Vinyl composition tiles are one of the most recent vinyl flooring products on the market. The primary ingredient used to make these tiles is vinyl. Various inorganic fillers, resins, plasticizer and pigments are also added to the mix. The tiles have a higher resilience than ordinary vinyl tiles due to the inorganic fillers. The wide variety in pattern, texture and color of the tiles allows you to create a uniquely attractive décor. You may want to consider this option in vinyl flooring for your home. The pros and cons of the tiles are given below.
1 - Resilience
The high resilience of the tiles makes them ideal in high traffic areas. They don’t wear out easily. Composite vinyl is also fairly durable due to its ingredients. Along with the high resilience, this contributes to extra longevity of your tiles. When well installed and properly maintained, your vinyl flooring should last in good shape for at least 15 years.
2 - Design Options
You enjoy a virtually unlimited selection of patterns, styles, colors and finishes with the tiles. Slip-resistant textured surfaces are available, which promotes safety in your home. You can also request for a custom design from the dealer. This gives you higher flexibility in your interior décor plans. It allows you to create an attractive home with a fairly inexpensive flooring material. Besides, the final outcome adds value to your home.
3 - Low Level of Noise
When you walk upon the tiles, no noise is created. Some tiles made of materials such as porcelain can be quite noisy. The noiseless aspect of vinyl composite flooring contributes to a serene indoors environment.
4 - Eco-Friendly
The tiles are 100% recyclable. Once you decide you no longer want them, they can be recycled for some other purpose. This helps to reduce the off load into landfills, which helps to sustain the environment.
In spite of these benefits, vinyl composite tiles aren’t without their disadvantages.
1 - Weather Limitations
If you live in a very hot or cold area, vinyl composite tiles aren’t a good option. Frequent bright sunlight causes the tiles to fade with time. This reduces the aesthetic appeal of your floor. Very cold temperatures weaken the structural integrity of the tiles. They become brittle which results in breakages. This limits the installation of the tiles in certain climatic areas.
2 - Subfloor Preparation
Before you lay the tiles, you must ensure that the subfloor is completely level. Cereramic tiles don’t require as much of a rigorous preparation of the subfloor. Inadequate preparation reflects on the surface in the form of irregularities. The inconsistent appearance reduces the aesthetic appeal of your floor. It may be necessary to install a plywood subfloor first, if you’re unable to level the floor properly. You must also fill the holes created by the screw or nail heads. This adds to the work involved during installation.
3 - Difficult to Remove
It requires considerable effort to remove the tiles. This is partly because the adhesive used to attach the tiles develops a very strong bond with time. You must employ a combination of methods to remove the tiles. A scraper, chemical adhesive remover and heat gun are some of the aids required. This makes it a labor-intensive job.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
