Rubber surfacing offers an array of benefits in outdoor and indoor environments. Whether it is their tactile and attractive appeal or durability, rubber flooring is quite popular as it comes across as a versatile option for all surfacing needs.
The benefits of rubber flooring aren’t hidden from anyone. Yet, there are a few facts that aren’t known to many. In this post, you’ll find the lesser-known facts about poured-in-place rubber surfacing that are sure to encourage you to opt for this material when taking up your next resurfacing project.
1. The Flooring Pays for Itself in the Long Term
Poured-in-place rubber surfaces are highly durable and will last you for more than a decade if taken care of. Rubber is a tenacious material that can stand up to routine wear and tear. The surface is resistant to scratches, dents, chemicals, and stains.
It is susceptible to grease stains; however, that can be tackled with routine waxing. The process is also known to improve the surface’s resistance to damage and discoloration.
Once installed, little is needed to clean and maintain the floor. The surface forms an impermeable layer against moisture, thereby protecting the subfloor from damage. Also, rubber surfaces are inhospitable to mold, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Hence, it’s a hygienic surface that demands minimum upkeep.
Though you may find the installation pricey, the flooring pays for itself in the long term through the world of benefits it offers.
2. It’s a Quiet Flooring
Rubber is an excellent choice for spaces that need zero sound transmission. The acoustic flooring can prevent the transmission of sound from one room to the other. This feature is especially useful in gyms, workshops, and commercial kitchens where a lot of noise is generated.
Rubber has a high-impact insulation class (ICC) and sound transmission class (STC). This means that rubber can prevent the transmission of impact noise (foot traffic or machine vibration) and airborne noise (people talking, speakers, and instruments). Hence, wet-pour rubber is a great choice for apartment buildings, gyms, hospitals, daycare centers, senior care facilities, and any space that needs quiet.
3. It Can Be Applied the Spaces You Didn’t Think of
And
Its Application Isn’t Limited to Gyms and Garages
The general misconception is that rubber surfaces are only meant for commercial spaces like warehouses, gyms, and garages. However, the fact is, owing to their versatility and attractive appeal, rubber surfacing can be installed in almost any space you can think of and isn’t limited to gyms and garages.
Wet-pour rubber surfacing is available in a wide variety of colors and can be customized as per your needs and overall decor. Rubber also makes a comfortable flooring underfoot, thereby relieving the strain on leg muscles.
Rubber is a surface material of choice in –
- Residential applications like kitchens, entryway, driveway, walkway, garage, basement, kids’ room, bedrooms, audiovisual rooms, pool decks, and bathrooms.
- Commercial settings like gyms, industrial kitchens, offices, and workshops.
- Senior care facilities
- Daycare facilities
- Pet daycare centers
- Hospitals
- Farm buildings
- Horse barns
- Trailer decks
- Public pool decks and other spaces
4. It Can Elevate the Look of Any Space
As mentioned earlier, rubber surfaces are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. You can choose from our range of EPDM color granules and install a surface that’ll complement the overall decor. You can use a single color or mix two or more colors to achieve the speckled look.
The River Rock Resurfacing team can also customize the flooring as per your brand theme and overall decor.
Head to our Instagram page to learn about the endless possibilities.
So, say bye to those times when rubber flooring was only available in black or gray tones. Today, it can be installed in residential and commercial settings to achieve an aesthetically pleasing look.
5. It Is Eco-Friendly and Devoid of Toxic Chemicals
Virgin rubber is usually procured from trees. However, River Rock Resurfacing uses recycled tires, thereby preventing them from getting diverted to landfills. Discarded tires consume a lot of space in landfills that contribute to the emission of methane gas. This gas is responsible for environmental issues like the global warming phenomenon.
By using these rejected tires, we are minimizing our carbon footprint. This makes rubber surfacing eco-friendly.
Next, we come to the belief that rubber surfaces contain toxic chemicals. This belief mostly prevails because elements such as arsenic, nickel, and benzene, found in rubber, are linked with life-threatening diseases like cancer. However, such issues are only caused when these elements are present in huge proportions.
Rubber surfaces are known to have traces of these elements, which doesn’t make them toxic!
Need proof?
Check out this research paper from the US Environmental Protection Agency that proves the safety of rubber surfacing.
Also, read through what Michael Peterson has to say in this matter. Michael is a board-certified toxicologist at Gradient, an environmental and risk sciences consulting firm.
6. It Won’t Make Your Space Smell Forever
There’s no denying, when newly installed, rubber surfaces tend to emit a rubber-like odor; something that’ll remind you of a tire shop. But how long the odor prevails hugely depends on the level of ventilation and the size of the room.
Once the area is aired well, the smell fades away. Moreover, with routine cleaning, the odor is almost undetectable. So, if you’ve installed a rubber surface in an open playground, the smell will disappear within a day or two.
7. The Surface Needs Resealing Once in Two Years
Wet-pour rubber surfaces comprise two layers –
- The base layer that acts as the impact attenuation layer and
- The top color or the finish layer that protects the layer below from wear
If not maintained routinely, the finish layer (carrying the sealant, glue, and UV protection) can get damaged or break into granules, thereby exposing the base layer. This causes the surface to lose its traction and shock-absorbing potential.
Hence, it’s critical to get your local rubber surfacing expert to reseal the flooring and prevent potential damage. We recommend resealing the surface once in two years to repair the wear, improve its UV resistance, and make the flooring look as good as new.
Summing Up
Owing to its longevity and high performance, rubber surfacing offsets several cost variables. Moreover, the surface proves to be a profitable investment in the long term.
If you are considering a resurfacing project shortly, get in touch with River Rock Resurfacing. Our team of experts is ever ready to answer your questions and guide you through your refurbishment project. Call us now to share your requirements!