Linseed Oil Earthen Floor

For the 28 square meters of the roundhouse floor s surface we used 8 litres of linseed oil.

Linseed oil earthen floor.

In total i ve placed 4 coats of linseed oil increasing the spirit content as i went along. We prefer raw linseed oil less petroleum additives then the common boiled linseed oil but the boiled works if you are not concerned about petroleum out gassing. The oil was applied with a paint brush with great success sometimes dumping oil on the floor and working it around. The earthen floor really soaks it up.

Earthen floors can be laid over the top of previously installed wood floors but weight can become an issue. Performance of our earth adobe floors. Ask for an msds sheet. Commonly used as a polish to maintain oiled wood and natural finishes.

Raw linseed oil is lighter in body and penetrates deeper into wood than boiled linseed oil so it is sometimes used on light colored woods as a light stain to bring out the grain and give protection against water stains. The finished layer can be 1 2 to 2 inches thick and once dry is sealed with a drying oil like linseed oil. Built with gravel sand clay straw and linseed oil it is made of local natural materials except for a plastic moisture barrier necessary in our area. The oil container was left to sit out in the sun for the day so the oil was warm but not hot.

At dancing rabbit ecovillage we ve found our earthen floor adobe floor hybrid to be a cheap easy to install durable ecological flooring solution. Tamp moist layers of road base then trowel on 1 layer of earth plaster mix consisting of sand clay and chopped straw then coat with linseed oil. When sweeping the finished floor add a little water so that the mixture will not dust off but become harder. The bioshield company produces natural floor oil.

Once it s been compressed and sealed with natural linseed oil a rammed earth floor is quite durable easy to care for environmentally sound and even beautiful. Linseed oil is made from flax seed. Strain the ashes and earth well to remove all rocks coals or other materials. Many choose to use boiled linseed oil mixed with mineral spirits don t thin the linseed oil more than 25.

A drying oil like linseed oil is usually used to seal the floor and protect it from wear and tear. Even raw linseed oil has carcinogenic warning labels. Earth floor book by bill and athena steen traditional southwestern thick adobe floor method built on drainage layer. It takes about a gallon per 100 ft sq.

Once each coat was absorbed on went the next one. Citrus solvent thinner or mineral spirits again petroleum out gassing. We then applied it with a sponge mop. Mix the ashes and earth very thoroughly and slowly add just enough water to make a paste.

We are still learning how to estimate coverage and quantity so i m not sure how much material is needed for your size floor. Maybe buy 2 gallons. If you re thinking that a rammed earth floor sounds like it s made of dirt then you d be right. Apply these with either a brush and rag or a paint roller sparingly.

It may seem a bit strange but a floor comprised of dirt gravel straw sand and clay actually has many redeeming qualities.