Marmoleum vs. Linoleum: What's the Difference?
People search for linoleum, Marmoleum and vinyl as if they were the same floor. They are not. Here is what each name means, what Marmoleum is made of, and why Cinch LOC SEAL is the easiest way to put real linoleum in your home.
Quick Answer: Is Marmoleum the same as linoleum?
Yes. Marmoleum is Forbo's brand of genuine linoleum, made primarily from linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour and natural pigments. The confusion comes from vinyl sheet flooring, which many people also call "lino" but is a different, plastic-based product. Cinch LOC SEAL is Marmoleum bonded to a waterproof core so it clicks together like a modern floating floor.
Linoleum is a natural material invented in the 19th century. Linseed oil is oxidized and blended with pine rosin, wood flour and pigments, then pressed onto a backing and cured. The result is a durable, resilient floor whose color runs all the way through the material.
Marmoleum is the name Forbo gives its linoleum. The marbled pattern that gives it the name comes from the way the colored material is blended, so every color has soft, natural movement rather than a printed design.
Linoleum, Marmoleum and Vinyl Compared
| Linoleum | Marmoleum Cinch LOC SEAL | Vinyl sheet ("lino") | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A natural material category | Forbo's linoleum on a waterproof click panel | A plastic-based floor |
| Main ingredients | Linseed oil, rosin, wood flour, pigments | Linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour, natural pigments | PVC with a printed design layer |
| Color | Runs through the material | Runs through the material | Printed on the surface |
| Install | Traditionally glued sheet or tile | Glue-free floating click | Glued or loose-lay sheet |
| Underfoot | Resilient | Resilient, over a bonded cork backing | Varies by product |
What Makes Marmoleum Different
- Mostly natural ingredients: Linseed oil pressed from flax, pine rosin, wood flour and natural pigments.
- Color all the way through: There is no printed layer to wear off. Each color is a marbled field with its own depth.
- Naturally clean: Marmoleum is naturally anti-static and bacteriostatic, so it repels dust rather than holding it.
- Protected surface: The Topshield2 factory finish resists dirt and stains and needs no waxing or polishing.
Cork Tree Marmoleum Cinch LOC SEAL
A deep olive-brown with softly weathered moss tones. A grounded, organic color that shows how rich Marmoleum's natural pigments can be.
- • 12" x 36" plank and 12" x 12" square
- • 2.5 mm Marmoleum on a waterproof HDF core
- • Bonded cork backing and Topshield2 finish
- • Glue-free click install
Agate Marmoleum Cinch LOC SEAL
A warm greige with fine mineral threads, and an easy first Marmoleum for a homeowner coming from wood or tile.
- • 12" x 36" plank and 12" x 12" square
- • 2.5 mm Marmoleum on a waterproof HDF core
- • Bonded cork backing and Topshield2 finish
- • Glue-free click install
From Sheet Linoleum to Click Marmoleum
For most of its history, linoleum was glued down in sheets or tiles by a professional installer. Forbo later introduced Marmoleum Click, a click panel on an HDF core. Cinch LOC SEAL is the next step: the Marmoleum surface is bonded to a waterproof HDF core with a cork backing, and the panels use a Valinge 5G locking system.
That means real linoleum now installs like a modern floating floor, with no glue, over most existing hard surfaces, and Forbo rates it for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms and laundry rooms. It comes in a 12" x 36" plank in every color and a 12" x 12" square in 36 colors.
Does Linoleum Turn Yellow?
New linoleum can show a yellowish cast called drying room film. It forms naturally as the linseed oil cures in the factory and fades on its own after a few hours to a few days of exposure to light. It is a sign of real linoleum, and the true color comes through as the film clears.
Asian Tiger Marmoleum Cinch LOC SEAL
Burnt orange and rust in rich, marbled sweeps. Bold colors like this show off the depth that pigment running through the material creates.
- • 12" x 36" plank and 12" x 12" square
- • 2.5 mm Marmoleum on a waterproof HDF core
- • Bonded cork backing and Topshield2 finish
- • Glue-free click install
Bleached Gold Marmoleum Cinch LOC SEAL
Pale wheat with a soft, woven gold movement. An airy light neutral with visible natural character.
- • 12" x 36" plank
- • 2.5 mm Marmoleum on a waterproof HDF core
- • Bonded cork backing and Topshield2 finish
- • Glue-free click install
The Bottom Line
Marmoleum is linoleum: Forbo's version of the natural floor made from linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour and pigments. It is a different product from vinyl sheet flooring, even though both get called "lino."
Cinch LOC SEAL puts that material on a waterproof click panel with a cork backing, so you can install real linoleum without glue. Order samples to see how the color moves in your own light.
Order the samples from this guide.
Photos get you close. Holding the plank in your own light gets you certain. Samples are free, shipping is a flat $9.99, and they arrive at your door in days.
Marmoleum vs. Linoleum FAQ
Is Marmoleum real linoleum?
Yes. Marmoleum is Forbo's brand name for its linoleum, made primarily from linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour and natural pigments.
Is linoleum the same as vinyl?
No. Linoleum is made from natural raw materials, and its color runs through the material. Vinyl is a plastic-based floor with a printed design layer. The word "lino" is often used loosely for both, which causes the confusion.
Is Marmoleum waterproof?
Marmoleum Cinch LOC SEAL is built on a waterproof HDF core, and Forbo rates it for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms and laundry rooms. That waterproof core is what separates it from the older Marmoleum Click product.
How long does Marmoleum last?
Forbo warrants Cinch LOC SEAL for 25 years of residential wear, with lifetime limited coverage on structural integrity and water resistance.
Can you install Marmoleum yourself?
Cinch LOC SEAL clicks together as a floating floor with no glue, over most existing hard surfaces that are flat, clean and sound. Follow Forbo's installation guide, and use the ValueWalk underlayment over concrete or radiant heat.
Why does new Marmoleum look yellow?
That is drying room film, a natural cast that forms as the linseed oil cures. It fades on its own with exposure to light, usually within hours to days.
See Marmoleum in Your Own Light
Order samples of two or three colors and compare them in the room, morning and evening.
More Marmoleum Guides
Every Marmoleum Cinch LOC SEAL Color
All 45 colors, light to dark, with a Designer's Note on each.
Marmoleum Kitchen Flooring
Why a waterproof, natural floor suits the hardest-working room.
Marmoleum for Kids' Rooms and Playrooms
Warm, quiet, wipeable color for the rooms kids live in.
Marmoleum vs. Tile
A warmer, quieter alternative to ceramic and porcelain.
Marmoleum vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank
Natural color or wood-look realism, compared side by side.
Marmoleum vs. Laminate Flooring
Two click-lock floors with very different surfaces.
Shop Every Cinch LOC SEAL Color
Every color in the 12x36 plank and the 12x12 square.