Linoleum, the floors your grandmother loved to hate, is back! Why is there
a revival of this petroleum product?

Linoleum is a floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, cork, and rosin,
over a burlap or canvas backing. Pigments are added to the materials, for color
variety. The finest linoleum floors, known as 'inlaid', are extremely durable;
they are made by joining and inlaying solid pieces of linoleum. Good quality
linoleum is flexible and was used in buildings where tiled floors would crack.
Between the time of its invention in 1860 and the 1950s, it was considered to
be an excellent, inexpensive material for high-use areas. Housewives especially
like the fact that dropped dishes rarely broke.

Linoleum was invented and patented by Englishman Frederick Walton in 1860.
Today, Linoleum as a floor covering has been largely replaced with polyvinyl
chloride, which has similar properties of flexibility and durability, but which has
greater brightness and translucency and which is relatively less flammable.
The fire-retardant properties of PVC are due to chlorine-containing
combustion products, some of which are, unfortunately, highly toxic.

According to AARP Magazine, Spring 2008, Linoleum is "greener" for the
environment. It is naturally anti-static (repels dust) and it is made of organic
materials and is purportedly non-allergenic in nature. So, hospitals are looking
at linoleum for use in halls and waiting areas.

Linoleum has a life span of 30 to 40 years.

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