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Linoleum sheet flooring ca 1935 (C) InspectApedia E.P.Linoleum Flooring Materials
History, Components, Identification, Asbestos content

Linoleum Flooring Materials

History, Components, Identification: this article provides information about linoleum flooring: the history of linoleum, linoleum ingredients, and the properties of linoleum resilient or sheet floor coverings.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Linoleum Floor Covering Materials: history, ingredients, uses

Congoleum Gold Seal linoleum flooring, Life Magazine 14 Feb 1955Linoleum was invented in 1860 by Frederick Walton and was intended for use first as a ship deck covering (battleship linoleum up to 1/2" thick).

Earlier, in the 1700s, non-woven floor coverings were made of oil cloth - heavy canvas coated with wax or oils (for water resistance and durability) that were then painted.

Previously, painted oilcloth floor covering was probably the most common non-woven floor covering for nearly two hundred years, or until Walton's linoleum entered production.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Article Series Contents

Inventor & History of Linoleum Flooring & Its Descendants Lincrusta & Anaglypta

Linoleum type sheet flooring (C) InspectApediaOur photo illustrates sheet flooring uncovered by reader JH in a 1920's apartment. JH was worried that this flooring might contain asbestos. Subsequent tests did not find asbestos in this floor sample.

Linoleum was the first modern, democratic floor covering.

This invention – patented in 1863 by a Scot, Sir Frederick Walton – had a revolutionary impact.

From the late 19th century right up until the 1950s, it was one of the few products which was simultaneously practical, hardwearing, non-flammable, low-maintenance and cheap.

Before the advent of linoleum, the only available floor coverings for homes or communal buildings were wood or tiles.

In the early 20th century, about one hundred factories were combining natural materials (linseed oil, jute, cork and pigments) to make linoleum by the square meter. (Tarkett ret. 2018)

Because of its durability and ease of production, Sir Walton's linoleum quickly found use as a floor coverings in buildings - a much larger application than battleships.

Linoleum's appeal rose from its properties as a durable, water-resistant sheet-type floor covering. Glued to a backer of jute or canvas to resist cracks and tears, this flooring has a long history of durability and service.

"Linoleum" was named by Walton from his observation that his original linoleum products were made using linseed oil as an ingredient (linseed oil forms a thick flexible skin when it dries), combined with ground cork dust, pigments, and resins, often with a jute, burlap or canvas fabric backing (see our antique linoleum photos just below).

Descendents of Linoleum include Anaglypta and Lincrusta (many writers spell it "Linocrusta or linacrusta"), an embossed patterned covering used on walls and ceilings.

Walton was also the inventor of a textured sheet

product LINCRUSTA CEILINGS & WALLS.

Our photo at below shows antique sheet flooring found in a home built in the 1800's.

Asbestos suspect sheet flooring from Justin Morrill Homestead

Thomas Palmer, who had worked for Walton, soon produced a similar but lighter

sheet product ANAGLYPTA CEILINGS & WALLS.

Besides linseed-oil based linoleum flooring, other sheet floorings backed with jute or asphalt-impregnated black paper typically were composed of mostly cellulose (wood fiber or paper products) (60%) with a bit of horsehair (5%) for strength, and tar.

While people often refer to those pre-vinyl sheet flooring products as "linoleum" in a true sense of ingredients they're not.

Watch out: some asphalt-felt or black tar paper-like backed sheet flooring products might contain asbestos, as we'll explain next.

Linoleum's ingredients, both historical and modern, rug patterns & other designs

The reader-contributed photographs just below demonstrate Congoleum's Gold Seal™ linoleum in a braided rug design or pattern. [Click to enlarge any image]. Below we list the ingredients found in linoleum floor coverings.

Congoleum Gold Seal Linoleum (C) InspectApedia.com

Because of its solid red color we wondered if this Gold Seal Congoleum product was a rubber-backed flooring product.

Help in distinguishing sheet flooring types is

at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE and

at SHEET FLOORING INSPECT / TEST.

Congoleum Gold Seal Linoleum (C) InspectApedia.com

Here are the ingredients in true linoleum:

Congoleum "rug" linoleum-type floor covering still in use. Source: Wilson & Snodgrass, US FPL (2007)

Photo above: Congoleum "Linoluem" rug in a green and white floral pattern.

