Quartz tiles: advantages and disadvantages

But the construction market presents another novelty - quartz vinyl tile for floor finishing. And although in western countries it has been used for 40 years, in our country it only appears and is of great interest. The tile can be used in all categories of housing and civil construction, ranging from unheated basements and garages to office space. But today such flooring is not very popular.

To understand the technical and operational characteristics of this know-how, it is necessary to understand the intricacies of its production and features of the application.

The quartz vinyl tile is a multilayered flexible floor covering with the high content of quartz sand.The tile has many positive characteristics and has an excellent set of consumer properties. Quartz sand can withstand heavy loads, and the top layer of polyurethane increases the wear resistance and reliability of the floor covering. This tile can be used both in inhabited, and commercial rooms.

With proper care during operation, the surface of the floor covering not scratched and does not wear out. In addition, quartz tiles not afraid of water and has a non-slip protective layertherefore, it can be used in rooms with high humidity and even in open areas.

Existing tile layout methods:

• straight with a brickwork offset of half, a third or a quarter relative to the length of the board;
• diagonal;
• herringbone;
• with a combination of colors and textures.

Quartzvinyl tiles can be used in various premises:

• in a residential apartment or house: in the hallway, living room, bedroom, kitchen, children's room.
• in the bath, sauna and bathroom;
• outdoors: terrace, unglazed balcony, veranda;
• in the commercial premises or office;
• in the garage, basement and workshop;
• in the gym;
• in crowded places: at the station, parking, entertainment center.

The tile is made on the basis of quartz sand and polyvinyl chloride and has several layers:

• the lower base layer is a PVC substrate that provides a firm grip on the sub floor;
• PVC and reinforced fiberglass balance layer - used as reinforcement;
• PVC layer with quartz - provides increased strength and at the same time maintains optimum elasticity;
• the decorative layer with the image imitates the texture, color and pattern of the natural material;
• the top layer - a protective coating of polyurethane from mechanical impact and slip, helps to prolong the life of the tile.

But the layering does not mean the thickness of the product, just the opposite, the tile is limited by the parameters from 1.5 mm to 5.5 mm.However, due to the unusual composition of the coating has the strength of ceramics and at the same plastic, like linoleum. The mass fraction of quartz sand ranges from 60% to 80%, and the remaining 20% ​​-40% - PVC additives and various mixtures: vinyl, plasticizers, stabilizers and pigments. Turns out that in its composition quartz vinyl tile is closer to quartz than to PVC coating.

Such a complex production technology allows you to get a unique durable and ductile material that is resistant to all kinds of influences. At the same time, the upper face coating does not abrade and does not slip.

The quartzvinyl tile has preferential properties, in comparison with a ceramic tile, a laminate, linoleum or a carpet. Buyers generally leave positive feedback about it.

Material advantages:

• The tile is stronger than linoleum and resistant to mechanical stress.
• It is possible to restore damaged areas without replacing the entire coverage. If necessary, repair individual tiles can be easily removed and replaced with a new one.
• Compared with the usual porcelain tiles, quartz vinyl has excellent thermal conductivity and is pleasant totouch
• When heated to 60 ° C, the tile does not emit harmful toxic substances and does not harm human health.

• The coating does not fade and does not change color when exposed to direct sunlight.
• The composition does not include phenol and melamine, which are harmful to people and animals.
• It has a wide range of operating temperatures: from -30 ° C to + 60 ° C.
• The top coating is anti-slip, which allows the use of tiles in any residential area: bathroom, hallway, kitchen, room, and even in the bath.
• Also, the tile has excellent frost-resistant characteristics and quickly absorbs moisture, so it can be used not only in residential, but also in unheated premises, and in the open air: on the porch, terrace, balcony and as tracks on the site.

• Easy degree of depreciation makes movement on the floor more comfortable.
• Quartzvinyl has excellent fire characteristics and is not flammable, has chemical inertness, so the tile can also be used in the workshop, garage or industrial premises.
• It has excellent sound absorption and sound insulation, so even the clatter of heels and the footsteps of animals are muffled, compared to conventional tiles or laminate.
• Laying variability - tiles can be laid with geometric patterns, applied to a wall or ceiling, processed curved surfaces and do something unusual.
• The coating is resistant to abrasives and detergents.
• Manufacturers offer a wide range of colors, texture and pattern of the coating.
• Ease and convenience of installation.
• The service life is an average of 30 years.

