Floor Central

"Floorcovering Experts Investigating Flooring Problems"

You are here: Home / Sheet Vinyl / How Sheet Vinyl is Made

How Sheet Vinyl is Made

Sheet vinyl, a great floor covering performer. How this product is made is not as complicated as one might imagine. Sheet vinyl is an outstanding floor covering product, that is both durable and attractive.

How Sheet Vinyl is Made – Components

Sheet vinyl composed of 3 components: 1) Bottom -felt paper 2) Middle – vinyl foam layer 3) Top – protective vinyl layer.

To create texture, inhibitor applied to selected areas, preventing expansion. Sheet vinyl and linoleum are different products.

The Production Process

  • The raw materials used in the production of sheet vinyl floor covering. Polyvinyl chloride resins PVC. Added white pigments and calcium carbonate which is both a filler and assist in coloring the mixture white. Plasticizers added for flexibility along with fungicide to prevent mold growth. UV stabilizer help to prevent fading. Blowing agent added, activated later in the manufacturing process to inflate the foam.
  • The liquid mixture applied to a paper backing of felt or paper made from wood pulp and calcium carbonate.  The coated paper is fed through an oven which gels the vinyl foam.  The backing High-gloss surface vinyl sheets or vinyl tiles have an additional polyurethane coating applied at the end of the process.
  • To provide texture, inhibitor applied to prevent expansion in selected areas.
  • Flooring design, created by printing, pressed directly onto the gelled foam, creating a decorative pattern.
  • The top (wear layer) of plasticizers applied, passed through the oven at a higher temperature, activating the blowing agent.
  • Texturing takes place through chemical embossing, adding inhibitors to selected color, resulting in these areas remaining flat.
  • Mechanical embossing can enhance the texture appearance. Engraved roller print surface texture which gives a sharper appearance.
  • The mate or high-gloss level will vary with the chemical composition of the wear layer.
  • Inspection takes place during manufacturing and at the end of the production line.

Floor Central is maintained by The Weinheimer Group flooring inspectors.