Article Number : 663 |
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| Date | 11/7/2005 10:20:03 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=663 |
| Abstract | Hicksville, N.Y.—When members of the A&D community need flooring for a job, durability, performance and ease of maintenance are all considered... |
| Article | Hicksville, N.Y.—When members of the A&D community need flooring for a job, durability, performance and ease of maintenance are all considered. Whether it’s specifying for healthcare, educational or corporate, the flooring used has to be able to stand the test of time along with a lot of heavy traffic. Rubber flooring has not only answered the call, but by way of modern technology, new colors, textures and patterns have allowed designers to use it in an increasing number of different applications as well. “The obvious advantage is,” said Kathleen Keller, director of marketing for Dodge-Regupol, maker of ECOsurfaces commercial flooring, “you put the product down and it really retains its look and its resiliency for a very long time. We typically tell people, ‘You’ll get tired of the color before the floor will wear out.’ It will last a very long time. The product has a five-year warranty but we have installations that have been down 10 years and they still look brand new. The great thing is that you don’t have to replace it every couple of years. “Maintenance is fairly simple,” she explained. “It really depends upon the application of the product, but, generally, it just requires some damp mopping and vacuuming. So that contributes to it as well, you don’t spend a lot of time on its maintenance.” “Going back to 1999, which was a breakthrough year for rubber flooring,” said Dennis Schmick, president of Freudenberg Building Systems, North America, producer of Nora rubber flooring, “that was when a Florida hospital study was completed and later published and adopted by almost all the rubber manufacturers. Rubber flooring came out to as the best product even though the hospital considered it to be the most expensive going in. “As far as life cycle costs, it turned out to be, by far, the least expensive product over a 15-year period,” he added. “The study really added credibility to the argument that all of us in the business had been making, that rubber floors are relatively very low cost in maintenance and they last a long time. “But,” Schmick continued, “not all rubber is created equal. Rubber content plays a role. For instance, we use different types of molds than most other mills and also use more heat and pressure, giving us a denser surface which is harder to wear out and stays clean a lot longer. “Generally,” he added, “Rubber flooring does perform better over the long term, in terms of life cycle costs analysis, than a lot of other flooring products.” Adam Stoeler, vice president of Allstate Rubber Corp., also believes the durability of rubber is key to its growth. “Vinyl stair treads, by way of comparison, are seldom used because rubber ones last too long. I don’t get to replace them very often. There are rubber treads we sold 35 years ago that are still in active use and show little or no signs of wear. “By comparison,” he explained, “vinyl treads usually cost less but people tend not to put them in unless the building is about to be torn down in and they have to cover the steps. Fact is, 90% of the time it’s rubber stair treads going in due to their longevity. Then, the rubber tile goes on the landings, very often it is taken down the corridors as well, not just because of the life cycle, but because it’s a lot quieter.” “Rubber flooring is going to last a lot longer than other types of flooring regarding the environmental aspects of the life cycle,” said Rachel Tipton, marketing specialist for Johnsonite. “You’re going to be saving raw materials as well as resources to make the product, package the product, as well as transportation. “Rubber flooring is durable,” she added. “more comfortable underfoot and is also slip resistant. It can even lower insurance premiums and save money in the long run.” According to Keller, rubber has become even more attractive to professionals because of it ease of installation. “Roll it down, adhere it and but the seams. It’s fairly easy. “When you look at installation, the product and maintenance,” she added, “life cycle costs are lower than many other flooring types simply because it has minimal maintenance, it wears for so long and it really retains its color and resiliency. It’s not something you need to replace very often. “We did a case study in Philadelphia on a 300,000-sq.-ft. installation that had been down at least eight years,” continued Keller. “They have these portable rolling offices, so the floor takes a lot of abuse, but it still looks brand new.” “That’s what specifiers and designers are looking for, durability,” said Stoeler. “Especially in areas that take a pounding, for example, in schools, such as the cafeteria. Not only is it going to last, it is also going to be quieter than most other types of floors. “Unfortunately,” he concluded, “we don’t get to replace the original floor as often as we’d like but, in the long term, that makes for a satisfied customer.” |