Forbo Furniture Linoleum: Natural Marmoleum Countertop and Furniture Surfacing
Forbo furniture linoleum is a premium, natural surfacing material designed to elevate marmoleum countertops, linoleum dining tables, desktops, cabinets, and more with a refined, matte finish and warm, tactile feel. This versatile furniture linoleum is sold by the square yard in 72-inch-wide rolls, making it easy to create continuous marmoleum countertops and seamless linoleum table or cabinet fronts for residential and commercial interiors. Made from linseed oil, wood flour, limestone, resins, and natural pigments on a paper backing, Forbo furniture linoleum offers an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic laminates and plastic surfaces.
Furniture Linoleum for Desktops, Tables, and Cabinets
Forbo furniture linoleum desktop applications deliver a soft, warm-to-the-touch writing and working surface that resists fingerprints and feels noticeably more natural than typical laminates. Its satin matte surface cuts glare on a linoleum table or marmoleum countertop, creating a visually calm, non-reflective work zone in offices, studios, and classrooms. Designers value this furniture linoleum for linoleum cabinets, doors, and displays because it is flexible enough to wrap curves and 3D furniture forms while still looking crisp and modern.
Marmoleum Countertops with Health-Conscious Performance
When used as a marmoleum countertop or on worktops and reception desks, Forbo furniture linoleum brings the same natural, low-emission benefits that make Marmoleum flooring so popular. The material is free from VOCs, formaldehyde, and harmful pollutants, making it ideal for allergy-prone and chemically sensitive spaces where a marmoleum countertop or linoleum table is in daily use. Its natural composition and special surface finish provide inherent antistatic properties, so dust and dirt are less likely to cling to marmoleum countertops, linoleum cabinets, or desktops, keeping surfaces cleaner with minimal effort.
Durable, Easy-Care Linoleum Dining Table and Work Surfaces
Forbo furniture linoleum is naturally protective, resisting mold, mildew, bacteria, and microbes, which is a major advantage when specifying a linoleum dining table, kids’ homework table, or shared co-working marmoleum countertop. The surface is easy to clean, does not show fingerprints, and maintains a beautiful patina over time rather than looking worn out, giving your linoleum table or cabinet fronts a long, graceful service life. Recommended installation uses standard wood or PVA glues over stable substrates, allowing woodworkers, cabinet shops, and DIYers to create custom furniture linoleum desktops, shelving, and linoleum cabinets with professional results.
Flexible Format and Contemporary Color Palette
Supplied in 72-inch-wide rolls and sold by the square yard (each unit equals 72 x 18 inches), Forbo furniture linoleum offers generous coverage for large marmoleum countertops, communal tables, and banked linoleum cabinets without excessive seams. The collection includes a broad palette of contemporary and classic colors—charcoal, anthracite, neutrals, and vibrant hues—making it easy to coordinate your furniture linoleum desktop, linoleum dining table, and cabinet fronts with current design trends. Because the material is naturally flexible, it can be applied horizontally or vertically, including gently curved edges and organic shapes that give custom marmoleum countertop installations and tables a distinctive, high-end look.
Forbo Furniture Linoleum Colors
Marmoleum Frequently asked Questions
Many people ask the simple question, 'What is Marmoleum, anyway?'
First of all, it is a four-syllable word that is slang for marbleized linoleum. Made from linseed or flaxseed oil, natural pigments, limestone dust, wood fibers and resins and then pressed onto a jute backing it is an excellent alternative to vinyl flooring. People who are sensitive to plastics and their off-gassing like it because it is not PVC or rubber and contains no acrylics. It also doesn't require the use of volatile adhesives or contact cements for installation.
I ordered samples of Marmoleum, and I've heard that the color will be very different when the product arrives for installation. There is definitely some truth there since all natural linoleum flooring that was made with flaxseed oil has a natural amber hue to it when it is first made. When exposed to sunlight its color changes and it loses much of its amber hue. For instance, many of the blue colors will look green initially, and when the amber-yellow cast fades, they become the true blue color of the samples. A lot of folks get totally freaked out by this but it is not necessary to get crazy and the color will definitely change over time.
Are Marmoleum Click Tiles and Planks easy to install?
