Glossary

PVC

PVC (abbreviation for PolyVinylChloride) is one of the most common plastics in the world. Non-plasticized PVC (known as Novodur) is used for the production of hard plastics: e.g. pipes, boards or vessels. Its plasticized version (called Novoplast) is used for the production of floorings, but also cable insulation, membranes, gloves, etc.  PVC flooring was called incorrectly in the past linoleum and familiarly lino. We have borrowed the colloquial term LINO for our PVC floorings.

LINO

LINO is our brand for PVC floorings.

Vinyl

Vinyl or Vinyl flooring is in fact an improved PVC flooring. Basic material is identical, however while PVC floorings are sold in roles, vinyl floorings are sold either in tiles or as floating flooring. The term vinyl flooring was derived from PVC (poly-Vinyl-chloride) and the reason was in particular to distinguish these floorings from old PVC floorings that crinkled, came loose and broke: many of us remember them mainly from common areas in prefabricated buildings. Nowadays vinyl floorings show much higher quality, consist of several layers, use higher quality glue, and they are often quite different to the touch, therefore it is good that they received a new name.

Linoleum

Linoleum is a floor covering manufactured from natural materials such as cork, rubber, wood flour, gutta-percha, linseed oil and pine resin. This all is laid on a canvas or jute fabric. It was first manufactured by Elijah Galloway in 1844. PVC floorings are sometimes called incorrectly as linoleum in Czech lands and Slovakia.

Homogenous vinyl flooring

Homogeneous vinyl floorings are single-layer only, sold as moulded tiles or in rolls. Thanks to their simplicity, they are very durable. We sometimes also call them “plasticized PVC flooring “.

Heterogeneous vinyl flooring

Heterogeneous PVC flooring consists of several layers. Most frequently it is a base layer, print and protective layer, but there might be even more layers. Multiple layers provide better insulation and acoustic properties, e.g. great footfall damping factor.

Heterogeneous vinyl floorings are sold in rolls (plasticized), tiles, or as floating floors with interlocks (these are all-vinyl floating floors). We sometimes also call them “non-plasticized PVC floorings”

Footfall Noise Reduction 

When we walk, we apply load to and vibrate the flooring structure, which creates shivering. This shivering can be heard by human ear, is unpleasant and unfortunately well transferable by building structure. It represents a threat mainly in places where public transit areas adjoin residential premises (e.g. the hall way beside the bedroom). Footfall Damping Factor (or also Footfall Sound Insulation) expresses building ability to reduce transfer of footfall sound between rooms.

For efficient damping of footfall noise, we use most frequently floating floors or elastic vinyl floorings. Flooring must consist of at least two layers: bearing and elastic.

Antistatic floor covering

Antistatic flooring (sometimes also conducting flooring) has an excellent electrical conductivity, so they direct all the electricity outside the floor. Therefore, they are suitable for areas where it is necessary to prevent occurrence of electrostatic discharges or eliminate the existing ones.

Antistatic floors are appreciated in particular in following facilities:

  • operating theatres, JIP (intensive care units), X-ray offices, dental offices
  • laboratories, chemical industry
  • pharmaceutical production
  • areas with explosion risk
  • electro-technical industry
  • automotive industry
  • pulp and rubber industry