Linoleum Flooring Benefits
Reasons to use linoleum for your next flooring project include the following:
- Linoleum is Inexpensive: Linoleum is significantly cheaper than natural flooring materials such as wood and stone and even compares favorably in price to its chief competitor, vinyl.
- Linoleum is Durable: Linoleum’s impressive water resistance makes it a good choice in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms. The material additionally resists scratches and gouges – a plus for homes with children and/or pets – and handles high traffic without significant wear.
- Linoleum is Green: Another reason for linoleum’s resurgence is that fact that it is made from natural materials such as linseed oil, recycled wood flour, cork dust, resins, and limestone.
- Linoleum is Versatile: Linoleum is available in a broad range of colors and patterns which can furthermore be mixed and matched to create both stunning, modern designs and vintage styles.
- Linoleum is Long Lasting: Many manufacturers sell linoleum with a warranty of up to 25 years, and it’s not uncommon for a linoleum floor to last 40 to 50 years or longer.
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Linoleum Vs. Vinyl
Linoleum and vinyl flooring are often confused for one another, but the two are in fact very different. For starters, linoleum is primarily made from raw, natural ingredients, whereas vinyl is a synthetic material produced from chlorinated petrochemicals. There is also a difference in appearance between the two: the color of linoleum extends through the material, allowing it to wear more beautifully, while vinyl flooring tends to have only a surface finish pattern. In addition linoleum, unlike vinyl, won’t melt if a burning ember falls on it. And last but not least, linoleum, on average, costs less than vinyl. To be fair, linoleum doesn’t beat out vinyl in every area. Linoleum floors require more maintenance than vinyl ones, as they occasionally must be sealed and waxed to maintain their finish. They also have a smell similar to fresh paint when first installed that some homeowners don’t care for
Linoleum Flooring Costs
The actual cost of linoleum flooring depends on the quality and the amount of the product purchased, local labor and material costs and the difficulty of the installation.
- Linoleum floors cost $3 to $5 per square foot installed. In a 200 square foot kitchen, that’s a total estimated cost of $600 to $1,000.
- Linoleum floors cost $3 to $5 per square foot installed. In a 200 square foot kitchen, that’s a total estimated cost of $600 to $1,000.
- Installing linoleum sheet flooring generally isn’t a DIY job due to the fact that it is more difficult than other materials to accurately cut and lay down. While linoleum tiles are simpler to install, professional installation is still recommended.
- Some professionals might charge extra to move and replace furniture and fixtures as well as to remove and dispose of existing flooring.