It’s easy to see why rubber is the flooring of choice for
many commercial, educational and government establishments – and even, in some
cases, a good choice of flooring for areas of the home. It has outstanding
durability, as well as resilience and is also resistant to burns, scratches,
dents and stains, as well as being completely waterproof. Furthermore, it comes
in a stunning array of colors and designs and can also incorporate textures for
additional luster. Surprisingly, it can also be a very environmentally-friendly
option!
What is Rubber Flooring?
Traditionally, rubber came from the milky sap of the rubber
tree and natural rubber is still harvested in this way. However, the majority
of rubber flooring is now often made of synthetic materials. Rubber has always
been popular in industrial settings because it is one of the most hard-wearing
and resilient floor coverings available and yet still offers a remarkable level
of cushioning underfoot and impact absorbency. Its water-resistant and
stain-resistant surface, as well as its chemical stability, means that it is
ideal in high moisture areas and where thorough cleaning (with water and harsh
cleaners) is regularly required. This also makes them ideal for bathrooms in
domestic settings. (Note: in heavily wet areas, rubber flooring must be
combined with a wet room system to provide a reliable moisture barrier and
prevent water leakage).
Where is it Used?
Rubber flooring is used in a huge variety of settings, from
airports to schools, hospitals to clinics, farms to restaurants, as its high
durability and resistance to wear and tear means it can cope with just about
anything, from dogs claws to stiletto heels! In many of these cases,
particularly in areas of high traffic, it is worthwhile applying a maintenance
layer of polish to the surface to make cleaning and maintenance of the rubber
flooring easier!
Rubber flooring is used in commercial and industrial
settings for heavy traffic areas due to its combination of aesthetics,
functionality and value. It is also widely used in public transport as it meets
the stringent requirements of public safety and durability – not only does it
have slip resistance and abrasion resistance but it also performs highly
against fire and smoke emissions. Lastly, rubber floors are embraced in the
sports and fitness industries where their flexibility and cushioning, together
with their resiliency and hygiene-promoting properties make them the ideal
flooring material.
Rubber floors have also gained in popularity with modern
designers as it gives a room a unique ‘high-tech’ look and feel, as well as
being versatile enough to match a variety of design schemes. Modern rubber
flooring comes in solid sheet or tile form and is available in wet suit finishes,
primary and pastel colors and with embedded textures, such as studs or ribbing,
for potentially wet areas to prevent slipping and accidents.
Features of Rubber Flooring:
Stable: Rubber has in-built UV-stability which makes
it ideal for outdoor use, weathering very well in semi-UV exposed areas. For
strongly exposed areas, the rubber can be treated with a special sealer coating
which will prevent fading and make it more resistant to strong sun exposure.
Rubber also has good dimensional stability, which means it shows no noticeable
shrinkage or expansion in fluctuating temperatures.
Durable: Most good quality rubber is guaranteed to
last the life of the application without cracking, wearing or breaking. In
fact, it is not unknown for the rubber floor to outlast the life of the
premises in places such as airports, stations and public transport such as
buses and trains. Their longevity is due to their high abrasion resistance and
also to an in-built system of self-releasing wax which helps the rubber “heal”
against scratches and abrasions. The other factor that helps their longevity is
rubbers inherent resilience and flexibility.
Anti-Fatigue: One of the key benefits of rubber
flooring is its cushioning effect which dissipates impact energy and thus reduces
strain on joints and muscles. This then helps to provide comfort underfoot and
prevent fatigue. This makes it an ideal flooring for situations where people
will be standing for long periods, from the domestic kitchen to commercial
settings such as factory conveyor belts, bars, shopping centers, cash registers
and transit areas. This cushioning comes from rubber’s highly-elastic polymer
chains arranged in a unique cross-linked network, which enables them to act
like miniature springs beneath your feet and gives rubber some of its great
resilience under heavy weights.
Hygienic and Safe: Rubber’s smooth surface means that
it does not easily harbour pet hairs, dust mites and other allergens. The
elastomers within rubber also give extremely high surface traction, making
rubber flooring an ideal anti-slip floor covering in both work and home
environments. Furthermore, good quality rubber is formulated so that it does
not produce any toxic substances when incinerated, thus giving safety in the
event of fire – particularly important for public places.
Low Static: Rubber flooring can be available in a
static-dissipative version which is of key importance in certain settings such
as hospitals, computer rooms and electronic manufacturing plants, where control
of build-up and static discharge is vital.
Oil-Resistant & Water-Resistant: Rubber flooring
can also often be formulated to withstand oil, grease and chemicals which makes
them ideal for settings where these compounds are present in high amounts –
e.g. car dealerships, beauty salons, food processing facilities and
laboratories.
Long-Term Economy: Because of its longevity and
durability, leading to a long life cycle – together with its low maintenance –
rubber is without question one of the most economical flooring types in the
long term.
Insulating: Rubber is a fantastic insulator, both of
temperature and sound. The molecular density of the elastomers in rubber helps
it absorb sound and impact, and reduce the transfer of noise, resulting in a
quieter environment. Its thermal insulation properties also provide comfort in
winter and even in summer, keeping the environment warm and cool respectively.
Environmentally-Friendly Flooring?
Rubber flooring may not be your first thought as
environmentally-friendly flooring but it actually has a lot of eco-friendly
properties. Because of its long life cycle, there is no need for frequent
removal and disposal of flooring materials plus regular installation, thus
reducing use of chemicals (e.g. adhesives), wastage and demand on natural
resources. Once it is finally removed, rubber can be recycled. Even if it is
not, it is easily disposed of in landfills and in many cases, if it has been
formulated without PVC’s, there will be no toxic plasticizers, halogens, or
dioxins to seep into the groundwater. Lastly, rubber has been shown to
significantly improve indoor air quality.
For more information feel free to contact me:
Americarpet
364 NE 167th St
Miami, FL 33162
3a 1a