[Greenbuilding] Viroc

[Chris Green]

Ava Kuo wrote:
> The default
> flooring right now is linoleum (either sheet or Click -- thanks Jason forthe suggestion) but it would be great -- since this is affordable housing
> and we need to cut the bduget -- to find something even less expensive.
Linoleum is ground up cork mixed with resin and linseed oil. The name 
comes from linseed oleum/ oil. I believe it has a flax fiber base to it. 
Pigments, probably natural minerals like iron oxides. All, or most, are 
100% renewable products.
Personally, I consider this be very green, and I'm sure most others here 
do as well.
Using this product keeps the market alive for cork bark from the cork 
oaks of Portugal and Spain. There was talk about a decade ago to cut 
down these forests and plant fruit or something, so there is a kind of 
proactive social and environmental choice here --"  ethical purchasing", 
like buying co-op coffees.
The linseed oil in linoleum needs oxygen to cure, and  will rob oxygen 
from the cells of any bacteria that comes in contact with it, killing 
them, so there's a health benefit to this. I have my suspicions it will 
kill mold too, but that's just an untested assumption. (Any biologist on 
this list who can test this in a lab?) The floor should be recharged 
every 7 years or so by applying it with fresh linseed oil.

Artists use linseed oil to make oil paint, (or they used to before they 
could just buy it...) so there's a nod to the arts heritage to consider.

Recycled salvaged wood finished with a linseed oil-wax finish would be a 
prime option, too. If the cost can be kept down...

Cheers,

Chris Green.