The "linoleum" photo at left in rug pattern (notice that the sheet flooring does not extend fully to the room perimeter) illustrates a linoleum "rug". Source: Wilson & Snodgrass, U.S. FPL (2007).

This rug pattern sheet flooring is discussed in detail

at CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM.

and more examples of the floral linoleum pattern above are given

at FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

CORK FLOORING also uses ground cork, but in a more coarse form described in that article.

Linoleum "lookalikes" Adhered to Asphalt Felt Underlayment or green, red, or black backings

Identify Older Linoleum Rug or Black-Asphalt-Backed (dark felt underlayment-backed) Sheet Flooring

Linoleum-like floor covering - linoleum rug (C) InspectApedia CW

Photos of saturated felt-backed "linoleum" flooring (installed on a bench top) were provided by reader C.W.

Linoleum-like floor covering - linoleum rug (C) InspectApedia CW

In addition to use on floors, linoleum was a popular covering for workbenches and kitchen counters and sink draining areas.

Reader Question: linoleum sheet flooring in rug pattern used on work bench

I wanted to seek your advice on the attached images which is some sort of tiling that a previous homeowner put on a work bench as a covering.

I looked through your website, but couldn't find a match. Does this look like asbestos tiles to you? If so, any idea on the brand? Thanks in advance! - C.W. 1/17/2014

Reply: forms of "linoleum" may include products glued to felt underlayment vs. glued to a jute backing

Felt backed "linoleum", Wilson-Snodgrass US FPL (2007)

Our guide to identifying older types of sheet flooring, including products that may contain asbestos, is found

at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE. There we describe some simple tests that can often confirm the flooring type and basic materials.

From your photographs (the pair above and second pair given below) showing that the flooring product, now covering a workbench top, has a woven rug -patterned top layer over a black substrate or backer, I would guess that this is an asphalt felt paper-backed sheet flooring product resembling linoleum.

The "linoleum" photo at left in a "marbleized pattern" illustrates a similar example of black felt-backed sheet flooring referred to by some experts as "linoleum". Source: Wilson & Snodgrass, U.S. FPL (2007).

We explain in this article that the ingredients of true linoleum include natural resins, linseed oil, color pigments, cork powder and limestone, with a jute backing. Those products do not contain and never contained asbestos.

But other sheet flooring products loosely called "linoleum" may indeed contain asbestos. The US Forest Products Lab asserts that some forms of "linoleum" were glued to felt underlayment. (US FPL 2007).

The black backing and body of the flooring in your photos looks to me like an asphalt product, though I'd have to see and test a sample to know for certain.

Linoleum-like floor covering - linoleum rug (C) InspectApedia CW

Photos above and below, show felt-backed "linoleum" provided by reader C.W.

Linoleum-like floor covering - linoleum rug (C) InspectApedia CW

Watch out: some older felt underlayments and similar asphalt paper products used in flooring, roofing, and wall coverings or building papers contained asbestos. While I'm doubtful that the small quantity of flooring in your photo presents a measurable asbestos hazard (unless some fool grinds or rips it into shreds), it may thus contain asbestos.

If this asphalt-felt backed antique flooring sample were mine I'd preserve it, or a square of it, as it may be historically important.

Your second photo of the four (above right) seems to show a plastic or glass cover over this sheet flooring "rug" (as they were called). In that installation the material is protected and most likely completely harmless.

If you decide to dispose of the material as construction debris, I'd be glad to have you cut a pattern square and send it to me for lab examination pro-bono.

While we have expertise in asbestos and other material identification in our forensic lab, if you needed an asbestos certification (which in my opinion would be inappropriate for this case) you'd want to use a certified asbestos test lab.

Reader Question: Not sure if this rub-pattern sheet flooring contains asbestos or not. Rug pattern sheet flooring with green backing

They are old - the kind that last a long time! The fleck type one was under several layers of flooring in my grandparents home. I think they built it around 1935.

