B03B - MATERIAL GUIDES - SELECTION
B03B-1 General & Technical Information
B03B-2 Resilient flooring selection and usage
B03B-3 Resilient flooring
B03B-4 Resilient flooring types
B03B-5 Selection issues
B03B-2 Resilient flooring selection and usage
B03B-3 Resilient flooring
B03B-4 Resilient flooring types
B03B-5 Selection issues
Preface:
This study guide covers the selection and usage of resilient flooring. Specifiers and/or persons selecting such products should verify all facts relative to the particular project requirements.
1 • GENERAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
.01 Resilient flooring manufacturers and suppliers have samples as well as technical information on their products available to the design authority. Some caution should be exercised in reviewing this material so that any one flooring type can be fairly compared to another. This involves careful scrutiny of the material specifications and test data.
.02 Technical information regarding installation methods is also available from resilient flooring manufacturers and suppliers in regard to their specific products. General information on product installation is also available to a degree, from Provincial Floor Covering Associations.
This study guide covers the selection and usage of resilient flooring. Specifiers and/or persons selecting such products should verify all facts relative to the particular project requirements.
1 • GENERAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
.01 Resilient flooring manufacturers and suppliers have samples as well as technical information on their products available to the design authority. Some caution should be exercised in reviewing this material so that any one flooring type can be fairly compared to another. This involves careful scrutiny of the material specifications and test data.
.02 Technical information regarding installation methods is also available from resilient flooring manufacturers and suppliers in regard to their specific products. General information on product installation is also available to a degree, from Provincial Floor Covering Associations.
2 • RESILIENT FLOORING SELECTION AND USAGE
.01 Resilient flooring is manufactured from a variety of synthetic and natural materials and is produced in various shapes and sizes including sheet, tile, and plank form.
.02 Because of its performance attributes, durability, aesthetic appeal, comfort under foot, and cost effectiveness, resilient flooring is used in a wide range of commercial and residential applications. The ease of cleaning and removing of spills as well as its overall moisture and stain resistance are also contributing reasons why many end users select resilient flooring for use. In many cases, resilient flooring offers a cost effective, durable and long lasting floor surface, and one that is easily cleaned, disinfected, and maintained, providing significant advantages over other types of flooring such as ceramic, carpet, hardwood, and laminate flooring. Each type of resilient flooring, however, must be reviewed in regard to its substrate, usage, and specific performance requirements.
.01 Resilient flooring is manufactured from a variety of synthetic and natural materials and is produced in various shapes and sizes including sheet, tile, and plank form.
.02 Because of its performance attributes, durability, aesthetic appeal, comfort under foot, and cost effectiveness, resilient flooring is used in a wide range of commercial and residential applications. The ease of cleaning and removing of spills as well as its overall moisture and stain resistance are also contributing reasons why many end users select resilient flooring for use. In many cases, resilient flooring offers a cost effective, durable and long lasting floor surface, and one that is easily cleaned, disinfected, and maintained, providing significant advantages over other types of flooring such as ceramic, carpet, hardwood, and laminate flooring. Each type of resilient flooring, however, must be reviewed in regard to its substrate, usage, and specific performance requirements.
|
|
.03 Resilient flooring has long been the most popular flooring used in educational and health care facilities, laboratories, clean rooms, computer rooms, lavatories, super markets, drug stores, spas, dormitories, libraries, and restaurants because of its performance, durability, and aesthetic appeal. In residential construction, resilient flooring is commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and family rooms and increasingly in other areas where rugs are used in conjunction with resilient flooring.
.04 The use of resilient flooring also aids in areas occupied by hypersensitive persons, because it can be easily cleaned and does not tend to trap dust, which when combined with moisture, can produce microbial contamination.
.05 Because of its availability in a wide range of colours and designs, resilient flooring offers the designer a choice in complimenting surrounding finishes and an opportunity to create a design statement. Before choosing any resilient product however the design authority must be aware of the basic differences between the various types of resilient flooring materials available.
