The floor is a part of the interior for which characteristics such as practicality and durability are especially important.
If you want to install not just a stylish, beautiful, but reliable and high-quality floor, then vinyl laminate is ideal for you. It appeared on the market not so long ago, but has managed to become the most popular among other floor coverings.
Composition and structure
The main criterion for the strength of this material is vinyl, which is used to treat the base in order to increase wear resistance.
The laminate plank consists of two layers : protective and bottom.
The top protective layer is usually made of polyurethane or aluminum oxide. This layer gives the surface an aesthetic appearance like stone, wood or parquet; it can also imitate the appearance of leather, sand in three-dimensional quality.
The bottom layer, also known as the base , is made of vinyl, which is the key to the strength of this type of floor. The thickness of the vinyl layer is about 0.5 mm.
Between these layers there is a middle in the form of stone chips , and vinyl backing
Video: finishing the floor and walls with quartz vinyl in the bathroom
► The video shows an option for finishing walls in a bathroom using adhesive quartz vinyl tiles FineFloor.
Vinyl floor. Thanks to the protective layer and multilayer structure of PVC, the tiles are practically invulnerable to abrasive wear and mechanical damage, and are also 100% waterproof!
✔ Choose interlocking quartz laminate, adhesive PVC tiles, as well as unique woven vinyl flooring and the latest SPC laminate - a floor without weak points - in the Polov catalog!
Advantages and disadvantages
Due to its multi-layer nature, vinyl laminate is in many ways superior to other types of coatings, and this is what makes it different. Not only this “sandwich” structure, but also the materials from which the floor is made help it withstand heavy loads , including heavy sports equipment and furniture.
It is also important that the coating resists moisture , detergents and does not slip. Resistant to possible damage. It is important to note that such a floor initially has sound and heat insulating qualities due to its composition.
Plus, when heated, vinyl will not emit harmful substances .
Laying will also greatly benefit from other coverings - vinyl tiles are easily separated, which allows you to lay them evenly next to each other.
Let's summarize by collecting all the advantages of vinyl laminate:
- strength;
- durability;
- sound insulation;
- thermal insulation;
- wear resistance;
- ease of care;
- original design, large selection of coatings;
- ease of installation;
The strength of quartz vinyl tiles is due to the inclusion of up to 80% quartz sand in its composition and reinforcement with fiberglass.
The tile is poorly abraded and scratched, so it is considered durable.
Possessing good thermal insulation properties, this material is widely used for the manufacture of heated floors.
Vinyl laminate contains mineral chips or quartz sand, which ensures high wear resistance of the material. Usually correspond to class 34-43.
The tile is characterized by antibacterial and antiseptic properties; it is easy to clean, which makes it easy to care for.
The original design of the outer surface of the material makes it possible to create an imitation of ceramics, parquet, and granite.
This floor will look great in any room and is easy to maintain. Vinyl laminate, unlike the usual type, is safe for health , so it is recommended and widely used in schools, hospitals, kindergartens and other preschool institutions.
In addition, due to its moisture resistance, vinyl laminate, like no other, is suitable for use in rooms with high humidity. This could be a swimming pool, a gym, some kind of basement, and even a bathroom or bathhouse. Vinyl laminate has disadvantages , but are there any? It is difficult to identify problems with such a floor covering, so we will only note its cost. It is several times higher than the price of both conventional laminate and coatings made of other materials.
In addition, there is one trick that not all users know. Despite the resistance to stains, upon contact with rubber , the floor begins to lose its color . A chemical reaction occurs that can permanently change the color of the floor.
Any rubber mat is contraindicated for this floor. The heel of a rubber shoe can cause similar damage to the surface.
As already mentioned, the service life of vinyl coating is much higher than any other and is more than 25 years. But, despite such a long period, any thing is prone to wear and tear. Direct sunlight can lead to fading and significant lightening of the floor, therefore, if the vinyl laminate has served you for a long time, yellowing will inevitably appear on it.
And yet, despite the vinyl, it is still laminate. And like any other, it is not a fireproof material .
