- Vinyl tiles are the latest fad in flooring products. They are especially popular for kitchen and bathroom floors. The tiles come in different sizes. Tiles also come in a variety of thicknesses to meet the individual needs.
Self-stick tiles are the most popular tiles. They are so easy to use that anybody can do it. It's just a matter of peeling off the backing and sticking it to the surface. They do work best on an extremely clean and smooth surface. - There are three basic types of vinyl tiles. They are categorized by durability and usage.
The no wax vinyl tile is the least durable type. This should be used in low traffic areas. It is not recommended to be used in a kitchen space because of its lack of durability. It will scratch and scuff.
Urethane vinyl tile is good for the kitchen. It is made for use in normal traffic areas. The urethane coating enables it to resist the wear and tear that comes with daily use.
Enhanced urethane vinyl tile is the top of the line for vinyl tiles. It is used for very heavy traffic areas. It looks incredible for long periods of time . It is also resistant to scratches, scuffs and stains. Some enhanced urethane tiles are warranted for up to thirty years. - The ability to replicate most other surfaces--including ceramic tiles--have made vinyl tiles the success that it is today. A variety of colors and textures are available in vinyl tiles.
Inlaid tiles are usually higher-end tiles. They are created using imbedded color granules into the vinyl sheet. This puts color all through the sheet. It creates more visual depth. The color and style will remain fresh as the surface layer wears.
Printed tiles are the lower-end vinyl tiles. They are created by printing the color directly onto the surface of the tile. Because the color is printed on the top of the tile, it will show wear much quicker.
Water resistant tiles are widely used in kitchens. The vinyl is resistant to water once it is properly sealed.
Vinyl tile is also fire resistant. Vinyl burns at such a high temperature that it will not spread the flame. Vinyl will typically stop burning once the source of the fire is removed.
Vinyl tile is virtually maintenance free. Aside from the regular household chores of sweeping and mopping, nothing else is required to maintain the Vinyl tile flooring. - When shopping for flooring, many people look for hardwood or linoleum. However, experts agree that self-stick vinyl tiles are a comparable and cost effective alternative. The high end vinyl flooring is definitely comparable to hard wood and is superior to linoleum. Do-it-yourselfers find the self-stick vinyl flooring a better choice because it is so much easier to install. Even a novice do-it-yourselfer will have success installing it.
- As with everything, you get what you pay for. Low-end vinyl tile is very inexpensive, but its life expectancy can be rather short. The average life span for the low end tile is typically under 10 years.
Vinyl tile flooring also does not pass the green test. There have been strides made in this area. Some manufacturers are starting to recycle vinyl. In fact, the toxic fumes from vinyl floors have produced a health risk in the past, but strides are being made to improve the production of the vinyl tiles and have resulted in much safer tiles with minimal health risks.
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