Rating of the best manufacturers of quartz-vinyl tiles for 2022

Today, quartz-vinyl tile (abbreviated as KVP) has become a very popular finishing material for flooring, due to its high strength properties. Initially, it had a slightly different scope, but in the modern world it is actively used in the arrangement of houses and apartments.

Manufacturing technology of quartz-vinyl tiles

This finishing material is rightfully recognized as ideal for flooring. This circumstance is expressed in the versatility of masonry, high-quality performance and the breadth of design applications. For the production of such products, ordinary quartz sand is used. Depending on the model produced, the sand content in the initial mixture can reach from 60 to 80%, and the rest will be various inclusions. These additional ingredients are needed to give the product special strength, unique style and other physical properties.

Usually, the entire KVP is divided into adhesive and castle. The first option is distinguished by the variability of design execution, and the second is less whimsical to the evenness of the base on which it will be laid. Characteristic for all types of tiles under consideration will be such properties as resistance to open fire, increased moisture protection, increased tensile strength. Individual impurities in the composition can increase the resistance to ultraviolet radiation and the ability to operate in extremely high ambient temperatures. Other impurities will help give the product a special tone and color, and generally create a special texture for the desired appearance. This can be achieved by adding polyurethane or metallized polish to the original composition. It is worth noting that inclusions in no way affect the strength of the final product - it will stably maintain a stable base.Some other ingredients may be responsible for enhancing sound or thermal insulation levels. Thus, a standard quartz-vinyl tile consists of 5-6 layers.

The composition of the tiles by layers:

1. The base layer is made of PVC and it is designed to provide the desired level of adhesion to the surface and the overall stability of the future floor covering (different adhesive bases are used in the process);
2. The next layer is made of fiberglass and is responsible for an increased level of resistance and overall surface reinforcement;
3. The third layer is the quartz-vinyl itself, which provides the required strength;
4. In the fourth layer, impurities are used that provide a decorative texture and the desired appearance;
5. The fifth layer is a protective film, with the help of which the durability of the decorative texture is achieved (usually these are materials that are similar to varnishes in their basis). It also provides UV protection.
6. The last layer is a fixing, provides resistance to various chemicals and is responsible for increasing the service life.

In the case of correct observance of all steps of the technological process, the output is an almost perfect product, which is distinguished by both strength and beauty. For castle types of KVP it is possible to skip the 2nd layer, while strengthening the 3rd one. Thus, in this technology, laying a specialized substrate is not required.

Existing varieties

KVP can be divided into types and species according to many criteria. However, the main criterion will remain the type of installation. According to this type, it is possible to distinguish 4 installation methods:

• On a self-adhesive basis - the most common method in which an adhesive base is applied to the bottom of the plate, which is covered with a special film.When installing, it is only necessary to remove the protective film and attach the tile element to the surface.
• On a mechanical lock - this method is somewhat reminiscent of installing a laminate, when the tiled elements are interconnected by inserting the lock parts into the grooves. This method also involves the easy replacement of individual elements without completely dismantling the entire coating.
• Adhesive-based - in this case, the user himself chooses the adhesive, applies it himself to the KVP element and glues it to the surface himself using a special tool.
• Free laying method - this option does not provide for any adhesive element (neither glue nor locks) - the tiled element is simply tightly stacked against each other.

In addition to the above gradation, quartz-vinyl tiles can also vary in wear resistance class:

• 21 - 31 (class) - the thinnest samples that require particularly meticulous work and careful handling during installation due to their fragility, and also differ in a detailed pattern that is quite easy to damage. Their average service life is one five years and they are used for bedrooms and living rooms.
• 31 - 33 (class) - these samples are used in rooms where a high traffic load is possible.
• 34 - 43 (class) - these samples are universal: they can be laid both in the kitchen in the apartment and in the office space with a massive presence of people.
• 44 (class) - these samples are distinguished by increased thickness and they usually have an anti-slip coating. The scope of their application is gyms and large shopping centers, as well as industrial premises.

Form factor and dimensions

As a rule, factory models of quartz-vinyl tiles are available in three variations:

• A standard square with side dimensions from 30 to 60 centimeters is intended for end-to-end installation, ensuring the unity of the entire mounted area.
• Various rectangular shapes, which are selected depending on the size and shape of the premises where the KVP will be installed. Typical dimensions encountered with this option are 60x30 cm and 90x15 cm. A small displacement factor is allowed during installation.
• Imitation of laminate - this option is a large tiled elements measuring 122x18 centimeters, which, when laying, can be displaced by as much as half or a third. The thickness of such a KVP can reach 5.5 millimeters.

Pros and cons of quartz-vinyl tiles

Initially, KVP was conceived as a tile for arranging industrial premises in industry, so a high tensile strength was set for it. Subsequently, when quartz-vinyl tiles began to be used for domestic needs, a need was discovered to add aesthetic qualities and universality conditions to its properties. This is where some of the advantages and disadvantages of the modern KVP appeared.