Such a large number of advantages determined the use of quartzvinyl, not only in domestic premises, but also in commercial ones. But, like any finishing material, quartz vinyl tile has drawbacks.

Minuses:

• Special requirements for the preparation of the base of the floor. Due to its plasticity, the tile repeats all bends and irregularities, so the surface must be perfectly flat, otherwise the tile will form “waves” and emphasize the defects of the coating.
• Dents may remain on the floor from heavy furniture.
• It is necessary to take care of the application of heat and waterproofing layer, otherwise the floor with tile will be cold.
• Some manufacturers produce products that are not resistant to UV light, wear out quickly and have a poor-quality pattern.
• High price.

It should be noted that the price of adhesive tiles is 40-50% lower than other types of quartz vinyl tiles.

Quartz tiles are classified according to various criteria. The main - by the method of installation. There are four options for fixing it:

• on a self-adhesive basis - the easiest way to install, because the adhesive is already applied on the back side of the tile and covered with a film;
• The mechanical lock of the laminate type is used most often, it is distinguished by good maintainability and allows you to disassemble the coating without deforming the tile;
• with the help of glue - it is possible to make adjustments until the glue has adhered;
• free-standing tile - quickly assembled without glue and mechanical lock, individual tiles are simply pressed to the floor, but with thermal vibrations, seams can form between sections.

It is also distinguished by its durability:

• 21-31 class - the thinnest coating, requires the most careful handling, suitable for the living room and bedroom. But at the same time the protective coating does not guarantee a long service life, on average it is about 5 years;
• 31-33 class - suitable for living rooms with low traffic;
• 34-43 class - used in hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and offices;
• Class 44 - the thickest tile with anti-slip coating, suitable for extreme operating conditions on trading floors, in production workshops and gyms.

Quartzvinyl is available in three forms:

• In the form of a square tile - standard sizes - 30x30, 45x45, 50x50, 60x60 cm. Such tiles usually fit butt.
• The rectangular tiles are 60x30, 90x15 and 95x18 cm. The most suitable way of laying is with a slight offset.
• With imitation of laminate - standard size - 122x18 cm. A universal and common method of laying - under the brickwork with a shift of half or a third.

Tile thickness varies from 1.5 mm to 5.5 mm, laminate - from 2.5 to 5.5 mm.

The undeniable advantage of modern flooring is the appearance of the material. The tile is available in various colors and textures. The texture can be a skillful imitation of any coating: under stone, wood, marble, metal, leather or ceramics, which allows you to use the flooring in absolutely any room.

A wide choice of various color shades allows to realize the most courageous design decisions and ideas.And here everything depends on the taste and preferences of the apartment owners.

Before you buy a particular finishing material, you need to familiarize yourself with the manufacturers and reviews. In addition, the demand for such flooring is growing tirelessly, and the leading tile manufacturers claim high performance and operational features of the new product. Customer reviews allowed us to make a rating of well-known brands.

Although for the first time the production technology of quartz vinyl tile was mastered in Japan, but the leading manufacturers today are companies from Korea. It is such brands as Art Tile, Deart Floor, Upofloor and Decoria offer the highest quality options for this flooring. According to buyers, Korean products Upofloor It is particularly durable and resistant to the pressure of heavy furniture. British companies are equally popular. Rikett Flooring and Polyfloor.

Tile Company Fine Floor (Belgium) and Tarkett (Finland) differs in durability, reliability and environmental friendliness. Another famous Belgian brand - Moduleo, buyers appreciated the main advantage, which was noted by many, is the optimal tile thickness (4.5 mm) and an attractive appearance with imitation of natural material.

In any hardware store, you can purchase a suitable floor covering by color, texture, shape and fixation method. But it is important to make the right choice.

First of all, decide which type of installation will suit you: glue, with a mechanical lock or free-standing tile. Each option has its pros and cons. Weigh the pros and cons and make the right choice in favor of practicality and ease of installation, based on this description:

• The tile with the mechanical lock quickly and just keeps within and is also quickly dismantled.
• Free-standing tiles are great for tenants of premises, because if necessary, in a matter of minutes you can dismantle the floor covering and take it with you.
• The tile on the glue is quickly mounted, but if you need to make changes in the process of work, then it will be difficult to do this, because the glue quickly grabs and securely fixes the tile.

