Achieving seamless and smooth joints during linoleum installation is essential for durability and visual appeal. Linoleum joints that are properly glued together help to keep dirt out of the way and increase the lifespan of your flooring. To create sturdy and dependable joints, a variety of tools and techniques are available, each appropriate for a particular kind of flooring and installation circumstances.
Gluing linoleum joints is a common task that can be accomplished with special adhesive tapes made for the job. Applying these tapes is simple and results in a tight seal between the linoleum sheet edges. They are especially helpful in places where traditional glues might be impacted by moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Using adhesive compounds or glues designed especially for linoleum joints is a very successful conventional method. There are several varieties of these products, such as solvent-based and water-based versions. They function by joining the linoleum’s edges, producing a seamless surface that keeps the flooring intact and prevents water infiltration.
Furthermore, heat welding is an additional sophisticated method for seamlessly joining linoleum sheets. With this technique, the linoleum’s edges are melted together with heat to form an extraordinarily strong and long-lasting molecular bond. In commercial settings where hygienic practices and durability are crucial, heat welding is frequently utilized.
Material | Method |
Acrylic Glue | Apply evenly on both sides, press together, and let it dry. |
Double-Sided Tape | Place the tape on the floor, lay the linoleum on top, and press firmly. |
Cold Welding | Use a special applicator to apply the cold welding adhesive along the seam. |
Hot Glue | Melt the hot glue with a glue gun, apply it to the seam, and press together. |
- What does the concept mean?
- When it"s possible?
- What coatings is it suitable for??
- Materials for butt gluing together
- Cold welding
- Homakoll S401
- Euro Design
- Hot welding
- Cord TARKETT Polystyl Pulsar 402
- With double-sided tape
- How to make the right choice?
- Necessary tools
- Step-by-step instructions for installation at home
- Preparation of joints
- Glue preparation
- Work order
- Cold method
- Hot welding
- Possible mistakes
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Useful video
- Video on the topic
- What to do if the seams on Lenolium are dispersed
- Visual video on how to glue linoleum!
- How to properly join linoleum.
- How to Join Linoleum from Two Parts with Your Hands
- How to glue linoleum end to end
- We connect the LINOLEUM JOINTS by cold welding and glue them! AND NO SCOTCH TAPE!
- how to glue linoleum using cold butt welding
- Linoleum, how to make an invisible seam! This seam is 9 years old!
What does the concept mean?
In contemporary flats, rustic homes, or cottages, seamless linoleum installation is not always feasible. Complex, non-standard room geometry calls for a "special" strategy. It is imperative that multiple canvases be joined and adhered to flush in order to form a single, uniform layer.
The linoleum gains total strength and tightness when the joints are glued. Long service life is guaranteed by no cracks. When in use, the joints won’t flex or distort.
When it"s possible?
If it is not possible to lay the covering over the entire space of the room or if a large patch needs to be "placed" to the main canvas, linoleum joints must be glued. It is also necessary to glue the joints in studio apartments where space is "divided" by zoning using different types of linoleum.
If the canvas is placed on the base without the use of glue, then linoleum joints must be glued. When the glue is applied evenly to the canvases during installation, the coating "sits" on the subfloor as firmly as possible.
What coatings is it suitable for??
The linoleum joint adhesive technology is still relevant and in demand today. It can be applied to any surface (wood, concrete, etc.) to apply coatings. You can glue any type of flooring, but you’ll need to choose an adhesive base that works with the specific type of flooring you have.
- For thin types For PVC linoleum, glue is chosen in the form of cold welding (in tubes) with a narrow nozzle. This glue will be appropriate when gluing homogeneous foam sheets, will provide the strongest possible “adhesion” of the edges of linoleum, durability. For linoleum made from natural materials, you should choose a specialized glue, otherwise the coating may lose its decorative effect.
- For thicker ones linoleums of semi-commercial or commercial type, on a fabric, felt basis, glue is chosen in the form of hot welding. Heavy and thick fabrics require heavy-duty adhesives.
Special tools (a glue gun or hair dryer) and specific professional abilities are needed for this task. However, these kinds of linoleum are mostly found in commercial and industrial settings.
Materials for butt gluing together
Different adhesive bases with different degrees of fixation, like hot or cold welding, are used to glue linoleum joints.
