The versatility of rubber flooring makes it a popular choice for multiple use cases in the home or in a commercial setting. It often contains a weather resistant design, so it works either indoors or outdoors. It has just a bit of cushioning, so it’s comfortable for standing or exercising on it for long periods of time.

If you’re considering rubber flooring for a floor project, here’s the information you need to make the best choice, including potential use cases and design options.

Format. Rubber flooring is offered in three primary usage formats: Mats, tiles, or rolls. All of these formats are available using recycled rubber, making them eco-friendly flooring options.

Rubber mats consist of a rectangular shape with straight edges. Multiple sizes are available, although 3x4 and 4x6 feet are common choices. You can place them in areas where you want to avoid slips, such as a gym or playground. Using them in a horse stall is a good idea too.

Rubber tiling consists of interlocking edges. The pieces will hold together tightly, even when placed under stress. Rubber can be heavy, so 2x2 foot tiles are easy to carry and install. Customers like using them in almost any setting, because they don’t require adhesive. You can pick them up and store them when you want to return to the concrete, wood or ceramic tile subfloor.

Rubber rolls are great for covering a large area quickly. Rolls also works nicely for uncommon installation needs, such as for the floor of a boat or trailer - even horse trailer walls. Just cut the thin rubber roll to fit. The need for adhesives when using one or more roll of rubber will vary depending on the customer use and size of installation. When you need a cheap design, rolls have the lowest cost per square foot.

If you’re still unsure which type of rubber flooring will work for your situation, here are some common use cases in a residential or business setting.

Workout areas. Rubber is ideal for workout spaces. It’s tough enough to stand up to free weights and exercise machines, but it also has a little bit of cushioning to help athletes stay healthy.

You can use gym rubber tiles to create a gym space in a garage or basement. They fit nicely over cement flooring commonly found in the subfloor in these spaces.

For huge commercial gyms or CrossFit gyms, rolled rubber will be the most cost effective choice. It can cover large spaces for a low price per square foot. For additional floor protection in particular areas, you could add a thick rubber mat over the top of the roll.

Playgrounds. To create a durable flooring that looks great for an outdoor or indoor play space for kids, count on playground rubber flooring tiles. The playground tiles will stand up to all kinds of weather when installed outside, providing a great value, and some work just as well indoors for traditional playgrounds or fun activities like laser tag.

With their interlock puzzle edges, they’re easy to install, which is perfect if you have a team of inexperienced volunteers doing the installation at a playground.

Kids will appreciate the sure footing rubber provides while they’re running in a play area. The cushioning properties of rubber are helpful in this type of space as well.

Rubber mats are also popular to prevent erosion under swings or slides.

Animal areas. Whether you have dogs, cats, horses, or something more exotic for a pet, having a safe area that’s easy to clean is important for animals … and for their owners.

For a dog play area, rubber flooring is a nice selection. Cement can be rough on the joints of dogs as they run and play, but rubber creates a softer surface with better traction for their paws. And should the animals have an accident, it cleans easily.

Thick mats are ideal for use in horse stall areas. Horses can stand comfortably on them while eating or resting. Or you can use them in a horse wash bay, which gives both the owner and the animal a surface that maintains its grip, even when wet.

High traffic areas. For a commercial building that hosts quite a few visitors, rubber flooring is an ideal choice in entryways and other high traffic areas.

Should people track snow and rain water indoors from outside, having a rubber type of floor near the door allows people to enter the building safely without concerns over slipping. Rubber is also extremely durable and doesn’t show wear easily, further enhancing its usefulness as a high traffic area flooring.

Business customers will select this material in areas where the floor can be subjected to tough conditions. Ice skating arenas will use rubber between the locker room and the ice, as it stands up to the ice skate blades well. Or in an area where events or conventions are held, it can support the weight of booths and kiosks nicely, while also handling heavy foot traffic.

Rubber flooring designs. For further information, just click on the links in our guide to rubber floors. We have collected multiple videos, testimonials, articles, and usage ideas that are sure to spark your design creativity!