There are many types of PVC flooring, including homogeneous vinyl sheets and heterogeneous vinyl floors. Both of these are called PVC flooring or plastic flooring. Their main raw material is PVC. Although both belong to PVC flooring, they are quite different. So what is the difference between them?
For more information, please visit homogeneous flooring manufacturer.
Differences in definition & structure
Homogeneous vinyl sheet,<homogeneous> means it is the same quality material from the surface to the thickness of the entire floor(from the surface to the bottom).
Heterogeneous vinyl floor, which is in multiple layers by a special process. Usually from top to bottom five layers: UV coating layer, wear layer, printing layer, glass fibre layer and foam backing layer. Its wear resistance is mainly in the wear-resistant layers.
Therefore, from the structural point of view, the homogeneous floor is a single-layer structure, and the heterogeneous floor is a multi-layer structure.
The difference in design & colour
The homogeneous vinyl sheet is made of PVC particles of various colours through a special process. It has a relatively single pattern. Only two types of patterns: non-directional floral patterns, and directional patterns.
Because the heterogeneous vinyl sheet is a layered structure, the printed layer determines the colour. The printing layer can change colours and patterns at will, so it has a variety of colours: wood grain, stone grain, carpet grain, and all kinds of patterns. That is to say, the heterogeneous floor is more colour design options, while the homogeneous vinyl floor is relatively single.
The design and colour are different, so the technology is very different. The products of the homogeneous vinyl sheets are the high-end products in PVC flooring. Because the colour pattern is 2MM thick throughout the floor, the formation mechanism of the pattern is more difficult, and the production process is quite complicated. The entire production process must strictly control the uniformity of the colours and the colour difference. Not an easy job.
While the colour of the heterogeneous sheets is a very simple printing layer principle. Generally speaking, a homogeneous production line costs five times that of a heterogeneous line.
The difference in the repair performance of scratches or cigarette burns
Because the homogeneous floor is a single-layer structure, its colour runs through the entire thickness from the surface to the bottom. This feature makes it have a refurbishing function. Slight scratches can be worn off by a grinder, polished and repaired, and re-waxed as new, with longer service life. But the heterogeneous flooring can not.
Links on how to repair homogeneous flooring:
Since the heterogeneous vinyl floor(foam layer type) contains a foam layer, its sound absorption effect is much better than that of the homogeneous one.
The difference in fire resistance performance
Homogeneous flooring stone powder (calcium carbonate) content is higher, so the fire resistance is better than the heterogeneous floor, and its indentation resistance is also relatively good.
Differences in application
Due to its better wear resistance and fire resistance, homogeneous vinyl sheet is mostly used in places with a large flow of people in industrial places, such as hospitals, educational institutions, health care systems, etc.
While the heterogeneous vinyl floor is mostly used for home improvement due to its rich colour options.
Of course, the price is also different.
The price is quite different for the heterogeneous vinyl flooring itself, with different total thicknesses, different thicknesses of wear resistance layers, materials, and bottom type.
The factors that affect the price of homogeneous flooring type are its materials, PVC content, etc.
If you have more questions about these two kinds of flooring, please feel free to leave Linda a message, Linda hopes to have a further discussion with you!
Heterogeneous vinyl is the most common sheet flooring, often used in residential and light to medium commercial spaces. In contrast, homogeneous sheet vinyl is a specialty product made for heavier-duty commercial settings with higher traffic, heavy equipment, and rolling loads.
Heterogeneous vinyl flooring is constructed of multiple layers, whereas homogeneous sheet vinyl is made of the same material with uniform color or pattern throughout. Vinyl flooring thickness varies depending on the type.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of vinyl flooring advantages and disadvantages. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Homogeneous sheet vinyl usually comes in 2 mm thickness. Even though that may seem thin compared to heterogeneous 3 mm vinyl flooring sheets or 12 mm vinyl flooring planks, 2 mm homogeneous sheet vinyl is actually more durable since the same material continues throughout the entire thickness.
Both types of vinyl flooring sheets offer easy installation. Homogeneous flooring is typically glued down, while heterogeneous flooring can be glued down or floated over the subfloor. Rigid vinyl underlayment is mainly used with homogeneous flooring to smooth out the subfloor. Flooring underlay may be used with heterogeneous flooring for additional purposes, including sound absorption, moisture control, comfort underfoot, or thermal insulation.
