Flooring for classrooms and hallways come in many forms. Advances in technology now allow for interlocking carpet based tile which are affordable and simple to install without needing to tear up existing flooring. The traditional techniques used for academic flooring were often high in maintenance cost, but newer materials have lowered them substantially.
Flooring for Classrooms
Aesthetics and decoration are very important here. Students need to be comfortable while learning, so the floors of a classroom should be clean and resistant to stains as well as falls. Students will carry in dirt from the outside, push around chairs and move their desks, which mean these floors must also be durable. Thus, vinyl tile is a great option since it combines limestone with other ingredients and although porous it is tough and affordable, with low prices per square foot.
Carpet Tiles
This type of flooring provides outstanding insulation and is low profile. It can handle a considerable amount of foot traffic while providing resistance to slippage. Each tile uses an individual base that is backed, which means that you don’t have to add underlay. It can be installed into a subfloor directly.
Carpet tile comes in numerous styles, patterns and colors. Perhaps its best feature is that if one tile is damaged, it can be extracted individually without needing to renovate the entire floor or move around lots of objects.
Laminate
Laminate is a classical flooring material that is still used in some academic institutions. It is cost effective yet resistant to fading, scratching and various forms of damage. It is synthetic, multilayered and fused together by incorporating a lamination procedure. The best feature of this flooring is that it can mimic virtually anything, including stone or wood while providing a protective layer.
Flooring for School Hallways
The flooring used in school hallways and corridors must be tough and long lasting. Vinyl is an excellent choice, especially VCT, but the only downside is the higher maintenance requirements. This is why a growing number of K through 12, high schools and colleges are switching to LVT, or Luxury Vinyl Tile.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
LVT has become extremely popular, so much so that it is phasing out many of the flooring materials which were used in the past. Because it is one hundred percent vinyl, it isn’t porous, and it also utilizes a photographic based layer which means you can display just about any pattern you desire similar to laminate. A durable layer is included which will make it last longer and its maintenance requirements are low.
Rubber Tile
Rubber tile is prized for its outstanding grip and comfort. Aside from hallways, it can also be used in stairwells where its slip resistance greatly reduces the likelihood of falls and injuries. Many schools, colleges and universities also use it in gymnasiums and recreational areas. Rubber is extremely tough and will last for years even when regularly exposed to heavy loads or falling objects. It is a great insulator although some feel it has a dull appearance.