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Vinyl and Linoleum Construction
What is Vinyl Sheet?
Vinyl sheet is a layered construction sold in 6' and 12' widths.
There are two types of construction, typically described by the type of backing:
Felt represents over 90% of vinyl sheet floors sold today.
Fiberglass is a newer construction format. Fiberglass is the "cushiest" form of vinyl flooring and offers the most installation options.
The uppermost layers for both types are identical:
A) Protective top coat:
Urethane or other high-performance top coats which make the product easy to clean and resist scratches and scuffs.
B) Protective clear vinyl layer:
Adds durability and helps protect against rips, tears and gouges. The thicker this layer, the better the performance. The flooring's appearance retention and general durability is largely dependent on the quality and thickness of the clear wear layer.
C) Printed vinyl design layer:
The rotogravure printing process offers an unlimited range of patterns and designs, including very realistic interpretations of natural materials.
The bottom layers for both constructions differ:
D) Felt: Felt bottom layer that adheres to the subfloor.
Fiberglass: A fiberglass structural layer makes the product more dimensionally stable (will not curl, allows it to lay flat, and install without glue). A cushiony vinyl backing provides added underfoot comfort.
Keep In Mind:
The type of backing determines how it can be installed
Where Can I Use Vinyl Sheet?
Vinyl can be used anywhere in your home. It's a good choice for high traffic areas such as playrooms, and wet areas including bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. It can be installed below grade level, making it a good choice for basements.
Keep In Mind:
Although vinyl is waterproof, the installation adhesive is water-soluble. Do not over-expose vinyl floors to water around the perimeter or near any seams.
Thicker is better! If you plan to install vinyl flooring in a high traffic area or in a primary bathroom, or if the floor needs to withstand wear from children and pets, choose a thicker (65 mils or greater) vinyl with a urethane or enhanced urethane wear layer.
Avoid using vinyl sheet on stairs, as it is meant for flat, level surfaces.
Vinyl tile is a composite, layered construction consisting of:
A) Protective wear layer:
Urethane and other high-performance wear layers make the product easy to clean and resist scratches and scuffs. Enhanced urethane offers the maximum amount of protection and is priced above regular urethane. Less expensive vinyl no-wax tile does not have this protective wear layer.
B) Protective clear film layer:
This film adds durability and helps protects against rips, tears and gouges.
C) Printed design layer:
On this layer, a rotogravure printing process creates the myriad of designs available in vinyl tile. The visuals range from very realistic interpretations of natural materials to original and unique patterns.
D) Vinyl tile backing:
This bottom-most layer adds structural strength and durability. Generally the thicker the backing, the more durable the product.
Where Can I Use Vinyl Tile?
Vinyl tile can be used anywhere in your home, including below grade level bathrooms and basements. It is a good choice for areas where you want a combination of economical performance and design. Vinyl tile has many of the benefits of vinyl sheet, but the modular tile format does have seams where dirt and moisture can accumulate. Take extra care in bathroom installations to promptly wipe up moisture and pooling water, which might soak into the seams and damage the floor substrate. Like sheet vinyl, vinyl tile should not be used on stairs.
Keep in Mind:
Although vinyl is impervious to water, the adhesive that is used to attach it to the floor is not.
Tile seams allow water to seep in, which can affect the adhesive bond and the floor substrate. Mop standing water promptly.
Genuine linoleum, not to be confused with vinyl, is a classic, invented nearly 150 years ago and still completely relevant today. Environmentally preferred linoleum is made from natural, raw materials. Linseed oil, which comes from the flax plant, is the primary ingredient. (In Latin, linum is the word for linseed and oleum means oil.) Other ingredients include wood or cork powder, resins and ground limestone. Mineral pigments provide the rich colors. The ingredients are mixed together, then rolled out between two cylinders (a process called "calendaring") onto a jute backing. The linoleum is then cured in ovens for 14 to 21 days. Some manufacturers bond a high performance coating to the surface to improve the floor’s ability to resist stains and scratches, and to make cleaning easier. The resulting floor is then rolled on cores, ready for installation. Sheet linoleum is available in many thicknesses. 2.5 mm is suitable for residential use. It is sold in a two-meter (or 6' 7") width size.
Keep In Mind:
- Linoleum manufactured without a high performance layer that protects the design must be polished to prevent staining.
- Linoleum releases a harmless odor (from the linseed oil) when it is first installed, much like that of a freshly painted room. This odor will dissipate.
- New linoleum sometimes has a yellow cast on the surface, called a "drying room film" that is a natural effect created by the floor's composition. This film will dissipate when the floor is exposed to natural or artificial light. Make sure you expose linoleum samples to light for a several hours before making your final design and color choice.
- Most linoleum is sold as a sheet product. Linoleum tile is available, but it is more prone to warping and curled edges.
Where Can I Use Linoleum?
Linoleum has versatile properties that make it a natural choice for many rooms in your home. It is extremely durable, making it a good choice for high traffic areas including kitchens and hallways. It's naturally anti-bacterial and hygienic, making it a great choice for playrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. It can be used below, on and above grade levels, for versatility in installation. Linoleum, like all smooth-surfaced flooring, is recommended for people suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments because it will not trap dirt, moisture or other debris the way carpet fibers can.
Keep in Mind:
Linoleum that does not have a manufacturer’s protective layer bonded to the surface must be polished to prevent the floor from staining.
Linoleum can be used below grade level, but not over concrete with excessive moisture.
Manufacturers' recommendations regarding linoleum in bathrooms differ. Violating those recommendations may result in voiding the warranty.
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