How to Fit Lionleum Flooring in Classrooms | The Library

Which is better: vinyl or linoleum?
Linoleum is an eco-responsible and sustainable flooring option, a natural and durable material perfect for flooring in a school classroom. It is a phthalate-free product that is based on linseed oil, cork, and wood flour – a combination that is extremely resistant to wear and tear over time. These are all factors and characteristics that give linoleum an advantage over vinyl.

What products do you need for linoleum flooring?

No floor is built perfectly flat. Therefore, it is important to put down a class P3 levelling compound suitable for the substrate that will even out the dips and rises. This will give the linoleum floor covering a good, flat, and smooth surface.

First, a primer is needed to ensure that the levelling compound will be able to grip the substrate effectively. Then, once the levelling compound has been placed, adhesive can be applied in readiness for the linoleum to be rolled out and fixed into place.

Bostik has the perfect flooring system for installing linoleum flooring.

GRIP A500 MULTI is a universal solvent-free primer that prepares both porous and non-porous substrates by optimising grip for levelling compounds.
SL C510 PRO is a heavy-duty, self-levelling compound that is suitable for use in both new-build and renovation projects. It can be used in areas that are subject to high levels of foot traffic (interior use only).
STIX A780 LINO POWER is an acrylic adhesive with very low VOC emissions. Especially designed for linoleum floor coverings, this product has a high grab effect in a very short time.

Use fit-for-purpose Bostik products to lay linoleum flooring in school classrooms.

How do you lay linoleum flooring?

Use the following Bostik system to lay a linoleum floor in a classroom. You will need the following:

Linoleum flooring
A GRIP A500 MULTI primer (5kg or 20kg) to cover the floor area (90 to 100g/m2 per coat)
A short-pile roller
A sufficient number of 25 kg bags of SL C510 PRO self-levelling compound to cover the floor area to the desired thickness (mix 6 litres of water per 25kg bag; coverage 1.5 kg/mm/m²)
Electric drill and mixing paddle
Stainless steel float
A sufficient number of 20kg tubs of STIX A780 LINO POWER adhesive to cover the floor area (coverage 350 to 400 g/m²)
B1 type (TKB standard) notched trowel
Heavy metal roller (~70kg+)

Step 1: Clean and prepare the substrate

Floors must be sound and free from laitance, cracks, and structural defects. The surface must also be clean and free from dust, grease, or any other contaminants that may inhibit proper bonding.

Hard adhesive residues need to be mechanically cut back to a minimum. All soft and weak adhesive residues, paint, and gypsum residues must be removed completely.

The moisture content of the substrate at the time of application must be measured. If it exceeds 3%, the floor has to be primed with a moisture vapour barrier coating before applying the self-levelling compound.

The surface of anhydrite screed must be sanded to eliminate traces of paints, mortars, plaster, and to remove the surface layer of the screed. The moisture content of anhydrite needs to be measured and must not exceed 0.5%.

Step 2: Apply primer to the floor

Apply GRIP A500 MULTI primer evenly in a thin coat using a foam or short-pile roller (coverage: 90 to 100 g/m² per coat). Do not over-apply, and avoid forming puddles. Allow to dry for 30 to 60 minutes before applying the self-levelling compound.

For anhydrite screed, apply undiluted primer (coverage: approx. 100 g/m²) and allow to dry for at least 24 hours before applying the self-levelling compound. Several subsequent layers may be necessary to penetrate the substrate completely.

Step 3: Prepare self-levelling compound for use

Pour 6 litres of clean water (water temperature +8 to +25 degrees Celsius) into a clean mixing bucket. Stir the SL C510 PRO powder into the water using an electric drill and mixing paddle (500 rpm) until a lump-free mixture is achieved (a minimum of 2 minutes).

After mixing, wait at least 60 seconds to optimise the flowability of the mix. Then remix for 30 seconds.

The self-levelling compound is now ready to be applied.

Step 4: Apply self-levelling compound

The self-levelling compound can be applied after the primer has dried (30–60 minutes, or 24 hours if the substrate is anhydrite screed). Once you have finished mixing the SL C510 PRO, you will have 20 minutes of working time to apply it.

Apply the compound and smooth it with a stainless steel float. Spread the compound to 3mm thickness to fill the pores, then smooth and spread it in a regular manner to your desired thickness.

After 2 hours, you will be able to walk on the levelling compound.

Step 5: Wait 48–72 hours for the levelling compound to dry

Wait 48–72 hours before laying the linoleum, to allow the levelling compound to dry completely. The time to dry depends on how thick you have applied the compound and on the environmental conditions.

Protect the floor from excessively rapid drying due to factors such as direct sunlight, wind, or high room temperature. Note also that poor airflow and low temperatures will significantly increase drying times.

Step 6: Apply linoleum adhesive and lay the linoleum floor covering over it immediately

Stir the STIX A780 LINO POWER well before use. For 2–4mm thick linoleum floor coverings, use a type B1 (TKB standard) notched trowel to apply an even coat of adhesive over the whole area to be covered. Avoid the formation of puddles.

Lay the linoleum immediately, while the adhesive is still wet. Use a heavy metal roller (70kg) to ensure perfect contact between the linoleum and adhesive.

Do not weld the joints before the adhesive has had sufficient time to develop a good bond – normally 24 hours after installation.

The key benefits of Bostik’s flooring system for linoleum flooring.

GRIP A500 MULTI:

Improves and provides bond strength of self-levelling compounds
Can be used on non-absorbent and absorbent surfaces
Odourless, ready to use
Application temperature ranges from +10 to +25 degrees Celsius

SL C510 PRO:

High mechanical resistance, no shrinkage]
Pumpable
No sanding required
Excellent adhesion
Application temperature ranges from +10 to +25 degrees Celsius

STIX A780 LINO POWER:

Heavy duty
Rapid fixing
High initial adhesion strength
Wet adhesive, very short waiting time
Non-corrosive towards metals
Recommended by the main linoleum manufacturers
Application temperature ranges from +10 to +25 degrees Celsius

Install linoleum flooring in school classrooms with confidence. Use GRIP A500 MULTI primer, SL C510 PRO self-levelling compound, and STIX A780 LINO POWER adhesive.

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