April 2023 | E&M Services

When it comes to sports flooring, you need to choose an option that's robust, durable, and can withstand excessive pressure. Choosing the right high-quality flooring can also enhance performance and make sports areas look great. Here’s our guide to choosing sports flooring. Have a question on commercial flooring? We answer your popular questions Choosing flooring for sports venues Choosing the right floor for a sports venue, such as gyms and sports halls, is crucial. Not only can the right flooring help in creating a positive atmosphere that looks visually appealing, but it can improve performance too. Fortunately, there is a variety of sports flooring choices available. The choice you make will depend on several factors, such as the sporting requirements. Spending the time to carefully consider your options is crucial to getting a high-performing flooring. The main factors that will influence your choice will be the venue and the types of sports. One flooring may work exceptionally for basketball, but not be as effective for workouts. That’s why it’s important to consider the intentions of the space first. Considerations for choosing a sports flooring When choosing the type of flooring that will work best for a sports hall or gym, there are some points to consider. Consider the sports that will be played on the floor, and whether the flooring will be for a specific use or multi-use. What is the professional level of sport being played at the venue? What is the age of those using the sports area and what are their requirements? Are there any other non-sporting uses for the venue? After these points have been addressed, further considerations can be made: Does a particular sport take preference over others? Will the sports area be used for disability sports? Are there underfloor heating systems in place? Are there any special requirements from building owners or stakeholders? Will ongoing maintenance of the flooring and the costs involved become a problem? Check out these tips for choosing the best flooring option for commercial spaces Flooring choices for sports halls and gyms Underlay Before any flooring has been installed, the quality of the subfloor and underlay should be considered. Not only will this help the flooring installation, but it will positively impact the effectiveness of the floor too. Underlay is a thin cushioning material added between the subfloor and your choice of flooring. Not all flooring types will require an underlay. The right choice of flooring for your needs and a sound subfloor reduces the need for underlay. Underlay may be chosen as it provides comfort, stability, and soundproofing properties. Adding underlay can make a floor easier and softer to walk on. It also helps reduce the impact of any subfloor imperfections. Preparing and treating your subfloor can provide a much more effective solution. While your subfloor won’t provide the comfort and soundproofing abilities of an underlay (your flooring choice can provide these benefits), it does give your flooring installation a very strong foundation. If imperfections are present in your subfloor, whether it be unlevel or rough, this will show through to your flooring installation. Over time, this can ruin the look and quality of your floor. Consider subfloor solutions to gain the most benefit from a quality flooring installation. Vinyl One choice of flooring to consider for sports is vinyl flooring. Sports vinyl is a specially made type of vinyl that is designed to provide comfort and endurance for sports players. Vinyl flooring is an ideal choice to consider for sports halls, indoor ball courts, and multipurpose spaces. If your sports venue hosts other non-sports activities, such as conferences or exams, vinyl flooring is a top choice. Whether used in schools, community centres, or athletic centres, vinyl flooring can suit a multitude of uses. The main benefit of choosing sports vinyl is its resilience and durability. Sports vinyl is manufactured to provide a flexible and elastic floor that will last longer and retain its high quality even after sporting activity. Sports vinyl flooring won’t stretch your budget either, providing a cost-effective flooring option compared to other alternatives available. This flooring also imitates the look of wood, making for a classic and natural design. School sports facilities, gymnasiums, and indoor ball courts will benefit most from sports vinyl. Vinyl floors can also be marked-up to create indoor pitches and courts for ball games, alongside customising the colour choice. Check out our beginner’s guide to vinyl flooring to find out more. Rubber Another choice of flooring to consider for sports is rubber. Rubber is a widely popular choice for sports halls and gyms as it is both a durable and safe flooring choice. The heavy pressures that floors are exposed to in such sports venues make rubber a popular choice. One of the most significant benefits of using rubber in sports halls is its shock absorbent qualities. Shock absorbent qualities are ideal for sports where players are jumping and landing excessively. A shock absorbent flooring, such as rubber, can minimise the risk of injury. The impact players experience from excessive jumping and landing is reduced, minimising the impact on players' tendons, joints, and muscles. Players also experience better comfort during gameplay. However, this flooring choice can leave a lingering rubber smell for some time after installation. While not a significant detractor, it can still be distracting for some which could lower engagement and performance during a game. Compared to other flooring options, there are limited design choices available for rubber flooring. The durability and wide functionality of rubber flooring make it a good choice that can withstand the high pressure of heavy equipment and serve multiple purposes. Linoleum Another flooring choice that is used in sports venues is linoleum. Linoleum is a flooring choice mainly used inside gyms and sports centres. However, linoleum is a multi-purpose flooring that can be installed in all types of sports facilities. The significant benefit of choosing linoleum is its exceptional durability, able to last for as long as up to 50 years. There are many customisation choices with linoleum too. With many different patterns, styles, and colours, you can get creative in designing a floor that looks visually appealing and creates a striking impression. Linoleum is also made using natural ingredients, including linseed oil and pine. For those environmentally conscious people out there, linoleum uses only renewable materials and is biodegradable. Linoleum also has anti-slip properties, making it a much safer choice for minimising accidents and injury. This flooring choice is also comfortable underfoot and much softer, helping to reduce the noise level. Before considering the flooring options you have available, careful consideration should be made of the sports facility. Once you have carefully planned the use of requirements of the space, the choice of flooring will become much easier, providing benefits for all users and sports players. Find out more about bespoke furniture services also available for sports venues

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