Cold welding
Used to apply adhesive to the joints between thin sheets of linoleum. The joining linoleum elements’ material reacts with the glue right away. The edges are solidly joined to one another by melting.
Advantages of cold welding
- suitable for independent use – a beginner can handle the job;
- recommended for household and less often for semi-commercial linoleum;
- coating made from natural materials (marmoleum) can also be glued together by cold welding;
- the seam is invisible;
- minimum period for “setting”.
The glue that is advised for PVC flooring.
The coating can be joined in any manner if it is unbacked. Adhesive bases with unique compositions are applied to natural, synthetic, or mixed substrates.
Minuses:
- For rooms with a large area, several tubes are required – you need a competent calculation of the consumption of glue;
- Not suitable for commercial linoleum.
It’s crucial to work evenly and closely enough to connect the canvases when joining them.
Depending on the consistency and method of use, cold welding is separated into several categories:
- Category A – moderately liquid adhesive material for new coatings. Recommended for fixing marmoleum (from natural materials) and linoleum canvases from PVC without a substrate – homogeneous (single -layer) and heterogeneous (multilayer based on fiberglass -based). Entered by a needle.
- Category T is a glue with a more viscous, thick consistency is also a mandatory T-shaped nozzle (on a nose). Provides a deeper, accurate penetration of the vault of materials. This category of adhesive is used for gluing linoleum that has an insulated layer – made of jute or felt, polyester or a combined backing. Glue used by professionals.
- Category C – the original thick adhesive structure allows you to fill a wide gap of up to 3-5 mm between the joints of the canvases. The glue is applied with a special flat nozzle, which hermetically fills the “void”, reliably “adhering” the edges of the linoleum. This glue is suitable for repairing old coatings with existing defects and breaks.
The type of linoleum and the manufacturer’s recommendations should be carefully considered when choosing the glue.
Here’s more information on cold welding.
Homakoll S401
A well-known Russian manufacturer offers cold welding, which is intended for complete sealing and excellent gluing of PVC linoleum sheets. The adhesive is prepared for use on PVC linoleum, both residential and commercial. Drying takes 15 to 20 minutes, and it takes a day to fully harden.
Advantages
- one of the most popular materials in its segment;
- guarantees a reliable, durable connection of joints;
- prevents seams from unraveling;
- frost-resistant;
- ensures tightness – resistant to moisture;
- convenient to use, simple application;
- economical consumption – 60 ml per 27-30 pages./m.
Includes a needle and sharp spout. Reasonably priced tubes start at 400 rubles.
Minuses:
- do not allow drops of glue to fall on the surface of the coating;
- operating temperature of the adhesive base +15+25 0 C;
- when working with glue, ventilate the room.
Should come into contact with skin, may trigger allergic reactions; wear gloves when working.
Euro Design
The home adhesive base is intended to provide joints made of commercial linoleum with a high degree of strength fixation. In the sales market, the new product has already shown itself to be beneficial.
Advantages
- guarantee from the manufacturer – perfect gluing of seams (butt-joint) for all types of linoleum (on foam, felt bases and without them);
- operating temperature after welding from -30 to +90 0 C!;
- waterproof;
- frost resistant;
- performance properties in frosts down to -25 0 C;
- durability.
Reasonably priced starting at 250 rubles. comes with a needle-equipped nozzle.
The 50 g tube packaging is one of the drawbacks.
Hot welding
A more intricate alternative to glue. It is made for large canvases, usually for maximum thickness commercial linoleum. A construction hair dryer is used to heat a thin polymer thread that has been inserted into the space between the linoleum sheets. The two canvases are fused together to form a single, monolithic coating during the melting process. The strongest and best-quality connection is ensured by hot welding.
Advantages of hot welding
- super strong and durable connection;
- provides better tightness;
- recommended for rooms with high and very high load/traffic;
- dense and even seam is resistant to mechanical stress (from heels, furniture legs, equipment).
Stores are always stocked with glue. Ideal for handling both commercial and semi-commercial linoleums.
Minuses:
- special skill is required for gluing – if the work is inaccurate, the coating will be damaged;
- the equipment used in the gluing process is expensive;
- not suitable for household linoleum.
High melting temperatures are employed, which raises the risk of burns and canvases catching fire if the equipment is handled carelessly.
