Athletic practices, games and events are held within the walls of indoor sports facilities. Facility managers want a floor that will uphold the heavy foot traffic and weight of bleachers. Deciding on the right finish for the indoor sports flooring requires a careful evaluation of needs and the benefits of options.
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Choosing the right finish for an indoor sports floor begins with an examination of various criteria, such as how the sports floor will be used and by whom, the budget for installation and operations and environmental conditions, like lack of heating or air conditioning or high moisture levels.
Option 1: Concrete
Concrete floors are useful for team and multipurpose sports. The durability and lifespan also make this type of flooring ideal for multipurpose use. No matter what type of floor surface is ultimately chosen, a concrete floor serves as the base. Be aware that concrete floors do not offer shock absorption.
Option 2: Vinyl Composite Tile
Vinyl tile, like concrete, does not provide shock absorption advantages. Although facility managers will find the low cost of installation a benefit, they will be faced with the costs of annual maintenance. A wax coating must be applied and reapplied annually after wear and tear caused by normal foot traffic.
Option 3: Maple Wood
By far the most popular choice, wood flooring has dominated the gymnasium flooring market for well over 100 years. The initial installation is affordable; however, the subsequent annual or regular maintenance costs can add up. Costs aside, wood floors are known to withstand a range of uses.
Once installed, the wood flooring is sanded, sealed, and finished with an oil- or water-based finish. Once a year, the finish must be reapplied. Additional maintenance must be performed: the wood floor should be sanded, sealed, repainted, and finished every eight to 12 years.
After being sealed with two coats of a polyurethane sealant (glossy urethane provides the attractive sheen), the school or corporate logos and game lines are painted over the surface. Subsequent to this process, two to three coats of urethane are applied, making the graphics a part of the floor.
Cleaning the wood sports floor regularly is necessary, as dirt from athletic shoes acts as an abrasive against the flooring. Ideally, daily cleaning with a wet mop and floor cleaner designed for wood floor use should be scheduled. Dry mopping between activities is advisable to further protect the floor.
Maple wood is highly coveted for use in sports flooring due to its strength and durability. Maple wood consists of fine fibers that prevent the wood from splintering and allowing dirt to settle between the cracks. Consequently, maple floors are easier to clean—which lengthens their lifespans.
Option 4: Cushioned Sheet Vinyl
Rivaling wood floors is the cushioned sheet vinyl (or PVC) flooring. Vinyl is a sought-after synthetic sports flooring choice that mimics the appearance of traditional wood floors. A range of manufacturers produce vinyl floors in varying thicknesses, widths, colors, and designs.
Vinyl floors are premade in factories all over the world. The playing surface features pure vinyl and is prefinished prior to distribution from the factory to warehouses. A urethane prefinish is the product of choice, as it aids in maintaining the floor’s cleanliness.
Useful in multipurpose areas as well as for sports of all types, vinyl floors do not stain or suffer water damage. They are commonly used in elementary and middle schools, high schools, colleges, and YMCAs. Hybrid facilities that combine gymnasiums with cafeterias (cafetoriums) often receive vinyl flooring.
Option 5: Rubber
Weight rooms and gyms with a range of cardiovascular machines benefit from rubber flooring because of its ability to withstand heavy loads. Recycled rubber (made from recycled car tires) and vulcanized rubber are the two options from which facility managers may choose.
Rubber flooring comes in rolls, or it may be designed as tiles with interlocking features. While the popularity of vulcanized rubber is decreasing, the desire for recycled rubber flooring is increasing. Rubber flooring finishes are applied on the field to facilitate maintenance.
Option 6: Linoleum
Linoleum floors are rare nowadays, but they are still an option. An all-natural surface, linoleum flooring is sparsely manufactured in factories. Athletic facility managers considering linoleum floors should be aware that this type of surface offers little shock absorption, and maintenance is difficult.
Option 7: Polypropylene
A budget-conscious choice for sports flooring, polypropylene also does not provide sufficient shock absorption without a rubber pad underneath. Polypropylene floors are available as 12×12 interlocking tiles that may be used for a range of multipurpose activities in the indoor gymnasium.
Option 8: Combo Systems
Combination systems feature several layers: a shock-absorbing pad, an engineered wood layer and a floor surface consisting of any of the seven abovementioned flooring choices. The advantageous outcome of the combination system is the very high level of force reduction.
