Linoleum vs Vinyl Flooring

Linoleum vs Vinyl Flooring

Are you confused about the difference between linoleum vs vinyl? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. You might even be asking yourself, Is linoleum the same as vinyl flooring? A flooring project is a big undertaking with long-term implications, so it’s important to know the differences between these materials before making a final decision. In this guide, you’ll not only learn what vinyl and linoleum are but also how they differ in terms of appearance, performance, maintenance, and cost.

What is Linoleum Flooring?

The name linoleum actually refers to one of its main components, linseed oil. The other components include wood flour, ground limestone, cork dust, and pigments—all mixed with resin and applied to a backing. You can get linoleum flooring as a flexible sheet or as tiles.

What is Vinyl Flooring?

Like linoleum, vinyl flooring can come in sheet or plank form, with planks offering those realistic wood and stone looks, and greater strength as compared to sheets. Each plank consists of multiple layers: a wear layer, a décor layer, a core layer, and sometimes an extra layer of padding. It's the core layer that gives vinyl flooring stability and dent resistance.

A plank’s wear layer can come in a variety of thicknesses, with some even suitable for heavy commercial use. You can find vinyl planks that feature UV-cured protective coatings, for increased surface hardness. Known as direct print vinyl, this innovative product also has the color and texture printed directly onto the core layer for the most realistic wood looks to date and is used on our ReNature by CoreLuxe collection.

How Do They Compare?

Appearance

The décor layer in vinyl plank flooring allows for an enormous number of design and texture options. This means the planks can better mimic the look and feel of wood or stone. Linoleum isn't constructed in layers, so while you do get the color all the way through, it also makes it more difficult to replicate a natural look. This isn't to say you can't get beautiful linoleum flooring, but if you're looking for an authentic hardwood or stone appearance, then vinyl is the superior choice.

Performance

Both vinyl and linoleum are considered good choices for those concerned about long-term wear.

Linoleum’s solid construction (as opposed to a layered construction) helps in terms of long-term reliability. On the other hand, it’s a softer material, and, therefore, more likely to develop scratches, dents, and contours due to imperfections in your subfloor. Also, linoleum is water resistant but not waterproof. This means that if spills aren’t promptly wiped up, they can cause the linoleum to warp. So, linoleum may not be the best choice for bathrooms and other splash zones.

The protective wear layer in vinyl plank flooring makes it a kid-proof and pet-proof option. Rigid vinyl plank is also less susceptible to denting, thanks to its sturdy core, so it’s a great choice for rooms with heavy furniture, such as home gyms. When it comes to moisture, vinyl comes out on top as a fully waterproof product.

Installation

As far as sheet vinyl vs. linoleum, vinyl installation is a doable DIY project. Linoleum sheets, on the other hand, are harder to work with and best left to professionals.

Vinyl plank flooring offers click-float installation, making it a DIY-friendly flooring project. Unlike linoleum, vinyl plank does not need to be sealed after installation.

Maintenance

Homeowners often turn to materials such as linoleum and vinyl for floors because the resilient surfaces make for easier cleanup. But, there are a few differences to keep in mind:

First, while you can wet mop vinyl without worry, it’s best to use only a lightly dampened mop for linoleum since it does not have the same waterproof protection.

Second, linoleum has to be resealed every 5 to 7 years to maintain its water and stain resistance. You may also need to polish your floor monthly to keep it in good condition. By contrast, you won't need to polish, wax, or seal vinyl—in fact, any of those things could damage the floor's performance.

Third, when it comes to choosing cleaning agents, you have to be more careful with linoleum since detergents with high pH levels can damage the floor's seal.

Which is Cheaper, Linoleum or Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring generally is more affordable than linoleum, both as sheets and planks/tiles. Vinyl is also cheaper to maintain because you won't need to invest in any polishing, buffing, or sealing products.

Looking to add the benefits of vinyl flooring to your home? LL Flooring offers vinyl plank flooring in a variety of thicknesses, widths, and lengths. Browse our selection of beautiful wood-look and stone-look vinyl plank flooring and use our Picture It Floor Visualizer to get an idea of how a particular floor design will look in your space.