Sheet Linoleum
Wide rollsWide rolls, around 2m, for a near-continuous finish with minimal joints.
Linoleum Flooring in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Genuine natural linoleum flooring, made from linseed oil, cork and wood flour pressed onto jute, not to be confused with synthetic vinyl. Supplied and fitted by one team since 2013, with free site visits across the UAE.
- Established 2013
- 10,000+ Projects
- Natural Materials
- EN ISO 24011
- Colour Right Through
- Free Site Visit
Or call +971 56 689 9831
What Is Linoleum Flooring?
Linoleum is a natural floor made from linseed oil, pine rosin, cork and wood flour pressed onto a jute backing. The original "lino", this natural floor covering is hard-wearing and comes in one of the largest colour ranges of any floor, from calm greys and neutrals to blue, green, red and yellow.
It is not the same as vinyl or PVC, a synthetic product sometimes loosely called lino. Urban Flooring supplies and fits genuine linoleum across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Linoleum vs Vinyl, What Is the Difference?
The two are often confused, but they are completely different materials. Linoleum is a natural material made from linseed oil, cork, wood flour and jute, and its colour runs right through the sheet. Vinyl is a synthetic PVC product with a printed pattern under a clear wear layer. Linoleum lasts longer and is biodegradable; vinyl handles standing water better. The word lino is often used for both, which is where the confusion starts.
| Feature | Linoleum (natural) | Vinyl / PVC (synthetic) |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Linseed oil, cork, jute | Petroleum-based PVC |
| Eco | Renewable, biodegradable | Synthetic |
| Colour | Runs right through | Printed wear layer |
| Lifespan | 25 to 40 years | 10 to 20 years |
| Water | Sealed, care at seams | Fully water-resistant |
For synthetic vinyl or PVC sheet, sometimes loosely called lino, see our PVC and sheet vinyl page.
How Linoleum Is Made
Linoleum is made by oxidising linseed oil and blending it with pine rosin, ground cork and wood flour, limestone and natural pigments, then pressing it onto a jute backing. The recipe dates to the 1860s.
Because the colour runs right through the material, wear barely shows, and the linseed oil gives linoleum a dense surface that resists static and dust. Made from renewable, biodegradable raw materials, it sits among the most eco-friendly & sustainable flooring choices in the UAE, alongside cork and bamboo.
Marmoleum and Linoleum Formats
Marmoleum, made by Forbo, is the best-known brand of natural linoleum and the name many people recognise. We supply genuine linoleum in three formats, in 2.0mm and 2.5mm thickness (plus acoustic grades for sound reduction), with the classic marbled look in over 300 colours and designs.
Linoleum Tiles
Modular, glued downModular tiles bonded to the subfloor, easy to mix colours and replace individually.
Click Linoleum Panels
Click-fit and fastPlanks with a cork backing that click together and float over the subfloor for a faster install.
Genuine linoleum has its own specification, EN ISO 24011, which covers plain and decorative linoleum and sets the requirements a sheet must meet to be sold as linoleum rather than as a vinyl imitation. It is the quickest way to settle the lino question at quotation stage: ask whether the product is supplied to EN ISO 24011, because a PVC sheet cannot be.
Why Choose Linoleum
Linoleum is chosen when a floor has to be natural, hard-wearing and easy to keep clean at the same time. It is made from renewable raw materials and is biodegradable, and because the colour runs through the full thickness rather than sitting on top, wear and scratches barely show. It also comes in one of the largest colour ranges of any floor.
Natural Raw MaterialsLinseed oil, cork, wood flour, limestone and jute, biodegradable at the end of its life.
Welded Joint-Free SheetSheet Marmoleum welds into a surface with few seams for dirt to gather.
Huge Colour RangeGrey, blue, green, red, yellow and marbled designs, one of the largest colour banks of any floor.
Long-LastingA genuine linoleum floor lasts around 25 to 40 years.
Colour Right ThroughWear and scratches barely show.
Anti-StaticNaturally resists static and dust.
Wide Colour RangeDozens of natural colours and marbled effects.
Linoleum's natural-floor cousin is cork flooring, which shares cork in its make-up: choose linoleum for hard-wearing durability, cork for softness and quiet.
Where Linoleum Falls Short
Linoleum needs sealing and periodic care, and it is more moisture-sensitive at seams and edges than vinyl, so it is not the best pick for constantly wet areas. It can also amber slightly when new, a natural yellow tint that fades with light. For very wet rooms we suggest vinyl or another floor.
Where Linoleum Works
Kitchens (sealed), hallways, living areas, studies and eco-conscious homes, and its hard-wearing, easy-clean surface makes it a popular choice for clinics, schools and healthcare spaces. For constantly wet areas it needs careful sealing, or we suggest an alternative. Weighing it against other natural or resilient floors? Our how to choose flooring guide walks through the trade-offs room by room.
Linoleum for Commercial and Healthcare Spaces
Linoleum earns most of its reputation in professional settings. Its hard-wearing body and weldable sheet format suit clinics, hospitals, schools, nurseries and aged-care floors, where cleaning regimes and long life matter more than anywhere.
Sheet Marmoleum is the usual specification here, welded into a near joint-free surface that leaves few seams for dirt to gather. The colour runs through the full thickness, so scuffs in a busy corridor do not show a different shade underneath. We supply and fit commercial linoleum across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and advise on the right grade for the traffic your space carries.
