PVC floor tiles: varieties, characteristics, styling features

Tags:Living room and bedroom, Kitchen, Tile

Today, traditional floor coverings such as linoleum, carpet, laminate or ceramic tiles can no longer meet the specific requirements of consumers. Therefore, manufacturers are developing new composite materials that combine the performance characteristics of several types of coatings. One such material is PVC floor tiles. Otherwise, it can be called vinyl, quartz-vinyl, laminate or linoleum tiles, LVT coating (LVT - Luxury Vinyl Tile).

Quartz vinyl tiles, imitation terracotta pattern

The content of the article

1 Structure - main layers, their composition and purpose
2 Format
3 Where is applied
4 Varieties of PVC coating by laying method
5 Key Features - Operational Advantages and Disadvantages
6 Criterias of choice
7 Leading manufacturers
8 Features of laying tiles
9 Consumer reviews
10 Summing up
11 Video: flexible vinyl tiles - overview, layout, installation

Structure - main layers, their composition and purpose

PVC tiles consist of the following layers:

The outer (front) protective layer is a transparent polyurethane hardened by ultraviolet radiation.
The decorative layer is a drawing on a polymer film.
The main layers are PVC with mineral (quartz) chips.
Fiberglass - used in high quality expensive composites. Prevents thermal deformation of the product.
Finishing layer made of PVC or adhesive. Depending on what material is in the base, different laying methods are practiced.

One of the most common laminate tile structures

Important! Low-end vinyl tile brands can only have three layers: outer protective, decorative and base. As a rule, such products are less strong and durable. There is also a monolithic PVC tile (usually modular), which is used mainly for cladding technical rooms.

Modular monolithic PVC tiles with a relief - floor covering in the garage

The thickness of multi-layer tiles, depending on the brand, can vary between 1.5-3.5 mm. Monolithic, as a rule, has special stiffening ribs that increase the thickness of the product, but at the same time reduce the volume of raw materials used.

Format

The most widespread are the following formats of PVC tiles:

square - side size varies from 30 to 60 cm;
in the form of a board under the laminate - there are standardized sizes 10x92, 18x92, 30x60 cm;
modular - has the shape of a square, and locks are formed at the edges;
hexagonal and triangular - as a rule, these are high quality products used in residential premises. With their help, you can form a floor covering with an original design.

The process of laying modular PVC tiles

Dimensions of triangular tiles and how they are used in the interior

Where is applied

The scope of PVC tiles is quite diverse. As a rule, these are premises, the floors of which are subjected to intense mechanical influences of various nature: pressure, abrasion, shock deformations, in combination with high humidity and other pollution factors. The use of an LVT coating depends on its class.

Class 23-31. (up to 2 mm) Average performance, small thickness of the outer coating up to 0.3 mm, which gives mediocre resistance to mechanical stress. As a rule, it is used in residential premises of average intensity of use: entrance hall, kitchen, glazed loggia, in the outdoor version - open balconies, verandas, terraces. Service life is about 5-6 years.

PVC tiles in laminate format in the living room

Class 32-41. (2-2.5 mm) The face coat has an average thickness of 0.3-0.5 mm. The tile is suitable for installation in premises with an average human traffic: office, retail and commercial premises. Most manufacturers position the service life of commercial PVC coatings at least 15 years.

PVC covering in the office

Class 43 + special parameters. The tile has a maximum outer coating thickness of more than 0.5 mm, or it is monolithic. It is used in rooms with maximum or special loads: gyms, medical or educational institutions (special requirements for environmental friendliness), factory shops, laboratories, chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.

Vinyl tiles in the school lobby

Varieties of PVC coating by laying method

In addition to the classification by the degree of load, PVC tiles are distinguished by the method of installation.

Sticky. This flooring can be of any class. The back surface is roughened to improve adhesion, bevels can be selected on the edges of the front side. Laying is carried out on special glue or mastic.

The highest quality fasteners, according to experts, give the following adhesive mixtures:

Thomsit UK 400;
Thomsit K188E;
Deco Bond SSANGKOM;
Homakoll 208.

The disadvantage of such a coating is the need for thorough preparation of the base.

Adhesive for laying PVC flooring

Self-adhesive. Available in both square and laminate format. An adhesive layer is applied to the lower part, which protects the polymer film. Any non-deformable and non-absorbent surfaces can act as a base: plywood, chipboard, OSB, cement-sand screed, tile covering, etc.

