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LVT Flooring Meaning And Reasons Why It’s Perfect For Home Use

Filed Under: Information

If you are refurbishing your home and changing the floors you must have wondered by now about what is vinyl flooring since it’s one of the most popular options for long term, resistant floors for home and office. In this article we’ll delve into LVT flooring meaning including the LVT flooring construction definition and the wider, commercial uses of this product category. We’ll also compare LVT vs VCT (Vinyl composition tile) as those terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

What Is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is a synthetic flooring material that has risen to fame due to its durability, practicality and ease to install. It is composed of several layers of different types of synthetic materials, usually topped by a UV protection layer that will ensure the color won’t change due to sun exposure over the years. It comes in several formats which use the same materials but different manufacturing methods to achieve totally different results:

  • LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tile
  • Roll Vinyl
  • Peel and stick vinyl

Overall, vinyl flooring is incredibly resistant to scratches and stains, suffers no water damage and (provided you choose a high quality product) will remain unchanged by sunlight or day to day life for years. Unlike laminate, vinyl doesn’t have wood or other organic elements so it won’t expand and contract due to humidity. It’s also more flexible, thinner and lighter than laminate or real wood, so easier to install for a non-professional.

Vinyl Flooring is mostly composed of different layers of PVC and as such is totally inert and can come in any pattern or design you can imagine, including some very realistic wood and stone options! Both luxury vinyl tile and roll vinyl can be used in areas where you expect moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or kitchens. And peel and stick vinyl can also be used on walls and even to build your own countertops. As you can see, vinyl is incredibly versatile.

LVT Flooring Meaning

The LVT flooring construction definition is a type of resilient flooring composed of several layers:

  • Backing layer: Sound absorbing and with a texture to grip to the sub-flooring
  • Fill layer:  Thicker layer that provides denting resistance
  • Print layer: This is a thin layer where the design is printed to imitate hardwood floors such as wood, stone or ceramic
  • Top coat: A clear coating that provides protection and prevents the vinyl from scratching or fading

Luxury vinyl tile is designed to imitate hardwood floors, and as such comes in a variety of patterns that can be easily confused with the real thing. The difference is that instead of a heavy plank of wood or stone you have a few millimetres flexible PVC plank that can be clicked into place without the use of glue or other adhesives. Funnily enough, the meaning of LVT flooring is just Luxury Vinyl Tile, but it usually refers to planks as opposed to roll vinyl which is more similar to a carpet and comes in rolls.

So, LVT flooring standards for Luxury Vinyl Tile. Let’s look at it in detail, word by word.

Luxury: LVT flooring meaning includes the word luxury, and people tend to get fixated on this and assume it’s going to be really expensive but that’s not always the case. Why luxury? Well, to start with the feeling of LVT is something else: It’s a high quality flooring and unlike laminate it’s noise dampening, and warm to the touch. It’s very comfortable to walk on barefoot, which makes it perfect for home use. It can also be used to install underfloor heating as it’s heat conductive and impervious to moisture. And you can use it on kitchens, bathrooms and other rooms where water spills are a possibility.

Vinyl is self explanatory, as the planks or tiles are made of PVC or vinyl, a material that has been with us since the beginning of last century (Chicago Word Fair in 1933 is officially its birthday!) but it has evolved greatly ever since. Modern vinyl plans are around 5mm thick and fully waterproof, as well as incredibly strong and durable.

Tile: Funnily enough, most people see planks when purchasing LVT and not tiles. However, tiles that imitate stone and ceramic are also a very popular format and widely used on kitchens and bathrooms. Since it’s a man-made material, the sky is the limit in terms of sizes and formats. The reason why the word Tile is used is because by definition planks are just a form of rectangular tiles.

lvt flooring meaning
Wondering about LVT Flooring meaning after seeing it at a store?

