Quartz-vinyl floor: description and installation methods

Laminate, linoleum, and maybe parquet - when choosing a floor covering, you want to save money and decorate this part of your home with dignity. It is desirable that the environmental friendliness of the selected material is not low. And it would be nice if it was something fashionable, modern, interesting from all sides. For example, quartz vinyl.

Quartz vinyl flooring has recently been a characteristic attribute of public spaces, but in apartments this flooring has been rarely used. But today, finishing material with a thickness of 2-4 mm is actively considered precisely as a product for decorating dwelling floors. It is a direct competitor to ceramic tiles, even surpassing it in some respects.

Quartz vinyl consists of:

• polyurethane layer, which will not allow the material to quickly wear out;
• decorative coating with a pattern of various textures;
• the main polyvinyl chloride layer with quartz chips in the composition, due to which the product acquires greater strength;
• a layer of glass fiber, which affects the bearing capacity of the material;
• a base PVC layer that adheres the tiles or dies to the floor.

If we focus on the analysis of the lamella structure, then it really looks like a multi-layer construction sandwich. At the very top - a laminating film for careful use and protection, then - a paper decorative film with realistic drawings of natural objects (wood, pebbles, stone, leather), the third and fifth layers - quartz and vinyl. And the fourth, fiberglass layer, does an excellent job of reinforcing.

This is how the classical structure of the material looks, but the manufacturer can make some significant (but not actively arguing with the classical formula) changes. For example, he can define the reinforcing mesh in another place, and make the top layer from several independent films.

What is the difference between quartz vinyl and ordinary laminate:

• it is more durable and resistant, that is, the performance characteristics are more profitable;
• it is not afraid of moisture, which means it will take root well both in the kitchen and in the bathroom;
• dynamic and static loads are not so terrible for him, the probability of cracking is very low;
• does not “sin” by resonating sounds, that is, it is virtually impossible to hear the clatter of heels on it;
• quartz-vinyl will not creak over time;
• on a wet floor, you still need to try to slip, but with a laminate, this, alas, happens.

Having seen that the material is ready to compete with the popular laminate, you can study in more detail the other advantages of quartz vinyl and consider its disadvantages.

The main advantages of the material:

• incredibly durable - that's whose appearance will certainly change little over the years;
• moisture and mold are not afraid of him, therefore those housewives who cannot live a day without washing the floor should take a closer look at quartz-vinyl;
• the flammability and fire hazard of such a floor covering is zero;
• you can mount it yourself without involving specialists;
• it is simple to look after, nothing special, unusual to do will not have to be done;
• no slip - in a house where small children or very elderly people are, this is important;
• there is a possibility of replacing the panels from the manufacturer if some of them are out of order.

Cons of quartz vinyl flooring:

• there are not many colors yet;
• if very heavy furniture will stand on such a floor for a long time, it is possible that dents from it and traces will remain on quartz vinyl;
• a product with an adhesive base is extremely difficult to lay on cement;
• the floor must be leveled before laying the material.

The owner himself, who knows what is more priority for him, will be engaged in comparing the theses from the two descriptions. And for the modern buyer, environmental friendliness of products is also important. You cannot call an impeccable version of quartz-vinyl, but the material is based on natural quartz sand (hypoallergenic, by the way), which is important. And a quartz-vinyl floor cannot have such a characteristic chemical smell, as, for example, in linoleum.

In a quality product, the percentage of quartz sand adjacent to the "good old" PVC can reach 90%. That's why be sure to look at this characteristic: the more quartz in the material, the stronger and more environmentally friendly it is.

It can be square, rectangular and even curly (but this option is rare). The tiles are glued to the prepared base.

The thickness and dimensions of the quartz-vinyl tiles.

• 1.5-2 mm, household unit 23-31 class. The minimum usage time is 5 years. It is advisable not to walk in shoes on such a floor, it is used only for finishing in a residential area.
• 2.5mm, commercial grade 33-42. Usually, such tiles are purchased for the office, since the top layer is thick and strong enough to withstand both heels and other shoes in large quantities. Will last 10 years at least.
• 3 mm, special unit for rooms with increased mechanical stress. Very expensive but will last at least 25 years.

