Vinyl composition tile

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It has been suggested that PVC tiles be merged into this
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Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is a finished flooring material used very widely in both residential and
commercial buildings from the early 1950s into the early 1980s. [1] [2]
Modern vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring and versions of those products sold since the early 1980s
are composed of colored polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chips formed into solid sheets of varying
thicknesses (1/8" is most common) by heat and pressure. Floor tiles are cut into modular shapes
such 12" x 12" squares or 12" x 24" rectangles. In installation the floor tiles or sheet flooring are
applied to a smooth, leveled sub-floor using a specially formulated vinyl adhesive or tile mastic that
remains pliable. In commercial applications some tiles are typically waxed and buffed using special
materials and equipment.
Modern vinyl floor tile is frequently chosen for high-traffic areas because of its low cost, durability,
and ease of maintenance. Vinyl tiles have high resilience to abrasion and impact damage and can
be repeatedly refinished with chemical strippers and mechanical buffing equipment. If properly
installed, tiles can be easily removed and replaced when damaged. Tiles are available in a variety of
colors from several major flooring manufacturers. Some manufacturers have created vinyl tiles that
very closely resemble wood, stone, terrazzo, and concrete and literally hundreds of varying patterns.
Vinyl composition tiles (that do not contain asbestos) took the place of vinyl asbestos and asphalt
asbestos floor tiles, which were widely used in all types of buildings into the early 1980s. Use of tiles,
sheet flooring and adhesives containing asbestos were discontinued when asbestos materials were
determined to be hazardous.
Floor tiles and sheet flooring that contain asbestos can sometimes can be determined by a
combination of the product age and its pattern or appearance.[3]
Floor tiles or sheet flooring that are free of asbestos cannot be distinguished by size or pattern alone
since some patterns continued to be produced in non-asbestos variations after their asbestosbearing versions were discontinued. Not all 9-inch square vinyl tiles manufactured before 1980
contain asbestos, and asbestos tiles were created in a variety sizes including metric
dimensions.[4][5] Mastics and adhesives containing varying concentrations of asbestos were used into
the late 1970s and may be hazardous as well if improperly removed so as to create loose dust and
debris.[6]
In the debate over the "greenness" of building materials, vinyl has become a divisive topic. Burning
the material can release dioxins and other hazardous chemicals. Harmful additives such
as phthalates and heavy metals can leach out of the roughly 1.5 million tons (1.4 million metric tons)
of vinyl discarded each year just in the United States.[7]
While there may be an asbestos hazard if asphalt asbestos or vinyl asbestos floor tiles or sheet
flooring are disturbed in ways that create dust and debris, the chief health concerns most sources
cite for contemporary PVC building products such as vinyl floor tiles or vinyl building siding, trim and
windows appear to be health risks to the workers during production (dioxin, the most powerful

carcinogenic substance known), and health risks later (HCL and dioxin) if the material is burned say as waste or in a house fire. Dioxin is almost certainly released at harmful levels in those cases.[8]

Rubber has a variety of inherent advantages that have made it an

extremely popular flooring choice for commercial, high traffic
environments. Now with a wide selection of colors, patterns, and
textures available, this material is also finding its way into residential
interior and exterior applications. However these advantages are also
balanced by a series of drawbacks, which are important to understand
before making a final flooring decision.
The History Of Rubber

Advantages Of Rubber Tile Flooring

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Durability: The most often touted benefit of rubber flooring is the fact
that it is strong, tough, and resilient against a variety of conditions.
Depending on the type of tile used, and the environment it is installed
in, a properly cared for rubber floor should be able to last twenty
years, if not longer.
Garage Flooring Tiles
Low Maintenance: Rubber flooring can be very easy to take care of.
Synthetic flooring is generally more stain resistant than natural rubber.
Polishing the surface with a water soluble wax emulsion will also make
it more resistant to damage and discoloration. Cleaning generally
requires no more than the use of a mop and warm clean water.
Maintaining Rubber Flooring
Important Note: Avoid detergents and harsh cleaning agents when
caring for a rubber floor as they can discolor the surface of the
material. Only use cleaning agents which are rated to be specifically
used on the type of flooring you purchase.
Soft: Despite the fact that it has commercial grade durability, rubber
flooring is actually quite soft to the touch. This is can be important for
helping to relieve stress fatigue associated with standing or walking for
long periods of time, making this a popular flooring choice in retail
locations. The soft yielding nature of rubber also makes it an
appropriate floor for playrooms, bedrooms, and other living areas. This
effect can be increased by purchasing tiles with fabric, cork, or foamrubber backing.

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Water Resistant: Rubber flooring is nonporous which means that you
don't have to worry about damage from basic liquid spills. This makes
it a popular floor for wet environments such as bathrooms, kitchens,
and laundry rooms. However if you are installing it in an at grade or
below grade environment you may need to install a vapor barrier to
prevent moisture from seeping up from underneath. Some rubber floor
tiles also come specially treated to deal with particularly moist
environments.
Fire and Burn Resistant: This material is resistant to burns left from
cigarette butts and other small heat sources. It is also non toxic, and
will not release noxious fumes into the air in case of fire.
Sound Properties: Depending on the thickness of the tiles, rubber
can act as a powerful sound barrier between floors in a building. It's
natural elasticity can also reduce noise from walking and rolling carts
by up to 18 decibels.
Color Choices: When rubber flooring first gained residential
popularity in the 1970's the colors of choice were typically polished
black or slate gray. These would be contrasted by blues, reds, or
yellows on occasion, but there really weren't that many color options
available.