When the product comes out of its boxes and is allowed to acclimate for 24 to 48 hours, it has become stable in its final dimensions and is ready to install. Starting with one row against the long wall is a straightforward approach. Once that row is complete and blocked into place, you can start to add complete rows by tipping them into place. No tools are necessary except maybe some wedges to hold them up at an angle prior to snapping into place. It is important that the products finished surfaces touch each other perfectly before it is pressed down into place. While the general practice is slightly different than the official Forbo Marmoleum Installation Guide, few people have trouble installing this flooring. Generally, a jigsaw can make all the cuts but a tablesaw, chop saw or handsaw may come in handy in different situations. Undercutting door jambs and trim and using shoe moldings at the perimeter will make for the most professional installation.
How can I get the best deal on natural flooring products? Many local flooring stores do not carry Marmoleum but if it is available locally, we are sure that the local stores will appreciate your business. Be sure to contact us before a purchase to find the best price and to get an estimated time of arrival for your product and a stock check across our 4 warehouses.
Is Marmoleum click cheap?
Marmoleum click is cheap or inexpensive when your calculating installation costs into the mix. It can be installed in various configurations and is compatible with standard floating floor systems.
New Click II with the brown core fits tighter together than the old green core Click Classic which needed to be installed with a tapping block and a hammer while the new click does not and is tool-less. In fact, using a hammer and block of wood can damage Click II pretty easily. Seaming on the new Click II is so tight it is hard to see where the product joints are once it is installed. On the odd chance you found some quantity of Click Classic it WILL NOT marry up with the Click II.
How do I estimate the cost of flooring materials?
Measure carefully, ensuring you have 5% or 10% overage for square patterns and possibly more for diagonal patterns, as an allowance for cutting and waste. You can use graph paper to lay out the design and count the exact square footage or number of pieces when you are estimating tile projects. Here are some tips:
Click Tiles and Planks: At approximately 12 x 12squares and 12 x 36 planks they are 7 pieces to the box, so boxes are approximately 7 square feet and 21 square feet. Loose pieces are generally not sold. Click can generally not be easily installed on 45° angles because of the way it locks together.
Glue Down Tiles: At approximately 13 square, the exact number of tiles can be confusing if you are using graph paper with 12 squares. MCT comes in boxes of 45 or 54 square feet and the thicker Dual Tile comes in boxes of 45 or 54 square feet but also in boxes of 9 for mix and match color floors. Also, available in 20 tile the Dual Tile comes in boxes of 54 square feet as well.
Sheet Material: Not considered a DIY or novice product, estimating the 79-inch sheet material should be left to the installer. Since the product is very, very heavy and must be handled with specialized equipment when taken off the truck, it is uncommon to order it without the installer involved. NOTE: Be sure to leave yourself some extra when estimating since getting more product in the exact same color lot can sometimes be impossible.
What questions should I ask to find a reliable installer?
There are no hard and fast rules, but it takes a particular person who has pride in their workmanship and in their abilities to be able to install Marmoleum. It also takes a person who has been trained in the Forbo school or who grew up under the wing of an old time lino mechanic, because the product can be very technically demanding to install. If an artisan has a respect for math and science then they will be much better technicians, since there is really no way to get lucky or to fake it when installing linoleum products. Setting index lines, making patterns, having the right tools, knowing how to scribe fit and heat welding are all elements of the job that take a lot of practice to get right.
What is the best way to maintain Marmoleum Flooring?
Keeping a linoleum floor swept with a fine broom and spot cleaning occasionally is generally all that is needed. Many folks confess to hardly ever washing their floors entirely. Remarkably, the floor does not become dirty as quickly as other flooring products, thanks to the linseed oil's naturally bacteriostatic properties, which prevent many substances from adhering to the surface. Using a capful of Forbo PH Balanced cleaner and a damp mop is all that is necessary when the floor accumulates enough mess to require thorough cleaning.
The introduction of TopShield II has brought a much more durable floor finish for Marmoleum onto the market, even for commercial spaces. Floors installed before 2013 will typically have TopShield I and may require reapplication of the finish every few years, depending on the level of traffic and care the floor receives. People have had to reapply their finish each year, and other people have their floors down for 10 or 15 years with it still looking new. It all depends on the amount of care and traffic. It is far superior to the wax and periodic stripping that was common for linoleum in the first half of the century.
