Sometimes vinyl and linoleum are used synonymously, but the two are very different products.
A Natural Product
Linoleum flooring is made from natural products and many of these are also renewable. It is made from the seeds of the flax plant, ground cork or linseed oil obtained from wood, pine resin, crushed limestone and mineral pigments (for color). These components are often mated with a jute backing material.
Since most of the materials are renewable, linoleum is an environmentally friendly product that attracts less earth resources than other flooring materials. These natural ingredients also create a biodegradable and / or recyclable product at the back end of its life cycle.
One of the properties of flaxseed oil is that it oxidizes continuously throughout the time interval. What this does on a linoleum floor makes the material more durable as time goes on, creating a more durable and long-lasting floor than vinyl. With proper care, linoleum vinyl flooring can run out and last for decades.
Mostly Useful Features
Linoleum floor covering price has a number of useful properties:
Flexibility – linoleum is a flexible flooring material, meaning it means a pillow or “give”. This provides a more comfortable floor, especially in places where you stand a lot like the kitchen.
Durable – The properties of linoleum flooring turn it into a durable flooring despite being a durable material. A well-maintained linoleum floor can surpass one or two vinyl floors, saving you money in the long run.
Anti-Bacterial – continuous oxidation of linseed oil makes it difficult for bacteria to grow. This is a good choice for places that are more prone to bacteria, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Anti-Static – the anti-static properties of linoleum prevent you from hitting the light switch after walking on the floor. This useful feature also makes linoleum easy to clean as dust is not “magnetically” attached to the surface from a static charge (just remember how your TV screen pulls dust).
Fireproof – linoleum flooring does not burn and melt easily, making it more resistant to cigarettes and other hot items such as craft glue guns, curling irons, and similar items.
Color Goes Through Material – unlike vinyl flooring, the color inside linoleum floor goes through the thickness of the material. Any scratches or heavy wear continue to be the same color as the top wear, minimizing the visual impact of wear and tear.
Repairable – small cuts and grooves can be repaired using a piece of linoleum, sanded to a powder and mixed with glue and sealed. Even greater damage can be added, although it is left to the best professionals.
A Mostly Green Product Choice – this has been mentioned before, but linoleum floors have a soft environmental impact and are mostly a green building choice. However, issues involving tangible energy costs (such as transportation) can also be alarming.
Disadvantages
Linoleum has very good points, but it has a few drawbacks. Consider the following:
Temporary Fragrance – New linoleum has a pronounced odor due to its linseed oil content. The fragrance dissipates over time.
Requires a Good Subfloor – linoleum slab and glued tiles require a good smooth subfloor, otherwise any defects or defects will “transfer” to the linoleum surface. It is not so critical when using linoleum floating floor tiles.
Professional Installation is Recommended – professional installers understand how to work with the material, including shrinking and sealing seams to achieve the best possible assembly. The linoleum layer needs to be glued, and it expands and contracts in contact with the glue. Understanding how to work with both materials and tools is something the average person might lack if you can do it yourself.
Sealant Needs – linoleum is porous and should be sealed and periodically resealed to prevent stagnant water and stains from long-term damage. However, most of today’s linoleum products come with a factory applied sealant, so this may not be necessary depending on the product you choose.
Flooring Systems 