Linoleum Flooring Prices in Dubai
Genuine linoleum is priced by format and grade, and sits above cheap synthetic vinyl because it is a natural, long-life material. Linoleum in Dubai runs from around AED 45/sqm to AED 220/sqm (about AED 4.2 to 20.4/sqft) supplied and fitted. Basic to mid sheet sits at the lower end, tiles in the middle, and Marmoleum and premium colours at the top. Indicative supply-and-fit guide:
| Type | Per sqm (AED) | Per sqft (AED approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet linoleum (basic to mid) | 45 to 110 | 4.2 to 10.2 |
| Linoleum tiles / mid-range | 90 to 150 | 8.4 to 13.9 |
| Marmoleum / premium natural | 130 to 220 | 12.1 to 20.4 |
Genuine natural linoleum sits above cheap vinyl; Marmoleum and premium colours sit highest; larger areas attract better rates.
Indicative supply-and-fit ranges for guidance only, subject to format, grade, colour and area. Request a free site visit for an exact quote.
How We Fit Linoleum
Linoleum needs a smooth base and careful seam work to perform and last. Fitting runs in six stages: a free site visit with a written quote, subfloor smoothing and levelling because linoleum shows every imperfection beneath it, acclimatisation while the material rests in the space, adhering and rolling flat with the seams treated, sealing for protection and easy cleaning, then care guidance on handover.
- Free site visit & measureArea assessed, written quote.
- Subfloor preparationSmoothed and levelled, since linoleum shows imperfections beneath it.
- AcclimatisationMaterial rests in the space before fitting to avoid later buckling or seam separation.
- InstallationAdhered and rolled flat; sheet seams treated for a clean, near-continuous finish.
- Sealing & finishingSealed for protection and easy cleaning.
- Aftercare adviceCleaning and care guidance.
Linoleum Flooring Across the UAE
Dubai is our home market, from eco-conscious homes and kitchens to clinics and schools. Abu Dhabi is our second core market, including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City.
Beyond the two, we supply and fit across all seven emirates, with free site visits throughout the areas we serve.
Linoleum Flooring FAQs
How long does linoleum last, and is it hard-wearing?
Genuine linoleum is one of the longest-lasting floors available. A well-fitted, sealed linoleum floor lasts 25 to 40 years, longer than most vinyl or laminate. Because the colour runs through the full thickness rather than sitting in a printed layer, everyday wear does not expose a different shade underneath. It handles heavy foot traffic well, which is why it holds up in schools and clinics as readily as in homes.
What is the difference between linoleum and vinyl?
They are completely different. Linoleum is a natural material made from linseed oil, cork and jute, biodegradable, with the colour running right through. Vinyl, or PVC, is a synthetic petroleum product with a printed wear layer. Vinyl is more water-resistant; linoleum is more natural and longer-lasting. The two are often confused.
Is linoleum eco-friendly?
Yes, genuinely. Linoleum is made from renewable natural raw materials, linseed oil, cork, wood flour, jute and limestone, and is biodegradable at the end of its life. It suits eco-conscious homes and green building projects across the UAE. Ask for the manufacturer's environmental product declaration if a project needs documented figures.
Can linoleum be used in commercial or high-traffic spaces?
Yes, and it is one of linoleum's strongest uses. Sheet Marmoleum is specified across clinics, schools and offices because it is hard-wearing and can be welded into a near joint-free surface. For heavy commercial traffic we fit a thicker grade with the right sealing. We advise on the correct specification during a free site visit.
Is linoleum waterproof or suitable for bathrooms?
Linoleum is water-resistant once sealed, but it is more sensitive at seams and edges than vinyl, so it is not the best choice for constantly wet areas like bathrooms. It works well in kitchens and hallways with proper sealing. For wet rooms we usually recommend vinyl and say so honestly.
Why does new linoleum look yellow, and does it go away?
That is ambering, and it is normal. Linseed oil develops a yellow film while the sheet is rolled up away from light, so a new floor can look warmer than the sample you chose. It fades once the floor is exposed to daylight, usually within a few weeks, and faster in a bright room than a dim one. It is a sign the linoleum is genuine, since a printed vinyl cannot do it.
What is Marmoleum?
Marmoleum is the best-known brand of natural linoleum, made by Forbo. It is genuine linoleum, made from natural raw materials, and comes in sheet, tile and click-together formats with a wide colour range. When people picture modern natural linoleum, they are often thinking of Marmoleum.
What thickness of linoleum should I choose?
Match it to the traffic. 2.0mm suits normal domestic rooms. 2.5mm is the grade for hallways, kitchens and anywhere commercial, and it is what we specify for clinics and schools. Acoustic grades add a backing layer that cuts footstep noise, which is worth it in apartments and upper floors. The colour runs through every grade, so a thicker sheet buys wear life rather than a better finish.
How much does linoleum cost in Dubai?
As an indicative guide, supply and fit runs from around AED 45/sqm (about AED 4.2/sqft) for basic sheet linoleum up to around AED 220/sqm for premium Marmoleum. Genuine linoleum sits above cheap vinyl because it is a natural, long-life material. Request a free site visit.
Do you supply only, or also install?
Both. Urban Flooring is a supply-and-installation company. One team handles colour and format advice, subfloor preparation, fitting and sealing, so there is a single point of accountability. Linoleum in particular needs careful subfloor prep and seam work. Free site measurement comes as standard.
Get Your Free Linoleum Flooring Quote
For a genuine natural floor made from linseed oil, cork and jute and built to last decades, we supply and fit real linoleum and Marmoleum in sheet, tile and click formats, with a free site visit and written quote before any work starts.
Or call +971 56 689 9831
Urban Flooring Maintenance and Decor Works 7 24A Street, Al Quoz Industrial First, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAESat to Thu 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM GST · Closed Friday
+971 56 689 9831 · info@urbanfloorings.com
Get Directions