RESILIENT TILE: VINYL TILE

Homogenous vinyl tile is most commonly used in decorative tile installations and is somewhat comparable to rubber tile.  It is fairly non-porous, but does not have as much filler as rubber, if any at all.  Calendered vinyl flooring is the counterpart of conventional inlaid linoleum, but the drying oils are replaced by vinyl resin and plasticizer.  Vinyl floors are extremely solvent resistant and produced in both tile and sheet goods.  Maintenance of vinyl floors should be with water emulsion coatings.

CAUTIONS

• Avoid excessive use of water.  Excessive water, especially hot water, will damage any coatings applied, and can penetrate between the tiles to the adhesive and cause a loosening of the adhesive and eventual warping of the floor tile.
• Avoid stripping.  Highly alkaline and solvent containing strippers damage vinyl tile.  A good maintenance program extends routine maintenance and reduces stripping frequency. 
• Avoid abrasives.  Certain decorative types of vinyl are relatively soft and can be permanently scratched by sand, grit, abrasive cleaners and overly agressive floor pads.