Hybrid systems are ideal for financial reasons. Although the initial price per square foot is higher than a wooden gym floor, the synthetic option allows for greater savings over time due to lower maintenance costs. Combo systems can be substitutes when transitioning from a hardwood to synthetic gym floor.
Kiefer USA Sports Flooring
When you are considering upgrading your indoor sports flooring, choose a recognized leader in sports flooring, Kiefer USA. Our premium indoor flooring options are utilized by high schools and universities across the country.
Kiefer USA flooring products feature characteristics that are important to athletic facility owners. Our floors are known for their longevity, shock absorption rates and superior life cycles. Choose from our economical Classic Rubber Turf Infill to our Connor Maple Flooring and countless versatile options.
Thinking about installing a new gymnasium floor for your commercial gym or school weight room? Finding the right gym flooring company for your project can make all the difference in the results. Choose the right installer, and you’ll get a reliable, cost-effective, and long-lasting floor. But make the wrong choice, and you could end up with a substandard floor that needs to be replaced quickly.
Similar to any home renovation or repair, not all gym flooring companies are created equal. Some companies claim to be the best providers while having only limited knowledge and understanding of gym flooring installation.
Finding a gym flooring company is more than finding a good contractor – it’s finding a true partner for the entire project. You need reliability, attention to detail, and strict adherence to your budget.
To help you get the best results and avoid unnecessary headaches, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 gym flooring companies in the US. These are reputable businesses with proven track records, extensive experience, and strong industry connections.
Take a look at our top picks below!
Ecore offers an extensive range of sports flooring products in the U.S., designed to meet the diverse needs of athletic activities. Their sports flooring line encompasses a variety of facilities, including gymnasiums, fitness centers, weight rooms, and indoor tracks, each tailored to enhance athlete and facility performance.
Product Offerings by Ecore
Ecore’s sports flooring solutions, honed over years of innovation, provide floors that are high-performance, impact-absorbing, and slip-resistant. These are utilized in elite sports facilities worldwide to ensure the safety of athletes and staff, focusing on optimal competition and training conditions.
Composition Rubber: Ecore’s VCR surfaces, known for their slip resistance, are ideal for areas dedicated to cardio and strength training. Notable products include Performance Monster, Beast Plus, Beast, Rally, Modzilla, and UltraTile.
Goto Lanshuo to know more.
Turf: Their turf options are crafted for various athletic activities, designed for safety and performance, especially when combined with a base layer. This line includes FlexTurf Monster, FierceTurf Monster, RageTurf Motivate, Rally, BattleTurf, and ClashTurf.
Heterogeneous Vinyl: This flooring features a durable top layer fused with a rubber base, offering both safety and comfort. Available options include Bounce 2, Baller Motivate Class I, and Baller Rally Class II.
Safety Vinyl: Tailored for wet areas, Ecore’s safety vinyl merges slip resistance with a protective rubber base. HydroGrip Motivate exemplifies this product category.
Customization and Design
Ecore’s flooring solutions are highly customizable, offering a variety of colors, logos, and graphics. This flexibility allows facilities to find flooring that not only meets their functional needs but also aligns with their aesthetic preferences. The company’s commitment to safety, performance, and ergonomic design is consistent across all its products, focusing on athlete safety and performance enhancement.
Ecore’s Certifications
Ecore’s commitment to quality and sustainability is reflected in its certifications, including:
- Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Verifies compliance with product life cycle assessment and LEED v4 requirements.
- Health Product Declaration (HPD): Reveals the health impacts of product ingredients, supporting LEED v4 criteria.
- LEED: Products contribute to earning LEED points in building materials and indoor environmental quality.
- FloorScore: Certifies low indoor air emissions, making products suitable for schools and office buildings.
- MindClick Sustainability Assessment Program (MSAP): Rates Ecore products as a Leader for their environmental and social impact.
Contact Information
To learn more or inquire about Ecore’s sports flooring products:
- Address: 715 Fountain Ave. Lancaster.
- : 866-795-
- : https://www.ecoreintl.com/find-a-rep
One of the first steps to choosing the right company for your project is understanding the different types available. We’ve put together a quick guide explaining the differences between each.