Nowadays there are countless color and pattern options available

when choosing rubber floor tiles. These can have a polished
perfection, or a soft matte finish that will blend more naturally into a
living space. They can also replicate marbling and random speck
patterns found in natural stone materials, or can take on extremely
bright, vibrant, neon tones to create a loud and brash flooring design.
Textures: The surface of these tiles can be manufactured with raised
dimples, studs, and other complex textures that can actually become
part of the piece's design. This can also help to add traction to the
floor, making it more slip resistant in wet areas.

Disadvantages Of Rubber Tile Flooring

Expensive: The biggest drawback to rubber flooring is that it can be
quite expensive. You may be able to find low end materials for as little
as $2.00 per square foot but that is going to limit the thickness, quality,
and style choices that you have. More expensive options can range as
high as $12 - $15 per square foot, making this material comparable to
vinyl or woodblock flooring.
Recycled Rubber Tiles
Slippage: Smooth untextured rubber tiles can become rather slippery
when water is present. This effect is even worse if the material has
been polished.
Above Grade: While rubber is resistant to water damage it is still
susceptible to seepage issues, including loosening of adhesive, and
curling of tiles. A water vapor barrier can be installed in at grade

applications. Below grade installations should only make use of

specially manufactured water resistant rubber flooring materials.
Staining: While rubber flooring is resistant to most staining agents,
there are a few that can discolor its surface. Detergent, and other
abrasive cleaning liquids can be especially dangerous to rubber floors.
Grease can also have a drastic negative effect if it is not wiped up
immediately.

The Benefits of Using Rubber Flooring and

Matting
The article is about the benefits of using rubber flooring and matting to add safety, comfort and
green to flooring solutions.
Safety:
Rubber floor mats and rubber flooring add a safety element to almost any situation that they are
used in. Rubber floor mats come in a variety of sizes and styles that are each designed to
perform according to the environment that they are used in. Rubber flooring or rubber mats stick
to most surfaces without the use of adhesives. Because the rubber floor mat does not slip
neither does the person who walks on the mat. This is an example of the safety benefits of
using rubber flooring.
Being Green:
Often times the rubber that is used in rubber flooring and mats is recycled and thus the added
benefit of being a green solution is also incorporated with the use of rubber flooring. Used tire
and other sources are great resources of recycled rubber. Landfills across America are full of
worn out and abandoned tires from the millions of automobiles that we buy use and discard.
Using rubber flooring has the added benefit of being a green solution to the removing old tires,
etc. from landfills
Comfort:
Rubber flooring is also a cushioning and a healthy benefit to employees who work on hard
surfaces daily. The softer slip resistant rubber helps to cushion the joints between bones that
would normally be impacted by a harder surface such as concrete. Long-term walking and

working on hard surfaces can lead to degeneration of the cartilage cushioning between joints.
Employees who stand on hard surfaces will benefit greatly from the use of rubber mats. Get
rubber mats for employees who work on harder surfaces. This can be a cost effective solution to
long term insurance costs by reducing future claims. Rubber mats used outside of a building
can also help to prevent allergens and other potentially toxic substances from being tracked into
a home or a work environment.
Overall there are many uses for rubber flooring and floor mats. The added benefit to safety,
health and comfort can be seen in both the short and long-term use of rubber flooring. Rubber
mats are easy to install and fairly inexpensive

About Resilient Flooring

Stylish and Durable Flooring.

Resilient flooring - also known as 'vinyl' or 'sheet vinyl' - has been around for decades
and is still one of the most popular types of flooring around. It's made using a printing
process known as 'rotogravure', which prints a pattern on the flooring substrate via an
engraved cylinder.
Today's resilient flooring is manufactured much in the same way it always has been, yet
the styles and technologies have evolved with the times. Mannington resilient flooring
uses ultra-low VOC, water based inks (VOC's are "volatile organic compounds", which
can be detrimental to indoor air quality) and we make all of our vinyl products right
here in the U.S. (at our New Jersey headquarters location).

http://www.mannington.com/Residential/Resilient/About%20Resilient.aspx

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

by Nick Gromicko and Ethan Ward

Sheet vinyl is a popular finishing option for interior floors. Advantages of this material
include the variety of colors and styles available, its moderate durability, and the relative
ease of maintenance. Sheet vinyl repels dirt and resists scuffing fairly well. Its
moisture-resistant properties provide protection from spills, making them easy to clean
up. The variety of colors and styles that vinyl sheet flooring is available in allows it to be
used in many places in the home. It can also mimic the appearance of other flooring
materials, and is able to match virtually
any chosen dcor.
A sheet vinyl floor can be a costeffective option that is typically less
expensive than other types of flooring,
but the cost of a sheet vinyl floor is
directly related to its quality. Though it
tends to be cheaper than other types of
flooring, inexpensive vinyl may be of
low quality, while more expensive vinyl
is usually of better quality. Low-quality
flooring can last for 10 years, while
high-quality vinyl floors can last for 30
years or more. All vinyl flooring has a
wear layer, but the more expensive vinyl generally has a thicker wear layer than the
cheaper versions, providing more durability.
General maintenance of a sheet vinyl floor also tends to be fairly simple. Regular
sweeping and mopping are usually all the care that's needed to keep the floor in good
shape.
However, issues do come up related to defects with this type of flooring. Sometimes,
the problems are related to poor maintenance and care on the part of the homeowner,
but, more often, they are the result of improper installation. Some examples of these
issues are outlined below and differentiate among problems caused during installation,
those due to regular wear and tear, and those related to owner negligence.