LVT vs VCT

Often people confuse LVT vs VCT and are surprised by the price variation. However, Vinyl Composite Tiles aren’t actually 100% PVC and include other materials such as limestone in the mix. VCT is more porous and requires maintenance but they also look more organic and can deal better with scuffs and marks by disguising them as part of the pattern.

Most households will be better served with an LVT product, while VCT is mostly relegated to large commercial spaces and institutions, with high traffic areas where lower costs are an important factor.

SPC Vinyl Plank Flooring Meaning

If you have been doing your research into lvt flooring meaning, you have no doubt come across about SPC vinyl planks and wondered about SPC vinyl plank flooring meaning. SPC is a new product whose main defining characteristic is a signature rigid core that is practically indestructible. It’s slightly cheaper than your typical LVT, but due to its hard rigid core is also less flexible, colder and harder to walk on. It is however more resistant than LVC so it’s frequently used in areas such as kitchens which get heavier use.

SPC is often cheaper than LVT, though the price ranges for both types of floor surfaces are wide enough that they overlap.

In terms of similarities, there are many. Both types of flooring are offered commercially as click vinyl planks, which means you can install them yourself without the need for glue or specialist knowledge. Both are waterproof and moisture proof, when installed correctly. And both come in a variety of styles and patterns that imitate any stone or hardwood you can think off.

 

 

How to Install Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring

Filed Under: DIY Installation

Learning how to install ceramic or porcelain tile flooring can save you a lot of money if you decide to remodel your home yourself, and the results can be as good as if a professional installed it. However, it’s a project that requires a certain amount of preparation, some tools and time to get everything perfect. The complexity of the project will depend on how you want to lay the tiles (traditionally or diagonally across the room) and whether you need to cut out holes to accommodate radiator pipes, or other integrated furniture.

Things You’ll Need

Besides a generous assortment of tiles (always buy some spare in case some get broken or damaged while cutting them) you will also need:

  • Tile adhesive
  • A notched trowel
  • A tile scored and a diamond hole saw
  • Grout (and optionally, grout sealer)
  • A rubber float
  • A tape measure
  • A level
  • Chalk and pencil, or other washable media to mark the floor and tiles
  • In order to clean the tiles afterwards you will need a bucket of warm water and a sponge.

Preparing the Floor To Lay Ceramic Tiles

You can lay ceramic tiles on concrete or over timber deck. In order to lay ceramic tiles on concrete, you will need to make sure the floor is perfectly even, clean and dry. If the floor is uneven, you will need to apply a self-levelling compound to fill in gaps and holes, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you leave it to dry for as long as required, which is usually overnight. Use a coarse sandpaper block to smooth any remaining ridges.

If you are laying porcelain tiles over timber floorboards you will need to first fix a layer of plywood to the floor of at least 12mm thickness. You can just screw it down to the timber before you lay your tiles.

If any doors to the room open inwards you will need to remove them and may need to adjust their height as tiling will change the height of the floor, and the door may not fit anymore.

Do A Practice Tiling Run

If you want your new floor to look as professional as possible, you will need to carefully plan the layout so the rows are straight and evening spaced. Start at the room’s door, as that first row of tiles is the most visible. To get your new ceramic tiles to align perfectly, draw a perpendicular line to the doorstep using chalk, and starting laying your tiles (without adhesive!) following that line to the other side of the room. A spacer can be used to ensure the tiles are evenly spaced.

When you reach the other side of the room, you will find yourself with space for less than a whole tile. Draw a chalk line perpendicular to the tiles and check that the space between the chalk line and the wall is the same at both ends of the room. If that’s not the case, your room is not perfectly square, and you should adjust the line so the ending tiles on both ends of the room are of the same size.

Place all the tiles without gluing them, and check that you are happy with the pattern.

Laying Ceramic Tiles

You can start laying the ceramic tiles on the floor at the point where the two chalk lines intercept. Using a notched spreader apply adhesive to a square area of the floor of about 3×3 tiles wide (though as you get quicker at laying tiles you may want to increase this to 4×4 tiles). Fix the tiles to the adhesive, using spacers to make sure the space between tiles is the same.

