Vinyl Flooring FAQ

Can I use Vinyl flooring in an extremely cold climate?

You should definitely consider trying a new flooring material because the adhesive that goes with the Vinyl installation works best in room temperature or moderate climate.

What’s the difference between Vinyl sheet and Vinyl tile flooring?

Vinyl tiles are usually manufactured by using either or both of the two processes which are melt-compounding and the calendering method. The first method subjects the ingredients to extremely high temperature, then molding the material into whatever the desired shape is. On the other hand, calendering mixes all the ingredients together and then enters it into a set of rollers which squeeze the material in different gauges. Finally, the tiles produced is given a coating to increase its abrasion and stain resistance.

Vinyl sheets are manufactured by inputting a thin layer of liquid into the backing. The liquid is usually a mixture of vinyl resin, additives and plasticizer. The end-result is a multi-layered product which usually is made up of backing, vinyl foam core, decorative layer and clear vinyl layer. The whole product will then be entered into an oven where it will be treated with urethane. Patterns will then be inputted in the Vinyl sheets either by subjecting it to a printing method or inlaid method. The main difference between these two methods is that the inlaid method’s pattern will be all throughout the whole material including the back part.

What are the common ingredients in Vinyl flooring?

The usual ingredients being used are plasticizers, stabilizers, pigments and fillers.

What are the limitations of Vinyl?

Vinyl flooring is not recommended to be used in areas like commercial kitchens, automobile showrooms and outside applications. Commercial kitchens are usually a high activity area and Vinyl cannot handle the toll of rolling carts. Automobile showrooms are also not recommended for Vinyl flooring because of the load of the cars. As for outdoor use, if you use Vinyl flooring for this purpose, it can be exposed to increased levels of humidity, sunlight and excessive climates which might lead to color discoloration.

What are the different wear surfaces available in Vinyl flooring?

There are three common types of wear surfaces that are commonly used in Vinyl flooring. These three types are Vinyl no wax, urethane or PVC, and enhanced urethane. The Vinyl no wax surface has the ability to resist common scrapes and scratches. This type of surface also needs regular maintenance and floor polishing. Urethane or PVC is similar to Vinyl no wax but it is more advanced and equipped to handle more scratches and scrapes. Lastly, enhanced urethane is resistant to common household stains and has the ability to not let dirt and grime stick to the surface.

What can permanently stain my Vinyl flooring?

Common sources of permanent stains in Vinyl flooring include mustard, permanent marker, ink, shoe polish and hair dye.

What is the difference between Linoleum and Vinyl flooring?

These two materials are often confused and used interchangeably. Basically, Vinyl is made up of fibers which are synthetic. The main body of this material is cardboard and the thickness is dependent on how many layers of vinyl is used. On the other hand, Linoleum is 100% all natural and is made up of raw materials like linseed oil, cork powder, resins and natural pigments. As time goes by the linseed oil used in Linoleum will harden making it a more durable product than Vinyl flooring.

Is it advisable to install new vinyl tiles over old ones?

No. If you do this, the tendency is for the old tiles’ patterns to show up in the long run because vinyl flooring sinks through cracks after a considerable amount of time. If you can’t remove all the old tiles below, you can install a new sub floor which is at least ¼ inches thick.

What is resilient flooring?

This term is used to describe a group of flooring materials which are composed of linoleum, cork and rubber. These materials are also subject to extreme heat in order to manufacture tiles or sheets. A prime example of resilient flooring is Vinyl. Resilient floors are resistant to moisture making it the best option to use in bathrooms and kitchens.

What vinyl design should I choose?

There are 1000’s of designs, colors and patterns that are available in Vinyl flooring. The choice is completely up to you but you have to remember that there are many factors to consider before you can choose the right design or pattern. The size of the room needs to be considered, as well as the current color of your room. If you have a smaller room, you can use lighter colors to make it appear bigger, on the other hand, darker colors can be utilized to create a cozier feel

What is rotogravure?

Rotogravure is a construction style used to manufacture Vinyl flooring. Basically, this is the method that is used in creating patterns on Vinyl tiles. A large spinning cylinder is used for this process.