Are affordability and easy installation the only advantages of rubber flooring? How are rubber floors installed? In what shapes and colors can rubber floors be purchased? What are the advantages of rubber floors compared to ceramic, concrete, or carpet? Are rubber floors resistant to damage and wear?
Rubber floors are certainly not the first and most logical choice when it comes to home furnishing. However, rubber as a material has many advantages. We most often see rubber floors in fitness centers, gymnasiums, and elevators.
In places where aesthetics are the primary factor, we rarely encounter rubber. Nevertheless, this does not mean that rubber floors do not have a large number of advantages even when it comes to private homes and apartments.
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Firstly, rubber floors provide excellent acoustics. They reduce the noise of movement and dropping objects, making them indispensable in gyms and fitness centers. They are also an excellent choice for children’s playrooms, as they provide a safe place for kids to play.
There is less noise, less chance of injury, and maintenance is very simple, which is crucial for play areas. Stains from food and drinks are removed much more easily than from other surfaces that provide the same level of acoustic characteristics, such as carpets.
Rubber Floors Have Excellent Anti-Slip Properties
One of the advantages of rubber is its excellent anti-slip properties. There are various designs of rubber floors, but even completely smooth rubber floors provide adequate friction, preventing slipping. In places where water is common, rubber surfaces with a granular texture are recommended. However, it should be noted that maintenance becomes a bit more demanding in these cases.
No one wants to install rubber flooring in a living room, but this doesn’t mean that rubber flooring in the kitchen isn’t a good solution. Rubber flooring is resistant to moisture, as well as the effects of various liquids and fats, as long as they are quickly cleaned.
In the kitchen, rubber floors can be a good solution because they are resistant to damage, and there is a much lower chance of breaking dishes when dropped, especially compared to ceramic tiles. In this sense, rubber flooring is comparable to carpets or cork, but is much easier to maintain.
Rubber Flooring is Ideal for Home Workshops
Rubber floors are an ideal solution for garages or home workshops. They are sturdy enough to easily bear the weight of cars and are much more practical if you handle various heavy tools in the garage or workshop. In the event of a metal object falling, ceramic tiles can get damaged, while rubber floors absorb such impacts.
Rubber floors can be installed over almost any other surface. For thicker rubber tiles, typically offered in 3×3 foot dimensions and half inch thick, they can be laid by simple stacking. The concrete base just needs to be perfectly level. If the floor is uneven, it needs to be leveled before laying the rubber.
If the surface is flat, rubber tiles are simply placed on the floor, held in place by their weight. Unlike other surfaces (wood, ceramics…), rubber does not need to be glued because it adheres well to the base without any unpleasant noises.
Rubber Flooring Doesn’t Have to Be Black
If you opt for thinner rubber floors, around three millimeters thick, which are sold in rolls four foot wide and up to 45 foot long, it is advised to glue them to the base.
The selection of rubber floors today is quite rich. They come in various dimensions and thicknesses, as well as different surface textures. The most common colors available are gray and black, but other colors are also available, allowing for certain aesthetic requirements to be met.
One of the greatest advantages of rubber floors is their durability. They are resistant to practically all types of damage, except perhaps from sharp objects, and they are also very resistant to wear. Therefore, for private spaces, they are very suitable for hallways.
Entering with shoes will not cause damage, and maintenance is much easier compared to carpets. The best solution for hallways is ceramic tiles, but it cannot be ignored that installing rubber flooring is much quicker, simpler, and more cost-effective.
Rubber floors are resistant to moisture and prevent mold growth, making them an excellent solution for basements. One of the disadvantages of rubber is its specific smell, which is the main reason for the absence of this material from living areas. However, it should be noted that this smell fades over time.