Cord TARKETT Polystyl Pulsar 402
A unique welding cord made specifically for hot linoleum welding, from a well-known European brand. You’ll need a welding gun and nozzle for the task. To create an invisible seam, this material should be chosen based on the color and characteristics of the linoleum. The sealed joint’s great strength and longevity are its benefits; however, the price of the cord—which starts at 4,600 rubles for a 50-meter reel—is a drawback.
With double-sided tape
Useful in situations where there is a force majeure and you have to quickly install thin PVC flooring in small spaces with little foot traffic. Coverings with a felt or fabric foundation and thick linoleum are not appropriate for this technique.
How to make the right choice?
Important considerations should be made while selecting materials for gluing joints, including:
- linoleum type – household or semi-commercial/commercial;
- purpose of the glue, for what purposes the manufacturer recommends its product – cold or hot welding;
- when choosing cold welding, you should select the appropriate marking (category A, C, T).
Which glue to use depends on a number of factors, including the type of material used to make the linoleum, whether a backing is present, and how many layers are in the coating.
Necessary tools
Workplace supplies, instruments, and apparatus need to be ready ahead of time. You’ll require:
- construction tape measure, ruler and pencil;
- scotch tape, including double-sided;
- glue corresponding to the type of linoleum and the base on which the linoleum will be laid;
- roller – for smoothing seams;
- knives with a round or hook-shaped blade – for perfect and smooth processing of the edges of the canvas when trimming.
To fill joints, a thin nozzle fitted with a glue needle is needed. It will guarantee that the glue penetrates the joints to the greatest extent possible and prevent extra glue from "breaking out" onto the linoleum surface.
Regarding hot welding:
- hot air gun with nozzle;
- special knives – to create a groove (for laying the cord) and to remove excess melted cord.
Additionally needed is a unique polymer cord that serves as a "welding."
This article discusses useful techniques for gluing and sealing linoleum flooring joints to improve their look and longevity. We provide simple DIY methods with adhesive tapes and more complex solutions with specialty sealants. Both homeowners and do-it-yourselfers can use our simple instructions and advice to get results that look polished. Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom, kitchen, or any other space with linoleum flooring, knowing these tricks will guarantee a smooth finish that will endure normal wear and tear.
Step-by-step instructions for installation at home
Every task must be completed in accordance with guidelines and in a specific order, step by step. The final coat needs to be dry and clean.
Preparation of joints
The base beneath linoleum should be dry and straight, and the joints should be smooth and not distorted. Use a tightly cut seam technique to minimize the visibility of the canvases’ joining:
- strips of pieces of linoleum are laid out overlapping each other;
- set by 3-5 cm;
- using a metal ruler or bar, cut two sheets at once with a knife;
- after the “double” cut, the trimmings of the upper/lower linoleum are removed.
The canvas is then folded 15-20 cm to the sides if the coating is not adhered to the floor base entirely with glue. The locations of the joints from below to the subfloor’s base are sealed with double-sided tape. It is laid with the canvases’ joints. Using a roller, PVC linoleum is gently pressed to the double-sided tape along the seam.
Glue preparation
Buy a glue that is appropriate for the type of linoleum. Shake the tube a few times before using, as advised. After that, it is opened, and the needle-equipped nozzle cap is placed on it. A fresh cloth is used to clean the working parts. Holding the tube at an angle while working with glue, evenly squeeze out the glue.
Work order
The process of applying cold welding to linoleum is divided into phases:
- The seam area must be clean before applying the glue, wipe it with a rag.
- A special tape resistant to cold welding is glued in the middle of the tightly cut seam. It will protect the surface of the sheets from glue.
- Roll with a roller for maximum adhesion – cold welding should not flow under the tape.
- With a round knife, cut the tape exactly in the middle in the area of the linoleum joint. You can also use other knives (stationery, hook-shaped).
- Place the tube with one hand at the joint of the sheets, pressing deeply with a needle, and lead evenly along the seam. With the other hand, carefully dose the glue in an even layer.
- The rate of glue for filling the joint of the sheets will be sufficient when an adhesive path up to 5 cm wide is formed on the surface of the tape mm.
When the cold weld on the adhesive tape’s surface has fully dried, which should take 10 to 20 minutes (cm, depending on the instructions), it is carefully removed. An almost undetectable, long-lasting, tidy, and airtight seam is the end result. Depending on the adhesive type and manufacturer, the adhesive base’s complete curing time may differ.
