August 2022 | E&M Services

Flooring in education spaces has a lot to live up to. Not only does it need to be durable to withstand lots of foot traffic, but it also needs to be suitable for a learning environment. With so many challenges, which classroom flooring option is the best? Let’s find out… A suspended ceiling can also help transform education spaces Carpet tiles Already a widely popular flooring option in schools, the benefits carpet tiles have to offer makes them a great choice for education spaces, including classrooms and corridors. Not only are they incredibly durable, but they also offer practical benefits as well. School classrooms, university halls, and corridors will also have very high amounts of footfall, with no end of students and staff walking about all day. Compared to broadloom carpets, carpet tiles can withstand high footfall over longer periods. Plus, in the event of any spillages, stains, or damage to a tile, it’s incredibly easy to replace without the need for changing the entire flooring. You just need to remove the affected tile and replace it with a new one. Job done. But carpet tiles also offer many practical benefits as well: Soundproofing abilities help create an environment more suited for learning Comfortable underfoot for staff who need to stand a lot Easy to clean, only requiring regular vacuuming to remove dirt Design versatility offering lots of options to create a unique flooring design Carpet tiles are soft making them better for falls and other accidents Affordable flooring option, great for education premises on a tight budget Discover more about the 7 wonders of carpet tiles Vinyl tiles Another choice of flooring for use in classrooms is vinyl tiles. A flooring option that is widely becoming popular in commercial spaces, vinyl tiles have many great benefits that make them ideal for educational flooring. Vinyl tiles are much more durable compared to their laminate counterparts due to the different layers of the tiles. Vinyl tiles have multiple layers, including layers for backing, a layer for stability, and a top layer for protection against wear and tear. Vinyl tiles, such as Ambiance luxury vinyl tiles, are also a much more economic and practical choice compared to alternative floorings, such as wood. You get the same great design but without the drawbacks of natural flooring. Depending on the quality of the tiles, vinyl flooring can be a durable flooring option that’s able to withstand heavy footfall. The quality of installation also goes a long way to ensuring the durability of vinyl tiles, highlighting the importance of hiring a professional flooring contractor. Vinyl flooring also offers these great benefits: Easy to clean and maintain Water-resistant Aesthetic appeal Comfortable and smooth underfoot Helps reduce noise With so many great benefits, vinyl tiles are a great flooring choice for classrooms and study areas. Laminate A cheaper alternative to vinyl tiles, laminate is a popular flooring option in education premises thanks to its cost-efficient and durable properties. Laminate has lots of great properties that make it a good choice for use in certain areas. While boasting a similar look to vinyl tiles, the quality and manufacturing are entirely different. Both types of flooring are made differently. Vinyl flooring is made using all synthetic material while laminate is made with a core using by-products of wood that’s bonded with resin. That does mean, however, that laminate flooring is not as water resistant. Once water damage has occurred, the flooring tiles become damaged and will need repairing. For that reason, laminate flooring is suited for areas away from moisture and potential water spillages. Consider using laminate flooring for corridors, classrooms, and student dorms. The benefits laminate flooring has to offer makes it an ideal flooring choice for use in these education spaces. Rubber Plays areas and sports halls are going to need flooring that is ideal for a multitude of uses. From all the toys in a children’s play area to the heavy equipment and sports game in a sports hall, you need flooring that can withstand the high pressures of such environments. Rubber flooring is an ideal choice for these spaces. As well as being easy to clean, rubber flooring is also non-marking making it ideal for use in sports halls and gymnasiums. Its slip-resistant qualities also make it a great flooring to help limit falls in play areas. Other areas to consider using rubber flooring is in areas where spillages are likely to occur. Classrooms for practical subjects, such as science and design technology, are also well suited for rubber flooring. Rubber flooring also makes a great choice for canteen and kitchen areas too. With how easy it is to clean rubber flooring, should any spillages occur, you can quickly clean them up to prevent any slip hazards. Rubber floors also help limit sound transmission making them great for limiting noise levels. But while rubber flooring may have a higher cost compared to some other flooring, the lifetime value of the flooring is much greater. Rubber flooring can last for up to 20 years! The longer value for money and the great benefits, rubber flooring has to offer makes it a great flooring for high-spill and high-usage education areas. Porcelain tiles Another flooring option to consider for schools and education is porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are a great flooring choice to consider where water spillages are likely to occur, including kitchens and toilets, as well as changing rooms. Porcelain tiles are not only water-resistant, but they are durable and protective against scratching and staining. As the tiles are dense, water cannot enter and damage the flooring, making them a fantastic solution for wet areas. However, schools should avoid using tiles without polish to reduce slip risk. A PEI rating of between 4 and 5 is also recommended for school and education premises. These tiles are suited for intense and heavy footfall respectively. Choosing the right flooring for education can be a difficult decision, particularly with so many choices available. While there may be restrictions, such as budget, there’s a wide range of options available for each flooring type. Just remember the suitability and safety factors though when picking a flooring option. 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