PVC tiles: the pros and cons

Not so long ago PVC tile appeared on the market of finishing materials. It is a good alternative to traditional ceramic coatings, as it is durable and easily tolerates moisture and moisture. Let's get acquainted closer with this finishing material, and also its pluses and minuses.

PVC (or vinyl) tile in its composition is similar to linoleum. Because of this, flooring specialists called it linoleum tile. As a rule, this finishing material has the form of a square or a rectangle.

The following components are present in the PVC tile:

• Coloring matter;
• Stabilizers;
• Fillers of synthetic origin;
• Plasticizers;
• Polyvinyl chloride;
• Resins

To date, the choice of tile materials is greater than ever. You can choose the best option for any interior and stylistic direction. Ceramic and tiled coatings are one of the most sought-after and common ones, but in the shops you can find some good alternatives to these materials - plastic tiles.

Vinyl tile has a structure consisting of several different layers:

• Profiled base, making it possible to lay the finishing material on almost any foundation;
• The main layer, which provides the tile with increased elasticity and strength;
• Layer, distributes the load on the material. It also protects PVC tiles from negative external influences;
• Decorative layer. He may have a beautiful pattern, texture of natural material or ornament;
• A protective layer that is needed to save the image from wiping or loss of color saturation.

All layers are connected with each other, after which a rather strong and durable tile is obtained, having a beautiful and bright pattern / color. It is possible to use this original material both for finishing of a floor, and for decoration of walls.

Many consumers are afraid to use plastic tiles, as they consider it less durable and wear-resistant. However, this opinion is erroneous. It is worth noting that PVC coatings can be safely used even in the decoration of rooms with high humidity, for example, in the bathroom or in the kitchen. The reliability of this finishing material is achieved due to its composition.

Another distinctive feature of plastic tiles is its attractive design. It is presented in a very rich color range, because plastic is easily processed and painted in a variety of palettes and prints. Especially interesting and aesthetically pleasing are coatings that repeat the structure of natural wood or coarse bricks. Thanks to such a rich choice, the ideal option can be found for both classical or rustic, as well as modern or industrial ensembles.

Often, the owners turn to original design solutions and combine plastic profiles of different colors in one room.For example, it can be a chessboard layout or a combination of pastel shades.

This modern material is distinguished by its multitasking. PVC tiles are allowed to be laid in a city apartment or in a private house. In addition, it is often used in the design of sports clubs, office buildings, bars, restaurants and other entertainment facilities.

As for laying such coatings in the conditions of ordinary living rooms, there are no limitations here either. PVC plates can be safely used in the decoration of the bathroom, toilet, kitchen, living room, corridor, and even the bedroom.

Another distinctive feature of a plastic material is its non-slip surface. This property can not boast of tiled or ceramic coatings, slipping on which is not difficult. It is because of this that PVC tiles are considered to be an excellent solution for decorating a bathroom or a room with a pool where the floor is constantly wet.

PVC tile, like any other finishing material, has its own strengths and weaknesses. You need to know about them if you plan to trim the dwelling with such a coating. First, consider the advantages of multi-layer plastic panels:

• First of all it should be noted their easy installation. Laying PVC tiles on any surface does not take a lot of time and does not take extra forces. For example, when finishing the floor of the room do not have to make all the furniture, as is the case with the laying of linoleum. All items can simply move to one side, and then transfer to the already lined surface.
• PVC tile is not afraid of adverse external factors. It does not absorb moisture, and therefore does not undergo deformation upon contact with water. Also in the manufacturing process, this material is subjected to pressing with double-layer reinforcement, which is why it is not so easy to leave a scratch or other similar damage on it.

• This finishing material is comfortable to use, in this it resembles wooden coatings.The PVC tile keeps heat and never slips if moisture gets on it.
• It should be noted the attractive appearance of this finishing material. As mentioned above, it is presented in a very rich palette of colors, from classic to bright. In addition, in the stores often there are instances with imitation of natural wood, brick or marble.
• Vinyl tile is easy to clean. It does not attract dust and dirt to its surface, and you can use any household chemicals without fear to care for it.

