Rubber flooring was once the staple of gyms and hospitals but is now a popular choice for homes and commercial spaces alike. This shift in trend isn’t surprising given the versatility and durability of rubber as a flooring material. If you’re considering this option for your space, let’s dive into what makes rubber flooring stand out.
Table of Contents
What Is Rubber Flooring?Where Can Rubber Flooring Be Used?
Top 8 Benefits of Rubber Flooring
How to Choose Rubber Flooring
Rubber Flooring Maintenance Tips
Conclusion
What Is Rubber Flooring?
Rubber flooring is made from—you guessed it—rubber. It comes in various forms such as synthetic and recycled, different formats like tiles and sheets, and can be used indoors and outdoors. Recognised for its resilience, rubber flooring is designed to withstand heavy use, making it perfect for busy areas. Plus its slip resistant nature makes it safer in wet areas.
Where Can Rubber Flooring Be Used?
Rubber flooring’s adaptability allows it to be used in many areas, each benefiting from its unique properties:
- Domestic Use: Ideal for garages, utility rooms, bathrooms and home gyms where durability and water resistance are key.
- Industrial Use: In factories, plants and warehouses, rubber flooring can withstand heavy machinery and spillages.
- Education: Used in school playgrounds, classrooms and gyms for its safety and noise reducing qualities.
- Leisure: Essential in recreation parks and sports facilities for its shock absorption and low maintenance.
- Retail: Adds comfort and aesthetic appeal to shops and showrooms.
- Gym and Fitness Facilities: Its impact resistance and joint friendly surface makes it perfect for fitness areas.
In summary:
Top 8 Benefits of Rubber Flooring
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Durability and Resilience: Rubber flooring can withstand heavy traffic and resist significant wear and tear, retains its shape and appearance over time.
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Safety: Slip resistant and cushioning properties of rubber makes it a safe choice for wet areas and spaces where falls may occur, such as gyms and playgrounds.
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Easy to Maintain: Rubber flooring is super easy to clean. Just sweep, vacuum or mop and it will look like new.
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Noise Reduction: The elasticity of rubber helps to absorb sound, perfect for busy commercial spaces or households that want a quiet environment.
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Seamless Installation: Rubber tiles can be installed without joints, creating a smooth continuous surface that is easier to clean and maintain.
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Design Flexibility: Available in many colours and patterns, rubber flooring can match any décor.
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Eco-Friendly: Rubber is a sustainable material, often recycled and recyclable, making it an environment friendly flooring option.
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Comfort: Rubber flooring naturally cushions and supports the body, perfect for spaces where people stand for long periods.
Customer Feedback
"We used extra rubber gym tiles from our home gym installation and installed them in our utility room and cloak room. They are so easy to keep clean and nice to walk on"
How to Choose Rubber Flooring
When choosing rubber flooring consider the main use of your space, the size and shape of the area to be covered and what specific features the space requires in terms of your flooring. For example, a gym may require sound reduction and look for gym mats that have sufficient thickness to minimise noise from weights and vibration. A garage or workshop may look for safety flooring features such as a studded texture for extra slip resistance.
Consider these basics:
- Rubber Type: There is virgin, synthetic rubber flooring and recycled rubber floor solutions. Both offer their own individual benefits. Opt for a type that ticks all your boxes.
- Surface Texture: Consider whether you require extra slip resistance. Rubber flooring is naturally textured and non-slip but for specific applications, a coin or rutted texture may be beneficial.
- Format: Consider whether rubber tiles or rolls of rubber are more suitable for your space. This is down to personal preference on the look of your floor and your budget.
- Thickness: Choose a suitable thickness to support foot traffic and the main activities you will be practising. Also consider equipment and furniture and whether your rubber flooring is load bearing.
- Colour/Design Options: For domestic, retail and hospitality spaces, having colour and design options is important to achieve the aesthetic you want.
- Properties: Look at features such as shock absorption, sound reduction and anti-fatigue properties and determine what is important to your space.
Rubber Flooring Maintenance Tips
To maintain your rubber flooring:
- Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt.
- Mop with a mild soap or a cleaner for rubber floors.
- Avoid abrasive products and excess water to prevent damage.
Conclusion
Rubber flooring has many benefits making it a practical option for both residential and commercial use. Its durability, safety features and low maintenance makes it a smart investment for anyone looking for a long lasting, attractive and functional flooring solution. Whether in a home gym, a school or a retail space, rubber flooring can withstand everyday use and contributes to the environment.
Check out our Home Gym Flooring collection for home fitness surfaces or browse our garden flooring options for upgrading an outdoor living space.