With a spirit level check that the tiles are level (check each row across and diagonally). You can lower tiles that are too high placing a bit of wood and hammering softly on it, but tiles than are lower than the others will need to be removed, and reinstalled with extra adhesive.

Leave the adhesive to set and do not step on the tiles. You will need about 24 hours for the tile adhesive to cure enough for grouting.

Preparing Tiles For The Border

You will most likely need to cut some tiles to size so they fit snuggly against the walls. You can measure tiles exactly by laying them upside down over your last full tile row, and marking them. Then you can cut them with a tile cutter or saw.’

Grouting

Mix the grout following the pack instructions. Depending on the effect you are after, you can choose a grout mixture that dries on a contrasting colour to your tiles, or one that blends with them. This process is very similar to installing vinyl floor grout.

Using a rubber-edged squeegee held at 45-degree angle fill the spaces between tiles with the grout, after removing the spacers. You can use a damp sponge to remove any stray grout that falls on the surface of a tile, but be really careful not to remove the grout you just applied in between the tiles!

Once the grout has cured you can use warm soapy water to clean up the floor, just make sure to use products suitable for the type of grout and ceramic tile you installed. Some people prefer to use a grout sealer at this point to make sure bacteria and dirt can’t enter the porous grout. If you are installing ceramic tiles on kitchen or bathroom surfaces this step is advisable for hygiene reasons.

Tips For Laying Ceramic Tiles On Uneven Surfaces

Five Home Decorating Tips

Filed Under: Design

They say a change is as good as a holiday. While changing your home does not make you feel like you are lying on a beach sipping Pina Colcada’s, the change will keep your home looking fresh and exciting.  Here are five home decorating tips:

Number One – Lights Fittings and Bulbs

One of the easiest ways to change the look and feel of a room is by adding a new light fixture. Change both the ceiling light fixture and your table lamps to give your room a new look. Be sure that the ceiling and table fittings match each other and compliment the style of the room. Remember when changing the light fitting, and bulb, to turn the electricity off at the switch board.

Number Two – Add Cushions

Another simple way to give your home a facelift is by adding new cushions to beds, benches, couches and armchairs. Ensure that the cushions compliment the room and the colour of the chair. For example: ensure that only one of the three – room wall, chair and cushion- is brightly coloured, as too many colours compete and end up leaving the room looking uninviting and unattractive.

Number Three – Change the Curtains

Buying new curtains or simply swapping curtains from different rooms is an easy way to give the room a new look. Ensure that the curtains match the room style and design. Furthermore, change the curtain railing, rings and brackets will make the curtains appear new and crisp up the look of the room.

Number Four – Give the Room a Fresh Coat of Paint

Give the room a fresh coat of paint, this will keep the walls looking new, add a fresh layer of protection and hide the marks that have appeared over the years. When painting the inside of your home, remember to choose a colour that matches the furniture, flooring and outside colour of the home. The three best colours to paint the inside of your home are: light pink, baby blue or cream.

Number Five – Paintings and Art Work

One of the best and most cost-effective ways to decorate your home is to move the existing items around in your home. Move paintings and artwork into different rooms and watch the room transform. Other items that you can move around in the home are: clocks, glassware, candle sticks and cabinets.

Giving your home a face-lift is easier to do that you think. Use these five tips to give your home a new and fresh look and feel. Remember to change your home every 3-6 months to ensure that you never get bored again.

I am Greg Jones: a gym lover, sports nut and DIY guy. I recently decided to give my home a facelift and these are five of the decorating tips I decided to try. My wife and I bought new homeware items to go with the painting and I feel as if we are living in a completely new home. Make the change and get excited to be at home.

5 Ways To Improve A Room On A Budget

Filed Under: Design

If you’re happier when you’re out of the house than when you’re in it, then don’t despair. Brightening up your home can be fun – and if you have a small budget, remember that making some small changes needn’t cost much at all. You may not be able to completely redecorate and invest in new furniture, but a little creativity and imagination can go a long way to improving any room.

