Linoleum is Back!
Linoleum is a classic “reborn” – making a comeback now because it’s more colourful than in earlier decades. It helps make a design statement in a room.
Back in vogue for home décor & design because it’s enviro-friendly, made from natural products; antibacterial; biodegradable; naturally fire retardant; emits no harmful pollutants; warm and comfortable under foot.
More environmentally friendly than vinyl – vinyl is PVC, Linoleum is made from natural, renewable materials: linseed oil, flax seed, pine tree resins, desiccants, wood powder, limestone, pigments.
Linoleum is available today in a “Crayola” box of colours, for endless design options. In demand by people who want to “make a statement” in a room.
Uniclic Linoleum floating floors let homeowners create designs and patterns by clicking together tiles and planks – easy installation. Planks and tiles have a Linoleum décor layer on a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core, and a Cork backing. A perfect subfloor is not required.
Linoleum is a natural product subject to “blooming”, a natural colour variation that is reaction of materials to light. There is an initial yellow caste. This caste disappears over time with exposure to light, revealing true colour. Covered areas will be darker.
Linoleum appeals to confident, design-impact conscious consumers. It enhances both modern and casual décors. It is a “fashion-forward” floor for consumers who want versatility.
Linoleum History
Linoleum was invented in 1861 by English rubber manufacturer Sir Frederick Walton. It was inspired by a thick, tough, rubbery skin on a can of paint in his basement. He mixed the paint with ground cork, poured it on canvas, spread it evenly and invented a durable new floorcovering.
Named from combined ingredients of flax (linum) and linseed oil (oleum).
Linoleum was patented December 19, 1863 and widely used as a floorcovering in homes until 1960s.
Linoleum was a favourite flooring for baths, kitchens, hallways plus restaurants, stores until 1940s. Cheaper, more attractive vinyl became available for residential use starting in 1947. The number and variety of smooth-finish floors multiplied after World War Two, and plastics had a big impact on Linoleum.
Durability of Linoleum earned it the name “the 40-year floor.”
After 1960s residential-use decline, Linoleum remained popular in commercial applications ie. schools, hospitals, offices because of its durability, flexibility and healthy properties.
90% of U.S. Linoleum sales are commercial.
Return to Q&A page.