What Is Pvc Flooring?
Polyvinyl chloride, more specifically but less commonly poly(vinyl chloride), commonly abbreviated as PVC, is the third most produced synthetic plastic polymer, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC flooring materials are inexpensive and are used in various buildings such as condominiums, hospitals, offices, and schools. There are two types of PVC flooring. One is the flexible type with a slab format and the other is the rigid type with a standard tile size. Flexible PVC floor is suitable for relatively low-traffic floors, either hard PVC floors such as concrete or stone floors, or flexible floors such as wooden floors.
Material:
Flexible PVC flooring consists of a carefully mixed composition of thermoplastic binders, fillers, and pigments. A thermoplastic binder must consist essentially of one or both of the following:vinyl chloride polymervinyl chloride copolymer
Dimensions and Thickness of pvc flooring:
Dimensions
Sheets and Rolls: Standard widths for sheets or rolls of continuous-length flooring are 1000mm, 1500mm, and 2000mm.Tiles:Tiles must be 250mm, 300mm, 600mm, and 900mm square.
Thickness:
The standard flooring thickness is 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, and 3.0mm.
Understanding Different Types Of Pvc Flooring
Modern PVC Flooring designs can perfectly mimic natural materials such as wood, metal, glass, and stone, making PVC floors visually appealing. Made from synthetic polymer polyvinyl chloride, PVC floors are widely used in public and commercial spaces and in the private sector. The reason for this is practical and due to the possibilities of the designer. Flooring with PVC has thus found a large audience.
PVC flooring can be divided into two general types:Homogeneous PVC flooringHeterogeneous PVC flooring
Homogeneous PVC floor
Homogeneous PVC floors are an economical solution due to their long life and are suitable for high-traffic and industrial areas such as hospitals, schools, libraries, supermarkets, and warehouses.
The polyurethane surface coating makes the surface dirt-repellent and makes the floor easier to clean. Homogeneous PVC floors are practical and economical but do not meet very high aesthetic standards.
Electrical conductive PVC
Conductive PVC flooring is homogenous PVC flooring that can dissipate static electricity from a room. Such floors protect people from the effects of static electricity generated by machines located inside the building, such as data centers and friction machines. Conductive PVC floors protect highly sensitive equipment from static electricity in the electrical industry, medicine, biochemistry, and chemistry. According to European standards, hospital operating rooms and intensive care units must have conductive PVC flooring, Flooring with PVC are of a different kind.
Heterogeneous PVC floors
Heterogeneous PVC floors are manufactured according to the layer-on-layer principle. They can be with an intumescent bottom layer (so-called warm floor)or without an intumescent bottom layer (so-called compact PVC). The foam layer acts as sound and insulation. This floor-type surface is designed by printing or surface treatment (surface structure). Abrasion and abrasion resistance are directly proportional to the outer layer thickness of the PVC coating (wear layer thickness) on the printed design. The polyurethane topcoat contributes to high hygiene standards.
The aesthetic possibilities of heterogeneous PVC floors are immense. Different colors, patterns, stone, wood, metal, glass imitations, different dimensions, plate shapes, glitter, etc. are used in the heterogeneous PVC designs. This type of PVC can be combined with other floor coverings and is used in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.
Factors to consider when determining cost of PVC Flooring
Each PVC Floor type has its own advantages and disadvantages. There is no single PVC flooring that is suitable for different purposes and all situations in different buildings such as residential, institutional, industrial, and derelict. However, the choice of floor covering should be made taking into account the following factors:
1. Initial cost: Installation and maintenance costs are very high. This depends greatly on the type of flooring. A comparative cost of different soils should be ensured. Both final installation and sub-floor preparation costs should be considered.
2. Appearance: The flooring should match the building and produce the desired aesthetic effect. In general, ceramic tile, marble, and granite floors look great, and concrete looks great. Brick floors give an ordinary look. However, it should reflect personal aesthetic expression and satisfaction.
