Different Grades of Vinyl Floors

Vinyl Sheet Flooring

• Vinyl sheet flooring is normally sold in 6-foot and 12-foot widths and can either be professionally installed or installed by the do-it-yourselfer. Vinyl flooring installation requires cutting and seaming the product. Seaming vinyl sheet flooring is required when the roll of vinyl is not as wide as the floor or the vinyl must be purchased in separately cut rolls. Vinyl sheet flooring is often confused with linoleum, which is a less-expensive, lower-grade flooring.

Vinyl Composition Tile

• Vinyl composition tile, also known as VCT, is largely made of limestone, a formof calcium carbonate. VCT also contains plasticizers to give the product suppleness and flexibility, and color dyes to add a pattern and tint. Vinyl composition tile is frequently found in commercial settings because of its ease of installation and durability. Generally, VCT is available in 12-inch-by-12-inch squares and can be mixed and matched for various color and design effects.

Solid Vinyl Tile

• Solid vinyl tile, or SVT, has more vinyl content than vinyl composition tile, making the tile more pliable and easier to work with. It is normally produced in 12-inch-by-12-inch squares and in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Solid vinyl tile has a photographic print coating that lies between the backing and a clear layer of vinyl. This makes the tile more scratch- and scuff-resistant, retaining its luster longer without staining or soiling. It is a common choice for offices and military facilities around the world.

Luxury Vinyl Tile

• Luxury vinyl tile, also known as LVT, is available in designs made to duplicate the look of other types of flooring, such as concrete, wood, stone and even metal. LVT is comparable to SVT, but contains a greater concentration of vinyl, allowing for more detailed, imprinted designs, as well as durability and function.