Types of Rubber Flooring & Where to Use It
By Created: September, 2023 - Modified: October, 2023
Related Product: Rubber Flooring Roll Geneva 3/8 Inch Regrind Per SF
Features of Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is strong and capable of bearing significant weight, including the weight of furniture and gym equipment. It also offers excellent sound-dampening properties, so it can make a noisy environment, like a gym, more enjoyable.
Many rubber flooring products also offer great cushion to help keep you comfortable, and some are designed for anti-fatigue benefits, ideal for spaces where you’re spending large amounts of time on your feet.
Vulcanized rubber products are waterproof, so they can be used in areas where they may be exposed to moisture, like in basements, garages, and gyms. Vulcanized rubber products also make for easy cleanup, since you can often damp mop them with household cleansers.
While rubber has many appealing benefits, it can have a strong odor, so using it in indoor spaces without ventilation can be tricky. There are a few things you can do to reduce the rubber smell. However, there are some rubber products designed to have less odor, and odors also fade with time.
Depending on the type of rubber product that you choose, the flooring may be removable, such as with a mat or tile. Being able to remove the flooring is a major benefit in some instances, like when you want to use a room in your home for multiple purposes and only need your rubber mat part of the time. Removing flooring can also be helpful if a space like a basement ever floods and needs to be cleaned and dried.
Types of Rubber Flooring
We offer several types of Rubber Flooring at Greatmats, and they are ideal for many different potential uses.Rubber Mats
Rubber mats are available in interlock designs, which you can use to create a larger section of flooring. These floor mats are also available with finished edges, and can often be dry laid.
Rubber Tiles
Rubber tiles are sized to be easy to move and install. Our floor tiles feature a variety of interlock designs, and while some tiles require adhesive, others can be dry laid and then removed if needed.
Rubber Rolls
Rubber flooring rolls are an ideal option for covering a larger space with minimal seams. Some rolls are designed to be temporarily installed and removed, while others are suitable for permanent installations.
Rubber Pavers
Rubber pavers are weather-resistant tiles that you can substitute for traditional bricks or sidewalk tiles. Durable enough for outdoor use, these rubberized pavers connect in several different ways, including interlocking edges. These paver tiles are often used for playgrounds and rooftop patios.
As you shop, you can choose from these different types of rubber flooring. Each type of flooring is available in different sizes and thicknesses.
Where to Use Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is ideal for many commercial and residential settings.Gyms
Rubber offers the durability and strength needed for use in commercial and home gyms. Its sound buffering properties are ideal for gym settings, and it can add cushion to a concrete garage floor. Rubber mats are popular for use underneath heavy gym equipment, while tiles can be used to floor an entire gym room. Rubber also offers valuable shock absorption, which can help to protect your subfloor from dropped weights.
Anti-Fatigue
Industrial and commercial spaces that require staff to stand for long periods of time can benefit from rubber anti-fatigue flooring. Anti-fatigue flooring activates multiple muscles, helping to relieve muscle strain and improve comfort.
Outdoor
Many rubber products are designed for outdoor use, and they are waterproof, can withstand extreme temperatures, and are resistant to UV rays. Rubber flooring is a popular choice for playgrounds, as entrance mats or work mats, and for outdoor living spaces like patios, decks, and flat roofs.
Basement
Consider using rubber mats, rolls, or tiles in basements to increase the versatility and comfort of a room. Rubber can be ideal for a basement gym, or you can use it in a room where you want to add cushion.
Industrial
Rubber offers the strength and durability needed for use in industrial settings, including in workshops and large factories. Rubber can be used for many purposes in these settings, from maximizing traction and cushion in a room to offering staff anti-fatigue benefits at their workstations.
Equine
Since rubber is so strong and durable, it’s suitable for use in equine settings. Rubber mats are a popular choice for horse stalls and trailers, while perforated mats can add traction and safety to wash bays. Rubber pavers and mats can make the barn and stable aisles more comfortable and safer for both horses and handlers, too.
Large Facilities
Rubber rolls, tiles, and mats are used in plenty of large facilities, too. Rubber is a great choice for hockey and ice skating rinks, since it can withstand blade traffic and moisture. It offers the durability needed for axe-throwing facilities, and it also creates a safer, more comfortable surface suitable for dog daycare facilities.