If vinyl laminate does not emit harmful substances when heated slightly, it becomes toxic when it catches fire. Therefore, it is not recommended to place it in the kitchen and other areas with an increased risk of fire.
Quartz-vinyl laminate or regular: what to choose?
Laminate is a popular material that is often used for flooring in residential and commercial spaces. Quartz vinyl tiles (quartz vinyl laminate) are a more modern, environmentally friendly and durable material with improved performance characteristics.
Here is a brief comparison of the characteristics in which regular laminate is inferior to vinyl:
| Laminate | Quartz vinyl tiles |
| Not moisture resistant material | Absolute moisture resistance |
| Low wear resistance | High wear resistance |
| Formaldehyde resins in the composition | Eco-friendly material |
| Afraid of chemicals | Does not absorb chemicals |
| Noisy when walking, needs padding | Quiet flooring |
| Durable material | |
| Susceptible to chips and scratches | Does not leave chips or furniture tracks |
| Anti-slip coating |
Kinds
Vinyl laminate is easiest to immediately divide into two types: by installation method and by composition .
The installation method can be of two types: using glue or a locking system.
Adhesive
Not the most popular type of laminate. It is rarely found in stores, installation is extremely difficult, there are no special devices, and the glue itself is also a rare find for such purposes. But if you still find and use good glue, it will adhere so tightly that such a coating is no longer afraid of moisture and damage.
The coating becomes perfectly smooth and durable.
But there is a catch here too. If one laminate panel is damaged, it cannot be replaced . Replacing the panel will cause damage to other areas of the floor, the edges will be damaged and all this will ultimately lead to the need to replace the entire floor.
The demand for the self-adhesive type is small, so it is more profitable for manufacturers to completely abandon supplies with adhesive joints.
Castle
Much more popular than adhesive and is the most common. First of all, because such a floor can be disassembled or restored many times if one tile is damaged.
Installation does not require a large number of tools, usually these are:
- roulette;
- square;
- pencil;
- hacksaw;
- circular or carpenter saw;
- hammer and electric drill.
Everything is the same as when laying the adhesive coating.
Material with a locking system can have click and lock connections .
The first is a collapsible lock, and the second consists of latch locks. Compared to adhesive, locking is susceptible to moisture .
A laminate with an increased level of strength is quartz-vinyl laminate . Quartz gives this coating a special hardness.
Its production occurs through hot pressing, which contributes to a more dense laying of all layers, the top of which is an aesthetically pleasing polyurethane .
Based on the manufacturing method and composition, vinyl laminate is also divided into vinyl-PVC . In addition to layers of vinyl, resin, stabilizers and plastic, such tiles contain an additional layer of PVC that protects the floor from a variety of damage and environmental influences.
A circular saw
With its help you can get a more even cut than in the previous case. In addition, cuts with a circular saw are somewhat smoother. It is important to note that working with a circular saw requires certain skills. It is not recommended for a beginner to use this tool.
Typically, a circular saw is used by professional builders when it comes to laying flooring over large areas. The saw can only be used with a special blade designed for working with quartz vinyl.
Laying
Installing vinyl laminate flooring is essentially no different from installing regular laminate flooring. The main feature is lightness and simplicity.
Vinyl flooring can be installed on any old ceramic, concrete or linoleum surface. The process is divided into stages
- The base for installation is carefully leveled and putty is applied.
- The surface is cleaned of moisture, dust and dirt. The material itself is cleaned using the same system and kept indoors for about two days.
- Before installation begins, the room temperature is checked. It should be no lower than +18 degrees.
- Section of the planks. The laminate planks are separated using a hacksaw or scissors. After separating the boards, special glue is applied to them.
- Laying begins from the corner of the room; the planks should be connected at an angle of 45 degrees.
Very fast installation. Just a few hours.
It is also important not to forget about the deviation of the planks from the wall by 4-5 mm. Everything is carefully checked for possible cracks and uneven joints.
The same applies to laying interlocking laminate. First, the panels are joined at the specified angle, then lightly pressing downwards are snapped into place.
