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Specifying Tile Types

Three general types of tile are distinguished by their vinyl content, the percentage of which determines the product’s resistance to long-term wear, its abrasion resistance, its ability to resist indentation, and its flexibility---its ability to compensate for minor substrate movement.

Two further tile subsets provide a broader range of aesthetic options: luxury vinyl tile and premium vinyl composition tile provide designers with an expanded range of aesthetic options. In addition, tile may be modified to increase both static control and slip resistance.

Vinyl composition tile is the industry standard for most commercial applications. In fact, VCT accounts for roughly 80 percent of all installed resilient flooring. In general, it is the lowest cost material available and the lowest installation cost. Although VCT may be maintenance intensive, it is highly durable, is noted for its long life and is, therefore, the most highly specified flooring material for low initial budget projects like schools and retail spaces.

VCT is distinguished by its high limestone content---the product is generally speaking 85 percent limestone, and is augmented with vinyl resin, plasticizers, stabilizers and pigments that make VCT available in an extraordinarily broad range of colors. It is a “modular” product, generally sold in one-eighth-in.-thick, 12-in.X 12-in. squares. Modular installation, as opposed to sheet flooring, makes it easy to replace damaged tiles, and vinyl composition tile conforms to ASTM F-1066.

Premium vinyl composition tile has similar properties to traditional VCT. It, too, conforms to ASTM F-1066, but is available in a broader range of chips and sizes, can be non-directional as well as directional and costs slightly more than traditional VCT. Common applications for premium VCT are in retail and education settings, but it is also more widely seen in healthcare and corporate settings.

Vinyl enhanced tile (VET) is distinguished by its higher binder (vinyl) content—generally between 16 and 33 percent. It offers the advantage of greater resilience, longer wear, improved abrasion characteristics, and is available in larger tiles than traditional VCT, 16-in. by 16-in. It is slightly more expensive than traditional VCT, say manufacturers, but offers the advantage of lower installation cost, and vinyl enhanced tile frequently includes a special topcoat that minimizes maintenance costs. VET is commonly found in public areas, and is widely used in schools, healthcare settings and retail spaces as well. It, too, conforms to ASTM F-1066.

Solid vinyl tile (SVT) is characterized by a vinyl content even higher than vinyl-enhanced tile. Solid vinyl tile typically has a binder (vinyl) content in excess of 34 percent, giving it the advantage of longer wear, and maximum resistance to indentation and stain resistance. Its initial cost is slightly higher than VET, and because SVT requires special adhesives, its installation cost is also slightly higher than for VET. Solid vinyl tile conforms to ASTM F-1700. The material is most often found in corporate and hospitality projects and also is frequently seen in manufacturing as well as retail and healthcare settings.

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT), laminated with photographic or print film, is characterized by a clear wear layer, and an inner print film over either solid (SVT) or composite (VCT) backing. Common visuals in the luxury vinyl line include wood plank, stone, metallic and ceramic images that mimic, with sometimes surprising realism, natural materials. Luxury vinyls are governed by ASTM F-1700, and are found today with increasing frequency in retail and public spaces, healthcare and hospitality spaces and are making their way, increasingly, into residential projects.

Static dissipative tile (SDT) that dissipate static charges through either dissipative (1 billion to10 billion ohms) or conductive (less than 1 million ohms) means are available in limited color ranges for use in electronic manufacturing sites, computer labs, pyrotechnic manufacturing and healthcare facilities where potentially flammable gases are in use. Dissipative tile, governed by ASTM F-1066, will require, in most cases, special adhesives and ground materials that increase installation cost.

Slip-retardant tiles, manufactured with a surface grit, a surface embossing, or both, benefit from an increased coefficient of friction, and are, therefore, recommended for ramped surfaces or for wet or dry applications to reduce slips and falls. Manufacturers note, however, that even slip retardant tile is not a substitute for good maintenance and that proper maintenance prevents accidents and minimizes liability to a greater extent than slip retardant tile.