VINYL FLOORING
Vinyl flooring today can take several forms, including sheet flooring, vinyl composite tiles, and a newer product, known as luxury vinyl tiles or planks (known as either LVT or LVF). Whatever type of vinyl flooring, vinyl has several distinct advantages in todays market;
- Durability
Vinyl flooring is a surprisingly tough material, even though it is slightly soft underfoot.
- Water Resistance
The main reason that vinyl flooring is popular in bathrooms and kitchens is because it is resistant to moisture, steam, and humidity. Water is largely unable to penetrate the surface of this material to do damage to the subfloor, although it can be slightly vulnerable at the seams.
- Easy Maintenance
Vinyl flooring is very easy to clean. It is resistant to dirt, stains, scratches, and punctures, although it can be pierced if heavy furniture legs are not outfitted with protective pads. It may also yellow slightly if it is exposed to constant direct sunlight (although high-quality products have UV protection). Be aware that rugs containing rubber backing may cause a chemical reaction that can stain vinyl.
VCT (Vinyl Composite Tile)
The durable construction of VCT ensures lasting beauty in high-traffic areas, while flowing linear patterns, organic looks, and densely patterned earth tones effectively mask scuffs and soil in busy commercial spaces. Available in a large number of colours, shapes and sizes, this tile can help you execute your design vision for any business.
VCT is distinguished by the fact that its primary raw ingredient is limestone, a naturally abundant material. Almost 65 percent of vinyl composition tile is made of limestone. This is referred to as a “filler” material. The tile is a mixture of natural pulverized limestone, filler materials, thermoplastic binders, and color pigments. It is made by fusing these materials into solid sheets, then cutting them into tiles. VCT generally requires surface polishing to protect its porous surface, and thus it is not as low maintenance as sheet vinyl, which requires only routine sweeping and mopping.
High maintenance costs can cause the lifetime cost of a VCT installation to exceed that of other forms of vinyl flooring. And while VCT comes in a variety of colors and patterns, it doesn’t meet the same level of texture and design versatility available in other types of vinyl flooring. VCT is most commonly used in high-traffic commercial applications and public spaces, such as retail stores and schools. It is known for being highly durable and easy to maintain and all for less cost than most other material alternatives.
Vinyl tile is generally glued down to an underlayment, with either a towel-on adhesive for commercial use.