For floating vinyl flooring, there are both types with a vinyl core layer (solid vinyl) and those with an HDF core layer (vinyl on HDF backing).
Construction:
Wear-resistant polyurethane coating, vinyl wear layer, vinyl decorative layer, stabilization layer, and then either another vinyl layer or HDF.
Vinyl is suitable for wet rooms, expands less, and the product consists of fewer different materials, each with its own properties.
Sometimes the same manufacturer sells both vinyl with an HDF core and solid vinyl with a vinyl core.
Why choose an HDF board at all instead of solid vinyl, which expands less and is more water-resistant? The construction described above (wear layer, etc.) is always the same.
Construction:
Wear-resistant polyurethane coating, vinyl wear layer, vinyl decorative layer, stabilization layer, and then either another vinyl layer or HDF.
Vinyl is suitable for wet rooms, expands less, and the product consists of fewer different materials, each with its own properties.
Sometimes the same manufacturer sells both vinyl with an HDF core and solid vinyl with a vinyl core.
Why choose an HDF board at all instead of solid vinyl, which expands less and is more water-resistant? The construction described above (wear layer, etc.) is always the same.
Hello andreasonair,
all the vinyl options you mentioned are of good quality. As I noted in my previous posts, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget.
I have written a response to Grym regarding this.
Regarding flatness tolerances:
DIN 18202 Table 3 allows a tolerance of up to 4 mm/m (0.16 inches/ft) and 6 mm/2 m (0.24 inches/6.5 ft). Only for "higher requirements" are the tolerances 3 mm/m (0.12 inches/ft) and 5 mm/2 m (0.20 inches/6.5 ft).
However, this level of precision would need to have been specifically agreed upon with the screed installer (extra costs!).
Most installation instructions generally refer to this DIN standard. As I mentioned before, it is very important for rigid vinyl flooring that the subfloor is as level as possible—especially with underfloor heating. The fewer the uneven spots, the better the heat transfer (energy efficiency!) and the walking comfort.
Best regards,
Wieli
all the vinyl options you mentioned are of good quality. As I noted in my previous posts, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget.
andreasonair schrieb:
whether the integrated impact sound insulation (which results in an increased total thickness of 7 to 7.5 mm) compared to other systems with separate and "softer" insulation mats is an advantage or disadvantage for installation over our fresh heated screed?
I have written a response to Grym regarding this.
Regarding flatness tolerances:
DIN 18202 Table 3 allows a tolerance of up to 4 mm/m (0.16 inches/ft) and 6 mm/2 m (0.24 inches/6.5 ft). Only for "higher requirements" are the tolerances 3 mm/m (0.12 inches/ft) and 5 mm/2 m (0.20 inches/6.5 ft).
However, this level of precision would need to have been specifically agreed upon with the screed installer (extra costs!).
Most installation instructions generally refer to this DIN standard. As I mentioned before, it is very important for rigid vinyl flooring that the subfloor is as level as possible—especially with underfloor heating. The fewer the uneven spots, the better the heat transfer (energy efficiency!) and the walking comfort.
Best regards,
Wieli
A
andreasonair31 Oct 2017 13:26wieli schrieb:
Regarding flatness tolerances:
DIN 18202 Table 3 allows a tolerance of up to 4mm/m (0.047 inches/foot) and 6mm/2m (0.12 inches/6.6 feet). Only for "increased requirements" are the tolerances 3mm/m (0.035 inches/foot) and 5mm/2m (0.098 inches/6.6 feet).
However, these requirements would have to be specifically agreed upon with the screed installer (€€€!).We have not agreed on increased requirements and hope that the relevant tolerance of 4mm/m (0.047 inches/foot) will, with some luck, meet the common vinyl installation requirement of 3mm/m (0.035 inches/foot) (the drying/heating program is still ongoing).
However, the Sly installation instructions require 3mm/1.8m (0.17 inches/6 feet), and we will probably not meet this without additional complex measures, which makes us somewhat skeptical about Sly in our case.
