Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Vinyl Sheet
There are many types of PVC flooring, including homogeneous vinyl sheets and heterogeneous vinyl floors. So what is the difference between them? Both of them are called PVC flooring or plastic flooring. Their main raw material is PVC. Although both belong to PVC flooring, they are quite different. Let’s see the details.
The definition & structure of the homogeneous and heterogeneous vinyl sheet
Homogeneous vinyl sheet: homogeneous means that it is the same quality material from the surface to the thickness of the entire floor (from the surface to the bottom).
Heterogeneous vinyl floor is in multiple layers by a special process usually from top to bottom five layers. They are the UV coating layer, wear layer, printing layer, glass fibre layer and foam backing layer. Its wear resistance is mainly in the wear-resistant layers.
Therefore, from the structural point of view, the homogeneous floor is a single-layer structure. And the heterogeneous floor is a multi-layer structure.
Design & colour of homogeneous and heterogeneous
A homogeneous vinyl sheet is made of PVC particles of various colours through a special process. It has a relatively single pattern. Only two types of patterns: non-directional floral patterns and directional patterns.
We provide clients with various color collections as options, please click the picture to find more details:
Because the heterogeneous vinyl sheet is a layered structure, the printed layer determines the colour. The printing layer can change colours and patterns at will. So it has a variety of colours: wood grain, stone grain, carpet grain, all kinds of patterns. That is to say, the heterogeneous floor is more colour design options, while the homogeneous vinyl floor is relatively single.
The design and colour are different. So the technology is very different. The products of the homogeneous vinyl sheets are the high-end products in PVC flooring. Because the colour pattern is 2 mm thick throughout the floor, the formation mechanism of the pattern is more difficult, and the production process is quite complicated. The entire production process must strictly control the uniformity of the colours and the colour difference. Not an easy job.
While the colour of the heterogeneous sheets is a very simple printing layer principle, generally speaking, the cost of a homogeneous production line is five times that of a heterogeneous line.
The repair performance of scratches
Because the homogeneous floor is a single-layer structure, its colour runs through the entire thickness. This feature makes it have a refurbishing function. Slight scratches can be worn off by a grinder, polished and repaired, and re-waxed as new, with longer service life. But the heterogeneous flooring can not.
Sound absorption
Since the heterogeneous vinyl floor contains a foam layer, its sound absorption effect is much better than the homogeneous’.
Fire resistance performance
Homogeneous flooring stone powder content is higher. So the fire resistance is better than the heterogeneous floor, and its indentation resistance is also relatively good.
Application
Due to its better wear resistance and fireproof, homogeneous vinyl sheet is mostly used in places with a large flow of people in industrial places. For example, hospitals, educational institutions, health care systems, etc.
While the heterogeneous vinyl floor is mostly used for home improvement due to its rich colour options.