Selecting a Gymnasium Surface
By: Steve Chase
The problem most school leaders encounter when selecting a gymnasium floor for their facilities is that most people just aren’t all that familiar with what is important when selecting such a floor. It’s evident that a new floor is a large capital expenditure, so you want to make sure that the investment you are making is a sound one. You want a floor that will look good for years, is safe for your participants, and won’t cause you problems or cost too much money along the way.
The fact is that there are very few authorities on what makes a good sports floor, and those people who are the experts typically represent manufacturers of sports flooring. Even the best-intentioned manufacturer’s representative may not be able to determine the proper fit for your exact needs and site conditions. Every sales rep has his own particular systems that he is most comfortable with, and he’ll tend to lean on these systems time after time because of this familiarity. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since at least he’ll usually know the system inside and out. It just may be that he may send you in a direction that is not the best fit for you.
So let’s break this down into some useful information to help you select a gym floor that you can be proud of.
Performance Issues
First, you’ll definitely need a floor that provides proper ball bounce, so that the ball rebounds readily into the participant’s hand while dribbling.
At the same time, you’ll also need shock absorption, so that the participants who land on the floor will not land on a totally unyielding surface, which causes the shock upon impact to return to the legs and can cause injuries.
Third, you’ll need proper traction, because, no matter what sport your participants are involved in on that surface, they’ll likely need to pivot and sprint; the flooring must have adequate traction to allow them to do this, while not having too much traction to prevent them from turning easily.
Those are just the main performance issues. Of course, you’ll also want a floor that is easy to maintain, looks attractive and doesn’t cause you headaches down the road. All of this while, most importantly, fitting into your budget.
Types of Materials
When looking at gym floors, wood is typically what we associate with basketball and most other court sports. Wood has been the time-tested material in most sports facilities, and it typically has a very long lifespan.
However, there are a dizzying array of different assemblies under the wood surface that purport to provide an ideal playing surface. A catalog from one manufacturer illustrates more than a dozen different hardwood flooring systems; when you multiply that times the dozen or so manufacturers, you can see that there are simply too many options for most people to consider. What’s most important is that you select a construction that a manufacturer can show has been tested by an impartial third party. This testing should indicate the degree of shock absorption, ball bounce, and traction and compare it to a standard sports floor.
Regardless of the construction underneath, the surface is a hardwood and somewhere in the neighborhood of an inch thick. This surface is usually sanded immediately after installation and sealers and polyurethane finishes have been applied to the top of it. This surface can usually later be stripped or sanded a number of times, creating a virtually new face, thereby adding to the floor’s longevity.
But wood has its limitations. Wood is especially susceptible to water damage and fluctuations in humidity. Water and too much humidity will cause a floor to expand and, in the worst of situations, make the floor pop up in the spots where it has received this moisture, possibly allowing the wood to begin to rot. The repair of a wood floor is time-consuming and expensive because, in many cases, the boards that are affected have to be removed from the middle of the floor; then, the floor has to be refinished to allow all remaining moisture to be released and the floor to be made more unified with the replaced boards.
Wood flooring is also expensive. While it typically has a long lifespan and costs annualized over its lifetime are relatively inexpensive, the initial investment and the annual or biannual refinishing necessary to maintain the floor are not cheap by any means.
The sports flooring industry has created alternatives to wood flooring over the last 25 years that respond to the market need. This need may be driven by cost, building conditions (e.g., an environment whose humidity cannot be controlled), maintenance requirements or planned activities inappropriate for a wood floor. The result is that the industry now provides flooring that has many of the properties of wood flooring without its drawbacks.
One of these is flexible sheet vinyl. The vinyl is bonded to a thin layer of foam underneath, and this vinyl is unrolled on site and heat bonded to the adjoining rolls, creating a virtually seamless look. One type that is extremely popular now is vinyl that is printed to appear as though there are wood planks in the floor, making it look much like a wood floor. This vinyl has the traction and ball response that most people would expect from a wood floor, but it costs about a third less. It is also not very susceptible to fluctuations in humidity or water damage. The material can be torn accidentally, but repair is typically very easy and relatively inexpensive.
Polypropylene tiles are also an increasingly popular alternative. They are typically about one foot square and are installed by snapping into the adjoining tiles. This is usually laid over sheet rubber or foam, which creates the shock absorption needed for most indoor sports. Since the tiles are made of a material that is very similar to the finish used on wood flooring, the traction and conditions of play are very similar to wood floors, but it is impervious to any type of moisture. The tiles can be broken if excessive force is put on them, but replacement is as simple as unsnapping the broken tiles and replacing them with new tiles, which can usually be done by on-site personnel. This flooring comes in a number of colors (even a wood grain) and can be striped for any type of court sport. The cost of these tiles are typically half that of a wood flooring system.