Specialists estimate 100% moisture resistant tile coverage, so this is ideal for a bath. But in this case, it is worthwhile to carefully approach the choice of the pattern so that the coating fits perfectly into the interior.

When choosing a tile, it is necessary to consider the class of abrasion and the thickness of the protective layer. For an apartment, it is not necessary to choose the maximum class of durability, because in residential areas the coating is not subjected to heavy loads. 23-43 class will be enough.

If you plan to create a unique pattern using different types of tiles, then you should start laying from the center of the room. You can combine elements of different colors and sizes, as well as use familiar layouts for parquet or tile. In this case, experts advise to choose tiles of the same brand with the same characteristics and general classes of wear resistance.

Operation of the tile in the domestic environment with proper care is practically not able to lead to wear.But, nevertheless, a trademark, or rather the reputation of its products, plays an important role in choosing the flooring. Choose products of famous brands that have been on the market for more than one year and can confirm the quality of their products with certificates and documents. With tiles of lesser-known manufacturers, problems may no longer arise during the installation phase.

Before starting any work, the tile must be removed from the package, laid in a horizontal position and left for a day so that the floor covering will adapt to the climatic conditions of the room. It is possible to lay tiles on any surface: concrete, plywood, magnesite plate, OSB and chipboard (not less than 16 mm thick).

Before starting work, prepare the necessary tools:

• rubber rollers with varying degrees of stiffness;
• building level;
• spatula with V-shaped teeth 2 mm;
• roulette wheel;
• ruler and metal square;
• sharp stationery knives;
• pencil;
• sheet of drywall or plywood to cut tiles on it.

Some types of tiles have beveled edges called chamfer. In this case, the installation is carried out by a stationary adhesive method, which improves the quality of the docking seam. But despite the installation method, to lay tile, the base must be not only smooth but also smooth, as well as dry and perfectly clean.

The preparatory process is the most difficult and long. Before starting the installation, it is necessary to prepare the surface and dismantle the old coating. The floor is thoroughly cleaned from dust and dirt. The surface must be leveled, cracks and pits are sealed, and bumps are removed. The most suitable way is a self-leveling screed, but it is suitable only for minor irregularities. It helps to achieve a perfectly smooth coating and save time at work, on this floor there will be no problems with installing a tile with a locking joint.

For leveling the concrete base suitable cement-sand screed. It requires special skills.You can also prepare waterproof wood flooring, but then the wood must be treated with an antiseptic and securely fixed so that the base is stationary. This will reduce the flammability of the material and protect it from rotting and fungus.

Laying the floor covering is carried out only on a dry basis. The humidity of the prepared floor should not exceed 5%. If there is no special device, you can use the “old-fashioned” method. On the day, transparent polyethylene is firmly glued to the surface on the masking tape. And if after 24 hours no condensation appeared under the film, it means that the surface is ready for installation.

Some manufacturers allow laying tiles on the old flooring. But it should be perfectly smooth and free from damage. But if there is even the slightest flaw in the floor surface, it is better to dismantle the old floor and level the concrete base.

To ensure that the quartz vinyl tile lay on the floor ideally smoothly, before starting the installation work, experts recommend spending time marking the floor of the room.To do this, you must divide the room into 4 equal parts. And if you plan to lay the tiles diagonally, then you need to draw 4 markings on the floor, that is, divide the room into 8 equal parts. The markup will facilitate installation - you can navigate through it in the process.

Correctly and quickly mark the floor in the room, you can follow these tips:

• Determine the center points of the opposite walls.
• Using a coated cord or other object, connect two points.
• At the level of the middle of the cord, a perpendicular axis is drawn to the other two walls.
• Depending on the method of installation, you can draw additional parallel lines.
• Laying can start from the center of the room or from the far corner from left to right.
• For diagonal stacking, it is recommended to draw lines from the corners to the center of the room.

Before starting work, you must remove all the furniture from the room. To work with the adhesive composition, you must have some working skills. A non-professional person will not cope with this task quickly and efficiently. It is important to understand the specifics of working with glue, how to apply it on the floor, and how long to withstand before installing the tile.