Issues Associated with Installation

Proper installation of sheet vinyl flooring actually requires a high level of skill, in addition
to specific training. Sheet vinyl products have their own set of instructions and factoryapproved compatible products. Underlayment, adhesives, nailing patterns, subfloor,
and seam-sealers are not always interchangeable between different types of vinyl.
Every component of the installation must be factory-approved for use with the specific
type of vinyl being installed. Techniques specific to different vinyl materials may also
need to be employed. The major sheet vinyl manufacturers print detailed instructions
and guides that should be followed, and they also offer extensive factory training for
professional installers. When sheet vinyl flooring is incorrectly installed, it leads to
problems down the line.
Some of the most common complaints related to sheet vinyl flooring that can be traced
back to issues with the initial installation are listed below. In each of the
following instances, the visible defects resulting would not have occurred if the vinyl
flooring had been correctly installed:

wrong patching;
seam failure or open seams;
the wrong adhesive;
improper or lack of subfloor preparation;
wrong underlayment material;
cracking; and
irregular surface.

Some additional possibilities for defects related to installation, or defects originating

at the factory, may include poor pattern matching or print defects. Irregularities in the
print pattern or pattern matching may or may not be within the manufacturer's
specifications, depending on the specific case, and the flooring may or may not be
acceptable for installation. This should be determined through visual inspection before
the flooring is installed so it can be remedied if it is deemed to be an issue.
After installation, time and temperature are important. For the first 24 hours after new
vinyl flooring has been installed, all the seamed areas should be protected, and the
seam sealer should not be walked on. The temperature of the room should be kept at
around 68 F for at least two days after installation to allow the adhesives to set up
properly.

Rolling heavy objects on a new vinyl floor can cause the vinyl and adhesive to become
compressed, and once the adhesive sets up, any compressed marks will become
permanent. Five days is an adequate amount of time to wait before moving furniture or
any other heavy objects, such as a piano, on the new vinyl floor. Also, before placing
chairs and other furniture on the floor, check the condition of all their casters or rollers to
be sure they are in good shape and will not scratch or damage the new vinyl. Replace
any worn casters or rollers. If any of the furniture has metal or sharp edges on their
legs, install some adhesive felt pads to their bottoms to protect the new floor.
Also, during the same five-day waiting period, homeowners should abstain from
washing the new floor so that the adhesive will cure properly.
Underlayment
The use of good-quality, compatible underlayment is essential to proper installation.
Numerous types of underlayment can be paired with sheet vinyl, and it is important to
correctly match products approved for use by the factory with the specific type of vinyl
being installed. The underlayment must be completely free of any ink, oils, dirt, factory
stamps, and residue from old adhesives before it is covered with vinyl in order to ensure
that surface irregularities or adhesive failure do not occur.
Maintenance and Other Issues
While many common defects in sheet vinyl floor covering can be traced back to
problems with the initial installation, some other issues may be caused by poor
maintenance and care on the part of the homeowner. High-quality sheet vinyl is fairly
durable when properly maintained, but it is far from indestructible, and is still susceptible
to damage from accidents or improper treatment. Below are some common issues not
related to installation.

Dulling of Gloss

This is almost always the result of poor maintenance, and can be observed in
high-traffic areas and under furniture. Dirt, dust and grit can act as sandpaper on
the glossy finish, eventually eroding the sheen on the vinyl, if it is not cleaned on
a regular basis. Dusting and mopping regularly will help prevent loss of sheen
due to the impact of dirt and grit. Use of floor mats and track or area rugs can
help preserve the vinyl installed in high-traffic areas.

Many commercial floor-cleaning protectors and polishes are available that provide a
glossy surface and seal on the floor. However, some of these are not appropriate for all
vinyl floors, and may, in fact, dull the floor rather than polish it. Those suitable for vinyl
floors coat the surface to reduce wear and tear, and add an additional sheen to the
surface. Using the wrong polishes will only dull the floor. The manufacturers
recommendations for specific products should be checked before using any of these socalled "floor polishers."

Surface-Stripping

Once or twice a year, it may be advisable to strip a vinyl floor. A stripping solution
(often provided by the manufacturer at the time of installation) is designed to remove the
inevitable buildup of oils and soap residue that accumulate over time, even with regular
maintenance. The stripping solution should return the vinyl floor to its original condition.

There are also commercial refinishing products available for vinyl floors. These
are rarely used and are appropriate only where heavy wear has worn the surface
of the vinyl floor away, such as is common in commercial and public buildings.
The refinisher re-seals the vinyl and adds a lustrous coating to its surface, but
should be used only when the vinyl floors original surface has been
compromised, and not as a polish. The manufacturers directions should always
be followed carefully when using a commercial refinisher.

Discoloration

Yellowing and slight discoloration or staining are common in areas of high traffic,
such as walkways between rooms and near entrances and exits. Often, asphalt
sealers, dirt, oil, or anything else tracked indoors on the bottoms of shoes,
including the soles of certain types of shoes themselves, can cause
discoloration. This is a function of normal wear and tear on the vinyl. Regular
cleaning and strategic placement of floor mats and rugs can help prevent
discoloration.
Heat and direct sunlight can also cause discoloration. Areas near heating vents,
radiator legs or supply pipes, as well as spots near windows and glass doors, may be at
risk. It is best to avoid installing sheet vinyl flooring in spots that will be subject to high
levels of heat, and to use curtains or shades on windows that would allow vinyl to be
bathed in direct sunlight for extended times during the day.

Surface Damage and Dents

These are usually the result of negligence or accidents. Furniture can cause
scratches and dents if it is slid along the surface of the vinyl, or if couches or
chairs with metal or angular feet that could be potentially damaging are used.
Some types of shoes with very hard bottoms can scratch or scuff the surface of
the vinyl, as well. Hard or sharp objects dropped on the floor can also cause
gouges and dents. Padding under the
legs of furniture can help prevent gouges,
as can removing shoes before walking on
the floor.