Another alternate method is the use of a poured rubber floor. This process involves the unrolling of a crumb rubber subsurface, which is then topped by a sealed rubber surface poured over the subsurface. The technology for this has improved quite markedly in recent years, but the installers need to be very experienced in this process because the leveling needs to be carefully monitored to be done well. It provides a nice safe surface that is good for any type of court sports and does not create too much traction as an unsealed rubber floor would. Poured rubber flooring is available in a number of colors and is also typically about one-third less expensive than wood flooring.
All of these wood alternative surfaces can have game lines applied to them for any type of play. All provide the similar performance characteristics to a wood floor, but without the susceptibility to swings in humidity or water leaks. All are attractive surfaces that wear well with life expectancies in the 20+ year range.
Keep these alternative surfaces in mind if wood becomes impractical due to the conditions of your site or budget constraints. These technologies now allow you to have a surface that is comparable to the performance of wood flooring without many of the liabilities that a wood system may have. However, if you have the opportunity to invest in a wood flooring system, make sure that it fits all of your needs and your site conditions before committing to that investment.
Choosing a Company
Regardless of your choice, I think it is always crucial to ask for references. Certainly the manufacturers will send you to their best customers, but ask for a list of customers that have had the product installed for more than five years. Ask direct questions such as:
• Have you experienced any problems with the flooring system?
• If so, how has the company responded to your needs?
• Did the floor go in expediently and on a timely basis?
• Were there any unexpected problems that occurred either during installation or subsequent to installation that you did not expect?
• How has the product worn since it was installed?
• Most importantly, why would you recommend that someone else purchase this type of flooring?
If the references and system seem sound to you after appraising all the alternatives, then you have likely selected a surface that will perform for you for years.
Steve Chase is general manager of Multi-Play Sports Flooring and Fitness Flooring, Inc. In his 20 years in the fitness industry, he has been responsible for introducing numerous flooring surfaces and accessory products to the health and fitness market.
Sidebar
Choosing the Right Athletic Floor – Protecting your Investment
By Ken Thomas
While many athletic floors look similar from the surface, they are in fact highly engineered systems designed to balance the specific needs of owners, athletes and other user groups. Systems vary dramatically in type, initial purchase price and total cost of ownership, performance characteristics and quality.
The single most important thing you can do to set the stage for success is to a conduct a complete Facility Use Plan, including a detailed evaluation of current and future needs. Including the views and needs of all user groups – administrative staff, athletes, coaches, trainers, athletic directors, and maintenance staff – will help you obtain the best value for your investment:
• Sport-specific, multiple sports, or multi-purpose?
• Top level competition or recreational activities?
• Number of participants & spectators
• Number of hours/day and days/year the facility will be used?
• Special equipment use (bleachers, sound stages, lifts, portable backstops, etc.)?
• Desired life expectancy of floor?
• Budgetary considerations - initial cost versus total cost of ownership?
Generally speaking, you should consider a sports floor that:
• Is safe, providing proper surface friction for the intended use for the life of the floor
• Provides ample shock absorption to reduce the incidence of injury
• Couples a reasonable initial investment with added Life Cycle Cost Benefits
• Has a track record for longevity and documented history of success in similar applications
• Is manufactured by a reputable company that stands behind their product
• Is installed by factory-trained, accredited professionals
• Is easily maintained
With literally thousands of products on the market, making the right choice can be a challenge even for seasoned professionals. Flooring manufacturers, installation companies, industry associations, neighboring facilities, and architects are good sources of information. A word of caution - look for validation of claims, e.g., third party documentation, reliable references, etc. And above all, take the flooring systems you are interested in for a test drive – getting on the floor to see, hear and feel the differences will help you make a better decision.
The initial purchase price is just one factor to consider when buying a floor. Consider daily, annual, and periodic maintenance costs, specialized equipment (vacuums, scrubbers, etc.), life expectancy of the floor, and aesthetics after several years of use. Some products will “Ugly Out” before they wear out, and require very high levels of maintenance to keep them looking good. Others cannot be repaired or refurbished to ‘like-new’ condition. Some will last 10 to 15 years and others for the life of your facility – 40 years or more with proper care.
Carefully examine all proposals for inclusion of peripheral items required on turnkey projects. It’s not unusual for the price to increase after the bid is let for items that were originally assumed to be in the original bid: disconnecting and re-connecting telescopic bleachers, height adjustments of basketball backstops, graphics, ADA ramps, state and local taxes, etc.
Remember…..long after the construction fences are pulled down and the trailers have disappeared… long after the architect has turned over the keys and maintenance manuals… you will be living with the results of your decision. Your staff and players will benefit from the time you spent up front choosing the best value for your money.
Ken Thomas is vice president of marketing for Robbins, Inc., www.robbinsfloor.com.
