On the choice of vinyl flooring, the structure of the material, types of coatings, their advantages and disadvantages, the choice by the type of room, large manufacturers of products. When choosing a covering for a certain type of room, you should consider the disadvantages of vinyl floors:
- The materials should be laid on a well-prepared, clean and level surface, so the time required for the work prior to installing the vinyl floor is very significant. If neglected, surface irregularities will cause rapid wear of the floor covering and even deterioration.
- Although vinyl material is harmless to health, it still cannot be called environmentally friendly. And when ignited, it even releases toxic substances due to its chemical origin.
- Old vinyl flooring is difficult to dispose of as vinyl does not decompose.
- Contact of the floor covering with some materials will negatively affect its appearance. One of the unsuitable such materials is rubber. When in contact with it, the vinyl floor will tarnish or discolor. Therefore, for example, rubber mats cannot be used on this piece in the bathroom.
Important! When choosing a vinyl floor, it is recommended to check with the seller whether the quality of the specified product meets the current standards and the trademark of its manufacturer. This will avoid unnecessary problems when using the coating in the future.
Sizes of vinyl flooring
Vinyl coverings are produced in three versions - rectangular tiles, rolls and laminated modules. Let's consider their characteristics in more detail:
- Tile … It has dimensions of 300x600 mm and is divided into two types, which are distinguished by the composition of the material of manufacture. Ordinary pressed tiles are made from vinyl, synthetic resins with the addition of stabilizers and plasticizers. It is resilient, flexible and cut perfectly. Another type is quartz vinyl tile. It consists of 70-80% natural quartz, which gives the material special properties: it does not absorb moisture, is resistant to chemicals and does not conduct electric current. Prefabricated quartz vinyl floors withstand significant external loads and are therefore ideal for floors with heavy traffic.
- Roll vinyl covering … It has a blade width of 2 m, and a length of 15-25 m. For its installation, special glue is used, since the blade must adhere tightly to the base base. Placing the floor with this material is especially beneficial in large rooms, since a significant amount of time is saved during work.
- Laminated modules … They have dimensions of 180x920 or 100x920 mm. They are made in the form of long rectangular slabs, the appearance of which can imitate the structure of wood or bamboo. The modules are complemented by a felt or fiberglass backing that cushions the contact of the flooring material with the base of the floor. The thickness of the vinyl laminate is from 1.5 mm and more.
Durability classes of vinyl flooring
The durability class is the main characteristic of the vinyl floor, which they pay attention to when choosing a floor covering. Vinyl coverings are divided according to the level of wear resistance as follows:
- 23-31 grades … They are material with a 2 mm protective layer. These coatings are intended for use in residential areas with low traffic. The service life of such a floor is about 7 years.
- 32-42 grades … Includes products with a protective layer of 2.5 mm. They are used in public spaces and have a lifespan of 12-15 years.
- 43rd grade … It is a material with a protective outer layer of 3 mm. Such a vinyl covering is used in rooms with high mechanical loads on the floor and intensive traffic: warehouses, production halls, gyms, etc. The special properties of the finished floor include its increased elasticity, anti-slip and antistatic properties. The service life of this class of coating is about 20 years.
With an increase in the class, the cost of the material rises. If you need to choose a vinyl floor for a residential area, you shouldn't overpay for commercial flooring. The resource for the wear of home PVC tiles or other type of this material is quite enough.
Methods for installing vinyl flooring
According to the method of installation, vinyl coverings are divided into 3 types - adhesive, with a lock joint and self-adhesive:
- Adhesive coatings … Most economical. For their installation, special glue and the necessary tools are required - spatulas or rollers.
- Castle modules … Provide for fastening to each other on the principle of "thorn-groove". They are very similar in this feature to wood laminate. Working with such material is very convenient, since it is not complicated by any additional methods of fixing products on the floor. Castle vinyl flooring is often used for flooring in rooms with heavy traffic.
- Self Adhesive Vinyl Tiles … Their installation is also convenient thanks to the adhesive layer applied to the back of the material. This layer is protected with a special foil, after removing it, the tiles can be immediately glued onto a flat base of the floor. For greater reliability of attachment to the base surface, the self-adhesive material is rolled from above with a rubber roller after laying.
Appointment of premises when choosing a vinyl floor
The versatility of vinyl flooring allows you to choose it for any type of room. However, there are several guidelines that may apply to specific conditions:
- When choosing a suitable floor surface structure, the volume of traffic in the room should be taken into account. If it is high, a rough surface on the outside will do, and if the permeability is low, matte or glossy.
- It is recommended to use laminated modules or interlocking tiles for living room floors. Their appearance, more than other types of vinyl, will match the decoration of the room and perfectly complement it.
- The floors in the kitchen can be tiled with self-adhesive tiles. It is abrasion resistant, easy to clean and waterproof.
- To cover the bathroom, it is recommended to choose a regular vinyl floor tile and attach it to the base with an adhesive that must be waterproof and anti-fungal.
The quality of any vinyl floor largely depends on the authority that a particular manufacturer of goods has in the finishing materials market. Therefore, when choosing a coating, more attention should be paid to well-known brands than to firms whose product quality is in doubt. Low-grade floors can fade or completely change color during operation, deform and quickly fail.
Vinyl flooring manufacturers
The modern vinyl material is the perfect finish for those who appreciate practicality. With a small investment in a short time, you can create a durable, beautiful and functional floor decor in your home. Its quality and cost depend on the proposals of the most famous manufacturers of vinyl floors:
- TARKETT … It is a Russian company producing flexible floor coverings. His special collection Art Vinyl reproduces the texture and pattern of natural wood with absolute precision. This vinyl floor belongs to class 33 laminated modules and costs 550-750 rubles / m2.
- ALLURE (USA) … Laminated vinyl modules from this manufacturer belong to class 43 and are capable of withstanding fairly high loads. The protective layer of these products consists of aluminum oxide and polyurethane. Ecological cleanliness of ALLURE floors is certified by hygienic certificates of many countries of the world. The quality of the products of this company is certainly higher than that of the TARKETT plant, but also the cost of 1 m2 coverage is already 2000-2500 rubles.
How to choose a vinyl floor covering - watch the video:
That's all. We hope our material will help you make the right choice of vinyl flooring. Good luck!
