Vinyl plank flooring

Floor covering adds character to the interior of a room. Besides being decorative, it must be easy to maintain and resistant to wear. PVC floor planks can meet all these criteria at the same time.

Before acquiring a covering, it is important to pay attention to the usage class of the planks in question. Indeed, manufacturers classify floor coverings according to the thickness of the wear layer applied over the surface of the planks. This figure can vary from 0.15 mm to 0.70 mm. This protective layer determines the resistance of the PVC planks. Thus, it is possible to distinguish about ten usage classes referenced by 2 digits:

- the first digit corresponds to the type of space that will receive the PVC floor plank. The number 2 corresponds to domestic use, 3 to commercial use, 4 to industrial use;

- the second digit indicates the intensity of traffic that the PVC floor covering will undergo. The number 1 represents moderate traffic, 2 means medium traffic, 3 high traffic, and 4 very intense traffic.

Thus, a PVC floor plank of class 23 is suitable for use in a household in an area of intense passage.

As for installation, several systems can be distinguished including:

- glue-down planks which have a thickness of 2 to 2.5 mm at most. They are installed using a special glue for PVC starting from a corner of the room. If cutting is necessary, simply use a utility knife;

- self-laying PVC planks with a thickness of about 4 mm. They are unique because they are removably glued to their support using a “tacky glue”;

- self-adhesive planks whose glue is directly applied to the back of the planks and protected by a paper film. Before laying, simply remove this protective film;

- click planks which have an average thickness of 5 mm. Installation requires no glue. However, it is recommended to apply an underlay to the support beforehand;

In short, PVC floor planks are easy to install provided you follow the installation instructions and the manufacturer's recommendations. In case of doubt, it is advisable to call in a professional to avoid losing the warranty.