Repairs

Repairs should be approached slightly

differently, depending on the type of flooring
and damage. With vinyl tile, it is generally
best to simply replace the marred tile. Sheet
vinyl requires patching or fusing of the
surface.
Small cuts and scratches can be permanently fused with liquid seam-sealer, a clear
compound that's available wherever vinyl flooring is sold. Once the area is cleaned with
a soft cloth dipped in lacquer thinner, a thin bead of sealer can be squeezed into the
damaged area. After the sealer has dried, the repair should be virtually invisible.
For tears and burns, as well as larger dents and scratches, the ruined area can be cut
out and replaced with a patch. This is done by placing a scrap of the same material
over the damaged area and cutting through both pieces simultaneously to create a
perfect- size replacement patch. The damaged area is then removed, and the freshly
cut patch is glued down in its place. Installers will usually leave some scrap pieces of
vinyl for exactly this purpose.

Replacing a vinyl tile is also simple. The adhesive can be softened with a heat
gun or even a blow-dryer, allowing the tile to be scraped out with a chisel or putty
knife. A replacement tile can then be put in place after the subfloor has been
cleaned and prepared for the new adhesive.
It is fairly easy, in most cases, to determine where defects in sheet vinyl flooring
originated. Inspectors will be interested in the telltale signs of improper installation, as
well as the defects associated with it. Homeowners should be conscious of the
limitations of this material, and know how to properly maintain it, once installed.

Vinyl Tile Flooring

Vinyl tile flooring is now more stylish than ever. Vinyl floor tiles are available in a
variety of patterns, colors and styles that closely resemble natural products like
wood, stone, and ceramic tile. Floor tile is easy to install and easy to care for.

Standing up to high traffic, high maintenance applications, with style.

Our vinyl composition tile performs beautifully under the highest traffic, highest maintenance
conditions. Its through-pattern construction of color and pattern extends throughout the
thickness of the tile, making scuffs and scrapes virtually undetectable. Whether in neutrals,
pastels or saturated vibrant colors, our VCT is stylish, durable and economical. Even more
importantly, it contains increasingly high percentages of recycled content, because we have
invested heavily in the creation of technologically advanced, innovative takeback programs.

How to Seal Vinyl Tile Seams

When installing vinyl floor tiles, you will have a seam where each tile meets. This seam
requires a sealer to fuse the tiles together at the upper layer and to prevent dirt, water and
other debris from depositing in the seam. Seams can sometimes fail on existing floors, as
well, and these need to be re-sealed. Flooring manufacturers typically make seam sealers
for their flooring, but you can often purchase general-purpose vinyl seam sealing kits at
your hardware store.
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Preparing New Flooring

1
Roll over all seams with a flooring roller. Uneven seams can cause the sealer to flow to
the low side, leaving no sealer on the high side.

2
Clean the seam using a damp cloth.
No Matches Found. Please try your search again.

3
Dry the seam and the surrounding tile thoroughly with a clean towel.

Preparing Old Flooring

1
Warm the edges of the opened seam with a hair dryer and vacuum dust and dirt from the
subfloor beneath the seam.

2
Clean the area around the seam with a damp cloth and dry with a clean towel.

3
Apply flooring adhesive to the back of the raised tiles with a soft brush, and then press
the edges down with a flooring roller. Wipe away excess adhesive with a dry cloth.

4
Set a heavy item, such as a board, along the seam and leave the adhesive to dry for at
least eight hours.

Applying the Sealer

1
Prepare the seam sealer according to the package directions. Make sure the lid to the
applicator bottle is screwed on tightly to prevent leaks.

2
Apply a small amount of seam sealer to a piece of scrap flooring or cardboard to make
sure the nozzle is clear and the sealer flows smoothly and evenly.

3
Tip the bottle over at a 45-degree angle and set the nozzle into the seam. Apply a bead no
larger than 1/4-inch thick, centered on the seam.

4
Apply light, constant pressure to the bottle and run the bead of sealer along the entire
length of the seam. Keep the nozzle at a 45-degree angle as you work, and move slowly
to avoid accidents.

5
Release pressure on the bottle slowly after you finish the seam, and tip the bottle upward
to prevent air bubbles. If air bubbles occur as you are applying the seam sealer, break
these with a thin, sharp object such as a toothpick or a wire.

6
Leave the sealer to dry according to the package directions.

Terrene Collection
Bentley is proud to introduce the Terrene Collection, our new line of luxury vinyl tile. Welcoming in a touch of
nature, Terrene unites the rich, warm tones of stained wood, quarried stone, and supple leather with the longlasting durability and maintenance ease of hard-surface flooring.

The Terrene Collection includes 18 patterns in various plank and square tile options. Petroleum free, the luxury
vinyl tile features 45 percent recycled content and shines in multi-segment applications.

Durability & Sustainability

Terrene Collection luxury vinyl tile features a heavy-duty, high-density 20 mil wear layer that makes it extremely
durable. The products long life translates into greater long-term cost savings and environmental efficiencies. At
the end of its useful life, however, the flooring is fully recyclable.

Terrene products are comprised of 25 percent post-consumer recycled content and 20 percent pre-consumer
recycled content. Post-consumer content includes recycled plastic from greenhouses, shower curtains,
raincoats, toys, PVC pipe, and other materials. The pre-consumer portion consists of waste material from the
production process that is reintroduced into the backing system as it is made into a new product.

Additionally, Terrene products may qualify a project for LEED points in the following categories: Recycled
Content Credit 4.1 (contains more than 40 percent pre-consumer recycled content), Indoor Environmental
Quality Credit 4.1 (low-emitting materials), and Materials & Resources Credit 4.2 (no added ureaFormaldehyde resins).

