If the surface of vinyl wears, the pattern disappears. The pattern on linoleum, on the other hand, remains until a hole develops. Natural Vs. Artificial Pigments The man who invented linoleum, Frederick Walton, discovered that dried linseed oil formed a durable film; the word "linoleum" is Latin for linseed oil. He supplemented it with materials such as rosin, limestone, powdered cork and wood dust, and to give it color, he used natural pigments. These natural pigments tend to appear earthy and muted, much like the dyes used for handmade oriental rugs. The colors of vinyl are more vibrant and artificial-looking, like those found on factory-made rugs. The linseed-oil base of linoleum further mutes the colors and often gives them a yellowish tinge. The process that Walton developed to manufacture linoleum is still used today. A cement made with linseed oil and resin is mixed with limestone, cork and wood, rolled into sheets, and baked for 21 days to cure it. Vinyl, on the other hand, is manufactured by extruding plastic similar to the process used for PVC water pipes.
This produces a material that you can melt with a cigarette butt or a match. Linoleum, on the other hand, won't burn. The curing of the resins and linseed oil make it not only fire-retardant, but also stain-resistant and hypoallergenic. Since its introduction, vinyl has been available as tiles as well as sheet flooring, but the availability of linoleum tiles is a recent phenomenon. Consequently, if you have older floor tiles in your kitchen, they're almost certainly vinyl, and they could even contain asbestos. If you're still unsure about your sheet flooring, look at its cross section in a doorway; you may have to lift the edge of the flooring to do so. Vinyl flooring is seldom thicker than about 1/8 inch, but linoleum can be 1/4-inch thick or more. Jute backing also positively identifies the material as linoleum; vinyl sheet flooring usually has cloth backing. Armstrong: 6 Things You Didn't Know About Linoleum The Craftsman Blog: Linoleum Vs. Vinyl Flooring (What’s the Difference?)
Wood Floor Covering Association: Linoleum – What's the Difference Between Vinyl and Linoleum? You May Also Like Linoleum and vinyl are easily confused, sometimes thought to be the same thing and sometimes the words are used interchangeably. If you don't like the pattern or color of your vinyl or linoleum floor, there is a way to replace it. Sun exposure, improper cleaning and wax and residue buildup can leave your vinyl or linoleum flooring covered with a yellow layer or... Mold colonies create mold spores that travel on the air and can easily be breathed in. People with weak immune systems can... How to Clean Vinyl Linoleum Floors How to Make Linoleum Shine How to Clean Linoleum How to Deep Clean Vinyl Flooring How to Restore Linoleum Floors How to Remove Stains From LinoleumIn Customer Service, we often get the question, “Are vinyl and linoleum the same thing?” The answer is no. While linoleum is often used as a synonym for vinyl sheet, it’s more accurate to say that they’re both resilient floors – meaning they can restore their shape.
Their only similarity is that linoleum and vinyl both come in sheet goods (on a roll rather than tiles). Choosing Between Linoleum and Vinyl I’m in the planning stages of my kitchen renovation, and I’ve considered all of the floors Armstrong makes. Right now, I’ve narrowed it down to linoleum and vinyl sheet. Vinyl sheet offers amazing visuals and the easiest maintenance. So why is linoleum on my short list? All the colorful options! While vinyl floors come in a wide range of colors, linoleum takes advantage of the entire spectrum of color. See the options here. Both linoleum and vinyl are easy to clean, but linoleum will require a little more care. The cleaning products you use will be different too. Linoleum is more sensitive to cleaners and strippers that are high in pH, so always look for neutral detergents like Armstrong’s recommended linoleum cleaners. For vinyl sheet, we recommend no-rinse Armstrong Once ‘n Done Resilient & Ceramic Tile Cleaner. Few people know that linoleum was discovered by accident back in 1861 when linseed oil oxidized into a skin from a can of paint.
This leads me to one of the biggest differences between vinyl and linoleum. Linoleum is made from natural components like linseed oil, tree resin, wood and cork flours, limestone, and pigments. It even comes with a jute backing. Its ingredients provide it with that unique scent, evoking memories of schools and kitchens of yore. Vinyl is manufactured using vinyl, felt, fiberglass and dyes. All of Armstrong’s vinyl sheet floors carry the FloorScore Certification seal. This certification means that they meet low emission levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for safer indoor air quality. When shopping for linoleum, be aware of linoleum’s “bloom”. The bloom is a yellowish cast to the floor that is a temporary by-product of the manufacturing process. To find out if the floor you choose is right for your home, take a sample home from the retailer or home center and expose it to sunlight to see the true color of the floor. Keep in mind, your linoleum flooring may arrive with the same “bloom” as the sample.