This article describes floral or flower pattern sheet flooring, usually antique or at least old, and often called linoleum, or a linoleum rug, or vinyl sheet flooring using various floral designs such as rose pattern floor coverings.

Page top photo: a popular green and white floral pattern sheet flooring was often referred to as a linoleum "rug" as it did not extend to the perimeter walls of the room. Source: Wilson & Snodgrass, U.S. FPL (2007).

This rug pattern sheet flooring is discussed in detail

at CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM.

Floral Pattern Linoleum & Other Sheet Flooring Identification Photos

Here we provide examples of a wide range of floral pattern linoleum, Congoleum, or other brands of sheet flooring dating from the early 1900's onwards. We include links to other InspectApedia articles where these individual flooring photos may be discussed in more detail, and for some of them we have asbestos test lab results.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Article Contents

• FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM - MULTI-COLORED
• GREEN WHITE & GRAY FLORAL LINOLEUM - such as our page top photo
• RED BACKGROUND FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM
• FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM DIVIDED into RECTANGLES

Multi-Colored Floral Linoleum, Congoleum, or Sheet Flooring

Above and below, 1940s Congoleum Floral sheet flooring, courtesy of InspectApedia reader Cin.

Above: 1962 Sloane Linoleum Rug catalog floral patterns.

Above: floral linoleum rug thanks to reader TW.

Below: floral pattern linoleum in a 1908 U.S. home, courtesy of InspectApedia reader Jill.

The rose pattern linoleum flooring shown above was tested and found not to contain asbestos - details and the asbestos test report are

at LINOLEUM ASBESTOS CONTENT?

Above, two floral pattern sheet flooring examples courtesy of reader IG.

Above: antique linoleum floral pattern provided by InspectApedia reader Jadon.

Photo above: this Canadian-made 1928 Congoleum Rug sample, courtesy of an InspectApedia reader, is discussed in more detail

at CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM

Photo below: a popular 1940s Congoleum sheet flooring showing rug pattern (front) and the gold Congoleum imprint on the red-backed flooring - photo from another InspectApedia.com reader

While several sources list Congoleum flooring manufactured at the company's various factories between 1947 and 1983 as containing asbestos, some of our readers who tested their examples of U.S. made Congoleum rug sheet flooring from the 1950s and 1960s found no asbestos in their product.

More about the flooring shown above and also the 1949 Congoleum rug at the very top of this page and asbestos test results are found

at

• 1940s CONGOLEUM FLORAL RUG PATTERNS
• 1950 CONGOLEUM GOLD SEAL SHEET FLOORING - no Asbestos was found in some 1950 floor covering products tested.
• 1960's CONGOLEUM FLOORING - was also tested and reported to contain no asbestos.

...

Green, White & Gray Floral Linoleum & Congoleum "Rug" & Sheet Flooring Photographs

Above: green and white Congoleum Gold Seal floral rug, courtesy of InspectApedia reader Lisa.

Below: green and white Congoleum floral sheet flooring, also contributed by Cin.

Above: a 1962 Floral pattern linoleum rug, courtesy of reader JB

Above: Congoleum floral design linoleum rug, courtesy of reader Tara.

Above: a closer look at the popular green, gray and white floral rug pattern that we identify as a Congoleum product, courtesy of W.T. and is also illustrated at the top of this page.

This photo was provided by an anonymous reader who discovered this flooring in a home built ca 1918.

This linoleum rug green, white and gray pattern sheet flooring is discussed in detail

at CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM where you'll find more examples of this linoleum pattern and even a wonderful black and white family photo with this linoleum rug installed below their feet.

Below: a shaggy white and green "floral" pattern linoleum rug discovered in a home built in 1908, photo courtesy of reader Jill.

The shag rug linoleum was tested and found not to contain asbestos - as detailed

at LINOLEUM ASBESTOS CONTENT?

Below: great condition green and white floral linoleum rug in a Canadian home, thanks to Canadian reader H.M.

We see this floral pattern manufacturer identified as a Congoleum rug pattern.