.04 The use of resilient flooring also aids in areas occupied by hypersensitive persons, because it can be easily cleaned and does not tend to trap dust, which when combined with moisture, can produce microbial contamination.
.05 Because of its availability in a wide range of colours and designs, resilient flooring offers the designer a choice in complimenting surrounding finishes and an opportunity to create a design statement. Before choosing any resilient product however the design authority must be aware of the basic differences between the various types of resilient flooring materials available.
|
|
.06 If the Owner desires resilient flooring with a high gloss finish careful attention must be paid to substrate preparation and cleaning, as this type of finish will highlight any substrate deficiencies and materials left on the substrate surface.
3 • RESILIENT FLOORING
.01 Forms: Resilient flooring is available in three different forms: sheet, tile, and plank.
.01 Forms: Resilient flooring is available in three different forms: sheet, tile, and plank.
- Sheet Flooring: This is the most widely manufactured form of resilient (linoleum, vinyl, and rubber) flooring available and comes in a number of standard widths. The advantage of sheet flooring is that it can be installed in large and/or in continuous pieces with few seams. This has the added benefit of improved appearance and sanitation. In most cases this may be advantageous over flooring in tile form. Sheet flooring is seamed using heat welding with vinyl rods (the flooring joints are butted and "V" grooved and then fused together by melting the rod which is then shaved flush) or by chemical bonding (the flooring is butted with the edges chemically bonded using special adhesives or chemicals). Heat-welded joints are advantageous in that they result in a "fully" fused bonded flooring with flush aseptic seams that resist the penetration of dirt and moisture. Where solid colour welding rods blend in with the flooring, different / multi-coloured rods may be used to enhance the overall visual appearance and create design accents. Most sheet vinyl floors can also be flash-coved to form a wall base integral with the flooring. This further improves appearance, ease of maintenance, and sanitation.
- Tile Flooring: This form of flooring, depending on the type of tile selected (vinyl composition, solid vinyl, linoleum, or rubber) is usually the most economical type of flooring to install. Resilient tile is available in a wide range of colours (from neutrals to vivid accent colours) and in a great variety of patterns and textures (such as traditional "chip" patterns to stone-like tiles). This results in a variety of tile "collections" that can be used in design combinations both within a manufacturer's line and across product lines to create almost unlimited design possibilities.
- Plank Flooring: This is a relatively new innovation in resilient flooring and the result of consumer demand. This type of flooring may be available in various widths and in some cases laminated to a backing. Consult with resilient flooring manufacturers for types and patterns available.
4 • RESILIENT FLOORING TYPES
.01 Types: There are a number of types of resilient flooring: linoleum, vinyl, rubber, cork (a wood flooring product) and resin (a stone and resin mixture) each of which are available in sheet and tile, and to a limited degree in plank form.
The above noted types of flooring fall into common categories: linoleum sheet and tile flooring, vinyl sheet and tile flooring including vinyl composition and solid vinyl tile, rubber flooring, cork tile and sheet flooring, and specialty flooring such as slip-resistant and static dissipative flooring, sports flooring, and resin tile flooring.
.01 Types: There are a number of types of resilient flooring: linoleum, vinyl, rubber, cork (a wood flooring product) and resin (a stone and resin mixture) each of which are available in sheet and tile, and to a limited degree in plank form.
The above noted types of flooring fall into common categories: linoleum sheet and tile flooring, vinyl sheet and tile flooring including vinyl composition and solid vinyl tile, rubber flooring, cork tile and sheet flooring, and specialty flooring such as slip-resistant and static dissipative flooring, sports flooring, and resin tile flooring.
- Linoleum Flooring: This type of flooring is manufactured from renewable natural materials as noted above and is thus considered to be the "greenest" flooring product for use in both residential and commercial applications. Linoleum is available in both sheet and tile form and comes in a wide variety of marbled and blended patterns and mixed and solid colours. This flooring is produced in a number of thicknesses to suit residential and heavy commercial / institutional use. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, linoleum has, with proper care and maintenance, a long lifecycle and is biodegradable when disposed of. This type of flooring is not recommended for installation in wet areas (e.g. bathrooms) and requires waxing and periodic stripping to maintain its appearance.
