Quartz vinyl floor tiles: tips, reviews and recommendations on the choice

Quartz vinyl flooring - solid and stable floor covering, which until recently was used mainly for decoration of industrial premises. Today, quartz vinyl floor tile is often used for decorating and apartments. We consider that this is a material which has advantages and disadvantages as well as possible finishes.

Quartz vinyl floor tiles: production technology

Quartz sand - the main component, which makes up most of the tiles (depending on the features of the model, from 60 to 80%). Else - it various impurities that are added in order to obtain some or other additional characteristics and properties of the resulting product in the end.

Thus, the basic characteristics of the tiles ─ strength, resistance to fire and water, is present due to quartz sand, while the various plasticizers, stabilizers and pigments in combination with vinyl, serve only addition. Plasticizers provide flexibility material that facilitates the installation process.

Protection from exposure to light and to elevated temperatures provide stabilizers, but all kinds of colors available by the addition of pigments. At the same time, the use of special additives allows even create imitation of any textures.

Topsheet tiles manufacturers use different variations of compositions, for example, a layer of polyurethane varnish or metallized, and to simultaneously obtain an aesthetic appearance and high resistance to all kinds of coating influences.

Quartz vinyl tile consists of 6 layers. Let us consider each of them, starting from the bottom:

• PVC layer, which serves as a base, and, on the one hand serves to increase resistance to tile effects, on the other, makes it possible to grip with the floor material to adhesive fixation was effective;
• glass, which serves as a reinforcement;
• quartz vinyl, which is the base layer and gives the product strength required;
• a layer of decorative material, which determines the texture and color of the tiles;
• a thin transparent layer serves to protect the image from fading due to exposure to direct sunlight;
• polyurethane layer that provides resistance to chemicals and prolonging the life of the coating.

This rather complicated production technology quartz vinyl tile allows you to get in the end a solid and reliable material that is resistant to all kinds of influences.

Advantages and disadvantages of quartz vinyl floor apartment

Special characteristics of this material are the reason that the advantages and disadvantages of such solutions are also very unusual. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is necessary to get acquainted with all the ins and outs before purchase tiles.

First of all it should be noted that the operation in a residential area is almost not able to lead to a deterioration of the tiles. Moreover, this material is capable of withstanding the enormous throughput, including not only people, but machines. So that in a normal room in the demolition of such a coating would not be at all, and if you still one of the elements will be damaged, it is easy to replace. You do not need to dismantle the entire floor, attracting professionals or to purchase any special tools.

Another important advantage - stability to high humidity and direct moisture. Experts estimate how this material is resistant to water at 100%, which is important in the case of stacking the kitchen or bathroom. But as the fire, the quartz sand, which is the main constituent component of the tile, does not support combustion and does not emit any harmful substances.

Another advantage which will appreciate the occupants of houses - the level of sound insulation that provides quartz vinyl flooring. Its ability to absorb sound power up to 19 dB allows you to create the most comfortable living conditions.

Selection of quartz vinyl coating also please buyers abundance of color and texture solutions. Using catalogs and photos, color quartz vinyl tile, you can pick up, based on the interior design of your home is. In addition, installation is simple enough, and the material cost is low, despite a lot of positive aspects and long service life.

It has quartz vinyl and disadvantages, which is best read in advance. So, laying such a coating requires careful surface preparation, and carrying out all the necessary steps to align the base. Must be laid layers of hydro and thermal insulation materials to the floor was warm and absorbs more noise.

Useful advice!The best option for floor leveling - screed. It takes a long time because complete drying of the composition occurs within a few weeks, however, this procedure significantly prolong the life of the coating operation.

How to choose and buy high-quality tile kvartsvinilovuyu

Selection kvartsvinilovoy floor tile should take into account several basic parameters: size, thickness, of the manufacturer, the level of durability and color processing. Thus tile dimensions may vary considerably, and the thickness be from 1.6 to 3.2 mm.

Of course, firms that offer their products on the market today, a huge number. But some of them are more popular than others. For example, the well known vendors such as Art Tile, Armstrong, Polyfloor and Upofloor.

