Vinyl is an extremely durable material – hence vinyl flooring's popularity in kitchens and bathrooms up and down the country.
Less, however, is known about how vinyl flooring is actually made though.
Like other types of flooring (such as laminate), vinyl is made up of three layers. A core layer is manufactured from felt or fiberglass and gives the material its toughness.
Patterns are printed onto a level known as the decorative layer; this allows the material to, in-effect, mimic the texture and finishes of many high-end materials such as solid wood and granite.
Typically, a printing process, known as rotogravure, is employed for its versatility in recreating textures. A rotary press, loaded with photo-engraved plates, allows manufacturers to get the look of various types of stone as well as complex patterns.
A final wear layer is applied to ensure that the decorative layer remains intact, protecting it against the damage general everyday wear and tear causes.
The wear layer is generally about 10mm thick – though as logic suggests, the thicker the wear layer, the more durable the vinyl flooring is going to be.
In some cases colouring or coloured vinyl chips will be added to this final layer for aesthetic value – giving the floor a much greater appearance of depth.
The latest flooring news, courtesy of Floors Online.
Date : 01/09/2011
Category: Flooring Industry News