What is quartz vinyl?

This is a modern finishing material with a thickness of 2 to 4 mm, which has many advantages. Not only is it not inferior to ceramic tiles in terms of characteristics, but in many ways it surpasses them.

This video tells you more about quartz vinyl flooring:

Composition and structure of the coating

This material is environmentally friendly, because it consists of almost 70% quartz sand. The product consists of:

  • a polyurethane layer that provides resistance to abrasion;
  • a decorative coating, the pattern of which imitates various textures;
  • a base layer of polyvinyl chloride with quartz chips, which gives the product strength;
  • a layer of fiberglass, which increases the load-bearing capacity of the product;
  • a base layer of PVC, which ensures the adhesion of the tile to the floor.

structure of quartz vinyl tile

The photo clearly shows the structure of quartz vinyl floor film.

Pros and cons of tiles

Let’s consider the features of quartz vinyl flooring:

quartz vinyl tiles in the interior

What is better for the floor: quartz vinyl tiles or linoleum?

Linoleum is one of the most popular floor coverings in apartments and various institutions: it is affordable, easy to install, and easy to care for. It differs from quartz vinyl in several ways:

As you can see, quartz vinyl flooring is superior to linoleum in many ways.

dark quartz vinyl tile

Types and characteristics of tiles

When choosing quartz vinyl floor tiles, in addition to the design, there are a few more things to consider.

The shape and size of the elements depends on the taste preferences of the homeowner, and the technical parameters should be selected for residential, not industrial premises. In order not to overpay for the material, it is worth buying products of wear resistance classes 23–42 with an abrasion index of category “T”. In terms of fire resistance and smoke generation, the floor covering must meet categories G-2 and D-2, respectively.

By installation method, tiles are divided into three types:

  • Locking. When tiling the floor, the products are connected only to each other using the tongue and groove system. Its cost is quite high.
  • Adhesive. It is fixed with an acrylic-based adhesive. Recommended for rooms with high humidity and temperature changes.
  • Self-adhesive. Such products are already covered with adhesive on the back side, so they are much easier to lay.

quartz vinyl tile under the stone quartz vinyl tile in the dining room

What is the difference between quartz vinyl and PVC tiles, porcelain stoneware and laminate?

Let’s compare the characteristics of several floor coverings to determine the main differences between them:

  • PVC tile. It is also vinyl. Does not contain quartz sand, very flexible. The main disadvantage is unnaturalness.
  • Porcelain stoneware. Completely environmentally friendly material: hard and wear-resistant, but has a cold to the touch surface. In addition, grout is required for tiles or mosaics.
  • Laminate. Externally, it is very similar to quartz vinyl planks, but has less moisture resistance and impact resistance.

It is easy to notice that quartz vinyl flooring wins in many respects among other materials.

Quartz vinyl

Which tile to choose?

Vinyl quartz tiles come in three types:

  • square;
  • rectangular;
  • panels imitating parquet.

The choice depends on the style solution in the interior: will it be an imitation of porcelain stoneware, which gives the interior solidity, or wood, which invariably brings warmth and comfort of natural textures to the environment.

Ideas for the design and texture of quartz-vinyl tiles

Since there are no regulations for the dimensions of quartz-vinyl flooring, manufacturers offer different sizes of products.

The most common are square tiles with sizes from 30×30 to 60×60 cm. Usually imitates porcelain stoneware “under the stone”. It can also have a pattern of planks laid “under the parquet”. Such a floor in a living space always looks respectable.

Imitation marble

The photo shows a quartz vinyl floor imitating a tile with a marble pattern.

quartz vinyl tile imitating wood quartz vinyl tile imitating stone

Rectangular products from 12×14 to 95×18 cm reproduce the texture of wood or stone. They have a smooth or embossed texture, so they are not very different from their counterparts in appearance.

wood-effect quartz vinyl tile in the bedroom

The photo shows a bedroom with a floor covering that imitates natural wood.

