Forbo Marmoleum Modular - Glue Down Tile

Details
Why We Like It
Specs
Q & A
Reviews

Sustainable Glue Down Tiles come in 4 coordinated sizes

Click here for FORBO'S ONLINE FLOOR PLANNER. You can use this to check out all the colors and play around with design ideas before you buy!

Forbo Marmoleum Modular Tile is an inspiring new glue-down line of 44 beautiful colors, in 4 coordinated sizes that make designing fun and practical. Marmoleum is a natural linoleum that offers a safe and sustainable alternative to vinyl, VCT, or laminate tile flooring. It's a chemical-free, eco-friendly flooring made from rapidly renewable and bio-based materials that come in either 10" x 10", 10" x 20", 10" x 40" and 20" x 20" tiles, with a thickness of 2.5 mm.

Marmoleum is called the 40-year linoleum because it's highly durable and long-lasting in residential and commercial applications. Its through-body color hides scratches and is easily repairable. The TopShield Pro finish also protects the surface, making it easy to maintain with a damp mop.

Marmoleum Modular tile comes in marbleized colors from natural to bright. This makes it a beautiful green flooring choice for kitchens, rec rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, and offices.

NOTE: Don't forget the adhesive! For this product we recommend Forbo Sustain 1195 Sheet & Tile Adhesive.

It's easy to create beautiful patterns

The sustainability of Marmoleum from “field to field” (flax field to compost pile) is the most transparent and sustainable of any flooring material. As such, Marmoleum carries more environmental certifications that are third-party, independent, and LCA-based (life cycle assessment of multiple attributes) than any other flooring material.

Marmoleum has, through clear third-party, publicly-disclosed, and verifiable documentation, the lowest environmental footprint of any manufactured flooring material. Sustainability has been integrated into every step of the process, from the supply chain, through manufacturing, to installation and use, and finally end of life.

Other Marmoleum 'tile' products include DIY Marmoleum Click, a floating floor, as well as a commercial 2 mm Marmoleum Composition Tile (MCT).

Read the Marmoleum Buyers Guide

MARMOLEUM Q&A

How is Marmoleum installed?

Marmoleum Sheet –glued by professionals over a perfect subfloor.
Marmoleum Modular Tile—glued by professionals or DIY over a perfect subfloor
Marmoleum Click—floated by professional or DIY over moderately perfect subfloor

Marmoleum Sheet and Marmoleum Tile are both glued (with Forbo’s Sustain 1195 adhesive) over any smooth, level, dry subfloor whether it’s made of concrete, plywood or other stable surface as long as they are free of dips and bumps. Cracks and sloping subfloors need to be filled and leveled; this can be costly, as it usually requires professional installation. If there are gaps or height variations on your existing subfloor, a ¼” plywood underlayment or leveling compound might be needed in order to create a smoother surface.

Note: Marmoleum Sheet and Marmoleum Tile should not be glued directly to underlayment or subfloors made of luan, particleboard or chipboard because these materials expand and contract too much and are not stable. Neither should they be applied over vinyl, asbestos or ceramic tile. If asbestos tile, please consult local authorities about abatement.

Tip 1: If you live in an apartment or condo with concrete subfloors, make sure that it's Portland cement (grey) concrete and not gypsum (white, lightweight) or Gypcrete. Special priming will need to be administered if it's gypsum-based.

Tip 2: Excessive moisture is one of the biggest enemies of any flooring. Forbo makes a special Moisture Limitor designed to block moisture from coming up through a concrete slab. This is ideal for Marmoleum Sheet, Tile, or Click.

Marmoleum Click panels and squares are floated over most subfloors such as concrete or plywood without any glue. They require no underlayment because 1/16” cork is already built into the backing. Marmoleum Click can tolerate a slight unevenness in the subfloor, up to 3/16" over an 8' span. Larger variations in your subfloor will cause too much stress on the click mechanism and eventually wear it out. Click panels and squares can even be applied over most vinyl, ceramic tile, and most other solid subfloors, including some (not all) short commercial carpet.

Marmoleum Click is faster and cheaper to install than either Marmoleum Sheet or Marmoleum Tile, especially if you do it yourself. It requires less floor preparation, no glue, and can often be installed right over existing tile, vinyl, hardwood or even some (not all) commercial carpeting.

Tip 3: Marmoleum Click requires a vapor barrier in the form of 6 ml plastic (e.g. Moisture Block). However, if it's applied over existing vinyl, no vapor barrier is required.

Can I use Marmoleum in a bathroom or basement area?

Just to give you some background on this question, if you are old enough, you may recall the term “battleship linoleum.” That term was popular during both World Wars because linoleum was used on the decks and in the cabins of battleships. Not convinced?

Here’s another example: recently the sinking of the Titanic celebrated its centennial anniversary with the retrieval of some additional relics from the cabins of that famous vessel. One of them was some linoleum flooring which was still intact after being under water for 100 years!

