Commercial flooring for schools and classrooms faces many distinct challenges. The flooring typically has very heavy traffic, and young folks are…well…messy. They don’t wipe their feet like adults do.
Kids run or jump when they should be walking, and it’s not unusual for them to be carrying (and dropping) heavy or awkward books, backpacks , or school projects. The floor faces an entirely different set of onslaughts than, say, a doctor’s or realtor’s office.
So, when choosing commercial flooring for schools and classrooms, safety should be the first priority. That means you want flooring that A) has some traction and B) isn’t rock hard. Terrazzo tiles, for example, probably aren’t a great choice even though they’re gorgeous to look at.
The next priority should be how easy is the floor to clean? All the other flooring considerations would likely come after safety and ease of cleaning.
Now, let’s take a look at what types of flooring would be the best choices:
- Linoleum, or flooring made from linseed oil, has come a long way since I Love Lucy in the 1960’s. Now, linoleum is eco-friendly, it comes in a wide array of colors and can even be installed with multiple colors and clever geometric patterns.
This kind of flooring is available in both sheet varieties and tiles. It’s a renewable product, and it’s a little softer than a ceramic tile or wood floor, which means better traction and a quieter floor. It’s super easy to clean, and it doesn’t off-gas any volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).
- Depending on the age of the children, maybe you want to consider carpeting. Carpeting really cuts the noise level way down, and with the new Antron nylon fibers, it’s much easier to clean than it used to be.
Because carpeting is soft, it’s really safe and reduces slip, trip, and fall accidents. And anything that’s not rock hard will offer improved traction.
- Another great choice for schools and classrooms is Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). LVT will be the most economic choice, and seriously, how many schools don’t have to worry about budget constraints?
LVT is a softer flooring like linoleum, and you could choose one made with a high percentage of recycled materials that’s very green. LVT has the advantage of being in tiles, which makes it very easy to both install and repair if needed (you just replace a tile that’s damaged).
A vinyl floor is going to last a really long time and be extremely hard wearing. It’s also going to be really easy to clean with a vacuum and/or a mop.
If you need new flooring in your school. We can help you make an informed selection from everything available, whether you want sheet or tile flooring and natural or synthetic materials.
Questions? We are experts at specifying the right product for your corporate space. @EagleMatFloors is family owned and operated, providing sales and installation of commercial flooring products to the Washington Metro area for over 35 years. We specialize in renovating and retrofit of facilities in the Corporate, Education, Hospitality, Multi-Family and Government spaces. For more information please contact us at (301) 762-2000 or sales@eaglemat.net.
