Ⅵ. Misconception: Believing that “no odor = absolutely environmentally friendly”
The environmental friendliness of PVC flooring cannot be determined merely by “smelling the odor”:
- The new floor may have a slight “plastic odor” (this will subside naturally after 1-2 weeks of ventilation).
- Colorless and odorless products may contain heavy metals (such as lead and cadmium) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their prolonged release can be harmful to health.
Avoidance points: Require the merchant to provide a “third-party test report”, and focus on checking the following 3 indicators:
- The formaldehyde emission is ≤ 0.1mg/m³;
- Heavy metals (lead, cadmium) ≤ 90mg/kg;
- The VOC emission rate should be ≤ 0.5mg/(m²·h) (better if it complies with the EU CE or US FloorScore certification).
VII. Misconception: Ignoring “substrate density” leads to warping of the floor.
If the density of the PVC floor base material (the middle layer) is too low (such as less than 1.3g/cm³), it will lead to:
- Poor resistance to pressure: The furniture is prone to sagging under heavy weight and cannot spring back.
- High moisture absorption: It expands and deforms in humid environments, causing curling and cracking at seams.
Avoidance tips: Press the floor surface with your hand. A high-quality product should be firm and elastic (rather than soft and collapsed); inquire about the density of the base material. For household use, it should be ≥ 1.5g/cm³, and for commercial use, it should be ≥ 1.6g/cm³.
VIII. Misconception: During installation, omitting “self-leveling” and unevenly laying the floor
The PVC floor has extremely high requirements for the flatness of the ground (the error should be ≤ 3mm per 2m). If the ground is not flat, it should not be directly laid.
- Local protrusions can cause uneven force distribution on the floor, and prolonged compression may lead to cracking.
- The depressed areas are prone to accumulate dust and water, which can lead to the growth of mold.
Avoidance tips: Before installation, the installer is required to use a 2-meter ruler to inspect the floor. Any uneven areas must be treated with “self-leveling” (either cement-based or epoxy type). Although the cost increases by 5-10 yuan per square meter, it can extend the lifespan of the floor by 3-5 years.
Ⅸ.Misconception: Blindly choosing “wood grain / stone texture”, neglecting “authenticity” and “stain resistance”
Many people like the wood-grain and stone-pattern designs of PVC flooring, but please note:
- Poor printing: The texture is blurry, the colors are dull, and from a distance it looks cheap.
- Poor stain resistance: Dark textures may absorb stains such as soy sauce and coffee, making them difficult to remove (especially for the matte version).
Avoidance tips: Choose products with “high-definition printing + wear-resistant coating”. Conduct a field test for stain resistance – drop soy sauce on the surface, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. The best result is when there are no residual marks.
Ⅹ.Misconception: Ignoring “After-sales Guarantee”, making it difficult to seek redress when problems arise
The after-sales service for PVC flooring not only covers product warranty but also addresses installation issues. Common dispute points:
- The merchant only guarantees the “product itself”, and is not responsible for any warping or cracking caused by installation.
- The warranty period is very short (for example, only 1 year), which means that if any problems arise after the purchase, you will have to bear the full cost for a replacement.
Avoidance points: Choose brands that offer both “product” and “installation” warranties. Specify this in the contract:
- Product warranty period is ≥ 5 years (free replacement for non-human damage);
- Installation warranty of at least 2 years (free repair for any issues caused by improper ground treatment or incorrect assembly);
- Provide backup materials (reserve 5% – 10% to avoid color discrepancies during subsequent restocking).
Summary
The core logic for choosing PVC plastic flooring: prioritize environmental protection (refer to the test report) → match performance with the application scenario (wear resistance, slip resistance, shape) → avoid pitfalls in details (substrate, installation, after-sales service). By avoiding these misunderstandings, you can select products that are both safe and durable, avoiding the situation where “you save a little money when buying, but spend a lot when using”.