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RUBBER SPORTS FLOORING
Rubber sports flooring is suitable for a wide range of applications. It is most widely used in gyms for its impact resistance and shock absorption. Rubber is the most resilient surface on the market and a top choice where performance matters.
TVS Sports Surfaces is a leading supplier of high performance rubber sports flooring. We have partnerships with leading brands like SPORTEC, enabling us to provide the best quality rubber flooring for every intended use case. Whether you need rubber flooring for a free weight area of your gym, or a rubber surface for a gymnasium or dojo, we can deliver. Our competitive prices and experience with a wide range of rubber surfaces makes us the best choice.
We can provide rubber tiles, interlocking tiles, rubber matting and temporary rubber surfaces, such as sled lanes that can be rolled out. The only limit is your imagination, and we offer a complete design surface for every project. Alternatively, we are happy to build your rubber sports floor to your specification. The quality of your rubber sports flooring is important for safety and durability. Not all rubber surfaces are created equal. The key difference between different rubbers is density. Rubber flooring has to be able to absorb impacts and shock. EPDM rubber is the preferred choice as it has high inherent damping and deflection capacity.
These qualities make EPDM rubber flooring the number one choice in gyms. This material absorbs impacts and shock from dropped weights and functional fitness activities. Key to this is thickness. In free weight areas, you need to use 30mm or 40mm thick rubber tiles and a cushioning mid-layer for the rubber to compress into. If in doubt, contact us for advice. We can recommend the right rubber flooring for your gym to protect your floor and the people who use it.
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BENEFITS
- Rubber tiles and rubber rolls
- Rubber flooring for gyms
- EPDM rubber (fully recyclable)
- Low maintenance sports surfaces
- Design and installation available
- Removal and recycling of old surface
WHY TVS?
We fit dozens of rubber sports floors surfaces every year. We know what works and always follow best practice. We can advise and recommend on thickness, underlay and also build a subfloor using screw-fixed plywood.
We supply rubber sports flooring mainly to gyms and sports centres. We have also seen demand increase in boxing gyms and dojos. You can use rubber flooring to protect concrete and floorboard subfloors. You can also use it to brand your gym, with numerous colours and finishes available to match a theme or brand.
Rubber flooring and particularly EPDM rubber flooring is considered a multipurpose surface because it’s durable enough for functional fitness and grippy enough for running, HIIT, pilates, yoga and general fitness classes. We supply the best quality rubber flooring and will remove your old floor and recycle it responsibly.
If you would like a free quote, simply get in touch. We are completely operational during the COVID-19 pandemic and we look forward to working with you.
Design And Installation
The service we provide includes design, supply, installation and recycling. We will upgrade your floor and leave you with nothing else to do but use it. We also provide free aftercare to take care of any niggles you might experience.
Our customers appreciate our honesty and knowledge. If you want the best rubber sports flooring, we can recommend the right floor for your use case. Our relationship with leading brands ensures we have access to the best products.
If you have an existing floor in place, we may be able to use this without building a subfloor, which will keep your costs down. We can advise if this is the case on inspection.
What Type Of Rubber Sports Flooring Is Best?
For free weight zones, the best rubber sports flooring is rubber tiles. These should be 30mm or 40mm thick. 80mm thick impact protection slabs should be used in deadlift zones, so that the subfloor has adequate protection from extreme use.
For general activity and fitness zones, we recommend rubber rolls. Rubber rolls are up to 15mm thick and are ideal for yoga, HIIT and pilates zones. Rolls are useful for covering large areas. They provide good protection and safety.
The best thing about rubber sports flooring is it is hygienic, easy to clean and very low maintenance. In the case of rubber floor tiles, damage is also easy to correct since you only need to replace one tile. Rubber sports flooring is anti-slip and abrasion resistant, allowing a wide range of fitness activities to take place.
SPORTEC UNI-Classic
Rubber Floor Covering For Indoor Areas
SPORTEC UNI-Classic has been specifically developed for indoor sport areas. It consists of 100% compressed EPDM rubber with uniform colouring, which allows for the application of high-contrast sports court markings. This flooring is also highly suitable for some commercial and fitness spaces.
Colours available for SPORTEC UNI-Classic:
UNI-Classic Red, UNI-Classic Blue, UNI-Classic Light Grey, UNI-Classic Dark Grey, UNI-Classic Beige
SPORTEC UNI-Versa
Versatile Rubber Flooring For Outdoor Areas
SPORTEC UNI-Versa is a durable floor covering suitable for multi-use games areas. It consists of a course grained EPDM rubber bound together with polyurethane elastomer.
Colours available for SPORTEC UNI-Classic:
UNI-Versa Red, UNI-Versa Blue, UNI-Versa Green, UNI-Versa Beige, UNI-Versa Light Grey, UNI-Versa Dark Grey
Case Studies
TVS Sports Surfaces has a proud history of supplying market leading products and has gained a wealth of experience by supporting projects at University of Kent, Newcastle Academy, Broughton High School, Hilbre High School, Bryanston School and many others.
In addition to some of the UK’S biggest gym brands, we also work with businesses, sports centres and hotels. The service we provide is all-inclusive, with design, installation, recycling and aftercare included.
MORE CASE STUDIES
How to Choose The Best Indoor Sports Flooring
The indoor sports flooring we offer is designed to be tough and durable, so it can withstand heavy use without wearing down or tearing. Plus, it offers an anti-slip surface for improved safety in wet conditions. So whether you need something for your school or gymnasium, our floors are the perfect choice.
