Beautiful, stylish, versatile: PVC floor tiles are the best solution for any interior. PVC floor tiles: advantages and disadvantages PVC floor tiles

PVC tile is one of the options for flooring, which differs from linoleum in ease of installation and transportation. It, in fact, is linoleum, only it is not produced in rolls, but in the form of relatively small squares and rectangles of various sizes. Outwardly, it looks like both a polymer material and a tile. The benefits of this product are obvious. For its installation does not require professional equipment, and special skills too. It is enough to calculate everything correctly and be accurate. Given the affordable price of products, this contributes to a significant reduction in repair costs. The tile is easy to cut and has precise dimensions, allowing you to place elements end to end. The result is a seamless coating, and dirt does not accumulate between the fragments of the floor. If the coating is damaged, replacing one or more fragments will not be difficult.

The tile is made of eco-friendly multilayer material. It is highly resistant to abrasion, moisture and mechanical damage, does not burn in air. The high strength of the material is achieved by pressing. The smooth surface of the polymer contributes to ease of maintenance. Such floors are easy to clean, they do not leave stains. The material is resistant to alkalis, acids and other active substances. Perhaps its only drawback is its relatively low frost resistance, it collapses at temperatures below -15 C. Fiberglass is used as a base that prevents deformation and shrinkage of tiles. The pattern is located throughout the thickness of the product, therefore it has a high resistance to abrasion. The product range is wide and attractive. The most popular are colors that imitate natural materials: wood, stone, leather. Monochromatic tiles are also available in a variety of colors. A variety of colors and textures allows it to play a prominent role in interior design. Designers are willing to use different types of products to achieve spectacular patterns or color contrasts. At the same time, the use of a single-color material allows you to achieve a visual increase in the area of \u200b\u200bsmall rooms. The tile does not slip under your feet and has excellent heat and sound insulation properties.

If desired, PVC tiles can be laid not only on the floor, but also on any clean surface: walls, furniture, plywood. According to the method of fastening, the tiles are self-adhesive, modular and fixed with adhesive compositions. Laying on glue is carried out at a temperature of at least 20 C. Experts recommend buying two more square meters of material, since in most cases the dimensions of the tile have to be adjusted along the length and width of the room. The modular coating does not need to be glued and backed, as it does not slip either on the base or underfoot. When laying this type of tile on the floor, there are no restrictions on the state of the surface. It may not be very flat or sloping, but for a flexible polymer, this is not a problem. When assembled, the cover resembles a puzzle. The dovetail lock provides secure fixation of the elements. As a rule, such tiles have a square shape and are available in various colors, which allows you to come up with a variety of solutions when decorating the floor. Unlike other types of flooring products, the flooring is reusable, it can be disassembled and laid in any other place. For this reason, it is often used for public events in the open air or in exhibition pavilions.

Due to the excellent performance characteristics, PVC tiles can be installed in public places, offices, commercial premises, private houses, apartments, cafes, hotels, staircases, sports complexes. Especially often it is used for finishing the floor in the bathroom and in the kitchen, which allows you to maintain a high level of cleanliness in the premises. For the correct choice of material, it is necessary to take into account the class of application: household (21-23), semi-commercial (31-34) and industrial (41-43).

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.

Ease of delivery. The material is lightweight, has simple shapes, which facilitates transportation.
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.
Appearance. A variety of decorative layers allows you to make absolutely all kinds of design options for PVC plates. Some are attracted by the imitation of natural wood, which allows you to create a floor in the form of parquet boards, while others want to see something like a chessboard.
Moisture resistant. This allows you to easily install PVC panels inside the bathroom, in the kitchen.
Attractive price. The cost of PVC tiles is affordable, which allows almost everyone to purchase material. The ideal solution for high-quality and inexpensive floor repair.
Elasticity combined with hardness. Due to this, the material is not particularly afraid of mechanical damage.
Noise isolation properties.
No need for underlay before installation.
Wear resistance. The service life of a good PVC floor tile is about 8 years.
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.

Read the instructions, the technical characteristics of the material.
Create the necessary temperature conditions indoors in the range from 15 to 24 degrees Celsius.
Prepare the floor with a concrete screed or its equivalent. Before installation of plates humidity of a coupler should not make more than 3 percent.
If the base is concrete, get rid of cracks, chips, protrusions. In many situations, a self-leveling floor will help.
It is not necessary to remove tiles from the floor. Seal the seams, align.
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 the appearance of the floor.

Mounting

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

Apply a layer of primer to the surface of the prepared floor with a roller.
Install the first PVC tile according to the markings in the center.
From the center, start gluing the rest of the panels.
For installation, high-quality PVA glue or tile adhesive is suitable.
Effective adhesion is achieved by applying the adhesive to the PVC panels and the floor at the same time.
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.
Be sure to remove excess adhesive that will come out when leveling and rolling with a roller.
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.

