When speaking of the generic category of Vinyl flooring, Linoleum must be included. The reason for this is that the consumer is unaware of the basic difference between the two. Vinyl floor covering is primarily all synthetic, and linoleum is primarily all natural.
Interior Specifications was first trained by Armstrong World Industries and over the years all of the major resilient floor covering manufacturers and distributors provided in depth training.
Vinyl flooring has several sub-categories, Homogenous Sheet Vinyl, Embossed Sheet Vinyl, Inlayed Sheet Vinyl, Vinyl Composite Tile, Vinyl Asbestos Tile (no longer manufactured), and Solid Vinyl Tile. As a specifier, Interior Specifications works with all of these products, as a forensic investigator, we work with all of them. Linoleum comes in sheets and tiles.
These resilient materials are flexible, colorful, cost effective and terribly moisture sensitive. To properly specify these products, a good knowledge of adhesives and vapor barriers is needed. To properly write an installation protocol, time must be spent detailing the site preparation, and pre-installation inspection and testing.
Interior Specifications has extensive experience in developing the scenario for the proper material selection as well as the appropriate installation protocol for these products. Our work has included 100+ hospital projects, commercial kitchens, retail stores, grocery stores, and warehouses.
Interior Specifications, the forensic investigator, is fully aware of the industry standards. We are licensed to perform several ASTM tests and protocols, including F1869 and F708. Both Kentile and Flintkote retained us to act as the expert in their Vinyl Asbestos Tile litigation.
For 13 years, Interior Specifications has been the industry expert for resilient floor failures for the California State Contractors License Board, and the California Attorney General.
As a Forensic Scientist we have looked at vinyl and linoleum failures across the United States. The standards in F708 may still be met, yet there is an anomaly.
The writing seen on this material is telegraphing from the sub-floor, that has been sanded and floated. The product is homogeneous sheet vinyl.
This kitchen floor is leaking into the floor below. Why? The subfloor is dry-pac, is it appropriate?