PVC flooring. Modular pvc cover

Vinyl floor tiles are based on virgin vinyl, to which various stabilizers, including quartz sand, are added to give the necessary characteristics.

Due to the absence of harmful emissions, vinyl floor tiles can be used in commercial areas such as:

  • Offices
  • Shopping centers
  • Sports grounds
  • Game halls
  • Hotels
  • The shops

For commercial premises, special series of PVC tiles with an increased protective layer are used. Manufacturers improve the performance of protective layers with various technologies, such as ceramic chips, that extend the life of the floor.

All brand representatives in the territory of the Russian Federation provide voluntary sanitary certificates for their product, some additionally test in independent laboratories according to an extended list of requirements for finishing materials, thereby further emphasizing the absolute environmental safety of their floors. In addition, any production has its own quality control and a laboratory for testing finished products.

PVC floor tiles are tested for environmental and fire safety. It has all the necessary certificates and conclusions, according to international standards. This makes it possible to use vinyl floor tiles not only in commercial premises, but also in educational and medical institutions.

Texture of vinyl tiles

The structure of the floor vinyl tile is a multi-layer cake, in which each of the layers has its own purpose and are interconnected into a single die using hot pressing.

Hot pressing is the production method for most PVC tiles. His distinctive feature is to obtain a high-density durable product without the use of any harmful adhesives. This method allows you to meet all technical requirements for use in any enclosed space.

There are also methods of gross pressing or ironing calender, but it is mainly intended for the manufacture of linoleum and PVC floor tiles of the economy segment. This method of production does not allow creating a product with a multilayer structure.

Characteristics of PVC tiles

By itself, PVC floor tiles are 2 to 3 mm thick. Elasticity allows you to use not only as a floor covering, but to glue on walls and decorate decorative elements interior.

The high load capacity depends on the wear layer that the PVC tile has. The thicker the top layer, the stronger the load capacity.

For example, 0.3mm options are often reserved for residential areas, while 0.5mm options are suitable for commercial spaces, and 0.7-1.0mm collections for industrial use.

Unlike vinyl laminate, PVC floor tiles do not have lock joints, but are glued to the base using special adhesives.

PVC floor tiles provide a wide selection of different designs covering a wide range. These include, for example, ceramic designs that faithfully replicate well-known heavy materials. In addition, you will find decors that perfectly match the texture. natural stone, textile construction, concrete or metal.

For wood lovers, there are various wood-style options. These include light, dark and greyish decors. The variety is almost limitless, so now discover the wide selection and find the perfect decor for your desired space!

Texture from almost smooth to deep pattern in the register. Many colors and shades allow you to choose your option for every taste and design.

Benefits of vinyl tiles

Among the advantages of vinyl floor tiles, the following qualities can be distinguished:

  • 100% water resistance;
  • ease of cleaning;
  • does not absorb odors and liquids (especially important for pet owners);
  • high wear resistance class (from 34 to 43);
  • can be mounted on any square footage without thresholds;
  • low cost relative to vinyl laminate;
  • does not support combustion, fire safety class KM2;
  • compatible with underfloor heating system;
  • warm and tactile material
  • the absence of the effect of "voiced sex";

PVC floor tiles have another useful feature - anti-static finish. It prevents electrical charges and ensures that you no longer have to fear an electric shock. Another positive effect is the reduction of susceptibility to interference from electronic devices, which proves to be a significant advantage, especially in offices.

When choosing a tile, you need to consider where you will be using it. Different series are designed for different operational loads.

When laying vinyl tiles, you will need an additional skill to work with glue, but if you carefully read all the instructions, even a non-professional can do the installation.

cost of vinyl floor tiles

The price of vinyl floor tiles is slightly different (in a big way) from the "classic laminate". However, due to soy durability and minimal installation costs, this choice is a more profitable and reasonable purchase.

You can buy PVC tiles on the website or visit our Showroom, where more than 2000 products are presented.

The demand for practical floor coverings is on the rise. One of the options offered by manufacturers is a plastic floor. The material demonstrates not only strength, durability, but also comfortable operation, aesthetic appearance. At the same time, the price of PVC laminate remains affordable, which allows solving many practical problems.

