PVC tile. Types, advantages and disadvantages

Vinyl tile, the origins of which belong to the thirties of the last century, made its first step to the conquest of the interior Olympus in the post-war years. It is worth noting that the appearance of vinyl tiles in an extensive (even in those times) range of finishing materials did not produce the planned furore, as skeptics felt that her invention was a regular pattern, quite understandable from both technical and technological points of view. In addition, despite the fact that in the 50s vinyl floor tiles became one of the main competitors of other flexible finishing materials, linoleum at that time was one of the cheapest and most waterproof flooring in the lead. However, the developers of vinyl tiles were not going to stop there, and continued to systematically improve both the practical and aesthetic characteristics of the material, and also tried to simplify the ways of its installation as much as possible. The result pleased even non-professionals - modern material is characterized by an original design, high wear resistance and ease of installation. And this is not a complete list of the advantages of vinyl tiles for walls and floors, making it one of the most popular options, even in conditions of modern building abundance. Despite all its advantages, certain disadvantages are also characteristic of vinyl tiles, which cannot go unnoticed. In this article, we will acquaint readers with the main varieties of vinyl tiles, differences in their structure and user characteristics. We will not bypass the side and its advantages and main disadvantages.

Content

1. Vinyl tiles: the relevance of the issue
2. The structural composition of vinyl PVC tiles
3. Advantages of vinyl tiles: what to look for?
4. What you need to know about the shortcomings of vinyl tiles?
5. Types of vinyl floor tiles: a brief description
6. Popular producers of vinyl tiles: a brief description
   • Tarkett Vinyl Tiles
   • Vinyl Decoria

Vinyl tiles: the relevance of the issue

The modern construction market is currently so developed that inexperienced craftsmen often have difficulty choosing a certain group of materials. First of all it concerns the floor coverings which are characterized by a big variety. Among materials that are steadily gaining popularity, it is necessary to note vinyl tile, the price of which, combined with ease of maintenance and ease of installation, is one of its main advantages. Its popularity is due to the unique ability to combine the best qualities of the most popular floor coverings. Vinyl tile is a kind of symbiosis of the stability of natural stone, the flexibility of linoleum, as well as ease of installation characteristic of the laminate. Vinyl-lined floor coverings, both visually and tactilely, can imitate granite and marble veneer, floor ceramics, marble parquet and even leather trim. There are also such innovative solutions, thanks to which, under the feet of homeowners there will be a green lawn all year round or sea sand lying, reminiscent of a summer vacation.

Modern vinyl tiles occupy an honorable place among the finishing materials, with the help of which craftsmen can create high-quality floor coverings characterized by high wear resistance. Thanks to the invention of PVC vinyl tiles, consumers received a unique opportunity to significantly increase the efficiency of thermal insulation of a room, while significantly simplifying the way the flooring was laid and bringing its technical characteristics to a new level.

The structural composition of vinyl PVC tiles

Manufacturers believe that the popularity of vinyl tiles, which you can buy at any specialty store, is primarily due to its multi-layered structure, which gives it unique technical characteristics. Due to the structural features of vinyl tile, in technical characteristics it is much better than its ceramic counterparts, gradually displacing them from the construction market. During its long operational period, which exceeds several decades, it does not lose its aesthetic appeal, retaining its original appearance. Despite the fact that there are several varieties of vinyl tiles, differing in their structural composition and some characteristics, common features for all types of vinyl tiles, such as multi-layer structure, as well as the use of polyvinyl chloride, vinyl, and plasticizers in its production process, are characterized by high strength.

