The simplest way to define Vinyl tiles is to describe them as PVC sheet flooring meant to serve as less expensive alternatives to regular tiles. But don’t be put off by their practicality: They are quite durable and easy to maintain and replace. They are also as versatile as tiles meaning that they can come in as many patterns and designs as regular tiles.

SHEET VINYL

This is the common Vinyl flooring application that is made in sheet, plank or tile form. It is made out of very thin PVC Plastic backed by fiberglass or felt and covered with a printed design and a transparent wear layer. It is relatively cheap and requires adhesive to install. While this means that they are low-maintenance, they are unfortunately:

  • Easy to damage. They are easy to cut, scratch or burn. Simply dragging a chair may damage these.
  • Hard to replace – you have to replace the entire sheet or ensure that the entire plank or tile is completely removed and their undersides completely level and cleaned before attaching new tiles/planks.

LUXURY VINYL PLANKS OR TILES 

What are Vinyl Tiles, LVT, LVP & SPC

LVTs from APO Floors’ Stone, Carpet & Wood series

Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl TIles (LVT) are essentially Vinyl sheets cut into tile or plank form. This makes them easier to use and more versatile than Vinyl Sheets.  These are far more durable than your common Vinyl Sheets. Most LVPs and LVT’s come with interlocking tongues and grooves which means that – you don’t really need adhesive to install these tiles. But it is recommended that you use adhesive for extremely high-traffic areas.  LVPs or LVTs need only a mild adhesive or double sided adhesive to the perimeter. We call this loose-laying.  It also makes replacing damaged tiles much easier.

It is possible to apply adhesives though to LVPs and LVTs and in some cases where the interlocking technology does not exist, you have to.

However, LVPs and LVT’s will allow moisture through the small gaps between the tiles. We recommended that you include a thin layer of insulation between the floor and the tiles to prevent the growth of mold.

STONE PLASTIC COMPOSITES.

What are Vinyl Tiles, LVT, LVP & SPC?

This is how malleable a LVP tile is

What are Vinyl Tiles, LVT, LVP & SPC?

Here we see how rigid an SPC tile is.

Stone Plastic Composites incorporate a sturdy solid core giving the Vinyl plank a rigid structure. They are thicker, sturdier and harder to damage than regular LVTs/LVPs.

Yes you can bond them to the floor, but unlike typical Vinyl sheets or planks/boards, they will never reveal how uneven or bumpy the floor in underneath. You can also opt to loose lay them.

What are Vinyl Tiles, LVT, LVP & SPC?

The underside of an SPC Vinyl Tile

What are Vinyl Tiles, LVT, LVP & SPC?

These are the Floormate SPC wood patterns/colors available currently at MC Home Depot courtesy of Henry Tiles

MC Home Depot also has tenants who carry Vinyl tiles and: