Telling The Difference Between Vinyl And Linoleum

Linoleum flooring being made of natural materials contains more natural earthy pigments.

Telling the difference between vinyl and linoleum.

Vinyl is a type of plastic and luxury vinyl tiles lvt in particular are made up of several distinct layers. While vinyl costs less than linoleum it will last an average of only 10 or 15 years. Linoleum and vinyl flooring made a big splash in the architectural scene when they debuted. 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.

Sheet vinyl flooring also contains phthalate plasticizers for flexibility. 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. Some products are flexible such as sheet flooring. Others such as luxury vinyl and rigid core products have substantial cores that provide strength and durability.

Linoleum is available as either sheet or tiles and commonly uses a jute or canvas backing. However it can be great for creating large patterns embedded designs or blocks of color. It also allows more intricate patterns on vinyl. On the other hand vinyl is made from petrochemicals.

The cost difference between vinyl and linoleum is offset to some degree by their relative life expectancies. You can also tell the difference between linoleum and vinyl by the vibrancy of the floor s color. The colors can even have a yellow tinge because of the linseed oil base. 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.

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. Like linoleum vinyl is also available in sheet or tile form but is constructed very differently. The strength layer or core gives the flooring its rigidity. Most vinyl patterns are topical while linoleum is the same color all the way through.

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

Linoleum doesn t have the same style versatility in terms of mimicking other flooring types. Vinyl will melt if a lit match or cigarette lands on it. This helps linoleum wear longer. These manmade floors remain popular to this day.