Avoid letting cold welding contact unprotected finish coating surfaces (glue tracks or droplets next to the tape).
Cold method
Cold welding bonding joints during repairs:
- worn edges are cut off;
- double-sided tape is fixed to the base of the floor (under linoleum sheets, as with the previous method);
- At the top, the joints are secured with masking tape, also in the middle;
- filling the seam is the same as when gluing new linoleum.
Because worn linoleum may absorb some of the glue, you might need more.
Hot welding
Hot welding linoleum bonding:
- Preparation of the joints of the canvases is identical.
- When the canvases are fixed to the floor with tape, chamfers are removed at the joint with a special knife.
- The cord is pre-placed under the nozzle of the hair dryer.
- The hair dryer is plugged into the mains and placed at the beginning of the seam.
- Slowly move a hot hair dryer across the docking area. The equipment simultaneously processes the cord with heated air, melting it and placing it in the resulting grooves.
- The seam is completely filled and glued together.
Using a knife, the excess composition that was created during the hot welding process is carefully removed.
This is where you should find more information.
Possible mistakes
Throughout operation, the following mistakes could happen::
- linoleum does not fit tightly to the base of the floor, it is difficult to work – it is necessary to fix the sheets to the base of the floor using double-sided tape;
- a stationery knife does not cut masking tape well and does not reach the joint – you need to choose a high-quality cutting tool, then the seam will be neat and not torn;
- there is a large space of 2 cm between the linoleum sheets – it is better to “organize” the patch to this width, then seal not one, but two joints;
- commercial thick linoleum was glued at the joints using cold welding, intended for thin PVC linoleum – the fixation will be weak and short-lived, the seam will separate.
Glue gets on the linoleum canvas when it is squeezed out; wipe dry and remove any remaining glue droplets with a rag right away.
Advantages and disadvantages
There are unquestionably benefits to butt gluing linoleum connections, but there are drawbacks as well.
Advantages
- when joining and gluing, the canvases become a single, monolithic coating;
- the adhesive seam guarantees tightness – moisture will not penetrate under the coating, which means mold, mildew, and rotting do not threaten the linoleum;
- Dirt and dust will not accumulate in the joints;
- the edges will not bend, which is not only unattractive and not cost-effective (reduces functionality), but also prevents injuries from accidental jamming;
- a single glued fabric increases sound insulation;
- linoleum sheets glued at the joint look neat and aesthetically pleasing;
- competently (in stages) bonding, guarantees a long service life of linoleum;
- The glued seam is almost invisible, especially if there is an ornament or krap on linoleum.
This method of linoleum glue joints is simple and self-managing; it uses the appropriate glue (cold or hot welding), depending on the type and thickness of coating.
Minuses:
- For docking, it is necessary to correctly cut the linoleum canvases – if you make a mistake, then there may be a large space between the joints, this will weaken the effect of glue;
- Glue should not fall (in the process of work) on the surface of the linoleum of both paintings (only in the seam) – this can ruin decorativeness;
- gluing joints should be carried out strictly according to the instructions and observing the sequence of stages.
Useful video
Extra details in the video:
Selecting the appropriate adhesive for linoleum joint glue is essential for a seamless, long-lasting finish. An excellent adhesive made especially for linoleum joints guarantees longevity and keeps the material from peeling or lifting over time. Seek adhesives with moisture- and stretch-resistant qualities; these attributes help preserve the joints’ integrity even in humid conditions.
It is imperative to appropriately prepare the surface prior to applying the adhesive. To encourage better adhesion, make sure the linoleum’s edges are dry and clean. Any moisture, dust, or other debris on the surface can reduce the adhesive’s strength and cause future problems with the joints.
Pay close attention to the adhesive’s application instructions provided by the manufacturer. Using the suggested applicator, apply a thin, even coat of adhesive to the edges of the linoleum joints. Refrain from using too much adhesive since it may squeeze out and leave noticeable ridges or bumps along the joints.
To guarantee a tight bond, gently press the linoleum’s edges together after applying the adhesive. To make sure the joints are smooth and seamless, use a roller or a clean cloth to remove any air bubbles. Give the adhesive enough time to cure and dry, following the manufacturer’s instructions, before subjecting the joints to high traffic or moisture.