For adhesive stacking, it is better to use the product recommended by the tile manufacturer. Most often it is acrylic dispersion, vinyl rubber-based or special for quartz vinyl tile glue. Laying tiles starts from the door or from the central part of the room towards the far corner. The distance from the wall should be 5 mm.. The adhesive composition is applied to the floor with a spatula with triangular teeth in the same even layer.

After that, it is necessary to sustain the glue from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the recommendations of the manufacturer. And after that the tile is pressed against the surface treated with glue. Rubber roller must be leveled and smooth the tile from the middle to the edges. This distributes the adhesive evenly under the tile and removes excess air. If there is excess glue between the joints, they should be immediately removed with a wet cloth. After completion of the work, residues of glue on the tile can be removed with a soft sponge moistened with alcohol.

Tiles with a mechanical lock fit like a laminate board. The difference lies in the absence of compensation gaps and there is no need to tamp the joints with a hammer.There is also no need to use nails, screws or glue. The groove is directed toward the wall, and the comb to itself. The second element is attached to the end part at an angle of 30 ° and latches the lock. Thus the first row is assembled. Then you can proceed to laying the second row.

For a snug fit, you can tap on the edge of the tile with your palm. To use for this purpose a hammer or other tools can not be, it can lead to the destruction of the castle. The groove from the first row, directed towards the wall, is cut off. And the free space between the wall and the floor covering is filled with silicone sealant and closed with a plinth.

When working with self-adhesive tiles, installation work should begin from the corner. The second panel is brought from above and from the side so that there are no gaps between the elements. You need to ensure that you get a flat line. Subsequent rows are stacked offset like brickwork.

Loose tile stacks many times faster. The bottom layer of the tile consists of a special material based on rubber gum.This tile must be kept unpacked in the room for acclimatization for two days. Laying begins in the center of the room and is conducted towards the walls. Subsequent parts are simply applied from top to bottom to the already laid and tightly pressed.

If necessary, the tile is trimmed with a knife. On the front side is applied a line for cutting. With a sharp knife with a trapezoid blade in the direction of a cut is made. After that, the tile along the line is folded and the bottom layer is additionally cut through again. If you need a figure cutout for the column, pipe or ledge, then first made a template from cardboard.

The final stage is the installation of the plinth. Walking on the floor can be immediately after the completion of the work. But only after 2-3 days you can move on to a wet cleaning, bring furniture into the room and turn on the heated floor. And if all the stages of the preparatory and installation works are done correctly, the flooring will not creak and will retain its aesthetic characteristics for a long time.

It is easy to look after such floor covering and it will serve at least 15 years.To increase its service life, in the corridor it is recommended to lay a mat near the door that will collect dirt and moisture from outdoor shoes. You can wash the floor at least once a week. For perfect cleanliness, it is recommended to use special quartz vinyl coating cleaners.

In the case of deformation of a separate section, each element can be seamlessly replaced with a new one. And for this it is not necessary to disassemble all the tiles to get to a certain detail. Experts advise making a Y-shaped incision along the surface of the deformed tile and using a sharp knife to disassemble it into two parts.

If the slats have a mechanical lock, then it must be cut with a knife. And then a new part will fit in this area, only for fixing it is necessary to use glue, but it should be applied not on the floor, but on adjacent tiles in order to ensure reliable adhesion to the flooring, and not to the cement board.

The quartz vinyl tile perfectly imitates the natural woody pattern and texture. Thanks to its moisture-proof and waterproofing properties, flooring can be used in the bathroom, in the kitchen and even in the sauna.

For a classic interior, you can choose quartz vinyl tiles with imitation parquet. This floor perfectly complements the overall style of the interior spacious living room. With the help of quartz vinyl tile under the laminate flooring can be laid in the form of a Christmas tree.

Properly selected floor covering can become the main decorative element not only in the apartment, but also in the beauty salon.

You can also create a new design, add color and mood to a spacious hall, or embody the wildest fantasies, design ideas and put together an unusual pattern.

Vinyl tiles give a stylish look to an art gallery. Optional flooring should imitate wood. For some bright and bold styles, an unusual and fancy pink floor is perfect.

Also, the vinyl tile of a triangular shape looks original and pretty on the floor.You can change the shape of the tile yourself with a sharp knife, but it is better to entrust this work to professionals. The cost of flooring on special order in this case will be higher, but the quality of the coating will be much better.

See below for an overview of quartz vinyl tile.