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.
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.
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.
It is recommended to cut PVC panels from the front side. For cutting, it is convenient to use a mounting or durable clerical knife.
The panel will cut more easily if it is heated with a heat gun.
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 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.

PVC floor tiles are a universal coating, primarily attracting buyers with the durability of the material. This tile is widely used in commercial organizations, as well as an excellent covering for an apartment, a house. What caused such interest? Everything can be easily explained, because such tiles are characterized by a huge range of design solutions, a variety of colors, patterns, textures, shapes. That is, it finds application in any style of interior.

A little about PVC tiles

PVC vinyl floor tiles are designed for laying even in rooms where there are high levels of humidity.

This aspect favorably distinguishes it from laminate, cork floors, linoleum, parquet. It is not only not afraid of water ingress, but in addition prevents the occurrence of mold and fungus.

It is impossible not to mention the aesthetic indicators that PVC floor tiles have: the photo is a clear proof of this. When laying such a tile, you can use your imagination and “get creative” enough - lay it out randomly, in a checkerboard pattern, in rhombuses. And using different colors, you can create original combinations, for example, lay out figures in the center of the room according to the principle of the children's game Tetris.

Important: due to the fact that the tile is well cut, you can do the application - as a result, you get an interesting figure.

It should also be noted that if you wish, you can buy elegantly designed tiles that realistically imitate modern parquet, marble. For example, for perfect resemblance to parquet, PVC tiles are made in the form of planks. It is this fact that makes it possible for craftsmen to lay it in such a way that it has the maximum resemblance to parquet patterns: “herringbone” or “deck”.

Moreover, you can create rectangular drawings that will imitate nature, precious woods. In a word, PVC floor tiles have good reviews, because it has significant advantages, which will be discussed further.

Advantages of PVC tiles

Floor vinyl tiles can "boast" of remarkable properties:

durability - a multi-layer specific composition developed by scientists determines the long service life of the tile. For example, the top protective layer can withstand about 10 million steps, and without loss of quality, color. A special UV-layer reliably protects the pattern from unwanted discoloration;
environmental friendliness - we can confidently say that there is no safer material in the world, confirmed by the results of tests;

Important: the necessary certificates have been obtained for vinyl tiles, therefore it is allowed to lay them in residential premises.

versatility - this type of tile is successfully used both on the floor and on the walls. Plus, it has a good degree of elasticity, which means it can be mounted on curved planes;
ease of cutting, laying - an excellent property that allows you to cut out curved sections;
practicality - resistance to transverse impacts, shock-absorbing and thermal insulation characteristics, no effect of a rattling floor;
self-adhesive PVC floor tiles make repairs easier by eliminating the process of applying glue.

This list is far from complete, because vinyl tile is still resistant to fire, household chemicals, it is non-slip and anti-static.

Of course, the installation of PVC tiles begins with a preliminary stage, that is, with the preparation of the base.

Before starting a range of work, paint, grease, dust and similar contaminants should be removed from the floor. It is also important that PVC floor tiles can be laid on different surfaces, so it is reasonable to point out some features:

wooden floor - you need to make sure that nails do not protrude anywhere, and the boards should be leveled with a special compound;
tiled floor - you need to level the level of tiles, tile joints.

Important: if necessary, you can apply a leveling layer to the entire surface, allow the floor to dry, sand and clean from dust;

concrete floor - and a leveling mixture is useful here: with its help, potholes and cracks are filled. At the time of laying the tiles, the humidity should not exceed 2.5% - this is a very significant point. Then the surface must be vacuumed, completely getting rid of dust.

So, if the base is prepared, you can proceed with the installation, for this you will need certain tools, in particular a tape measure, a blade knife, a metal square, a pencil, as well as a spatula for applying glue, a smooth rubber roller, a sponge.

First, beacon tiles are glued along the axes that determine the central point of the floor. And already from them you can "dance further." This advice must be taken into account if PVC floor tiles are chosen as the material - then the installation will be correct, and the result will be good.

Important: the center line can be either parallel to the side walls, or selected according to the parameters of a particular room.

As for the adhesive, it should be applied evenly with a notched trowel, leaving no untreated adhesive or clumps. Naturally, the glue must be used, suitable specifically for the type of tile in question.

Direct installation of vinyl tiles:

the location of the tiles exactly along the center line, of course, in accordance with the direction of the arrows that are on the reverse side;
if the installation is not carried out on a flat base, it is advisable to use a household hair dryer - the mounted PVC floor tiles then acquire greater plasticity;
the tile is laid tightly, without leaving gaps, displacements;
the laid tile is rolled with a rubber roller;
excess glue is removed with a damp sponge or a sponge that has been wetted with an alcohol-containing composition;
after 30 minutes - re-rolling the previously laid area with a rubber roller.