Best regards, Andreas
andreasonair schrieb:
we probably won’t manage that without additional complex measuresFrom experience, meeting the requirements for standard flowing screeds is usually not a problem if normal care is taken. The 3mm/1.8m (0.12 inches/5.9 feet) tolerance is also typically achieved without extra effort. I wouldn’t worry about that.
A
andreasonair31 Oct 2017 16:19Thank you for the information!
Initially, regular cement screed was planned for our project, but due to scheduling reasons, the construction company switched to Retanol cement screed. Supposedly, this works well—we will see...
wieli schrieb:
So, from experience, compliance with the usual flowing screeds is not a problem if the normal care is observed. ...
Initially, regular cement screed was planned for our project, but due to scheduling reasons, the construction company switched to Retanol cement screed. Supposedly, this works well—we will see...
wieli schrieb:
Hello Farilo, the price difference isn’t really due to the term “design flooring” but rather the significant advantages it has over laminate (quieter, warmer underfoot, easier to maintain, more durable, suitable for more applications, etc.).
The ecological aspect is also a factor. Personally, I prefer natural products like real wood parquet. The HDF core of laminate is only about 85% wood, with the rest being binders and additives. But it is certainly more eco-friendly than vinyl, no doubt about that!!
Best regards, WieliHello Wieli,
thanks for the information!
Just a few quick questions (since I still need to choose a floor covering and am undecided between vinyl and laminate):
- More resistant: Is vinyl really more resistant than laminate? How do you figure? What about scratches (for example, if you have dogs)? Vinyl is somewhat softer and therefore a bit more prone to scratches, isn’t it?
- Easier to maintain: Do I need to care for laminate differently than click vinyl? In my previous home, I had laminate and didn’t really do any special “maintenance.”
- More durable: Even though this point is not very important to me, how much longer does vinyl last compared to laminate? (Assuming the same thickness).
I plan to install the floor floating. I just want to be able to change it easily without much hassle. I don’t want to be locked into the look for the next 20 years.
- Quieter: Is there really a big difference? This matters to me. But if the difference is only slight, then it doesn’t really matter. Could I make laminate “quieter” somehow (for example, by using different underlays)?
Regarding the price… Well, at the end of the day, it’s still PVC. That’s always been quite cheap! I somehow get the feeling that a marketing person has done a great job selling these inexpensive floors now as panels (instead of rolls) for several times their actual value. (Smart move!).
But in the end, it’s still PVC (and therefore hazardous waste…)
Thank you for your support!
Best regards,
Farilo
@Admin: Please move the laminate vs. vinyl discussion to a new thread.
Here’s my contribution to be moved as well:
Our vinyl has a 25-year warranty and is completely moisture-resistant; it can even be cleaned with a damp mop. When I accidentally spilled some liquid on a laminate floor at a friend’s place, they immediately panicked and rushed to wipe it up right away, saying it would swell otherwise...
Vinyl is totally resilient, and only high-quality tiles can compare. You’d really have to scratch hard with a key or press sharply with edges for any visible damage to appear. Multiple sources have specifically advised us against hardwood flooring when kids are around. Laminate is probably even more sensitive.
And the price differences aren’t that big. Good laminate starts at around 25 EUR per square meter (about 2.30 USD per square foot).
Here’s my contribution to be moved as well:
Our vinyl has a 25-year warranty and is completely moisture-resistant; it can even be cleaned with a damp mop. When I accidentally spilled some liquid on a laminate floor at a friend’s place, they immediately panicked and rushed to wipe it up right away, saying it would swell otherwise...
Vinyl is totally resilient, and only high-quality tiles can compare. You’d really have to scratch hard with a key or press sharply with edges for any visible damage to appear. Multiple sources have specifically advised us against hardwood flooring when kids are around. Laminate is probably even more sensitive.
And the price differences aren’t that big. Good laminate starts at around 25 EUR per square meter (about 2.30 USD per square foot).
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