Vinyl vs. Linoleum Flooring

The vinyl floor covering vs. linoleum comparison is one filled with numerous similarities. From cost and cleanup to applications and aesthetic worth, the vinyl floor covering vs. linoleum dispute is for the most part quite even keeled. There are however a few key differences between the two floor covering options that ought to absolutely not be overlooked-- particularly as you evaluate which quality flooring product will be the very best fit for your next interior decoration job.

Vinyl floor covering-- a contemporary yet traditional floor covering item-- is one of the most flexible flooring alternatives on the market today, not only in regards to its resilience, but likewise with regards to its style possibilities. As an outcome, interior designers regularly depend on vinyl flooring to be a design-rich and long lasting floor covering option in their business style tasks.

Linoleum, on the other hand, represents the old guard of floor covering choices. Made from linseed oil, linoleum was created in the 1860s and up until a few decades earlier was revered for its natural qualities and cost. Nowadays, however, linoleum is referred to as a somewhat aged floor covering product most typically be discovered in healthcare facilities and schools. Having actually started to lose its appeal in the interior style market, linoleum is now viewed by lots of design specialists as the vinyl floor covering of old.

In order to truly comprehend the vinyl flooring vs. linoleum comparison, it's useful to look at the following measurable qualities: Look & Style, Durability & Stability, Applications and Cost.

Look & Style



The difference in design versatility between vinyl flooring vs. linoleum is astounding.

Linoleum is exceptionally limited in its design alternatives. Unlike vinyl, which authentically replicates the natural appearance of wood and stone, linoleum is basically a color product efficient in attaining a simple, yet in some cases brilliant color selection. In addition, linoleum can be vulnerable to color change-- which is frequently referred to the "yellowing" or "blossom" of the floor covering item.

Vinyl, on the other hand, is limitlessly personalized and designable-- giving you the versatility you need to complete any interior decoration task.

Linoleum Flooring

  • Limited style choices

  • Vulnerable to color modification



Vinyl Flooring

  • Limitlessly personalized and designable

  • Can replicate naturally the appearance and design of different flooring materials like concrete, marble, wood and stone



Sturdiness & Stability



The resilience discussion is where vinyl flooring and linoleum starts to separate themselves from one another. The greatest differentiator, nevertheless, includes the upkeep each floor covering item requires to keep a lasting aesthetic.

While both floor covering alternatives are easy to preserve, linoleum is susceptible to moisture damage and needs extra upkeep upon installation. Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is a non-porous material; the result is a floor covering that is resistant to high wetness and spills.

Both vinyl floor covering and linoleum are fairly easy to set up, however while linoleum is beginning to introduce tile options, it is mainly readily available as a sheet item making installation efforts somewhat more complex than setting up high-end vinyl tile and plank.

Installers will commonly seal linoleum to guarantee greater protection versus moisture, whereas vinyl requires no such initial maintenance. Vinyl flooring is a versatile product that can form to the substrate and will not warp or buckle, while linoleum is somewhat more bothersome. If linoleum is set up on an unequal substrate, this might influence its long-term resilience-- consequently causing the floor covering to flex, crack and warp in time.

Additionally, linoleum is rather restricted in terms of the cleaning items that need to be used for maintenance. The type of cleaner utilized must be sensitive so as not to rust the flooring because linoleum is made of natural products. Usually, an acrylic coat or wax is used to linoleum to secure it from cleaning products. With vinyl, this kind of extra upkeep is not needed.