About Vinyl

It can be very hard to determine the advantages and disadvantages when choosing a new vinyl floor. Some vinyl floors withstand the test of time, children and pets while others seem to barely hold up to similar traffic – all vinyl floors are not created equal.

To determine what vinyl will perform best and which vinyl is best for your home you will need to determine a few important factors:

• Wear surface
• Structure and Backing
• Installation

Wear Surface

There are three basic types of vinyl wear surfaces: Vinyl No-Wax, Urethane, and Enhanced Urethane. They all have fancy names and make lots of claim, but the bottom line is how well will they resist scuffs, scrapes, black heel marks, stains and retain their original luster? Don't get caught in the "thickness of the wear layer" discussion, it makes very little difference how thick the wear layer is. What is important is what the wear surface is made out of, what technology is used. Remember that wear surfaces are all about ease of cleaning and have nothing to do with durability.

Vinyl No-Wax

The original no-wax wear surface resists scuffs, scrapes, heel-marks and has some stain resistant properties, but these vinyl floors require regular washing and occasional floor polishing to maintain and restore gloss levels. Originally this wear surface was found on a majority of vinyl floors, but advancements in technology has made this wear surface now only common in entry-level vinyl.

Urethane (PVC)

The first evolution from vinyl no-wax floors, urethane wear surfaces do a much better job of resisting scuffs, stains, scrapes and black heel marks, while maintaining it “like new” look for far longer than vinyl no-wax floors.

Enhanced Urethane

There are several levels of "enhanced urethane" floors and all of them are better at resisting all the previously mentioned problems associated with maintaining a vinyl floor. The best of these will not stain from normal household elements (mustard, iodine, asphalt driveway sealer, etc.), and will not become soiled. Dirt and grime will not stick to it. All that is required to clean these floors is a broom and an occasional mopping with an approved floor cleaner or vinegar and water.

Structure and Backing

The construction of vinyl flooring determines how well it will stand up to indentation from heavy appliances and falling objects.

Vinyl flooring is constructed in two ways.

1. The rotogravure or printed-floor process. Roto or printed floors are created by attaching a printed image under the wear layer. As a result, this type of floor offers an endless array of designs and colors.
2. Inlaid Floors. Inlaid floors are manufactured by placement of tiny vinyl granules from the backing all the way up to the wear surface, resulting in an extremely durable floor. Basically all vinyl floors are made with a sandwich of layers, starting with a felt or vinyl backing. Both materials offer different advantages during installation, but vinyl backings also offer more dent resistance.

The structure is applied to this backing. On printed floors, a foam layer is placed on the backing, a picture is placed on the foam and the wear layer is applied. On inlaid floors, the vinyl granules are placed directly on the backing and a wear layer is applied directly on the fused vinyl granules.

On some printed floors, a tough vinyl inner layer is placed between the foam and the picture. This enhances the durability greatly and protects the floor from gouges, tearing, and indentation.

In general, if you’re looking for a more durable floor, pay more for one with a vinyl inner layer or an inlaid floor, which is the most durable of them all.

Installation

Many "peel-and-stick" options have a self-adhesive cover with a peel-off backing. Tiles without one require an adhesive that is spread over the floor with a notched trowel. A non-professional can usually perform this job relatively easily.

Most modern adhesives used in residential installations are water-based rather than the toxic, solvent-based adhesives used in the past. When properly applied, they are totally safe and will perform well.

Always use the same brand of glue for the same brand of flooring. If you use Mannington vinyl, use Mannington adhesive. If you use Tarkett vinyl, use only Tarkett adhesive. If a manufacturer does not offer its own brand of adhesive, then ask what product the company recommends.