Linoleum is a flooring material with a burlap or canvas backing covered by natural materials such as flax seeds extract, solidified linseed oil, ground cork dust, pine resin, sawdust, wood flour, and mineral fillers like calcium carbonate. Linoleum is often shortened to lino and the material shares a number of characteristics with vinyl, though the two are distinct.

Unlike most flooring styles, lino is biodegradable. It is made with natural, renewable materials, making it one of the most environmentally friendly flooring material options on the market. Linoleum is hugely versatile and can be found in many different colours, textures, and patterns. It is also extremely durable and will last about 20 to 40 years.

What are the benefits of lino flooring?

Water resistant

Linoleum flooring is water resistant and will become impervious to liquid penetration after being sealed. It is often used in bathrooms and kitchens for this reason.

Affordable

Lino flooring is cheap and the installation process is simple, making it one of the most affordable types of flooring available today. On average, lino flooring in Australia costs $30 per square metre for the material alone and a total of $60 per square metre if you opt to have it professionally installed as well.

Low maintenance

Lino needs an occasional clean with a mop and sweeping every week or so to remove debris. It may need resealing every few years to keep up its water resistance, but other than that it is a very nondemanding material.

Durable

Lino is an extremely strong material. It is water, impact, damage and scratch resistant. It will take on little wear and tear over the years and can withstand high foot traffic in commercial settings. When cared for correctly, lino floors can last over 40 years.

Aesthetic

Linoleum is a versatile material which can be styled in many different ways. Lino is available in many different colours, patterns and styles, and can even be made to mimic other materials such as timber or natural stone. Linoleum is also much better at disguising scratches or other wear and tear imperfections than other similar materials such as vinyl flooring.

Environmentally friendly

As the only biodegradable flooring material, linoleum flooring is easily one of the greenest flooring options. It can be made from recycled natural materials and its production is sustainable long into the future. It also does not emit any potentially harmful chemicals or volatile organic compounds.

Prices and products: Lino ideas to buy in Australia

10. For kitchens

Lino flooring is a popular choice for kitchens due to its durability and water resistance. On top of this, lino comes in a huge variety of styles which can be matched to the kitchen cabinets or create contrast within the room. The favourite lino styles for kitchens at the moment are wood look, classic patterned tile, and light solid colours like grey.

09. Rolls

Lino flooring comes in a few different forms, but rolls are some of the easiest to install. Sheet flooring such as this is a simple matter of rolling out the product and attaching the adhesive so that the floor is secure. Sheet flooring is also the most popular form of vinyl, so be aware during your searches that you are looking at the type of material you want.

08. DIY with Bunnings

Bunnings has a huge catalogue of lino floor coverings for affordable prices. Bunnings stocks mostly neutral colours, from a light white to deep brown. For those who enjoy a natural wood look, this is where to seek affordable lino floor coverings. Prices range from $20-65.18 per linear metre.

Bunning’s products are also designed for DIY use, so they are easy to install and should not take too long. Bunnings has hundreds of stores across Australia and usually multiple stores in each major city, so regardless of whether you’re in Sydney, in Perth, in Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane there will certainly be a Bunnings Warehouse just a stone’s throw away.

07. Herringbone

Herringbone is a type of parquet flooring that is extremely popular in classic-look décor. Herringbone floors are characterised by a criss-cross pattern which resembles a fish skeleton.

Herringbone is approximately 30% more expensive than regular timber flooring due to the intricacy of the pattern and the added difficulty in cutting and installing. However, herringbone-look lino floor coverings are around the same price as any other timber look because extra labour is not needed to shape the wood.

06. Sheet flooring

Lino flooring, like vinyl, comes in both tile and sheet format. Sheets are popular because they offer an unbroken look, often covering entire floors or at least half of a floor with a seamless join. The installation is extremely easy as it just involves laying the sheet on the floor and securing it, rather than laboriously installing each individual tile. Sheet flooring also tends to be less expensive than tile flooring.

05. Marmoleum flooring

Marmoleum is a type of linoleum with enhanced sustainability, colours and characteristics. Marmoleum flooring us odorless, made naturally, biodegradable, and naturally resistant to micro-organisms. The installation process is as easy as linoleum and can be done with solvent free adhesives or – with certain types – no adhesives at all.

Marmoleum floors are also highly customizable as the design is not the typical pre-printed mass production line product that linoleum flooring tends to be. It is also hypoallergenic, making it one of the leading choices for hospitals, elderly care facilities, and the homes of those with respiratory problems. Design your very own marmoleum floor here.

04. Second hand

One thing that should be said about linoleum is that it does not retain its aesthetic value towards the end of its life. As a biodegradable material, linoleum will eventually start to wither when it needs replacing, and will not look as pristine as it did when first installed.

However, purchasing second hand linoleum of a high quality is a great opportunity to sustainably enhance your current floors – for an affordable price. Search here for some high quality pieces (though remember that you should always prioritize quality over a low price).

03. Tiles

Tile is the easiest form of linoleum to install. Installing lino tiles also allows you the huge benefit of being able to replace individual tiles if any damage is inflicted, rather than a lino sheet which would have to be completely replaced or left as is. Lino tiles cost around $1.50-$3 per square foot and can be installed by gluing down or peeling and sticking depending on the type of tile.

02. Patterned

One of the best uses of lino flooring is when manufacturers take advantage of the creativity that printed surface layers allow. Patterned lino flooring adds an extra artistic layer to your home and turns the floor from a neutral space into a focal design feature.

01. Wood look

Wood look lino is easily the best option when it comes to a high quality linoleum floor. This is because it is affordable, abundant, and above all affordable. For a classy timber look without the financial pressures, maintenance issues, or problems of durability, search no further than a wood look vinyl floor.