• The advantage of plastic tile is its low weight - this is another difference of this material from traditional tiled or porcelain stoneware products. However, it should be borne in mind that the panels produced for finishing the floor are heavier than products for walls or ceilings. For this reason, it is not recommended to use flooring finishes for floor or ceiling decoration, and vice versa.
• High-quality polyvinyl chloride plates are moderately hard and flexible.
• Buyers often stop their choice on the vinyl tile, because it has good sound insulation characteristics.
• Another advantage of PVC panels is the affordable price, especially when compared with high-quality ceramics or porcelain stoneware.

The list of advantages of plastic tiles is quite rich, although it has its drawbacks:

• This finishing material is made exclusively from synthetic materials, therefore it cannot be called environmentally friendly.
• It does not differ durability. The average service life of PVC tiles, as a rule, is 10 years.
• Also, this finish does not tolerate contact with aggressive solvents and acetone.
• Vinyl tiles must be laid on a perfectly flat base, otherwise it will quickly become unusable.

Polyvinyl chloride tiles can be used for different purposes. For different conditions, you should choose different class coatings that have the necessary characteristics.For example, in rooms with low traffic, it is quite possible to lay household PVC tiles on the floor, and in public space it is better to use more reliable material of commercial class.

According to the scope of use of outdoor PVC tiles is divided into:

• Household. This tile has an aesthetic design, but its technical characteristics are rather mediocre. It is recommended to use a similar finishing material only in conditions with low intensity of operation.
• Semi-commercial. This tile is more reliable than household. It can be safely used for decoration of premises with medium traffic.
• Commercial. Such materials are characterized by high resistance to wear and long service life. They are often used in the decoration of public spaces.
• Special. This is a special coating that can boast of fire safety, resistance to acids, and electrical safety. Special PVC tiles are used in the finishing of production areas.

And wall, and floor, and ceiling PVC tiles can be used in any residential premises.It can be not only a dry living room, but also a bathroom or kitchen with a high level of humidity. In such conditions, the finishing material is not deformed and does not lose its characteristics, as it is resistant to moisture.

There are several varieties of modern polyvinyl chloride tiles. Consider them in more detail.

This tile consists of a single layer of plastic, having a color throughout the thickness. Such finishing materials can not boast a rich selection of colors. Colors may be different, but the texture will always be presented in two options: in the form of marble streaks or avant-garde drawings.

The main advantage of single-layer materials is the durability of their color. It does not lose its saturation throughout the life of the tile.

What layers such a tile consists of was mentioned above. It is a decorative layer that allows you to produce material with different structural images and prints.The most popular options are coverings for stone, wood or lawn.

Such a modular tile has a lock connection. Different trim elements are fastened to each other with the help of special spikes and grooves, which are initially present in their design.

According to experts, the laying of such material is difficult and time consuming, since Before this, it is necessary to carefully prepare the base for finishing. If the surface of the floor or wall is not perfectly flat, the PVC coating will not only emphasize the differences in the level of the base, but also will last for a very short time.

The tactile tile has a relief surface with protruding parts. Most often it is used in the decoration of public spaces and on the street. Often, similar material is also installed on ordinary summer cottages or near private houses, especially if people with weak eyesight live in them. This kind of tile is made not only from ceramics, granite and concrete, but also from various polymers.

Polymer tactile tiles are the most affordable.Such copies are presented in rich color scale. As a rule, they are produced with a self-adhesive base.

Flexible PVC tiles are very popular because of their high ductility. Working with her is very simple. Such a finishing material is an excellent solution for the design of transitions between different floor or wall coverings. It "smoothes" such surfaces, making them more aesthetic and neat.

Such finishing options have a number of positive characteristics, for which they are chosen by many consumers:

• With the help of such details you can realize any design ideas, even if they are far from standard designs.
• No other material will allow to create such smooth and low-key transitions.

