No floor offers 100% protection against scratches. For a PVC floor, this is no different. Fortunately, signs of use can be largely prevented with the right precautions. And should scratches occur that are experienced as annoying? Even then, there are often methods to repair them. To help you choose the right PVC floor, we share practical tips in this article for optimal preservation and the repair of scratches.
Visibility of scratches on PVC floor differs per (color) version
Although PVC floors are known for their wear-resistant properties, small scratches and other damages – even with careful use – can never be completely ruled out. If you want a PVC floor on which signs of use are less prominent, it pays to orient yourself on the following types of PVC floors:
- Signs of use on PVC floors give the floor a somewhat matte haze and are therefore less noticeable with a matte PVC floor version. Any scratches therefore seem more like part of the natural character. High-gloss versions are not recommended for this reason;
- On variegated tone-on-tone floor finishes, such as PVC in concrete look or leather look, scratches are less visible than on uni-color versions. A possible scratch can even strengthen the unpolished character.
Protecting PVC floor against scratches: 3 tips
Although scratches are hardly visible on the aforementioned floor finishes, you understandably want to protect the floor surface well against them. Below we share some common causes of scratches on a PVC floor with the associated methods to prevent scratch formation:
- Walking in stones, sand and other dirt from under the shoes.
- A walk-off mat at the entrance is an effective way to keep culprits of scratches outside as much as possible;
- Moving furniture with pointed legs without proper protection caps.
- Use hard protection caps for PVC floors. Avoid felt pads; any dirt particles easily adhere to this material, which only increases the risk of scratches;
- Steam cleaning or the use of abrasive cleaning agents can do more harm than good.
- Use lukewarm water with a floor cleaner specially designed for PVC floors. This prevents scratches and you don’t have to worry about streaks remaining after cleaning.
Removing scratches on PVC floors
Have scratches occurred over time that you experience as disturbing? Then there are various options to repair these scratches.
- With click PVC floors, a scratched plank can be replaced fairly easily, provided it is in the outer rows. However, when the floor is glued (and this is recommended in connection with the tightest end result!), replacing one or more strips is usually not an option or very labor-intensive;
- Superficial scratches can often still be camouflaged by means of a special PVC floor repair set, provided the underlying design is unaffected. These repair sets are suitable for this;
- Are the scratches spread over the entire floor surface? Then in some cases the floor can also be restored by re-applying a (PU) protective layer.
PVC floors tailored to your usage requirements
What is beautiful must stay beautiful, we believe at TREU interior specials. We are happy to help you select a PVC floor that is 100% tailored to your usage requirements in terms of both version and use. Contact us for questions.
Do you want to gain more inspiration? Download our flyers with available versions below