Product Roundup
Electra Tarp
Valuable floor space in schools sometimes needs to serve various functions. Electra Tarp gymnasium floor covers, divider curtains, AWANA game floors and performance floors allow schools to create multi-purpose facilities out of gymnasium space, increasing flexibility in where functions and activities can be held. Choose from numerous colors and weights as well as several double-sided colors. Whether the space is large or small, Electra Tarp can construct a floor cover or divider curtain to fit customer needs.
www.electratarp.com
PADENPOR by Abacus Sports Installations
PADENPOR resilient flooring by Abacus Sports Installations is designed for multi-purpose use, including all sports activities, meetings, dances, banquets, etc. Two products (rubber basemat and urethane) are combined to introduce two different degrees of hardness to the floor. The rubber underlayment (Leed and Green certified) is soft, offering resilience, ergonomics and safety, while the urethane is hard, offering not only performance but also durability to sustain multipurpose applications (tables and chairs). This combination results in PADENPOR being a high-quality "dual durometer" multi-purpose floor. PADENPOR seamless floor, available in 21 finish colors, is adhered to a concrete base for a permanent application. Custom color selection and logo work is available.
www.abacussurfaces.com
Boflex by Centaur Floor Systems
Boflex Sport Floor is an ultimate pre-finished, high-performance hardwood gymnasium floor system. Utilizing a patented resilient foam channel understructure, Boflex exceeds all the requirements of DIN standards, making it a leader in shock absorption, resilience, performance and safety. The shock absorption channels allow even small children or lightweight athletes to gain immediate resilience. Boflex is engineered to withstand heavy loads, as the foam channels are recessed into the backside of the hardwood base construction. This eliminates the chance of the foam being damaged or crushed, and resilience is warranted for the life of the floor. Boflex is available in oak, ash and maple hardwoods.
www.centaurfloors.com.
Basketball-Goals.com
Basketball-Goals.com offers a wide array of floor coverings and sports flooring, including Gym Floor Guard (a super-strong, lightweight, roll-out industrial Velcro fastened carpet), Event Deck carpet tiles, GYM Deck (PVC plastic puzzle tile) and traditional poly-vinyl roll solutions. The company offers an array of NCAA-approved sport flooring, including flex court all-weather basketball, tennis and multi-game court tile, AERO FLEX modular indoor multi-purpose sports tile and ICE Court, official court of AAU & Major League Roller Hockey.
www.basketball-goals.com
Multi-Play Sports Flooring
Multi-Play sports flooring can be installed on almost any type of existing surface, inside or out, turning the area into a playing surface for virtually any activity. Installation is simple, and a full-sized basketball court can be put in within one day. Available in a solid or grid surface, Multi-Play is easy to maintain and looks great for years. The ColorTru manufacturing process ensures that tiles will not fade over time and that colors will stay as true as the day they were installed.
www.multiplayfloor.com
COVERMATE by COVERMASTER
The COVERMATE gym floor cover handling system from COVERMASTER makes installing and removing gym floor covers quick and easy. To install a floor section cover, just walk it over from one end of the gym to the other. To remove, attach the cover to its roller and simply wind it back up with the standard hand cranks or optional power winder.
www.covermaster.com
ITW Resin Technologies
ITW Resin Technologies manufactures a complete line of functional and decorative epoxies, concrete repair coatings and grouts, anti-slip safety coatings, and coatings for chemical resistance.
www.itwresinech.com
Taraflex Sport M Plus by Gerflor
Taraflex Sport M Plus by Gerflor is an ideal flooring choice for religious and educational facilities. Sport M Plus has 7 millimeters of comfort, safety and durability. The unique design of 100 percent pure vinyl with a reinforced fiberglass grid, closed-cell foam backing and proprietary product treatments guarantees a sports floor with the durability necessary for multi-purpose uses without the need for a floor cover. For athletics, Sport M Plus provides superior shock absorption, delivers consistent ball bounce and ensures accurate pivoting. For recreation, it reduces the chance of friction burns, helps fight fatigue and minimizes indentations. For social or play programs, Sport M Plus resists scuff marks, dirt, and food stains, prevents bacteria and fungus growth and cleans easily
www.gerflortaraflex.com
Aeson’s Encore
Aeson’s Encore is a transportable, pre-finished real oak hardwood floor with integrated sprung subfloor, providing consistent and safe energy absorption for basketball, volleyball, aerobics, ballroom and multi-purpose use. Encore has a DIN rating of 63. The lightweight sections provide fast and easy installation, breakdown and storage with no tools required. Encore is easily maintained, has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years and is guaranteed up to seven years against wear. Encore Kits, with perimeter aluminum transition edging, range in size.
www.aesonflooring.com
Pro Line SPF
Pro Line SPF flooring systems are designed for high-speed, high-impact sports, such as in-line hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis and aerobic activities. The premium floors feature suspension bars and fitting interlocks for tighter seams that promote uniform ball bounce, safer footing and smooth puck glide. Pro Line SPF offers a full line of multi-purpose sports flooring products. These products provide interlocking suspended modular tile flooring systems suitable for indoor, outdoor and wet area use.
www.prolinespf.com
