IMPORTANCE OF THE FLOOR COVERING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 702, 29 June 1929, Page 22

IMPORTANCE OF THE FLOOR COVERING

SOME NEW “LINO” INVENTIONS

The chief disadvantage of linoleums as a floor covering for a living room or bedroom has been hitherto the thinness and hardness of the tread. This disadvantage has been overcome by a new invention -which makes the lino much softer and richer. The material, employed as an underlay, works like magic in smoothing the unevenness of the floorboards. Besides increasing the life of the linoleum, it deadens sound and acts very much in the manner of the felt underlay to a carpet. When linoleum has already cracked, owing to defective boards or some other cause, the holes may be filled up by means of a compound made from powdex'ed corks, mixed with whiting and rubber solution to form a paste, which may be coaxed into the crevices with a knife. When firmlv j fixed and smoothed, the paste may be I coloured to match the linoleum. Shabby oilcloth may be revived with j a new mixture which hardens to a glossy enamelled surface and promises long wear. It is supplied in a number of good colours, so that various colour schemes may be developed with its aid. When it is necessary to put down new oilcloth, consult a builder as to whether it may, or may not, be glued to the existing oilcloth without fear of dry-rot occurring. This is usually a safe device on any but the ground floor. The great necessity is, of course, free circulation of air under the boards, and, in the modern house, this is secured by gratings. If the new layer may be glued to the old, a much more thick and comfortable floor treatment is secured. For those who are likely to remove I within a short period, linoleum cal’- I pets which need no fixing present the j most practical purchase. Their I surface is treated in such a way that I they are stainless, needing only an oc- j casional rub' over to free them from j dirt.