Complete Floor Care Solutions

PhoneSoap Lets You Clean Your Phone While You Charge [VIDEO]

These photos are from InstaSHIELD work we just completed at the brand new Trinity Hospital.

There are three basic types of grout: Cementitious, Modified and Epoxy.  It’s important to understand the characteristics of each type before selecting a maintenance regiment or undertaking a replacement or restorative project. Cementitious grout, also known as Portland cement-based grout has been around since the 1820’s.  It is by far the most popular type of grout used on ceramic tile floors and for a long time was the only available choice.  The problem with this type of grout is its high porosity.  Dirty mop water, urine, spilled soft drinks and other liquids are easily absorbed into the grout causing discoloration and a dark, dirty appearance.

Modified grout is basically cementitious grout that has been enhanced with a polymer additive.  There are a variety of these modified grouts on the market, but their acceptance in the marketplace has been guarded.  The general consensus is that they make a ceramic tile floor more maintainable for a longer period of time, but, because the bond they create is still semi-porous, when they start to show discoloration, the problem is harder to remedy than it is with standard cementitious grout. Epoxy grout is the most recent addition to the maintenance arsenal.  It is truly the only waterproof, non-porous type of grout currently available but it is also the most problematic.  In a typical new commercial installation, epoxy grout is more expensive, slower to install because its quick set time means it can only be installed in small batches, and clean-up is more difficult and time consuming.

What is Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT)

Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is a mix of thermoplastic binder, fillers, and pigmentsVCT offers moderate pricing, durability, easy installation, and assorted colors and patterns. VCT can most often be found in schools, retail stores, and medical facilities.  It effectively resists scuffs, burns, dents, and grease, but may require occasional heavy duty cleaning because the embossing can trap dirt.

VCT vs Vinyl Tile

Vinyl tile differs from VCT in having a higher amount of vinyl binder in the formula.  Vinyl tile is considerably more flexible than vinyl composition tile; it has significantly higher resistance to abrasive wear and more resistance to impact damage.

Raw Materials

VCT is made from polyvinyl esters and inorganic fillers.  Polyvinyl esters are manufactured using the same process as for PVC and is composed of chlorine (from common salt) and ethylene (from crude oil).  Compared with other types of vinyl flooring, vinyl composition tile (VCT) contains a high proportion of inorganic filler. Fillers increase the dimensional stability and reduce the elasticity of vinyl flooring.  They also improve flame spread rating and reduce smoke generation.  Calcium carbonate (limestone) is the preferred filler in vinyl flooring.  Talc and clay are rarely used because of the stiffening effect. In the past, asbestos was used as a filler.

Manufacturing Process Vinyl resins normally used in VCTs are copolymers of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate, with a vinyl acetate content of 6-13% by weight. Some PVC homopolymer may be blended into the resins.  The manufacture of VCT requires a high proportion of filler. A typical formulation consists of 80% fillers and pigments, 13% vinyl resins, 5% plasticizers, and the remainder processing aids and stabilizers.  After mixing, the dough-like mass is dropped onto a two-roll mill and accent colors are added.  When the graining is judged to be right, the stock is folded into “blankets” to allow for more uniform graining when it passes through the sheeting calendar. It then passes through a second finishing calendar which reduces it to the final thickness and provides a smooth face.  To produce tile with a surface-applied design, accent chips are applied to the face of the tile between the first and second calendars.

Domino's Lets You Make a Pizza On Your iPad and Then Order it in Real Life

That is just plain smart.

I thought it would be fun this week to start a conversation.  I love Thanksgiving personally, maybe even more than Christmas.  When I was a kid, we would get up at 8am and put up the Christmas decorations on the outside of the house.  Then of course, we had to watch the parade which I hated but soon after was the best part: eating!  Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, bread, you name it, it was on our table, even meatloaf and sometimes baked ziti.  Even more than the eating though, I always enjoyed the togetherness of our family in those moments.  We would be sitting around the table and eating and without ever saying it, we would all just kind of know that this very moment in time was the thing we were all most thankful for.  I know it sounds cheesy but too bad, you’re the one who clicked your way on to this blog :).  So my question to you this week is what is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?

Check out some more photos of our work around the Tampa Bay Area!

These pictures are from a SaniGLAZE Tile and Grout Restoration demo we did yesterday.  Your restrooms can look this good, too.  All you have to do is call us! (813) 961-1088