Read on to find out how.

Clear that Clutter

Before you get started, have a good look around at what can be updated and what needs to be thrown away. Surveying a room with a critical eye will reveal what you are fed up with, and what can be made new again.

Update your Sofa

As one of the main features of a sitting room, a tired and worn out sofa can let the room down badly; even more so than a man lying around watching football. A really simple way to solve this is by updating it with a throw. If you want something more permanent, you might want to consider reupholstering it, or investing in new covers. This is far cheaper than buying a new one – and if you’re good at sewing you might even be able to make the covers yourself.

Decoration

A lick of paint can make a world of difference. If you have low ceilings, paint them a light colour in contrast to the walls to add height, or vice versa to make the room appear more intimate. You could also wallpaper a single wall which will interest and focus.

Accessorise

There are so many beautiful objects to be found that will make a room sing. Scour second hand shops and online auctions for things that will brighten up your home. An artfully placed beautiful vase of flowers on a table, a pretty rug, jolly cushions, a painting or a pouffe, will enhance your room and give it character. Don’t be afraid of choosing what you like, just make sure that what you buy complements the theme of your room.

Lighting

Clever lighting is essential for creating mood and atmosphere at night, while during the day, the addition of mirrors will increase natural light if placed opposite a window. Lighting can really spark your imagination – design beautiful lampshades by sewing beads onto plain ones, or create table lamps using upturned vases. Ideally, a soft glow using various types of lighting is far easier on the eye than a central ceiling light.

Flooring

Design magazines will tell you that a neutral carpet in a light colour will make the most of your space. But they have obviously never lived with children and pets. Instead, invest in rugs to cover over a boring carpet. A textured pattern won’t give away the fact that you haven’t vacuumed, and a vibrant colour will instantly uplift a room and add an immediate focus. If you are lucky enough to have old floorboards, these can be far more practical and beautiful than any carpet.  And if they’re not in a good state, painting them will cover any flaws.

Rob Rudd is a professional journalist who dabbles in DIY in his spare time.

The Importance of Decorating your House in 2013

Filed Under: Design

Home design is constantly developing. Every year a lot of new decorating ideas come about and we have the opportunity to draw inspiration from many innovative, smart tips to decorate the place where we live according to our exigencies.

As the trends change, home furniture is improved according to new interior design standards, so we can, for example, replace some cabinets with the latest model of combined furniture and experience a new way to live our living room. Every year is a very good occasion to plan a home decoration and it can be done efficiently just having a look at the latest design trends and tips.

This year too we can benefit from plenty of decorating ideas that can help us to decorate our home in an effective way. It’s important in order to not just make a random choice of the furniture.

Decorating your home is not about that. Home decoration is not only a matter of replacing an old piece of furniture with a new one. Planning your home decoration is an opportunity to decide how much you are going to enjoy your house environment. Pushing the furniture on the wall, for example, and put a table in the centre of the room, is just one of the thousands of ways to decorate the room and it might not be the most effective one.

Every home decoration project is aimed to determine the room atmosphere according to the latest design trends. In 2013 home decoration ideas are aimed to create an open feel. Spacious, light-filled rooms are gaining favour and can be effectively decorated with minimalist modern furniture, which is still on high demand and can be used to decorate every room in the house. This style of furniture is also a good match for small, cosy spaces and a very good idea to improve their look. According to the latest home decorating trends, small, compact rooms are becoming a frequent choice. Many opt for compact home offices. Corner furniture is an effective way to decorate small rooms and can be a very good solution for your home decoration in 2013.

The always enhancing design industry offer us every year a wide range of innovative and stylish solutions for our home decoration, all aimed to significantly improve the house environment in order to make it more functional and spacious. By following 2013 new design tips you can learn a new way of doing it.

West London painters and decorators from Decorwise provide tailored decorating services for home and business owners.