Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is the most popular type of flooring for manufactured construction. It is made with ingredients that are mixed under high temperature and pressure. All vinyl flooring is composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin along with additives, such as plasticizers, stabilizers, pigments, and fillers. Manufactured processes provide a smooth and decorative flooring, with different thicknesses and dimensions. Vinyl components are available in vinyl sheets or vinyl composition tiles (VCT).
Vinyl flooring is highly resilient, durable and resistant. However, it can be affected by several job conditions, preventing vinyl to properly bond with the subfloor structure. Subfloor sheathings should always be firmly fastened, smooth, and free from dust and moisture. Also, it is recommended to maintain surface temperature between 70oF and 90oF for around 48 hours before, during, and for 48 hours after completion of VCT installation. The room should have good ventilation during installation.
VCT is composed of binder, fillers, and pigments. The binder is made from poly (vinyl chloride), or vinyl chloride copolymers, or both, compounded with suitable plasticizers and stabilizers. ASTM F1066 covers VCT for flooring application. They are classified into three classes including Class 1 for solid tile, Class 2 for through pattern tile, and Class 3 for surface pattern tile. Solid color tile is uniform. In through pattern tile, the color or pattern is the same throughout the tile. In surface pattern tile, the pattern remains only on the surface. Tile products range in size from 9 by 9 inches up to 36 by 36 inches, and in several gauges, colors and patterns. Usually, vinyl tiles have self-adhesive on the back, which facilitate installation. The VCT is available in market based on class, color, pattern, and wearing surface.
The design layout for VCT installation shall be decided by laying down some tiles cross over the room which could be either in square or diagonal configuration. Adjustments shall be made if the layout results in tiles with less than half original dimension. A chalk line from center of each side of the room is required to determine the center point of the area. The intersection of the chalk lines shall be square at 90°. Placement begins by applying recommended tile adhesive with notched trowel at the intersection of chalk lines. The adhesive needs a sufficient open time before laying the tile. Tiles shall be placed with tight, straight and aligned joints in both directions. The placement may be based on square or diagonal Layout. Borders and fixed objects may require scribing for fitting. Heating the tile with a heat gun or blowtorch may facilitate the cutting process.
Vinyl Sheets installation needs a plan in the area to minimize the number and length of seams. Sheets seams shall be perpendicular to the subfloor joints. The vinyl sheet is applied in the room area by adding at least 3 inch each side before cutting and placing. In the seam area, the top sheet should overlap the previous sheet by approximately 1/2 inch. The excess of vinyl near of walls is cut and the sheet is fixed by scribing the surface format. Special adhesives shall be used for room perimeter, seam lines and columns. The recommended seam adhesive is applied after placement in a 3 to 6-inch-wide band, centered under the seam.