At the end of the work, the floor is once again checked for unevenness and the strength of the connection of the planks. To do this, it is best to use a special rolling roller.
Linoleum
I sorted it out and forgot about it. We replaced it with a more economical option - linoleum. It feels good. Modern linoleum has an almost imperceptible smell (and even then at first), a wide range of colors, and a variety of textures.
And installation is simple: just cut the slit and that’s it. It doesn’t crack, doesn’t crumble, doesn’t crack, doesn’t warp, but... it tears well. Our Labrador Bucks proved it. One day, returning from work, we discovered a hole in the lid and a happy dog's face.
The hole was repaired and a bedside table was placed in place of the injury. The dog grew up and stopped chewing everything, but could still run. Thus, running in circles at the sound of the refrigerator opening and stopping at his plate in the kitchen, Bex's sharp claws caused yet another injury to our "under the laminate" linoleum.
Reviews
“We recently installed regular laminate flooring in our home. I really regret that I didn’t find out about vinyl laminate earlier, as I definitely would have preferred it. All the benefits of vinyl make it so different from ordinary vinyl. Moreover, I have now set a goal to replace the floors in a couple of years and install vinyl laminate.” Olga, Krasnodar.
“On the advice of a friend, I installed vinyl laminate. I was surprised that it is absolutely no different from parquet. The top covering is designed to look like parquet, and at a much lower price than the real thing. Nowadays, you can believe the advertising: why pay more for parquet if you have vinyl laminate?” Vladimir, Saransk.
“I laid the floor myself. At first, I chose any laminate in the store, but settled on vinyl. I didn’t know about its advantages, I relied on the ease of installation, consulted with the sellers and they suggested vinyl laminate as the easiest for these purposes. The boards are light, it’s clear how and where they are attached, for each square meter I spent only 500 rubles. This is the best choice for the price." Vitaly, Voronezh.
“We chose the gender as a family. The renovation budget was minimal. The qualities of vinyl flooring are ideal: environmentally friendly, durable and, according to specialists, should last a very long time. But still, the choice of vinyl laminate hit our wallet. We paid 1,800 rubles per square meter. We hope it pays off." Julia, St. Petersburg.
We have a child at home, he is still six months old. That's why I took a long time to choose the floor. Based on reviews and characteristics, vinyl laminate flooring was suitable. I decided what would be the safest for the child, and I was not mistaken in my choice. Plus the floor is very practical. All the time some kind of moisture gets on the surface, which is a common occurrence with a child, I have never noticed any damage.” Lana, Moscow.
Is it possible to lay heated floors under quartz vinyl tiles?
Quartz vinyl and heated floors are compatible. After all, this is the question most often asked before purchasing coverage. Manufacturers recommend maintaining a heating temperature of no more than 27-28°C. In fact, this is reinsurance, since warm floors are different, with their own nuances, and brands are not ready to take such responsibility. For example, IR floors can cause spot overheating. Many factories have conducted experiments by heating the material above 28 degrees for a long time, without detecting problems with deformation or divergence of locks. But in order to maintain the guarantee, you need to adhere to these numbers: 27-28°C. The indicated temperature value is comfortable enough for tactile perception, the floor will not be hot or cold, and it will be pleasant to walk on it.
Rules for operating the coating
Often reviews of quartz vinyl laminate indicate its high degree of reliability. But this will only be relevant in cases where it is properly cared for. First of all, this applies to the timely removal of stains of various origins.
To do this, it is recommended to use a biodegradable cleaner that will not damage the polymer surface. Before use, you should read the instructions. In some cases, after applying the product, it does not need to be washed off with water. If the damage is significant, you need to use special vinyl polishes.
You can replace defective tiles or a section of rolled linoleum yourself. To do this, you should dismantle part of the covering and clean the floor surface from the adhesive base. Having cut out a new piece, it is installed using the technology described above.
If you need to find out how practical vinyl laminate is, reviews from professionals will help you decide. It is only important to choose the right coating model, as well as follow the technology for its installation. In this case, the service life can be from 10 to 15 years.
© 2021 prestigpol.ru