Luxury Vinyl and Vinyl Plank

Flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring is the term used to describe Armstrong's premium vinyl
products. Alterna is a luxury vinyl tile and Luxe Plank is a vinyl plank flooring

There are two distinct Alterna luxury vinyl tile collections: Alterna and Alterna Reserve. Both Alterna
collections are designed to capture the timeless look of natural stone flooring and ceramic tile, while
providing a comfortable surface for everyday living. The Alterna Reserve collection maintains all the
features of Alterna, but with the added benefit of more dramatic, high end stone visuals. All of the
patterns within each collection can be installed with grout or without grout, for a true stone or
ceramic tile look.

SLATE AND STONE LOOKS

The natural beauty of slate flooring and stone are captured in exquisite detail in Alterna and Alterna Reserve luxury vinyl
floors. Armstrong uses an exclusive state-of-the-art manufacturing process that recreates the refreshing authenticity of
real ceramic, quartz, travertine stone, slate, and marble. The result is a vibrant collection of floors with a natural texture
that you can actually feel. Each tile offers a perfect blend of color and pattern for the most natural installed slate or stone
floor visual.

LUXE VINYL PLANK FLOORING

Luxe Vinyl Plank accurately represents real hardwood colors and textures for beauty in a vinyl
product. Luxe Vinyl Plank comes in authentic plank lengths and widths, featuring beveled edges
and ends. Luxe Vinyl Planks bring you superior performance. It's waterproof and is easy to
install on any level in your home, thanks to built-in LYNX Technology; integrated pressuresensitive adhesive tabs.

BUILT TO LAST
Luxe Plank is made up of three primary layers. On top is a protective wear layer made of an
enhanced urethane that makes it easy to clean and resistant to scratches and scuffs. There is
also a protective clear film layer that adds durability and helps protect against rips, tears and
gouges. On the printed design layer, the visuals are very realistic natural wood planks. The
bottom-most layer is the tile backing, adding structural strength and durability.

Adura offers the look of real wood or tile with the

exceptional durability and performance that only a luxury
vinyl floor can provide.
Get the look of wood with Adura Plank or the Distinctive
Plank Collection which features realistic colors and surface
textures in 5, 6, and variable-width planks.

If you prefer tile, choose Adura Tile, available in 16x16

squares and new 12x24 Adura Rectangles. Design your
floor just as you would with real tile by customizing your
layout and grouting your floor for a more realistic
appearance.
For quick and easy no-glue installation, opt for Manningtons
exclusive LockSolid technology available in many tile and
plank patterns.

What You Don't Know About Luxury Vinyl

Tile Flooring
By Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID; Chair Holder, CMG
There is a segment of the floor covering market that hasnt received the full
attention it deserves. Commercial designers/specifiers are HUGE fans of this, but
what they know hasnt filtered down to be shared with many consumers at large.
Well its time to share the features and benefits of luxury vinyl tile flooring (also
referred to as LVT) and separate these unique products from the mix of other vinyl
goods. Luxury vinyl tile couldnt be more different, not only in how its
manufactured, but in the total aesthetic and applications.
Can you have the look, graining, and character of real hardwood in vinyl tile
flooring? Yes! Todays state-of-the-art manufacturing processes can create
amazing vinyl wood planks and textured stone tiles that rival the real thing
admirably. I have been invited to visit some of the top design firms in metropolitan
Los Angeles and Orange County, California, and amazingly, what I have seen are
beautiful office suites with elegant luxury vinyl wood planking or vinyl slate
adorning those office floors. These top designers can have any flooring material
they want, yet so many of them chose luxury vinyl tile flooring.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Construction

The ability to replicate real hardwoods and stones using advanced photographic
technologies is the foundation of luxury vinyl flooring systems. There are four
distinct layers fused together to produce the final product: a resilient vinyl backing,
a vinyl color layer, a photographic film layer, and a urethane or aluminum oxide top
layer. The protective top layer (also called the wearlayer or mil layer) is very
important to the durability of the product. Quality products will have as high as a
40 mil layer. Commercial applications can successfully utilize 20 mil or above.
Lower mil layers are available, but should be specified only for light traffic
applications.

Features & Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Tile

Flooring
Below are some of the key features and benefits for luxury vinyl tile and plank
flooring
Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Features

Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Benefits

Incredibly realistic photo replication

of natural materials (photogravure process)

The look and feel of natures best materials

at a lower cost are a reality of Luxury Vinyl
Tile flooring manufacturing

Brands that offer 100% vinyl material

Vinyl flooring satisfies Green building

standards and earns LEED points in
commercial applications.

Inherent safety features

Meets requirements of commercial

flammability codes, slip resistant
requirementsand a menu of other safety
codes

Ease of maintenance

Simple damp mopping is the recommended

cleaning procedure for LVT floors

Excellent selection of sizes, shapes

The size options vary by manufacturer, but

many styles are available in 12 x 12, 18 x
18, 12 x 24 sizes, and planks in standard
(3 x 36 4.5 x 36) and extra-large widths
(7 or 9 widths).

Naturally water resistant

LVT floors are inherently water resistant

(and fairly impervious to wet spills from
above). Its important to install over flat,
dry, approved substrates so that no water
seepage occurs beneath the floor.

Scratch, stain, dent and scuff resistant

Specialized wear layers (most common are

20 mil; some offer up to a 40 mil layer).
Then the floors are coated with urethane to

enhance durability

Cost effective

Economics factor favorably into the

specification of Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring
for both commercial and residential
applications, giving the look and feel of
rich, natural materials at a lower cost

Exceptional durability

Since most luxury vinyl tile flooring is also

constructed to withstand commercial wear
and tear, its ideal for residential hightraffic areas as well as other areas of the
home. Warranties vary by manufacturer,
but its not unusual to see 20-25 year
warranties on brand name luxury vinyl tile
flooring.