Forbo allows installation above or below grade for all its products, as long as moisture is controlled and does not get underneath the glue. They don’t recommend their products for those bathrooms that are plagued with excessive moisture, or wherever there is poor ventilation. Although Marmoleum can handle water on the surface, it does require responsible moisture control.

Marmoleum Sheet and Marmoleum Tile are very popular in commercial bathrooms and locker rooms such as schools, hospitals, and office buildings. They are also widely popular in residential kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. We generally don’t recommend the Marmoleum Click floor in kid’s bathrooms or anywhere there is excessive moisture.

Can I install Marmoleum by myself?

Marmoleum Sheet normally requires professional tools and lots of experience primarily because of the seams and the floor prep. However, if your room is less than 79” wide (such as in a small bathroom) and the subfloor is smooth, there may be no seams, and installation will be easier. Some reliable contractors are often able to successfully install Marmoleum Sheet in these situations.

If you're nervous about seams or handling large pieces of sheeting, but you want to do this yourself, we recommend using Marmoleum Tile (MCT or Marmoleum Modular). The tile is much easier to work with and offers some unique design options. It still requires the same floor prep, glue and careful planning, but it's much more manageable. Even easier is the Marmoleum Click.

Be realistic about your skills. While Marmoleum Click may be a DIY product, it requires some experience with construction equipment and patience. We can help walk you through most of the installation process, but if your subfloor needs special attention, it's best to consult with a professional.

What’s the overall cost of Marmoleum?

The initial cost of Marmoleum Click is more than Marmoleum Sheet and Marmoleum Tile. However, Marmoleum Click installs in 1/2 the time, which can save hundreds of dollars on installation costs. Also Marmoleum Sheet and Marmoleum Tile may require extra sub-floor preparation in order to make the floor perfectly smooth and flat. Marmoleum Click, on the other hand, floats over most slightly imperfect subfloors and can require much less prep work, saving extra time and money. It's because of this reason, that Marmoleum Click has become so popular in residential applications.

When compared to hardwood, bamboo, cork, vinyl, or wool carpet, Marmoleum products (Sheet, Tile, and Click) are within the same initial price range of $3.50-$6.50 per square foot. However, when you consider the life cycle cost of Marmoleum, you need to include the cradle to grave costs of floor preparation, installation, maintenance and eventual removal. Although the initial cost can be higher than vinyl flooring, for example, Marmoleum lasts almost three times as long. In addition, the regular maintenance of Marmoleum is generally much less expensive than vinyl. When viewed long term, Marmoleum can be a less expensive option.

Marmoleum is also 100% biodegradable. After its useful life of 30-40 years, it can be returned back into the earth from where it originated without any negative impact to the environment. When carpeting or vinyl is burned in a land fill, for example, they can cause serious air pollution; this takes a big toll on our health and our environment. That may not translate into an immediate cost to our pocketbook, but contributing to the pollution of our environment eventually costs us all.

Which product is best if I have kids and dogs?

For those of you with dogs, cats or children, it's important to know that Marmoleum flooring, whether Sheet, Tile or Click, will wear well. That's because it's a solid through-body product. Forbo does not claim that it will never be scratched, because it certainly can. But, it can be easily and inexpensively repaired and re-sealed creating a long-lasting finish unlike laminate, or vinyl, which can be scratched or cracked and not easily repaired.

Making quick and easy repairs is far less expensive, time consuming and sustainable than sanding or refinishing an entire floor. Please see the Marmoleum maintenance guide for more details.

Some of the largest users of Marmoleum Sheet and Marmoleum Tile are schools and hospitals. The primary reason is because these products hold up to heavy foot and wheelchair traffic of all types, is colorful, completely non-toxic, anti-microbial, anti-static and repairable.

Which product has the most color and design options?

Marmoleum Sheet offers designers a huge palette of 150+ colors and textures.
Marmoleum Modular Tile offers 65 colors and four sizes (10x10, 10x20, 10x40, 20x20).
Marmoleum Click offers 46 colors and two sizes (12x12 tile, 12x36 plank).

Where else can I use Marmoleum products?

Marmoleum can also be used on countertops, desks, wall panels, bulletin boards, furniture and more. Check out Whole Food's checkout lanes or Taco Bell’s front desk and surrounding walls which are covered with Marmoleum Sheet and wall panels.

Where can I get design ideas and assistance?

Once you've looked through our website, feel free to contact us for additional help. We can answer most of your questions and can also speak with your contractor.

If you need samples, estimates, or just want to bounce some ideas off of us, please call or email customerservice@greenbuildingsupply.com.

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Why We Like It

Marmoleum has been our most popular green flooring for the past 12 years, for all the right reasons! Out of all the green flooring we carry, we give it our highest rating for performance, eco-friendliness, low carbon footprint and sustainability. This Marmoleum Modular tile is relatively easy to install, compared with sheet goods. Plus the color and pattern choices are the best of the bunch.

