One of the most common questions we get about vinyl dance flooring is why it sometimes expands or contracts after installation. The simple answer is that all PVC vinyl flooring products respond to changes in temperature.
When a room gets warmer, vinyl expands. When the temperature drops, it contracts. This movement is completely normal and happens with virtually all vinyl sheet flooring products.
The amount of expansion and contraction you see, depends on the type of flooring you’re using.
Matlay® is designed for semi-permanent installations. Because it does not include a reinforcing weave, it will expand and contract as temperatures change. This isn’t necessarily a problem—it’s how the material performs..
Marlay®, on the other hand, is intended for permanent installations. The biggest difference is that Marlay® includes an inner woven reinforcement layer that provides dimensional stability.
That inner weave helps keep the flooring from stretching, shrinking as much when temperatures fluctuate. In many cases, it can drastically reduce the expansion and contraction that naturally occurs with PVC vinyl flooring. That’s why “Marlay®” is suitable to be welded together and then you never have to worry about taping again.
Over the years, some manufacturers have chosen to eliminate this reinforcement layer from their products. While the flooring may look similar on the surface, the lack of an inner weave can result in more movement after installation.
If you’re planning a permanent installation and want the best dimensional stability possible, Marlay® is typically the better choice. The reinforced construction helps the floor stay flatter, more stable, and more consistent over time.
As with most flooring products, what you can’t see is often just as important as what you can. Marlay® and Matlay® are made in America.
If you’d like a more detailed explanation from Matt please contact us.
