Yes, linoleum is still available in the United States, although it can be harder to find than vinyl flooring. Homeowners can buy it through flooring retailers, specialty dealers, and manufacturers that sell products such as sheet linoleum, tiles, and click-together planks. The key is knowing what to search for: many products casually called “linoleum” are actually vinyl. Understanding the difference helps shoppers compare materials, installation needs, price, and upkeep before choosing a floor.
Yes, Linoleum Is Still Sold in the United States
Real linoleum never disappeared, but it became less prominent as vinyl flooring grew in popularity. Vinyl offered a wide range of patterns and formats, and it became familiar to shoppers and contractors. Today, linoleum remains a specialized flooring option, especially for buyers interested in durable surfaces made largely from renewable or mineral-based ingredients.
One widely recognized modern linoleum brand is Forbo Marmoleum. The company sells linoleum flooring in formats that include sheet goods, tiles, and planks. Availability varies by product and location, so shoppers may need to order through a local flooring dealer or request samples rather than expect to find every style in stock at a general home-improvement store.
Other flooring businesses may sell linoleum under a manufacturer or product-line name rather than labeling the display simply “linoleum.” Asking a retailer directly whether a product is made from linoleum—or from vinyl—can prevent confusion. Product specifications and installation instructions are more reliable than a sales listing’s informal description.
What Real Linoleum Is Made Of
Linoleum is made by combining ingredients such as linseed oil, wood or cork flour, resins, and mineral fillers, then applying the mixture to a backing, traditionally jute. Pigments provide color and pattern. Formulations and construction vary by manufacturer, so the product’s technical information is the best source for its exact materials.
Linseed oil, derived from flaxseed, is the material that gives linoleum its name. Unlike vinyl flooring, which is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), linoleum is not a type of plastic flooring. That distinction matters to shoppers comparing material composition, end-of-life options, and product environmental disclosures.
Linoleum is often described as a natural or more sustainable flooring material because many of its ingredients are renewable or mineral-based. Those terms do not automatically make every product environmentally preferable in every respect. Manufacturing, transport, adhesives, maintenance, product lifespan, and disposal all affect a floor’s overall impact. Shoppers can look for third-party certifications and manufacturer disclosures rather than relying on broad environmental claims.
Linoleum vs. Vinyl: How to Tell the Difference
“Linoleum” is sometimes used as a general term for sheet flooring, including vinyl. In a store listing, a phrase such as “linoleum floor” may describe the look or format, not the material. Checking the product’s material specification is the most dependable way to identify what is being sold.
| Feature | Linoleum | Vinyl |
|---|---|---|
| Primary material | Linseed oil, fillers, pigments, and backing | PVC-based flooring with additional layers or backing |
| Common formats | Sheet, tile, and plank products, depending on manufacturer | Sheet, tile, and plank products |
| Water considerations | Requires attention to seams, edges, and installation details | Water resistance varies by product and construction |
| Care | Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and finish guidance | Follow product-specific instructions; avoid incompatible cleaners |
| Appearance | Often has color and pattern through the material | Can imitate wood, stone, and other surfaces with printed designs |
Neither material is automatically right for every room. Product construction, wear layer or finish, subfloor condition, installation quality, and expected traffic all affect performance. For either type, the manufacturer’s instructions should guide decisions about moisture, cleaning, adhesives, and permitted installation locations.
Where to Buy Linoleum Flooring
Shoppers can start with a local flooring store and ask specifically for real linoleum. Specialty flooring dealers may offer a broader selection, sample ordering, and installers familiar with the material. Some manufacturers provide online product information or dealer-finding tools, while authorized retailers can explain which colors and formats are available locally.
Before visiting a store or requesting a quote, it helps to identify the product format and room dimensions. A retailer can then confirm whether the chosen collection is available as sheet flooring, tile, or planks, and whether the product can be used in the intended room. A sample is useful because screen colors can differ from the finished floor under a home’s lighting.
- Ask what the floor is made of: Confirm that the product is linoleum rather than vinyl.
- Request the technical sheet: Check dimensions, finish, installation method, and use limitations.
- Ask about samples: Review color and texture in the room where the flooring will be installed.
- Check local availability: Some colors or formats may need to be special-ordered.
- Get an itemized estimate: Separate material, preparation, installation, adhesive, trim, and removal costs.
