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.
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