Features & benefits

100% natural, 92% bio-based content — made from linseed oil, tall oil, limestone, tree rosins, pigments and wood flour, with jute and glass backing
Low initial cost — is one of the least expensive of any occupancy-ready flooring
Beautiful design options — easy to combine into unique patterns; comes in 44 colors with a matte finish
Durable, long-lasting, colorfast — thick through-body color comes with 25-year wear warranty
Four sizes — nominal sizes — 10" x 10", 10" x 20", 10" x 40" and 20" x 20"; 2.5 mm thick
One size per box — 10" x 10" = 40 tiles @26.91SF per box, 10" x 20" = 40 tiles @53.82SF per box and 20" x 20"= 20 tiles @53.82SF per box, 10" x 40" = 12 tiles @ 32.29 SF per box
Versatile — use in almost any room of a home, office, school, hospital, or wherever resilient eco-friendly flooring is desired
Anti-static — naturally resists dirt and dust
Inherent bacteriostatic efficacy — including MRSA and C-difficile
Easy-to-clean — easy care due to durable TopShield Pro finish
Eco-friendly and sustainable — made from rapidly renewable materials; biodegradable; third-party certified by numerous independent organizations such as SMART
Leed points — qualifies for materials & resource credit 2, 4, 6, IEQ prerequisite 3, low emitting materials 4.3, 4.1, 5, sustainable certifications; total 8-11 points
Non-toxic and safe — no added urea formaldehyde; naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, suitable for those with allergies or who are chemically sensitive; learn how to test a non-toxic product for tolerance
Free shipping* — pre-paid freight to anywhere in the continental USA for orders > 250 SF; smaller orders ship based on actual weight

ALERT: DISCONTINUED COLORS: Berlin Red T3352 (all sizes), Black Hole T3707 (10x10, 20x20), Black Sheep T5237 (all sizes), Cliffs of Moher (Embossed) TE5231, Cliffs of Moher T5231 (20x20), Cloudy Sands T3711 (all sizes), Compressed Time T5225 (all sizes), Dove Blue T3053 (all sizes), Delta Lace T3568 (20x20), Donkey Island (20x20), Dove Grey (all sizes), Eiger T2629 (all sizes), Forest Ground 3234 (all sizes), Fresh Walnut T5229 (all sizes), Granada T3405 (10x10, 10x20), Grey Granite T5226 (all sizes), Horse Roan 3232 (all sizes), Lemon Zest T3251 (20x20), Liquid Clauy T3702 (10x10, 20x20), Mercury T3716 (all sizes), North Sea Coast T5235 (all sizes), Petrol 3358 (all sizes), Rosato T3120 (10x10, 20x20), Scarlet T3131 (all sizes), Shitake T3233 (20x20), Stardust T3722 (all sizes), Welsh Moor (Embossed) TE5218, White Wash (Embossed) TE5230, White Wash T5230 (20x20 size)

NAME CHANGE: Neptune T3717 is now Moon Rock T3717

Specs for Black Hole 3707 / 10" × 20"

Dimensions

Square Feet / Box

53.82 Square feet

Thickness or Height

0.1" (2.5 mm)

Length

10"

Width

20"

Boxes / Pallet

40 Boxes

Square Feet / Pallet

2152.8 Square feet

Weight per Sale Unit

35 lbs

Basics

Interior or Exterior

Interior,

Use on

Concrete
Wood: subfloors

Room recommendation

All Rooms,

Eco-replacement for

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), VCT,

Chemically-sensitive safe

Yes learn how to test a non-toxic product for tolerance

Test before use

Yes, test on inconspicuous area

Warranty

Residential Finish Wear

25 Years

Residential Structural

25 Years

Commercial Finish Wear

5 Years

Commercial Structural

5 Years

Warranties

25 Years

Certifications

Asthma & Allergy Friendly
Meets or exceeds California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements
Meets or exceeds California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) requirements
Meets or exceeds Californial Proposition 65 requirements
SMART

LEED Qualifications

Indoor Environmental Quality/4.3 Low-Emitting Materials/Flooring Systems: 1 point
Innovation & Design Process: 1 point
Materials & Resources/4 Recycled Content: 1 to 2 points
Materials & Resources/6 Rapidly Renewable Materials: 1 point
Regional Priority: 1 to 4 points

Features

Material Origin

Canada,

Country of Manufacture

Switzerland,

Recycled content

0.6

Construction

Solid,

Adhesive

Sustain 1195 adhesive recommended

Formaldehyde emissions

No added urea formaldehyde

Edge

Square,

Floor Finish Type

Poly,

Finish Sheen

Matte,

Floor Type

Marmoleum,

Grade Installation

Above Grade, Below Grade, On Grade,

Installation

Glue-Down,

Material

Linoleum,

Number of Plys

1 - Solid,

Composition

Marmoleum, Polyester Backing,

Radiant Heat

Okay for use with electric or hydronic radiant heat ; see manufacturer instructions for details,

Shade

Dark,

Strips per Plank

1 Strips/Plank,

Surface Texture

Smooth,

Surface Treatment

Dyed,

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Forbo Marmoleum Modular - Glue Down Tile