Maintenance for both types of vinyl sheet flooring is also easy. Regular sweeping or vacuuming with occasional damp mopping will keep heterogeneous flooring looking its best. Homogeneous vinyl sheet is the most durable; however, able to perform to higher standards and sustain rigorous cleaning in more exacting commercial environments.
Heterogeneous is the optimal choice for home and residential use and is more affordable with a much wider array of colors and styles to choose from. However, for commercial spaces, the choice between heterogeneous and homogeneous vinyl sheet flooring will come down to which performance features the environment requires.
Flooring Structure of Heterogeneous sheet vinyl and homogeneous sheet vinylThe construction of the two types of vinyl flooring sheets is entirely different. Heterogeneous sheet vinyl is made of several layers. The backing is the bottom layer that lies against the subfloor or underlayment. On top of the backing, a fiberglass dimensional layer gives the flooring strength. Next, a printed layer provides flooring with its attractive design. Then a tough wear layer protects the printed layer from damage. And finally, the finish layer makes the flooring easy to clean and often includes UV protectants to prevent fading or yellowing.
In contrast, homogeneous sheet vinyl is the same throughout &#; just one solid, high-performing layer of vinyl. Some homogeneous products are also coated with a finish for easy cleaning and UV protectant.
Both types of vinyl flooring are water and stain resistant and easy to clean, but homogeneous sheet vinyl provides superior resistance to chemicals and stains, which is important in healthcare and industrial environments. Blood, iodine, and other substances wipe up easily with no staining on homogeneous sheet vinyl floors, which is essential in healthcare applications.
H·FLOR FUMED WALNUT from Natural Selection Plus Collection
Because the color and design run throughout the depth of the flooring, homogeneous sheet vinyl is more scratch resistant. And if scratches happen, slight imperfections can be smoothed out and polished to look new again.
High-quality heterogeneous vinyl sheet flooring is tough enough to tolerate general household wear and tear, but replacement is usually the only solution if a heterogeneous floor gets scratched.
Constructed with a higher content of stone powder, homogeneous vinyl flooring offers greater heat and fire resistance. Also more resistant to dents, homogeneous sheet vinyl stands up to rolling loads and heavy equipment better than heterogeneous sheet vinyl.
Homogeneous sheet vinyl is also preferred in areas that need to be sterile, such as operating rooms and laboratories. The resiliency helps mitigate foot and back fatigue as well.
Homogeneous vinly flooring offers greater heat and fire resistance
Design is one area where heterogeneous vinyl sheet flooring shines. Due to its design layer, essentially a photo layer, heterogeneous flooring can take on any look imaginable. Solid colors, stripes, polka dots &#; absolutely any pattern. Most popular looks emulate more expensive flooring like hardwood, stone, or ceramic tile.
Because homogeneous vinyl is the same from top to bottom, the design also goes throughout rather than being printed on top. Homogeneous designs are often solid or specked, using different combinations of colored PVC chips during production, and the size and color of the chips create the design.
Design can also be created with homogeneous vinyl on a large scale by using multiple colors of sheets and cutting the vinyl into large shapes. Skilled designers even incorporate school mascots or commercial branding to enhance commercial spaces. Creative use of homogeneous vinyl can facilitate wayfinding, separate specific areas in open-space design, and give commercial spaces friendlier, less institutional vibes.
Heterogeneous sheet vinyl has been used successfully in residential and light to medium commercial interiors for decades. Its wide variety of looks that can emulate almost any material makes it an excellent product for residential, multifamily, workplace, hospitality, and retail segments.
Homogeneous flooring offers a more durable option for heavier traffic and heavier-duty use in applications like education and healthcare &#; including hospitals with operating rooms and university laboratories, light industrial environments, and some hospitality and retail spaces.
If you are looking for vinyl flooring for residential or commercial settings, LX Hausys offers HFLOR brand-name luxury vinyl planks and tiles, heterogeneous sheet, and homogeneous sheet vinyl to suit any space. You may also want to look through LX Hausys HFLOR Inspiration Gallery for creative ideas. If you have any questions or need assistance with your flooring selection, LX Hausys experts are happy to help. Complete a short contact form, and an HFLOR representative will respond quickly.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit vinyl flooring thickness.