3. Cleanliness: PVC Flooring should not be absorbent and should be easy and effective to clean. All PVC flooring joints must provide a waterproof surface. Greasy or oily substances must not damage the optics or have a destructive effect on the floor covering.
4. Durability: PVC Floor coverings must be sufficiently resistant to abrasion, temperature, and chemical attack for long service life. PVC Flooring must be strong enough to withstand the expected impact of foot, material, and furniture traffic without undue deterioration. It must withstand the wear of heavier loads and the weight of furniture and appliances.
5. Moisture resistance: Ground floors must be sufficiently resistant to moisture within the building to ensure a healthy environment. Ceramic tile, concrete, and brick floors are usually the preferred floors against moisture. Use of flooring materials such as wood, rubber, linoleum, and cork. Avoid using damp floors.
6. Sound insulation: According to modern construction concepts, floors must not generate or transmit noise, especially in vertical use. In the case of ground floors or basements, the sound vibrations are lower due to contact with the earth’s mass. This is therefore a more important factor in the upper floors, which are intended to act as horizontal barriers to vertical sound passage.
7. Thermal Insulation: A building must be able to maintain a constant temperature or heat inside the building regardless of changes in outside temperature. PVC Flooring reduces the need for internal heating in winter and cooling in summer. Floors made of wood, rubber, or cork are perfect for this.
8. Smoothness: The PVC floor should be of high quality to have a smooth and even surface. But at the same time, it should not be slippery. Failure to do so may jeopardize safe travel.
9. Hardness: It is desirable to have a high-quality floor covering that does not leave impact marks when used to support or transfer loads over it.
10. Comfort: The flooring should allow the occupants to feel comfortable whether they are relaxing or working. Comfort is a matter of personal preference such as warmth, cushioning, smoothness, noise control, and light reflection.
11. Fire resistance: This is a relatively important factor when choosing a topsoil material. However, the flooring must be sufficiently fire-resistant to protect life and property within the building.
12. Maintenance: It is always desirable to keep maintenance costs as low as possible. Ceramic tiles in general. Marble and concrete require less maintenance than wooden floors. If the flooring is stain resistant and absorbs liquids, it requires less maintenance. Maintenance costs include repairs, polishing, and waxing.
13. Light Reflection: The floor should reflect more light. Floor color is important for light reflection. White ceramic tiles reflect more light than concrete floors. Light colors reflect more light than dark floors.
14. Floor design: Slip resistance and transition areas in floor design should be considered when choosing floor coverings. When walking from carpet or non-slippery floors to glazed tile floors or more slippery floors, people may be unaware of the transition due to changes in slip resistance and appropriate adaptations, increasing the risk of tread slips and falls.
Tips for selecting the right PVC flooring for your home
Choosing the best PVC flooring for your home is no easy task as there are many factors involved.
Unlike wall paint or furniture, PVC flooring is a permanent finish to your home. Replacing your ceramic tiles isn’t quite the same as repainting your walls when you’re tired of the color you chose five years ago. PVC Flooring is perhaps the most important surface in defining a home’s character. Your taste and aesthetic value are not the only parameters when choosing a floor covering. Lifestyle, location, and practicality play an important role in PVC flooring selection. You have to choose wisely and think long-term.
1. Choose a floor that matches your aesthetic values
Your aesthetic values are very important because they say a lot about you, who you are, and what makes you comfortable.You want your home to be your home. A comfortable place to return to at the end of a stressful and busy day. Your refuge, your cocoon.It should be comfortable and relaxing in your home.You can’t choose a PVC floor just because it’s practical, because it’s trendy, or because you’ve always thought it was the type of PVC flooring you would put in a particular room.You can’t choose a PVC floor just because it’s practical, because it’s trendy, or because you’ve always thought it was the type of PVC flooring you would put in a particular room.Today we have thousands of products you can use to find the perfect product for your home! Take the time to research product performance, maintenance, and cost comparisons.
