The Australian Green Building Council, in collaboration with the New Zealand Green Building Council and the Australian Vinyl Council, jointly developed the Green Star rating tool standards, recognizing the Best Environmental Practice PVC (BEP PVC) certification. The relevant documents indicate that PVC flooring complies with this certification standard, and indirectly proves the rationality and durability of PVC flooring in the building environment through aspects such as life cycle assessment. (https://vinyl.org.au/in-greenstar/achieving-best-practice-pvc)
Studies have shown that:
Composite PVC flooring (surface wear-resistant layer + middle foaming layer + bottom base material): High cost-effectiveness, suitable for home use, the thickness of the wear-resistant layer determines the lifespan, usually lasting 5-10 years;
Homogeneous through-core PVC flooring (uniform material throughout, the wear-resistant layer runs through the entire board): Less prone to showing signs of wear after use, with a lifespan of up to 10-20 years, suitable for commercial use;
So what are the durability indicators that can reflect the durability of PVC flooring and provide some reference value for us during the selection and purchase process?
Malleability
The surface of PVC flooring usually has a wear-resistant layer, and its malleability is one of its core advantages. Pay attention to the thickness of the surface wear-resistant layer: usually 0.3 – 1.2mm. The thicker it is, the more wear-resistant it is (such as over 1.0mm can withstand long-term commercial use)
Impact resistance
The PVC floor has a certain degree of elasticity (especially for the non-directional roll flooring), which can buffer the impact force of heavy objects falling and reduce the risk of cracking or depressions. For example, minor bumps from furniture feet or small objects falling usually do not cause significant damage to it.
Resistant to stains and chemicals
The dense wear-resistant layer on the surface can prevent liquids such as water stains, oil stains, and fruit juices from penetrating. Daily stains can be cleaned simply by wiping;
It has good tolerance to common cleaning agents (such as neutral detergents) and disinfectants, and is suitable for scenarios with high cleaning requirements such as hospitals and laboratories (but avoid long-term contact with strong acids and strong alkalis).
Stability
High-quality PVC flooring can maintain its shape stability within a certain temperature range (typically -10℃ to 40℃) by adding stabilizers. It is less likely to experience problems such as arching or shrinking due to temperature changes (however, extreme temperature differences may still have an impact; attention should be paid to the installation environment).
Summary: Is it “durable”?
Domestic scenario: Under normal use and maintenance, the lifespan of PVC flooring is typically 5-15 years, which is sufficient to meet the medium to long-term needs of home decoration, and the replacement cost is lower than that of solid wood flooring, ceramic tiles, etc.
Commercial scenario: Select products with high wear resistance, and the lifespan can reach 10-20 years. The cost-performance ratio is better than that of carpets and ordinary floor tiles.