An interesting option is self-adhesive PVC floor tiles, its use greatly facilitates the installation process. It is clear that glue is not needed for installation - the protective film is simply peeled off.

Quartz vinyl tiles are closer in origin to the mineral quartz than to PVC. This gives the tile extraordinary strength, almost zero abrasion, fire safety, moisture resistance. You can read about the features of laying such a coating in the material:.

Many people are concerned about another question, namely, how is PVC tile and underfloor heating combined? The answer is unequivocal - this tile can be mounted on any type of heated floor.

End of work:

checking the laid areas, as well as a thorough inspection of the edges and corners for high-quality gluing;
debris removal, floor sweeping. You can wash the floor only after 24 hours;
furniture can be installed after two days, after sticking felt pads on the legs.

Self-determination of the humidity level

As already mentioned, before laying tiles on concrete, you need to determine the humidity - for this purpose, you can use a moisture meter. If it is not there, you need to do the following:

put a napkin on the cement, then a plastic wrap;
the edges of the film are glued to the screed with tape;
put a heavy object on top;
after 15 hours, you can check the condition of the napkin: if it is dry, everything is fine, if it is wet, you will have to wait a little with styling.

Basically, PVC floor tiles have positive reviews, because if you carry out competent laying of high-quality material, it will last a long time.

By studying the opinions on the forums, requests and questions from customers, we identified three types of consumers:

1. For the first, vinyl and quartz-vinyl tiles are a material about which they know nothing.

2. Second - those who have already laid PVC tiles in their apartment, house or office. In general, they are satisfied with their choice and consider the material to be the ideal flooring.

3. Still others talk about the dangers of polyvinyl chloride, its toxic effects on the body due to the release of harmful substances into the indoor air and believe that it is absolutely impossible to use PVC tiles at home.

Our analysis is completely honest and independent of manufacturers, designed to help you make the right choice.

The composition and structure of PVC tiles

According to its composition, this flooring is of two types.

About PVC

So, the main component of the tile is polyvinyl chloride. It is produced by polymerization of the toxic vinyl chloride monomer. Is it dangerous to health? Vinyl chloride itself is highly dangerous, can cause poisoning of the body, provoke oncology, asthma, neuropsychological disorders. But in the composition of PVC, it is in a "bound" state, therefore, under normal conditions, it should not be harmful.

However, the floor cannot be insured against heating by direct sunlight and damage to the protective layer, which can lead to the release of hazardous substances. And someone deliberately installs underfloor heating, getting the likelihood that the amount of vinyl chloride released will be significantly higher than during normal use of this coating.

Vinyl and quartz-vinyl floors of different brands have different flammability ratings. For example, the fire hazard class of Pergo, Quick Step vinyl tile brands is KM2 (moderately flammable), while Tarkett has KM5 (flammable, flammable), and quartz-vinyl tiles have a fire hazard class of KM2-KM3. In case of fire, from which no one is safe, smoldering, PVC tiles emit toxic substances that can cause significant damage to human health. Materials labeled KM5 are considered to be the most toxic.

About harmful additives in the composition of the tile

Plasticizers, stabilizers and additives that increase inertness are used in the production of PVC floor tiles.

It would seem that stabilizers are applicable even in the food industry, because they slow down aging. However, some manufacturers use for this purpose lead - a heavy metal, cadmium. European enterprises assure that there are no heavy metals in their products, zinc and calcium are used instead. But in the composition of floor coverings from China and Korea, most likely, they are present.

Cheap dyes from unscrupulous brands are also able to get into the air when the protective layer is abraded.

Be sure to add plasticizers to the composition, of which phthalates are dangerous. Phthalate plasticizers DEHP, DOP are prohibited, DOA, DINP, DNOP, DIDP are allowed. It is the salts of phthalic acid that are able to be released into the atmosphere of the room, as they are contained in the protective layer and do not bind to polymer molecules. Moreover, the allocation occurs constantly, and not the first two weeks, as most suppliers assure us. The presence of an odor after laying is only evidence of a greater amount of substances diffusing into the environment.

Classification of PVC tiles

According to the installation method vinyl and quartz-vinyl flooring is available:

Adhesive - requires gluing to a clean, even and dry base using a special adhesive. There are also self-adhesive models.

Castle - keeps within the "floating" way. Installation requires only a tape measure, a pencil, a square and a knife. The lock can be of the laminate type with insertion into the grooves, or glued.

Depending on the total thickness and the thickness of the protective layer, the tiles are classified according to the degree of permissible load:

23-31 class - for home use in rooms where the intensity of walking is not high. Service life 5-6 years.

32-42 class - the floor withstands wheelchairs and intensive use in residential premises - corridors, kitchens, bathrooms, where it lasts up to 15 years. It can also be used in offices, cabinets, beauty salons, boutiques, etc.

