Quartz-vinyl laminate: where is it used?

Repair is always a costly exercise that takes a lot of time and money. Now the stores provide a huge selection of building and finishing materials. And if everything is clear with the walls and ceiling, the question remains as to how to cover the floor. The range is diverse - from carpet to tile. Recently, quartz-vinyl laminate has become popular. What it is, what disadvantages and advantages it has, how to choose it - you will learn all this from this article.

Quartzvinyl is used for floor finishing and has important properties - versatility and moisture resistance. The material is used in housing, commercial premises.Initially, a laminated panel made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) appeared on the construction market. This panel is the forerunner of quartz-vinyl.

Manufacturers to improve the quality and performance of steel panels in their composition to add substances containing quartz. Because of this, the finishing material has received such a name.

Quartz-vinyl laminate is a structure consisting of several layers. Each layer has a specific role:

• The outer layer, also called decorative, is a product of designer imagination, created on the basis of unique materials and new technologies. The layer is covered with a film that protects the product from UV rays, retains the original shade and texture;
• In the middle layer, in addition to the components of the usual laminate, quartz crumb is added. It provides high performance;
• the lower layer - the main, performs the carrier function. It is made of PVC, which serves as the foundation, thereby retaining the strength of the entire structure, durability.

Builders and specialists in the field of repair highlight the following advantages of quartz-vinyl laminate:

• strength. Coverage can last up to 25 years with proper use and care;
• diverse design. The color palette, various ornaments, drawings, images - the imagination of manufacturers and designers knows no boundaries;
• resistance to contamination is achieved due to the transparent layer deposited on the surface of the laminate;
• ease of cleansing and cleaning. It is necessary to act according to the algorithm: using a broom or vacuum cleaner, dust, dirt, sand are removed, after which the surface is wiped with a damp cloth;
• moisture resistance. Quartz-vinyl practically does not absorb and does not pass moisture, which allows it to be installed in rooms with high humidity - bathroom, laundry, kitchen;
• economically reasonable price. Prices range from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles per square meter, depending on the class and quality of the material of the chosen design.

Quartz-vinyl has several disadvantages:

• carrying out the preparatory work. Under the plates should not remain dirt, moisture, garbage. Over time, foreign matter can damage the coating and its integrity;
• content of organic volatile substances. When buying you need to pay special attention to the composition. Some models may emit noxious gases after installation. These gases can cause asthma, irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, and lead to respiratory diseases;
• The appearance of yellow color on the panels is possible due to cheap low-quality materials. Also, the color can vary from pollution accumulated over a long period of time, and the constant exposure to sunlight;

• Exposure to staining from contact with certain objects. For example, the rubber on the panels will leave a mark. It is impossible to walk on laminate in shoes with rubber heels, leave bicycles on it;
• lack of methods for recycling and the impossibility of decomposition of the material in the natural environment. Thus, the laminate after dismantling will be in a landfill;
• toxicity. When heated, quartz-vinyl begins to emit toxic substances, so it must be carefully operated in the kitchen and in other rooms where contact with fire is possible.

Before those who make repairs, there is always the question of what material to take. I would like it to be inexpensive, serve for a long time, and even on the surface was presentable.

Today, in stores that specialize in the sale of finishing materials, the main competition is between quartz-vinyl tiles and laminate. Both products multi-layered, similar in appearance, wear-resistant.

We will compare the quartz vinyl tile and laminate by several criteria:

• Strength. Here both options have a draw. Floors behave equally well under load, there are no traces of furniture, pets and other damage. Manufacturers offer various classes of durability - from use in the home to the office premises with heavy traffic.
• Durability - coatings have parity equality. Manufacturers determine the service life of 10 to 25 years. Some models of class 32 when used in housing do not require replacement.
• A variety of design solutions - a huge range of design options, color palette, textures with imitations of wood, stone.
• Resistance to external influences.When water enters the laminate, it begins to swell, the tightness of the joints is broken, causing the coating to become unusable. Quartz-vinyl, by contrast, can withstand many of the effects - water, temperature drops, sunlight.

• Ecological purity. Some studies say that both coatings are not environmentally friendly, but international certificates confirm the opposite and guarantee safety for human health.
• Methods and ways of laying. Laminate is laid on a substrate of cork or polystyrene foam, the panels are fastened with locks. Quartz-vinyl is mounted only on a flat clean surface, has several ways of laying. The cost of time and effort is obtained approximate equality.
• Care. Laminate after wet cleaning with the use of means that prevent the appearance of stains, you need to wipe dry, quartz-vinyl tiles are not afraid of water and detergents of various aggressiveness.
• The possibility of repair. The advantage on the side of quartz-vinyl tiles - they are easy to dismantle and install new ones in any damaged place. Laminate need to be disassembled to the place of damage, while the majority of the panels will damage the lock.
• CostLaminate offers more affordable prices compared to quartz vinyl.

An important characteristic of quartz-vinyl laminate is the level of wear resistance. Manufacturers, focusing on this parameter, distinguish the following classes of material:

• 23 - 31. The thickness of the protection layer - 2 mm. The covering is intended for rooms with low intensity of movements. It is ideal for living - bedrooms, kitchens, halls. The term of operation is 7 years.
• 32 - 42. The protective layer is equal to 2.5 mm. Used in public places, offices. Coverage will last up to 15 years.
• 43. 3 mm - the maximum maximum thickness of protection. This laminate will last up to 20 years, they cover the floor in places with high traffic.

There are four types of quartz-vinyl laminate that can be found in stores:

1. Glue. The tile is glued on a special composition and on a flattened surface (the floor is pre-filled with concrete and leveled).
2. Self adhesive The back side of the tile is treated with an adhesive that provides a reliable bond between the material and the floor surface.
3. Castle-glue. Each tile is equipped with 2 external glue strips and 2 internal. Thanks to this design, the panels are firmly and hermetically sealed to each other. The main nuance - the panels of this type are mounted only on a flat surface.
4. Castle The tile has a special design: on the edge there is a plastic with spikes, which is fixed in the locks of the adjacent panel.

There are many manufacturers of quartz-vinyl tiles in the market of finishing materials in a different price range and with different characteristics. Consider the most popular ones:

• FineFloor (Belgium). The brand is in great demand due to the introduction of the latest technological developments, hygiene of the goods produced, ease of installation, high level of moisture resistance, flexible pricing policies, a variety of textures and imitations of natural materials.

• Art Tile (Japan). The manufacturer guarantees 100% moisture resistance, which means that the tile can be used on the verandas, balconies, bathrooms.

• Decoria (South Korea). The company is engaged in the production of floor tiles and walls.Experts use modern design to create durable vinyl with the addition of stone chips.

• The Russian-German firm Tarkertt Art Vinil offers a huge selection of panels with high moisture resistance and wear resistance.

• For rooms where there is a large flow of people every day, it produces Wonderful Vinil Floor tiles. It is suitable for laying in fitness rooms, shops, hotels. It features a variety of shades and textures.

Experts advise choosing quartz-vinyl for floors, focusing on several parameters:

• The purpose of the premises and the intensity of operation. From this indicator depends on the selected class of tiles.
• Hue and texture tiles. It is selected depending on the interior design and personal preferences.
• The size of the tile. Tiles can be square and rectangular. The sizes of squares vary from 30 cm to 60 cm, rectangles - from 90x15 cm to 120x148 cm.

Creating a stylish and modern interior with quartz-vinyl tiles is easy. She looks laconic, while creating a beautiful accent in the room.

Spacious room in bright colors looks volumetric and airy. The floor of quartz-vinyl creates the effect of solid,united with the ceiling and walls of space.

In this interior, the main element is a floor covered with a quartz-vinyl laminate of a deep, noble brown color. Visually, the tile looks like a tree, which creates additional comfort in the room.

Fantasy kitchen design with a floor tiled in dark and light shades, as if a chessboard. This design of the coating looks unusual, combined with a kitchen set.

Using quartz-vinyl in the bathroom is a practical solution for rooms with high humidity. The peculiarity of the tile is imitation of marble - beautiful material with original texture and pattern.

For more information about laying quartz-vinyl laminate, see below.