Lino, the term commonly used to describe linoleum is a floor covering that’s made from a whole host of renewable ingredients. Often confused with vinyl flooring, lino flooring is actually quite different in its make-up. The main thing that vinyl and lino have in common is that they come in a single sheet and are known for being very pliable – which means that they restore their shape quickly.
Lino flooring has seen a bit of a rise in demand recently and some clients are asking us about how lino flooring and wood flooring compare. So, in this article we’d like to explore the 5 key points that help people make their decision when it comes to choosing the right floor for their project. We’ve done this so that hopefully, if you’re in the process of debating between lino flooring and wood flooring, it’ll help you make your decision. Here they are:
Price
Like wood flooring, lino comes in every price bracket from budget-basement to top of the range. In fact, many people are surprised that some of the top of the range lino floors are so expensive. That said, a good quality lino looks good, is durable and easy to clean – so it’s easy to see the appeal. However, when it comes to price, what you really need to think about is whether you’re investing for the short, medium, long or very long term. If you want a quick fix that’ll tidy up a room where lino is an appropriate choice, you are likely to bag yourself a faster, cheaper solution with lino than you are with wood. That said, in many cases the year-on-year value you get is likely to be higher with wood than with lino (for the reasons we’ll outline below).
Durability
Lino and wood are both durable flooring options. Certain linos however are significantly less durable than most wood solutions. When you choose a wood flooring option, you get a really durable solution that you can freshen up several times during its lifetime with a re-sand and re-finish. It’s safe to say that there are very few flooring options that can be refreshed and renewed like wood can, and for this reason, wood flooring wins hands down against most lino in terms of its durability and lifespan because it deals so well with heavy or high footfall.
Suitability for the area
At the end of the day, when it comes to flooring in the UK, there are horses for courses. While at both the bottom and top end of the market, the right lino in a lounge might do a fine job, it is not the flooring solution you’d generally expect to find in a lounge. If you’re flooring a lobby, a lavatory or a laundry room, then lino is likely to tick many of your boxes, but if you’re looking for a reasonably priced, good looking flooring solution for a dining room or a lounge, then wood is much more likely to fit the bill.
Ease of care
When it comes to ease of care, many people mistakenly imagine that lino must be a whole lot easier to maintain than wood, but this simply isn’t the case. With the right approach, wood flooring is as easy to care for as lino. Each of these flooring options simply need a regular vacuum and a light mopping with a damp mop and if needs be a suitable detergent to stay looking great. And the secret to keeping any floor in top notch condition is being proactive and making sure dust, dirt and grime aren’t allowed to stay on the surface to the point that they can cause damage.
Installation
And finally, when it comes to installation, again there is no real reason why a wood floor needs to be a significantly greater challenge to install than lino. However, the reality is that you can unroll a length of lino faster than you can lay even a click system wood floor. But whether that is the right decision will be down to all the other factors we’ve discussed above.
If you’re debating the pros and cons of lino flooring versus wood flooring and would like some help beyond what we’ve discussed here, why not reach out and speak to us? We’d love to help you resolve your dilemma, and don’t worry, if we believe that lino is the best option for you, we’ll tell you. That’s why Wood and Beyond customers keep coming back time after time for advice.
How the Two Compare
| actor | Lino Flooring | Wood Flooring |
|---|---|---|
| Price | More affordable. Suitable for quick fixes or short-term investments. | Generally more expensive. Offers a higher year-on-year value, making it a good long-term investment. |
| Durability | Good durability. Some types may be less durable than wood. Not as easily refreshed as wood flooring. | Excellent durability. Can be sanded and refinished multiple times, extending its lifespan. Ideal for high footfall areas. |
| Suitability for the area | Suitable for utility areas like lobbies, lavatories, and laundry rooms. Not typically used in lounges or dining rooms. | More suited for areas such as lounges or dining rooms, offering a more traditional and elegant look. |
| Ease of care | Easy to maintain with regular vacuuming and light mopping. | Similarly easy to maintain with vacuuming and light mopping. Regular dusting is essential to avoid damage. |
| Installation | Faster and easier to install due to the possibility of simply unrolling the lino. | Installation might be a bit more challenging and time-consuming, especially if it doesn’t use a click system. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be more difficult than installing lino. |
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FAQ
Question: How does lino flooring differ from vinyl flooring?
Answer: Lino, short for linoleum, is made from renewable ingredients and is often confused with vinyl flooring due to its pliability and single-sheet structure. However, the composition of these two types of flooring is quite different, making lino a distinct choice from vinyl.
Question: What are the considerations for choosing lino flooring in terms of price?
Answer: Like wood flooring, lino comes in every price range. It can be a faster, cheaper solution for a quick fix in appropriate rooms. Yet, taking a long-term perspective is essential. For temporary or intermediate solutions, lino might be a more budget-friendly option. But when looking at lasting value, wood tends to outshine due to its inherent strength and the ability to rejuvenate it through necessary re-sanding and re-coating procedures.
Question: How do lino and wood flooring compare in terms of durability?
Answer: Both lino and wood are durable flooring options. However, wood flooring is often more durable than most lino solutions, mainly because it can be refreshed multiple times during its lifespan through re-sanding and re-finishing. This makes it a great choice for areas with heavy or high footfall.
Question: What factors should be considered when determining the suitability of lino or wood flooring for a specific area?
Answer: The choice between lino and wood flooring largely depends on the area to be floored. While lino might be suitable for areas like a lobby, a lavatory, or a laundry room, wood is generally a more suitable flooring option for a dining room or a lounge due to its aesthetic appeal and durability.
Question: How do lino and wood compare in terms of ease of care and installation?
Answer: Both lino and wood flooring are easy to maintain with regular vacuuming and light mopping. Regarding installation, lino can typically be unrolled and installed faster than a wood floor. However, the choice between the two should consider all factors, including price, durability, suitability for the area, and ease of care.