Installation of linoleum with glue: how to properly glue on different types of substrates?

Using glue to install linoleum is an easy and affordable way to improve the floors in your house or place of business. For a long-lasting and beautiful finish, knowing how to correctly apply linoleum to various substrates is essential, whether you’re remodeling a kitchen, bathroom, or business space.

Because of its longevity and low maintenance requirements, linoleum can be glued to a variety of surfaces, including plywood, concrete, and already-existing vinyl flooring. Particular preparation is needed for each substrate in order to guarantee a solid bond and easy installation.

Make sure the substrate is dust- and debris-free, clean, and dry before beginning. In order to help the adhesive adhere firmly to the substrate and avoid problems later on, such as lifting or uneven surfaces, this preparatory work is crucial.

Selecting the proper adhesive is essential. The type of adhesive recommended by the manufacturer will depend on the substrate and type of linoleum. Solvent-based adhesives work well on non-porous surfaces like concrete, but water-based adhesives are frequently used on porous substrates like plywood.

Using a notched trowel, evenly apply the adhesive after the substrate has been prepared and the adhesive has been chosen. This guarantees even coverage and lessens the possibility of air pockets under the linoleum. To get the best results, adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations for spreading rate and open time.

Once the adhesive has been applied, carefully place the linoleum onto the substrate, working your way from one end to the other. To make sure the linoleum sticks to the adhesive evenly and firmly, use a roller to apply pressure. Make sure the edges and seams are correctly sealed by paying attention to them.

Let the adhesive cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions before putting heavy objects or foot traffic on the freshly laid linoleum floor. For the adhesive to completely adhere and provide a long-lasting finish, this curing time is necessary.

You may achieve a professional and long-lasting linoleum installation with glue by following these guidelines and realizing the significance of appropriate substrate preparation and adhesive selection. This will improve the appearance and usability of your space.

Substrate Type Installation Method
Concrete Ensure the surface is clean, dry, and smooth. Apply adhesive evenly using a recommended trowel size. Press linoleum firmly into place, rolling from the center outwards to remove air bubbles.
Plywood Check for smoothness and stability, fixing any loose areas. Use a suitable adhesive, spread evenly with a trowel. Allow proper drying time before laying linoleum.
Vinyl Flooring Thoroughly clean and sand to remove gloss. Apply a primer if needed. Use adhesive compatible with both materials, spread evenly and let dry before placing linoleum.
Ceramic Tile Ensure grout lines are smooth and level. Clean thoroughly and prime if necessary. Apply adhesive uniformly and press linoleum down, ensuring edges are well-sealed.

Types of compositions

The type of base, the working environment, and the linoleum material all affect the adhesive selection. The following glue varieties are frequently utilized:

  1. Water-dispersed adhesives. Made from water, acrylic and polymers. This is the best choice for residential use. This glue dries quickly and does not have a strong odor. There are several types of water-dispersion adhesives: bustylate, acrylate and humilax. All of them are suitable for different linoleum materials.
  2. Mastic. Reliably attaches the coating. Typically used for large areas and concrete bases. There are different types: rubber, bitumen and dispersion.
  3. Reactive polymer adhesives. When applying glue to the surface, a chemical reaction is formed, due to which the mixture adheres to the base. It is not recommended to use in poorly ventilated areas, as the glue has a toxic odor.

Tools for work

Such instruments are required for linoleum installation:

  1. Roller. Necessary for uniform distribution of primer over the base. For ease of use, it is better to purchase a roller with a long handle.
  2. Special knife. A good utility knife with a wide blade will do. Needed for cutting linoleum to fit the dimensions of the room. You may also need a ruler and pencil for this process (to pre-draw the cutting line), but an experienced craftsman can do without this.
  3. Notched trowel. Needed to distribute the adhesive mixture over the surface of the base.
  4. Rubber roller. Needed for rolling linoleum.
  5. Grinder. May be useful for removing old paints and varnishes (when mounted on a wooden base).

In "Installation of Linoleum with Glue," we go over exactly how to accomplish a perfect installation on different kinds of surfaces. We offer helpful advice to ensure a long-lasting and visually appealing outcome, from surface preparation to selecting the best adhesive and applying methods. This article provides you with the necessary knowledge to handle the task of laying linoleum over concrete, plywood, or pre-existing flooring in an efficient and effective manner.

Preparing the base

The necessary steps are taken to get ready for the linoleum installation, depending on the type of base.

Wooden

When installing linoleum on a wooden floor, the stability and levelness of the base must be inspected. If noticeable defects are discovered, plywood sheets—the strongest and most moisture-resistant material—must be used to remove them.

Self-tapping screws are used to fasten the plywood to the floor; these screws penetrate deeply into the material. Putty is used to fill in the spaces around the joints. Cover with an abrasive mesh once it has dried.

A grinder should be used to remove any remnants of old paint or varnish that may have been applied to the wooden base.

Study up on this subject by going here.

Concrete

The identification of irregularities is the first step in preparing the concrete base. Putty can be used to plug small holes and then left to dry.

A concrete screed needs to be used to level any noticeable height differences. After that, you’ll have to wait a few days for it to fully solidify.