• Flexible PVC panels (wall and floor) do not require preliminary preparation of the base. They can also be laid on non-ideal coatings.
• A wide range of these finishing materials pleases most buyers, as they have the opportunity to select the ideal option for any environment.
• Flexible PVC tiles are affordable.
• Self-adhesive flexible tile with a polyurethane layer is very wear-resistant and does not deteriorate from contact with water.

PVC tiles vary in their wear resistance. For example, materials from category F are suitable for rooms with low permeability - it can be a cozy bedroom or a study. Coverage labeled T or P is more suitable for rooms such as a bathroom or kitchen. Besides:

• For residential premises suitable cover 21-23 class;
• For public institutions and buildings - 31-33 class;
• For industrial and warehouse space - 41-43 class.

Today, consumers have the opportunity to choose the right PVC tiles of any size. There is simply no single standard. The most popular are fragments with the following dimensional parameters:

• 450x450 mm;
• 100x920 mm;
• 305x305 mm;
• 1219.1х203.2 mm;
• 914.4 x 152.4 mm;
• 457x457 mm;
• 650x650 mm.

The thickness of the tile can be 2.1-3.2 mm. The protective layer, as a rule, accounts for only 0.4-0.7 mm. The most common plastic tiles are rectangular and square in shape.

PVC tiles can be chosen for almost any interior, as it is produced in a rich color palette. In addition, on its surface may be spectacular drawings or imitations of natural materials.

So, the tile imitating a tree will successfully fit into a classical interior. Such coatings can replace expensive parquet or beautiful laminate. A spectacular materials with geometric patterns can be added to the floor in a spacious classic living room, giving it elegance and high cost.

Modern styles can also be complemented with polyvinyl tiles. For example, in the popular high-tech direction, it is permissible to safely use monochrome coatings of black, gray, dark blue or white colors, and in the loft style you can install almost any kind of panels. These may be coatings that mimic old shabby wood or coarse concrete.

It looks interesting PVC tile under a stone. With its help, you can select the accent wall or visually divide the space. Most often, such coatings are found in loft or industrial styles. Historical or vintage interiors can be decorated with similar details, however, do not use too much imitation stone, otherwise the situation will seem overloaded.

In eco, provence and country styles will look organic vinyl walls, repeating the structure of the tree. Such coatings are able to revive the situation, and the tile can decorate only one of the walls, making it accent. Such elements can be addressed in the design of any room, from the living room to the bathroom and bathroom.

Fans of original and bright interiors should pay attention to the designer PVC mosaic. Most often, it is a tiny squares of different colors, combined in one canvas. For laying mosaics, as a rule, choose a bathroom, toilet or kitchen. In the latter case, an apron or a small area on one of the walls can be decorated with mosaic tiles. Do not overload the room with a large number of mosaic elements.so that the situation does not seem too motley and annoying.

PVC tiles look great on the ceiling. White panels with embossed patterns resembling stucco, can be used in classic interiors.The main thing is to secure these materials on the ceiling base. For this, the best solution will be a high-quality adhesive mixture or special mastic.

Laconic and monochromatic squares that do not have decorative inserts and decorations will look great in the conditions of a modern interior, for example, minimalistic. As a rule, light materials are chosen for such ensembles. With their help, you can achieve the effect of a larger area of ​​the room.

Thanks to a huge range of PVC tiles, consumers can bring to life any design ideas, the main thing is to choose the right material. To this end, it is recommended to rely on the following criteria:

• Quality of material. Do not look for too cheap plastic tiles in stores, as it can be of poor quality and even toxic. Such products and so has an affordable price, so it makes no sense to look for more economical options.
• Composition. Before buying this finishing material, be sure to familiarize yourself with its composition. You can ask the seller for a certificate of quality. Examine the composition - there should not be toxic and hazardous substances in it.This is necessary because, a priori, such materials cannot be called environmentally friendly.

