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What is Quartz Vinyl?
It is a modern finishing material with a thickness of 2 to 4 mm, which has many advantages. It is not only not inferior to ceramic tiles in terms of characteristics, but also surpasses it in many respects.
More details about quartz vinyl flooring are described in this video:
Coating composition and structure
This material is environmentally friendly, because almost 70% of it consists of quartz sand. The product consists of:
- a polyurethane layer providing abrasion resistance;
- decorative coating, the pattern of which imitates a different texture;
- the main layer of polyvinyl chloride with quartz chips, which gives the product strength;
- a layer of glass fiber, which increases the bearing capacity of the product;
- a base layer of PVC, which ensures the adhesion of the tile to the floor.
The photo clearly shows the structure of the quartz vinyl film for the floor.
Pros and cons of tiles
Consider the features of a quartz vinyl floor:
| pros | Minuses |
|---|---|
| Possesses incredible durability: during use at home, it does not change its appearance. | Limited choice of colors: mainly imitation of stone and wood. |
| Absolutely not afraid of moisture and mold. | Heavy furniture can leave small dents. |
| According to manufacturers' data, fire hazard and flammability is zero. | A product with an adhesive base cannot be placed on a cement base. |
| Installation does not require any special skills. | The floor must be perfectly leveled before installation. |
What is the best quartz vinyl tile or linoleum for the floor?
Linoleum is one of the most popular floor coverings in apartments and various institutions: it is affordable, easy to install, and easy to care for. It differs from quartz vinyl in several ways:
| Linoleum | Quartz vinyl tiles |
|---|---|
| Its basis is polyvinyl chloride, which contains synthetic components. | The base is natural hypoallergenic quartz sand. Compared to linoleum, it has no chemical odor. |
| If linoleum is damaged, it is necessary to change the entire canvas. | Only damaged items are changed. |
| Over time, it is subject to deformation, is afraid of dyes and mechanical stress. | Serves for decades without changing. |
| Combustible, emits harmful substances at high temperatures. | It is refractory, and becomes toxic only when heated to 200 degrees. |
As you can see, quartz vinyl flooring is superior to linoleum in many ways.
Types and characteristics of tiles
When choosing quartz vinyl floor tiles, in addition to design, it is worth considering a few more points.
The shape and size of the elements depends on the taste preferences of the homeowner, and the technical parameters should be selected for residential, not industrial premises.In order not to overpay for the material, it is worth buying products of 23–42 wear resistance classes with an abrasion index of the "T" category. In terms of fire resistance and smoke generation, the floor covering must meet the G-2 and D-2 categories, respectively.
According to the installation method, the tiles are divided into three types:
- Castle. When tiling the floor, the products are connected only to each other thanks to the “tongue-and-groove” system. Its cost is quite high.
- Sticky. Fixed with acrylic based adhesive. Recommended for rooms with high humidity and temperature extremes.
- Self-adhesive. Such products are already covered with adhesive on the back, so they are much easier to install.
What is the difference between quartz vinyl and pvc tiles, porcelain stoneware and laminate?
Let's compare the characteristics of several floor coverings to determine the main differences between them:
- PVC tiles. She's vinyl. Does not contain quartz sand, very flexible. The main disadvantage is unnaturalness.
- Porcelain stoneware. Completely environmentally friendly material: hard and durable, but has a cold-touch surface. In addition, grout is required for tiles or mosaics.
- Laminate. Externally, it is very similar to quartz vinyl strips, but has less moisture resistance and impact resistance.
It is easy to see that quartz vinyl flooring wins in many ways among other materials.
Which tile to choose?
There are three types of vinyl quartz tiles:
- square;
- rectangular;
- panels imitating parquet.
The choice depends on the style solution in the interior: whether it will be an imitation of porcelain stoneware, giving the interior solidity, or wood, which invariably brings warmth and comfort of natural textures into the atmosphere.
Quartz vinyl tile design and texture ideas
Since there is no regulation for the dimensions of the quartz vinyl coating, manufacturers offer different sizes of products.
