Classrooms, where students spend most of their time at school, are key to intellectual development. Because colour, light, and acoustics all impact the learning process, our floors are designed to use patterns and colours known to improve students’ attention levels, and to reduce noises coming from adjacent classroom flooring to help them stay mentally stimulated. In addition, our floors contribute to a good indoor air quality and don’t require toxic maintenance products to keep them clean.
Here’s what you need to know about classroom flooring materials:
High Traffic Resistance
School floors have a lot of traffic. A school’s floor must endure foot traffic from the student body and faculty every single weekday. A flooring type that isn’t durable is likely to fall apart very quickly – definitely not something any school wants to deal with.
Durability is essential for several other reasons, too. High levels of daily foot traffic means school floors are messy. A floor must withstand daily maintenance and should be easy and uncomplicated to clean.
Moisture Resistance
School floors take a lot of abuse. From spills in the cafeteria to arts and crafts to overflowing bathrooms, there are many opportunities for the floors to get wet, so moisture-resistant flooring is a must.
Safety will always be a consideration when choosing school flooring materials. Slips and trips are pretty common in schools, so some slip resistance is probably ideal.
Options for School Flooring
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is a beautiful alternative to hardwood. It’s affordable, durable, and water-resistant, making it an ideal flooring option for schools. In addition, vinyl planks are long-lasting and are available in many designs.
Vinyl is also incredibly easy to clean and simple to repair. If one plank is damaged, simply remove it and replace it with a new plank. Vinyl is also great for noise absorption, which can be important in a school setting.
Laminate
Laminate has been a longtime favourite for schools. It’s incredibly cost-efficient and durable. In addition, its ease of installation makes installation costs much lower, which is an added benefit for schools on tight budgets. Laminate also comes in various attractive styles, so it’s sure to impress students and staff.
Laminate comes in five different AC ratings. The higher the rating, the more durable the floor.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is the most expensive option on the list. However, it’s a durable, water-resistant option that is the perfect choice for schools that want the look of natural hardwood floors without all the maintenance drawbacks.
Schools will want to choose engineered hardwoods with several layers for maximum durability.
