My travels take me to just about every kind of environment you can imagine&#;from assisted living facilities to aircraft carriers. The common link between facilities, where I have been involved in troubleshooting a flooring problem, is hard surface floors including VCT, LVT, linoleum, sheet vinyl, hardwood, laminate and the furniture glides being used on movable furniture items. I can assure you that if you discuss furniture glides, aka furniture floor protectors, with twenty people, you will get twenty different answers about which protector is best on a hard surface floor. In my expert opinion, there is only one choice, felt.
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This opinion is based on my forty years of flooring industry experience, from sales and installation to manufacturer technical services and independent expert troubleshooter. In most cases of flooring failure problems, incorrect, damaged or uncared-for floor protectors contribute to the problem.
An end user who researches protector pads to use on furniture and equipment in their facility will find a variety of floor protector products. The three main types of pads they will find for tables and chairs are felt, plastic and metal.
Inspection of a metal glide reveals a metallic coating that becomes easily and permanently damaged by surface scratches leaving chards of metal protrusions that act like razor blades and slice into the floor&#;s surface with every twist, shift or move of the chair or table. Moisture from routine cleaning further complicates the problem leaving permanent rust stains on the floor&#;s surface when the cleaning water migrates under the protector and dwells for an extended period of time.
Plastic glides are hard and fragile resulting in broken remnants that contribute to severe flooring damage. Dirt and debris press into the surface of plastic protectors that can be more damaging than coarse sandpaper when the chair is repeatedly moved across the floor&#;s surface.
The rule for floor protector selection is simple: Hard floor protectors (plastic or metal) for soft-surface (carpeted) flooring and soft protectors (felt) for hard-surface floors.
Hard plastic and metal protectors quickly degrade resulting in permanent damage on hard surface floors that can seldom be reversed. In my opinion, neither of these are viable options. Felt is the best as it provides a soft material that glides easily across the floor and dirt and debris that becomes embedded in the felt, buries into the soft texture of the glide minimizing and often avoiding permanent or severe damage to the floor.
Since furniture floor protector pads are on the floor continuously, they can quickly degrade. Like automobiles they require routine care and maintenance to perform their best. Two situations arise with felt furniture floor protector pads that require ongoing attention from the end user.
First, embedded dirt and debris must be routinely removed and cleaned by vacuuming! Second, heavy moisture, as typically used for cleaning hard surface floors, becomes absorbed by felt protectors leaving the felt pads hard and coarse when dry. This coarse texture can scratch a hard surface floor. To avoid replacing felt furniture pads that become crusty due to moisture, take an extra step after vacuuming and briskly brush the pads with a small wire brush to soften the texture of the felt. These simple steps will add months of life to felt furniture pads before they require replacement.
Most important is a point person at the end user facility who is responsible for floor protector maintenance. This involves routinely checking felt pads and cleaning or replacing on a routine basis as needed. This schedule varies with the traffic and use in each, different, facility.
This article expresses my position on proper adequate floor protector pads for hard surface flooring and the required attention they need for optimal performance. I believe these pictures included clearly tell the story. Felt is the best and only choice material for minimizing the risk of damage to a hard surface floor by movable furniture and equipment. Keep in mind that all felt pads are NOT created equal. Commercial use needs heavy-duty felt protector pads as discussed in my previous blog post series on Scratches, Gouges and Scrapes, Part 2-Preventive Measures.
Felt back and foam back are two types of backing featured on sheet vinyl flooring. Felt back vinyl features a layer of felt material that provides cushioning, insulation, and a forgiving surface capable of accommodating minor subfloor irregularities. This backing type is known for its enhanced underfoot comfort and warmth, making it a popular choice for rooms with a cosy feel.
Foam back vinyl boasts a soft, resilient foam layer offering exceptional comfort and noise reduction. The foam backing provides a cushioned surface that is gentle on the feet and helps to dampen sound, making it well-suited for spaces where comfort and quiet are the main priorities.
