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- Linoleum isn’t as flexible as vinyl, and it is more difficult to cut. There are also fewer color options with linoleum, and the material isn’t used nearly as widely as vinyl. New linoleum also has a temporary yellow cast called bloom that eventually disappears when exposed to light.
www.finehomebuilding.com › 2024/07/23 › whats-the-difference-linoleum-vs-vinylWhat’s the Difference: Linoleum vs. Vinyl - Fine Homebuilding
Jul 4, 2023 · Linoleum and vinyl flooring both offer more cost-effective alternatives to hardwood flooring for your home. Linoleum is made from natural, water-resistant materials that can last for decades...
- Barbara Zito
- The answer depends on where you’ll be installing either type of flooring. If you are looking for a durable surface for high-moisture areas, like th...
- Both types of flooring are extremely durable. However, linoleum is made in a solid layer, making it more durable than vinyl, which has several laye...
- Linoleum has evolved over the years in terms of appearance, but it is still made from natural materials that won’t give off any toxic fumes. For th...
- It can, which is why it’s not the best choice for areas of high moisture, like the bathroom, kitchen or mudroom. Linoleum flooring needs to be seal...
People also ask
What is the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring?
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Jul 29, 2022 · The main difference between vinyl and linoleum flooring is that vinyl is manufactured from synthetic materials, while linoleum contains natural materials. Linoleum flooring was...
While linoleum and vinyl flooring are often mistaken for each other, they are actually quite different — especially with design, durability and installation. Don't pick a favorite until you compare and contrast the two!
- Linoleum vs. Vinyl Flooring: Major Differences
- Appearance
- Water and Heat Resistance
- Care and Cleaning
- Durability and Maintenance
- Installation
- Cost
- Lifespan
- Sizes
- Resale Value
Linoleum was the original resilient flooring material. First patented more than 160 years ago, linoleum was discovered when it was noticed that linseed oil being used as a paint thinner developed a solid, tough, but flexible film that floated on the top of the paint. Experimentation showed that this material could be blended with other materials to...
Vinyl Flooring
Because vinyl flooring has a printed design layer beneath the clear surface wear layer, you have an almost unlimited option of colors, patterns, or images. This allows you to achieve some of the most vibrant and realistic effects of any flooring material. The drawback to this technology is that vinyl flooring is only as strong as the wear layer over the design, and both can wear through over time. Old vinyl tends to have shabby worn spots where it has worn through to the PVC core layer.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum, on the other hand, is a solid, colorfast material in which the color and pattern are not just printed on the surface but are dimensionally present through the entire thickness of the material. This limits the design options to some degree, but it also means that the flooring can age without showing significant wear for many years. Old linoleum still has the same color and pattern as the day it was installed.
Best for Appearance: Vinyl
Vinyl flooring offers more design variety than linoleum.
Vinyl Flooring
Most modern vinyl is virtually waterproof and can be installed in frequently damp environments, including basements and other below-grade areas. Older types of vinyl use felt as the backing layer, which can be susceptible to water damage. Newer vinyl uses fiberglass backing, which is entirely immune to water and damage. Sheet vinyl is more water-resistant than vinyl tiling because it has fewer seams that can allow water through to the underlayment.
Linoleum Flooring
Although it is water-resistant, linoleum is not impervious to damage from moisture and it needs to be sealed periodically to protect it against liquid penetration. If flooding occurs, a linoleum installation can be ruined, and excessive humidity can sometimes cause individual tiles or the corners of sheets to curl. Of the two materials, linoleum has better heat resistance. Hot skillets or curling irons do not generally melt linoleum immediately, as they do with vinyl flooring. And linoleum do...
Best for Water and Heat Resistance: Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is more impervious to water than linoleum, which needs to be regularly sealed. However, be aware that linoleum is somewhat more resistant to damage from heat.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is one of the easiest floors to keep clean. You can sweep and vacuum vinyl regularly, or mop it with any of a variety of detergents without having to worry about the material discoloring. Resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew, vinyl can be simply wiped clean periodically to keep it looking its best.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is nearly as easy to care for as vinyl, which is why it has long been a favorite flooring for schools, hospitals, and other public properties. Just sweep and or vacuum it periodically. Stains can be hand-cleaned with a rag and a mild detergent. Manufacturersrecommend using a cleaning solution made for linoleum, since off-the-shelf detergents may have high pH levels that can damage the surface.