The most common square tiles with dimensions from 30x30 to 60x60 cm. Usually imitates porcelain stoneware "like a stone". It can also have a pattern of dies laid "under parquet". Such a floor in a living room always looks respectable.
The photo shows a quartz vinyl floor with a marble pattern.
Rectangular products from 12x14 to 95x18 cm reproduce the texture of wood or stone. They have a smooth or embossed texture, so they look little different from their counterparts.
Pictured is a bedroom with flooring imitating natural wood.
The original way of tiling the floor with tiles is the herringbone layout:
Photo in the interior of the apartment
Due to its environmental friendliness, as well as high performance properties, high-quality quartz vinyl is appropriate in the bathroom, kitchen corridor and even a children's room.
Finishing in the bathroom and toilet
Quartzvinyl is an ideal bathroom covering. The products are water-repellent and resistant to microorganisms. They convincingly imitate tiles, but unlike the icy surface of ceramics, quartz vinyl is much more pleasant to tactile sensations.
The photo shows a bathroom in which both the floor and walls are finished with quartz-vinyl.
Quartz vinyl, imitating aged boards, looks great in the bathroom interior.
Examples of cladding in the kitchen
In a room where they constantly cook, the floor often suffers, but quartz vinyl will withstand any tests: dropping dishes, spilled water and all kinds of pollution.
The photo shows a glossy quartz vinyl tile imitating black and white granite.
According to the reviews of the owners of quartz vinyl floors, the coating regularly serves for years, even with careless handling: they tolerate spilled coloring drinks, do not scratch from furniture legs and do not deform from moisture.
The photo shows a bright Provence style kitchen with a floor that imitates gray porcelain stoneware.
On the balcony
Quartz vinyl coating is not afraid of either high or too low temperatures, therefore it is suitable for both open and closed balconies.
In the photo there is a balcony, the floor of which is covered with UV-resistant quartz vinyl.
Laying tiles with your own hands
The technology of laying vinyl quartz should not cause difficulties, if you do not neglect the rules and tips that will help you make repairs without errors.
General rules for laying
The key to success when installing quartz vinyl is a perfectly flat base. This could be:
- concrete floor under cement screed;
- polymer floor;
- OSB plates;
- Chipboard with putty joints;
- already existing coatings, for which leveling is not always necessary: tiles, pvc tiles, porcelain stoneware. The main thing is that the floor is level, durable, clean and dry.
No quartz vinyl underlay is required.
Preparing for installation
Instruments
The following equipment is required to install the floor:
- Tool to draw a straight line: level or steel ruler.
- Pencil.
- Roulette.
- Stationery or construction knife for cutting products.
- White rubber mallet (for adhesive quartz vinyl only).
- Fine-toothed spatula for dispensing glue.
What is the best glue for mounting?
The choice of adhesive depends on the coating on which the quartz vinyl is laid: there are special adhesives for absorbent substrates and non-absorbent substrates.
Laying instructions with lock connection
Before starting work, it is necessary that quartz vinyl be stored at room temperature in a horizontal position for about a day. You can lay products in a straight way, in a pattern or diagonally.
- The floor is being prepared: it must be clean and free of drops.
- Installation can be started either from the center of the room or from the wall.
- The tiles are connected to each other with end locks: for this it is necessary to join the "thorn in the groove" at an angle of 45 degrees until the gap disappears (the chamfer is not a gap).
- It is not necessary to tap the cover to avoid damage to the locks.
Video how to glue tiles on the floor?
In order to glue quartz vinyl to the base without errors, you should familiarize yourself with some of the subtleties that are highlighted in this video:
Care Tips
After installation, it is worth waiting for two days before putting the furniture. The floor can be washed after 24 hours.
For wet cleaning, vinegar is suitable, which gently cleanses the material and gives it a shine. You can also use soapy water. White spirit is suitable for removing stubborn dirt.
Despite the resistance to mechanical damage, you should not use a hard metal brush for cleaning: it leaves micro-scratches on the floor.
Photo gallery
Aesthetic appearance without harm to health, "indestructibility" and easy installation - soon quartz vinyl tiles may become the most demanded material for floor cladding in living space.
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