Rug pattern sheet flooring with green backing, probably a Congoleum product, or possibly Armstrong. (C) InspectApedia BL

[Click to enlarge any image]

The second one, [shown immediately above] the rug pattern is the one I am most interested in finding out about. The backing is green but I cannot find a makers mark on it. Any idea if that means anything? - Anon [by private email] 23 Aug 2015

Reply:

The photo shown just above looks like a rug pattern linoleum and if the green rolled material in the right of your photo is the same flooring, it is more likely a Congoleum (or less likely Armstrong) sheet flooring product.

Some Congoleum sheet flooring and also some Armstrong sheet flooring included a red or possibly green rubber backing that is not an asbestos material.

If you can examine the backing of this sheet flooring there is a good chance you'll see an Armstrong or Congoleum imprinted logo - do send me a photo of what you see.

Red backed sheet flooring by Congoleum is a rubber backing (not asbestos); green-backed sheet flooring is probably a similar product; asphalt felt paper (some of which can contain asbestos) would normally be black (as it's an asphalt product).

IF you are faced with a requirement for demolition and if you are uncertain about the flooring's asbestos content and cannot identify it through our guides, then you have a sample tested.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST and as it will help other readers, if you have this flooring tested please confirm the lab result with us and send me a copy of the lab report.

Reader Question: what is this sheet flooring from my home that was built in 1865?

Linoleum sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia L.P. Can you give me an idea of date or asbestos?
House was built 1865.

Several layers.

This one is the last on top of tongue and groove.
Black felt backing. With asphalt type adhesive.

Thank you. - L.P. 6/3/2014

Reply:

LP this looks like a linoleum floor to me.

The spatter pattern was later picked-up and popularized in a similar (not identical) design that appeared in some of the Kentile flooring as

its CARNIVAL PATTERN but those were individual floor tiles, not sheet flooring like yours.

See my warning above about some older felt backing and some flooring adhesives that contain asbestos.

 

Canadian Linoleum Floor Coverings: Dominion Sheet Linoleum & Floor Tiles

This topic has moved to a separate page now found

at DOMINION & Other CANADIAN FLOORING ASBESTOS

Dominion Oilcloth & Linoleum company logo, Montreal Canada - at InspectApedia.com

Is there Asbestos in "Linoleum"?

Moved to

Modern Linoleum Flooring

Moved to MODERN LINOLEUM FLOORS - separate article

Where to Buy Modern Linoleum Flooring & Linoleum Flooring

Moved to WHERE TO BUY LINOLEUM, RUBBER, CORK FLOORS

How to Identify Armstrong, Congoleum, & other Asbestos-Containing Resilient Sheet Flooring

Details about identifying older installations of sheet flooring or sheet-forms of resilient flooring that may contain asbestos are now found at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE - live link is given just below.

Armstrong's sheet flooring is described at ARMSTRONG SHEET FLOORING

Linoleum Floor Restoration & Care Advice

MOVED to LINOLEUM FLOORING RESTORATION & REPAIR - Conservation resources

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-12-10 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Ashlee

Sure, I'm working on compiling a list of and examples of floral pattern linoleum or sheet flooring and will post more here asap

I'll post your photo also at a page where we've collected the most examples of floral pattern linoleum, Congoleum, and similar flooring products dating from early in the 20th century.

FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

On 2023-11-18 by Ashlee

@InspectApedia Publisher, could you link where it has been seen on the website? Ive tried to dig through and find it but I've been unable to.

I would hate to be a bother though, so you definitely don't have to! :)

Floral pattern asphalt backed linoleum sheet flooring in a 1929 home (C) Ashlee at InspectApedia.com

On 2023-11-18 1 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Ashlee,

Some asphalt-backed sheet flooring or "linoleum" did contain asbestos, and we do look forward to seeing your lab test result.

But don't panic. (Doing so is bad for your health and for your wallet.)

Even if your test results came back positive for asbestos, if you use appropriate handling methods for removal as discussed in the article we cite, framing a piece of the flooring would not be an issue.

If you're able to salvage a piece and then frame it, the framing and its cover would enclose the flooring and take care of any risk.

And yes, that floral pattern linoleum or patterns quite similar to it makes several appearances in this linoleum flooring series.

where you'll see similar products, though I'm not sure there's an exact match.

