Is Linoleum The Same As Vinyl Flooring

Linoleum and vinyl flooring are sometimes thought of as the same thing.

Is linoleum the same as vinyl flooring.

A primary difference between vinyl and linoleum flooring is that linoleum is a natural product invented in the 1800s. Linoleum is made from natural products and requires more maintenance but is more environmentally friendly than vinyl flooring. People often use linoleum and vinyl flooring interchangeably but they are actually quite different. Vinyl s color and patterns are printed which allows for a tremendous variety and keeps costs low.

But at the end of the day they re different types of flooring. Linoleum is a slightly softer material than vinyl and it can be more easily scratched and gouged. While both linoleum and vinyl are relatively easy to install as compared to other flooring types vinyl does have a bit of an edge because it offers several installation options. It is a mix of biodegradable materials like limestone powdered cork and other wood jute rosin and pigments.

Vinyl is made of synthetic material where linoleum is all natural and fully biodegradable. Vinyl overtook linoleum flooring in popularity after its introduction but since it s a green building material linoleum is making a comeback. Linoleum linoleum is comparable to vinyl flooring often times falling within the same pricing range. Because of this characteristic it was installed on most us navy ships and is still used on submarines today.

Most linoleum is in sheet form which requires full spread adhesive. Both types of flooring are fairly easy to maintain but unlike vinyl flooring linoleum requires periodic sealing to keep it resistant to moisture and stains. And while linoleum flooring isn t super widespread anymore because of vinyl it is going through a bit of a renaissance right now for people who want a more eco friendly option. Its popularity peaked in the 1950s when it was slowly replaced by the even more affordable vinyl.

Continue reading below our video of the day. Vinyl is pvc based lasts longer and is easier to install and mainta. Vinyl flooring is cut with a knife or shears and since it generally is thinner and more flexible than linoleum it s easier to cut. Whereas vinyl is a synthetic material that didn t come on the market until the 1950s.

Although these terms are often used interchangeably there is a fundamental difference between the two. When factoring in the additional maintenance needed for linoleum luxury vinyl is a dependable and affordable flooring solution. Linoleum floors are available in a wider variety of colors.