How do you tell the difference between linoleum and sheet vinyl flooring?
I always assumed I had sheet vinyl, but the home inspection report (I’m etting ready to sell) says it’s a “linoleum type” floor covering.
Is “linoleum type” just a lazy way of saying, “maybe vinyl, maybe linoleum, maybe something else of a similar nature”?
How do I tell which it is? It’s probably about 50 years old and full of pinholes and small tears and cracks; curling and brittle along the edges.
Thanks,
Rebeccah
Replies
umm.. if it's 50 years old and falling apart why would you care what it is. I can't imagine it will be a selling feature. Linoleum is a natural product made from linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour, and limestone i believe. Vinyl is... well vinyl (aka plastic). So no they are not the same thing.
>umm.. if it's 50 years old and falling apart why would you care what it is. Curiosity.>I can't imagine it will be a selling feature. It's not. It's a disclosed defect.>Linoleum is a natural product made from linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour, and limestone i believe. Vinyl is... well vinyl (aka plastic). So no they are not the same thing.I know they're not the same thing, but I've never knowingly seen real linoleum; consequently, I don't know how its appearance, texture, whatever, differs from vinyl.Rebeccah
If it is linoleum there is probably a jute backing within the flooring itself or on the back. Try to pull up a section and have a look for the jute.
Thanks.No jute. It's vinyl.Rebeccah
If the color goes all the way through, it's most likely linoleum, but the vinyl composition tiles do that, too. Sheet vinyl generally has the pattern in a color layer. The linoleum i've removed had a burlap backing for stabilization. It continues to harden after it's made, so it becomes very hard/brittle. Vinyl not so much.
Linoleum, the wear surface goes all the way down to the backing. Vinyl has a wear surface, then a printed pattern,then a cushioned (or padded layer then a very thin backing. Then wear surface is measured in mills. The more money you spend the more mills you get. Jute backing on lino is called battleship linoleum. Linoleum also has asbestos in it and the asbestos was discontinued in the mid 70"s. Vinyl is easier to install as it is less prone to tearing. Vinyl is not as durable as lino.