Vinyl flooring is generally used to ornament floor in residential and non residential buildings. Vinyl flooring is laminated, solid resilient, unbreakable and flexible having non porous surface. This flooring is resistant to mild or diluted acids, alkalis, soaps, detergents and petrol. It is high wear resistant and can be cleaned easily with wet cloth. If it is cleaned immediately, concentrated acids and alkalis have no effect on the surface of floor. Do not throw burning cigarette butts or match sticks on floors. To avoid scratches on the surface of floor, do not drag any heavy object or furniture on floor.
Constituents of Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring consists of thermoplastic binder, filler and pigments. The thermoplastic binder should consist substantially of one or both of
• Vinyl chloride polymer
• Vinyl chloride copolymer
Vinyl flooring material should confirm to IS Number (IS: 3462).This floor material is available in various thicknesses i.e. 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3mm and 4 mm. It is available in shape of tiles or roles having a length from one meter to ten meters.
Adhesive for Vinyl Flooring
Rubber based adhesives are used to fix PVC flooring over concrete, wooden and metal sub base flooring. PVA based adhesives should be used for concrete and wooden sub floors but they are not good for metal base and on damp floors.
How to prepare sub base for vinyl flooring?
Step 1:
Prepare hard, dry and damp proof baseSub base should be hard, dry and damp proof. If vinyl flooring is laid on damp base, moisture slowly damages adhesive resulting in separation and curling of PVC sheet from the base. Vinyl flooring can be laid on any sub base such as concrete floor, wooden floor.
Step 2:
Lay damp proof base concrete in two layersAt ground floor, the base concrete should be laid in two layers with damp proof layer including damp proofing on walls at least up to 6 inches from floor level. In case of new work, it should be left for at least one month for drying.
How to install vinyl flooring?
Step 1:
Clean sub base of all dustSub base for vinyl flooring should be cleaned of dust. It should be dry. The surface of sub base should be free from grease and grit.
Step 2:
Set the temperature between 20 to 30 degrees centigradeBefore you lay flooring, materials should be stored at room temperature at for 24 hours.
During installation the temperature should neither fall below 20 degree centigrade nor shall exceed 30 degree centigrade and at least for 48 hours.
Step 3:
Use adhesives on sub base for proper fixingVinyl flooring should be first laid for trial without using adhesive according to required layout. Then the adhesive should be applied on sub base and backside of PVC sheet for proper fixing. Usually after half an hour when adhesive is sticky to touch, the PVC sheet should be pressed on the sub base. Then the sheet should be pressed using a roller weighing about 5 kg to develop proper bond with sub floor.
Step 4:
Do installation in dry conditionsMake sure that there is no air between the sheet and back ground surface. Avoid floor installation under high humidity conditions.
Step 5:
Check alignment and clean top surfaceAfter laying each row the alignment should be checked. Also make sure that there are minimum joints between two rolls/tiles. After completing the work, the top surface should be cleaned thoroughly by using wet cloth and solvent.
Note : After installations, do not use flooring at least for 24 hours. Metallic edge strips should be used to protect edges of flooring.
Benefits of blended vinyl flooring
- Versatility
- High durability
- Low maintenance
- Easy to install and clean
- No need to hire a professional for installation
Drawback of blended vinyl flooring
It can be cut, scratched, burnt and bent easily.