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Consider the layered composition of vinyl tiles:

• The protective layer is represented by transparent vinyl coating, which has undergone a special technological treatment, due to which it protects the material from both acid-base and aggressive media, as well as from mechanical influences and moisture;
• Decorative layer , also produced using heat-treated vinyl materials. Proceeding from the name, it is possible to understand that aesthetic functions are assigned to it and the original drawing or the pattern imitating a natural stone is put. For its application, modern dyes are used to ensure uniformity, clarity and expressiveness of the pattern. Ensuring high adhesive characteristics with the surface is another advantage of dyes used in the production of vinyl tiles;
• The main layer , which, in turn, consists of two layers - the base and stabilizing. They are designed to stabilize the surface of the material and smooth out its small defects. Polyvinyl chloride is used for their manufacture, various fillers, reinforced with plasticizers, are blamed.

Advantages of Vinyl Tiles

The popularity of vinyl tiles is increasing annually, due to the fact that the features of modern production of materials based on PVC annually improve the quality of their products. Vinyl tiles are characterized not only by ease of installation, but also by the lack of need for labor-intensive care. For vinyl tiles that meet all quality standards, the following advantages are characteristic:

• Guaranteed long operational life , provided by the multi-layer structure of the material. The upper protective film is characterized by color stability, and the presence of a special UV filter helps to protect the drawing from fading;
• The environmental safety of the material , which was achieved thanks to the abandonment of the use of synthetic raw materials base. Modern vinyl tiles are environmentally friendly flooring that can even be used in children's institutions;
• Antibacterial protection is another advantage of vinyl tile. It is possible to speak about it due to the fact that vinyl tile, produced on the basis of PVC, is characterized by the presence of a special coating DECOTILE, in the development process of which Nano-Silver technology was used, which allows to minimize the number of viruses and bacteria, and also to prevent their subsequent reproduction;

• Resistance to temperature differences provided by the performance characteristics of PVC material, which can be successfully used in the temperature range from -40 to +80 degrees. This feature allows you to exploit vinyl tiles together with the system "warm floor";
• Prolonged abrasion, provided by the introduction of quartz sand or mineral chips into the composition of vinyl tiles;
• High resilience not only to long-term mechanical impact, but also to point impacts without the formation of scratches, dents, chips or cracks;
• The ease of cutting vinyl tiles makes it possible to install vinyl floors decorated with carved patterns. In addition, the vinyl floor is antistatic and non-slip;

• Resistance to excess moisture and mechanical stress is ensured by the structural features of the material and its proper installation. The upper protective layer protects the material from scratches and other mechanical damage;
• No need for labor-intensive care . The vinyl tile does not need difficult specialized leaving. To ensure its optimal condition, it is sufficient to periodically clean it with water or a solution using detergent.

Important! Remember that cleaning agents with abrasive properties and wax-based compounds are not recommended for use in cleaning vinyl tiles.

• Ease of repair activities . In case of damage to one or several tiles, there is no need to dismantle the entire coating, which greatly facilitates and accelerates the repair activities;
• Lightweight material , due to which there are no problems with the transportation and laying of the coating, and does not create an additional load on the floor slabs;
• The possibility of laying vinyl flooring on almost any basis .
• A diverse design and a wide selection of colors, patterns and textures. Thanks to this dignity, PVC vinyl tiles can be used to finish not only the floor, but also the walls. A variety of vinyl tiles with a matte, glossy or rough surface, allows you to choose the most profitable design solution for decorating a room made in any style.

Disadvantages of vinyl tiles

As well as any other finishing material, besides advantages, the vinyl tile is characterized also by a number of certain shortcomings. Despite the fact that the disadvantages of vinyl tiles are easily removable and can be offset by its advantages, it is necessary to consider each of them separately.

• Exposure to sunlight. The top transparent layer of vinyl tiles really protects the decorative part from abrasion, scratches, etc., but it cannot protect against the effects of sunlight. As a result, such tiles should not be laid in rooms where sunlight is a frequent guest, because it will simply burn out. It is best to use this flooring in hallways, rooms where the sun does not appear, etc.