Of the advantages of such tiles, it should be noted that they are quick and easy to install. However, according to the reviews of most experts, such a coating requires perfect surface preparation, in addition, it is quite sensitive to external influences. In particular, it has a narrow range of temperature and humidity conditions of operation, and in case of their systematic violation, the tile can come off the base.

Self-adhesive PVC laminate

Glueless. Installation without the use of adhesives is typical for large-format thick-layer or monolithic quartz-vinyl tiles.

Installation can be carried out in several ways:

using a click connection similar to a laminate;
using end lock joints of the "puzzle" type;
joint to joint - without using locks.

According to the assurances of the manufacturers, such elements are held together and on the basis due to the geometric stability of their shape, as well as the spongy structure of the lower layer. The thickness of such products ranges from 4.5-7 mm. Due to the large thickness, certain defects of the base surface are allowed, the wear resistance and the period of operation increase. The installation itself is done very quickly and does not require knowledge or any skills. However, such products are the most expensive PVC floor coverings on the market.

Industrial PVC tiles for glueless installation with hidden locks

Key Features - Operational Advantages and Disadvantages

Environmental friendliness. Despite the fact that most manufacturers position their products as environmentally friendly, biologically inert and hypoallergenic material, some brands are not recommended for use in residential premises. As a rule, the scope of their application is indicated on the product labeling. For housing, it is better to use only multi-layer tiles with an outer polyurethane layer.
Water resistance. Polyvinyl chloride does not absorb water, however, for rooms with high humidity (kitchens, bathrooms, washing), it is recommended to use products with laminate type locks, which give additional tightness.

The moisture resistance of PVC tile flooring ranges from waterproof to fully sealed

Anti-slip effect. The front surface of the product can be either smooth or with a relief that significantly increases slip resistance. If in the tile used for technical premises, such a relief has a purely utilitarian look, then for materials used in the office or home, the relief is part of the decorative embossing or texture of the pattern.

Relief embossing on a wood-like surface

Impact and wear resistance. Regardless of the class, the material can withstand significant mechanical stress, leading to damage to almost all other types of floor coverings (except for polymer flooded and some types of extra strong concrete floors). The main parameter characterizing high performance indicators is impact strength.
Thermal stability. The operating temperature range, at which the material does not deform, for ordinary household PVC tiles is -20⁰C ... + 30⁰C. Monolithic products can also be used outdoors. However, it should be remembered that at temperatures below -30⁰With they become brittle and cannot withstand the calculated mechanical loads.

The device shows a high thermal inertness of the PVC floor covering

Flammability. Quartz-vinyl tiles belong to the class of fire resistance B1 - do not support combustion;
Hygienic and easy to clean. PVC coating is allowed to be used in both children's and medical institutions. Sanitary-Epidemiological and Hygienic Conclusion No. 026231. For cleaning, we recommend using neutral detergents or special vinyl care products.
Anti-static. The material does not conduct electricity and does not accumulate static, this prevents the accumulation of dust and greatly facilitates cleaning.
Chemical resistance. Depends on production method and structure. Multilayer PVC tiles with an outer polyurethane layer are the most chemically resistant. Monolithic grades can be exposed to certain chemicals and solvents such as kerosene, gasoline, etc.
Soundproofing. The PVC coating does not emit sounds during operation like a wooden plank floor or parquet, in addition, it dampens acoustic sounds and prevents the propagation of shock and vibration noises.

Criterias of choice

It is recommended to choose PVC tiles according to the following criteria:

strength (class 23-43);
wear resistance (T, P, M, F);
design;
format.

To determine the value of the parameters, it is necessary to analyze the intensity of the operation of the room. Most manufacturers, in addition to the numerical indicators of the strength of the product, give more detailed explanations, designed for non-professionals. For example, household, semi-commercial, flooring for warm floor etc.

A wide choice of colors and textures of PVC tiles, combined with precise geometric dimensions of various batches, allow you to create a unique flooring design

As for the tile format, it all depends on the characteristics of the room where the flooring needs to be installed:

for small rooms it is advisable to use square or rectangular tiles of a small format, this visually increases the area;
when facing with PVC covering in the form of a laminate of corridors and long rooms, the elements should be oriented across the room or at an angle.

