LINOLEUM

Linoleum is one of the most economical solutions when addressing flooring solutions for the kitchen or bathroom. With a predominantly non-porous body surface, a new linoleum floor, when installation is done properly, offers an easily cleanable surface. A major design advantage of linoleum products is its pliable surface which works well with current manufacturing technology to offer a plethora of patterns and colors that range from realistic portrayals of natural stone to whimsical Victorian chinaware patterns. Although it's widely utilized in kitchen areas, linoleum has the disadvantage of being susceptible to discoloration or deformation when it comes into direct contact to extreme heat. Other disadvantages stem from dirt and debris attaching to adhesive residue between tile or sheet seams, making these areas potentially hazardous breeding areas for germs and bacteria. The two most utilized forms of linoleum are sheet and tile.

      Sheet linoleum or rolled linoleum offers all of the pattern possibilities of tile linoleum with the added benefit of reduced seams in the floor layout. As a benefit of reduced seaming, sheet linoleum provides fewer opportunities for the spread of germs and bacteria but is more difficult and costly to invisibly replace in sections when damage to an area occurs. In general, sheet linoleum will be a more difficult product to install and is a slightly more expensive product when compared to its tile counterpart.

          Tile linoleum, commonly known as "peel and stick" offers the major advantage of being virtually fool proof for the beginning weekend warrior. Most commonly offered in 12" x 12" format with an adhesive backing, tile linoleum has begun to be offered in more updated sizes such as 18" x 18". Among tile linoleum's major disadvantages are the many seams which may gradually increase over time, due to wear and tear, making this flooring susceptible to harboring dirt and debris as well as more potentially hazardous germs and bacteria.