On 2023-11-18 by Ashlee

@InspectApedia Publisher, I pulled back more of the carpet to reveal more of the design. [Photo above]

I'm having a hard time finding the exact match. I can find similar but the similar ones don't contain the little orange flowers.

I'm planning on sending samples to a lab though, hopefully no asbestos so I can frame cuttouts of the flooring! Thank you for the flooring removal suggestions! :D

On 2023-11-14 y InspectApedia Publisher (mod)

@Ashlee,

Yes it's possible that that flooring contains asbestos

If you are removing the floor, see the suggestions at

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Floor-Removal.php

Continuing...

Also take a look at the article in the Recommended Articles list above titled

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions help make a reasonable guess

On 2023-11-14 by Ashlee

I know there's not a lot off the patterns showing but could either of these sheet floorings contain asbestos?

Peeking at the surface of an antique floral pattern asphalt backed sheety flooring or linoleum (C) InspectApedia.com Ashlee

House was built in 1929, but I'm guessing the floor covering got installed later on? Located in Utah, Cache Valley.

On 2023-08-13 1 by InspectApedia Publisher (mod)

@Kayleigh,

That looks like a jute backer on sheet flooring in your first photo;

If it was glued down, beware that some mastic adhesives, both black asphaltic and also lighter colored versions, also contained asbestos.

In your second gray fibrous photo that does not look to me like a walking surface - are you sure it's the upper surface of a sheet flooring material?

From just the image, I can't say for sure whether or not that old sheet flooring backer contains asbestos.

It's possible.

If you can remove the flooring without grinding, chopping, sawing, sanding or otherwise creating a dusty mess from the flooring itself then there's not likely to be much potential hazard.

If not, then I'd have a sample tested for asbestos.

On 2023-08-13 by Kayleigh

Me again, not sure if my first comment worked - suspected linoleum floor in a 1901 home. Unsure if asbestos is a possibility. None of this flooring are “tiles” but rather bigger pieces on the stairs and footboards.

Gray composite flooring - backer? (C) Inspectapedia.com Kayleigh

On 2023-08-13 by Kayleigh again

Here’s a photo of the back

Jute backed sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Kayleigh

On 2023-08-02 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Anonymous,

That sure looks like black mastic remnants although it’s hard to tell from just one photo. Keep in mind that some of the asbestos containing mastics were not black. Also, the backer could contain asbestos as well.

You can read more about that at

ASBESTOS-CONTAINING FLOOR TILE ADHESIVE
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Tile_Mastic_Asbestos_ID.php

You may also want to take a look at (live link just above in the Recommended Articles list)

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions help make a reasonable guess

It would be helpful to other readers as well if you’re willing to share the results you get from sending a sample out for testing.

On 2023-08-01 by Anonymous

Hi, I recently found this flooring that was under some other linoleum flooring. It is an Armstrong 9x9 house was built in the 50’s I am not sure if it is linoleum or vinyl, from my research it almost looks like linoleum from the looks of the backing.

As the black stuff does not appear to be black mastic cause I can see the clear glue used. What is your opinion on this? I did a home kit and sent it out for testing won’t receive the results until next week.

1950s striped asphalt or vinyl asbestos floor tiles (C) InspectApedia.com Anon

Top [at left in the photo above] picture is the back of the tile and bottom picture is the front.

On 2023-03-02 by InspectApedia Publisher (mod)

@Anonymous by private email,

Thank you for those nice linoleum "rug" photos - you'' find both of those patterns aor very similar ones ppearing above on this page and in more detail

at FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING.

Do take a look and don't hesitate to ask any follow-up questions you need.

On 2023-03-02 by Anonymous by private email (mod)

2nd photo

On 2023-03-02 by Anonymous by private email (mod)

I am trying to find out the year of manufacture of this vinyl rug and if it contains asbestos. The house was built in 1920's but the rugs could be from any era since.

Red backed gray & white floral pattern linoleum, probably Congoleum (C) InspectApedia.com Anon

See photos.

- 02/20/2023 by private email

On 2022-07-28 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Alice,

Certainly that floor could be from the 1950s or 1960s and so could contain asbestos.

On 2022-07-28 by Alice

Hello, we have just moved into a property built in 1955. Under the carpet we have found tiles in multi colours.