The tile can be self-adhesive, in this case the PVC component prevails in its composition. If you need minimal finishing, this option will be successful. The castle version is a quartz-vinyl tile, which is very similar in assembly to the principle of puzzles. Fits not only on the floor, but even on the bathroom wall, looks original.

These are rectangular panels or, even more simply, boards that have an adhesive strip along the perimeter. But they do not stick to the floor, but only to each other. By the method of fixing, they are identical to the tiles. There are about the same design options. That is, the choice between tiles and panels depends only on how exactly the owner visualizes the image of the floor, how he wants to see it. Perhaps this will depend on the objectives of the premises.

For the hallway, kitchen, bathroom, they often take exactly the tiles, which fully correspond to the design expectations from these zones. In living rooms, panels, reminiscent of laminate and parquet, take root better. The choice lies in the preference, the imitation of which is provided by quartz-vinyl.

If you look at the photos of interiors where just such a tile or panel was chosen as the floor covering, you can see the design options and their credibility in general with your own eyes. Obviously, there is a choice: it is both in the "woodgrain" version, classic and almost win-win, and in the "marbled" version, which appeals to many rooms (especially spacious ones).

An interesting, very bright option - "under the herringbone" or "herringbone", creating a dynamic pattern on the floor. It will be so good in a room that looks too strict, but I would like to give it comfort. There is also a "wicker" option, probably, it will perfectly fit into the boho interior. And the floor "under the stone" will be elegant in the bathroom or hallway, in a large kitchen.

Quartz-vinyl cleverly imitates expensive parquet, which may also appeal to the buyer.

There are several averaging points that usually form the basis of material selection. You can even write them down on a piece of paper or in a computer notebook to rationalize your choice.

• Which room needs coverage. For an apartment, the degree of wear resistance is not needed as high as for laying the floor in a hairdresser, for example. The more people walk on the floor per day, the higher the abrasion class should be - this rule always works.
• What is the interior of the home as a whole. How the walls and ceiling are decorated, in what style the furniture, textiles, lighting are selected. Paul should not "argue" with this finish, but should "make friends" with it.
• What will be the installation technology. Do you need the simplest possible installation, carried out on your own, or will you have to repair the entire floor covering?
• Is the product safe? If he is certified, then this question should not arise. But if the product is suspiciously cheap, the seller does not attach any documents, you may stumble upon a fake.
• What will be the cost for the entire product. For a square meter of quartz-vinyl, you can give an average of 1,500 rubles to 6,000 rubles.

There is less chance of disappointment in coverage if you buy a product from a brand with a great reputation - the name, as they say, guarantees quality. Do not be lazy and ask the seller for a certificate of conformity is also an important point when buying.

It is best to ask the price of quartz-vinyl in advance, to understand which offer is more profitable, to find out about discounts and promotions - in the case of a competent analysis, you can save a lot.

Brands with high demand.

• Tarkett. The Russian-German product is one of the largest manufacturers on the market, which keeps an attractive price and does not cease to meet the declared quality. Design, size, cost - in all categories, the buyer has a good choice.

• Holtseekstroplast. Another manufacturer of the German-Russian group. Quartz vinyl floors from this company are known under the name "Holzplast".

• Vinyl. The Belgian brand is still quite young, but has already loudly declared itself. The buyer is attracted by the interesting design, chic imitation of natural wood, excellent moisture resistance.

• Flexo. It is also a Belgian product that is praised for its lack of absorption of odors and moisture, long-term preservation of its original appearance, ease of installation, as well as the need for preliminary leveling of the surface.

• "Moduleo". And again Belgium is in the ranking of manufacturers. Reasonable prices and excellent locking connection - this is what is more often noted in reviews.

Laying the substrate under the tiles and lamellas on an adhesive basis is virtually pointless: any layer between the floor base and the adhesive is excluded.Those who make panels with locks also think so. Most often, it is written on the product packaging whether a backing is required or not. If there is no such inscription, it can already alert the consumer.

If the organization of the substrate is prescribed in the requirements, it can be in the following options.

• Cork - effective material, compensation for unevenness of the base, excellent heat preservation and sound absorption. The optimum thickness of the backing is 2 mm, a thicker one will cause the floor to bend.
• Izolon - This material is very attractive in cost, and 3 mm thick polyethylene foam is applied. The floor covering will compress it by 1mm. This is a good option for uneven ground.
• Duplex - it also copes well with leveling, has good thermal insulation and sound insulation. Also, the optimal thickness will be 2 mm.
• Coniferous substrate - guarantees correction of minor irregularities and excellent sound insulation. A good option for arranging a warm floor.

