You can also tell the difference between linoleum and vinyl by the vibrancy of the floor s color.
What s the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring.
Linoleum flooring being made of natural materials contains more natural earthy pigments.
Vinyl flooring s design is applied to the top of vinyl as a printed layer protected by a wear layer on lvt or wax coating on vct.
It also allows more intricate patterns on vinyl.
Unlike linoleum vinyl is a synthetic product.
The colors can even have a yellow tinge because of the linseed oil base.
But there are some important differences between the two.
Other chemicals may be added to the mix to give it more durability or flexibility.
Vinyl floor colors will appear more vibrant.
It is primarily a mix of colored chips of polyvinyl chloride pvc resin.
It will need a thorough cleaning at least once or twice each year and waxed periodically depending on the wear layer.
Overall linoleum flooring is relatively easy to maintain although it requires a little more care than vinyl sheet flooring or luxury vinyl planks.
These chips are bonded together with heat and pressure creating flat sheets.
This helps linoleum wear longer.
The cost difference between vinyl and linoleum is offset to some degree by their relative life expectancies.
Despite these differences in construction both types of flooring can be very long lasting.
Linoleum flooring and vinyl flooring often get mistaken for each other by homeowners who are searching for sheet flooring that will look good for the long haul.
While vinyl costs less than linoleum it will last an average of only 10 or 15 years.
But vinyl flooring tends to maintain its glossy appearance right up until the top layers suddenly wear through exposing the core.