Warm floors come in water and electric types. The systems were originally developed to heat cold ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles, but the technology has been so successful that it has spread to other floor coverings. Any heated floor can be used in conjunction with all types of PVC tiles, however, most manufacturers impose restrictions on the surface heating temperature (28°C). There are also some features of operating infrared systems.
The information in the article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute instructions . Before laying floor coverings on heated floors, we strongly recommend that you clarify all the details with the seller. Laying any coatings other than ceramic tiles on a warm floor carries certain risks that can be avoided or at least be able to take advantage of an official guarantee if you follow the manufacturers' recommendations.
What is quartz vinyl laminate
The uniqueness of the finishing floor covering lies in its versatility. Quartz laminate is often confused with vinyl tile. The difference in names lies in the form, composition and installation features.
The material has a complex multilayer structure. Each layer performs a specific function and also has different thermal conductivity. The coating class is determined by the thickness of the main and top layers.
Structure and composition of quartz vinyl laminate:
- SPC is the main stone-polymer layer.
Consists of extruded ground stone and vinyl. SPC (stone polymer composite) is the base layer of the product. The composition contains more than 75% natural stone, which provides the coating with hardness, high wear resistance, good thermal conductivity and fire safety. Virgin vinyl performs the function of binding stone chips into a single sheet. Layer density 2000 kg per m³ (identical to the strongest concrete). - Decorative layer.
Made from photo texture with the highest resolution. Most often it imitates natural wood and natural stone in a wide range of colors. - PVC – protective vinyl layer.
Provides durability and wear protection. The class of the product and the permissible load (from 0.2 to 1 mm) depend on its thickness. Thanks to this layer, the coating can be subjected to high loads and used in commercial premises and places with high humidity. - PU varnish is the top protective layer.
High-strength polyurethane varnish gives the surface an even matte shade and protects the coating from UV rays.
All layers are reliably connected to each other using hot pressing. The components are primary, absolutely resistant to moisture, have good thermal conductivity, which is especially important when laying on a “warm floor” system.
The structure of quartz vinyl tiles: what's inside?
Quartz vinyl tiles are multilayer, their design is as follows:
- 1st layer (top) – transparent polyurethane. If we remember that the main component of self-leveling floors is also polyurethane, it becomes clear that this layer protects the tiles from scratches, deformation, and abrasion;
- 2nd layer – decorative film. She is responsible for the colors and patterns of the flooring;
- The 3rd layer is the main one made of quartz vinyl. Gives the tile basic properties: strength, sound insulation, moisture resistance;
- 4th layer – fiberglass reinforcement. Strengthens the structure, makes the tile not subject to deformation;
- 5th layer (bottom) – vinyl, balance.
If you decide that your floor should be quartz vinyl, do not rush to call finishing specialists. Below we will provide detailed instructions for installing it, which will allow you to cope with this matter yourself.
The special properties of quartz vinyl tiles are determined by its multilayer nature.
Advantages of quartz vinyl coating
Today, quartz laminate has absorbed the best characteristics of floor coverings such as linoleum and traditional laminate.
Read more about the benefits of quartz vinyl laminate:
- Versatility
. The coating can be laid on any surface (floor, walls) and in rooms with high humidity. - Convenient and quick installation.
Quartz laminate has a locking system. The requirements for the base foundation are minimal, the main thing is that the surface is flat (concrete screed, plywood, self-leveling floor). The complexity of installation is similar to laying traditional laminate. - Durability.
The service life declared by the manufacturers is 15-20 years. For example, Fargo quartz laminate belongs to semi-commercial coatings and has a wear resistance class of 33/42, which allows it to be installed in high-traffic areas (cafes, offices, kindergartens). The coating is resistant to falling blunt objects; if you drop a heavy object on the floor, it will not crack, and the coating will not deform under the influence of moisture. - Thermal stability.
Resistance to heat is due to the fact that the composition of the material contains 75% natural stone. The pressing technology is unique as it ensures stability of the coating. The material is ideal for combination with any of the “warm floor” systems. Heating up to 42˚C is allowed. - Electrostaticity.
Does not attract dust. - Resistance to reagents.
Laminate is easy to clean and inert to almost any chemicals. Withstands exposure to alcohol, solvents, gasoline, acid and alkali solutions. Not painted with chemical or natural dyes. Such characteristics allow the use of laminate in medical institutions. - Absorbs noise.
Provides acoustic comfort in the room. SPC board does not emit impact noise. - Environmentally friendly.
Safe for the health of people and animals. Polyvinyl chloride is used to make food containers, drinking water tanks, medical syringes, and children's toys. - Moisture resistance.