Is Marmoleum good for countertops?
Linoleum is very commonly used as a countertop for desks, libraries and spaces where cutting on the counter would not be a temptation. While it is durable as a floor surface, it may not be right for a kitchen counter for most folks, although many have learned to care for it and be careful with it, and they enjoy a beautiful countertop aesthetic.
Can Marmoleum be used for wall paneling or wainscoting?
Absolutely, in fact, many people have used the 12 x 36 click type planks as wall paneling below a chair rail. Hospitals will also often flash cover Marmoleum up the walls to create an easy-to-mop joint where the floor meets the walls. Fast food businesses across the country are incorporating the product into many of their dining areas as a sustainable building material option.
Can I repurpose Marmoleum?
Repurposing is a significant element in Green Building and Sustainable Living. Marmoleum Click snaps up in a flash and can be installed and removed over and over. Many companies use the product as their flooring of choice in trade show booths for that reason. People have also installed a new Click floor over a perfectly good apartment floor, with the plan to remove the floor when they move.
Is Marmoleum OK to use in commercial buildings?
Many architects and designers specify Marmoleum for gymnasiums, hospitals, classrooms, treatment rooms, hallways, and offices. Durable, elegant, and natural, it can be a great choice where all three are desired. The product will hold up with a minimum amount of maintenance and can easily outlast linoleum and commercial carpet, and in most cases, it needs less maintenance.
Should I use Marmoleum in my bathroom?
Yes, it is waterproof and durable and can make an average bathroom into something special. While it may require the making of a patter to get the fit just right, or perhaps the need to remove and reinstall the toilet, it is worth it. It is important to note that Click floors are just not appropriate for wet areas and shower rooms.
Is Marmoleum the right flooring for my basement?
First off, no matter what flooring you are installing in your basement, you should do basic moisture testing with relative humidity or calcium chloride testing beforehand in order to eliminate the opportunity for mold, mildew and humidity to create an indoor air quality issue. 85% humidity is the threshold for Marmoleum.
How humid is too humid for Marmoleum installation?
Floors with humidity levels over 85% humidity generally require some form of mitigation, which might be a simple paint-on finish if levels are under 90% while levels up to 99% generally require a specialty contractor to apply epoxy-based coatings and then encapsulate that coating with a cementitious skim coat. There are really no other methods right now on the market to deal with 85% or higher moisture contents.
Update 2015: Forbo has now introduced a 1195 adhesive that allows installations over concrete floors with 11 pounds of vapor pressure and 95% humidity. While this product is a little spendy, it combines moisture mitigation with the adhesive, combining steps and saving time and money.
Commercial Products:
Forbo commercial Floor Finish
Forbo Mop On Restorer Commercial
Forbo Spray Buff Restorer
Forbo Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner
Forbo Commercial floor cleaner
Residential Products:
Forbo Residential Floor Finish
Forbo marmoleum Neutral PH cleaner
Forbo Adhesive Remover
Is Marmoleum easy to clean, and will it hold up if chemicals are spilled?
Forbo Marmoleum products are subject to indicative chemical/stain testing in accordance with European standards. The tests provide baseline information on the effects of short-term exposure to chemicals after cleaning and should be used as a comparative guide.
If specific chemicals are of particular concern we advise that the effects are checked by the client on a sample of the proposed color and material in conditions representative of those that will be experienced in service.
Is your Bulletin Board paintable?
Yes. We would suggest using a water-based emulsion paint, but would advise testing the application first for adhesion on a small sample of material. However, as the paint is going to be less flexible than the Bulletin Board, marks may remain visible in the paint layer.
Forbo makes so many excellent linoleum flooring products, how can I ever settle on just one?
Marmoleum Click: is the snap lock floating flooring that is perfect for any DIY installer with basic skills.
MCT Tile: is the thin linoleum tiles that just about anyone who has put down any tiles can manage./
Sheet Marmoleum: is the glue-down heavy-duty linoleum that we have all come to love for the last 150 years.
The best part is that no matter what you select and for what specific application, they will all hold up well because virtually all their product surfaces are now coated with the revolutionary TopShield II finish.
