The salesman says it can be used just as it is, with no sealant or top finish. But all the installations I have seen have been commercial where they put a shine on it, then have crews that come in with professional machines and apply some kind of wax periodically. I love the colors and designs, but it is expensive and I don't want to put it in, then ruin it by not sealing it. Yet, I'm not up for waxing any more - been there, done that for decades. Is the top sealant important?

I just put it in my bathroom & love it! I would call Forbo Floors (they have a website) & ask them before putting anything on it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: patty louise,

I have been trying to find the Marmoleum floors in out local Lowes or Home depot. I am in Tx. All the flooring sales reps looks at me like I am stupid. When I take the time to explain, some act like "Why did I waste their time with that explanation" and some just have no idea what it is and that is that. I am kinda OLD fashioned, I want to see, feel, touch, before I buy it.. I really do NOT want to order it off the internet, so, If any of you know a local distributor, please pass the info my way.... Thanks!!!!1

I have never heard of it eother. How does it differ from Linolium? Personnally i like tile.

It is a natural, green, sustainable linoleum. You probably won't find it in the chain home stores, but at any good flooring store. Ask for the books of samples and pictures of installations. The colors and design possibilities are endless. It comes in tongue and groove tiles or sheet. I'm using sheet with laser-cut borders. One website to check it out is: http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Public/NaturalFlooring/Marmoleum/index.cfm

You need a professional installer who has experience with it.

Here's a web site that carries it & can send you samples....and can tell you where to buy it.

www.forboflooringna.com

1-800-842-7839

I ordered mine thru a carpet/floor company.

Linoleum is the old sheet vinyl made with linsead oils. It was toxic at fire rating levels and therefore was replaced with the new name Marmoleum that had certain char. that made it not flammable for type A flame spreads. They brought back Linoleum with the retro look but had fixed the issues with the toxins. So there are both out there.

Forbo is a good company. If you go to the state where your rep is and contact them letting them know you are a residential buyer they can get you samples and place an order I am sure.

You do not need anytype of topcoat on it. Commercial places use waxers on it to clean it usually but residential you can just mop it.

If you want to let me know what state you are in I can help you out further.

Thank you for your input. I have read Farbo's information before and found a source locally that uses certified Farbo product installers. Unfortunately, for my kitchen, laundry room and the hall between, the cost came in at over $6000 and that does not include the tear out and floor leveling that would have to precede the installation. I truly loved the colors and the borders we chose but guess I'll have to go look for vinyl.

Yes, its between $6-$8 a foot for the product. You can do porcelain tile for less than Forbo even. Cork tiles are going to be expensive too. Sheet vinyl for sure in the laundry room, they have some ok looking things out there.

I would spend the money on something other than sheet vinyl in the hall and kitchen if you can. What about an inexpensive porcelain tile?

Yes, I understand Marmoleum is the VERY superior product. I felt a little like an idiot, walking into a Rolls Royce dealership and being surprised the product is wildly more expensive than a Volkswagen - naive. My kitchen, hall and laundry room all run openly into each other (a big space) and I already have an elevation increase from the last remodel when a new plywood sub floor was laid. I don't want to increase that even more by laying porcelain tile. The transition edges would be quite a step-down to all the other rooms that open off it. Also, the slide-in stove would end up higher than the counter tops. This all limits my choices. I ended up laughing about the real advantage of the Marmoleum life span - 30 to 40 years. I'll be over a hundred by then and I won't care! So, I'm on a new search - found some sheet vinyl that is a possibility. I'm sort of sorry I ever saw the color, design, and border possibilities of Marmoleum. The result was really "me" but I think many of us have to be realistic, especially in these times. Thank you for your thoughts and insight.