What is a quartz-vinyl laminate

Not a single repair of a living space is complete without the use of flooring. The modern market of finishing materials offers a wide range of products for every taste and budget: linoleum, carpet, tile, parquet and, of course, laminate. Most recently, a variety of laminate - quartz-vinyl. Not everyone knows what it is and they doubt whether or not to buy this option of flooring.

In its structure, this coating is a multilayer tile. The base is polyvinyl chloride or alumina. For durability, the material is equipped with a middle layer made of stone chips. The wood-fiber part is optional, and sometimes may be absent altogether. It also has a special protective layer.

It is called vinyl due to the fact that the base is made of this material. Most in structure, this coating resembles MDF panels. Due to its multi-layer, this type of laminate is very durable. Its average life is more than 20 years.

Also, vinyl laminate is completely environmentally friendly. Because of this, it is very often used in medical and child care facilities. In addition, the coating is able to neutralize odors and has an antibacterial effect. Fully fireproof, as it contains stone chips. The material is quite elastic, so it makes walking on it silent, which is not characteristic of other laminates.

ATTENTION! A very important characteristic of this flooring is its versatility. It will be an ideal solution for both home and commercial use. However, it has a rather high cost.

This type of flooring has a separation according to several parameters: method of fastening and wear resistance class.

Mounting methods distinguish several. It:

1. Glue option. This type is fixed with a special glue to the concrete floor. This option is not very popular and therefore only a few small firms produce such flooring. It is quite laborious to install, and the adhesive can be very difficult to find. Also, if necessary, it cannot be removed or replaced with several damaged parts.
2. Self adhesive. An adhesive layer is applied to the bottom layer of the product, providing reliable adhesion to the floor.
3. Castle. Very popular type of coating. It is easy to install, which can be done on its own. Thanks to this fastening, the product can be easily removed if necessary. If any part is damaged, it can be replaced without any problems.
4. Mixed option. The lower part of this type of vinyl coating has two strips on which glue is applied. There is also a castle. This option allows you to firmly fix the laminate on the floor and between each other, making the joints completely tight. At the same time, it retains the mobility of the castle version and can also be easily dismantled if necessary.

By wear resistance, it can be of several classes:

1. Classes 21-31. The laminate has a protective layer thickness of about 2 mm. Suitable for home use only. It is the cheapest option among quartz vinyl laminate. Service life approximately 10 years.
2. Classes 32-42. A protective layer of about 2.5 mm thick is applied to the floor covering. It is made of fairly dense polymeric materials. A good option for use in offices and places with medium traffic. The service life is 15 years.
3. Quartz vinyl coating 43 class. The most wear-resistant, its service life is more than 20 years. The protective layer has a thickness of more than 3 mm. Suitable for commercial use. The cost of this option is much higher.

IMPORTANT! Despite the cost, a vinyl laminate of class 43 is the most profitable option, as it will last much longer than the option with a class below.

Pros and cons of flooring

Quartz coating has a number of indisputable advantages, among which are:

1. High moisture resistance. Laminate of any type of fastening has excellent moisture resistance. Even with large amounts of water, this will not affect the strength of the product, and all moisture will remain on the surface. This makes it very easy to care for.
2. Wide range of application and versatility. High wear resistance allows the use of this flooring in rooms of all terrain. It is not subject to temperature changes.
3. Security. Quartz-vinyl is absolutely environmentally friendly, which is confirmed by its quality certificates. It is approved for use in medical facilities and children's rooms.
4. Convenience. If a lock is used, the coating can be easily dismantled or damaged areas replaced.

The disadvantages include:

• rather high price;
• upon contact with rubber products, the laminate enters into a chemical reaction, which results in the deformation of the upper layer;
• under the influence of direct sunlight, the product gradually begins to fade;
• Despite the fact that the product does not burn, it contains polyvinyl chloride, which, under the influence of an open flame, begins to emit caustic substances and smoke.

This type of flooring is a good option when choosing a finish. Its wear resistance, ease of installation and maintenance more than compensate for the high cost. A wide selection of colors will allow you to easily choose a product for a room made in any style.