How Much Does Linoleum Flooring Cost to Install?

Average Cost to Have Linoleum Flooring Installed

What Is Linoleum Flooring?

Invented in the 1800s, linoleum is a highly durable, resilient type of flooring made of natural materials, including linseed oil, cork dust, wood floor, pine resin, and natural jute fiber, among other renewable or recycled components.

Linoleum floors come in a variety of colors, patterns, and shades. It’s also relatively easy to clean and maintain and can last up to 50 years. Unlike vinyl flooring—one of its main competitors in the resilient flooring market—linoleum floor’s design doesn’t wear easily thanks to colors and patterns that go all the way through the material to the backing layer. You can also easily reseal dings and cuts, making it a good surface for areas that experience high traffic. Furthermore, the surface of linoleum flooring is antistatic, repelling dirt and dust, and has antimicrobial properties.

Linoleum Flooring Prices

The average linoleum flooring price for materials ranges between $2.50 and $5 per square foot. There are many material options and qualities to choose from, including budget-friendly sheet flooring and high-end and commercial-grade tile and plank flooring. Generally, sheet options are more affordable than tile and plank options.

Linoleum Flooring Installation Cost by Type

Linoleum flooring is available in sheets, tiles, and planks. The production process for each linoleum style varies, as do the installation methods for each. These differences reflect in the final installation costs for each flooring style.

Sheet Linoleum

Linoleum sheet flooring is the most affordable option, costing around $2 to $4 per square foot, fully installed. Sheet linoleum has been around for decades and is exactly what it sounds like: a rolled-out sheet with no seams. Installing this form of linoleum flooring requires cutting it further to fit the shape of the room or space, and then adhering it to the subfloor with an adhesive. This can be a lot of work, which is why manufacturers usually recommend hiring a professional to install linoleum sheet flooring.

Tile Linoleum

Tile linoleum is available in a wider variety of design options and typically costs $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot, fully installed. The tiles usually come in 12-by-12-inch squares though other sizes are available.

Tile linoleum flooring offers two installation methods: glue-down and click-together. Installing glue-downlinoleum tiles requires adhering them one at a time to a subfloor with an adhesive. Like linoleum sheets, installing glue-down tiles is best left to floor tile installers near you.

On the other hand, click-together linoleum tiles don't need gluing down to a subfloor and are easier to install DIY. They have interlocking edges that fit together to form a seamless surface.

Plank Linoleum

Linoleum plank flooring costs roughly the same as tile flooring, or about $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot, fully installed. The planks are available in 12-by-36-inch sizes, and you can arrange them in a multitude of patterns. This style of linoleum flooring is easy to install DIY. Like click-together linoleum tiles, the planks have an interlocking system that allows them to float over a subfloor without using adhesive.

Linoleum Flooring Cost Factors

The cost to install linoleum flooring can vary based on several factors. The installation can run from reasonably inexpensive to a significant investment depending on the style and whether it's a DIY project. Here are some of the most significant cost factors to consider.

Style of Linoleum

Sheet linoleum is typically less costly than tiles and planks. If you’re on a tight budget, this is the most affordable option for your budget.

Tools Needed

Installing linoleum flooring yourself can help you save money on labor costs. However, you'll require several tools and supplies to complete the task. Aside from the linoleum flooring material, here are some of the tools and supplies you might need to budget for and their respective costs:

• Hammer: $10

• Utility knife: $5

• Notched trowel (to spread embossing leveler): $20

• Carpenter's square (to measure right angles): $10

• Tape measure: $15

• Goggles: $10

• Sponge: $5

• Pencil: $1

• Solvent (to remove old adhesive): $15

• Embossing leveler (to even out the subfloor): $600 for 500 sq. ft.

• Underlayment: $27 per roll for 500 sq. ft.

• Cleaner: $20 per gallon

• Linoleum roller: $200

If you decide to complete the project as a DIY, the total costs can vary depending on how many of these tools and supplies you already have or can access for free versus how many you need to buy. 

Labor Costs

Labor costs for linoleum flooring installation differ depending on the project difficulty and the rates in your area. The average labor rate is about $35 per hour. Installing new linoleum will start with pulling up the old floor, removing leftover adhesive, putting down the underlayment, measuring, and caulking. This can add several hours to your project.

Some contractors may opt to price their work by the job. In this case, the average linoleum flooring installation cost is $1 to $5 per square foot, depending on style. Note that this price range is for the installation of the floor only. If you need to pay for the cost to remove old floors first, you may have to pay additional fees.

Cost to Install Linoleum Flooring Yourself

You can save around $2 per square foot on linoleum flooring costs by installing the flooring yourself, provided you already have most of the tools and supplies. For a 500-square-foot space, this translates to saving about $1,000.

DIY vs. Hire a Linoleum Flooring Pro

In general, installing linoleum flooring—especially linoleum sheets—is a task best left to professionals. Unless you have a completely blank, untouched subfloor, the installation of linoleum flooring will likely need to include several other tasks, which can include removing and disposing of the old floor, laying underlayment if your flooring doesn't come with one pre-installed, leveling the subfloor, measuring, and caulking. This may prove to be a bit more work than you’re hoping for, so hiring a professional may be your best bet.

Bringing in a professional contractor offers several benefits:

• You won’t need to purchase a batch of tools and supplies.

• You can expect correct installation.

• Adding the installation costs won’t increase the overall project price by a significant amount.

Contact a linoleum flooring installer near you for a quote.