Various textured designs, simple installation, optimal shape and ease of transportation are not the only advantages of PVC floor laminate. Customer reviews are unequivocal - these products deserve approval for their excellent performance. performance characteristics, plus the complete safety of PVC boards for health: the absence of harmful emissions, odor, immunity to UV rays and thermoplasticity.

Structural features of the flooring


The material is a multi-layer "sandwich", in which each level performs its own functional features:

  1. The bottom base and the middle layer are composite components, where PVC plastic, quartz sand, fiberglass are present. Layers are responsible for the density, strength of the coating.
  2. Aesthetic layer applied by photo printing. It has a variety of textures, colors.
  3. The last top layer is a PVC film. This is protection against thermal effects, mechanical shocks and other things. The thicker the layer, the stronger the coating.

Important! The price of the product directly depends on all factors. PVC floor covering has a different layer thickness, which determines the scope of this material.

The production process for manufacturing floor cladding is quite complicated and requires attention, compliance with standards and norms:

  1. After loading granulated PVC into a special hopper, the raw material is melted under the influence of high temperatures, then poured into molds;
  2. To give strength, the granules are mixed with fiberglass, sand;
  3. Cooling is the next operation of the cycle;
  4. Removal, trimming to shape and size, shrinkage and final hardening complete the entire preparatory process.

It remains only to join the layers, apply a drawing, the top layer of plastic and the lamella is ready for implementation. The coating is repeatedly tested for strength, structural integrity and undergoes a lot of tests to determine suitability.

Classification of PVC floor laminate by application


According to performance, PVC laminate is divided into several types:

  • Domestic. Indicated for applications where the load is minimal.
  • Commercial. It has a high degree of wear resistance, long service life, increased ability to repel shock shocks. The floor tiles are pleasantly springy when walking, which creates an additional noise-absorbing feature.
  • semi-commercial- this is a laminate, laid in places of medium pedestrian traffic. A fairly new type of product that has high performance properties and the most affordable price.
  • Special or industrial type - one of the most durable types of flooring. The coating demonstrates extremely high qualities: resistance to abrasion, long term of flawless operation, fire resistance, energy safety. At the same time, environmental friendliness and mechanical strength are preserved.

Important! PVC laminate is produced either in rolls 1.5 and 4 m wide, or in tiles whose dimensions are 330 * 330, 500 * 500, 610 * 610 mm. The price of the product depends on the purpose, type and ingredients used. A novelty from manufacturers is PVC coatings for industrial use, which have indicators 10 times higher than those mentioned. Large thickness, sound and heat insulation qualities, as well as design features(the ability to mount the coating in a matter of hours) - clear advantages of the product. The price of the product line is high, but it meets the increased standards and characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages of PVC coatings


All positive qualities are revealed in the process of using varieties of material. Advantages of products in areas of application:

  • Household laminate - an aesthetic coating of a modular type. It allows you to easily combine textures, is environmentally friendly, moisture resistant and not subject to temperature changes. This means that tiles or rolls can be easily combined with the “warm floor” system, used for laying on terraces, and the products will also show themselves well on the floor of an open veranda. Application area household type wide, designers have long used the material to create new styles. To determine the possibilities, just look at the photo, and the video will tell you the options for installing tiles.
  • The commercial type has increased wear resistance, therefore it is indicated for use in airports, train stations, hospitals or office centers. The aesthetics of the product also remains on top, and the presence of quartz and fiberglass in the structure of the tile guarantees the preservation of its shape throughout the entire period of use. Manufacturers have equipped the products with excellent fire safety - tiles or rolled laminate do not support combustion, which also guarantees the environmental friendliness of the product.
  • The industrial look is resistant to directional point mechanical stress. The shaping agent of the middle layer is quartz mixed with fiberglass, which makes the coating extremely durable and able to withstand heavy loads. At the same time, the laminate has a vibration-absorbing and noise-absorbing property, which increases acoustic comfort in workshops, warehouses and other rooms where the noise level is quite high. Increased resistance to aggressive environments is also a clear plus of the product.

In addition to individual characteristics, coatings have common advantages: speed of installation, ease of transportation, maintainability, ease of maintenance.

