If you are in the market for new flooring (and why else would you be here if not for the best information about floors), whether for your home or business, there is a very good chance you are discounting one of the most popular and best materials: linoleum. It’s not its fault; linoleum has a bit of a bad rap thanks to years of stereotyping about the floors that used to be covered in it. Even just saying the word “linoleum” conjures up images of tacky looking kitchens straight out of a 1970s TV show. Not that there's anything wrong with a little cheese, especially in Nashville, but no one wants a home or office that comes across that way. Linoleum is so much better than that. It’s one of the best flooring options you can have in just about any environment, thanks to a versatility unheard of in the likes of traditional hardwoods, or something like commercial or residential carpeting. Knowing about the popular trends is something the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey specialize in, and they are happy to pass along their information.
What Makes Linoleum Flooring Better than the Rest?
The most impressive thing about linoleum flooring is the numerous ways that it does something better or just as good as every other flooring material. Linoleum plank flooring can be molded and styled in a number of visually distinct ways, making it almost indistinguishable from pine, fir, oak, and other popular hardwood flooring. It is very cushiony, maybe not to the level of carpeting, but certainly more so than any harwood. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what linoleum has to offer your home or business. Ironically enough, scratches are not something you will have to worry about if you go with linoleum, since pretty much all linoleum manufacturers use a special coating to finish the material, making it particularly resistant to damage. Linoleum is also very eco-friendly, ranking up there with cork flooring as some of the most eco-friendly materials available. That’s because linoleum flooring is made with all-natural materials, such as linseed oil, cork powder, various wood resins, and others. So whether you are a designer looking for a variety of colors and styles, or someone with a desire to help the environment (or at least not make it worse), linoleum is the flooring for you.
The Cons of Linoleum Flooring
That sounds too good to be true, right? Well, the truth is that linoleum flooring is somewhat susceptible to moisture, making it less suitable for your bathroom or kitchen, if you are a messy cook. It also has a tendency to yellow over time, but that’s a problem that can be fixed with the right finish. Other than that, it is nothing but good news for linoleum flooring.
Don’t let your perception of linoleum flooring be colored by preconceived notions based on outdated stereotypes, otherwise you will miss out on one of the best materials available. Or, if you’re interested, linoleum has a close cousin that might suit your tastes: vinyl plank flooring. Give the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey a call today and learn how you can have the best of all worlds with these amazing floors!