When it comes to school flooring options, there are several possibilities. Each option has its own strengths and weaknesses, but it is important to be aware of the newest technologies and trends before you choose.
Classroom Flooring Options
Students need to feel comfortable in the classroom, without losing focus so aesthetic matters a lot here. Classroom floors need to be slip-resistant and safe but also durable. Shoes bring in grit and grime, chairs are pushed over the floors, desk are rearranged frequently, all of which add wear and tear to the flooring. So, what are the options?
Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
One of the most popular choices for style, ease of cleaning, durability and cost-effective flooring. Many schools and universities utilize this flooring in many different spaces rom bathrooms to kitchens and hallways.
Carpet Tiles
Perfect for the floor that needs to be soft, comfortable, and well insulated. For schools, carpet tiles should be subtle and durable under heavy traffic. These tiles have their own base and backing so underlay is unnecessary. They are installed directly to the subfloor. The tiles are slip-resistant for added safety and come in a wide array of design options.
Carpet tiles also offer the convenience of being able to remove and replace one single tile, without moving all the furniture or tearing up the entire carpet. This is a great aspect for the classroom.
Furthermore, school carpet is soft underfoot and helps alleviate stress on joints. Teachers are often on their feet all day long. carpet tiles make them more comfortable and allow them to better focus on the job at hand.
Vinyl Tile
There are two forms of vinyl tile. VCT is vinyl composition tile. It has been used in schools for decades. VCT is a mixture of vinyl, limestone, and other ingredients. However, it is porous, meaning it requires a higher degree of maintenance. It needs to be waxed and polished regularly, but it is durable and inexpensive.
Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is more common today. It is 100% vinyl, so not porous. It can feature any pattern you want or mimic the look of other materials with a photographic layer.
On top of this is a durable wear layer. LVT lasts longer and holds up better than VCT, maintenance is much easier and there is no need for waxing. It is slightly more expensive but still more affordable than many other options.
Laminate
While not as popular as it once was, laminate is worth mentioning. Its inexpensive, and resists scratching, fading, and other types of damage. It is not recommended over carpet tiles of LVT for the classroom though.
Hallway Flooring Options
Corridors and hallways must utilize resilient materials. Vinyl tile is a good choice for these heavily-trafficked areas. However, schools can take a page out of the hospital playbook and bring in resilient rubber tiles. For both institutions, floors need to be easy to clean, durable, and spill-resistant. While the floors need to be slip-resistant, the rubber floor offers cushion in the event of falls so there is less chance of injury.
Now, when we say rubber tile you may be imagining a bouncy rubber floor. But chances are, you have walked on rubber tile and never realized it. It is much more resilient, extremely resistant to scuffing, scratching, and gouging. This makes it a good choice for high traffic areas. rubber flooring is available in any pattern or appearance and is easy to customize logos, colors, or patterns.
Special Factors
Different classrooms have different needs, and the flooring options will need to consider this. You wouldn’t want to put carpet tiles in a science lab or art class where there are frequent spills.
Likewise, gyms require more consideration. Older gyms used strong wooden floors, but newer materials cushion falls and create less stress on joints. Seamless vinyl is an option and very useful, but you may also consider epoxy flooring since it is exceptionally durable. These materials also hold up well under heavy loads, making them perfect for special events.
School and Education Commercial Flooring Company
Profast Commercial Flooring, LLC has been in business since 1998. It has a dedicated, knowledgeable and professional staff both in the office and field to provide the best-installed product in the commercial flooring business. Profast is a Five Star Contractor with National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). Contact us today for a quote