The main plus factor is the long service life of such a floor covering. When used in rooms that are not burdened with high human traffic, the tile almost does not wear out. In these circumstances, an important role is played by the factor that it was originally designed not only to withstand a large flow of people, but also to move various heavy loads and objects along it, up to small self-propelled vehicles.At the same time, if individual elements are damaged, their replacement should not cause any particular difficulties for the user - the entire operation can be carried out independently, without the involvement of third-party specialists or the use of specialized tools.

The next considerable advantage can be called high resistance to the environment, for example, interaction with moisture or operation in conditions of high humidity. At the same time, it is worth remembering the impact of high temperatures - quartz does not burn in fire, and when heated, it does not emit corrosive toxic or dangerous substances for human breathing. From this it can be seen that the use of such a coating on objects where cases of flooding / fire are possible is more than justified.

Another important addition is the high soundproofing properties. This feature makes it possible not to use additional materials in the finishing process to reduce the propagation of sound waves, and hence there is a clear saving on building materials. The standard absorbed power of the STOL is about 19 decibels, which guarantees a comfortable coexistence of the user with neighbors.

And the last plus is the variability of design solutions. The quartz vinyl tile product is available in the market in various shapes, colors and patterns. Therefore, it will not be difficult for a competent interior designer to choose an exclusive solution for any room with the help of such tiles. Here it is necessary to mention that the price offered on the market is more than acceptable, and taking into account the long service life, the resulting finish will be fully justified.

The negative properties of quartz-vinyl products include the fact that they are quite whimsical to the untreated surfaces on which they need to be mounted.Installation on a surface devoid of pouring a screed for leveling, which does not have an additional waterproofing layer, will subsequently result in a loss of heat-saving properties or soundproofing. In addition, the lack of proper surface treatment will reduce the service life of the coating itself.

Some features of the installation work using quartz-vinyl elements

Almost any type of tile (lock, adhesive, self-adhesive) is suitable for equipping rooms in which a standard load on the coating is expected. But for the equipment of the hallways (especially their parts that can go outside, that is, to the street), it is better to use the “imitation under the laminate” option. Most professional installers prefer this type due to the fact that locking grooves are used for coupling between elements, and indeed this method provides for the possibility of some deviations from the norm. Moreover, the thickness of samples imitating a laminate of 5.5 millimeters is quite enough for a hard and reliable coating. In some cases, it is possible to increase adhesion both to the surface and between the parts of the tile with the help of glue (this will be justified for the outdoor part of the coating). At the same time, it is worth choosing a universal and modern adhesive composition, which will be little susceptible to destruction when exposed to weather conditions. Here, the best choice would be acrylic or rubber-based glue.

Regarding trimming the corners - all such manipulations must be carried out in advance, that is, before the installation begins. In the course of work, all excess of protruding adhesive must be removed immediately before it is completely dry.Professionals recommend outdoor work at a humidity threshold not exceeding six percent in order to be sure of the reliability of the hitch. However, for each type of tile, special conditions may be imposed in this regard, as the manufacturer indicates information in the instructions.

IMPORTANT! It is worth remembering that quartz-vinyl tiles practically do not expand when interacting with moisture, so there is no need to leave any gaps between the tile element and the walls.

Proper care of quartz-vinyl coating

The tile in question has another positive quality - it does not require any special care. Tiles can be washed with almost any aggressive "chemistry", use hard brushes on a vacuum cleaner, or use an industrial broom - the risk of scratches is minimal, and caustic stains can be freely removed with an iron sponge. And even if a separate part of the coating still managed to be damaged, it can always be replaced with a new one separately, without parsing the entire floor.

Difficulties of choice

The main parameters that you should focus on when choosing a tile will be:

• Dimensions and dimensions;
• Manufacturer;
• The complexity of the design;
• Durability of service life.

At the moment, the most popular and, accordingly, cheaper are KVP elements with a thickness of 1.6 to 3.2 millimeters, with a length-to-width ratio of 60 to 30 centimeters. Such models are considered the simplest in terms of installation. However, they do not often have additional ornament or background, rather they are designed in a neutral style.

A variety of backgrounds, colors and patterns is present in more expensive tile samples that have a non-standard shape (rectangle or even triangle) and are directly intended for the implementation of exclusive design projects. It is necessary to select such a tile in tandem with a person who will directly deal with its installation. Practice shows that it will be difficult for an unprepared user to lay down a design option. Moreover, in most individual projects, the KVP-tile will have to be cut into its component parts.

Popular manufacturers

When choosing a quartz-vinyl tile, special attention should be paid to the brand manufacturer. Below, the most popular manufacturers in the vastness of the Russian Federation are considered.