2. Consider Geographic Location
The region you live in is an important factor to consider when choosing the best PVC flooring for your home.What works in warm countries doesn’t work in cold countries. What usually works in sunny, dry areas may not work in wet, humid areas.Certain products are easier to source in certain regions, are very popular, and may be cheaper than in other regions where the products must be imported.Their geographic location also influences certain local cultures and religions. This is reflected in the interior design of the home and the use of surfaces.That’s why research is always important.After narrowing down on a few PVC floorings, be sure to check local availability. This also affects cost and time!!
3. Match your flooring to your lifestyle
While being practical and realistic, it’s important to consider yourself and your family’s lifestyle when choosing the best flooring for your home.People with busy schedules should not choose expensive and high-maintenance floors.If you like the look of hardwood floors, but you have a dog or cat, or if a small child has dropped silverware from your highchair, perhaps use treated hardwood or laminate tie-downs. Or be prepared to spend some money and time on polishing and repolishing. – Varnish your hardwood floors!Consider where you are in life and how you and your family use your home.
4. Choose the right floor for every room in your home
Let’s see where different PVC floor coverings can be used.
Ceramic TileUse it in a humid place such as the Main entrance, mud room, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room.If desired, ceramic tiles can be used throughout the home. Beautiful material and very easy to clean. It is normally water resistant but becomes slippery when wet.
Hand-finished hardwoodUse it in open areas of your home such as living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways.Areas that are generally kept away from excess water, such as bathrooms, kitchen sinks, and front porches.Solid hardwood is a batten or plank of natural wood. Rich, beautiful, and available in a wide variety of woods and stains. It can be sanded several times to restore its original appearance.
Resilient Sheet And Tile FlooringUse in main entrances, mudrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.PVC Flooring in this category includes linoleum sheets, linoleum tiles, vinyl sheets, premium vinyl tiles, rubber floors, and vinyl composite tiles.Many of these types of PVC flooring are used in commercial applications, but vinyl sheets and premium vinyl tiles are very popular in residential applications.Sheet vinyl is often used in budget-conscious projects. Mainly used in entrances, bathrooms, basement bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, etc.
Resilient Sheet And Tile FlooringUse in main entrances, mudrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.PVC Flooring in this category includes linoleum sheets, linoleum tiles, vinyl sheets, premium vinyl tiles, rubber floors, and vinyl composite tiles.Many of these types of PVC flooring are used in commercial applications, but vinyl sheets and premium vinyl tiles are very popular in residential applications.Sheet vinyl is often used in budget-conscious projects. Mainly used in entrances, bathrooms, basement bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, etc.
5. Choose PVC floors that are easy to maintain and durable
Choose PVC floors that are easy to care for and will provide years of enjoyment.As mentioned in some points above, it is very important to be practical and realistic when choosing the right flooring.Always consider how you care for and clean your PVC flooring of choice and how much time and effort you put into it.There are various products on the market that differ in maintenance and durability.
Making the final decision: weighing the pros and cons of different PVC flooring options
PVC, short for Polyvinyl Chloride, is a very versatile plastic floor covering. This means that installers can use it in different locations and for different applications. Customers considering installing PVC flooring should consider the pros and cons of this material before purchasing.
There are many pros of PVC flooring:Highly resistant material with excellent abrasion resistance even during strenuous walkingSpill-proof waterproofSome PVC tiles have drainage holesEasy to care for and clean the floorSurface texture availableVery affordable optionSeveral colors of flooringProvides sound and thermal insulationCan recover from fatigueRecyclableChemical resistance in many casesInstallation is easy and is often a DIY project.
There are a few cons of PVC flooring:It can be damaged by sharp and heavy objectsSome PVC floor coverings do not contain UV protection to prevent fading from sun exposure.PVC flooring cannot be repairedSome emit VOCs
Leave a Reply