• Long-term exposure to heavy weight. Due to the special structure of the vinyl tile, it cannot resist serious loads for a long time. In fact, this building material is a kind of sandwich, where not all layers can withstand the long-term effects of great weight. Therefore, dents may appear over time from a cabinet, table or dresser on this cover. Especially this drawback will annoy those who like frequent changes in their homes.

• Unnatural . Despite the fact that the characteristics of vinyl tiles allow specialists to create high-quality imitations of various natural materials (natural wood or stone), the characteristic features inherent in vinyl coatings are still clearly visible, and therefore, you can always draw conclusions about the unnaturalness of the floor covering;
• Time-consuming installation of individual varieties of vinyl tiles that need to be glued using mastic. This process is responsible and rather time-consuming, since the smallest mistakes made in the process of work will soon manifest themselves in the form of irregularities of the floor covering or loose seams;
• The following disadvantage is directly related to the previous one. If there is a need to use mastic, it is necessary to take into account its high cost. If you plan to entrust the work on the installation of flooring to specialists, also consider the cost of their work;
• In accordance with consumer reviews, consider the need to carefully level the surface, the neglect of which can lead to poor-quality aesthetic characteristics of the coating;
• If you are planning to purchase vinyl tiles belonging to the lowest price category , be prepared for the fact that certain problems may arise: seam divergence in the case of a linear expansion mismatch, swelling or surface expansion.

Vinyl Tile Photo

Types of vinyl floor tiles: a brief description

It is possible to classify vinyl floor tiles taking into account a variety of features, among which special attention is paid to the method of production of the material, the features of its installation and operational qualities. First of all, consider the classification of vinyl tiles in accordance with its performance characteristics.

Given this feature, there are several types of vinyl tile:

• Household vinyl tile - the type to which the material belongs to 23-31 operational class. It is designed for rooms that are characterized by relatively low traffic (for example, a kitchen in a residential building or a bedroom). The top sheeting of vinyl tiles of this type has a minimum thickness, and therefore, its service life does not exceed 6 years;
• Commercial vinyl tile , includes material belonging to 32-42 class of operation. Due to the fact that the protective coating of this tile has an average thickness, it can be used in rooms with above-average traffic, such as trading floors or offices. The service life of such coverage exceeds 15 years;
• Vinyl tiles for special purposes , to which the materials belong to the operational class 43, are characterized by the presence of a coating of maximum thickness and is intended for premises operated under the conditions of the highest possible loads. Such premises include production workshops and sports halls. The service life of a vinyl coating for special purposes is calculated taking into account the loads imposed on it.

In accordance with the design features of vinyl tiles, which determine the method of laying the floor covering, the following varieties of it are distinguished:

• Castle varieties of vinyl tiles , equipped with a thorn-groove fastening system, refer to materials whose features accelerate the installation process of the floor covering. Laying vinyl tiles with a lock is carried out in areas with intensive traffic, where installation work should be carried out in the shortest possible time intervals;

• Vinyl self-adhesive tiles are mainly used for installation of flooring in bathrooms or bathrooms. A distinctive feature of self-adhesive vinyl tiles is the presence on the back of the material of an innovative adhesive surface that is able to ensure reliable fixation of the vinyl coating with any surface devoid of roughness;

• Glue vinyl tile in the process of laying requires the use of a special solution, the preparation of which is carried out immediately before laying the vinyl floor covering. Adhesive tile is absolutely unpretentious to the draft basis, but the reliability of its fixation depends on the characteristics of the adhesive composition and the method of its installation. In this regard, during the preparation of the adhesive composition, experts recommend to adhere to the recommendations indicated on the packaging of the floor covering. Neglect of this advice may have unpleasant consequences, in the form of unfit for use flooring. Ideally, to ensure reliable fixation of the floor covering, it is recommended to purchase adhesive compositions recommended by the manufacturer of this or that floor covering.

With regard to the classification of vinyl tiles in accordance with the method of production, there are also certain nuances. There are several ways to produce vinyl floor tiles, reviews of each of them confirm their reliability and efficiency. However, the composition and final characteristics of the material may vary somewhat depending on the technological processes practiced in a particular enterprise.