Leading manufacturers

Rating of manufacturers holding leading positions in the Russian market:

Vinilam - Belgium.
Decoria from South Korea.
LG Decotile - South Korea.
PERGO - China.
Fine Floor - Ukraine.
Tarkett is a Russia-Belgium joint venture.
Forbo is an international company headquartered in Switzerland. Production facilities are located in several countries of the world, including Russia

Features of laying tiles

Laying PVC tiles is much less time consuming than installing most floor coverings. However, it also requires careful preparation of the surface, as well as special care when installing the starting rows. Depending on the type, there are three main techniques for laying vinyl flooring.

Various design options for laying PVC coverings, layout of elements and view in the interior:

Tools used

Most of the tools that may be needed when laying PVC tiles are at the disposal of any self-respecting home craftsman. No specialized or expensive devices are required. This is another advantage of PVC coating. For ease of use, some tools undergo minor upgrades:

metal one or one and a half meter level, ruler or rule. It is used to stop when cutting. To prevent the metal tool from sliding on the surface of the tile, double-sided tape is glued to its back side and slightly wakes up with talcum powder, plaster or flour.
stationery or construction knife with replaceable blades;
tape measure, square;
rubber hammer - if the covering with end lock joints will fit;
lapping is an ordinary wooden block on which several layers of felt are stuffed. Used for self-adhesive tiles. Special rollers for rolling are sold on the market, but with a small amount of work, their purchase is unjustified;
notched trowel - if the coating is applied to the adhesive. The tooth should be triangular, small 1x2 mm;
building hair dryer - necessary if you need to lay tiles bypassing pipes. It is used to heat up the material, after which it is much easier to cut.

Roller for rolling PVC laminate

Important! Cutting the PVC cover is quite easy. An incision is made on the front side. After that, the material is bent along the cut line and the inner layers are cut. To facilitate bending, it is recommended to first warm up monolithic and thick-layer tiles with a construction hairdryer.

Foundation preparation

A cement-sand screed can be used as a base material, moisture resistant plywood, OSB, Fiberboard and other sheet materials. They must be pre-treated with a primer (especially the screed) to normalize moisture absorption. In some cases, laying on old flooring such as tiles is acceptable. However, all intercellular spaces must be carefully sealed at the same level as the tiles.

The best option is to use a new subfloor made of moisture-resistant plywood 15-18 mm thick.Plates are laid with displaced joints. Gaps up to 2 mm wide are left between them to compensate for thermal expansion. Seams are carefully sealed with acrylic sealant.

Styling process

On the glue. A special adhesive is applied to the surface of the substrate with a notched trowel. It is necessary to evenly distribute the mixture over the entire contact area. Depending on the type of glue, the tiles can be laid immediately after application or after a while 2-5 minutes. After laying on glue, PVC tiles are carefully tapped with a rubber hammer or rolled in, rubbed in. The purpose of these manipulations is to completely get rid of the air under cover.

Laying PVC tiles on glue

On a self-adhesive base. All actions are absolutely similar to laying PVC tiles on glue, with the only difference that you do not need to apply the glue mixture. It should be borne in mind that the amount of glue on the back of the tile is small, so dusting of the glue layer or the surface of the base should be avoided in every possible way.

Laying self-adhesive PVC laminate on old ceramic tiles

With lock. Regardless of the type of interlocking connections, laying is carried out from the far wall. If necessary, the fasteners are cut from one side (when the first tile is located in the corner, from two). They retreat from the wall by the width of the expansion joint - 2-3 mm. Subsequent elements of the composition dock with the first, driving the tool joints, especially the end ones, gently tapping with a hammer.

Tiling process with a lock

Consumer reviews

Despite the fact that PVC tiles have been used for a relatively short time, there are many consumer reviews on the Internet describing their operation:

Detailed report on the installation and operation of FineFloor PVC tiles:
Read more on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_4025634.html

~~FineFloor PVC Tile~~

Feedback on Tarkett "Lounge" vinyl tiles:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_4190458.html

~~Tarkett Lounge Vinyl Tiles~~

Review of quartz vinyl PVC tiles Art Tile:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_1071990.html

~~Quartz vinyl PVC tiles Art Tile~~

Feedback on PVC vinyl tiles Tarkett "New Age":
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_5165800.html

~~PVC vinyl tiles Tarkett New Age~~

Summing up

Undoubtedly, quartz-vinyl tiles in their characteristics are worth paying attention to. Manufacturers are doing everything possible to expand the range of use and transfer this flooring from technical rooms, hallways and kitchens to living rooms and bedrooms. However, in places of permanent residence, it is advisable to use only high-quality and expensive types of PVC tiles as flooring.