Marmoleum

[PhilR]

Just had a salesman telling me how great marmoleum is. I need an independent opinion - is it better than vinyl for a kitchen? Will it fade in direct sunlight, or stain easily?

Thanks in anticipation.

Phil

[80/20]

This answer covers Marmoleum from a business perspective and I have not had experience in the domestic product. (AND NO I have no connection with Forbo or anyone that sells it)

Marmoleum is used in many "contract" locations and installed correctly performs very well. Ensure the material is laid on a smooth surface without any major highs or lows otherwise it can, like other vinyl's or thin flooring materials, wear unevenly.

Click on to

for information regarding the domestic product. Whist on the website also click on the Business tab to see that here are many versions that are all called Marmoleum.

One last thing, make sure that what you are being offered is manufactured by Forbo as there have been similar products that people refer to as Marmoleum in the same way as Hoover has become a generic mane for a vacuum cleaner.

Steve

[Bob Hill]

Funnily enough, I was just looking at acres of the stuff today in a new hospital that is under construction. Linoleum (for that is what it is) is much better than vinyl. It is antiseptic, which is good for kitchens, and it's made of natural renewable materials, so it's good for the environment. It's very hard wearing and will outlast any vinyl. Though it's more expensive than vinyl, it gets my vote.

[mindesign]

really, it would be cheaper wouldn't it? taking into account how long it lasts, which apparently is more than 3 times that of vinyl