Below you see the similar, but not identical Canadian Dominion brand floral linoleum rug pattern on a Dominion flooring catalog page.

...

Floral Pattern Linoleum Rugs with Red Background

Above: a lovely red linoleum floral rug design from Tara who also contributed photos of a green and white floral linoleum pattern found on this page.

Above, a red Congoleum rug with rose corners, installed in a home in Scotland, courtesy of InspectApedia.com reader Richardson.

Below: from a 1933 home, courtesy of reader Dawn Bybee, a deep red linoleum sheet flooring with rose and fern and other flowers in its pattern.

We discuss restoring the flooring shown just above as well as Christine's fern like flooring shown below in our article

LINOLEUM FLOORING RESTORATION & REPAIR

Below: courtesy of reader Christine A., a red and white/beige linoleum rug in a fern pattern showing also a scrap of its black asphalt backer at lower right.

The 1940s fern pattern linoleum flooring shown above and the floral pattern shown below were both tested in 2019 and found not to contain asbestos - details and the asbestos test report are

at LINOLEUM ASBESTOS CONTENT?

And below, from the same reader, a red background rose floral linoleum rug.

Above, on the step down, a red and white floral linoleum pattern installed in a U.K. home, courtesy of reader Rachel.

Above: this Congoleum "linoleum" rug from reader Christine, was tested, and does not contain asbestos - discussed further at

LINOLEUM, ASBESTOS FREE Congoleum Gold Seal & Others

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Floral Linoleum, Congoleum, or other Sheet Flooring in Rectangular Patterns

Above: floral pattern linoleum rug divided into floral squares, courtesy of Ashley and discussed in more detail in the reader Q&A below on this page.

Above: 1949 Linoleum rug sheet flooring from Sierra.

Below: courtesy of reader Kerry, a floral linoleum pattern divided into rectangles.

Below: from reader Karen, a squared linoleum sheet flooring segment that includes red and gold flowers, perhaps in a pansy design.

Below: courtesy of Denise, a popular red rose floral linoleum pattern on a blue background.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

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.

That floral pattern linoleum or patterns quite similar to it makes several appearances in this linoleum flooring series including on this page.

On 2023-11-18 by Ashlee

@InspectApedia Publisher, I pulled back more of the carpet to reveal more of the design.

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.

This Q&A were posted originally

at LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

On 2023-02-23 by InspectApedia Editor - early 20th century Congoleum floral rugs

@Cassie,

Thank you for these photos of your Congoleum rug patterns although we're unable to identify the specific pattern name.

The age of your flooring and the history of Congoleum flooring would say that it would be best to treat the flooring as presumed asbestos containing material (PACM). And keep in mind that asbestos can be found not only in the flooring itself but also in the backing or adhesive used.

The safest and simplest method is to leave the flooring in place and cover with new flooring or seal it. If it must be removed however, take care not to create dust through grinding, sawing, etc.

See more on reducing risk here

REDUCE THE HAZARD OF ASBESTOS FLOOR TILES OR SHEET FLOORING
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Flooring-Hazard-Reduction.php

and

HOW TO REMOVE ASBESTOS CONTAINING FLOOR TILES
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Floor-Removal.php

If we do determine a pattern name, we will add that information here.

And just as an example of how many patterns can be very similar over the years, you may enjoy looking at the pattern included in this catalog, where you'll see very similar patterns to at least two of your photos:

1942 Congoleum Nairn Flooring Catalog
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Congoleum-Nairn-Flooring-Catalog-1942.pdf

On 2023-02-23 by Cassie

One more - sorry. This is the picture of the piece “stuck” to the floor cause it got wet.

(back of grey floral rug)

...

On 2023-02-23 by Cassie

Hi! I recently purchased a century home (build around late 1800s-early 1900s) and ripped up some really old gross carpet in the bedrooms.

Underneath, I found some old linoleum rugs and/or vinyl sheet flooring. They’re not glued down, but some are nailed down.

I also have one piece which is semi-stuck to the ground (seems to have gotten wet and kind of breaks apart a little when I try to use an exacting knife to lift it). I’ve checked all pages here and even looked through some more catalogues on the US archives website but can’t find the patterns.