TILE - a brand originally from the Republic of South Korea, which specializes in the production of products with increased wear resistance. Their products are distinguished by an affordable price, however, they do not shine with textured variety. To the useful properties of this Korean product, you can add the presence of antifungal inclusions in the composition, which makes this tile ideal for use in rooms where special cleanliness conditions are required (medical institutions, laboratories, etc.). Despite its Asian origin, the product fully complies with European standards.

DECORIA - the products of this manufacturer are distinguished by their versatility. It has increased adhesion properties, therefore it is suitable not only for flooring equipment, but even for wall decoration over large areas. An important feature is the presence of domestic certificates for goods in addition to European ones.

VINILAM - this company has occupied its niche in the Russian market thanks to a wide range of samples. They can find any models - from the simplest to models of non-standard shape and with a designer pattern. However, the prices for the entire product line are rather rather big.

ALPINE - This manufacturer is more focused on the consumer from the industrial community. Its products are characterized by increased durability at the expense of aesthetic solutions. The company is extremely concerned about the end user, so installation instructions are very detailed.

TARKETT is a true leader in the price/quality ratio segment. Its products are designed for coating equipment in any premises, while it is distinguished by a special environmental cleanliness. The choice of textures and background colors is wide, but not huge. Therefore, when choosing a colored tile, you should purchase it with a margin, because due to the speed of updating model lines, there is a risk that such products will no longer be produced.

FINEFLOOR - European (Belgium) manufacturer, which focused its products on enhancing its thermal and sound insulation properties. Thanks to some secret ingredients, Belgian tile flooring has a slightly springy effect. Otherwise, we can note the versatility of the scope and wear resistance.

Rating of the best samples of quartz-vinyl tiles for 2022

Grades 23-31

2nd Place: Vivo (Colorado Oak)

Designed for use in domestic premises, calmly tolerates high humidity. The scope of delivery is quite capacious and consists of eight elements. Products are accompanied by detailed instructions and are certified according to European standards.

• Completeness of the set;
• Connection method - without adhesive base;
• Resistant to high humidity.

• High price;
• Limited color choice.

1st place: Decoria Mild Tile JW 051

This model has inclusions of natural stone. The entire line is distinguished by the variability of color design. In the production, the Nano Silver technology is used, which improves the antibacterial properties of the coating, at the same time forming resistance to ultraviolet radiation.

• Excellent value for money;
• Increased completeness of the set;
• Application of innovative technologies.

• It is available only in the option of mounting on an adhesive basis.

Grades 32-42

2nd place: Alpine Floor Ultra ECO 5-23

This model is recommended for installation in rooms with an average load of human traffic. It is adapted for operation in the conditions of the increased humidity. It is extremely unpretentious to the surface of the placement base - even installation on a plank base with some height differences is allowed. Mounted with external adhesive.

• Not afraid of moisture;
• Can be used on non-flowing screed;
• Successfully resists fading.

• Little variation in patterns.

1st Place: Tarkett New Age Space

This KVP-element is distinguished by an environmentally friendly composition of the material (using New Age technology), which is characterized by absolute water resistance. The 33rd strength class allows you to equip this model with both hallways (with access to the street), as well as swimming pools and bathrooms. The pattern is stylized as a granite crumb. The declared service life is 15 years.

• Ecological certificate "Leaf of Life";
• Democratic price;
• Variety of shapes and textures.

• Not found

Class 43

2nd place: Alpine Floor Easy Line ECO 3-23

This tile has the highest wear resistance class 43, which is achieved by increasing the protective coating by 0.5 mm. It is recommended for use both at home and at work in premises with increased human traffic. Excellent cleaning properties with various abrasive substances, extremely resistant to scratches.

• Available in adhesive and self-adhesive versions;
• Wide scope;
• It tolerates high humidity very well.

• Extremely intolerant of high ambient temperatures (maximum operating limit +27 degrees Celsius).

1st place: Gerflor CREATION 70 Marutea

Universal sample of increased wear resistance class (43). Thanks to the extended linear range, it is possible to choose a pattern both for a design solution and in a strict texture. Extremely resistant to various kinds of mechanical damage, perfectly interacts with abrasive substances. Mounted with an external adhesive base.

• Comparatively low price for the offered multifunctionality;
• Variation of patterns;
• Increased wear resistance.

• Not found (for its segment).

Instead of an epilogue

The analysis of the market for quartz-vinyl products shows that it is possible to purchase them in any way without fear of being deceived. In most cases, both Internet sites and retail construction networks offer only high-quality domestic or Western designs. The variety of models presented is so wide that it will not be difficult to choose the right option. Particularly pleasing is the fact that products began to appear on the Russian market, the installation of which can be carried out in two or more ways. Separately, it is worth noting that the material in question is distinguished by extremely affordable prices.