- Vinyl Flooring: This type of flooring is manufactured from thoroughly blended polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, colour pigments, stabilizers and fillers and is produced in a number of basic forms to suit different requirements each available in a number of textures, pattern designs and in a wide range of colours.
|
- Homogenous vinyl flooring: This type of vinyl flooring is the most durable of resilient sheet flooring materials. The most common types feature a solid vinyl, non-layered construction, with pattern and colour extending throughout the entire thickness. Homogeneous floors are frequently used in health care facilities in such demanding areas as operating rooms, cast rooms, dialysis, emergency, and constant care areas, and are now finding use in many schools and in industrial clean rooms and laboratories. This type of flooring features superior resistance to stains and indentation, and has excellent recovery from both dynamic loads, such as rolling casters, and static loads. A number of vinyl sheet floors also feature a protective urethane finish that reduces initial and ongoing maintenance and increases scuff resistance.
- Heterogeneous vinyl flooring:
|
This type of flooring features a layered structure that offers the benefit of beautiful designs protected by a tough, high-performance, easy-to-maintain wear layer. This construction allows the use of wood graining and colours to create warm, inviting interiors for use in assisted living and healthcare facilities. A marbleized visual reminiscent of classic linoleum is also available in this type of sheet flooring.
|
- Inlaid vinyl flooring: This type of sheet flooring (an industry standard for general commercial use since 1959) features an inlaid wear layer comprised of vinyl chips that provide colour and pattern, and go all the way to the backing. The floor's flexible felt backing dissipates moisture for installation versatility. Visuals offered in this type of flooring range from a textile-like, small-scale look, to a contemporary look with jewel tone accents.
Rubber Flooring:
|
This type of flooring is manufactured from synthetic and/or natural
rubber in combination with fillers and pigments to the full thickness.
Both tile and sheet goods available and in a variety of colours,
thickness and sizes and with smooth, textured, or profiled surfaces that
include raised diamond, square, rectangular, and stud shapes.
|
Cork Flooring:
|
This type of resilient "wood" flooring is manufactured from granulated bark of the cork oak tree. Granules are sorted for uniformity and compressed under heat and pressure into slabs, then cut and finished into various sizes and gauges. Cork tile is available in planks, various parquetry's or other sizes in single layer or with an attached backing. Tiles are generally factory pre-finished or may be finished on site. Refer to Part F for additional information on cork flooring.
|
Terrazzo Tile Flooring:
This type of flooring is composed of a blend of genuine onyx, marble, or granite chips that are precision ground and polished to a high lustre and inlaid in a resilient flexible thermoset resin matrix and then factory sealed. The material is provided in thin (3 mm (1/8" and 4.7 mm (3/16") thick x typically 300 mm (12") square tile form.
5 • SELECTION ISSUES
.01 When choosing tile flooring in high traffic areas (especially in commercial and institutional applications) it is recommended that a solid or homogenous flooring (i.e. one with the colour and pattern extending uniformly throughout the thickness) be selected. This will ensure that wear in high-traffic areas will not result in the creation of obvious traffic lanes. In addition, to ensure a uniform colour, pattern, and graining throughout the floor area, tile from the same production run should be specified / selected.
.02 The choice of "green" flooring products such as rubber, cork, and bamboo over vinyl sheet or tile flooring has become an issue in regard to LEED requirements. In defence of vinyl flooring the following points need to be considered:
.01 When choosing tile flooring in high traffic areas (especially in commercial and institutional applications) it is recommended that a solid or homogenous flooring (i.e. one with the colour and pattern extending uniformly throughout the thickness) be selected. This will ensure that wear in high-traffic areas will not result in the creation of obvious traffic lanes. In addition, to ensure a uniform colour, pattern, and graining throughout the floor area, tile from the same production run should be specified / selected.
