Frequently asked questions

What is the Versaflex® System? 
Versaflex® is a unique and high quality porcelain floor module that can be dry installed in seconds without the use of adhesive and grout on almost all hard substrates. The Versaflex® VXR tile is specifically developed for high transit commercial environments. It has an extremely high breaking strength and is highly resistant to impact & shock. The tiles can in most cases be installed directly onto an existing floor.
 
What is unique about The Versaflex® System compared to traditional ceramic flooring?  
The Versaflex® System is unique because it is fully flexible, enabling the tiles to be installed, removed and replaced easily. This makes it ideal for changing the flooring style and layout whenever required.  
 
What are the components of The Versaflex® System? 
Versaflex® is a flooring system comprising of a support carrier, a flexible joint and a high quality technical porcelain top surface finish. The porcelain top surface is supplied bonded directly to the polymer carrier with a detachable polymer grout.

Where is the Versaflex® System made?  
The Versaflex® System is currently produced in Europe and it is sold as a complete system.  
 
Is the Versaflex® System patent protected?  
The Versaflex® System is patent protected in most industrialised countries world-wide, including Europe, the Russian Federation, China, and the North- and South American countries. 
 
Where is the Versaflex® System launched? 
Versaflex® is available world-wide.

Sales Support

Do we offer technical support?
Yes we have Versaflex® resource managers who can provide this when required.
For further information contact our support team via info@versaflexsystems.com.

How is The Versaflex® System sampled?
A set of ceramic 'chips' for colour reference in addition to other collateral is available to demonstrate. 
 
How is it transported?
It is shipped on pallets (no boxes) and is securely banded and wrapped to reduce packaging waste.

How does it compare to other hard flooring?  
The Versaflex® System is comparable to wet installed ceramic products (although it is a dry lay system), but offers greater flexibility and is easier to replace. It also enables greater creativity within the choice of surface and the mix of finishes. 
 
Has the Versaflex® System been fully tested?  
Versaflex® VXR is specifically developed for commercial applicatons including high transit areas. Versaflex® VXR has an extremely high breaking strength and is highly resistant to impact & shock.
The technical specifications of the Versaflex® VXR system and of the various porcelain top surfaces are available in the technical data sheets.
 
What size is The Versaflex® System?
The currently available tile sizes are 60x60 cm/23.6 Inches and 50x50 cm/19.7x19.7 inches.

Is the system watertight? 
The Versaflex® System provides a basic water resistant finish under normal daily use. Cleaning methods include using machine cleaning equipment and damp mopping.
 
Note: Standards for conventional ceramic floor installations recommend against claiming that any hard floor systems are ‘water proof’. This is because conventional grouting and adhesives often fracture, crack or crumble within a few months after installation, reducing the integrity of the system. In swimming pools, showers, and other permanently wet installations a water resistant grout tends to be used. Versaflex® is not suitable for this type of application.  

Installation and Maintenance

Where can the Versaflex® System be installed?  
  
The system should be installed only under the following conditions: 
i)    The site is covered and enclosed; 
ii)    The temperature is no less than 16ºC;  
iii)    The site is not subject to any wet conditions.   
 
How is the Versaflex® system installed? 
The Versaflex® System is installed from a corner of the working area. Each hard surface tile is provided already mounted on the support carrier. A flexible L-shaped grout is attached to each grid. Tiles are then joined together to build up the installation. For further details and guidance see the installation guide. 

Is the Versaflex® System quick to install?
The Versaflex® system is 6 times quicker to install than conventional wet lay tiles as there is no adhesive or grout required. In terms of actual installation time, we have carried out comparable time and motion studies. A typical floor installation of 400 sqm (4305ft²) can be installed in one day with 4 people on site compared to 7 days installation time for a similar conventional wet lay installation. The Versaflex®  floor can be in use immediately after installation. 
 
Does the subfloor need to be prepared before installation?  
For optimal installation results the floor itself must be level enough to provide uniform support to the entire back of the grid. Therefore the floor should be clean, smooth, and sound, correctly levelled, suitably dry and prepared generally in accordance with the industry norms. Any areas requiring remedial action should be highlighted. One of the many advantages of the system is that it can be laid over mezzanine flooring and raised access floors retaining sub floor access at all times. 
 
Can it go wall-to-wall? 
Yes. The Versaflex® System can be cut with conventional professional ceramic cutting tools to fit any room.  
 
How often can the system be changed or moved around?  
The installation can be moved as many times as you want or need providing huge flexibility in aesthetics and surface finishes. 

How should the Versaflex® System be maintained?  
Loose dust should be removed by vacuuming or with a brush. As required, the ceramics surfaces can be cleaned using water or a mild detergent solution with a damp mop and/or machine cleaning equipment. Do not allow standing water onto this product. 

What happens if a tile gets damaged?  
Damaged tiles can be replaced by removing the complete module using a glass vacuum lifter and replacing it with a new module without disrupting adjacent modules. 

How do modules get lifted?   
Each module plus the grid can be lifted using a suitable rubber suction device (a glass vacuum lifter). It is recommended to apply a lifting force to each corner of the module in turn and gradually ease the carrier pegs from the holes in the grout. Once the module has been released from its neighbours, it should be removed carefully and the weight supported from underneath (i.e. not relying solely on the suction lifter).
 
How do modules get replaced?
To refit a new module align the grid pegs with the grout holes and gently lower into place. Take care to ensure the new module fits within the grout lines without causing damage. Once the tile pegs are aligned to the corresponding holes within the grout, press down gradually and uniformly on the module to ensure an even fit.  
 
How long does the Versaflex® system last for?   
The top surface materials used on the system are similar to standard high grade products commercially available within the flooring industry; therefore life expectancy is comparable with conventional installations. 

Sustainability & Materials

What is the flexible grout made of? 
Currently the grout is made from a recyclable thermoplastic elastomer. 
 
What is the support grid made of? 
Currently the support grid is made from a recyclable high impact polystyrene.
 
What will happen to the product at end of life?
The main advantage of the system is that the tiles can be re-used, either in the same installation (swapping tiles around) or in another building. The product itself is designed for disassembly at end of life. The support carrier and flexible grout can then be recycled into new components. 

How does the carbon footprint (GHG) of The Versaflex® System compare to that of a wet ceramic installation? 
The environmental impact of the materials and the actual installation for 1 m² of the Versaflex® System is 27kg CO² (Carbon Dioxide) compared with typically 32kg CO² for a wet lay ceramic installation. This is mainly because the Versaflex® System does not use water, grout or mortar within the installation.  These figures relate to the first installation only: when the system or components are used for a second time they have zero impact. Source: Versaflex LCA study, Societat Organica, 2009. Study excludes transport and maintenance. 

How does the flexibility of being able to re-use tiles and change designs impact the environment? 
The flexibility of being able to re-use the Versaflex® System without touching the levelling compound (subfloor), has an enormous potential environmental saving when considering the second and subsequent refurbishment and replacement cycles. This is because the subfloor remains intact. The Versaflex® System can be easily repaired where needed, re-used in a second installation or reinstalled in a new design with only a minimal change in surface finishes.