Plastic floors for animals


Another type of floor cladding designed for use in livestock farms is plastic slatted floors. These are modules made of high-strength polyethylene of the primary fraction, reinforced with additives that increase strength and give flexibility to the plates. The material is used for pigsties, premises for keeping cattle. The installation is most often carried out on metal logs, the width of the concrete bath should be above 1.2 m. Slotted openings in mats are individually selected, products are manufactured in accordance with the technological requirements for different types animals.

Possessing flexibility, strength, long service life and excellent practical qualities, plastic slatted floors are easy to install, clean and have a beneficial effect on animal hooves: plastic is not susceptible to fungal infections, perfectly resists mold, and repels dirt and water. These qualities help keep it clean. In addition, the springy base responds favorably to the condition of the livestock - due to the flexibility of the base, it is easy for heavy weight animals to stand up without deforming bones and hooves.

It is possible to combine flooring with water-type heating panels. Disinfectants and aggressive media are not afraid of plastic, and this increases the practicality of the panel when used. The flooring is applied both at the open, and the closed form of the maintenance of livestock.

Disadvantages of PVC floor coverings


With all the advantages, the materials have some disadvantages:

  • Low prevalence of the product. Despite good reviews, products are not always available to buyers. Especially in rural areas. The way out is to order directly from the supplier, in this case the price will be even more pleasant.
  • Additives of plasticizers do not allow us to call the product natural, but a preliminary check of the certification for environmental cleanliness guarantees the absence of harmful emissions. You can check the availability of the certificate on the manufacturer's website.
  • Preliminary work can also confuse buyers. Slabs or roll material requires a level base. Height differences are unacceptable, but the products can be laid on the old subfloor, wooden planks and other base, if it is even.
  • Price. Good feedback, the popularity of products led to increased demand. Therefore, often the cost of goods leaves much to be desired.

Finally


The main convenience of the product is the ease of installation. The procedure takes very little time, even for home master without much skill. A mallet, a rubber hammer - these are all the tools required for installation. The locking system of tiles or the adhesive system of the rolled material securely fixes the coating, preventing it from moving during operation. If necessary, slotted joints between the plates are also coated with glue, as shown in the photo. The procedure gives additional tightness and moisture resistance, which is especially important when laying plates on terraces, open verandas and other places where there is exposure to moisture, temperature changes.

Important! Modular system stacking is the ability to assemble a “puzzle” of elements, starting from any angle. But the reviews of professionals are advised to start from the center of the room, so that the cropped fragments are near the walls or sides. Pruning is carried out with any sharp object: a carpenter's knife, an electric jigsaw, an ordinary knife.

The scope of the material is wide, so the process of choosing floor cladding should be approached more carefully. Though industrial type laminate has increased durability, it is not worth laying it at home - it is economically unprofitable, the price of products is much higher than that of household stoves. But for office and shopping centers, market squares and trade pavilions the best material can not found. At the same time, the price pays off with a long period of impeccable operation, and customer reviews only confirm the practicality of using PVC laminate.

Many people believe that PVC tiles are designed exclusively for walls or ceilings, they are completely unsuitable for floors. But in fact, pvc floor tiles exist in a huge assortment, and enjoy well-deserved popularity. Today we will talk about it in more detail.

  • 1 Nuances of production
  • 2 Advantages and disadvantages
  • 3 Views
    • 3.1 Single layer
    • 3.2 Multilayer
  • 4 Preparation
    • 4.1 Mounting
      • 4.1.1 Selection and installation tips

Production nuances

The shape of PVC floor panels are:

  • square;
  • Rectangular;
  • Mosaic.

The basis for their manufacture is high-quality plastic compound. PVC granules are gradually mixed with special dyes, after which the material is dried and sent to a bunker that allows the formation of flat shapes.

At the last stage, the products are cooled, cut, they are given the necessary shape, size, shrinkage. The material is kept for some time, after which it is sent for final inspection and sale.

The structure of a standard PVC floor panel is as follows:

  • Protective coating that protects against mechanical damage;
  • decorative layer. Shapes the appearance of the tile;
  • Fiberglass inserts. They stabilize the dimensions, preventing the tiles from changing during operation;
  • Plastic base. With its help, the necessary stability and strength are achieved.