More resilient than other hard surface floors

Because there are multi-layers of vinyl

in luxury vinyl tile flooring as well as a
resilient backing as the foundation, LVT
tiles and planks have more resilience
underfoot. Its easier to stand on for long
periods of time AND as an added benefit, it
tends to be warmer underfoot than
ceramic.

Amazing aesthetics

There has been a stunning transformation

in the design aesthetics of Luxury vinyl tile
flooring in the last five years. If you are
linking it to industrial looking floors, this
is where you need to throw away your
misconceptions and do some research.
This may be the one biggest factor that has
caused interior designers to stand up and
take note of the new brand of LVT. The
realism of the total look, INCLUDING
distressed wood finishes, stone and slate
tactile surface textures, and even woven

textiles imbedded in the wear layers, are

grabbing attention.

Exceptional realism and Durability

Luxury vinyl tile floors are designed to capture the timeless look of natural
stone tile flooring, wood planks and ceramic tile floors, while providing an
extremely durable and comfortable surface for everyday living. Luxury vinyl tile
flooring comes in many extremely fashionable designs ranging from contemporary
to rustic and many feature deep embossing for stunning realism. Many of the
luxury vinyl tile designs can be installed with grout or without grout, for a true
stone or ceramic tile appearance.

Exciting Footnotes To Luxury Vinyl Tile

Submitted by Annette M. Callari, A.S.I.D.; CMG

Vinyl tile, once upon a time, could elicit a yawn when we think back to how it
looked in our grandmas house. I remember rigid little squares of red and yellow
tiles that formed a cheerful checkerboard in my grandmothers cavernous kitchen-cheerful, yes, but a maintenance nightmare. Black scuff marks from childrens
shoes were the undoing of many 1950s housewives! Vinyl tile was predictable and
boring. But todays awesome styles are inspired, aesthetically, AND include a UVcured urethane coating that keeps maintenance to a pleasant minimum. No more
hands and knees scrubbing for todays grandmas (or you).
Some of the most attention-getting floors that absolutely command attention can
be discovered while you are out and about. Creative applications of the hottest and
newest LVT designs present themselves to us on a daily basis. You cant help but
notice these maverick floors, especially when they are done so artistically.
For instance, your favorite restaurant may now be showcasing beautiful, functional,
crisp and clean LVT to underscore its gourmet offerings at the table. Your local
library just reopened, and there it is againa pleasing mix and match of LVT cork
floors that capture your attention. A trip to your doctors medical center also
features a lobby floor designed to look like streaming sisal in complementary

nature-drawn colors. The airport, your favorite retail store, maybe even the
auditorium at your kids school, are all discovering Natural Creations LVT, a work
of art from Armstrong Flooring.
Now that Ive gotten your attention, why am I even writing about something
designed for commercial applications? The answer is already pretty apparent:
OPTIONS!!! Options for you as a homeowner to think outside the box and grab
something uber-functional, while at the same time designery. (I made up that
word, but it works and spell check will just have to live with it.) Natural Creations is
actually a three-part series: ArborArt is a collection of rich-looking woods;
EarthCuts captures all the stone styles; and Mystix makes up the third part of
the series, encompassing designer trends like cork and bamboo floors. ALL, of
course, are luxury vinyl tile, which are so true to the natural material, you will have
to feel and touch to know that its vinyl. As a bonus, here are some of the types of
floors that LVT can be installed right over:

Concrete, terrazzo, and other dry, structurally sound monolithic subfloors on

all grade levels
Existing resilient flooring
Suspended wood subfloor construction, with approved wood underlayments
Certain metals
Radiant-heated subfloors with a maximum surface temperature of 85
degrees F. (29 C)

As functional as these floors are for many installations, they are not recommended
for high moisture areas, areas where non-slip floors are desired, or for outdoor use.
(See Armstrong specifications for complete list and any limitationsavailable
through your local Armstrong retailer or visit Armstrongs website
at armstrong.com/lvt.)
Each of these three new Collections has a number of pleasing sizes to choose from.
Everything from 4x 36 wood planks to stone looks featuring 12 x 12, 18 x 18
and 12 x 24 selections. Combining wood and stone looks in your own personal
design can net some exciting results and test YOUR creativity. Its just plain fun to
come up with a one-of-a-kind floor thats built for easy care and maintenance.
Bonus rooms, dens, kitchens, family roomsthe applications are worth imagining.
Armstrong said it best when I spoke recently to several of their contract
representatives:
ArborArt woods, EarthCuts stones, and Mystix trends each has its own distinctive
characteristics and applications, yet all have been designed to work together to
create virtually endless innovative flooring designs.

The pictures included with this article are testament to that. And, it is vividly
apparent that the tones, textures and visuals are all inspired from the natural world
around us. Here are a few more of the product features definitely worth
mentioning:

The natural wood graining and color variations clearly convey each woods
true character
The stone collection features natural surface characteristics and color
variations that give it depth and realism
Playful colors, colored stone and graphic patterns all mix well for truly
innovative floor designs
Embossed visuals convey textures inherently found in wood and natural
stone
All tiles and planks feature beveled edges
The entire collection is FloorScore certified for low VOC emissions

A quote I took from the 6/12/09 Chicago Tribune stated: In the battle of the
sexes, women are the apparent winners when it comes to home choices. They want
designs that reduce stress.
For that very reason, housing floor plans, as well as the products that go into the
home, should be woman-centric.
As I researched the features and benefits of LVT for residential use, I decided this
was definitely a woman-centric product line. Ease of maintenance ranked high on
the list of benefits, and this certainly fit the bill. The beauty of these innovative
styles is difficult to convey via the written word, so I encourage you to visit an
Armstrong dealer locally, or go on-line and take a mini-tour of what the world of
LVT has to offer. Good things await you.

