Difference Between Linoleum and Marmoleum

Thekey differencebetween linoleum and marmoleum is thatlinoleum requires solvent-free adhesives for the installation whereas marmoleum installation does not require any adhesive.

Linoleum is a flooring material that is available as sheets (or tiles). This material contains components from natural sources. Marmoleum is also a form of linoleum that differs only from the way of installation.

CONTENTS

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What is Linoleum
3.What is Marmoleum
4.Similarities Between Linoleum and Marmoleum
5.Side by Side Comparison – Linoleum vs Marmoleum in Tabular Form
6.Summary

What is Linoleum?

The linoleum sheets are being in use as a flooring material since early times. Industrial manufacturers produce linoleum from linseed oil. It can also be produced by mixing the linseed oil with some renewable materials such as cork dust, wood flour, rosin, etc. The linseed oil comes from flax seed.

The installation of these sheets is a bit difficult and requires solvent-free adhesives. Further, the maintenance is also hard. However, there are do-it-yourself type tiles that are easy to install.

Linoleum tiles are highly impermeable to fluids such as water. Therefore, these tiles are resistant to fluids. But, they require periodical sealing because the corners of the sheets may curl in the presence of excessive humidity. Furthermore, due to the presence of linseed oil in the material, it has antibacterial properties. That is, theoxidationof linseed oil can prevent the growth of microorganisms.

What is Marmoleum?

Marmoleum is a type of flooring material used in residences and commercial properties. It is an improved form of linoleum. Further, it has a natural origin and is available in a wide range of colors. Industrial manufacturers use linseed oil (same as in linoleum) as the source of production. Moreover, it contains natural pigments, byproducts of sustainably harvested wood, etc. Because of this, it is being considered as a sustainable and safer product. In addition, these sheets have natural bactericidal properties (because of the linseed oil present in the marmoleum).

Unlike in other forms of flooring materials, the marmoleum has no unfavorable odors. Further, the material is highly durable and cleaning the surface also is easy. Moreover, installation of the flooring is much easier and do not require adhesives. Unlike the hard-tiled floors, a floor covered with marmoleum sheets is warm and comfortable (when walking on a hard-tiled floor, you will feel cold and uncomfortable).

What are the Similarities Between Linoleum and Marmoleum?

• Both material are produced from linseed oil along with some other components
• Linoleum and Marmoleum have antibacterial properties
• Both are available in a wide range of colors and patterns

What is the Difference Between Linoleum and Marmoleum?

Linoleum vs Marmoleum
Linoleum is a flooring material used from early times.	Marmoleum is a form of linoleum that has more improved properties than linoleum.
Components
Produced from linseed oil and renewable materials such as cork dust, wood flour, rosin, etc.	Produced from linseed oil, natural pigments, byproducts of sustainably harvested wood, etc.
Installation
Installation requires solvent-free adhesives	Installation does not require any adhesive.
Odor
This may have unfavorable odors.	This has no unfavorable odors.

Summary – Linoleum vs Marmoleum

Linoleum and marmoleum are forms of flooring material. Marmoleum is a type of linoleum, and it differs from the other in the method of installation. To sum up, the difference between linoleum and marmoleum is that the linoleum requires solvent-free adhesives for the installation whereas marmoleum does not require any adhesive.

Reference:

1.“What Is Marmoleum – and How Does It Differ From Linoleum.” GreenBuildingSupply.com.Available here
2.Pennypacker,狄奥多拉。“Homesteady | the Difference Between Linoleum & Marmoleum Flooring?” HomeSteady | The Ultimate Guide for All Your Household Needs., 26 Sept. 2017.Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.油毡003 'by康科德——自己的工作,(CC BY-SA 3.0)viaCommons Wikimedia
2.’7003453247′ by Sean Gillies(CC BY-SA 2.0)viaFlickr