Avoiding Seams

Any waste in cutting linoleum, due to an uneven or odd-shaped room, is charged to the buyer. As in matching carpet designs, the buyer is entitled to all waste pieces, and these may be used for door strips, on cellar steps, or for future patching.

The advantage in buying linoleum four yards in width for rooms over two yards wide is apparent, as the seam in the middle of the floor can be avoided.

Care Of Linoleum

Before laying linoleum have the floor level, dry and free from nails, or it will soon wear through at the uneven edges of the flooring. If the floor has large open cracks, they may be filled with glue and chalk and allowed to harden before the linoleum is laid.

In hot weather, linoleum is liable to expand, causing buckling or bumping. To overcome this, let the linoleum lay for some time before tacking the edges.

Floor paper, carpet felt, lining, etc., should not be put under linoleum when laying it. The linoleum keeps out the air, consequently in the case the paper or lining gets wet, as in scrubbing the floor, it cannot dry out, and soon rots and damages the linoleum. For this reason it is not policy to lay linoleum on freshly scrubbed floors; let them dry thoroughly.

In the present-day bungalows and houses such materials as asphalt, cement, concrete, etc., are being used for floors. Before laying linoleum on such floors it is well to consult a first-class dealer and get any information needed regarding the treatment of the floors preparatory to the laying of the cover. If too much tar is used in the asphalt floor, it produces a soft effect and doees not make a good foundation for linoleum.

Linoleum should not be unrolled in cold weather without first warming it. as the surface may crack when cold. I lave it thoroughly warmed by placing the roll over a register or near a stove for about twenty-four hours.

In washing or scrubbing linoleum use only warm water and good soap.

Inferior soaps usually contain acids or strong alkali, and will destroy the surface; and lye, ammonia, strong chemicals or powders will eventually counteract the oily ingredients which make the linoleum pliable.

Avoid poor casters on furniture, as they are injurious to the surface of linoleums, as are rough chair and table legs. Small metal chair furniture glides are recommended for furniture which stands on linoleum-covered floors.