With the growing interest in environmentally-friendly, healthy homes, linoleum is making a comeback. Manufactured under a variety of brand names, with Marmoleum being the most common, real linoleum lasts for decades and is made from linseed oil, pine tree rosin, wood flour, cork flour, limestone, eco-friendly pigments and jute. This makes it a floor covering of choice for green consumers.
People with allergies appreciate linoleum’s role in helping prevent dust mites. Like other non-textile floor coverings, linoleum is less likely to accumulate dust and is anti-static. It also has been shown to prevent salmonella and staphylococcus bacteria from multiplying, which is one of the reasons why you sometimes see it used on restaurant tabletops (like at O’Natural’s).
But one of the best things about real linoleum is the unlimited design options. Invented in 1863, real linoleum comes in both sheets and tiles. The tiles are great for creating contrasting checkerboard designs.
The sheets, can be cut to create stripes, geometric shapes, wave patterns and even mosaics. Look for hundreds of color options, all with a signature marbled look. Expect to pay roughly $5-$9 per square foot for real linoleum to be installed in your home.
It’s a look that will last for generations.