Proper Flooring Selection in a School Facility
By: Abie Khatchadourian

The proper flooring selection in a school facility has a number of cost, appearance, maintenance, and performance ramifications. In reviewing various facility management periodicals, it is not uncommon to see that new flooring installation or replacement has a high market share of planned work for any upcoming year.

In past years, typical flooring options included terrazzo and wood flooring. Linoleum products also were used for utilitarian areas and occasionally as an inset material in public areas. The relative cost of these products has diminished their use, although both products are known for their excellent longevity. Vinyl asbestos tile was popular for many years until the early 1970s, when the concerns regarding asbestos fibers became a known health issue and asbestos was regulated to be removed from building products.

Current practice finds the industry using a number of products such as vinyl composition tile (VCT), rubber tile or sheet products and sheet vinyl for areas such as corridors and classrooms. Linoleum tile or sheet product has regained popularity due to all-natural material content and jute backing as well as low off-gassing. Natural resilient tiles are also finding their way onto the market. These products tout recycled content, no volatile organic compounds (VOC) and low off-gassing. Toxic off-gassing of product and adhesive can create unsafe, unhealthy environments.

Carpet continues to be a good choice for administrative offices and libraries. Some schools have carpet installed in the corridors and classrooms. Much of the carpet installations are broadloom, direct glue-down products, though K-12 schools have taken a tip from corporate and or the post-secondary sectors' with the use of carpet squares, which can be more easily replaced.

VCT has a relatively low first cost of purchase and installation, though it typically has an approximate life of 15 years. VCT is softer than the old vinyl asbestos tile (VAT) and is also susceptible to scuffing and abrasion. VCT is available in many colors and may be placed or cut in a variety of patterns. Concrete slab specification, vapor retarder placement, sub-floor design and type of adhesive are all factors in achieving a successful installation. The installed cost of the product is generally $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot, which is at the low end of the flooring cost spectrum and contributes to its popularity as a school flooring selection. Some tiles have a "grain," which allows for alternating direction or maintaining a single direction.

Maintaining VCT requires nightly removal of refuse and grit. Floor maintenance relies on the use of vestibule walk-off mats, which collect most of the outdoor elements harmful to the floor's appearance and life expectancy.

Rubber tile or sheet products are more expensive than VCT, at approximately $6.00 per square foot installed. It is also available in a variety of colors. Rubber is softer than VCT and more slip-retardant. Sheet products may be laser cut into patterns. While softer than VCT, rubber is also more durable and quieter. It has a life expectancy of approximately 30 years.

Linoleum is available for approximately $6.00 per square foot. Since its return to popularity, more colors are available, though different from VCT or rubber in that the color is more subdued and of a mat finish instead of glossy in appearance. The other attributes previously identified make linoleum a good choice for environmentally friendly projects. Tile or sheet goods permit numerous options for interior design. The expectancy of linoleum is approximately 30 to 40 years.

Carpet is available in many price points, construction composition and colors and textures. For K-12 school use, 28-ounce nylon glue-down carpet is most common. While quieter, there has been debate regarding carpeting versus resilient products with respect to cleanability. Another concern with carpet is stain removal. The color, pattern, and type of carpet selections make a big difference in the life span, which is typically 10 to 15 years. Cut pile and loop pile carpets or combinations offer yet more appearance options. The 28-ounce broadloom can be obtained for $26.00 per square yard, while carpet tile is at a $30.00 to $32.00 per square yard price point.

Although terrazzo is not used as much anymore due to cost, it is often referred to as the "100-year" flooring material. Terrazzo floor costs are upwards of $12 per square foot. The flooring consists of stone chips in a resin bed ground to a polish. The flooring is very durable and able to be restored many times. Cove bases and other options such as complex patterns and insets contribute to greater cost. Some schools use terrazzo flooring as a corridor.

Ceramic tile has been commonly used in toilet rooms and locker rooms, though epoxy resin flooring is a recent alternate option. Many color choices and several sizes are available. Cleaning of grout is the largest maintenance concern, and various textures allow appropriate flooring and wall finishes to allow slip-resistant ceramic tile finishes. It also has an approximate 50-year life expectancy and rages from $7.00 plus per square foot installed.