But this is not the end of the preliminary preparation. It often takes place in 3 main stages:

• leveling the floor (base);
• unpacking quartz vinyl;
• adaptation of the material indoors / to the premises within a few days.

Laying quartz-vinyl, as already mentioned, is not difficult with your own hands. Any method is good.

When laying, it is correct to use a special type of glue designed specifically for fixing tiles or panels. Usually it is easy to find it in building markets, but if it was not found there, dispersion glue may also come off. The glue should be applied to the surface according to the instructions, usually she prescribes the use of a notched trowel.

How to install quartz vinyl on glue - features:

• consumption - no more than 350 g of glue per square;
• you should not immediately press the tiles or dies to the adhesive layer - it will take 10 minutes to achieve adhesion;
• if the material is laid along the walls, strips are used, and not squares - so the gaps between the fragments will not be so noticeable in the sun;
• start laying the fragments from the area closer to the window;
• the form of laying is equal to the design decision, imagination, that is, both along and across, you can lay the material on the concrete floor.

Installation requires the product to be laid tightly, avoiding gaps and crevices near the walls. When the material is placed on the glue, it must be firmly pressed against the substrate. It will require rolling with a roller that goes from the center to the edge. Rolling is needed to squeeze air out from under the coating and remove excess glue. In addition, rolling helps to improve the adhesion and adhesion between the quartz vinyl and the substrate.

Excess glue is removed with a rag, which must first be soaked in alcohol. If the glue is such that it leaves streaks on the surface, it must be discarded immediately, having foreseen this moment.

First, the usual set of preliminary works - dismantling the old coating, cleaning up dirt and debris. If there are pits in the floor, they can be repaired, the surface treated with a primer.

Further, the installation is carried out as follows.

• Installation starts from the corner to the right (if facing the wall, this corner looks at the laying person). The action is carried out from right to left, the grooves are directed to the master.
• There is a gap of 3, maximum 5 mm between the wall and the tile. After forming the first row, you can start the second.
• The tiles of the second row are inserted into the fragments of the first. To reinforce the insertion, you can tap them slightly with the palm of your hand. But only with the palm, not with a hammer.
• One tile fits easily into another.That's it, the installation is complete.

You can clean the floor made of such material with ordinary soap. The floor is beautiful when it shines, so it would be nice to add a few drops of jojoba oil to the water - a pleasant shine is guaranteed. If dirt appears on the floor, it can be cleaned with vinegar, white spirit and any other non-alkaline compounds.

Often people are afraid of quartz vinyl, believing that they will not be able to clean it with steam. Yes, prolonged heating will ruin the coating, but the beauty of steam cleaning is in short-term steam supply, which means that this method of cleaning will definitely not hurt.

Experts and users have opinions about a particular type of coverage, if not categorically different, then be polar in some points. I wonder what they both say about quartz vinyl.

The following are common in user reviews:

• very easy to install, no problems, especially the locking method;
• looks great, imitation of materials is done perfectly;
• can be washed often, in comparison with laminate - this is the main trump card;
• the option is not the most budgetary, but quite affordable;
• if there is a lot of quartz sand in the composition, it will serve for a very long time;
• There are not so many colors, but those drawings that are, are made cool;
• you can experiment with the styling design.

What is noted in the reviews of experts:

• pleasant to the touch, and in this it also outperforms the laminate;
• for the office, in most cases, it is still better than for the home;
• the linearity of laying with the lock method requires strict control, during the laying process it is easy to spoil the end lock;
• the glue option may be like linoleum;
• most of the materials on the market are still far from a high level of environmental friendliness.

7 illustrations-characteristics of successful use of quartz-vinyl.

• An attractive and cozy "herringbone" revived the room, but did not disturb its peace.

• A good, conciliatory choice of color and pattern to cover.

• The hand just asks to touch the floor, and its structure will be tactilely pleasant.

• A good, unobtrusive option for the bedroom.

• The overall color scheme makes the space visually wider, and the floor is important here.

• The warmth of the hue is transmitted through the monitor.

• A tile that looks austere, but conducive to rest and relaxation.