Why is linoleum hung in curing stoves during production?

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floor covering Axminster carpet, late 18th or early 19th century.

In the production of linoleum, the material is hung in tall buildings or stoves to undergo a necessary hardening process. After the mixture of oxidized linseed oil, resins, fillers, and pigments is calendered onto a backing, it remains relatively soft. By exposing the sheets to heat within these stoves, the material is cured and hardened over a period that can take several weeks, ensuring the final floor covering is durable and resistant to indentation.1