PVC vinyl flooring is one of the widely used materials in current indoor floor decoration. Its advantages and disadvantages are closely related to material properties, production processes, and application scenarios.
1、Core Advantages of PVC vinyl flooring
The advantages of PVC vinyl flooring are concentrated in practicality, cost-effectiveness, and safety, making it particularly suitable for scenarios with high-frequency use and flexible floor requirements:
①High Durability and Long Service Life
The surface of PVC vinyl flooring is usually covered with a wear-resistant layer, which enables it to maintain good appearance and performance for a long time in high-foot-traffic areas such as shopping malls, schools, and office buildings. Its service life can reach 5 to 10 years or even longer.
②High Safety and Good User Experience
*Excellent Anti-slip Performance: The surface undergoes anti-slip treatment (with a friction coefficient ≥ 0.5), making it especially suitable for living rooms and bedrooms where the elderly and children are active.
*ompliant Environmental Protection (for High-Quality Products): PVC flooring that meets the national standard GB/T 4085-2015 has a formaldehyde emission ≤ 0.124mg/m³ (equivalent to E0-grade boards) and does not contain harmful substances such as heavy metals (lead, cadmium, etc.) and phthalates. Some products have also obtained EU CE certification and US GREENGUARD certification.
*Shock Absorption and Comfortable Foot Feel: PVC flooring has a certain degree of elasticity, providing a soft and non-rigid foot feel when walking, so it is not easy to feel tired after standing for a long time. Moreover, it can buffer impact force; in case of accidental falls, the risk of injury is lower than that on tile floors.
③Flexible Installation and Adaptability to Diverse Spaces
*Convenient Installation: The construction and installation of PVC vinyl flooring are relatively simple, without the need for complex processes and equipment. It is particularly suitable for large-area laying. In some large-scale construction projects, such as shopping malls, schools, hospitals, and factories, a large amount of floor materials need to be laid. Choosing PVC vinyl flooring can effectively reduce the overall decoration cost while ensuring quality, and at the same time shorten the construction period and improve the overall efficiency of the project.
*Rich Patterns and Strong Style Adaptability: It can simulate the textures of solid wood, marble, cement, carpets, etc., with colors ranging from light gray to dark brown, and covering solid colors to patterns. It can adapt to various decoration styles such as modern minimalism, Nordic style, light luxury style, and industrial style. Custom patterns (such as logo floors for commercial spaces) are even available.
④. High Cost-Effectiveness and Low Long-Term Use Cost
Low Maintenance Cost: It does not require waxing or polishing; daily cleaning only consumes water and electricity. With a long service life (8-15 years for household-grade and 15-20 years for commercial-grade), the long-term amortized cost is lower.
2、Main Disadvantages of PVC vinyl flooring
The shortcomings of PVC vinyl flooring are mostly related to low-quality products or improper application scenarios, which should be avoided when making a selection:
① Weak Resistance to Sharp Scratches
Although it is wear-resistant, it may still be scratched (and the scratches are difficult to repair) when exposed to “concentrated force” from sharp objects (such as scissors, utility knives, high-heel tips, and metal feet of furniture).
② Environmental Risks of Low-Quality Products
Low-cost and low-quality PVC flooring may be produced using recycled materials and formaldehyde releasers. Long-term use may lead to the release of harmful substances, affecting indoor air quality. In addition, the wear-resistant layer of some low-quality products is thin, resulting in fading and warping after 1-2 years of use. Therefore, low-cost products should be used with caution.
③Limited Water Resistance; Long-Term Immersion Should Be Avoided
Although its surface is stain-resistant and waterproof, if the joints are not properly sealed, long-term water accumulation (such as water leakage on bathroom floors and rainwater backflow on balconies) may seep into the base layer, causing the flooring to warp and mildew. Therefore, it is not recommended to lay it directly in areas that are permanently damp or prone to water accumulation (such as the interior of bathrooms). If used in kitchens or balconies, proper waterproofing and joint sealing must be done.