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What is LVT?

January, 2022

In our latest blog we answer what is LVT?

LVT is one of those great acronyms that describe exactly what the product is. Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring is made from multiple layers of PVC with an embossed top surface often designed to look like natural wood, ceramic or stone, complete with a durable non-scratch finish.

LVT flooring is an exceptional choice as it replicates the look of natural materials, will provide hardwearing performance for many years, can be fitted to any base surface and is quick to install and cost-effective. If you’re sticking to a budget and are pressed for time, LVT makes sense for commercial and residential builds and refurbs.

Multilayered flooring – just what is LVT?
 
Luxury Vinyl Tiles are comprised of several layers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other synthetic compounds. In the manufacturing process, sheets of PVC suspended in liquid are compressed by a rolling process before being heated and air-dried to produce a toughened material.

Most types of LVT flooring will have at least five layers. Base layers are reinforced with a glass fibre reinforcement layer. Upon the middle layers sits an embossed printed film layer before a clear protective layer that’s treated with a PU or PUR coating for hardness.

PU is a lightweight version of polyurethane that provides a protective coating to the flooring. PUR flooring adds an extra treatment and curing under UV light for added toughness.

LVT as a commercial flooring solution
 
Luxury Vinyl Tiles benefit from high density and strength, meaning they can be manufactured to relatively thin dimensions – as flooring goes. For example, LVT tiles are at least twice as strong as those made from high-density fibreboard (HDF). That means 4mm thick LVT flooring is stronger than its 8mm thick HDF equivalent.

As a commercial flooring option, this flooring type is very popular. LVT is an economical choice and can be very quickly installed in large areas, especially looselay LVT. It performs exceptionally in high-traffic areas and requires very little maintenance. Because it stands up so well to footfall or scraping furniture, and all manner of use including spills and mess, Luxury Vinyl Tiles are often specified for business premises. For more details on the advantages see our blog on the benefits of LVT.

It is also a good option where water can be involved, for example in bathrooms and kitchens. Moreover, for commercial premises, it is a practical choice for healthcare settings such as dentists and doctors, and for other businesses such as hairdressers, beauty salons and hospitality locations.

To find out more about the Luxury Vinyl Tile options that Duraflor can provide, contact our team today.

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