I know at least one is Congoleum brand (the grey one with flowers). But I still can’t find these specific patterns and can’t tell if they contain asbestos. Any help anyone can provide is appreciated!

On 2022-05-06 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@cin,

First rate photos of a lovely old flooring product. Did you take a look at the 1940s floral pattern Congoleum photos in that article whose title is listed above?

Are there any markings or stamps on the back of the roll? If so, we'd love to have you post a photo of that as well.

There were definitely sheet floorings from that era that contained asbestos so to be safest I would treat the material as presumed-asbestos-containing material (PACM). It seems to be in good condition and essentially nonfriable in that state as long as nothing is done to grind, sand, or break it down.

You can also try to be more specific by taking a look at:

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. - US EPA

Please let us know if you have additional questions

On 2022-05-06 by cin

here is a pic of the back and the side ply

On 2022-05-06 by cin

Hi and thanks for your help! What is this linoleum, deadstock roll? We think it's mid1940s, per the home's history. Any asbestos in it, you think? Thanks!

On 2022-04-27 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Lisa,

Thank you for the Congoleum Gold Seal Floral Rug pattern photos.

Indeed you'll find that exact pattern described and discussed above on this page at Floral Pattern Congoleum Rugs

On 2022-04-27 by Lisa

Accidentally added comment before I was ready! Congoleum pics attached…

On 2022-04-27 by Lisa

Hi,
I am doing a renovation on my Mom’s 1916 house in NJ. In the primary bedroom under the large,old area rug I found this “linoleum rug”. This rug would have belonged to my Mom’s hrandmother & grandfather, as they originally built the house.

There are markings on the back and a design that to my untrained eye seem like they pre-date asbestos.

This was my—and my Mom’s—childhood home. I asked her about the rug and she said she remembers it being there when she was a little girl (she was born in 1934).

Can you confirm whether it is likely asbestos-free? I don’t suppose anyone out there saves or would want something like this? Do I just throw it away in the trash?

There also was another piece of linoleum in the closet (with a newspaper under it from 1940). I didn’t see any markings in that one—any idea what it might be and more importantly if it contains asbestos? Thanks!

On 2021-11-30 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - rose pattern is Armstrong's Quaker Floor Covering No. 2615

@Jill,

Thank you for the Armstrong Quaker rose pattern flooring photos and especially for the ID numbers.

At SHEET FLOORING BLACK CORE RED BACKED

we note that some black or asphalt-core red-backed flooring might contain asbestos but a number of those products did not.

At ASPHALT BASED SHEET FLOORING we report that some tests of red-backed asphalt core vinyl sheet flooring found that the floor did not contain asbestos.

But other asphalt-impregnated felt products and floor backers did contain asbestos, so unless you have had a lab test performed it would be prudent to assume that the material contains asbestos.

On 2021-11-29 by Jill - rose pattern sheet flooring: Armstrong Quaker Floor Covering No. 2615.

Follow up to photos sent 10-26-2021 for 1908 Colorado home.

The shag rug looking pattern is an Armstrong Quaker Flooring and the rose pattern is Armstrong's Quaker Floor Covering No. 2615.

On 2022-01-30 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - crest-type pattern on solid green background in 1908 farmhouse in Colorado

@Jill,

Thank you adding that linoleum rug photo here - it's a crest-type pattern on solid green background that we've not seen before, and it will be of interest to other readers too. We'll keep it with the article.

On 2022-01-30 by Jill

Linoleum rug found under existing linoleum in 1908 farmhouse in Colorado.

...

On 2021-10-29 by inspectapedia.com.moderator - antique linoleum rug and handsome young cat

@JoAnn,

I too would keep both that antique linoleum rug and the handsome young cat who compliments the linoleum colour.

Neither is particularly likely to be dangerous.

You can cover the existing flooring (be sure kitty is safely elsewhere) if you like;

If you had to remove the flooring and it's not glued-down you'd simply roll it up. Avoid chopping, grinding, etc.

On 2021-10-29 by JoAnn

We found 130 yr old linoleum under the shag rug on our stairs in our 1890 Victorian... We don't have the heart to remove it since it's in great shape but should we be careful of asbestos if/when we do?

Photo: gray and white sheet flooring or linoleum in a white and gray floral pattern including JoAnn's gray and white cat for scale.

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.

On 2018-08-26 - by (mod) - Might there be Asbestos used in Jute-Backed Sheet Flooring?

Re-posting a Q&A received by private email, keeping the reader anonymous:

2018/08/26 Anonymous asked:

We cut up a small section of vinyl flooring in the kitchen in search of hardwoods, which we in fact, we do have underneath.

The house was built in 1923, and had a remodel that we know of in approx 1932.

We found two layers under the vinyl sheeting which included what seemed to be a black mastic material that appeared to be its own layer and rigid. Above it was some sort of woven fabric (jute?) as you can see.

We've stopped all work, wet and wiped everything down, and covered the work area up.

We were wondering if you had an idea of possible age or possibility of asbestos materials we slightly disturbed.
This Q&A were posted originally

at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE

REPLY:

In my reply below the ALL CAPS article names can be found by searching InspectApedia.com for those phrases

I can't assess possible asbestos or even dust exposure from just your email, though I suspect that if you cut the material making a minimum of dust and if you cleaned using damp wiping and not a simple household vacuum cleaner (that can increase the airborne level of small particles) then the total dust exposure - asbestos or not - from your project would now be below the limits of detection.

About the floor itself:

I do not recognize the exact pattern of your flooring, but you may find a close match in the ID-library of asbestos flooring beginning

at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE - home

organized by year and manufacturer where there are similar floor coverings.

Jute is not an asbestos material, but I can't know from your photo the total composition of your flooring; and as you can read at our website, some flooring adhesives (not just black asphaltic) also contained asbestos.

The jute backer does indicate that this is an older sheet floor. As sheet flooring technology evolved, the jute backer or substrate substrate was replaced with a synthetic
bonding, such as PVC. However jute continues in use - principally as a carpet backing.

I did some research to confirm that some modern flooring products continue to use jute past the dates in North America (mid 1980s) when asbestos was being used in floor backers.

Jute Used in Some Flooring Backers After 1986

• Potosky, Milton J., and Robert J. Scheer. "Decorative surface coverings and methods for making." U.S. Patent 5,645,889, issued July 8, 1997.
  Excerpt: 1. The Backing Sheet
  
  The base layer or substrate may comprise a relatively flat, fibrous backing sheet material 20A and/or other relatively flat sheet material. Such a backing sheet material 20A may comprise a felted or matted fibrous sheet of overlapping, intermingled fibers and/or filaments.
  
  Further, the backing sheet 20A may comprise a non-woven, knitted, woven or otherwise textile fabricated construction; or a sheet of resinous polymer composition; or paper or paper product or similar or like equivalent constructions and materials. Furthermore, the present substrate may be considered to comprise a laminate or composite of one or more of the above-noted materials
  
  A felted fibrous sheet material comprising organic fibers, such as cellulose, cotton, jute, or rayon; or synthetic or man-made fibers and/or filaments, such as polyolefins, polyamides, acrylics, etc. is the most commonly employed backing material but many others are equally suitable and utilizable in certain embodiments.
  
  Such backing sheets are well known and available to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,293,094; 3,293,108; 3,660,186; and 4,274,916, each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.
  
• Robert G., Henry C. Ashton, Robert L. Gray, and Gilles Le Du. "Polyurethane based rigid flooring laminate." U.S. Patent Application 15/269,265, filed January 5, 2017.
  Excerpt:
  
  The amount, by weight, of resin present in the backing layer 22, can range from about 20% to about 80%, in another embodiment from about 30% to about 70%, and in another embodiment from about 40% to about 50%.
  
  In one embodiment, the backing layer 22 contains, by weight, from about 20% to about 80% reinforcement fiber, and in another embodiment, from about 30% to about 70% by weight fiber, and in yet another embodiment from about 50% to about 60% by weight fiber.
  
