When considering gym flooring, you'll need to consider the size of the facility or area where the flooring will be installed. How are you intending to use the space? And how much foot traffic will you see daily?
These questions need to be evaluated before you start a flooring installation project. Heavy foot traffic and repeated facility use will impact floors the most, making rubber flooring an optimal option. It's created for maximum shock absorption without giving in and breaking or bending.
The best flooring creates a safe gym environment by reducing the risk of injury and providing cushioning and support to all gym users. It offers excellent shock absorption to prevent player fatigue, ensuring students can work out for longer and reduce the risk of injuries caused by slip-and-fall accidents.
School gyms' flooring must be sturdy and rigid enough to support bleachers and equipment like posts, stands, nets, and floor sockets. The right flooring supports your equipment and increases the utility and versatility of your school gym.
Each flooring material has different cleaning methods, but all require daily upkeep. While rubber flooring requires less maintenance due to its bacterial-resistant properties, you should still vacuum and mop it. However, you'll want to be careful about what you clean it with. Strong detergents, solvents, oil-based cleaners, and abrasive cleaning liquids can damage a rubber surface.
It's important to maintain hardwood floors with daily sweeping and mopping because even small dust particles invite scratched floors. You can also use walk-off mats around your hardwood court floor to try and catch any extra dirt and dust before it hits the hardwood surface.
Flooring with noise reduction qualities numbs the noise, creating a quieter and more peaceful gym environment by absorbing the vibrations and noise caused by impact. This is especially important if multiple activities happen at once. For example, if you use the gym for "stations" during gym class, you'll likely want a floor that absorbs noise.
If your geographical location is very humid and you have a hardwood surface, you need to consider that before choosing your flooring material. Humidity affects wood in different ways, causing it to expand or contract depending on the type of wood.
MONDO's multilayer concept feature pairs the best elastic underlayers with the most appropriate surface finish to satisfy the specific needs of each sport. It helps to both resolve and considerably simplify any potential installation issues, such as humidity seeping upward from the screed.
Hardwood and rubber are two popular materials recommended for school gymnasiums. Here's how they compare.
1. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a classic option for gymnasiums and other indoor sports arenas. Many prefer it because of its flexibility, resilience, and durability.
However, hardwood flooring is more expensive and requires regular maintenance, which increases the costs further. To keep hardwood gym floors in the best condition, you will need tp have them screened and recoated annually and sanded and refinished every few years. The floors also require daily cleaning with manufacturer-recommended products to remove dirt, dust, and other tiny particles that may scratch them.
2. Rubber Flooring
Rubber gym flooring is a modern alternative to hardwood flooring designed for multipurpose use. It's ideal for venues susceptible to moisture because it's water-resistant, meaning it's not damaged by humidity, mold, or mildew.
Rubber gym flooring, a cost-effective alternative to hardwood, is a safe and comfortable choice that minimizes muscle stress and injuries. It also provides superior traction and a good grip to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. Rubber can also be an eco-friendly choice when it's made from renewable raw materials. Many high-quality rubber flooring options, such as MONDO Advance, are made from recycled rubber.
MONDO Advance is a rubber flooring with a multilayered structure that makes it perfect for school gyms that see a lot of use. It has a vulcanized rubber top layer available in different colors, a smooth finish, and optimal grip. It's resistant to wear and tear even after years of intensive use from spectator bleachers and athletic equipment. This flooring is easy to install and even easier to maintain.
If you're looking to update or replace your gym floors, MONDO offers an option that will create a safe and comfortable sporting arena and deliver numerous other benefits. Our products have a GREENGUARD GOLD certification, and MONDO Advance is designed for multipurpose use and maximum support for heavy loads. It's available in more than a dozen colors and four thickness options. Contact us today for more information about how MONDO Advance will transform your school gymnasium.