Using Rubber Flooring for Floor Protection in a Gym Environment

It’s hard to beat resilient and practical rubber flooring when it comes to gym applications. This type of flooring provides a comfortable and safe surface to walk, run, and jump on. These days, gym floors can be lined with full rubber roll floors, tiles, or mats that provide a soft and cushioned surface. This protects the original flooring from the wear and tear of daily use. At the same time, it provides a cushioned surface ideal for doing floor exercises, as well as a safety mat in cases of trips and falls.

Rubber offers some unique advantages that traditional flooring materials simply can’t match. These characteristics make rubber suitable for fitness studios and other similar applications. Concrete floors or ceramic tiles—while durable and hardwearing—can be way too rigid for fitness centers, and may cause injuries in case someone slips or falls over. Floors made of wood—which was a popular surfacing material for yoga studios and dance studios—are friendlier to the feet, but tend to wear down faster and need a lot of maintenance.

Meanwhile, rubber flooring offers a resilient surface that is both soft and resistant to wear. Rubber also provides water resistance on top of sound and impact dampening properties, which are necessary especially in fitness centers. What’s more, rubber tiles are also cost-effective materials that are ideal for covering large square footage. They are cheaper to install and maintain than other flooring options. Did you know that rubber flooring comes in modular units that are easy to install and often don’t need any adhesives or mortar? They come in standard-sized sheets or tile pieces, which make them easy to replace in case of damage. They can also be washed and cleaned with mild soap and water, making them a breeze to maintain.

Choosing the Right Industrial Rubber Products for Your Application

Rubber is a ubiquitous material with many commercial and industrial applications. There is a host of natural and synthetic rubber varieties, each with its own properties. It is crucial to choose the right kind of rubber to suit your intended usage.

For instance, pure gum rubber, which is derived from the sap of the rubber tree, is known for its abrasion and heat resistance. This makes it ideal for use in high heat and contact applications. It often comes in sheets, as tubing, or other special shapes, and can retain its shape in the presence of heat.

Silicone rubber is another form of rubber that has high resistance to heat. It also has a nonstick property, so it can be used as spacers, washers, or bushings, or for other similar applications. This type of rubber is sold in bulk as huge rolls or material.

For conveyor belts and bulk material movers, skirt board rubber can be a good choice because it is highly flexible and durable enough for the job. It’s a cost-effective solution, as it is easy to produce. It is also hard wearing, water and chemical proof, and resistant to spillovers, making it manageable for material moving equipment like belt conveyers.

For extra durable applications and high temperature uses, Styrene-Butadiene synthetic rubber (or SBR) is an ideal choice. It is a semi-abrasive material and has a high temperature resistance up to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it ideal for use in HVAC systems, cooling and heating fittings, hoses, and similar applications where other rubber materials will melt or degrade. It is often used in construction applications for heating, cooling, and climate control equipment.

It is well to remember that not all rubber materials are the same. Each type has a different resistance to heat, degrees of flexibility, and resistance to wear, so it is best to know the properties of each before choosing the product for your use.

Things to Take Care When Installing Rolled Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring can act as an additional layer of protective cover for your floor, especially when used in a room that is often subject to conditions that can easily damage the surface. A rubber sheet roll may seem easy to install, where you simply roll it out across the floor and your work is done. However, rubber flooring installation requires a bit of preparation and a lot of care for best results. Here are some of the things to take care of during installation:

•    Have the right tools – You will need hand tools like a T-square, tape measure, notched towel, chalk line, and a utility knife. A flooring roller is optional. Likewise, make sure you have power tools, such as a shop vacuum. You may need a mop and bucket, extra knife blades, glue, double-sided tape, and a floor cleaner, too.

•    Prepare the floor – Most types of rubber flooring can be laid over hard floors, but you have the option to remove the old flooring. Factors such as the thickness of the rubber sheet roll, the condition of the existing floor, and the possibility of the flooring becoming higher after installation must be considered, too. If you decide to install over existing floor, make sure that the sub floor itself is level. Take note of low spots and have them raised using self-leveling concrete. Tough adhesive and old mortar should be chiseled off the concrete, and fasteners such as tack strip nails and padding staples should be pulled back.

•    Clean the floor – It does not matter whether you intend to use glue or tape to hold the rubber sheet down on the floor. You need to make sure that it is clean. So, take time to vacuum and mop if it is a concrete floor, and vacuum if it is a wood subfloor.

•    Remember to clean up after installation – Get rid of installation debris and dirt from the newly installed rubber sheet roll.

•    Consider hiring an expert – To avoid guesswork and costly mistakes and rework, consider hiring an experienced installer. This should save you a lot of time and effort, and you can be sure that the rubber sheet roll will be installed correctly and quickly.

Source URL: http://rubberflooringblog.com/things-to-take-care-when-installing-rolled-rubber-flooring/

4 Signs That the Floor Needs to be Replaced

Floors receive a lot of beating daily, whether at home or in a commercial space. They are typically exposed to heavy foot traffic, and in some cases, heavy objects and equipment. Replacing them takes effort, money, and time, and as a result, most property owners ignore signs of wear and tear until they have no choice but to replace the floor. However, this worsens the situation and increases your expenses, especially if the bad floor causes accidents and other issues in the property. Hence, here are four signs that indicate when it is time to replace your floor:

1. Slip and fall incidents have increased – It may be time to replace your floor if people frequently slip and fall. Wooden flooring and tiles become slippery when moist or wet, making them unsafe for areas that are often exposed to moisture and liquids. Hence, you may want to consider upgrading your flooring with non-slip materials, like anti-slip rubber or PVC covers.