1950s multi colored square floor tiles (C) InspectApedia.com Alice

Do you think this could be asbestos or linoleum? Nothing was picked up on the survey of the house around this. Many Thanks

On 2021-03-10 by Lisa Salb

We found this stuck to our 1876 pine floorboards. Do you think it was linoleum?

On 2021-03-12 - by (mod) -

@kerry,

Your photo shows a linoleum rug that you will find in our articles found in the page bottom ARTICLE INDEX under "Linoleum"

Or go directly to LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

Some of those products contain asbestos in the asphalt-impregnated paper backer.

On 2021-03-12 by kerry

I am trying to figure out if this flooring maybe asbestos. Any help appreciated.

Linoleum rug (C) InspectApedia.com kerry

Photo above: floral pattern linoleum rug.

This Q&A were posted originally at ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION COLOR KEY

On 2020-11-13 by (mod) - older linoleum, ca 1930-1950

Sheet flooring linoleum ca 1930 - 1940 (C) InspectApedia.com JaredJared

That looks like 1930s or 1940s linoleum; there were multiple manufacturers (such as Armstrong, Congoleum, others) with a still-longer list depending on the country where your building is located.

A good place to start is at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE

or you may also want to click right to LINOLEUM & OTHER SHEET FLOORING - above on this page -- where I will re-post your question so as to invite comments from other readers who may recognize your floor pattern.

There we include links to several early sheet flooring and linoleum catalogs where you might spot your exact flooring pattern. Note that some asphalt-felt-backed sheet flooring does contain asbestos, at least in the felt backer.

On 2020-11-13 by Jared

I plan to get the flooring [shown above] and adhesive tested, but is this recognizable as any certain manufacturer? House was built in 1929, not sure when the updates happened. Original floor is hardwood, pictured is the first layer on top of the hardwood. It's got a red backing, and a black interior.

This Q&A appeared originally at ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION

On 2020-10-28 - by (mod) -

Very nice linoleum rug, typically from the 1940s; some asphalt backers like shown on your torn sample contain asbestos.

On 2020-10-28 by Denise

Trying to send second picture...age of linoleum rug?

And possible asbestos, would like to keep.

Photo above: asphalt-backed floral pattern linoleum rug.

On 2020-10-28 - by (mod) -

Possibly Denise.

the questions posed at DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

will help you make a best guess short of actually testing the material

On 2020-10-28 by Denise

House built 1900. This is kitchen in basement ( mother in law ) ? With full bath and berm. The two rugs linoleum ? Wondering age pattern ? Asbestos in either or both?

On 2020-08-02 - by (mod) -

Yes, Jeff depending on your answers to the questions posed at DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

On 2020-08-01 by Jeff

Found this under a tile floor and some underlayment. We already removed it as safely as possible. Someone else mentioned it may have asbestos after we finished. Look like a possibility?

On 2020-06-29 - by (mod) - old farmhouse flooring

My guess is 1940s 1950s

Lots of reasons, ranging from draft blocking to ease of cleaning

Thanks for the compliment too; we also welcome your content suggestions, criticism, corrections, questions.

On 2020-06-29 by Leigh

I love this website. I live in an old farmhouse (the original part of the house) build approx. 1890, in upstate NY. It has so many quirks, so trying to figure out the what and why of the history of this house constantly has me curious.

I noticed tonight there is old linoleum on the wall inside the storage area off above what is now our living room.

I've seen where it was removed other places in the home as well by the person we bought it from in trying to "repair" things. Anyway, it peaked my curiosity why people would cover the inside wall of the storage area with linoleum, and how old the linoleum is?

Here are the pictures. [above] The linoleum is very cracked, and hard. The blue & grey square printed piece has a thin red back, looks kind of like sandpaper? Interestingly, the other piece, with the bigger title squares & flowers has a grey back that is also very thin.

On 2020-01-24 - by (mod) - subfloor in a 1953 Lake Erie NY Cottage

Typically the original floors in a 1953 Lake Erie cottage would have been at least wood subfloor common pine and sometimes pine finish floor, on occasion more elevated materials as a finish floor such as heart pine.

If the linoleum is not glued down then it's usually pretty easy to remove.


...

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