Comments on: Linoleum – What's the difference between vinyl and linoleum? http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/ The official blog of the World Floor Covering Association - wfca.org Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:28:58 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Willis http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/comment-page-1/#comment-5524 Willis Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:17:47 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/#comment-5524 As a flooring professional with 35+ years of experience I am always amazed at the information provided by the "experts", either through a slanted view or by omission of the facts. In my opinion Robert is not the "great used car salesman" and provides some facts that were omitted in the original article. I'm not sure if Linseed oil can be toxic, so do your own research. Linoleum is touted as a "Natural product" and therefore is better for the environment. Well, there are no manufacturing facilities in the US. It would not be cost effective to build a plan in the US due to EPA requirements. Huh? Most of the Flax seed oil is shipped from Canada to Europe for manufacturing, and the jute used is shipped to Europe from Malaysia. Huh? There is more energy used in the production of linoleum then vinyls and once manufactured it is shipped to the US. Huh, huh? So I ask you, with all the energy consumed in manufacturing and shipping how good for the environment is it? Most sheet vinyls used in hospitals are not printed patterns, the pattern is through the entire thickness of the product where the linoleum pattern goes down to the jute. On all products if you are wearing down through the pattern you have a poor maintenance program. In most cases polishes are recommended to extend the life of the floor and to protect the products from wear and stains. While linoleum is used extensively in healthcare, due to the "Green" movement, there is a reason why you won't find it in operating rooms or other heavy use areas. It won't perform. There is also an unwarranted anti-vinyl movement who use scare tactics to justify products other then vinyl, including linoleum. These tactics result in emotional decisions rather than factual. Robert is right, vinyl is used in IV bags, tubes, and I will add incubators, baby care seats and guess what that "new car smell" is. As Robert states, "it may not be perfect" but there are reasons why vinyl is used....it's a better choice. As a flooring professional with 35+ years of experience I am always amazed at the information provided by the “experts”, either through a slanted view or by omission of the facts. In my opinion Robert is not the “great used car salesman” and provides some facts that were omitted in the original article. I’m not sure if Linseed oil can be toxic, so do your own research. Linoleum is touted as a “Natural product” and therefore is better for the environment. Well, there are no manufacturing facilities in the US. It would not be cost effective to build a plan in the US due to EPA requirements. Huh? Most of the Flax seed oil is shipped from Canada to Europe for manufacturing, and the jute used is shipped to Europe from Malaysia. Huh? There is more energy used in the production of linoleum then vinyls and once manufactured it is shipped to the US. Huh, huh? So I ask you, with all the energy consumed in manufacturing and shipping how good for the environment is it? Most sheet vinyls used in hospitals are not printed patterns, the pattern is through the entire thickness of the product where the linoleum pattern goes down to the jute. On all products if you are wearing down through the pattern you have a poor maintenance program. In most cases polishes are recommended to extend the life of the floor and to protect the products from wear and stains. While linoleum is used extensively in healthcare, due to the “Green” movement, there is a reason why you won’t find it in operating rooms or other heavy use areas. It won’t perform. There is also an unwarranted anti-vinyl movement who use scare tactics to justify products other then vinyl, including linoleum. These tactics result in emotional decisions rather than factual. Robert is right, vinyl is used in IV bags, tubes, and I will add incubators, baby care seats and guess what that “new car smell” is. As Robert states, “it may not be perfect” but there are reasons why vinyl is used….it’s a better choice.

]]> By: Willy B. http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2318 Willy B. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:46:44 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/#comment-2318 Thanks Robert for the info you either know your stuff or you're a"great used car salesman" but either way you've answered my questions.Thanks Thanks Robert for the info you either know your stuff or you’re a”great used car salesman” but either way you’ve answered my questions.Thanks

]]> By: Robert http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/comment-page-1/#comment-167 Robert Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:03:11 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/#comment-167 Funny article: It states that linoleum is made from natural linseed oil. In truth, Linseed oils can be toxic, and in fact linoleum is no longer produced in the United States because of its toxicity concerns. It is all imported from overseas. Vinyl is still made in America by some manufacturers. Also, linoleum is not even close to viyl in its resistance to wear. Nearly all heavy commercial applications choose vinyl over linoleum, because linoleum wears out much faster than vinyl. Vinyl is also impervious to stain and germs, which is why it the choice for hospitals. Linoleum stains easily and can actually grow bacteria, a big no no in hospitals. Most water in carried in vinyl pipes, nearly all IV bags and tubes in hospitals are made from vinyl. Vinyl is far from being perfect, but it has become a much better choice for many applications than linoleum. Funny article:
It states that linoleum is made from natural linseed oil. In truth, Linseed oils can be toxic, and in fact linoleum is no longer produced in the United States because of its toxicity concerns. It is all imported from overseas. Vinyl is still made in America by some manufacturers.
Also, linoleum is not even close to viyl in its resistance to wear. Nearly all heavy commercial applications choose vinyl over linoleum, because linoleum wears out much faster than vinyl.
Vinyl is also impervious to stain and germs, which is why it the choice for hospitals. Linoleum stains easily and can actually grow bacteria, a big no no in hospitals.
Most water in carried in vinyl pipes, nearly all IV bags and tubes in hospitals are made from vinyl.
Vinyl is far from being perfect, but it has become a much better choice for many applications than linoleum.

]]> By: caroline http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/comment-page-1/#comment-168 caroline Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:07:25 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/#comment-168 Tarkett has some fun vinyl patterns, like bubbles and retro stuff. They have great stuff available in Europe; less in the USA. The charcoal interlocking strips are probably Trafficmaster Allure which is sold only at Home Depot. Tarkett has some fun vinyl patterns, like bubbles and retro stuff. They have great stuff available in Europe; less in the USA.

The charcoal interlocking strips are probably Trafficmaster Allure which is sold only at Home Depot.

]]> By: Liz http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/comment-page-1/#comment-165 Liz Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:53:14 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/04/02/linoleum-whats-the-difference-between-vinyl-and-linoleum-2/#comment-165 we were watching divine design and candice put in what she called sheet flooring. It looked like wood but it ws charcoal and a light grey and they locked together????? would love to know how i find this we were watching divine design and candice put in what she called sheet flooring. It looked like wood but it ws charcoal and a light grey and they locked together????? would love to know how i find this

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