Vinyl Floor Coverings

If you are having trouble determining which vinyl floor covering you have, FloorCare Specialists offers the following description of the different vinyl classifications of hard floor coverings.  Of course, we will be happy to come to your building and inspect your floors free of charge to determine the floor type and classification.  The range of use for vinyl floors encompasses almost every classification of facility and environment.

The primary ingredient in all vinyl flooring is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from which it derives its name. The production  of vinyl floor coverings include both tile and rolls (sheet) and offers an infinite number of patterns, colors and styles.

There are some general characteristics that separate the vinyl classification into sub-classes. These characteristics impact the maintenance of the floor because they influence the wear layer and the body of the product. The basic difference between sheet vinyl products and vinyl composition tile is the percentage of vinyl in the product. There are many types of vinyl based floor coverings that offer solutions to most hard floor maintenance problems.

Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT)

Vinyl composition tile, commonly referred to as VCT, is the most popular and common vinyl floor type.  VCT is a resilient tile floor covering composed of binder, fillers and pigments compounded with suitable stabilizers and processing aids. The binder consists of polymers and/or copolymers of vinyl chloride, other modifying resins, and plasticizers. VCT is extremely durable and found in almost all environments. VCT is usually manufactured in 12” x 12” tiles and come in an infinite number of colors.  There are some 9” x 9” tiles manufactured to replicate the old asphalt tiles. 

FloorCare Specialists provides maintenance services for several million square feet of VCT tile.  Our services range from one time post construction cleaning and preparation to complete maintenance services for multi-site owners.  We serve well known offices, schools, entertainment venues and retail chains through out our service area.

Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT)

Vinyl asbestos tile is an obsolete form of resilient tile composed of vinyl plastic binders, chrysotile asbestos fibers, mineral fillers and pigments. This predecessor of modern VCT was introduced in the 50’s and a mainstay in the industry for many years.  Due to the asbestos content, this flooring is no longer manufactured.  However, it is quite possible that VAT us still in use in older facilities.  This is not generally a problem so long as the floor is properly maintained. 

If you are unsure about your floor and suspect that it might be VAT, feel free to call FloorCare Specialists.  We will conduct a free on site inspection and help you develop a safe program for cleaning and maintenance. 

Vinyl Sheet Flooring

Sheet vinyl is commonplace in the resilient market. There are three basic distinctions in this sub-class.

Inlaid Sheet Flooring Inlaid sheet flooring is a type of flooring in which the decorative pattern or design is formed by setting color areas into the surface. The design may or may not extend through to a backing. Classification is sheet floor covering with backing.

Heterogeneous Sheet Flooring Heterogeneoussheet flooring is a floor covering in sheet form consisting of a wear layer and other layers, which differ in composition and or design and may contain reinforcement. Sometimes called layered composite or backed vinyl sheet flooring. Classification is sheet vinyl floor covering with backing.

Homogeneous Sheet Flooring Homogenous sheet flooring is a floor covering in sheet form that is of uniform structure and composition throughout, usually consisting of vinyl plastic resins, plasticizers, fillers, pigments and stabilizers. Sometimes called un-backed vinyl sheet flooring. Classification is sheet vinyl floor covering without backing.

FloorCare Specialists can clean and maintain all classifications and styles of sheet vinyl.  We provide maintenance services for many million square feet of sheet vinyl annually.  Our services range from one time post construction leaning and preparation to complete maintenance service programs for multi-site owners.  We serve well known offices, schools, entertainment venues and retail chains through out our service area.

Luxury Solid Vinyl Tile

Luxury solid vinyl tile is relatively new to the hard floor maintenance industry. It is a resilient tile floor covering composed of binder, fillers and pigments compounded with suitable stabilizers and processing aids. The binder consists of polymers and/or copolymers of vinyl chloride, other modifying resins, and plasticizers, which comprise at least 34% by weight of the finished tile. The polymers and copolymers of vinyl chloride comprise at least 60% of the weight of the binder. Classification is solid vinyl floor tile. These products have a heavy-duty wear layer on the surface and emulate many other floor coverings. They are very deceptive and can look like natural stone, wood and many other textures.

FloorCare Specialists can clean and maintain your luxury vinyl.  Our services range from one time post construction leaning and preparation to complete maintenance service programs for multi-site owners.  We serve well known offices, schools, entertainment venues and retail chains through out our service area.

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Staff VCT Breakroom Area Cleaning Atlanta 01
Staff VCT Breakroom Area Cleaning Atlanta 02