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Linoleum
Linoleum is an all-natural product, made up of linseed oil, wood or cork flour, mineral fillers and pigments that are combined and applied to a jute or canvas backing. It’s sometimes confused with vinyl but it’s natural ingredients provide a more environmentally friendly material than vinyl. It’s resilient like vinyl which makes it more comfortable to stand and walk on.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly product – made from natural materials
- Contains natural anti-bacterial properties due to its linseed oil content
- Available in click-tiles (floating floor) for easier do-it-yourself capability (as opposed to trickier glue-down sheet and tiles)
- Color goes through the material which helps to hide chips and scratches
- Naturally anti-static – helps prevent the attraction of dust
- Good durability and wear properties (linseed oil oxidizes as it ages imparting strength over time)
- Won’t melt (like vinyl) if a burning match or hot object is dropped on it
- Lots of rich colors are available (many more than when your great-grandmother had linoleum floors)
Cons
- May not be suitable for wet environments (like bathrooms) due to its porosity unless it’s sealed (recommendations vary with manufacturer however)
- Retains a distinctive (but temporary) scent from the linseed oil content when new
- Glue-down installation may require professionals for proper results and seaming