Advantages and disadvantages

The strengths that PVC floor panels have include.

  1. Ease of delivery. The material is lightweight, has simple shapes, which facilitates transportation.
  2. Maintainability. It is not necessary to replace the entire floor if one or more tiles are damaged. They are easily dismantled, and entire tiles are inserted in their place in a matter of minutes.
  3. Appearance. A variety of decorative layers allows you to make absolutely all kinds of design options for PVC plates. Some are attracted to imitation natural wood, which allows you to create a floor in the form parquet boards, while others want to see something like a chessboard.
  4. Moisture resistant. This allows you to easily install PVC panels inside the bathroom, in the kitchen.
  5. Attractive price. The cost of PVC tiles is affordable, which allows almost everyone to purchase material. Ideal Solution for quality and inexpensive repair gender.
  6. Elasticity combined with hardness. Due to this, the material is not particularly afraid of mechanical damage.
  7. Noise isolation properties.
  8. No need for underlay before installation.
  9. Wear resistance. The service life of a good PVC floor tile is about 8 years.
  10. The ability to create different compositions, combine textures, patterns of plates.

As for the shortcomings, it is one - it is PVC. If possible, it is better to finish living quarters with natural materials - tiles, parquet.

Kinds

There are two types of PVC floor panels, the difference between which lies in the number of layers:

  • Single layer;
  • Multilayer.

Let's try to figure out how they differ.

Single layer

They include one layer of PVC compound. The image passes through the entire thickness of the tile, which ensures its safety for a long service life.

As market analysis shows, there are different colors, but the pattern is mostly the same - marble structure or abstract images.

Multilayer

They include several layers, and the main one is laminated, which plays the role of a protective coating. Its thickness is not more than 0.5 mm. The second layer creates the pattern and color. Multi-layer floor panels imitate various materials:

  • Wood;
  • Parquet;
  • Marble;
  • Pebble;
  • A natural stone;
  • Lawn, etc.

The basis of multilayer tiles is foamed PVC, due to which high rates of rigidity, sound insulation and thermal conductivity are achieved. This layer is 1.5 mm thick.

Individual tile models are created with an adhesive layer, which simplifies the installation process on the floor.

Training

We are talking about the implementation of preparatory tasks that will allow you to qualitatively and competently install PVC plates on the floor.

  1. Read the instruction specifications material.
  2. Create indoor necessary temperature regime in the range of 15 to 24 degrees Celsius.
  3. Prepare the floor by concrete screed or its analogues. Before installation of plates humidity of a coupler should not make more than 3 percent.
  4. If the base is concrete, get rid of cracks, chips, protrusions. In many situations, a self-leveling floor will help.
  5. It is not necessary to remove tiles from the floor. Seal the seams, align.
  6. Laying PVC over linoleum or carpet is strongly discouraged. Remove it, level the floor, screed.

If you want to get the perfect picture on your PVC flooring, use the following method:

  • Divide the room into four zones of equal size. To do this, you need to draw two lines that intersect in the center;
  • From the center, start laying the tiles against the walls without gluing them;
  • Measure the distance from the last tile to the wall. If the distance is less than half of one PVC panel, move the center line. Small pieces of PVC can significantly spoil appearance gender.

Mounting

Laying PVC panels is quite simple. To do this, follow the recommendations of experts.

  1. Apply a layer of primer to the surface of the prepared floor with a roller.
  2. Install the first PVC tile according to the markings in the center.
  3. From the center, start gluing the rest of the panels.
  4. For installation, high-quality PVA glue or tile adhesive is suitable.
  5. Effective adhesion is achieved by applying the adhesive to the PVC panels and the floor at the same time.
  6. After installing the PVC plate on the floor, press it with your hand and beat it on the surface with a rubber mallet or roll it with a roller.
  7. Be sure to remove excess adhesive that will come out when leveling and rolling with a roller.
  8. If the installation of PVC tiles is carried out on a wooden floor, double-sided adhesive tape is used as an adhesive material.

So that you do not have problems in the course of the work, you must correctly purchase the material. To do this, just follow a few simple tips.

