Linoleum is Greener
Comeback: Linoleum
After taking a back seat to vinyl flooring for decades, just-as-cheap linoleum is enjoying a revival. Why the refurbished reputation?
~ It's greener
Linoleum is made of linseed oil, jute, wood, cork and rosin. Vinyl flooring by contrast, is made from polyvinyl chloride, a petroleum product that releases cancer-causing dioxins during production.
~ It cleans up nice
Linseed oil's antibacterial properties make linoleum popular in hospitals. Because linoleum is naturally anti-static - meaning it repels dust - it's also easy on allergy sufferers.
~ It's long on value
Through linoleum's costs are comparable to vinyl's, its life span of 30 to 40 years trumps vinyl's 10 to 20 years.
Cynthia Blayer, AARP Magazine, March&April 2008