Best for Care and Cleaning: Tie
Both vinyl and linoleum flooring are equally easy to clean.
Vinyl Flooring
Because vinyl flooring is constructed with a design layer adhered over a solid PVC layer, there is the potential for the design layer to wear through, exposing the solid core layer. Modern vinyl flooring has a very tough protective wear layer, so no waxing or sealing is ever necessary.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is considered the more durable flooring material, thanks to the construction that features solid material through the thickness of the flooring. 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. Linoleum is a slightly softer material than vinyl, and it can be more easily scratched and gouged. Small damage is somewhat less evident, though, since there is no core layer to show t...
Best for Durability and Maintenance: Tie
Linoleum is the more durable material, but vinyl is easier to maintain since it never requires sealing.
Both linoleum and vinyl flooring require a very smooth and flat underlayment, since they are thin, flexible materials that allow flaws in the underlayment to telegraph through to the surface.
Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl flooring purchased at big box home improvement centers typically costs $.50 to $2 per square foot, while tiles sell for an average of $3.50 per square foot. Much higher costs are possible for designer styles sold at specialty flooring stores.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum flooring is a somewhat more expensive material,with sheet material generally costing $5 to $7 per square foot, and tiles averaging about $3 to $5 per square foot. Again, higher costs are possible with designer styles.
Best for Cost: Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is less expensive than linoleum. For either material, you can plan on adding about as much as $4 to $7 per square foot for professional installation.
Vinyl Flooring
The cost difference between vinyl and linoleum is offset to some degree by their relative life expectancies. While vinyl costs less than linoleum, it will last only between 10 and 20 years. But vinyl flooring tends to maintain its glossy appearance right up until the top layers suddenly wear through, exposing the core.
Linoleum Flooring
A linoleum floor can last 20 to 40 years or more. But linoleum will show its age over time, weathering away and gradually looking older and older until it needs to be replaced. Some people like the patina of an aging linoleum floor; others dislike it.
Best for Lifespan: Linoleum Flooring
For sheer longevity, linoleum has a much better performance than vinyl flooring.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl sheet flooring is typically available in 6- or 12-foot rolls, from which lengths are cut according to need. Tiles are sold as squares 9 to 18 inches across.
Linoleum Flooring
Sheet linoleum is also available in 6- or 12-foot rolls. Linoleum planks are typically similar to luxury vinyl planks in size, 48 to 60 inches long, and 4 to 8 inches wide.
Best for Size: Tie
Neither flooring material has an advantage when it comes to size.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is usually recognized as an economy flooring material; it normally adds little to no real estate value to a home.
Linoleum Flooring
Few prospective homebuyers can tell the difference between vinyl and linoleum flooring at a glance, although linoleum may be viewed a little less favorably from pure design standpoint since it does not have the variety of colors and patterns found in vinyl flooring. However, the green nature of linoleum may be seen as a selling point if it is pointed out to homebuyers who have good environmental awareness.
Best for Resale Value: Tie
Both materials are regarded as economy flooring materials, and neither normally offers a significant advantage when it comes to resale value over other flooring options such as hardwoods.
Both vinyl and linoleum are extremely durable flooring options, especially with recent technological advancements in vinyl flooring. Linoleum will typically hold up longer, but visually, it will become worn and faded.
Jul 23, 2024 · Linoleum isn’t as flexible as vinyl, and it is more difficult to cut. There are also fewer color options with linoleum, and the material isn’t used nearly as widely as vinyl. New linoleum also has a temporary yellow cast called bloom that eventually disappears when exposed to light.
Two flooring types, vinyl and linoleum, are increasing in popularity as cost-effective alternatives to hardwood and stone. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the differences between vinyl and linoleum and the unique benefits of these materials for home applications.
