Vinyl tiles

In today's conditions, the range of floor coverings is very wide. The most popular ones are laminate , parquet and linoleum, as well as porcelain stoneware, cork and filler floors , floorboards, hardboard and others. Recently, the coating is gaining popularity as well as vinyl tiles. What is it and what properties does it have? Let's find out.

Types of floor tiles

There are two main types of vinyl floor tiles - pressed and quartz-vinyl.

1. Pressed tiles are manufactured under the influence of high pressure and high temperatures. It is pressed into several layers, each of which fulfills its role:

• the bottom layer is the base of the tile: high-strength vinyl with the addition of plasticizers and stabilizers;
• the middle layer is decorative: it's a material impregnated with paint to give the tile a textural pattern. As a rule, this layer is covered with a film that protects the image from the effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• top layer - protective vinyl surface, has a special strength and transparency.

Advantages and disadvantages of vinyl floor tiles

Of the main advantages are the high strength and elasticity of vinyl tiles, as well as its practicality and wear resistance. In addition, floor vinyl tiles are very advantageous in the interior: the design of PVC coatings is simply unlimited! You can choose a tile stylized for wood, granite, marble, sea pebbles or a green lawn.

As for the disadvantages of vinyl, then they can include the following. First, cheap PVC tiles of poor quality can release toxic substances into the air. This will also happen when the tiles are ignited, so it should not be put in the kitchen. Secondly, if the floor surface has unevenness, then in time it can lead to damage and rupture of the tile. And thirdly, there is a problem of recycling PVC - this material is not subject to natural biodegradation.

Laying vinyl floor tiles

Laying any kind of vinyl tiles requires certain knowledge and skills. If you do not have such experience, it is better to entrust this important task to specialists, and preferably those who have already dealt with vinyl.

The basic principles of laying vinyl tiles are as follows:

• Before laying the tile, let it "lie down" for at least a day;
• The floor must be flat and dry, without cracks;
• it is allowed to lay vinyl on warm floors;
• the tiles are laid back;
• To begin it is necessary from the middle of a room, moving along conditional perpendiculars;
• To put mastic or glue it is necessary on a small fragment of a floor, no more than under 3-4 tiles;
• each tile should be ironed well with a heavy roller;
• The excess vinyl along the walls is easily cut with a sharp knife;
• The border with the other floor covering should be equipped with a metal skirting board.

As you can see, laying floor tiles made of PVC is not difficult, and its advantages in many respects exceed minor disadvantages. High-quality vinyl tiles are a modern and reliable material that will make your apartment stylish and practical.