Disadvantages to TPR is that is it more expansive than vinyl base, cuts and installs like vinyl and not like rubber, has the same shrinkage possibilities as vinyl. In addition, TPR must be uncoiled and acclimated to room temperature 24 hours before installation, and forming corners is labor intensive. Advantages are the final product is very flexible, cuts easily, is easy to install, cleans easily, will not shrink, will not cup, resist scuffing, gouging, and does not react to most chemicals. The thickness of the rubber product hides many wall irregularities, the ribbed back provides for positive adhesion. In addition, the product does not have to be acclimated to room temperature, forming corners is easy, color is inherent throughout the entire base.
Disadvantages are higher cost than the other two products.
Cove base is tested for flexibility, staining of adjacent surfaces, resistance to light, resistance to chemicals, and dimensional stability. Cove base passes the flexibility test if it shows no visible cracks, breaks, or other evidence of weakness when bent around a cylindrical mandrel. The test for staining involves placing two wall base specimens on a painted surface and sandwiching them between metal panels that are heated for approximately 166 hours. The test for light resistance measures color change after approximately 200 hours of exposure to light. The test for chemical resistance measures surface dulling, surface attack, or staining when exposed to household strength white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, ammonia, bleach, olive oil, kerosene, and gasoline for one minute.