Quartz vinyl laminate is 100% moisture resistant. Suitable for finishing bathrooms, pool areas, balconies, outdoor terraces. The material is resistant to changes in humidity and flooding, and does not lose its shape over many years of use.
Caring for quartz vinyl coating is quite simple. It can be washed with any household cleaning products.
Heating mats
Heating mats are the ideal warm electric floor under tiles. Which is better, heating mat or cable systems? In terms of installation, of course, heating mats, since it is enough to lay them flat on the floor (you can even only place them in those places that need to be heated, avoiding furniture and plumbing fixtures). However, such a convenient design affects the price, and on average, heating mats will cost slightly more than cables to purchase.
Today, many well-known reliable brands produce electric underfloor heating. The rating of manufacturers includes such companies as Teplolux, Caleo, Electrolux and STOUT.
What determines the environmental friendliness of quartz vinyl coating?
The material is absolutely harmless, since it contains only primary natural materials. The finished product does not contain solvents or toxic substances.
To understand why quartz vinyl is an environmentally friendly material, consider the method of its production.
To make the main base layer, mix the following ingredients in a mixer:
- Crushed stone mixture (powder) from rock particles;
- Primary vinyl, PVC (materials used in the food and medical industries);
- Plasticizers, stabilizers, natural dyes and lubricants (less than 0.01%).
The mixture enters the extruder and melts under high temperature. The melting process ensures homogeneity of the mass. Next, the homogeneous mass is squeezed out through a sleeve in the form of a sheet and fed into the calender. With the help of drive shafts, the mass is shaped, cooled, hardened in special baths and takes on the appearance of a canvas. Using a guillotine, elements of the required size are cut.
The production process produces a very dense and stable material. Decorative and protective layers are applied by hot pressing.
When combined with a “warm floor” system, quartz vinyl coating does not emit any toxic substances. Recommended for use in children's and medical institutions.
Manufacturers
The Belgian company FineFloor has been producing building materials for more than 10 years and has established itself as a manufacturer producing high-quality and environmentally friendly products.
Distinctive features of this tile are high strength and wear resistance, which are confirmed by special tests. At the same time, designers work out all the details of the design in each collection, and the combination of shades and textures is carefully controlled by management.
The manufacturer Tarkett, which produces equally high-quality products, has proven itself in the production of incredibly beautiful modular tiles, which allow you to combine several colors, textures and shapes on one surface.
The Japanese company Art Tile in its production technology uses a coating reinforcement method, the use of which improves the performance properties of the finished product, while most manufacturers neglect it. The only drawback of this manufacturer’s products is the high price category. But it can also be justified, because legal, safe, high-quality products simply cannot be cheap.
Among the features of tiles from this manufacturer, one can note a minimum thickness of not exceeding 3 mm and a density exceeding the norm of more than 1.6 t/m3. The thickness of the protective layer does not exceed 0.55 mm.
The DECORIA company is not inferior to other manufacturers in terms of the quality of its products. It is famous for using new innovative technologies in its production. The successful combination of crushed natural quartz and heavy-duty vinyl allows you to produce a highly durable product.
Thanks to the outer polyurethane layer, tiles from DECORIA perfectly imitate the structure of stone or wood. Thanks to leading advances in the production of building materials, each individual tile is able to withstand even the most severe loads.
An unusually warm, soft and comfortable coating that will last for decades is offered by the VINILAM company.
Quartz vinyl tiles from this manufacturer have the following properties:
- soundproofing 7dB;
- three-component protective layer 0.4-0.55 mm thick;
- 100% waterproof.
In addition, the finished product has all other quality and safety indicators that allow VINILAM to remain in the ranking of the best manufacturers.
A company from South Korea, DEART CORPORATION, has a representative office in our country and offers luxury tiles under the DEART FLOOR brand. The manufacturer focuses on wealthy people, to whom it is ready to offer luxurious tiles that are noticeably different from competitors’ products.
The design and color schemes of each item are developed taking into account modern trends in interior design. Moreover, the product undergoes strict quality control at each stage of production.
Quartz laminate and heated floor
A distinctive feature of quartz vinyl coating is its versatility of installation on any surface, including walls. Buyers are often interested in whether it is possible to lay quartz laminate on a “warm floor” system.
Many people strive to maximize the comfort of their living space, and it is always associated with warmth under their feet.
At what temperature does a person feel most comfortable? Its optimal value is 27-28˚C for a cozy home environment
In fact, its indicator must be below body temperature, otherwise the person begins to experience discomfort.
