Natural linoleum is true linoleum. Nowadays, vinyl sheet flooring is often called linoleum, but be aware these are very different products. (And that is technically not the accurate word for vinyl sheet).
Genuine linoleum or traditional linoleum is made from all-natural materials in the core of the product, including linseed oil, pine resin, wood or cork flour, and limestone.
Unlike vinyl resilient flooring, linoleum resilient flooring is breathable, extremely low-VOC, and very gentle on the environment.
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1. Forbo Marmoleum (Residential)
Marmoleum, the only natural true linoleum currently available for residential use in North America, is made from linseed oil, pine resin, wood flour, limestone, and dry natural pigments. They are mixed and then calendared onto a backing. This is mostly all-natural except for the UV-cured synthetic sealer on top and the backing in the tile version.
The glue used to install it claims zero-VOC and does contain mildewcides (typically isothiazolinones).
Three Types of Marmoleum
- The roll-down flooring is the most typical kind of genuine linoleum. The sheet has a jute backing and is glue down. You can use the sheets in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms if it’s properly installed.
- The modular tiles are also glue down, they have a polyester backing (not jute, and not fiberglass as some websites say) and are slightly more rigid.
- The “click” is the same sheet (roll down) material mounted onto a substrate of High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) and cork. The HDF is formaldehyde-free, though the binder is not disclosed. The click-together has the advantage of not needing glue for the installation and being a lot more DIY-friendly to install. See my review here.
The TopShield2, a synthetic topcoat, is fairly new and is less permeable than the original TopShield, so water is less likely to soak through even if you do leave standing water. However, this is still a “breathable” material.
This flooring type feels warm to the touch and is not slippery.
The warranty for Marmoleum is 30 years.
Bathroom & Kitchen Lino Installation
Marmoleum sheet is the only form of Marmoleum that should be installed on a bathroom or kitchen floor in my opinion, and it must be professionally installed. The seams should be heat welded.
You should also “flash cove” which means the Marmoleum is installed slightly up the wall, as a sort of molding, which makes the perimeter seam much less prone to water damage. Where it can’t be flash-coved, use a silicone caulk or synthetic cove molding. Cheryl Ciecko recommends waterproofing the subfloor (with a product like WEDI) and waterproofing the seam between the subfloor and the tub before installing the Marmoleum (May 2023 Q&A Dwell Well). And we are talking here about an upper level of a house, as she does not recommend this as an ideal flooring over a slab.
The toilet should be removed for installation and be sure to caulk around the flange so that if the toilet leaks it leaks on top of the flooring and not under the flooring.
Eco-Friendly Specs
- Climate positive (cradle to gate) from the origins to the final product, without buying carbon credits.
- The raw materials used for creating Marmoleum are rapidly renewable and have absorbed such an amount of CO2 during the time the plants, trees, and crops have grown, that this amount of CO2 exceeds the amount of CO2 that is emitted during the production process of linoleum.
- Produced with 100% green electricity derived from the sun and wind, not adding any CO2.
2. Tarkett LinoFloor xf2 (Commercial)
Tarkett LinoFloor xf2 is a traditional linoleum material that is commercial grade. It consists of a homogeneous layer of oxidized linseed oil and pine rosins mixed with wood or cork flour, limestone, and pigments affixed to a jute backing.
The marbleized pattern extends evenly throughout the total thickness.
The surface has xf2 treatment for protection and reduced maintenance. This is a micro-reinforced polyurethane UV-cured treatment that seals and hardens the surface. There is no need for polish, stripping, and polymer waxing over the lifetime of the surface.
The VOC levels are ≤10 μg/m3, which is very low.
Eco-Friendly Specs
- 76% of bio-sourced materials.
- Up 97% to natural raw materials – linseed oil, pine rosin, wood and cork flour, calcium carbonate, and jute.
- Up to 77% from abundant renewable resources including local suppliers.
- 100% of ingredients have been positively assessed according to the Cradle to
- Cradle Certified scheme for health and the environment.
- Lino is a durable product with a lifespan of up to 30 years, as stated in its Environmental Product Declaration (with a Limited 10-year warranty)
- 100% renewable electricity used to make it
- 100% recycled/recirculated industrial water in a closed-loop system. Rainwater is also collected and reused.
- 0% of production waste goes to landfills.
- 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions vs 2010.
- 34% of their energy is self-generated.
3. Gerflor DLW Linoleum (Commercial)
Made in Germany since 1882 and Cradle to Cradle certifiedTM Silver (Marmorette, Colorette, Arabesque, Uni Walton, Lino Art), the DLW Linoleum products are made of 98% natural (bio-based and mineral) raw materials including linseed oil, wood, limestone, jute and resin.
More specifically the make up is: 2% cork, 3% colored pigments, 5% resin (pine resin presumedly), 8% jute, 19% limestone, 20% wood flour, 41% linseed oil.
The synthetic top coat is solvent-free, and UV cross linked. It has a matte look.
Total VOCs from the product (TVOC ) are < 10 microgram/m3 after 28 days (ISO 16516).
They come in 159 colors.
Eco-Friendly Specs
- 100% recyclable
- Neutral carbon footprint until the end of its manufacturing stage
- Cradle to Cradle certified
- 76% of its content is rapidly renewable (within a year or less)
- Up to 40% recycled content
Past brands: I no longer see a natural linoleum made by Armstrong.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
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Alek Juskevice
thank you, i have original Linoleum in my house that my Great Grandfather installed when he built the house in 1928. I am remodeling the kitchen in kind and i have been searching for the correct material. Marbled Black, some was covered in the 1970’s with plastic tile of some kind but much of it remains. I will be purchasing from you at some point in the next year.
Thank You
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thank you. you probably already know to check for asbestos in the floor and in the mastic underneath it.
Jessica P
Thank you for this information! You mention, ” And we are talking here about an upper level of a house, as she does not recommend this as an ideal flooring over a slab.” — is this suggesting that Marmoleum sheets in general should not be used in a basement? I have been considering LVP for my basement kitchenette but looking for something as low-tox as possible so wondering if this might be an alternative.
Corinne Segura
https://corinnesegura.substack.com/p/mold-preventative-flooring
Danielle Deluca
Could you clarify you are of the opinion that “Marmoleum sheet is the only form of Marmoleum that should be installed on a bathroom or kitchen floor”? I am picking out Marmoleum for my kitchen and trying to decide on the sheet, modular tile, or the click together. The buyer’s guide here led me to believe the click would be best for us. https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Learning-Center/Flooring-Marmoleum-LC/Marmoleum-Buyers-Guide
Thank you!
Corinne Segura
i would only use the sheet, i wouldnt consider anything with an HDF fiberboard core to be truly waterproof in the case that something leaks in a kitchen which is always a possibility. the sheet is the only type without seams and could withstand a small leak if installed properly.
deborah
please learn the proper meaning of words. it is impossible to live a chemical free life.