Clear coating on LVT flooring?

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Author Message David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1511 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 03:29 pm:    What is the clear coating that is installed over LVT in doctor's offices? David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Guest (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 04:37 pm:    Are you sure it's a separate coating? I think all LVT has clear protective coatings and wear layers as a part of the product. Diagrams of the component parts are widely available from many manufacturers in a google image search for "LVT wear layer" If not integral to the product, my guess for your image would be floor wax buffed to a nice glossy sheen. Dewayne Dean Senior Member Username: ddean Post Number: 93 Registered: 02-2016 Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 05:25 pm:    http://www.wfca.org/Pages/Vinyl-Flooring-review.aspx. The above page contains the following about the wear layers on LVT The All-Important Wear Layer The wear layer and its thickness are important indicators of how well a vinyl floor will stand up to daily use. There are basically three types of wear surfaces to consider: Vinyl no-wax is a clear vinyl top coating. The least durable of the three surfaces, no-wax vinyl requires periodic polishing to retain its luster. A urethane-coated finish provides greater durability and resistance to stains and daily wear without the need for polishing. Enhanced coatings used along with urethane finishes provide the greatest level of protection. Floors with an additional aluminum oxide coating, for example, provide outstanding resistance to scratching and are far more durable than flooring with a urethane layer alone. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1512 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 05:54 pm:    Aside from the clear wear layer on the LVT there is a separate epoxy (I think) coating put on these floors. As you know hospital environments try to reduce cracks and crevices where germs can hide. Yes I did get on my hands and knees to examine the floor when I was at my doctor's office. The floor is seamless with gaps of the LVT visible below. The coating also appears to be quite hard and not easily scratched. Any information would be appreciated. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC anon (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 06:46 pm:    could be something like this: http://rightchoicejanitorialsupplys1.mybigcommerce.com/johnson-diversey-taski-wiwax/ this is recommended by at least one LVT manufacturer. It has wax/polymers that would nestle into the cracks, making it appear as though this were a seamless continuation of the UV cured urethane tile finish. It goes down shiny. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, NCARB Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1713 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2016 - 01:03 am:    I find this discussion fascinating, no I am not making fun of this thread, 50 years ago my father apparently was a LVT artisan, he was the guy who worked on his knees (w/o knee pads) with a utility knife, a pair of snips (cutters to him) and a torch (to heat the tile) and created the intricate designs in LVT from scratch. He made his own templates from notebook paper and transfer the patterns with carbon paper onto the floor. At 10 years old I was recruited to work with him as his "helper". We installed Linoleum, Vinyl Sheet Flooring, Asphalt tile, Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT), and Vinyl tile. In addition my father was a carpet layer, sometimes creating the same amazing design patterns out of carpet. My father's clients called him Picasso, my father was my inspiration and the reason I have always had such a strong work ethic. Armstrong, Amtico, Kentile, Congoleum, those were the manufacturers back then. Memories I still hold dear. Of course that work ethic also led to severe knee problems for me and my dad, though his knees were so callused he never complained of pain from them. In his later years he developed emphysema from the asbestos exposure (heating the LVT to soften them for scribing and cutting), and at the spry age of 94 passed away from emphysema complications. I greatly appreciated the time I spent with my dad as his junior Picasso, he was a tough but fair boss, I was paid hourly until I became fast at laying tile, than I was paid "piecemeal" per sf. These days getting on my knees is torture. But that experience was priceless. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1696 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2016 - 02:44 pm:    So... LVT = what? Luxury vinyl tile? If so, what defines the product, and why would it need a field. coating? David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1514 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2016 - 04:04 pm:    LVT = Luxury Vinyl Tile. This tile usually comes in flexible strips or "planks" and imitates wood or stone. The reason for the top coating is to create a seamless floor that will eliminate gaps for germs to hide. The Polyclinic in Seattle (where my pictures were taken) has this type of floor in all their patient exam and procedure rooms. The seamless floor also makes it easier to clean up spills. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Another (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, September 23, 2016 - 11:37 am:    I've always been bothered by the terminology for Luxury Vinyl Tile. If you look into the product data sheets (at least for any that have come across my desk) they all refer to ASTM F 1700 "Standard Specification for Solid Vinyl Floor Tile." So what makes LVT different than SVT if they are using the same ASTM standard? - Printed decorative layer? No, that's just Class III in the standard. - Textured surface layer? No, that's just Type B embossed surface vs Type A smooth surface. - Thicker wear layer? Class III requires min. 20 mils which is what I usually see for LVT. - Marketing terminology? This gets my vote. At least some manufacturers are acknowledging this. Note the first line under product information, "Construction: Solid Vinyl Tile [a.k.a. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)]" http://www.armstrong.com/pdbupimages-flr/200446.pdf David, I would guess that the seamless coating you are seeing is just floor polish. See the "Alternative Maintenance Options" for the product data I linked above here: http://www.armstrong.com/pdbupimages/197965.pdf. With 3-5 coats of polish this would probably start to fill in any joints between tiles and the build-up would give you the look you are seeing of a seamless coating. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 217 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, September 23, 2016 - 01:54 pm:    The post from "Another" is right-on; "luxury" is a marketing term. It has also become meaningless as the product so called has become more commonly. The "L" word can even backfire: imagine telling a budget-conscious building owner that you are recommending a "luxury" product. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru 818-219-4937