The most popular size of the quartz tiles - squares with sides of 30 or 60 cm. With these elements the easiest way to work, but the coating is quite simple, without any complicated designs and patterns. For those who want to create the unusual interior with the use of this material manufacturers They offer rectangular or triangular tiles, with which you can create a much more interesting drawings.

Interesting! If desired, you can cut the tiles on the curved elements. This process should be carried out only at the factory, because it requires the use of a water cutting method. Of course, the cost of such coverage will be significantly higher, however, in the photo quartz vinyl coverings can see how beautiful can look exclusive coating made by this method.

How to choose the quartz vinyl tiles for the apartment suitable thickness

Kvartsvinilovoe floor may have a different thickness which is typically less than 3.2 mm. In this case, the material is referred to the highest class of durability - 43rd. For ordinary apartments that usually happens too much, because in a residential area the material is not subjected to the load, which is calculated. It will be sufficient to use material 23-43 class wear resistance, which is characteristic for the tile, the thickness of which ranges from 2-2.5 mm.

Important!The thickness of each member determines the overall weight of the coating, which is usually so considerable. So stack elements excessively large thickness - it is also a cause additional stress on the surface.

Possible to use thinner and tiles, but in this case it is necessary in advance to make sure that the room It is low permeability, and the flooring will not be subjected to impacts and other influences capable of it to harm.

There is a classification designed to point out the tiles exposure to abrasion, as a result of constant exposure. In this case, there are several categories, the best of which is recognized as a "T". It is this kind of tiles most often be found in the domestic market. Among the characteristics of this type should be noted not only high resistance to mechanical stress, but also to chemically active substances - acids and alkalis.

Play a significant role and performance of flammability and smoke-forming ability of the material. In this case it is best to give preference to products, which has the following markings - G2 (an indicator of fire resistance) and D2 (the level of smoke formation). To living conditions is ideal, as the acquisition of a material with lower rates simply considered impractical.

As for the appearance, everything depends solely on the individual preferences of the owners, as well as the interior. It is possible to give preference to the material, which imitates natural texture or choose a pattern.

Features installation of quartz vinyl laminate

There are two methods styling quartz vinyl floor coverings: glue and lock. In the first case the elements are fixed by a special adhesive, and the second locking compound applied. Many users claim that the second method is preferable, since it not only greatly simplifies the process installation, but also allows you to safely dismantle kvartsvinilovuyu tile to lock-in the case of needed.

Related article:

How to lay tile to the floor laying techniques and technology features

Features of preparation of different types of surfaces. How to overwrite on the tile seams. Criteria for selection of tile flooring.

But if homeowners have decided to resort to the first method, you will need to purchase high-quality adhesive composition that can be made on the basis of rubber or acrylic.

Useful advice! In order to avoid any problems related to the quality of fixation elements, it is recommended to buy the adhesive composition, which is recommended for the tile manufacturer.

laying procedure is performed according to the following algorithm:

1. Preliminary work involving the dismantling of the old coating and leveling the ground. It is also necessary putty all the cracks and crevices, or you can simply make a new tie.
2. After that go directly to the laying of tiles, which begins with the markup. Initially, it should be noted the starting point and laying line elements.
3. Then it remains only to put the adhesive composition on the surface of the floor and place the elements of the tiles thoroughly several times walking up to the top roller to smooth out the surface. Pruning angular and extreme elements is carried out directly before laying to avoid inconsistency.

Important! Any excess glue must necessarily be removed until such time as the drying of the composition occurs. Otherwise, the appearance of the floor may be damaged.

In addition, experts recommend to observe the most comfortable conditions for laying the material, among which a base dry (no more than 5-6% humidity). To lay tile on the surface of the adhesive composition should not at once, but only after waiting a few minutes. Also pay attention to the recommendations offered by the manufacturers, because usually offers to the material guide contains all the details necessary for high-quality styling and further operation.

