Get your head out of the 60s. I said, “VCT” (Vinyl Composition Tile). We briefly discussed the many commercial flooring options available and I thought it would be a good idea to break down each product in more detail.
VCT is the most common form of commercial flooring, and for good reason. It is readily available in many colors and is very economical, especially when you are talking about thousands of square feet that must be covered. Vinyl Composition Tiles were widely used during the 1980s because the many variations in color found a unique niche with designers who could create beautiful lobbies and entries.
VCT is composed on Poly Vinyl Chloride chips that are combined and heated into a full sheet of (most commonly) 1/8th of an inch think vinyl. The vinyl is then cut into 12-inch tiles and packaged in 45-square-foot cartons. The PVC chips go through a process that makes the bond loose and very porous. Because VCT is inherently porous, it is mandatory to wax and seal the product before use in any application. The wax must be thick enough to prevent standard spills from penetrating the vinyl, which is usually around five coats of wax. This initial maintenance is not normally included in the installation of the VCT, so make sure you line up a cleaning company to come in and prepare the VCT for first time use.
The wax will walk off and will need periodic maintenance to keep the VCT looking and performing at its best. If you are a large facilities manager and there is onsite maintenance staff, upkeep can be done nightly with a floor buffer and some liquid wax. Wax build up will occur, so approximately every couple of years a good strip and wax will be necessary.
VCT is a great product and will last a long time if properly maintained and cared for over its useful life. Prior to installation, I highly recommend that a moisture test be done to ensure that you will not see your VCT cracking and peeling away as the moisture builds up from the concrete. I enjoy designing with VCT because I am not limited in color and I can create unique spaces everyone can enjoy.
If you are looking at a large square footage project and you know there will be an onsite maintenance division, VCT should be one of your top considerations. As with any project, get estimates from multiple stores and try to compare apples to apples. The easiest way to accomplish the comparison is to choose a specific brand of VCT and a specific color so you can ensure a level playing field. Also, make sure to review the estimates for floor prep and additional line items, as many stores and installers will leave these off the initial bid and only bring them up as change orders at a later date. These change orders can be extremely expensive so make sure you have a very clear understanding of how they will be communicated with you and who is authorized to approve these change orders.
Well, I hope this gave you a better grasp on VCT and, as always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or drop me an email at 928-515-2450 or chussey@theflooringshack.com. QCBN
By Chris Hussey