11 Feb Looking Natural
Luxury Vinyl Tile’s realistic patterning and glue-less installation boost demand despite uncertain “green” product attributes
A floor does not have to be natural to look natural. And the new natural looks of a number of luxury vinyl tile (LVT) brands – coupled with glue-less installation options — are noticeably boosting LVT sales.
Newer, self-locking installation systems do not require adhesives for installation, and replication improvements mean fabulous imitations of wood, ceramic and other patterns.
You don’t need adhesive to install these products. So the products much easier to install and repair, they are more indoor-air friendly, and they’re water-resistant, too.
In addition, LVT is commercially rated, affording the greatest durability and ease of maintenance, particularly when compared to hardwood or tile. And perhaps most attractive is that LVT is more affordable.
Most vinyl flooring products now have FloorScore Indoor Air Quality Certification. Top sellers at ProSource in Chatham Plank and Tahoe from Lodgi International. Many LVT products are now made with some recycled content. And while vinyl is inherently recyclable, most “green” proponents are not satisfied as there isn’t a united reclamation program in place.
Plasticizers, called phthalates, used in manufacturing vinyl, also have prompted criticism of vinyl flooring from the Center for Health and Environmental Justice, the U.S. Green Building Council and other groups because of potential health effects – endocrine disruption — if they leach from the product. If incinerated, vinyl also releases dioxin, a carcinogen. Some manufacturers, including Tarkett and DuChateau, have phased phthalates out of their production processes.
But these issues are not on the minds of many LVT customers who are looking for a durable, natural-looking floor that also is affordable. And depending on the look you are after, today’s realistic patterning can make LVT suitable for virtually any room in your home or business.
It is a popular choice for basements, entryways, kitchens and bathrooms, in addition to child daycare facilities, schools and assisted living communities.” ©
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