• Variety. Be sure to decide on what kind of plastic tiles you need. Different types of materials have different attachments and installation methods. One of the most common are products with a thorn-groove locking system, however, before installing them, the base should be prepared - it should be perfectly level. Self-adhesive options are much easier to fix, but they often look cheap, so these products should be chosen more carefully.
• Colour. The colors of the tiles must match the interior in which you want to place it. Of course, it is not forbidden to use contrasting solutions, but do not forget that they are not suitable for all stylistic trends.
• Print drawing. On the surface of the vinyl tile may be one or another pattern. For example, it can be an imitation of wood, stone or brick. Such finishing materials look presentable, especially - in the case of a properly executed installation.
• Manufacturer. Acquire PVC tiles from reputable manufacturers - this is the only way to save yourself from buying low-quality or even dangerous goods.Of course, branded products will cost a little more, but it will last a long time, will look attractive and will not harm the health of the household.

Currently, PVC tile is a very popular and popular material, as it is inexpensive and easily replaces a beautiful parquet, laminate or linoleum. Moreover, PVC tile has a lot in common with the latest material - in particular, their compositions are very similar.

Pick up PVC tiles, based on its class. In rooms where the permeability is minimal, it is necessary to stack material of class F. It is not designed for heavy loads. It should be laid in rooms such as a bedroom, dressing room or work corner, but for the nursery, living room, kitchen or bathroom class F is not suitable. The greater the load on the area, the higher should be the class of tiles.

It's no secret that PVC coatings are synthetic, therefore environmental friendliness is not their strong point. That is why experts recommend to get acquainted with the quality certificates for the selected products. Finishing materials must not contain hazardous substances.It is not recommended to use PVC tiles in the nursery. In such conditions it is better to refer only to natural and environmentally friendly materials, despite their high cost.

Today there are many large companies in the market of finishing materials that produce vinyl tiles for walls, floors and ceilings. Let's get acquainted with the list of the most popular and well-known manufacturers:

• Tarkett. This large brand produces a variety of finishing materials, intended both for residential premises and for offices, sports complexes, production facilities, schools, hotels and shopping centers. Tarkett PVC tiles are of the highest quality, aesthetic design and a huge selection of colors / textures of the material.

• Quick step. This is another well-known manufacturer that produces high-quality and durable laminate flooring and PVC floor tiles.The range of Quick Step vinyl coatings is impressive - there are materials under the tree of different shades, and laconic monochromatic options, and coatings under the aged board.
• Decoria. This is a Russian manufacturer, offering the choice of buyers not only high-quality vinyl tiles, but also adhesives, as well as tools for its installation. To a greater extent, the company's range is represented by materials that imitate wood of different tones.
• Art Tole. The Korean company produces reliable and wear-resistant quartz-vinyl tile, which is characterized by increased wear resistance, fire safety and durability.

Most consumers were satisfied with the purchase and installation of PVC tiles. They were pleased with its durability, beautiful and discreet design, relatively affordable cost, as well as easy installation. In addition, users are impressed by the resistance of such materials. Even in the conditions of damp rooms they are not deformed, do not swell and do not depart from the bases.

By the disadvantages of such coatings, people attributed the fact that it is difficult to scrub dirty stains and stains from their light surface.Those who purchased low-grade material were upset that ugly scratches quickly appeared on its surface.

The tile imitating a tree will successfully fit into a classical interior. Such coatings can replace expensive parquet or beautiful laminate. A spectacular materials with geometric patterns can be added to the floor in a spacious classic living room, giving it elegance and high cost.

Modern styles can also be complemented with vinyl tiles. For decoration of rooms in high-tech and loft styles, coatings that mimic old shabby wood or coarse concrete are perfect.

For eco styles, Provence and Country, a very good solution would be wall imitation wood. Such repairs can affect all the walls in the room, or just one wall, which, accordingly, will become an accent.

PVC tiles allow for very modest money to pamper households with plausible-looking stucco on the ceiling.Such a solution is appropriate only in pointedly antique interiors, but still enjoys stable popularity.

Strict and extremely simple squares without any aesthetic finish can also be perceived as a model of beauty, if the entire room has been renovated in the same style. This is a great solution for those who are inherent in minimalism. In such situations it is better to choose a tile of light shades.

In the next video you will find a review, layout and laying of flexible PVC tiles.