Most people walk into Home Depot looking for linoleum and walk out with vinyl. The two products are not the same. True linoleum is made from linseed oil, pine rosin, cork dust, and limestone pressed onto a jute backing — vinyl is petroleum-based plastic. Knowing where to buy linoleum flooring means knowing which retailers actually stock the real thing and which use the term loosely. After sourcing genuine linoleum for a kitchen remodel last spring, here are the stores worth checking and the ones to skip.
Specialty Flooring Retailers
The most reliable place to find true linoleum is a specialty independent flooring retailer, especially in larger metro areas. These shops carry product lines from Forbo Marmoleum, Armstrong Marmorette, and Tarkett Veneto — the three major genuine linoleum brands sold in the US. Independent retailers typically stock samples and can order full sheets within 7 to 14 days.
Use the Forbo dealer locator on their website to find a store near you. Most dealers carry sheet linoleum in 6.5-foot-wide rolls and click-together linoleum tiles. Pricing runs $4 to $8 per square foot for material, plus $3 to $6 per square foot for installation.
Big-Box Stores: What to Expect
Home Depot and Lowe’s both list “linoleum” on their websites, but in 99 percent of cases the product is actually sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl plank. Read the product description carefully. If it does not specifically mention linseed oil or wood flour, it is not linoleum.
The exception is special-order through the flooring desk. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s can order Marmoleum and similar products through their commercial flooring divisions. Expect a 2 to 4 week delivery window and pricing slightly above what you would pay at an independent dealer. Special-order linoleum at big-box stores is most useful when you need to bundle it with other purchases on a single contractor invoice.
Online Retailers
Several online retailers carry genuine linoleum:
- FlooringInc.com — wide selection of Forbo Marmoleum, click and sheet
- BuildDirect.com — bulk orders, occasional clearance pricing
- Wayfair — limited selection, mostly Marmoleum click tiles
- Amazon — small format tiles only, often not the genuine product
- Greenhomes.com — focuses on eco-certified flooring including Marmoleum
Buying linoleum online has tradeoffs. Shipping is expensive — full rolls of sheet linoleum weigh 100 to 200 pounds and ship freight. Returns of partial rolls are usually not accepted. Always order at least 10 percent extra to cover cuts and waste, and a full extra box of click tiles in case of damage during installation.
Direct From Manufacturer
Forbo and Tarkett both sell directly to commercial accounts but typically refer residential buyers to authorized dealers. If you are doing a large project — over 1,000 square feet — call the manufacturer’s commercial sales line. They can sometimes set you up with direct pricing through a commercial channel even for residential work, especially if you have a contractor’s tax ID.
Architects and designers can request commercial sample books for free directly from Forbo. These books contain every color in the Marmoleum line plus thickness and acoustic specifications. Useful when planning a project months ahead.
Reclaimed and Vintage Linoleum
Mid-century modern enthusiasts sometimes hunt for reclaimed linoleum from 1940s and 1950s residential and commercial buildings. The patterns and color palettes from that era are no longer manufactured. Sources include:
- Architectural salvage yards in cities with dense pre-1960 building stock
- Estate sales of older industrial properties
- eBay listings from demolition contractors
Reclaimed linoleum has authenticity that no new product can match, but condition is highly variable. Inspect for cracking, dimensional changes, and adhesive residue before buying. Most reclaimed linoleum needs significant trimming and is best installed in a small accent area rather than a full room.
What Real Linoleum Costs in 2026
Pricing varies by format and brand:
- Sheet linoleum (Marmoleum): $4 to $7 per sq ft material
- Click linoleum tiles: $5 to $9 per sq ft material
- Glue-down linoleum tiles: $4 to $6 per sq ft material
- Premium patterns and colors: add $1 to $2 per sq ft
Installation runs $3 to $7 per square foot for sheet (it requires precise seam welding) and $2 to $4 for click tiles (a competent DIYer can install click linoleum in a single weekend). Total project cost for a 200-square-foot kitchen typically runs $1,800 to $3,200.
How to Verify You Are Getting Real Linoleum
Three quick tests separate real linoleum from imitation. First, check the manufacturer — Forbo, Tarkett, and Armstrong are the genuine players in the US market. Second, smell the material. Real linoleum has a faint linseed oil smell that fades over a few weeks; vinyl smells like plastic. Third, look at the backing. Linoleum has a jute (woven natural fiber) backing visible on the underside; vinyl has a smooth or felt backing.
If the salesperson cannot or will not tell you which manufacturer made the product, walk away. Real linoleum is a premium product with named manufacturers, and reputable retailers know their stock.
Final Sourcing Tips
Plan ahead. Genuine linoleum is rarely a stock item even at specialty stores. A typical project requires ordering material 2 to 4 weeks before installation. If you find color or pattern matches you like, order a small swatch first and live with it in your space for a week before committing to the full order. Lighting in a showroom rarely matches the lighting in your kitchen, and linoleum patterns can read very differently under LED versus daylight. Knowing where to buy linoleum flooring is half the battle — taking the time to verify the material and visualize it in your home is the rest. Confirm the warranty terms before payment, especially on online orders. Forbo Marmoleum carries a residential warranty of 25 years and a commercial warranty of 5 to 10 years depending on the product line. Register the warranty with the manufacturer within 30 days of installation; coverage often requires proof of purchase and proper substrate preparation documentation.
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