Imitation of a wooden floor quartz vinyl tile

An original way of tiling the floor is the “herringbone” layout:

floor

Photo in the interior of the apartment

Thanks to its environmental friendliness, as well as high performance properties, high-quality quartz vinyl is appropriate in the bathroom, hallway, kitchen and even a child’s room.

Finishing in the bathroom and toilet

Quartz vinyl is an ideal coating for the bathroom. The products have water-repellent properties and are resistant to microorganisms. They convincingly imitate tiles, but unlike the icy surface of ceramics, quartz vinyl is much more pleasant to the touch.

Quartz vinyl on the walls and floor in the bathroom

The photo shows a bathroom in which both the floor and the walls are finished with quartz vinyl.

quartz vinyl tiles under porcelain tiles in the bathroom wood-effect quartz vinyl tile in the bathroom

Quartz vinyl, imitating aged boards, looks great in the bathroom interior.

aged floor in the bathroom quartz vinyl tile in the bathroom

Examples of kitchen tiles

In a room where people cook all the time, the floor often suffers, but quartz vinyl will withstand any tests: falling dishes, spilled water and all kinds of dirt.

quartz vinyl tile in the kitchen chess quartz vinyl tile

The photo shows glossy quartz vinyl tile imitating black and white granite.

quartz vinyl tile in the kitchen-dining room quartz vinyl tile in the kitchen

According to reviews from owners of quartz vinyl floors, the coating serves reliably for years even with careless handling: they tolerate spilled coloring drinks, are not scratched by furniture legs and do not deform from moisture.

Quartz vinyl in the kitchen

The photo shows a light kitchen in the Provence style with a floor imitating gray porcelain stoneware.

On the balcony

Quartz vinyl flooring is not afraid of either high or very low temperatures, so it is suitable for both open and closed balconies.

quartz vinyl tile on the balcony quartz vinyl tile on the balcony Balcony with quartz vinyl tile

The photo shows a balcony with a floor covered with UV-resistant quartz vinyl.

DIY tile laying

The technology of laying vinyl quartz should not cause difficulties if you do not neglect the rules and tips that will help you make repairs without mistakes.

General laying rules

The key to success when installation of quartz vinyl – a perfectly flat base. This can be:

  • concrete floor under cement screed;
  • polymer floor;
  • OSB boards;
  • chipboard with putty joints;
  • existing coverings that do not always require leveling: tiles, PVC tiles, porcelain tiles. The main thing is that the floor is level, durable, clean and dry.

No underlay is required for laying quartz vinyl.

Preparation for installation

Lock quartz vinyl tile Adhesive quartz vinyl tile

Tools

The following will be required for laying the floor Equipment:

  • A tool to draw a straight line: a level or a steel ruler.
  • A pencil.
  • A tape measure.
  • A stationery or construction knife for cutting products.
  • A white rubber mallet (only for adhesive quartz vinyl).
  • A fine-toothed spatula for dosing the glue.

Which glue is best to use for installation?

The choice of glue depends on the surface on which the quartz vinyl is laid: there are special adhesives for absorbent bases and non-absorbent bases.

Instructions for laying with a locking connection

Before starting work, the quartz vinyl must be stored at room temperature in a horizontal position for about a day. Products can be laid straight, in a pattern or diagonally.

  1. Prepare the floor: it should be clean and level.
  2. You can start installation either from the center of the room or from the wall.
  3. The tiles are connected to each other with end locks: to do this, you need to join the “tongue and groove” at an angle of 45 degrees until the gap disappears (the chamfer is not a gap).
  4. There is no need to knock down the covering to avoid damaging the locks.

Video on how to glue tiles to the floor?

To glue quartz vinyl to the base without errors, you should familiarize yourself with some of the subtleties that are covered in this video:

Care tips

After installation, you should wait two days before putting furniture in. The floor can be washed after 24 hours.

Vinegar is suitable for wet cleaning, which will gently clean the material and give it a shine. You can also use a soap solution. White spirit is suitable for removing stubborn stains.

Despite the resistance to mechanical damage, you should not use a hard metal brush for cleaning: it leaves micro-scratches on the floor.

quartz vinyl tile