Vinyl Flooring- Types, Patterns and Finishes

Vinyl is one of the most durable and cost-effective flooring materials. It is often used in heavy traffic areas where durability is required. Vinyl, made from a mixture of plasticizers and polyvinyl chloride is not only flexible but also versatile. It is manufactured in various colors and patterns and can work in virtually any room in the house or commercial establishment.

Here are few choices you get in Vinyl Flooring:

• Printed Vinyl
• Inlaid Vinyl
• Solid Vinyl
• Vinyl Composite Tile

Printed vinyl– a color or pattern is printed on the tile. This is a popular choice for homes as there is a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from. Printed vinyl is manufactured in a layering system and includes a backing (often padded), a print layer and one or two wear layers to protect the printed surface from damage. Since almost any image can be imprinted on these tiles, it becomes easy to get the look of marble, hardwood or weathered stone at an affordable rate.

Inlaid Vinyl– color granules are imbedded into inlaid vinyl sheets, giving a deeper look to the vinyl. If you look closely, you can see the specks of varying shades that create the overall hue.

Solid Vinyl Tiles– vinyl resins and fillers are molded into the tile’s desired shape and size. Compared to other vinyl materials, solid vinyl has a more natural look and the colors found in these tiles penetrate completely through the material.

Formats of Vinyl:

Sheet and tile are two common formats to choose from. You can get sheet vinyl in a six or twelve foot wide roll cut to measure. It can either be felt-backed (installed with an adhesive) or fiberglass-backed (installed without adhesive). Sheet flooring is generally available in 2, 3 and 4 meter roll and since there are no joints, there are no chances of damage from water. Vinyl sheets are commonly used for Bus Flooring.

Vinyl tiles are manufactured in 12 or 18 inch squares. They have a self-adhesive backing and can be installed with or without acrylic grout. These tiles look different from sheet vinyl as they have lines and seams.

Plank vinyl is also a format of this type of flooring that is manufactured in strips that lock together for giving a clean, seamless finish to the floor. It is either available with a backing that needs to be glued or a peel-and-stick backing.

 Different Finishes of Vinyl

There are three different finishes of vinyl:

• Vinyl No-wax
• Enhanced Urethane
• Urethane

Vinyl no-wax is one of the most cost-effective options. It is not only easy to clean but also stain resistant. You don’t have to polish it on a regular basis as it stays shiny. Enhanced urethane is a superior option compared to vinyl no-wax and urethane. It not only has a long lasting shine without the need for polishing but also resists household stains, scuffs and scratches. Urethane is easy to clean and is also resistant to stains.

Importance of Choosing Quality School Flooring

Health and safety issues should be taken into consideration when choosing flooring for schools. This will help in reducing health hazards and create a better learning environment for the children. No matter what material you choose, it should be anti-slippery, durable and easy to maintain.

Carpet is one of the most common materials used for school flooring. Even though it helps in reducing sound and creates a soft surface for students to sit on, it can be a source of dust that can lead to allergies. It absorbs fluids, making it difficult to clean and maintain. If the carpet is not cleaned properly, it can cause bad smell. Compared to carpet, epoxy floors or concrete floors are a better, dust-free alternative.

The flooring material should not be a source of mildew or mold. For instance, if water gets underneath vinyl tiles or concrete floor, mold or mildew can start breeding. This can also pose health issues for students as well as the school staff.

Tiles are a good option as they are easy to clean and appear shiny. They don’t hold on to spills and allergens which means, classroom area remains odor-free. However, the disadvantage is that tiles are hard and don’t provide the cushioning effect of carpet flooring. If not cleaned on a regular basis, tile floors can look dusty and dull.

If you are planning to install vinyl floors, there are two types you can choose from- heterogeneous flooring and homogeneous flooring. Heterogeneous flooring can be used for commercial as well as residential spaces. Heterogeneous is multi-layer flooring that comes in a variety of patterns. It gives the look of natural flooring material and demands low-cost maintenance. When compared to other flooring materials, heterogeneous and homogenous flooring are cost-effective and stain-resistant options.

Avoid Workplace Accidents with Quality Anti-slip Flooring

In order to make a school, hospital or office attractive and safe, it is important to have good quality anti-slip floors. It helps reduce the chances of slip trips or accidents caused due to slippery flooring.

Here are some of the benefits of investing in anti-slip flooring:

• If you are spending money on anti-slip floor coating in your office, it will ensure a safe and healthy work environment for your staff and visitors
• It will help you reduce the likelihood of accidents and litigation at workplace, saving you money in the long run
• Safe working environment will enhance the productivity of employees

Be it indoors or outdoors, you can choose between anti-slip floor coating and anti-slip tiles. Anti-slippery tiles are quite useful in wet areas, offering instant resistance. These tiles can also be used in greasy or dry conditions.

Anti-slip floor coating is also important to ensure safety in residential or commercial spaces. This coating looks like ordinary paint but it makes the floor textured, working as an abrasive that increases grip and toehold. This type of coating is mostly used in hotels, hospitals and restaurants.

Choosing Good Quality Anti-slip Floor Treatment

You can choose from a wide variety of floor treatments, depending on the kind of existing floor you have. This treatment will not only reduce mishaps such as slipping or tripping but also provide some luster to the existing surface. Your existing flooring will not get damaged due to this treatment or coating.

Whether you have marble, concrete, limestone or granite flooring, you can get anti-slip floor treatment done. There are several companies that are into manufacturing of anti-slip floor tiles and industrial flooring and coating. Make sure you choose a reputed manufacturer to get best quality material.