THE VINYL WORD Paul Rogers, Technical Services Manager at Amtico, discusses the benefits of specifying
luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) in commercial buildings, highlighting its low-maintenance properties and the latest antimicrobial technology.
As the battle against COVID-19 continues, good hygiene is more crucial than ever before, especially in commercial environments. The type of flooring used can often be overlooked, yet it fulfils an incredibly important role whether the application is an office, healthcare facility or student accommodation. In all of these buildings, the flooring not only needs to provide a durable surface, but also deliver on maintenance and levels of cleanliness.
For these reasons, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is one of the most popular types of commercial flooring. Indeed, this is one of the most versatile and hardwearing products available – presenting a commercially attractive alternative to other flooring materials, namely natural wood, stone, sheet vinyl and laminates. The choice of material will also significantly impact how cleaning is approached, as well as how often it needs to take place. The British Council for Offices (BCO) recently published its briefing note on office design and operation after COVID-19, and one of the key messages focused on selecting materials and finishes that can be easily cleaned: hard, smooth, and resistant to appropriate cleaning chemicals.
There is often some confusion around cleaning, so it’s important to note the difference between ‘day-to-day’ and ‘deep’ cleaning. With LVT floors, day-to-day maintenance is made easier as regular sweeping/vacuuming is paired with occasional mopping using a neutral floor cleaner to ensure hassle-free cleaning. For larger or more open areas, using a scrubber dryer can be more productive and cost effective. We recommend LVT floors are deep cleaned at least once a year, and scrubbed thoroughly to remove in-grained dirt. This can then be followed by an application of dressing to provide a protective finish if required.
For increased peace of mind, day-to-day LVT cleaning regimes can also include the use of antibacterial cleaning product, or those containing bleach – as long as they are correctly diluted. For Amtico floors, we recommend diluting these products with at least 10-times as much water. Additionally, the hard surface of LVT makes it easy to remove loose dirt or debris, which can also be incorporated into day-to-day cleaning of areas, including entrance matting. Furthermore, liquids are not able to permeate LVT as easily as some other materials, such as carpet or laminate, ensuring it is less susceptible to mould and bacterial growth.
Taking flooring design one step further, the latest safety LVT products – including Amtico’s Signature 36+ and Spacia 36+ – are enhanced with antimicrobial technology, which is especially pertinent as hospitality and healthcare environments re-open post lockdown. Such a feature has been proven to resist the growth of potentially harmful bacteria and fungus between cleaning schedules. This built-in hygienic protection has clear benefits, not least of all improved wellbeing for a commercial building’s occupants. While safety flooring is usually considered for its slip
20 | VINYL & LVT
resistance, the additional ability to improve hygiene levels within a building is a major benefit.
With a wide variation in quality from one brand to another, it is of paramount importance to carefully follow the cleaning and care guidelines to keep floors looking their best. While warranties can differ greatly between brands, information can usually be found on a manufacturer’s website alongside product performance details, although we recommended getting in touch with the company directly if you’re unsure or unable to find the relevant details online.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected how we view the cleanliness of environments such as offices or restaurants. We foresee a long-term impact on how the design and maintenance of buildings and venues are approached moving forward, with greater emphasis on hygiene and ease of cleaning. When you consider that LVT is an easy-to-maintain product, as well as a more cost-effective option long term, it is clear to see why LVT is the number-one flooring choice for commercial projects.
www.amtico.com/commercial
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