  The fiber may be glass, aramids, carbon, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hemp, jute, organic materials, rayon, or other suitable fiber reinforcing material.

There are so many factories and floor tile patterns, types, sizes, and colors over many decades that just looking through catalogs organized by even color or pattern can daunting task.

One can narrow the question by a reasonable guess about the age of the flooring.

At the very least, narrow this by the age of the building. In your case the floor in your photos is much newer than 1932, possibly a product from the 1970's or 80's or later.

We can narrow the guess further if we know when the building was renovated, or by observing the type of tile adhesive or mastic used.

In any event I agree that there are so many manufactures and floor tile patterns, types, sizes, and colors over many years that they just look through catalogs organized by even color or pattern can daunting task. So you could skip straight to this advice:

ADVICE: For buildings with floor tiles that could be assumed to have been installed in North America before 1986 it would be prudent to treat the flooring as "PACM" or "Presumed Asbestos Containing Material".

The presence of known asbestos-containing flooring does not mean we should panic nor that we should undertake an expensive and dangerous asbestos removal project.

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air.

Generally the safest approach is to leave such flooring alone and to cover it with a coating or with another layer of flooring.

On any of our asbestos-related InspectApedia pages, at CONTINUE READING you will find

a complete ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS
See also therein
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION and ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

IF you are faced with a requirement for demolition and if you are uncertain about the flooring's asbestos content and can not identify it through our guides, then you have a sample tested.
See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

IMAGE LOST by older version of Clark Van Oyen’s useful Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-06-01 by (mod) - photo shows a linoleum rug - not asbestos-containing sheet flooring

Ashley,

While I cannot state with certainty the age or materials in your photo, from what I can see it looks as if you have on that floor an exceptionally lovely linoleum "rug", perhaps from the 1940's.

Take a look at the edges and back of the material.

If you see a canvas fabric-like backer it's a traditional jute-backed linoleum sheet flooring that is not likely to contain asbestos.

If you see a red rubber backer, ditto, with a few exceptions.

If you see a black asphalt-impregnated paper that looks like roofing felt or "tar paper" then that material might contain asbestos.

In any case if the linoleum rug is not glued down and can be removed by rolling it up and carrying it out, you can most likely remove it with little or no demolition. Avoid creating dust by chopping, grinding, sawing.

Attach photos of the back and edges if you can, when you remove the floor.

Damp wipe the remaining dust and debris from the original floor below. Show me what that looks like too.

See LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

From your second photo (below), it looks like that may be an asphalt-impregnated paper.

I'd treat the floor as PACM - presumed asbestos containing material - Fortunately it appears that you can simply roll it up and carry it out.

On 2018-06-01 by Ashley

Hello,
My house was built in 1928, I have no idea when this was laid... should I presume asbestos? It is sheet flooring.

...

Thanks for your reply, it isn’t glued down.
Here’s what the underneath looks like...

The floor is shown above. Ashley's second photo is of the floor's back side.

 

...

Continue reading at LINOLEUM FLOORING RESTORATION & REPAIR - Conservation resources , or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST
• ARMSTRONG RUBBER BACKED RUG PATTERNS
• ARMSTRONG SHEET FLOORING 1940 - 1980
• CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM
• DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions help make a reasonable guess -
• DOMINION & Other CANADIAN FLOORING ASBESTOS
• IDENTIFY SHEET FLOORING TYPE
• LINOLEUM & OTHER SHEET FLOORING
• FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING
• LINOLEUM FLOOR HISTORY
• LINOLEUM ASBESTOS CONTENT?
• LINOLEUM, ASBESTOS FREE Congoleum Gold Seal & Others
• LINOLEUM FLOOR INGREDIENTS
• LINOLEUM FLOORING RESTORATION & REPAIR - Conservation resources
• LINOLEUM "LOOKALIKES" ADHERED to FELT
• MODERN LINOLEUM FLOORS
• WHERE TO BUY LINOLEUM, RUBBER, CORK FLOORS
• RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE
• SHEET FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS - 1960-1987
• SWEDISH TARKETT FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS

Suggested citation for this web page

FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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