  1. Buy several square meters more material at once. It doesn't cost that much, but you compensate for cuts, defects, or incorrectly installed panels during the repair process.
  2. Having bought PVC panels, lay them out inside the room where the floor is planned to be finished. Wait a day, which will allow the tile to take the necessary shape, adapt to new operating conditions.
  3. If skirting boards are installed around the perimeter of the room, be sure to dismantle them. Just be careful, planning to put them back in place later.
  4. It is recommended to cut PVC panels with front side. For cutting, it is convenient to use a mounting or durable clerical knife.
  5. The panel will cut more easily if it is heated with a heat gun.
  6. If you plan to lay PVC panels inside a small area, choose tiles with a 3D effect. This will visually expand the room, make it more spacious.

PVC tiles can be called a worthy alternative to more expensive ones. floor materials. But this is plastic, which is better not to use in residential premises, if it is possible to choose natural materials.

The choice is always yours. But remember that only if you buy high-quality PVC panels and follow the literacy of their installation, you will achieve the desired result without unpleasant consequences.

Linoleum, or rather, rolled PVC coating, has long established itself as a reliable, very attractive, hygienic and, most importantly, inexpensive solution for floors both in homes and in offices, shopping centers, child care facilities, nightclubs, and also in many others. commercial and public buildings. Of course, linoleum, as an inexpensive floor covering, has many advantages, but there are also several disadvantages.

Firstly, the roll coating is quite difficult to transport and lift to a high floor. Secondly, if on a noticeable defect forms in the coating, you will either have to mask it with a rug or furniture, or simply change it. To be creative with linoleum in the same way as, for example, with tiles, will not work either. You can, of course, combine linoleum of several colors in one room by cutting it out in a wave, but complex combinations will not be easy to implement.

All these disadvantages are devoid of the so-called PVC floor tiles . This material is also called vinyl, PVC, plastic and linoleum tiles, as well as designer modular flooring. In fact, this is practically the same linoleum, only very high quality, cut into slabs. The size range of PVC tiles is very wide: there are tiles 25 by 25 cm, 30 by 30 cm, 30 by 50 cm and even 70 by 90 cm and others. Thus, plastic floor tiles are both square and rectangular - as they say, choose to taste.

PVC or PVC floor tiles has been on the market for a very long time, but in our country it has not been in demand for the repair of domestic premises for a long time. But in Europe and the USA, PVC tiles are very often laid in both the kitchen and the bathroom. Of course, the choice in favor of such a tile is made in the case when it is required to minimize the cost of repairs. Such tiles are very cheap compared to ceramic tiles, and even more so porcelain stoneware. But it does not last as long as a stone one. It does not swell and does not break, but it loses its appearance.

In our country, much more often PVC coating was used (and continues to be used) for floors in garages, warehouses and industrial premises. However, the appearance of the so-called designer pvc tiles - beautiful, bright, imitating natural materials– contributed to the growth of interest in this flooring for the home. The well-known manufacturer Tarkett also produces PVC tiles and of very high quality.

PVC tiles: what's inside

PVC or PVC tiles, like artificial linoleum, are multi-layered. lower and
middle layers
such tiles consist of dissimilar materials interspersed with PVC. This makes the material elastic and plastic, but moderately hard. The same layers provide heat to the floors and protect the coating from possible deformation. The base can be fiberglass or some other non-woven material. The bottom surface of the first layer is usually rough, which makes it easier to stick the tiles.

next layer- color, on which one or another color or pattern is applied by photo printing. Upper layer- this is a layer of transparent polyvinyl chloride, and the thicker this layer, the more reliable the tile. PVC tiles can be reinforced one more layer- Polyurethane coating for durability and ease of maintenance.

In the manufacture of tiles, they are processed at high pressure, due to which the material acquires increased strength. At the same moment, as a rule, a surface texture is created that imitates the texture of a natural material.

The thickness of the tiles is different: usually it ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 mm, but it can be thicker. Accordingly, the thicker the tile, the stronger and more reliable they are.

PVC floor tiles: advantages

1. Easier to transport than rolled linoleum.

2. As a rule, PVC floor tiles are more durable than residential and even commercial linoleum.

3. It has many colors and textures, imitates a huge number of different materials.

For example, such a tile imitating is ideal for a bathroom.

