Gym Flooring Options Explained

Whether in schools or at a recreational center, gyms provide people with opportunities to competitively shoot hoops, bench 150-pound weights or jazzercise to the latest in music. Gym floors are designed to withstand the repeated pounding and foot traffic from athletic use. Depending on the type of usage, certain gym floor materials are better suited to satisfy the needs of players and coaches.

Option 1: Maple Hardwood Flooring

Maple hardwood flooring is found extensively in indoor courts, giving school sports teams similar surfaces to practice and play on, whether at home games or away. Young athletes become accustomed to hardwood courts as they advance to competitive levels. Naturally, hardwood courts are widespread.

Three grades of maple hardwood floors are available: First grade maple features a uniform look, with almost zero visual defects. Second grade maple is the most common with its slight color variations and knots. Third grade maple, riddled with plank knots and color differences, is the least expensive.

Given the strength and resilience of maple hardwood flooring, it is no wonder bowling alleys choose this type of floor. Like bowling alleys, gyms built with maple hardwood flooring are able to endure long-term. Coaches focus on the game without worrying about floor dents and durability.

When covered in a transparent finish, maple hardwood flooring is visually attractive. However, the floor requires sanding and refinishing every decade. Screening and recoating the floor should be scheduled yearly. Regular upkeep includes dry mopping and cleaning with recommended liquid solutions.

Option 2: Pad and Pour Polyurethane Flooring

Entirely seamless, pad and pour polyurethane floors are among the toughest in sports flooring. With multi-purpose properties, pad and pour polyurethane flooring is ideal for indoor gym sports. Excellent shock absorption results from the floor being cushioned with a layer of shock padding.

Facility managers are inundated with color choices when it comes to pad and pour polyurethane floors. The floor surface colors can be customized to match school or company colors. Line colors may also be coordinated to arrive at specified color schemes.

The pad and pour polyurethane floors feature a nonporous surface, which makes them hygienic and effortless to clean. Maintenance is minimal. Quick restoration along the wear surface allows the floor to endure for the life of the gym. Minor repairs are also simple to perform.

Similar to hardwood flooring, pad and pour polyurethane floors are built to endure. Their dependable durability makes them a solid alternative to wooden flooring. Given their resilient features, the pad and pour polyurethane floors also stand up to the weight of gym bleachers and chairs.

Option 3: Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl floors are the most cost-effective gym flooring. Like pad and pour polyurethane floors, vinyl floors are available in a multitude of colors and patterns. Customization allows for facility managers to achieve a look that complements school or company colors. Vinyl floors can mimic the look of hardwood floors.

Ideal for a wide variety of sports, like volleyball and basketball, vinyl floors have multi-purpose characteristics. For example, a school gym may be used for not only sports but also for assemblies and events. The versatility of vinyl floors makes them common in K-12 school gyms.

Shock absorbent properties make vinyl flooring an ideal choice for sports. Athletes experience comfort when practicing and competing on vinyl floors. Durable and lasting up to 20 years (depending on play), vinyl floors are a quality product for all types of sports activities and events.

Minimal maintenance is necessary. Given that vinyl flooring is resistant to moisture and debris, cleaning is relatively quick and easy. Maintenance should include daily dry sweeping and the occasional wet mopping. Repair, however, can be difficult. Vinyl floors also cannot be resurfaced.

Option 4: Recycled Rubber Flooring

Resilient and long-lasting, rubber flooring is an optimum choice for gym floors. Rubber flooring is water-resistant, which prevents mold and mildew growth. In combination with air, soft rubber is created. Soft rubber goes a long way in circumventing the aches and pains common to gym users.

Recycled rubber flooring is made from old vehicle tires. Environmentally conscious facility managers might elect rubber floors in efforts to keep reusable waste out of landfills. Depending on the thickness of the rubber, these floors are built to withstand enormous weight on a daily basis.

Recycled rubber floors are easy to install but are not intended for competitive sports. Areas that are suitable for recycled rubber floors include weight rooms, fitness centers and training rooms. Weight room equipment is heavy, making rubber floors ideal for dropped free weights and bulky machines.

Maintenance is necessary to keep rubber floors shining and free of debris. Mild detergent is practical, as harsh chemical cleaners are likely to erode the rubber. Vacuuming with a wet-vacuum should be on the daily maintenance schedule, especially in gyms that are used regularly.

When choosing a gym floor, it becomes essential to consider additional elements. Soundproofing, for instance, is important when wood floors are a top choice. Some flooring has the tendency to be slippery, so consider this fact when evaluating the types of sports meant to be played on the gym floor.

Contact Kiefer USA

Environmentally friendly floor options are always a right choice. When you are considering rubber floors, look to Kiefer USA. As the premier installer and designer of gym flooring, Kiefer USA is a recognizable brand that gyms all across the country rely upon.

When weight room flooring is on the table, Kiefer USA offers quality options that stand up to the rigorous demands of strength training areas. Our weight room flooring options meet industry standards for performance, strength, durability and safety. Kiefer USA floors are known for their world-class look.

In addition to a pleasing aesthetic and top-notch quality, Kiefer USA flooring options stand the test of time. Kiefer USA non-porous floors offer triple benefits: they are mold-resistant, ADA compliant and do not require coatings.

Our professionalism starts with helpful, friendly field reps, extends through our reliable installation process and completes with long-term satisfaction from coaches, players and facility managers. Partner with the best in gym flooring by consulting a Kiefer USA representative.