Lino vs Vinyl Flooring: What’s The Difference?

Lino and vinyl are often confused for one another. In this article, we’ve broken down their differences – how they’re made, how they perform, and where they belong in your home. 

Lino and Vinyl Aren’t The Same Thing

People often ask, is linoleum the same as vinyl, and yet they couldn’t be much more different. Lino (short for linoleum) and vinyl are two completely distinct types of flooring, with names that are frequently used interchangeably. The main difference between lino and vinyl is that lino is natural and vinyl is manmade. So what is linoleum made from? Lino comes from linseed oil, pine rosin, wood or cork flour and limestone, usually affixed to a jute backing. Vinyl, on the other hand, is a synthetic material made from PVC. As the name suggests, LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles) is a vinyl product.

In the UK, people historically mix up lino with cheap sheet vinyl, which is where some of the linoleum vs vinyl confusion begins. Lino’s natural origins can sometimes seem surprising.

How Each One Is Made And Why It Matters

Let’s look exactly at what is lino flooring. Made of oils, rosins and limestone, linoleum is completely natural and therefore biodegradable and sustainable. Its native colours run through the material, meaning that wear and tear shows less. But unfortunately linoleum isn’t especially durable and it can dent easily. It’s also sensitive to standing moisture and alkaline cleaners.

Vinyl (including LVT) is more robust, more resistant to dents and scratches and has no sensitivity to normal cleaning products. Because vinyl is PVC-based – a printed design layer under a clear wear layer – it offers more design freedom and many options of colours, patterns and styles.

Kitchens – What Actually Holds Up

Of all the rooms in the house, kitchens take the most punishment. Consider spills, dropped pans, scraped chairs and extreme temperature changes from ovens, fans and underfloor heating. Choosing lino for kitchen flooring is not a great idea since linoleum chips and scrapes easily. While it’s water-resistant, kitchen lino is not fully waterproof and standing water can cause it to curl, warp or even damage the subfloor.

Luvanto luxury vinyl tiles are 100% waterproof and suited to kitchens. Their impressive durability – coming from a 0.55mm wear layer – and ability to handle dents and scratches gives them an advantage over lino. Thanks to its PU surface, LVT is also warmer underfoot than lino, providing additional cosyness and comfort.

Bathrooms – Where LVT Works and Where It Doesn’t

Lino is not waterproof, and so bathroom lino flooring is a bad idea – let’s look instead at LVT in that part of the home. 

Luvanto LVT is 100% waterproof and perfect for bathrooms – standing water or mopping causes no damage. However, as with any LVT where joints aren’t sealed, it’s good practice to mop spills up promptly so that water doesn’t reach the subfloor. 

Please note that LVT is unsuitable for and should never be used in wetrooms or shower enclosures.

Getting the Look You Actually Wanted

If you’re searching for herringbone lino flooring, wood effect lino, patterned lino, or grey, or black lino flooring, know that while all of those options exist, LVT is the product to deliver the look properly. 

Vinyl’s printed design layer creates patterns and styles in stone, wood and tile effect that are indistinguishable from the real thing, and Luvanto offers a huge range of colours, styles and design options to suit every space. Discover Luvanto’s Wood Effect Flooring, Herringbone Flooring and Premium Patterns, all of which boast at least a 25-year domestic warranty to ensure long-lasting quality.

So Which Should You Choose?

When all’s said and done, choosing vinyl flooring vs linoleum flooring is quite simple. If natural materials and sustainability are your priority, and – crucially – if your space will stay dry, pick real linoleum flooring. If you want water resistance, a realistic wood or stone look, and flooring that can handle a busy kitchen or a family bathroom, then it has to be LVT.

Want to know more about LVT? Visit Luvanto for up to 3 free samples either online, or visit your nearest showroom