In the flooring world, there has always been a vinyl tile in one form or another. Today, the vinyl tile category continues to remain popular, LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile), which offers 3D printing technology adding depth and realism, durability, with a high-performance wear layer to a vinyl tile product. LVT offers the option of a less permanent floor than wood or ceramic tile, especially with the growing popularity of floating LVT floors. When a consumer selects a wood or ceramic floor, they should really be in love with it, as it will probably be in the home for a very long time. Whereas, LVT offers the option of changing the room design much easier.
LVT (Solid Vinyl Floor) also offers plank and tiles with high end realistic 3D visuals that can be grouted which resembles Ceramic and Stone installations without the use of backer board and thinset.
LVT or Solid Vinyl Floor Tile offers several installation options which ease the installation application:
- Loose Lay
- Tape Systems
- Clic and Locking Systems
- Floating with no locking mechanism, but held in place by adhering the perimeter with glue or tape
- Glue Down
- Trowel or Roll On Applied
- Spray Adhesives
Wearlayer thickness - the thicker the better. The wear layer is usually a heavy film of vinyl cover with a UV Cured Urethane wear layer for better scuff, stain and scratch resistance. Is there a difference between a 12 mil vinyl wear layer and a 12 mil wear layer with a urethane coating? Definitely. Urethane provides better scuff, stain and scratch resistance. Wearlayer thickness is measured in mils.
Installation System - depending on the environment the product is being installed should determine the installation requirements of the product. For Example; if an area is subject to heavy rolling loads, and pinch points, a glue down product is a better installation option than a floating installation.
Prefinished, engineered hardwood consists of a hardwood top surface, called the wear layer, glued onto a
plywood base. This is not to be confused with laminate flooring, which is made of laminated planks that only
LOOK like wood and finished with a polymer coating. Developed for installation in areas with variable humidity levels, engineered flooring is MORE STABLE THAN SOLID WOOD. This type of flooring can be glued directly onto concrete, an acoustic underlay, or even a subfloor with radiant heating.