Linoleum Flooring Formats
Sheet Linoleum
Sheet linoleum comes in wide rolls that are cut to fit a room. Because it can reduce the number of seams in a space, it may suit rooms where a continuous surface is desired. However, handling and fitting large sheets can be challenging, and seams or edges must be installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Professional installation is often the practical choice for sheet products.
Linoleum Tile
Tiles are smaller pieces installed individually. Their modular format can make them easier to transport and may simplify replacing a damaged section, if matching material remains available. The trade-off is that a tiled floor has more seams than a sheet floor. The installer must follow the approved layout, adhesive, and seam instructions.
Linoleum Planks
Some manufacturers offer linoleum in plank formats, including products designed for specific installation systems. Planks can create a familiar wood-floor layout while retaining linoleum as the surface material. Not every plank product is installed the same way, so shoppers should not assume that it floats, clicks together, or can be fitted over an existing floor without checking the instructions.
How Much Does Linoleum Cost?
The price of linoleum varies by brand, product format, color, location, order size, and installation conditions. Online prices may show only the flooring itself; they may not include delivery, underlayment, adhesive, subfloor repair, removal of old flooring, trim, or labor. As a result, a material price alone is not a reliable estimate of the finished project cost.
For a useful comparison, request written quotes for the same room and scope of work. Ask whether the estimate includes measuring, floor preparation, moisture testing if required, installation materials, waste, transitions, and disposal. A low quote may exclude preparation that another installer has included.
Installation can significantly affect the total. Linoleum may require a smooth, properly prepared subfloor and product-specific adhesive or fitting methods. If an existing floor is uneven, damaged, or unsuitable, preparation can add time and expense. A qualified installer can inspect the site and explain what is required before the project begins.
How Long Does Linoleum Last?
Linoleum is often selected for its durability, and a well-made product installed and maintained according to its instructions can serve for many years. There is no single guaranteed lifespan: traffic, sunlight, moisture exposure, cleaning practices, installation quality, and the specific product all make a difference. Manufacturer warranties describe coverage terms, not a promise that every floor will last a set number of years.
Some linoleum products have a factory-applied surface finish that affects daily maintenance. Other products may have different care requirements. Shoppers should check whether the floor needs a particular polish, protective treatment, or cleaning product, and whether the finish can be renewed. Using an incompatible cleaner or abrasive tool can damage the surface.
Is Linoleum Waterproof?
Linoleum should not automatically be treated as waterproof. The material’s performance in a room depends on the product, installation system, seams, perimeter details, and exposure to standing water. Water that reaches seams or edges can cause problems, and moisture trapped below flooring can damage the floor or subfloor.
For kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements, check the manufacturer’s permitted-use guidance before buying. Ask how seams and edges should be sealed or finished, whether the product is approved for the room, and what moisture testing or subfloor preparation is required. A flooring professional can help assess whether the specific installation is suitable.
How to Choose the Right Linoleum
Start with the room’s conditions and the product’s technical specifications. A busy entryway, a kitchen, and a bedroom may have different demands for traffic, moisture, cleaning, and comfort. Compare products based on their approved uses, maintenance instructions, available formats, warranties, and installation requirements—not just color or price.
- Confirm the material. Look for linoleum in the manufacturer’s specification, not just in a retailer’s generic description.
- Choose a format. Compare sheet, tile, and plank options for appearance, seams, repairs, and installation.
- Review room suitability. Check guidance for moisture, sunlight, temperature, and expected traffic.
- Evaluate the subfloor. Ask whether existing flooring can remain and what preparation is needed.
- Plan maintenance. Get the approved cleaner and care instructions before purchase.
- Compare total installed cost. Include labor, preparation, adhesive, delivery, trim, and removal where applicable.
Is Linoleum a Good Choice?
Linoleum can be a strong option for shoppers seeking a resilient floor with a distinct material composition and a range of colors and patterns. It is still possible to buy in the United States, but selection may be more limited or specialized than the vinyl section at a large retailer. The right product depends on the room, budget, desired format, and availability of an installer familiar with linoleum.
The most important first step is simple: ask for the product specification and verify that it says linoleum. Then compare samples, installation requirements, care guidance, and full project quotes. That approach helps separate real linoleum from vinyl marketed with a familiar but often imprecise label.