2. Stains and water damage – Water and moisture accumulates on certain types of floors, making the surface unsightly. These factors can also cause mold and mildew to thrive in your floor. You may need to replace the flooring if it is deteriorated or stained from water damage.

3. Cracking – Cracks are not only unsightly. They may also indicate foundation issues or a weak thin set. Ceramic and porcelain floors may crack or break due to foundation issues or heavy impacts. Consult a professional to evaluate your foundation before changing your flooring. That way, other underlying issues can be fixed, and your new floor can last longer.

4. Accumulating dirt and grime – Certain types of flooring, like carpets, unsealed stone tiles, and wood, accumulate dirt and debris over time. You may want to consider replacing them if they are too difficult and costly to clean.

Precautions You Need to Take to Keep Your Floor’s New Look

Rubber floor tiles are great for use in home gyms, children’s rooms, basements, and other areas where a softer floor is desirable. Not only are they comfortable to walk on—they can also act as a thermal and moisture barrier in some applications.

Proper maintenance can ensure that your rubber floor tiles can last for a long time. It will allow you to extend the useful life of your flooring for many years and keep it pristine as the day it was installed.

Maintenance is actually quite simple and easy as long as you follow the right techniques. The only tools you need to maintain rubber floor tiles are a vacuum cleaner, a good mop, and some mild detergent.

For permanently installed rubber sheeting, it is best to always keep it clean of dust and soil particles. Constant exposure to these abrasive particles will eventually destroy the rubber floor surface. You can clean stains and liquids off the rubber matting with a damp cloth and some mild detergent. Avoid strong chemical cleaners, as they may react with the rubber compound and ruin or destroy your floor. Regularly vacuuming and mopping will help keep your rubber matting clean, tidy, and damage-free, making them last longer.

You can maintain rubber tiles with the same treatment. But since the tiles are movable, it would be a good idea to move and rotate them periodically. Swap rubber tiles between low-traffic and high-traffic zones to ensure that the flooring wears out evenly and to extend the life of the tiles. You may also take out individual tiles and clean them by hand when needed. As with rubber sheeting, avoid using strong cleaners, as they will react with the rubber compound and ruin the tiles. Unlike rubber sheeting, rubber tiles can be replaced as individual sections wear out, making them much easier to maintain and repair in case of damage.

Source URL: http://rubberflooringblog.com/precautions-you-need-to-take-to-keep-your-floors-new-look/

Check These Properties before Buying Garage Floor Mats

Rubber is a great material for use in the garage area because of its non-slip and moisture protecting properties. There are, however, a few things one must bear in mind before investing on a rubber floor covering solution in order to make the most out of it.

1.    First off, the area must be suitably shaped for use with a particular rubber matting solution. Although rubber yields really well, it is still wise to look at the overall shape of the area where you wish to apply it. A square shaped area is ideal as most rubber garage floor mats come in square shaped tiles, so there is less material wastage.

2.    For large areas, try to go for a more seamless solution by using large rolls of rubber instead of tiles. This of course will also depend on the room shape, but rolls of rubber flooring often will come out cheaper and will take less effort to install especially on larger areas.

3.    As with other materials used for the home, looks can also be a big factor in choosing the correct rubber flooring solution for your garage. Thankfully, there is a large array of textures, colors and styles of rubber flooring available today, so you will be spoilt for choice. Make sure to pick a color, design, or style of matting that will complement the rest of your décor.

4.    Weight and thickness of rubber flooring may vary and can have a significant impact in terms of wear, foot traffic, and overall performance. For temporary applications, it is best to pick out thinner rolls of rubber matting for easy removal and movement. Heavier and thicker rubber tiling or mats are ideal for more permanent installations.

Buy your garage mats online from a trusted retailer. The best ones can help you make the right choice. Simply send them a message or call their hotline with details about your intended application, and they can recommend the most suitable garage floor mats.

Source URL: http://rubberflooringblog.com/check-these-properties-before-buying-garage-floor-mats/

How to Select the Right Type of Floor Covering For Your Commercial Space

Work is worship and workplace is also considered to be a very pious place. It is essential to design your workplace in an impressive manner. The interior and designing includes many important things like the color of the paint, tiles, furniture etc. Another important thing often overlooked is the flooring of your commercial space.

Deciding the right flooring for your commercial building can be tough task. Understanding your requirements and your client age and accordingly opt for the right flooring that best suits your needs makes the primary step. As commercial spaces usually have larger surface area, you need to choose affordable yet functional and stylish flooring. There are a variety of options available, like, wooden flooring, vinyl, tiles, rubber flooring, and carpet fixation. Depending upon the type of business, like for hospitals it is advisable to use non-skid flooring like that of vinyl. Similarly if it is a ball room or hotel one should opt for carpet flooring. For gymnasiums, rubber flooring is suitable.

Each type of flooring comes with its own pros and cons. The best way to decide upon one is to know your space well and figure out the budget of the same and the aesthetic you want to accomplish. Also consider factors like sound and light. If sound absorption needs to be considered ask the retailer to give you options for that. Lastly, look for the durability of the product as it is a type of investment only.

 

As far as the trends in 2017 go, rubber flooring is winning the competition hands down. It has all the desirable properties one would want in a floor – non-skid, soundless steps, easy cleaning and all that jazz. Save yourself the trouble of too many options and choose rubber flooring.