Rubber Flooring

There are many circumstances where the usual line of flooring products simply won’t suffice. In situations such as this, extra durability and safety may be needed. Hardwood floors are prone to scratches from abrasion, and may also be too slick in some cases. Carpet frequently does not give the traction and shock absorption needed. Sports facilities such as gyms, ice rinks, and tracks commonly demand a higher level of reliability from their flooring. Rubber flooring is a an affordable solution to this problem, as it provides all of the needed properties for an affordable price.

Rubber flooring is durable and flexible, providing the tough reactive surface that is needed. A rubber floor can take up the weight of a falling dumbbell, while also staying level while supporting a heavy weight machine. A high quality rubber floor will not tear or rip under pressure. Rubber flooring is very simple to lay down, as it is usually sold as a set of tiles that fit together neatly. These interlocking tiles are simple to fit together, and do not require any high strength toxic glues. This makes rubber flooring a safer option, especially when recycled rubber is used in its construction.

Rubber sold as gym flooring commonly has a great traction surface that prevents any dangerous tendency to slip. The antislip surface is usually double sided, ensuring that the flooring will not move suddenly, or allow someone on it to fall. This is essential in a sports facility, where safety is of great concern. Rubber flooring will absorb the shock and noise of a falling weight, where concrete and hardwood would crack and suffer permanent damage.

Commercial Mats and Rubber is a large manufacturer of rubber flooring, specifically engineered for use in sports facilities. Their Diamond Mega Tiles are suited for sports facilities, and provide excellent safety against falling weights, as well as a high traction surface on both sides. Diamond Tiles are made with an interlocking design, making them exceedingly easy to put down. The Diamond Tiles are available in a wide range of colors and textures. The tiles are produced with high strength rubber that remains intact under great pressure, but remain firmly in place as they must.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring provides an excellent alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many features that make it stand out when compared to hardwood. Although harvested mostly in China, bamboo flooring can now be found easily in both European and North American markets. Many early adopters of bamboo flooring point out its environmental friendliness. The bamboo plant regrows within a few seasons and can be harvested repeatedly without permanent damage. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows much quicker than any tree. When done responsibly, bamboo plant harvesting can be accomplished in a environmentally friendly manner.

How does bamboo flooring compare with traditional hardwoods? High quality bamboo flooring provides a tougher surface than even the rarest and most expensive hardwoods. Moisture is also less of a problem for bamboo flooring. Where traditional hardwood may buckle and crack due to water exposure, bamboo flooring can absorb the moisture without a problem. Bamboo flooring is engineered like a laminate and treated under very high pressure with a high quality adhesive. This makes bamboo flooring very resistant to abrasions and scratches, where a hardwood floor would end up showing scratches. Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past few years as well.

Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is produced with a tongue and groove construction, making them considerably easier to install. Prior to laying down a bamboo floor, allow the planks to adjust to their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring is very resistant to moisture, they do need some time to adjust to the new environment before installation.

What steps need to be taken in order to provide upkeep for a bamboo floor? Upkeep requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring. Be sure to clean the floor after installing it, using a mop with only a little bit of water. Regular dusting and sweeping should be done after installation. This will prevent dust and dirt from collecting on the finish. A mat used at the entrance way will keep out a great deal of dust and dirt. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can do a great deal to prevent this problem.