Given the method of production, several types of vinyl tile are also distinguished:

• Compressed vinyl tile , in the process of production of which special resins are used, as well as modifiers and plasticizers that increase the quality of raw materials. Often, manufacturers of compressed vinyl tiles include inert filler. Технологическая цепочка производства прессованной виниловой плитки подразумевает разогрев всех компонентов, входящих в ее состав, до высоких температур, после чего их спрессовывают под большим давлением. Такие особенности производства гарантируют материалу повышенную прочность, длительность эксплуатационного срока, а также гибкость и пластичность. Ее верхний слой надежно защищен от повреждений, благодаря наличию защитной пленки, которая не только повышает ресурсы ее поверхности, но и повышает износостойкость материала. Отзывы о виниловой плитке для пола подтверждают также то, что она является не только долговечным, но и оригинальным материалом, который, за счет богатства фактур и рисунков, придает изюминку даже самому заурядному интерьеру. Отличительной особенностью прессованной виниловой плитки является разнообразие конфигураций, позволяющее подобрать материал как классической прямоугольной или квадратной формы, так и в форме оригинальных многоугольников;

• Кварц виниловая плитка, представляющая собой гетерогенный отделочный материал, состоящий из нескольких слоев. Основным сырьем для ее изготовления является природный кварц, не накапливающий статическое электричество, устойчивый к влаге и агрессивным кислотно-щелочным, а также к механическим воздействиям. Благодаря указанным свойствам сырьевого материала, напольное покрытие, произведенное с его использованием, приобретает надежность и долговечность. Для улучшения свойств кварц виниловой плитки в ее состав включены пластификаторы, повышающие его пластичность, и стабилизаторы, обеспечивающие его надежную защиту от выгорания под действием ультрафиолетового излучения.

Популярные производители виниловой плитки: краткая характеристика

Виниловая плитка Tarkett

Компания Tarkett – один из самых популярных немецких производителей виниловой плитки. Высококачественная виниловая продукция характеризуется разнообразием декоров, имитирующих паркет, ламинат или керамическую плитку. Она характеризуется легкостью в уходе, отсутствием склонности к образованию плесени и грибка, а также высокой устойчивостью к механическому воздействию и температурным перепадам. Коллекция виниловой плитки Art Vinil, представленная немецким производителем Tarkett, характеризуется многослойной структурой:

1.Дополнительный полиуретановый слой EXTREME PROTECTION – ноу-хау компании Tarkett. Он предназначен для выравнивания неровностей транспорента, а также для защиты покрытия от проникновения различных загрязнений;

2.Транспорент – защитный слой толщиной 0,4 мм, предотвращающий износ покрытия и сравнимый с полукоммерческим линолеумом;

3.Декоративное покрытие, на которое с помощью различных красителей нанесен рисунок;

4.Чтобы придать декоративному слою большую прочность, компания Tarkett практикует использование дополнительной основы для декора;

5.Стеклохолст, благодаря которому обеспечивается геометрическая стабильность и прочность покрытия, благодаря которой, плитка не растягивается по ширине;

6.Основа, благодаря которой плитка приобретает тепло- и звукоизоляционные характеристики, а также прочность и износоустойчивость.

Виниловая плитка Decoria

Decoria vinyl tile is a new generation of universal antibacterial flooring, developed by the South Korean company Daejin Co. Ltd, and is a plastic vinyl tiles that mimic various natural materials, including bamboo, marble or granite, as well as compositions embodied using 3D technologies - relic wood, mosaic or ceramics. Thanks to the use of unique patented technology Nano Silver, in the world there are no analogues of vinyl PVC tiles Decoria. If you decide to purchase vinyl tiles, Leroy Merlin - a popular hypermarket of building and finishing materials, will always offer you the widest choice of finishing materials.