Gym Flooring Manufacturers
These companies design and manufacture gym flooring systems using different materials such as wood, vinyl, rubber, and composite materials. Many offer installation and maintenance programs in addition to supplying the material.
Gym Flooring Contractors
These are companies that specialize in installing gym floors. They may or may not manufacture their own products, but they can provide installation services for other manufacturers’ materials. You’ll find a mix of specialists and general contractors who have the skills to install a floor, but vetting your potential provider is crucial.
Gym Floor Installation Companies
Installation companies are focused mainly on the installation process and often contract manufacturers or contractors to install their floors. They may offer maintenance services, but it’s not typically their primary focus.
Gym Floor Refinishing Companies
Refinishing companies specialize in renewing the wooden surface of your gymnasium floor. They lightly sand the top layer to remove minor scratches, scuffs, and wear, then apply a fresh coat of finish to restore the floor’s shine and protective layer. This service is ideal for maintaining the appearance and performance of the gym floor without the need for major repairs or a complete replacement.
Gym Floor Resurfacing Companies
Resurfacing companies handle more extensive work, addressing deeper damage such as gouges, warping, or discoloration. They fully sand down the floor to bare wood, repair any imperfections, and reapply finish and court markings. This process effectively restores the floor to like-new condition, making it a solution for floors with significant wear or damage.
Gym Floor Maintenance & Repair Companies
Have a chip, crack, dent, or tear on your gym floor? Or are you preparing to host a large event on your property? You can hire a maintenance company to make your gym floor look brand new. Routine maintenance and care are essential for longevity – so having a trusted partner is crucial when searching for providers.
Weight Room Flooring Companies
Weight room flooring companies offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to the specific needs of high school and college weight rooms, as well as, commercial fitness centers. These companies specialize in designing and manufacturing durable, customizable flooring solutions suitable for the rigorous demands of weight rooms. They are skilled in creating products that not only withstand heavy usage but also cater to aesthetic and functional requirements. Their expertise ensures that gym floors are safe, long-lasting, and conducive to the specific activities performed in weight rooms.
1 – Do they have experience?
Anyone can say they are an expert, but do they have the proof to support their claims? Be sure to ask to see a portfolio, case studies, or at least reviews from past projects. This exercise can help you spot issues and help you better vet your prospects.
2 – How is the quality of their products?
Finding a company that manufactures their materials can be a great way to save on costs. However, you’ll want to ensure the quality of their materials meets the needs of your gymnasium. Don’t settle for the first company you find. Ask about the longevity of their flooring and what you can expect in relation to maintenance and upkeep.
3 – What is their warranty?
Even the most well-made gym floors can fail. Understanding the warranty of a gymnasium flooring company is essential. Ask about their guarantees and what they’ll do if any issues arise with the materials or installation.
4 – What is customer service like?
You want a company that will be there for you before, during, and after the installation process. Make sure to ask about their customer service policies and what type of support they offer with each project.
5 – What are the project management capabilities?
Finding a provider that does everything in-house cuts down on confusion and mismanagement of time. Ask if they have a project manager on their staff that will help facilitate the installation of your new gym floor. If not, you may want to consider hiring someone to oversee the project.
6 – Run a background check or ask for referrals
In an ideal world, you could take a company at its word and rest assured they’ll do a great job. However, it’s always best to take the extra steps of running a background check or asking for references. This will ensure that you’re working with a legitimate business that has your best interests in mind.
7 – How much will it cost?
Be honest and direct when asking about the price. A company should be able to give you a detailed cost estimate of the project and explain any potential fees or costs that may come up.
Remember, the cheapest option doesn’t always mean the best — even if you’re on a tight budget. That’s why we recommend shopping around for at least three quotes before making your decision.
8 – How soon can they start?
The company you choose should be able to accommodate your schedule, and cause minimal disruption to your daily operations. Ask when they can start and if they can find a time that works for everyone.
9 – Do they have any industry certifications or awards?
Finding a company recognized by peers can be a great way to ensure you’re working with a reliable and knowledgeable provider. Ask what certifications they have or if they have any recent awards they’ve won in the industry.
10 – Do they have insurance?
Hiring a company that carries insurance is important. Not only will it protect them, but it will also protect you from any liabilities or damages that may arise during the installation process.
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