The Complete Sports Flooring Buying Guide [UPDATED]

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Sports Flooring 

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How to Choose the Best Sports Flooring 

Badminton 

Badminton players require a great deal of shock absorption from a playing surface. During a game, you are running, jumping, and flying around the court. Without shock absorbing qualities, the movement would be far tougher on joints and muscles. Considering you get players of all ages, good sports flooring can create a higher comfort level and make the game easier on the body. In addition to good shock absorption, traction and non-slip properties are a must. 

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Tennis 

In tennis, you need a decent return of energy for the ball to bounce and allow the players to feel lighter on their feet. Indoor tennis court flooring should support player movement while minimising the risk of slips and falls. Shock-absorbing qualities are essential for more comfortable and safe play. 

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Basketball 

During a game of basketball, players jump to great heights. A suitable basketball flooring offers high impact protection and shock absorption for large movements. It should also have a good return on energy and high bounce for gameplay. Basketball courts are typically quite bright, so you can use the flooring to add vibrancy to a facility. 

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Volleyball 

Like basketball, you can expect large movement and high jumps during a volleyball game. Players tend to dive, dodge and jump to score points. Volleyball flooring should offer enough traction to support players without controlling the movement. It needs to absorb shock considering the great heights players will often jump to hit the ball. 

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Multipurpose Sports Hall 

You will need to factor in the different types of sport and activities you intend to play for a multipurpose sports hall. A standard sports hall may be used for yoga, fitness classes, basketball, badminton, and table tennis. You need to factor in that some of these sports need shock-absorption and high impact protection. Therefore, you would start with flooring that has these qualities for optimum safety across all activities. 

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4 Benefits of Sports Flooring 

Improve Performance

Sports flooring can improve and enhance performance. Players should focus entirely on the game without having to worry about foot placement or slipping over. Sports like badminton and basketball require quick and swift movements. By using the correct flooring, it can enhance performance so that players can give the game their full attention.

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Reduce the Risk of Injury

A major benefit of the right flooring solution is reducing the risk of slips, falls, and injuries. Whenever you involve movement and exercise into the mix, the likelihood of an injury does increase. By doing everything possible to reduce that risk, you can support a player’s safety so they can focus on the game. Non-slip properties and plenty of traction are a must when it comes to sports flooring. 

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Shock Absorbing

During a badminton or volleyball game, players are jumping great heights and landing repeatedly on the floor. Without proper shock-absorbing flooring, all the impact goes straight into the joints, muscles, and tendons. Over time, this could increase the likelihood of injury and decrease the comfort of gameplay. This is true for both young and older players. 

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Resistant and Durability

Finally, sports flooring is resistant and durable. It can handle high traffic areas and repeated use. By investing in high-quality sports flooring the first time around, you can choose a solution that is resistant to scratches and marks. Good quality sprung wood sports flooring is durable and supports players even with repeated use. 

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Different Surface Types for Sports Flooring 

Wood Sports Flooring

Sprung wood flooring has a hardwood finish combined with a HDF layer and shock-absorbing underlay. It is an Area Elastic sprung solution which means it deflects an impact over a wide surface area, providing the highest levels of shock absorption and comfort. Wood not only looks great, but it is perfect for high-performance sports, fitness, and dance. You can get wood finish flooring in different tones, finishes, and styles to suit your gym layout. 

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Vinyl Sports Flooring

Vinyl offers excellent shock absorbing properties and superior protection against sports and exercise. It is a Point Elastic sports solution which is defined as soft surfaces that absorb shock at the point of impact  Used widely in sports halls and leisure centres, vinyl sports flooring comes in a range of thicknesses and colours to suit different activities. 

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Foam Flooring 

Another sports flooring material is foam. This usually comes in either an interlocking or jigsaw puzzle foam tile. Foam tiles are excellent for specialist sports such as MMA and various Martial Arts disciplines because of their superior cushioning and high density properties.

"Our junior Taekwondo trainers love the softness of the Eva Tatami matting in our Dojo extension.  The mats are strong and supple, giving plenty of support but soft to the underfoot.  Would absolutely recommend."

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Rubber Gym Flooring 

Rubber tiles and fitness rolls are often a great choice for multipurpose facilities which include general fitness and weight training areas. In multipurpose facilities you need a surface that serves various purposes. You might teach personal training sessions in the morning, run a HIIT class in the afternoon, and yoga in the evening. You need versatility and this is where rubber flooring can be helpful. It’s easy to install and offers wide functionality.

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7 Best Sports Flooring Options 

Here are seven sports flooring options for you to consider to find the best choice for your facility. 

Sprung Wood Sports Flooring - Boen Actiflex

Pros:

For complete comfort and flexibility, BOEN Actiflex Stadium is a fantastic choice for smaller sports halls, community facilities and Dance Studios. However, if you are working with a larger space, an uneven subfloor and different building heights, you may want to opt for Boen Boflex or Arenaflex which offers a levelling system.

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Sprung Vinyl Sports Flooring

Pros:

Sprung vinyl sports flooring comes in a range of thicknesses from 5mm to 10mm. You can use vinyl flooring for specific sports, like table tennis and badminton and is also a great option for dance. It’s ideal for sports like fencing and some martial arts. You can find a range of colours and thicknesses to suit your needs and is simple to maintain.

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Picking the Right Sports Flooring 

Finding the right sports flooring for your facility is key to creating a safe foundation for sports. As players jump, hit, and run, the flooring should support each movement. By narrowing down your choice and finding something suitable for your specific needs, you can find the best option for you. You don’t need to compromise on appearance or quality. The best sports flooring solutions not only look fantastic but offer optimum performance and safety for your players. 

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What type of sports flooring are you looking for?  Explore our Sports Flooring collection for a complete range to suit all applications.