You can use a self-leveling polyurethane mixture if you don’t have the time or desire to work on this. It takes two hours to dry. After a day, linoleum can be installed.

The base is primed after it has been leveled and cleared of any dust or debris.

Coating preparation

Any kind of linoleum needs to be ready for installation beforehand.

The material was spread out over the whole floor and left in this shape for a day before being adhered to. This is required for the roll to be aligned.

Next, the canvas is trimmed with a knife to the desired size of the room, leaving a 1-1.5 cm space between the wall and the canvas.

The rear side of the panel is primed and allowed to dry for improved adhesion.

Preparation of the solution

Stores typically carry glue that is entirely ready to use (of any composition). It doesn’t need any extra steps to get ready for work. Before using the glue container, shake it in the room where the installation will take place for a day or so (you can stir the mixture after opening).

Certain mixes (cold welding) come in specialized tubes that have a spout on them. However, their usual use is limited to filling joints.

Buy glue in a bucket that holds one kilogram or more for simple tasks. It is poured into a designated bath before work for convenience of use.

Step-by-step installation instructions

It’s time to glue the canvas after the base is ready and the linoleum has grown.

On a tree

Use water-dispersed compositions for wooden floors.

The following is the work order:

  • part of the canvas is folded back and glue is applied to the base;
  • distribute it evenly over the entire surface with a roller or spatula;
  • allow the mixture to dry a little according to the time indicated on the package;
  • roll out the roll over the adhesive layer;
  • smooth the linoleum to remove air from under it;
  • do the same with the rest of the coating;
  • leave the linoleum glued until the adhesive material dries completely.

On concrete

Mastic is a common adhesive for concrete. The steps involved are the same as they are for a wooden floor.

Using a trowel with a notched surface, the mastic is applied and leveled. To prevent the material from swelling later, carefully place the bent portion of the roll back where it belongs and level it from the center to the edges. The remaining floor undergoes the same procedure.

On old coating

New linoleum is occasionally laid over old. This method’s benefit is that it requires little time or effort to prepare the base. Degreasing the old coating and clearing away debris are sufficient.

It is advised to use reaction or dispersion glue in these situations. The process is the same for both concrete and wooden floors: an even layer of 2 mm thick adhesive is applied, and then the flooring material is rolled out, leveled, and rolled. The other half of the room is then subjected to the same procedure.

Seams form at the intersections of two sections that require processing if the roll covering’s width is insufficient to cover the entire area. For this, cold welding is employed. Linoleum is glued at the seams using masking tape; an incision is made along the crack, and adhesive is poured in. After letting it dry, take off the masking tape.

Click here to find out more about installing on old linoleum.

Possible process errors

The following errors should be avoided when gluing linoleum:

  1. You cannot glue the material without first allowing it to rest in the unfolded state. This can lead to waves and creases.
  2. Do not lay PVC flooring on an uneven base. Otherwise, the coating will reveal all floor defects, and in places of recesses it may tear.
  3. The room humidity should not exceed 70%, and the temperature should not be less than 18 degrees.
  4. The base must be well dried before gluing, otherwise the material will eventually peel off.

After a while, if the canvas starts to pull away from the floor, you’ll need to peel it off here, clean the old glue off the material and the floor, apply fresh glue, reattach the linoleum, and roll it.

After finishing the work, if an air bubble is discovered beneath the coating and the material has swelled, you should carefully puncture this area with a needle to let out the trapped air. Then, level this area by using a syringe to inject a small amount of glue through the hole.

Advantages and disadvantages

To the benefits This approach could involve:

  1. Strength of material fastening to the floor. If the process was completed without errors, this method will prevent waves or shifts from appearing on the coating.
  2. Increased service life. Air will not appear under a well-glued flooring, and the edges will not bend or break.
  3. When laying linoleum with glue, the likelihood of cracks appearing at the edges of the material is reduced.

The drawback of this approach is that it will be challenging to remove the linoleum if that becomes necessary.

Useful video

Extra details regarding the installation:

Adequately applying glue to linoleum requires planning and close attention to detail. Make sure the substrate is smooth, dry, and clean before beginning. Leveling uneven surfaces is important because any imperfections or bumps can affect the final result. To create a level base, use the proper patching compounds or self-leveling underlayments.

Selecting the appropriate adhesive is necessary for a long-lasting installation. Choose an adhesive type appropriate for the particular linoleum and substrate materials. To guarantee a solid bond, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding application techniques and drying periods. Problems such as adhesive squeeze-out or insufficient bonding can be avoided by evenly applying adhesive using the appropriate trowel notch size.

Work in manageable sections when installing linoleum to keep control over the flooring’s placement and adhesive application. To ensure complete contact with the substrate and remove air bubbles, firmly press the linoleum into the adhesive, working from the center outward. To further cement the adhesive and linoleum together, use a roller.

Give the adhesive enough time to fully cure after installation before putting heavy objects or foot traffic on the floor. If you want to extend the life of your recently installed linoleum floor, make sure you follow recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures. Over time, regular cleaning with the right products helps maintain its integrity and appearance.

Video on the topic

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