Marmoleum and vinyl are two different flooring solutions, both with their own characteristics. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, these materials are definitely not the same. The way they are produced is entirely different.
Both types are known as resilient flooring: made with materials that are elastic. Resilient flooring is referred to flexible floor coverings that occupy a middle ground between soft floors (such as carpets) and hard floors (such as stone or hardwood).
On this page, we will explain the similarities and differences between Marmoleum (or linoleum) and vinyl floors in more detail.
Linoleum or Marmoleum (our brand) is made from simple natural raw materials (many of which are renewable) and therefore is a sustainable flooring choice that contributes to a healthy indoor environment. Further, the weighted average of our Marmoleum product range is CO2 neutral, cradle to gate and this is without the need to offset.
Marmoleum doesn’t contain phthalates or plasticizers, is allergy approved and inhibits the growth of bacteria. This makes it beneficial for the education, healthcare, and public building segments.
Marmoleum floors are associated with sustainability, durability, and unique design. As long as the sunshine's and rain falls we can continue to produce Marmoleum. A future proof product for tomorrow's generation.
Vinyl and PVC flooring are the same product as the names are often mixed. Vinyl/PVC flooring is a floor covering that is composed of Polyvinyl chloride and other necessary additives. The raw materials are fossil fuel-based and more complex to develop, however, widely available so easily mass-produced.
Vinyl is easy to install and it is available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and formats. Because of the large number of different manufacturers worldwide, there is a wide choice in the quality and related pricing. The quality supplied by Forbo Flooring complies with the highest market standards and latest health and safety benchmarks.
Rubber flooring originally was made from extracting rubber from the rubber tree, a 100% renewable resource, and considered a natural floor. Today, however, due to demand and supply synthetic rubber is the norm and this is made from styrene-butadiene rubber or SBR for short.