4. A floor covered with PVC tiles will be warmer than a floor finished with laminate, which is more thermally conductive. PVC tile floors will be quieter than laminate, parquet and stone tile floors when walking on them with shoes on (this is especially important if the flooring is chosen for a public building).

5. PVC tiles are not afraid of moisture. And even if some tiles peel off due to the flood, it will not be difficult to glue them again.

6. PVC tiles will not break or chip like porcelain stoneware tiles. PVC tiles will not swell when "flooded" like laminate.

7. Modern manufacturers of designer PVC floor modules make them non-slippery (eg Tarkett tiles).


8.
When laying PVC tiles, you can go all out and get creative enough: lay the tiles in a checkerboard pattern, randomly, in rhombuses. Using tiles different colors, you can create interesting combinations - for example, lay out patterns a la Tetris figures in the center of the children's room.

The tile is easy to cut, so you can do the "application", creating almost any shape on the floor. Narrow rectangular PVC tiles can be laid in a herringbone pattern like parquet. In a word, there are much more options here than with linoleum, laminate and even porcelain stoneware.

9. Vinyl (PVC) tiles do not require a backing.

Disadvantages of PVC floor tiles

The disadvantage is, in fact, only one. Like it or not, PVC is PVC, that is artificial material. If funds allow, it is better to finish the living quarters only with natural materials.

Vinyl tiles (pvc) floor: laying

First, of course, you need to prepare the base of the floor. This is necessary before laying any floor covering. The surface must be clean, level and dry. If necessary, after removing the old flooring, use a leveling compound. If the floor is already even, you need to cover it with a primer and let it dry.

Beacon tiles are glued first. Usually, the central point of the floor is determined (using a tape measure, chalk and pencil) and two perpendicular straight lines are drawn through it. Beacon tiles are laid along these lines (axes). Although beacon tiles can also be made from the entrance, if the room is even and the eye is in perfect order. But it is more correct to glue the tiles along perpendicular axes. Focusing on beacon tiles, you need to continue laying tiles up to the walls.

We glue beacon tiles along the drawn lines

What to glue PVC floor tiles on? You can glue PVC tiles on any glue suitable for PVC, including PVA. But it is better to choose exactly the glue that is recommended by the tile manufacturer (see the information on the package). Glue is applied both to the floor and to the base of the tile. Excess glue is immediately removed. Much easier to work with PVC tiles with adhesive backing : just need to remove protective layer and immediately glue the tiles. In principle, PVC tiles can be glued to the floor with double-sided adhesive tape.

Having applied the tile, smeared with glue, to the floor, it is advisable to roll it with a rubber roller or lightly tap with a rubber mallet. The second tile is placed end to end with the first.

You can use a carpet or wallpaper knife to cut tiles. One secret: the tile will be cut easier if it is slightly heated - use a hair dryer for this.

By the way, please note: some manufacturers place an arrow on the back of the tile indicating the direction in which the tile should be laid. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of the optical effect conceived by the manufacturer.

PVC tiles are laid quickly and easily: per hour of work 1 person can cover 2-3 square meters gender .

PVC tiles: required quantity

Counting the number of tiles , keep in mind that part will have to be cut for laying against the walls. It is also recommended to buy a spare box of tiles if there is a place to store them, of course. If one of the tiles is damaged, it will simply need to be removed, thrown away and another glued in its place.

PVC tiles: not only for the floor

PVC tiles can also be glued to walls - or rather, to sections of walls. For example, to select . Black and white square tiles can be used to create a checkerboard on the wall. PVC tiles are sometimes lined with walls in.

PVC tiles with an interesting pattern and texture are used to decorate furniture - for example, they cover the covers of old chests of drawers with it. In a word, for the floor - it's not just a floor, but an excellent finishing material, the scope of which is limited only by the imagination of the designer.

Among floor coverings used in repairs, there are also those that combine the properties of several materials familiar to us at once. In addition, they look spectacular and modern and at the same time very inexpensive. All these properties bribe the owner of the apartment, who is starting a renovation, in which it is not initially planned to invest a lot of money, but you can get a good end result. This is a PVC floor covering..