Secrets of installation and further care coverage: expert advice

In addition to the basic rules of placement, which must be observed during operation, Professionals recommend to pay attention to some not so obvious, but no less important aspects:

• the ideal time for drying of the adhesive on the surface before laying tiles - 30-40 minutes;
• If the flooring requires the presence of the figure, you should always start laying from the center of the room. If the tiles are monophonic, then you can start and door;
• if in the process of laying on the way there are obstacles that need to get around, for example, a ladder or pillar, then cut the tiles to the desired size, you can with a regular knife;

• all shaped openings in the quartz vinyl tiles made with special patterns which must be prepared in advance;
• is not recommended to proceed to the laying of the tiles immediately after its purchase better to wait at least 48 hours, the material is able to adapt to the conditions that exist in this area. At the same time should not be removed tiles from the packaging;
• if you plan to self-styling, it is best to prepare in advance all the necessary work tools, including: acute a knife, a pencil, a notched trowel to apply adhesive and a special roll angle, which will eliminate any air bubbles from under tiles;
• it is believed that the concrete foundation - a poor foundation for laying quartz vinyl tile. This is due to possible difficulties in the future, if required removing or replacing individual elements;
• since the material is not prone to expand as a result of increase in humidity, there is no need to leave gaps between the elements or indentation of the wall.

Important!Special attention is required to cover the laying if provided under floor heating system. In this case, it is necessary to include at least 10 days to give the floor to warm up. In operation, with the adhesive is to hold the temperature at about 18 degrees. It is also necessary to maintain at least another three days after laying. After this heating can be switched off until the real need will be there.

Kvartsvinilovaya tiles: reviews. The whole truth about the use of the material

In reviewing the information that is quartz vinyl tiles, and what are the advantages of its operation, faced with an abundance of conflicting opinions regarding this material. Someone enthusiastic praises the ease and convenience of using this cover, and someone points out the defects. Consider what the opinions exist, and what you should pay attention before you make a choice.

"The tiles put about a year ago, so had time to evaluate it during all seasons: summer and winter. In the summer, of course, generally no problems, but when the cold weather, barefoot exactly like not to go. But in principle, this problem can be solved entirely by the presence of warm socks or sneakers. "

Margarita Tyumentseva, city Moscow

"When doing repairs, I bought for the bathroom wall PVC tile and quartz vinyl floor because I read that it is best resistance to water. ̶ And it's true, because several years have passed, and there is no damage. "

Oleg lasagna, city Yaroslavl

"I was a long time of such acquisition stopped just mount technology, as castle connections are rarely of good quality, and if possible try to give them up, and was messing around with glue reluctance. Therefore, pulling replace the flooring as he could. As a result of laziness I won and still put quartz vinyl tiles on the locks. As long as there are no problems, but it took only 8 months, so we'll see. "

Vadim Satskiy, city Voronezh

"For the first time acquainted with this stuff with friends. They bathroom was glued self-adhesive vinyl tiles for the walls. The price that we have voiced, we liked. That's just the wife of a certain forum read that quartz vinyl tile floor is harmful to health. Of course, no real evidence for this is not, but just in case the idea, we still decided to give up. "

Ruslan Chervorukov, city Belgorod

As can be seen from the reviews, kvartsvinilovaya tiles accounting for taste is not for everyone owner. Someone thinks it is not enough warm and comfortable to use in the apartment. Well, someone draws its stability and long service life. In any case, the decision is up to the owner, and considering all the technical aspects of such a decision, as well as reading of quartz vinyl laminate feedback, we can come to a particular conclusion about expediency of its use.

How to care for the Quartz vinyl tiles

Ease of maintenance - one of the main advantages of this material so that cleaning can use any available means: a broom, vacuum cleaner, water, any household chemicals. Moreover, serious contamination can be easily removed using a hard sponge that will not damage the integrity of the coating, but it will remove any stubborn stains.

After becoming acquainted with all the features and reviews, quartz vinyl floor tile can leave an ambiguous impression about how much good can be called such a decision. But practice shows that this option is worth considering on a par with others, especially if have to finish premises with high traffic and severe loads on the floor.