How to choose PVC flooring: homogeneous or heterogeneous, which one is more suitable for you?

2025-05-07

Ⅰ、General points for choosing PVC flooring

1. Material and Environmental Protection

-Priority should be given to PVC flooring produced from brand new materials to avoid recycled materials (which are prone to aging and have unstable performance).

-Confirm environmental certifications (such as Ten Ring Certification, GREENGUARD) to avoid formaldehyde or harmful additives.

-By discerning through smell, inferior products may have a pungent odor.

2. Wear resistance and thickness

-The thickness of the wear-resistant layer determines durability. It is recommended that the wear-resistant layer be ≥ 0.5mm for household use, and higher for commercial use.

-The total thickness affects the foot feel, 2-3mm is suitable for home use, and thicker styles are preferred for places with high foot traffic.

3. Installation method

-Recommended locking or glue free design, high stability and environmentally friendly; Attention should be paid to the quality of the adhesive for the back glue version.

-The roll material has few seams, suitable for underfloor heating households; The sheet material is flexible, but attention should be paid to the flatness of the paving.

4. Additional features

-Waterproof coating: essential for damp areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

-Antibacterial treatment: Hospitals, kindergartens and other places need to pay special attention.

Ⅱ、Comparison between homogeneous and heterogeneous PVC flooring

Comparing Dimensions	Homogeneous PVC flooring	Heterogeneous PVC flooring
Structure	Single material, homogeneous and transparent throughout the entire layer, without layering.	Multi layer overlay (wear-resistant layer, printing layer, foam layer, etc.).
Wear Resistance	Overall wear-resistant, stable long-term performance, suitable for high traffic areas.	The surface wear-resistant layer is relatively thin (0.3-0.7mm), but it has stronger short-term wear resistance.
Color and Decoration	Most of them are solid colors or simple textures, with limited choices.	The printing layer can be customized with complex patterns, with high simulation of wood grain, stone, and other materials.
Anti Pollution and Restoration	Weak stain resistance, requiring regular waxing; Scratches can be polished and repaired.	The surface UV coating has strong anti fouling ability; Severe damage requires partial replacement.
Comfort	High hardness, average cushioning.	The foam bottom has good elasticity, better sound absorption and noise reduction, and comfortable foot feel.
High Temperature Resistance	Containing stone powder, resistant to cigarette butt burning, can be polished and restored.	High temperature easily softens, and hot marks are difficult to repair.
Price	Complex process and high cost.	Cost-effective.

Ⅲ、Recommended Applicable Scenarios

1. Homogeneous PVC flooring

-Advantage scenarios: High intensity use areas such as hospital laboratories, factory workshops, and shopping malls that require frequent repairs or high temperature resistance.

-Caution scenario: Home decoration with high color requirements and limited budget.

2. Heterogeneous PVC flooring

-Advantage scenarios: Home living rooms, bedrooms, kindergartens, and other places that emphasize aesthetics, foot feel, and quietness.

-Use with caution in environments with high temperatures or easily scratched by sharp objects (such as near kitchen stoves)

Ⅳ、 Purchase precautions

-Floor heating adaptation: Confirm whether the product supports floor heating to avoid deformation caused by thermal expansion and contraction.

-Professionalism in construction: The laying of rolls requires self leveling treatment to avoid uneven ground affecting the effect.

Summary: If pursuing durability and ease of repair, choose homogeneous and transparent materials; If we focus on appearance, foot feel, and cost-effectiveness, heterogeneous is even better.