Class 43 - this floor is not afraid of the most intense loads, so it is used even in industrial premises, the coating can even withstand traffic.

When considering vinyl or quartz-vinyl tiles as a floor covering, you should think about your health and those of your loved ones. Of course, the choice is always up to the buyer, but we advise you to at least follow a number of rules for the use of PVC flooring:

1. After laying, ventilate the room.

2. Be sure to observe the service life of the coating, after its expiration - replace it with a new one;

3. It is better to use it in garages, on balconies, in industrial premises, corridors - where people stay for a short time;

4. It is better not to use in bedrooms and children's rooms;

5. Do not heat above 27 degrees, this also applies to floor heating systems, in case of fire, immediately leave the room.

After examining the certificates, characteristics of various brands of flooring, feedback from installers and customers, we can give advice on which PVC tiles to choose.

Tip number 1. In terms of durability and wear resistance, quartz-vinyl wins, but in terms of safety for human health, vinyl wins. Vinyl floors do not contain phthalate plasticizers, although they are not as durable as quartz sand floors.

Tip #2. Give preference to products of brands awarded the green leaf mark. Basically, these are vinyl floors of European manufacturers. In Europe, the use of phthalates and heavy metals in finishing materials is prohibited. Yes, they are more expensive, but harmless.

Tip #3. Textured surfaces imitate wood very realistically, but they are difficult to wash, dust and dirt remain between the bumps.

Tip #4. Choose tiles with a protective layer of 0.3 mm. It is resistant to damage, which means it will protect against the release of vinyl chloride into the air.

Tip #5. If possible, it is better to purchase natural floor coverings - cork flooring, parquet boards. Among them, you can find budget options and at the same time ensure the safety and environmental cleanliness of your home.

We voiced our point of view, based on the analysis. It is made on the basis of information received from manufacturers and data from open sources. Employees of "Floor in the House" honestly tell customers whether there is information about the composition of the tiles of a particular brand, because our position is the safety of materials.

Floor covering made of high quality vinyl. This floor "two in one": at the same time combines the advantages of linoleum and laminate. From the first, he took elasticity, water resistance, high sound and heat insulation: both are made of thermoplastic synthetic materials, but more durable polymers are used for PVC tiles (modern models include quartz particles). It is combined with the second one with impact resistance (a design feature) and a realistic imitation of natural textures - wood, stone. Therefore, PVC tiles are called "quartz vinyl laminate." Initially, it was mounted only on glue. Now manufacturers also produce models with a locking mount.

PVC floor tiles have another advantage - modularity. Due to the specifics of the format, it is suitable for rooms of any geometric dimensions, including non-standard cases. In case of local damage, small strips are easily replaced with new ones without deforming the rest of the coating. Caring for quartz vinyl laminate does not require labor-intensive efforts: regular dry (using a vacuum cleaner) and wet cleaning (using a medium-intensity detergent) is enough. However, it is not recommended to use chemical solvents, abrasive powders for its cleaning - they can damage the coating.

PVC floor tiles - catalog

We offer to buy high-quality quartz vinyl laminate in our store:

Wineo is a German luxury flooring brand. Vinyl models have an exclusive design developed by the company's engineers. It includes: soundproofing underlayment, HDF carrier board with waterproof treatment, fiberglass reinforcing mesh, decorative pattern, wear-resistant coating, transparent protective layer (0.3-0.55 mm thick). High resistance to abrasion (protective impregnations), pollution (grease stains are not absorbed into the internal structure, are easily removed from the surface with detergents). Fire hazard class - KM 2 (increased fire resistance). The decors of quartz vinyl laminate realistically imitate a variety of natural textures: wood of various processing (for parquet), stone - travertine, slate, spectacular chips (for tiles). Floors are designed for use in any premises: commercial and residential, including areas of high humidity (bathrooms, showers, etc.). Our range includes models with a locking, adhesive laying method.
Quick Step - vinyl coverings from the famous brand. Production - Belgium. Very realistic decors imitating natural textures: parquet (species - oak, pine, chestnut), tiles (marble, slate, concrete, mineral chips). The surface is treated with a hermetic composition that does not allow water and dirt to pass through. Stain Guard impregnation based on polyurethane lacquer (patented by the company) protects the floor from abrasion even under intense external influence: high indoor traffic, scratching objects - roller wheels, heels, furniture legs.
Pergo is a PVC floor tile of the famous brand owned by the international concern Unulin. Made in Belgium. The design imitates natural materials: wood (oak of various shades), stone (travertine - lime tuff with an expressive layered structure). The surface has effective protection against scratches, dirt - TitanV - sealed wear-resistant coating. High environmental friendliness: professional certificates confirm that the materials do not contain phthalates.

PVC floor tiles - buy at a reasonable price offers the store "Pol Strany" - we officially represent European manufacturers.