Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is a finished flooring material used primarily in commercial and residential applications. 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 by heat and pressure.The tiles are made of a composite of PVC and fibre, producing a thin and fairly hard tile.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tiles are a commonly used floor finish made from polyvinyl chloride. Due to the small size of the tiles, usually 150mm, 225mm and 305mm, any damage can soon be repaired by replacing individual tiles.Vinyl flooring is also called “resilient” flooring because it characteristically “bounces back” from the weight of objects that compress its surface.
LVT is an industry term, not a standard, for vinyl that realistically mimics the appearance of natural materials with an added layer to improve wear and performance. The extra layer of protection is usually a heavy film covered with a UV-cured urethane that makes it scuff, stain and scratch resistant. 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 colours 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.
Today’s vinyl floors are made to enhance the aesthetic features of an interior environment. While often mimicking the look of other hard surfaces, they are “warmer” than ceramic tile. Designers can use pattern and colour to make a large room seem smaller or a small room more expansive. And since vinyl is durable, the colour and original appearance will lastn longer with routine maintenance.
Vinyl flooring reduces noise and provides comfort underfoot. Unlike such hard surfaces as wood, laminate, terrazzo or ceramic tile, vinyl floors have “give” and thus are referred to as “resilient” flooring.
Sheet vinyl flooring products can provide an attractive alternative to expensive wood flooring systems in gymnasiums, exercise rooms and other recreational areas. The no-wax stain-resistant surfaces of these floors mean lower maintenance costs and greater usage than traditional floors – and these surfaces will accept paint lines for use as a basketball, racquetball or volleyball court. High-density vinyl foam cushion backing systems provide a shock absorbing surface that reduces impact shock and leg fatigue. In installation the floor tiles or sheet flooring are applied to a smooth, levelled sub-floor using a specially formulated vinyl adhesive or tile mastic that remains pliable.