Some of the most inexpensive flooring available, vinyl flooring is common
place in high traffic commercial and domestic locations. A typical commercial
example of this would be "supermarket tile".
Domestically, when using vinyl flooring, people consider them to only cover
wet areas like the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or the mudroom.
There are certainly more areas that vinyl can be used. For instance, people use vinyl in closets in order to clean them easily and in dining rooms and family rooms. Usually, the dining room and family room applications coincide with usage in the kitchen or some other adjacent area.
If you're unsure of what type of vinyl flooring is for you, GIVE US A CALL or EMAIL US. We'd love to answer your questions and ensure that your choice in flooring is an informed one.
It’s all PVC, but that’s about where the similarities between VCT and luxury vinyl floor coverings end. At the higher end of the commercial market, where VCT dominates, luxury vinyl’s share is growing, too, not only because of life cycle costs, but also because of one other equally important element: exceptional design.
The luxury vinyl tile producers are creating some of the most extraordinary floor coverings being made today.
Why such a dramatic difference in the two markets? It’s all about attitude. The perceptions of the end users in each market are simply polar opposites.
A. - First you need to get your old surface out of the way so you can install your backing and your tile. Remove old carpet and strips and get rid of the staples or glue. Remove the sheet vinyl along with its underlayment if at all possible. Remove the plumbing such as the commode and pedestal sink. Remove the trim and tub and shower spouts from the walls to be tiled.
A. - Yes, you can. Just make sure it is in sound condition and use one of the super modified thinset mortars for the job. If the tile are starting to fall off or coming loose, remove them and start new.
A. - It is easiest to lay out a multiple room area by laying the tile on a
45 degree angle. Any place the tile come to a small cut piece, right next to
it is an almost whole one! First choose your most visible room and find the
center of it form both directions. Strike a chalked line in the center of the
room from the longest wall parallel with the longest wall. Next find the center
of that line.
From that point, using a 3-4-5 or 6-8-10 measurement, make a perfect square
line off the long center line. Draw a square using these two lines and dissect
it to find a perfect 45 degree angle. If you lay your first tile so all corners
are on the center lines, it will be the best place to start your layout. Always
lay some tiles dry to try for the look you want before mixing thinnest mortar
and starting your actual installation. To do a layout for several rooms on
the square rather than on an angle, follow the same methods as for a single
room.
It will take some adjustment to make them all work and if there is a problem
at the doorways, it isn't a bad idea to cut a tile down as a threshold to break
up the joints so they don't have to follow into the other room. This also works
if you are tiling on a diagonal.
Vinyl has advanced tremendously in recent years. Although sheet vinyl remains the backbone of kitchens, vinyl tiles provide versatility when it comes to creating different looks that use wood, stone or other natural materials.
All vinyl is extremely durable, but one advantage of vinyl tile is that if damage occurs, you need only replace a square or two, as opposed to removing a section of section of sheet vinyl.
It’s among the easiest to clean, though manufacturers sell their own products for maintaining the surface.