No, you do not need an underlay with foam back vinyl flooring. The foam backing is designed to act as a built-in underlay, providing cushioning and support while reducing noise transmission.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Felt Flooring. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
However, while an additional underlay is not required, ensuring your subfloor is prepared correctly before installation is essential. A smooth and level subfloor will help prevent bumps or ridges from showing through the vinyl, providing a smooth and flawless finish. Any existing flooring should be removed, and the subfloor should be thoroughly cleaned and levelled.
The durability of vinyl flooring depends on factors such as the wear layer thickness, material quality, and overall construction rather than solely the backing type. Felt-back vinyl and foam-back vinyl flooring can offer comparable durability if they are made from high-quality materials and come with a robust wear layer that protects the surface from scratches, scuffs, and stains.
Consider the specific needs and usage of the room where the flooring will be installed to determine the most suitable option for long-lasting performance.
Felt-back vinyl floors are water-resistant but only partially waterproof. While the vinyl material is impervious to water, the felt backing can absorb moisture, potentially leading to issues such as mould, mildew, or damage over time. To minimise the risk of water-related problems, it is essential to ensure proper installation and maintenance of felt-back vinyl flooring. This is particularly important in moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Felt and foam back vinyl floors' lifespan can be similar if both are made from high-quality materials and feature a robust wear layer. Generally, well-constructed vinyl flooring can last 10 to 20 years, depending on installation quality and maintenance factors. To ensure a long-lasting floor, choosing a high-quality product and following the manufacturer's installation, cleaning, and maintenance guidelines is crucial.
You can install foam and felt-back vinyl flooring with underfloor heating systems, provided the product is compatible and follows the manufacturer's guidelines when installing. Vinyl flooring is suitable for underfloor heating due to its low thermal resistance, allowing heat to pass through efficiently. However, it is essential to verify compatibility with the flooring manufacturer and adhere to the recommended temperature limits to prevent damage to the vinyl flooring.
A professional should install and test the underfloor heating system to ensure proper functioning and compatibility with your chosen vinyl flooring.
Choosing between felt or foam-backed vinyl flooring ultimately comes down to personal preferences, alongside the specific needs of the space where it will be installed. Felt-backed vinyl offers an enhanced underfoot experience that's warm, comfortable, and forgiving of minor subfloor irregularities. This option is ideal for those who prioritise comfort and want a cosy feel underfoot. It's also an excellent insulation choice, helping keep rooms warm and inviting even in cooler temperatures.
Foam-backed vinyl flooring is an excellent option for those who value exceptional cushioning and noise reduction. This backing type provides a soft, resilient foam layer that significantly reduces noise transmission and provides superior underfoot support. It's an excellent choice for rooms where peace and quiet are top priorities, such as bedrooms, nurseries, or living areas.
Felt-backed vinyl is a popular choice for several reasons. First, it offers a cushioned and comfortable underfoot feel, making it suitable for spaces where a cosy atmosphere is desired. Second, the felt backing provides insulation and warmth, contributing to energy efficiency and a more comfortable environment. It is also forgiving and can accommodate minor subfloor imperfections, potentially simplifying installation.
Foam-backed vinyl is a great flooring choice due to its unique benefits. The foam backing offers a soft, cushioned surface that is comfortable underfoot, making it ideal for rooms where people spend significant amounts of time standing or walking. It provides excellent noise reduction, particularly useful in multi-story homes or rooms where sound transmission is a concern.
As with any flooring choice, it is essential to consider the specific needs and requirements of the room to determine if foam-backed vinyl is the most suitable option.
Browse our full sheet vinyl flooring range now, available in felt and foam-backed options. If you have any further questions that aren&#;t answered above, contact our friendly flooring experts. We are happy to help where we can and aim to provide our customers with the best advice to help them make the best flooring choice.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Foam Back Vinyl Flooring.