Telling The Difference Between Vinyl And Linoleum

Linoleum and vinyl flooring made a big splash in the architectural scene when they debuted.

Telling the difference between vinyl and linoleum.

Most vinyl patterns are topical while linoleum is the same color all the way through. Linoleum generally lasts longer than vinyl some can last 30 40 years. It also allows more intricate patterns on vinyl. Vinyl will melt if a lit match or cigarette lands on it.

On the other hand vinyl is made from petrochemicals. Like linoleum vinyl is also available in sheet or tile form but is constructed very differently. Today vinyl is of course used in a huge variety of applications. Linoleum is available as either sheet or tiles and commonly uses a jute or canvas backing.

Linoleum is produced by mixing linseed oil cork or wood flour ground limestone tree resins and organic pigments that are pressed onto a jute support. The key difference between vinyl and linoleum is that the vinyl is a product of petroleum oil whereas the linoleum is a product of linseed oil. The colors can even have a yellow tinge because of the linseed oil base. Vinyl is a type of plastic and luxury vinyl tiles lvt in particular are made up of several distinct layers.

This helps linoleum wear longer. While vinyl costs less than linoleum it will last an average of only 10 or 15 years. Further the vinyl tile is easy to install and maintain while linoleum tile is a bit hard to install and maintan but is water resistant. Some products are flexible such as sheet flooring.

Vinyl floor colors will appear more vibrant. While linoleum is all natural vinyl is a synthetic product made with a variety of toxic chemicals primarily polyvinyl chloride pvc resin. But vinyl flooring tends to maintain its glossy appearance right up until the top layers suddenly wear through exposing the core. Vinyl flooring colors tend to be brighter than linoleum colors.

These manmade floors remain popular to this day. The strength layer or core gives the flooring its rigidity. Planks or tiles in a range of sizes or vinyl sheet which can mimic the look of planks or tiles but comes in a roll. Others such as luxury vinyl and rigid core products have substantial cores that provide strength and durability.

Some people lean in to the history choosing retro color palettes for their linoleum floors or getting vinyl that mimics iconic movies like the shining s psychedelic geometric carpet. Sheet vinyl flooring also contains phthalate plasticizers for flexibility. The cost difference between vinyl and linoleum is offset to some degree by their relative life expectancies. Linoleum flooring being made of natural materials contains more natural earthy pigments.