.02 The choice of "green" flooring products such as rubber, cork, and bamboo over vinyl sheet or tile flooring has become an issue in regard to LEED requirements. In defence of vinyl flooring the following points need to be considered:
- Manufacturing:
|
The manufacturing process for vinyl flooring poses minimal risk to workers and the environment. Plasticizers used to make vinyl flooring flexible have been thoroughly researched and tested, and there is no evidence of adverse human health effects when properly used in vinyl flooring. In fact, one of the same plasticizers used in flooring has been used successfully used in vinyl medical products for more than 40 years.
|
- Energy Efficiency: Because of its durability, most vinyl flooring does not have to be replaced as often as many other types of flooring. This durability is a significant benefit for the environment because less energy and other resources are used to make and install new floors.
- Resource Conservation: Both environmentally and economically, VCT outperforms two other flooring products - linoleum and recycled-content ceramic tile - based on the criteria developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology's Building for Environment and Economic Sustainability (BEES) lifecycle assessment model. These criteria include indoor air quality (IAQ), solid waste, acid rain, global warming, and natural resource depletion. The BEES model for evaluating building products is being used by architects, builders, contractors, and other specifiers to select products with reduced environmental impact.
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Vinyl flooring, when installed as recommended, has minimal long-term impact on indoor air quality.
- Recycling and Disposal Issues: During the vinyl flooring manufacturing process, especially for vinyl composition tile, most of the scrap is recycled for use in the finished product. In addition, some vinyl flooring manufacturers produce products made with recycled vinyl content. This material can be both post-consumer (i.e., material that's been used for its intended purpose and is being recovered for recycling) and post-industrial (the scrap left over from a product manufacturing process). This material represents many tons of vinyl scrap per year that would otherwise go to a landfill. In addition, some manufacturers now have a reclamation program for reuse of vinyl flooring scraps from flooring installations.
- Biodegradability: Because vinyl is an essentially an inert material vinyl flooring can be disposed of in landfills without posing special problems. In addition, no special handling is required during removal or disposal.
- LEED Credits: Refer to Part A09 - Environmental Issues (page 3).
.03 Specifying Resilient Flooring:
- Specifying resilient flooring informs the manufacturer / supplier and flooring contractor what type of flooring material, performance, and installation is required in exact terms. Due diligence and a correct and clearly written specification is necessary to obtain the required results. This should be done by a design professional who clearly understands the specification writing process including the use of correct section and page formats and content.
- Some things that must be considered are:
- Room / area usage and amount of traffic the area will be subjected to.
- Required performance and durability.
- Desired aesthetics.
- Special and interface conditions.
- Choices within budget available.
- Substrate conditions and requirements.
- Having selected an appropriate material, the next step is to precisely define these elements in a specification. This also requires knowledge of basic construction and how various elements, such as the type of substrate and area usage will influence a resilient flooring's final performance. The specifier must also be aware of established Code and industry standards, and where applicable, incorporate these within the specification as well. The specification should also be written in such a manner that it allows for the consideration of equivalent products from competing manufacturers ensuring that the materials conform to specification requirements.
- Reminder: Where resilient flooring with a high gloss finish is required by the Owner ensure that careful attention is paid to substrate preparation and cleaning requirements in appropriate specification sections (including Structural) as this type of finish will highlight any deficiencies of the substrate surfaces.
.04 Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware):
- To alleviate problems resulting from the improper selection and/or installation of resilient flooring, it is the Consumer's responsibility to be properly informed. Both the design professional and resilient flooring dealers also have an obligation to inform the consumer of the pertinent facts in choosing a resilient flooring system.
- One way to be assured of receiving quality floor coverings and a professional installation is to deal with reputable and knowledgeable firms who will charge a fair and reasonable price for all materials and installation services. Firms that are proud to provide a quality installation are aware that by doing so they have created one more satisfied customer who will return to purchase again or one who will recommend them to others.