The History of Resilient Flooring
The history of resilient materials as floor covering is long and varied. The first rubber floor tiles appeared some time in the 12th to 13th centuries, but declined in popularity toward the end of the 17th century. The use of plain, square, undecorated red clay tiles became common through Europe during the 18th century.
Linoleum is the original sheet flooring material invented and patented in 1860 by Englishman Frederick Walton. It was first manufactured in Scotland in the 1860’s, and the first U.S. plant was build in 1872. Linoleum remained popular until after World War II, but its use diminished somewhat when easy-to-maintain and durable vinyl flooring was introduced. With the current trend towards “green” products, linoleum has once again become more in demand.
In 1894, Philadelphia architect Frank Furness patented a system for rubber floor tiles. Colours were limited, but the tiles could be laid in geometric patterns to produce eye-catching designs. By the end of the century, recessed tabs allowed rubber tiles to be nailed to the sub-floor, and soon the tabs were eliminated altogether. These tiles were durable, sound-deadening, and easy to clean and install. However, they also stained easily and deteriorated over time from exposure to oxygen, ozone and solvents. In addition, they were not suitable for basements where alkaline moisture was present.
The first cork tile floor was introduced in 1904 and became the most popular type of resilient flooring in the 1920’s. It was available in a limited range of colours and designs, but was expensive and porous.
Asphalt tile arrived in the 1920’s, and by the 1950’s, was the most widely used floor tile on the market because of its low initial cost and ease of installation. These tiles were tough, durable, highly resistant to abrasion and moisture, and fire resistant. But styles and patterns were limited.
In 1993, vinyl composition tile was introduced at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Because of the scarcity of vinyl during the war years, vinyl flooring was not widely marketed until the late 1940’s when it quickly challenged its competitors. Originally used only in high traffic areas, vinyl flooring eventually became the most popular choice for flooring in most hard-surface applications.
In the 1950’s, demand for resilient flooring grew due to its superior performance characteristics when compared to other flooring alternatives. During the 1960’s, cushioned vinyl floors and “no-wax” resilient floors were introduced to provide underfoot comfort and ease of maintenance. During the last 20 years, specialty resilient floors that provide enhanced slip resistance and static conductivity have been developed to meet the needs of the marketplace.
Resilient flooring continues to be a popular choice in almost any flooring application.
Linoleum is the original sheet flooring material invented and patented in 1860 by Englishman Frederick Walton. It was first manufactured in Scotland in the 1860’s, and the first U.S. plant was build in 1872. Linoleum remained popular until after World War II, but its use diminished somewhat when easy-to-maintain and durable vinyl flooring was introduced. With the current trend towards “green” products, linoleum has once again become more in demand.
In 1894, Philadelphia architect Frank Furness patented a system for rubber floor tiles. Colours were limited, but the tiles could be laid in geometric patterns to produce eye-catching designs. By the end of the century, recessed tabs allowed rubber tiles to be nailed to the sub-floor, and soon the tabs were eliminated altogether. These tiles were durable, sound-deadening, and easy to clean and install. However, they also stained easily and deteriorated over time from exposure to oxygen, ozone and solvents. In addition, they were not suitable for basements where alkaline moisture was present.
The first cork tile floor was introduced in 1904 and became the most popular type of resilient flooring in the 1920’s. It was available in a limited range of colours and designs, but was expensive and porous.
Asphalt tile arrived in the 1920’s, and by the 1950’s, was the most widely used floor tile on the market because of its low initial cost and ease of installation. These tiles were tough, durable, highly resistant to abrasion and moisture, and fire resistant. But styles and patterns were limited.
In 1993, vinyl composition tile was introduced at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Because of the scarcity of vinyl during the war years, vinyl flooring was not widely marketed until the late 1940’s when it quickly challenged its competitors. Originally used only in high traffic areas, vinyl flooring eventually became the most popular choice for flooring in most hard-surface applications.
In the 1950’s, demand for resilient flooring grew due to its superior performance characteristics when compared to other flooring alternatives. During the 1960’s, cushioned vinyl floors and “no-wax” resilient floors were introduced to provide underfoot comfort and ease of maintenance. During the last 20 years, specialty resilient floors that provide enhanced slip resistance and static conductivity have been developed to meet the needs of the marketplace.
Resilient flooring continues to be a popular choice in almost any flooring application.