Quartz - Vinyl flooring is suitable for any heated flooring system.
Let us consider separately the combination with each “warm floor” system.
Water underfloor heating system under concrete screed
In city apartments and private houses, a water underfloor heating system under a concrete screed is most often used.
Installation features:
- A layer of waterproofing material is laid on the base.
- The water circuit is installed.
- The structure is filled with concrete screed.
- The final coating is a leveling screed.
- Laying the substrate.
- Laying decorative covering.
After the finishing leveling screed has dried, the floors are completely ready for laying quartz vinyl covering. As decoration, you can use either laminate with a locking joint or adhesive-based tiles.
Electric underfloor heating system under concrete screed
Electric underfloor heating is the most common heating option in city apartments.
Installation features:
- Laying the electrical circuit on the base.
- Pouring cement-polymer screed.
- Laying the substrate.
- Laying decorative covering.
The electric floor heating system is the most popular, since its connection does not cause technical difficulties, unlike water heating. After the cement-polymer screed has dried, you can begin laying the quartz vinyl coating.
Film heated floor under quartz laminate
The easiest and fastest way to install a “warm floor” system for any residential and commercial premises.
Installation features:
- A “warm floor” film system is laid on a concrete base.
- Laying the substrate.
- Installation of quartz vinyl laminate.
When installing a heated floor on a film base, you cannot use adhesive-based vinyl tiles as a decorative covering. In this option, only quartz laminate with a locking connection is used.
Design ideas
The modern market offers a wide selection of textures and colors, which expands the possibilities for flights of fancy. In some cases, you can mix several directions and styles, or you can implement everything to match the walls. In residential premises, the coating is usually selected according to the decoration of the walls. They often like to use imitation marble or natural stone.
In larger rooms, including living rooms, wood-effect tiles should be used. A lighter variation, including white marble or natural stone, is suitable for the kitchen. If the design is implemented in classic or modern style, then “wood” is also used here. For a children's room, it is better to use the skills of specialists and create an unusual design. Visual expansion into the room and a good atmosphere are created by milky and beige tiles. Currently, products in yellow, pink, orange and other colors, which are distinguished by their brightness and richness, are often used to cover the floor.
Wood-look quartz vinyl tiles will look good in living rooms
Some designers recommend approaching everything outside the box, using gradation of rooms into color zones. This is perfectly implemented in studio apartments. In any case, when decorating a house using the tiles in question, you will need knowledge of the basics of creating an interior. This includes issues of visual expansion, gradation into zones, and so on.
As for specific styles, loft, hi-tech and Scandinavian style are considered the most popular in this area. In the first case, a stone-shaped canvas is used, in the second, matte tiles with a single color, in the latter, the dominance of white shades is assumed. In some cases, you can try mixing styles.
Useful tips for installing and operating heated floors under quartz vinyl coating
Despite the fact that quartz vinyl coating is considered a universal decorative material, certain rules should be followed when installing it.
What you need to know:
- Quartz vinyl should not be laid on foam surfaces.
- The operating temperature of the heated floor should not exceed 42˚C.
- In rooms with a “warm floor” system, the installation of furniture without legs and any shelters that impede the free circulation of air is unacceptable.
Quartz vinyl coating itself creates a comfortable feeling of warmth and coziness. If you do not need additional heating, then there is no point in the additional costs of installing a “warm floor” system. It is enough to choose the right decorative coating and enjoy perfect floors.
Manufacturers rating
It is preferable to purchase building materials made from quartz vinyl tiles from trusted manufacturers. Unknown companies may offer products of inadequate quality, containing chemicals in quantities exceeding acceptable standards, and therefore environmentally hazardous.
Coating manufacturers you can trust:
- FineFloor is a Belgian company that has been on the market for about 10 years. The products are certified, their quality is confirmed by tests, and products with new designs appear regularly.
- Tarkett (Sweden) is a company with products for different segments of the population. There are expensive tiles and economy class products. The manufacturer has a wide palette of colors; there are different plate shapes to choose from.
- Art Tile (Japan) is a brand of the most durable tiles with a specially designed reinforcing layer. The thickness of the coating does not exceed 3 mm.
- Decoria is a durable and high-quality tile from South Korea, the main design is stone and wood textures.
- Vinilam (Belgium) – panels with three-component protection, which prevents abrasion, fading and damage from water.
- Deart Corporation is one of the best Korean companies represented in Russian stores.
- Alpine (South Korea) produces tiles that will last a long time. Provide step-by-step illustrated installation instructions.
- Wineo (Germany) - offers high-strength products with a guaranteed service life of 25 years.
