Blog - Vinyl vs Linoleum

Understand why vinyl performs better than linoleum.

https://info.polyflor.co.za/news/vinyl-vs-linoleum

The resilient flooring category, home to the three product types namely rubber, linoleum and vinyl, sees vinyl flooring command a market dominating 85% market share across Europe. It's no wonder why it is so widely used in South Africa, as vinyl flooring provides a high performance, cost effective, low maintenance, long-life solution.

Polyflor vinyl flooring also performs well environmentally and when compared to linoleum the results are impressive. The fairest way to make enviromental comparisons is to fully compare and understand the product from the different stages of its life cycle as everything has an environmental impact one way or another – even vinyl and linoleum! 

BRE and EPD assessments cover the entire product’s life cycle, from cradle to grave, helping ever discerning specifiers evaluate and compare on a like for like basis.

Vinyl and linoleum are both extremely durable and can last up to 25 years (and even longer as it has been proven). However Polyflor vinyl is 100% fit for purpose and compromises do not have to be made to obtain a sustainable product.

While both products are durable commercial flooring options, vinyl flooring from Polyflor offers a few more performance features to help keep floors looking newer and performing for longer.

In summary, no resilient flooring is completely without environmental impact and both vinyl and linoleum floor coverings are processed, manufactured products with environmental impacts. On the basis of this, vinyl is very much comparable with linoleum but further comparisons must be accounted for including fire safety, maintenance, increased use areas and slip resistance, choice of styles and feature designs as well as cost (initial outlay and on going cost of maintenance and subsequent replacement) – all of which, Polyflor vinyl has to be preferential to linoleum.