Epoxy flooring offers a slip-resistant surface with limited color ranges. Epoxy has become popular in kitchen, toilet room, locker room, and shower floor areas. Lighter colors may be good to avoid, as dirt is difficult to clean due to the inherent friction-positive surface. Quarry tiles and epoxy floors share this paradox that the better they are in slip-resistant friction, co-efficient qualities, the harder they are to clean. The cost of epoxy resin begin at $6.00 per square foot installed, while ceramic tile begins at $7.00 per square foot installed, and quarry tile is approximately $7.00 to $9.00 per square foot installed. The cleaning of quarry tile grout for school kitchens is one of the negative characteristics of this hardy material.

Vestibule walk-off mats protect corridor and classroom floors from wear. A throw-down mat has the disadvantage of being a tripping hazard, may be caught in doors, and may impede handicapped accessibility. The advantage of throw-down mats is that they are replaceable. Recessed walk-off mats are available with or without a drain for excess water. Some of these systems have slats, which may affect certain types of footwear. Monolithic inset floor mats have gained popularity because they allow a uniform and thorough means of dirt and water removal.

Recent interest in green or sustainable products with low VOC qualities has increased. Better life cycle costs with flooring often mean first costs will be higher, but the installation will last longer and perform better.

Abie Khatchadourian, AIA, NCARB, CSI, is a partner at Plunkett Raysich Architects, www.prarch.com.

Product Roundup

Pro Line SPF

Pro Line SPF flooring systems are designed for high-speed, high-impact sports, such as 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

LG RexCourt from Gerbert

Looking for the ultimate multipurpose flooring solution? LG RexCourt performance flooring, distributed in the United States exclusively by Gerbert Limited, offers the look of hard wood with shock absorption, elasticity and stability, noise level reduction, and style. RexCourt is engineered for outstanding durability with a special polyurethane coating for easy maintenance and economical, long-lasting good looks.
www.gerbertltd.com

Indoor BounceBack from SnapSports

SnapSports has announced the launch of Indoor-BounceBack modular athletic surface. The court surface was engineered to perform better than the traditional wood surfaces but without all of the maintenance and upkeep. In addition, the BounceBack surface has features that provide the athletes with added "cush" and lateral movement to absorb shock to the body. Snap Lock Industries is a manufacturer and provider of multi-use modular flooring worldwide. Snap Lock offer internationally leading brands.
www.snapsports.com

Awana Game Floor by Electra Tarp

Schools often struggle with space limitations and the need for more flexibility in the space they have. One area often needs to serve several functions. Electra Tarp's custom Awana game floor offers the versatility to turn a school space into a multipurpose facility. The flexibility of using this game floor on any surface gives schools more options. The game floor is manufactured using durable reinforced vinyl with a painted Awana game circle. Remove the game floor by simply folding and storing away. Whether the space is large or small, a game floor can be constructed to fit a school's needs.
www.electratarp.com

Taraflex Evolution System

The newest Taraflex floor, the Taraflex Evolution System, can bring a school's gymnasium/multipurpose room to new levels of performance. Its hybrid construction combines a versatile, durable vinyl surface layer with a DIN certified sub floor for outstanding resiliency. The sub floor made of the hardest plywood available can support heavy point loads and is not affected by temperature or humidity fluctuations. The vinyl surface layer with special treatments ensures accurate ball bounce, comfort whether running, jumping or standing, enhanced shock absorption and reduced risk of friction burns.
www.gerflortaraflex.com

Multi-Play Sports Flooring

Multi-Play sports flooring can turn almost any surface into a court ready for play overnight. That's because its unique post and lock system makes for a quick, easy and secure installation in less than one day over virtually any type of existing surface. This speedy installation does not compromise safety. The floor has all the properties of a quality hardwood sports floor, except for the high price. Resilience, traction, ball bounce, and durability are comparable to a more expensive system. Multi-Play is available in a solid tile or gridded tile in a number of attractive colors.
www.multiplayfloor.com