Rubber has a number of intrinsic advantages that have made it a very popular flooring solution for commercial, high-traffic areas. Rubber vinyl flooring is finding its way into the home interior and exterior applications now that it is available in a variety of colours, patterns, and textures. DIYers will like tile items, which normally come in 12-inch, 24-inch, and 36-inch squares. However, these benefits are offset by a few negatives that you should be aware of before making the final selection on your flooring.
What is Vinyl Rubber Flooring?
Vinyl, often known as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), is created by combining inexpensive polymers, water, and other chemicals through the polymerization process. Rigid PVC (RPVC) is a tougher plastic substance that is used to create cPVC piping and other products.
Where is Rubber Vinyl Most Commonly Used?
Rubber floors are commonly used in three industries due to their durability and safety advantages, among others: schooling, fitness, and healthcare. It has been a popular item in the educational industry for many years. It may be found in preschools, elementary schools, and colleges. Rubber-type flooring is frequently used in health clubs and gyms. And it may be found all across hospitals, from private rooms to cafeterias and public places. Types of rubber flooring meet the demands of these vast and heavily frequented areas well.
When to Use Rubber Sheet Vs. Rubber Tile
The choice between rubber sheets and tile is based on aesthetics and application. In general, there is more sheet in healthcare and more tile in education. We usually use rubber sheeting for wide-open spaces since it has fewer seams. Less transitions are advantageous since they lessen the chance of hazardous material buildup. Having said that, we occasionally find vast open expanses with tile. With modular versions of the product, you have greater flexibility in design with things like colour and quarter turning, thus tile is sometimes used to create a certain aesthetic even in wide-open spaces.
Benefits of Rubber Vinyl Flooring
Durability
Rubber flooring, whether sheet or tile, keeps up exceptionally well in high-traffic areas over extended periods of time, making it a solid investment. It’s also resistant to indentation caused by items like hospital beds or heavy rolling wheels, not simply foot traffic.
Comfort
Another advantage of rubber is its softness underfoot. This feature generates a lot of interest. Rubber is comfortable to walk on and is inherently skid resistant. When there are a large number of people strolling around, this makes it a safer alternative.
Acoustics
Rubber is quieter than some of the other hard surface materials because it is softer. Rubber’s sound absorption properties are especially effective in broad open regions where there may be an echoic sound.
Self-Migrating Wax
Self-migrating wax is a distinctive property of rubber floors. Rubber contains waxes that aid in the release of dirt and grime from the floor surface, making it simpler to maintain clean. It works in the same way that your skin creates oil. Because the waxes migrate to the surface as the product matures, you don’t need to take the extra step of waxing the floors. This leads to decreased maintenance expenditures during the product’s life.
Sustainability
Rubber is a renewable resource. It is extracted from rubber sap produced by rubber plants. Trees are not always harmed when they are tapped for sap. As a consequence, producing rubber is less harmful to the environment than other flooring materials such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The most frequent and well-liked non-PVC option is rubber, which some people prefer and value.
Design Options
Rubber tyles feature a plethora of design possibilities! Customers have the option of selecting their stair tread, wall foundation, transitions, landing panels, and whether they want tile or sheet. Several colour and format combinations may be used. Transitioning from one type of flooring to the other and from one place to another is facilitated by these. Assume you have a colour standard on the floor, and when you enter the stairway, the stair tread and landing tile match the colour you just left. Allowing for all design alternatives may truly assist to connect a place.
Drawbacks of Rubber Tiles
Rubber vinyl flooring has three drawbacks that have been identified. The primary disadvantage is the expense. Rubber often has a higher initial cost. However, the cost is cheaper throughout the course of the product’s life due to how long it lasts and the minimal maintenance.
Rubber has a reputation for being aesthetically restricted, although there are more design alternatives than ever before.
The last disadvantage is related to installation. Before installing a rubber floor, the product must be dry-fitted.
Final Words
Some people believe that rubber does not operate in areas with existing slab dampness, however, this is not true. The adhesive system is more important than the flooring material itself in terms of moisture tolerance. Regardless of the product, whether LVT or rubber, the subfloor must be adequately prepared and the appropriate adhesive for the product must be used for acceptable moisture tolerance.
Overall, rubber floors are an excellent choice, particularly for wide-open spaces or high-traffic areas. In the end, it’s worth the additional money upfront. It’s a long-lasting product with a distinctive colour and design components made of natural materials.
Aussie Life Excellence 