Laminate flooring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pergo flooring project

Laminate flooring (also called floating wood tile in the United States) is a multi-layer
synthetic flooring product fused together with alamination process. Laminate flooring
simulates wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective
layer. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials.[1] There
is a European Standard No. EN 13329:2000specifying laminate floor covering requirements and
testing methods.
Laminate flooring has grown significantly in popularity, perhaps because it may be easier to install
and maintain than more traditional surfaces such as hardwood flooring.[2] It may also have the
advantages of costing less and requiring less skill to install than alternative flooring materials. It is
reasonably durable, hygienic (several brands contain an antimicrobial resin), and relatively easy to
maintain.[3]

Contents
[hide]

1 Installation
2 Care
3 Consumer advocacy
4 Potential health effects and LEED status
5 History
6 The Benefits
7 References
8 External links

Installation[edit]
Laminate floors are reasonably easy for a DIY homeowner to install.[4] Laminate flooring is packaged
as a number of tongue and groove planks - these can be clicked into one another. Sometimes a glue
backing is provided for ease of installation. Installed laminate floors typically "float" over the sub-floor
on top of a foam/film underlayment, which provides moisture- and sound-reducing properties. A
small (110 millimetres (0.0390.394 in)) gap is required between the flooring and any immovable

object such as walls, this allows the flooring to expand without being
obstructed. Baseboards (skirting boards) can be removed and then reinstalled after laying of the
flooring is complete for a neater finish, or small beading trims can be fitted to the baseboards. Saw
cuts on the planks are usually required at edges and around cupboard and door entrances.

Care[edit]
It is important to keep laminate clean, as dust, dirt, and sand particles may scratch the surface over
time in high-traffic areas. It is also important to keep laminate relatively dry, since sitting
water/moisture can cause the planks to swell, warp, etc., though some brands are equipped with
water-resistant coatings. Water spills aren't a problem if they're wiped up quickly, and not allowed to
sit for a prolonged period of time.
Adhesive felt pads are often placed on the feet of furniture on laminate floors to prevent scratching.
Inferior glueless laminate floors may gradually become separated, creating visible gaps between
planks. It is important to "tap" the planks back together using the appropriate tool as gaps are
noticed in order to prevent dirt filling the gaps, thus making it more difficult to put into place.
Quality glueless laminate floors use joining mechanisms which hold the planks together under
constant tension which prevent dirt entering the joints and do not need "tapping" back together
periodically.

Consumer advocacy[edit]
The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) is a trade association of laminate
flooring manufacturers and laminate flooring manufacturer suppliers in the United States and
Canada. It is a standards developing organization accredited by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI)[5] to develop voluntary consensus standards for laminate flooring materials, and it
has established testing and performance criteria that are used in North America.
NALFA issues a certification mark named the NALFA Certification Seal which signifies that the
product has passed 10 performance tests, has been proven to meet these standards by an
independent, third-party testing lab, and has been manufactured in North America.[6] The certification
review includes:
1. Static Load Measures the ability of laminate flooring to resist residual indentation resulting from
a static load.
2. Thickness Swell Measures the ability of laminate flooring to resist increase in thickness after
being exposed to water.
3. Light Resistance Measures the ability of laminate flooring to retain its color when exposed to a
light source having a frequency range approximating sunlight through window glass. It is not
intended to show the resistance to continuous exposure to outdoor weathering conditions.
4. Cleanability and Stain Resistance Measures both the ease of cleanability and stain resistance of
laminate flooring to common household substances.
5. Large Ball Resistance Measures the ability of laminate flooring to resist fracture due to impact
by a large diameter ball.
6. Small Ball Resistance Measures the ability of laminate flooring to resist fracture due to impact
by a small diameter ball.
7. Water Resistance Measures the ability of the surface of laminate flooring to resist abrasive wear
through the dcor layer.

8. Dimension Tolerance Measures the dimensional variance between tiles of laminate flooring in a
manufactured free standing (unrestricted) shape in respect to thickness, length, width, straightness
and squareness.
9. Castor Chair Resistance Specifies a method for determining the change of appearance and
stability of a laminate floor, including joints, under the movement of a castor chair.
10. Surface Bond Measures the force required to delaminate or split away the surface of laminate
flooring plank or tile.[7]

Potential health effects and LEED status[edit]

Laminate flooring is often made of melamine resin, a compound made with formaldehyde. The
formaldehyde is more tightly bound in MF than it is in Urea-Formaldehyde, reducing emissions and
potential health effects. Thus LEED v2.2's EQ Credit 4.4 precludes the use of UF, but allows the use
of MF.
Laminated flooring is commonly used in LEED residential and commercial applications.

History[edit]
Laminate flooring was invented in 1977[8] by the Swedish company Perstorp, and sold under the
brand name Pergo. They had been making floor surfaces since 1923. The company first marketed
its product to Europe in 1984, and later to the United States in 1994. Perstop spun off its flooring
division as the separate company named Pergo, now a subsidiary of Mohawk Industries.[9] Pergo is
the most widely known laminate flooring manufacturer, but the trademark PERGO is not
synonymous for all laminate floors.
Glueless laminate flooring was invented in 1996 by the Swedish company Vlinge Aluminium
(now Vlinge Innovation) and sold under the names of Alloc and Fiboloc. However, a system for
holding flooring panels together was also developed in parallel by the Belgian company Unilin and
released in 1997.
The two companies have been in a great number of legal conflicts over the years, and today most, if
not all glueless locking flooring is made under license from either Vlinge, Unilin, or even a
combination of both.

