Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) is a popular flooring option that can be used in commercial settings and homes. It’s also fast becoming a popular educational flooring, offering many benefits. But what is the best use of luxury vinyl tiles in education spaces? Let’s find out…
What are luxury vinyl tiles?
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are a type of synthetic flooring made from different plastic-like materials that offer a wide range of natural style flooring designs. While LVT shares many similarities to vinyl flooring, there are some major differences that separate the two.
The biggest difference is the quality and thickness. LVT is much thicker than vinyl flooring due to the multiple layers and core thickness. The combination of these multiple layers increases the overall strength and durability of the floor.
As such, LVT is more suitable for educational spaces due to the durability and longevity it provides. The choice of core thickness also adds to this, with thicker cores of up to 8mm available for greater durability depending on foot traffic and usage.
Another of these layers is the design layer where the natural designs are added. As natural designs, such as wood, stone, or granite, are added using high-quality printing techniques, it allows for a variety of sophisticated design styles.
The designs are high-quality and utilise advanced techniques to ensure they capture the elegance of their natural counterpart with accurate precision.
Some of the other layers used in the construction of LVT include:
- An underlay for backing
- A PVC layer to prevent expansion and contraction damage
- A glass fibre layer for additional reinforcement
- A top wear layer to protect against scratching and scruffs
- An additional UV top protective reinforcement layer to provide additional protection
The LVT layers will differ depending on the brand and range chosen.
What are the benefits of luxury vinyl tiles for education spaces?
Luxury vinyl tiles are a widely popular flooring choice for many homes and commercial spaces due to the many great benefits they provide. There’s also a range of benefits to opting for LVT in educational spaces, including:
Easy cleaning and maintenance
One of the first benefits of luxury vinyl tiles for educational spaces is their easiness of cleaning and maintenance. Floors in public areas, like the dining area, can become dirty very quickly. The combination of spillages, dropping food, and dirty feet can all quickly wear on a floor.
This means choosing a floor that is easy to clean and maintain is vital. Fortunately, LVT fits this perfectly and is one of the most low-keep options available. The smooth surfacing of this floor makes it easy to wipe up any dirt or spillages quickly.
All that is needed to maintain your LVT floor is regular vacuuming and mopping. No deep cleaning, shampooing, or sealing is required to keep this flooring lasting longer. Cleaning methods, such as a steam mop, should also be avoided as these damage LVT floors.
All that’s required is regular vacuuming using a hardwood floor brush and mopping with a damp mop and suitable disinfectant.
Durability
Another top benefit of luxury vinyl tiles for educational spaces is their durability. Given the heavy foot traffic that classroom floors experience, it’s vital to choose an option that can withstand such extensive usage. Fortunately, LVT is ideal for standing up to the heavy usage.
The different layers we mentioned earlier combined with a thick core help to make LVT a durable floor ideal for education. For commercial premises, there are thicker core options available. For busy educational settings, a thick core of 6-8mm is recommended.
That’s because the thicker the core layer, the stronger protection and greater durability it provides. By adding this extra strength and durability, you ensure the flooring will last for much longer while retaining the excessive daily pressures of an educational setting.
The top protective layers also contribute to LVT’s durability, adding protection from scratching and scruffs. This transparent polyurethane protective layer is added over the design layer to preserve stylish and aesthetic designs.
Cost
Budget and cost will always be a big factor. Fortunately, choosing LVT will not overstretch your budget making it an ideal choice for use in educational settings.
Compared to other flooring options on the market, LVT is an affordable option. While the price does differ depending on the quality, it is a worthwhile long-term investment.
The combination of choosing LVT from a reputable manufacturer and an experienced flooring contractor to achieve a high-quality installation will ensure your LVT will last. Paying that little bit extra for a more expensive choice can provide a longer-lasting investment.
Increased productivity
Another benefit of opting for luxury vinyl tiles in education spaces is that they can help increase productivity and reduce stress. The natural flooring designs of LVT have many positive psychological effects that make it an ideal choice for use in educational establishments.
Incorporating natural designs into a space can help reduce stress levels by up to 60%. When combined with an increase in natural light, student and staff stress levels can be significantly reduced. As such, the increased positive mental effects can benefit teaching and learning.
Other positive effects of incorporating natural flooring designs into a learning environment include improving mood, providing a calming effect, and increasing productivity. Wood designs have even been found to help reduce blood pressure.
Additional benefits
Alongside the benefits outlined above, there are some additional benefits you can gain from using luxury vinyl tiles in education spaces:
- Provides soundproofing/insulating properties to reduce noise levels
- Easy to repair damaged tiles
- Comfortable underfoot for walking and standing for long periods
- Moisture-resistant and waterproof
- Versatile design options to suit your learning space
Where can you use luxury vinyl tiles in education spaces?
Now that we’ve covered what luxury vinyl tiles are and the benefits you can gain in education spaces, let’s explore where you can use this flooring in education spaces:
Classrooms
The first educational space ideal for this flooring is the classroom. Given the positive mental and psychological benefits natural flooring designs offer it an ideal choice for improving learning in classroom spaces.
Given how comfortable and durable this flooring is, it is perfect for use in classrooms. There are no worries about noisy footsteps as the soundproofing properties of this flooring will help reduce noise levels for a more conducive learning space.
Corridors
LVT is also an ideal flooring choice for use in corridors and other public areas. As thick LVT with a strong core provides a durable flooring choice, it is ideal to stand up against the high foot traffic these areas experience.
The durability means it can withstand wear and tear while maintaining its striking aesthetic appeal. Given how dirty these areas can also become, the ease of cleaning is also an added reason why LVT works for use in corridors.
The addition of entrance barrier mat flooring in doorways can also minimise the dirt that traipses in on LVT flooring.
Libraries and study rooms
These areas require both low noise levels and an appealing aesthetic design that supports learning and studying. Fortunately, LVT is an ideal choice for these learning environments. The quietness of LVT underfoot supports creating a quiet learning environment.
Additionally, the natural flooring designs provide positive benefits that support learning. LVT can reduce stress levels and increase productivity, helping boost students’ learning success.
Dining areas
Dining areas are another educational space where you can use luxury vinyl tiles. The ease of cleaning and maintenance, combined with their waterproofing properties, makes it an ideal choice for use in dining and canteen areas.
The top protective layers that help protect against scratches and stains also make it perfect for areas where food and drink are likely to spill or drop. It also allows for quick and easy cleaning to prevent slip accidents, enhancing the safety of such spaces.
Offices and reception
Office and reception areas can also benefit from LVT, providing a professional and clean look that can positively impact administrative staff and create a long-lasting impression on visitors. The variety and flexibility of designs also make it possible to complement different interior design themes.
There are many benefits of opting for luxury vinyl tiles in educational spaces that can help you transform the space and benefit students’ learning. At E&M Services, we have extensive experience and knowledge of luxury vinyl tiles to help you choose the right floor for your needs. Whether you need advice, quotations, or free samples, we are always happy to help. As one of Midland’s top flooring contractors with a long-standing reputation, we take great pride in delivering beautiful flooring installations to your expectations.
Considering LVT? Check out our guide on choosing a professional flooring contractor for LVT fitting