Many are times linoleum is confused with vinyl flooring. However, linoleum is totally different from vinyl. It has different benefits with its own merits and demerits. But what are the pros and cons of linoleum flooring?
Linoleum provides soft and comfortable flooring to walk on. It’s durable, available in a variety of colors and patterns, recyclable, and requires low-cost maintenance. However, it requires regular polishing, prone to scratches, and water moisture damage.
Pros and Cons of Linoleum Flooring
Having the right information on the advantages and disadvantages of the flooring is key. It will help you make better decisions when buying, prepare for the right cleaning procedure, and help to maintain your linoleum flooring.
Advantages of Linoleum Flooring
Here are some benefits and pros for linoleum flooring.
Linoleum sheet rolls are soft and flexible
It is manufactured with natural materials that produce flexible, spongy, and durable flooring that can last up to 40 years and above. When properly maintained it remains soft and comfortable on foot with its luster and shines for long.
Linoleum requires low maintenance
Linoleum comes with a sealed flooring option. The factory-sealed flooring is easy to install and will require minimal maintenance. Frequent vacuuming and broom sweeping with occasional mopping will help maintain the flooring luster and shine.
Linoleum is renewable and biodegradable
Linoleum utilizes renewable ingredients like lino-seed and cork composition. The flooring material is recyclable and biodegrades making is eco-friendly. In addition, the ingredients used are not poisonous leaving linoleum flooring non-toxic and formaldehyde-free.
When destroyed or removed from the house floor it decomposes unlike ts competitor, vinyl flooring. It also has Non-VOC certification, thus when installed it doesn’t harm the indoor air or cause allergic reactions. It’s considered hypoallergenic and suitable for allergy sufferers
Variety of Colors, Patterns and Design
Linoleum is available in different patterns, hue, and designs. It is better in holding color than its competitor-vinyl flooring. The linoleum dye is infused throughout the flooring to last longer and prevent discoloration.
Available in different installation options.
The flooring is available as sheet flooring and tiles. You can cut the linoleum to your exact specifications or even use it to create customized unique mosaics with its tiles. It’s an easy to install and very low maintenance floor even for DIYs’.
Durable and Versatile
It is incredibly durable, with a lifespan longer than other flooring options, up to 40 years when properly maintained. Linoleum is more versatile flooring options available in a wide variety of colors and patterns than many other flooring options.
Disadvantages of Linoleum Flooring
The following are drawbacks and cons of linoleum flooring option for your house.
Prone to scratches and moisture damage
Linoleum is soft which makes it prone to scratches and getting torn. Walking with high heels shoes and pulling or dragging furniture will definitely damage the sheet linoleum rolls.
The ingredients of linoleum make it prone to moisture damage. Excessive humidity will damage your floor and make it curl as it expands.
Requires regular buffing and polishing
Unsealed linoleum flooring option will require regular buffing and polishing to prevent discoloration or yellowing of its surface, losing its shine and luster
Newly installed linoleum do off-gas
When installed, linoleum does give out non-toxic fumes for about a few weeks and goes away on its own. The linoleum seed gives out these non-toxic fumes that at a time may cause panic to some homeowners.
Prone to sunlight damage
Linoleum just like cork flooring does fade on continuous exposure to sunlight. This may limit those people who could have wanted to install it in outdoor areas. It forms yellowish hue on exposure to UV rays for a longer period.
Are linoleum flooring toxic?
Linoleum flooring is made of non toxic materials and Eco-friendly. Linoleum is thus considered an non toxic formaldehyde free flooring. However, newly installed floor does off gas non toxic fumes from lino seed ingredients for sometime.
Does Linoleum flooring scratch easily?
Linoleum is durable and versatile, and doesn’t scratch easily. However, this doesn’t mean its totally scratch prof, it does get scratches form misuse, p
Is linoleum good for basements?
Linoleum flooring is installed as a floating flooring. Like any floating flooring, linoleum is not best choice for basements or any other damp prone areas.
Is linoleum so expensive
Linoleum costs an average of about 2-7$with a labor cost between 1-2 $ per square floor. The cost of the flooring plus installation therefore costs between 3-10$ per square foot including installation cost. To get the actual value of the flooring cost, it depends n the area in square foot by the cost.