The Benefits[edit]
There are many benefits to choosing a laminate floor over other types of flooring. Laminate flooring
is quite versatile and durable. Due to laminate flooring being a printed strip of vinyl over a composite
board many textures and styles of flooring can be replicated. Recently laminate floors have seen
success in simulating stone and tile patterns as well as wood.
Cleaning laminate floors is easy and comparable to cleaning other hard surfaces such as hardwood
floors. It is generally not recommended to mop laminate floors as this has been shown to cause
damage by soaking into the composite portion which allows warping over time. Most manufacturers
suggest using dry methods such as brooms to clean with occasional wet cleaning with more
specialized mop-type products that do not leave excessive water on the flooring.
Installation is a large benefit of choosing laminate flooring. A generally handy person is well
equipped to install laminate flooring as the locking and floating aspects of laminate floor are mostly
self explanatory. Also, due to the ease of installation, having professional flooring contractors install
this type of floor is less expensive than other types of flooring such as tile or hardwood.

Laminate flooring is a relatively new invention which has taken the

world of floor surface covering by storm. Versatile, easy to maintain,
and reasonably priced, some people consider this a super material.
However there are a number of drawbacks when it comes to laminate
flooring. It is important to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly,
before making a final decision about whether to use this material in
your home, or commercial properties.
An Overview of Laminate Floors

The Benefits of Laminate Flooring

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Laminate Flooring Costs

Click Flooring

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Flooring Store

Kitchen Flooring Options

Convenient Packaging: Natural hardwood flooring comes in planks
that are 8 or 10 feet in length, and sometimes even longer. By contrast
laminate planks that simulate hardwood are sold in convenient 4 foot
strips. They are also available in tile form in varying sizes.
Versatility: Today laminate flooring can simulate the look of dozens of
different natural hardwood materials. The printing process can also
reproduce the appearance of a variety of natural stone, and ceramic
flooring materials. With EIR embossed in register texturing they are
even able to somewhat reproduce the surface texture of these natural
materials.
Laminate Flooring Design and Picture Gallery
Cleaning: The wear layer of a laminate floor protects the material
from stains and some spills making cleaning and maintenance
relatively easy. Typically the only regular requirement is sweeping or
vacuuming of the floor to remove grit and dirt which can slowly erode
the floors wear layer over time.
Installation: The installation of a laminate click together floor is one of
the easiest do it yourself flooring projects you can undertake. New
innovations in the manufacture of this material have made it so you do
not even need to use adhesive. You just roll down a sheet of
underlayment material, and then snap the planks or tiles of the floor
into one another. An entire room can usually be finished in just a day
or two.

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Underlayment For Laminate Floors
Goes Anywhere: With the exception of carpet, laminate flooring can
be installed over almost any existing floor in the home. As long as a
moisture barrier is in place and water prevention measures are taken
it can also be installed at any grade. This removes the hassle and
expense of having to remove old flooring installations before installing
new laminate materials.
The Elements: Laminate flooring is resistant to many of the outdoor
agents that can discolor other flooring materials. The wear layer
protects it from stains and smudges due to dirt and mud making it a
great material for hallways and entryways. It also resists fading from
UV light exposure making it popular in sun rooms.
Health: Laminate flooring is naturally resistant to the growth of mold
and bacteria. It can also be treated with special allergen resistant and
anti-bacterial coatings to make them even safer.
Expansion: The nature of the installation process means that the
flooring material is not adhered directly to the subfloor. Rather all of
the pieces of the floor are interlocked, or adhered one to another. That
means that the material can expand, or contract, due to changes in
pressure and temperature, without buckling and snapping against the
subfloor.

Acclimation: Hardwood needs to sit in an environment for 3-6 weeks

so that it can acclimate to the temperature and pressure of the area.
Laminates can be installed in as little as 36 hours.
Laminate Floor Buyers Guide

The Drawbacks To Installing Laminate Floors

Refinishing: Laminate floors can not be refinished. They have a
single wear layer, and when that is damaged the individual piece
needs to be replaced. Over time the wear layer on the entire floor will
degrade and scratches will appear in the surface of laminate
materials. When this occurs the entire floor will need to be replaced.
Hardwood Laminate Flooring
Sound: When you walk on a laminate floor it produces a hollow
sound, that makes the material feel fake and manufactured. This can
be offset to some extent through the use of dampening underlayment
materials, which can help to simulate the sound of natural hardwood
flooring.
Unnatural Feel: While laminate can simulate the look of hardwood,
stone, or brick perfectly, the illusion fades as soon as you feel the
material with your bare hands. While embossing can provide a textural
surface for laminates, the material itself has a man-made feel that
makes it obvious that this is not a natural floor surface.
Hard: Laminate flooring is quite hard and unyielding under foot. Even
cork or foam padding on the back will generally not alleviate this
characteristic.
Environmental Concerns: Some environmental experts have
expressed concerns over laminate materials that are made with

compounds derived from formaldehyde. They claim that floors made

with these materials can release volatile organic chemicals over time,
which can have harmful effects on the air quality of the surrounding
room.
Lifespan: The life span of a laminate floor is going to be based on the
quality of the material and the thickness of the wear layer. Most
laminate floors will come with a warranty, however it is important to
check the terms and conditions of that warranty before you buy. In
some cases you will need to take certain precautions during the
installation process or risk voiding the warranty and losing its
protection.