PVC coatings imitate the surface of expensive materials, are easy to install and cheap.

PVC floor coverings in the apartment

We often use PVC coating for walls and ceilings. But for floors this material is Lately practically not used. However, the modern construction business has managed to close this gap, and today the PVC floor has taken its place among the laminate, floor tiles, linoleum and other representatives of building materials.

PVC floors accommodate the properties of linoleum and ceramic tiles.

  • With linoleum, this coating combines the structure of the material and production technology:
    one large sheet is first produced, which is then cut into smaller strips or squares
  • FROM ceramic tiles– external similarity and dimensions of one coverage unit

Production technology and structure


PVC tiles usually have a four-layer structure

Modern PVC floors are quite durable (stronger than linoleum), as they are multi-layered and produced under high pressure.

  • The basis is a one-two millimeter layer of foamed polyvinyl chloride, which provides rigidity, and also serves as thermal and sound insulation
  • Flexibility of the PVC coating is given by plasticizers.
  • The top coating of polyurethane or polyester with a thickness of 0.2 to 1 mm determines the wear resistance of the floor, protects it from damage

Single-layer PVC tiles are also produced, however, they are rarely used for flooring due to their low strength.

Advantages of PVC flooring

  • PVC flooring is cheaper than laminate flooring.
  • The coating can have a longer service life than linoleum, due to the easy replacement of individual tiles. To allow for this repair, purchase one more pack of coverage than is estimated.
  • PVC tiles imitate the texture of absolutely any material:
    • Ceramics, marble or granite chips, natural stone
    • You can artificially create the appearance of a wooden floor or laminate
      (The exclamations of “Oh, what do you have here, in fact, plastic, not wood ???” are not surprising in an apartment where PVC floors are installed)
  • This is an excellent moisture resistant material, very unassuming in care.
  • PVC tiles have a non-slip surface, thanks to manufacturing technology that allows you to create a relief outer layer
  • Fragile objects do not break when dropped on the floor
  • Polyvinyl chloride has low thermal conductivity, so this floor is warmer than tiles
  • Under this coating, you can install a floor heating system
  • Tiles or strips are very easy to install: this operation is available to women and even children, especially if a self-adhesive floor is installed.

Video: Self-adhesive PVC tiles

Note: How long such a coating will last, and whether the tiles will soon be torn off, will be revealed during operation.

Now let's move on from the praises to the disadvantages

Disadvantages of PVC floors

We specifically did not name “environmental safety” among the advantages, although in advertising you will definitely find a clause about “the complete safety of polyvinyl chloride”.

  • We will not argue that synthetic materials are completely safe, if only because any synthetic material with high temperature tends to evaporate and be present in environment. Laying technology allows cutting tiles with preheating with a hair dryer. The presence of vapors of polymeric materials in the apartment is unlikely to be useful. Therefore, once this point is in question, it automatically moves from advantages to disadvantages.
  • .Despite the relatively good strength, it is not recommended to use PVC floors where there is a lot of traffic or a lot of equipment is installed, that is, in a public place, and if used, then only increased thickness and strength
  • The service life of a PVC coating is relatively short - up to 10 years
  • The floor surface is not resistant to solvents

PVC floor laying technology

PVC tiles can be laid on any (new or old) prepared surface:
concrete floor, wooden floors, old laminate, parquet, etc.

Surface preparation is the same as when installing linoleum or laminate:

  • small irregularities and defects can be eliminated with a self-levelling mixture
  • in case of more serious damage and deviations, a new concrete pour is required

Installation of skirting boards and thresholds

This is the finishing touch to the work.

  • Plinth and threshold also choose from PVC
  • Skirting board fixing method - gluing it to the wall
    • The surface of the wall below is cleaned of wallpaper, paint, dirt
    • The side of the plinth adjacent to the wall is cleaned with sandpaper and degreased with gasoline
    • Glue is applied to the baseboard and the wall (in two layers: the second after 10 or 15 minutes)
    • When the second layer dries (usually after 5-10 minutes), the plinth is pressed against the wall with a special trowel
  • The threshold is set at the level of the doorway, attaching it with screws and dowels to the floor

Video: Laying the floor with PVC tiles