March 12, 2020
There are many suitable flooring products for schools and before anyone should attempt to answer what the best floor for a school is, clarifying questions should be asked. Thoroughly understanding the environmental conditions and the use of a space is needed before determining the best course of action.
Resinous floors have become a standard option in many schools as they offer durability and longevity, are easy to clean and maintain (without waxing), reduce seams and gaps that can harbor bacteria, and feature multiple decorative and textured options that will enhance any space. But just as with every flooring product, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to resinous flooring. To choose the right floor you should really think about the needs of the individual environments.
So, what part of a school are we talking about? Is the space a classroom, lab, library, cafeteria, hallway, etc.? Let’s explore some various rooms and areas.
Hallways
Hallways have the highest amount of foot traffic out of any area of the school. They will be walked on by everyone entering the school, bringing the outdoor elements with them. Rain, snow, mud, etc., may be tracked in, but resinous floors will withstand the abuse, offer slip resistance and look great for years to come.
Two proven systems for hallways are Dur-A-Chip and Accelera HC. Both are seamless, durable, decorative options, and are low odor during install and curing time. Accelera HC offers advanced UV stability and a faster cure time for schools on a tight timeline.
Classrooms
Classrooms can come to life with attractive and durable floors. Choose from multiple decorative flooring patterns and solid colors, or custom match your floors with the school colors. There are countless ways to enhance the look of your school with resinous floors.
Dur-A-Chip and Hybri-Flex AQ are also popular choices for the classroom featuring low odor installation, slip resistant finishes, and decorative options. Hybri-Flex AQ flooring systems offer a reduced curing time for schools with limited time for shutdown, and excellent UV resistance.
Cafeteria
Heavy foot traffic and constant spills can be extremely aggressive on cafeteria floors. Resinous floors eliminate the seams and crevices found in other floors which reduces the places for bacteria to thrive and promotes a healthier environment. Slip resistant, even when wet and easy to clean and maintain, these floors will hold up against food and beverage spills as well as constant rearranging of tables and chairs for alternative functions.
Hybri-Flex MC and ReFLEXions flooring systems are often chosen for school cafeterias. Both offer decorative options and are UV, slip, and chemical resistant. These floors can withstand frequent applications of cleaners and sanitizers.
Kitchen
Don’t forget the kitchen! Kitchens bring an entirely different set of challenges and should focus on safety, longevity, and durability. Resinous floors offer the durability needed to withstand the heat from the ovens and fryers and the rigorous cleaning protocols needed to keep a clean kitchen.
For school kitchens, we recommend Poly-Crete MDB. This cementitious urethane flooring system offers the perfect mix of characteristics: non-slip, chemical resistant, thermal shock resistance, low odor installation, and will last for years with constant usage.
Restrooms/Locker Rooms
With a variety of textures to reduce slip and fall hazards, seamless coving and integration with floor drains, your school’s bathrooms and locker rooms will look and perform their best for many years. Attractive and durable, these floors are easy to maintain and keep clean while providing all of the sanitary benefits of a seamless floor.
Hybri-Flex EQ and Accelera HQ are both great choices for locker rooms and restrooms. These flooring systems offer decorative looks, and more importantly superior functionality.
There are a number of options for resinous floors available for every area in a school. The systems referenced above may be the perfect solution for your school, but the best way to find out which system will work for you is to have a complimentary onsite evaluation performed. For more information or to schedule an onsite evaluation please send a request to contact_us@dur-a-flex.com or call 877.251.5418.
Author: Jes Grant
Jes Grant is the content development manager for Dur-A-Flex. She has over 15 years of experience creating content for various technical industries, and has been featured in several publications for her writing and design work.