We know how important safety is when it comes to sporting facilities – which is why we make sure all of our products meet rigorous standards before they go on sale. Our surfaces are tested by independent laboratories and certified as safe for use in schools and gyms across Europe.
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Sports Flooring For Schools
For schools, we recommend a polyurethane or vinyl floor because these floors are cost-effective and low maintenance. The two most important considerations with sports flooring for the gymnasiums is safety and functionality; it has to be non-slip so that players can easily keep their footing on it without having worry about slipping hazards as well as provide them an forgiving surface.
Vinyl floors and polyurethane floors are both safe, good to play on and forgiving underfoot. They can also be used for assemblies, exams, exhibitions and other school events like parents’ evenings. Having a safe and functional sports floor is important for schools. Vinyl or polyurethane floors provide the best of both worlds, with low maintenance costs compared to other materials while still providing an attractive surface that can be used in many different types of games such as basketball and football etc..
Polyurethane (PU) is suitable for mixed sports including basketball, netball, indoor hockey and 5-a-side. The surface has excellent ball bounce and is forgiving underfoot, helping reduce the risk of injury and provide a comfortable playing surface. Most schools choose PU for their sports hall because it’s a multi-sports surface.
Vinyl performs very similarly to polyurethane and somewhat confusingly it can also have a clear polyurethane top layer. The vinyl we provide is pre-laminated. It’s ideal for sports halls and it can have all point and mixed elastic characteristics. The choice between polyurethane and vinyl normally comes down to cost at the time.
Another option for a sports hall is hardwood timber flooring. This is normally made from Maple. It is much more expensive than polyurethane and vinyl, but it has a classical look that may be worth the extra depending on what you want to achieve. We’re an official UK partner of Robbins Sports Surfaces, who supply the NBA.
Hard surfaces and especially timber should be combined with interlocking rubber floor tiles in areas where functional fitness and weight training will be performed. Floor tiles can be placed strategically in a sports hall to provide greater protection to students. Since they are flat, they can be stacked and stored easily too. When choosing the right sports flooring for a school, it’s important to consider the requirements for each sport that will be played. You should also consider the cost of the surface and how long it will last. Sports hall floors should last well over a decade, and some surfaces are easier to repair than others.
Polyurethane vs vinyl for schools: Polyurethane is a superior material to vinyl for sports halls. It is longer lasting, more substantial and boasts better playability. We recommend polyurethane for sports halls because it is designed for sports. Vinyl is more of a multi-use surface – it’s cheap and easy to buy. Polyurethane is a more specialised surface.
Polyurethane vs hardwood for schools: Polyurethane lacks the classical appearance of hardwood, but it is designed to last longer with no maintenance. Hardwood has lacquer that wears down over time. You will need to buff it regularly. Polyurethane requires no upkeep other than cleaning. It is also cushioned so it reduces player fatigue and risk of injury.
What is the lifespan of school sports flooring? Sports flooring should last at least 10 years. Some of the flooring systems we install are rated to last 15 to 20 years. The lifespan of sports flooring depends on the types of sport that will be played and at what intensity. No sports floor is impervious to wear but surfaces like polyurethane are extremely wear resistant.
An important consideration for schools is the ability of a sports floor to support general foot traffic, exams, parents evenings and other events. Most sports halls are mixed use areas so it makes sense to choose a floor that can do it all.
Polyurethane is the ultimate do it all sports flooring for schools. It’s great for sports and all other activities including those involving desks and chairs.
Sports flooring installation considerations: A polyurethane or vinyl sports flooring system can sometimes be installed over an existing hardwood floor so long as the hardwood floor is sound.
If the existing floor isn’t sound, it will need ripping up and a new base creating for the new surface. We have significant experience replacing old flooring systems. Most old sports hall floors are built directly on concrete or floorboard.
We offer a complete design and installation service, including the removal of your old floor if necessary and recycling. We will size and specify the right flooring systems for your sports hall and recommend a few options to suit your budget.
All the sports floors we install are multi-use surfaces, making them ideal for sports, assemblies and extracurricular activities. Get in touch for a chat about your needs and we’ll take it from there. Call +44 (0)1706 260 220.
The Benefits Of Rubber Sports Flooring
Rubber sports flooring is the gold standard for gyms because it’s durable, suitable for multiple activities and reduces the risk of injuries with excellent shock absorption. No other surface offers so many desirable qualities.
Here’s why rubber sports flooring is an excellent choice for gyms. They are durable, cheap, grippy when wet, easy to replace, low maintenance, easy to clean, fully recyclable, absorbs sound, resistant to abrasion, resistant to common chemicals, long lifespan (over a decade). They also protect concrete and wood subfloors.
Nearly all commercial gyms have rubber flooring of some kind, be it a complete installation or strategically-placed impact protection slabs over a concrete floor.
Rubber sports flooring lasts decades and continues to perform like new. It only needs replacing when the subfloor needs work, or the rubber is damaged. It is easy to replace, and individual sections are replaceable in the case of tiles.
Types of rubber sports flooring
You can get rubber flooring in two types:
- Tiles – 30mm to 40mm thick, ideal for heavy lifting zones. Tiles are also suitable as a single surfacing solution across all gym zones.
- Matting – 10mm to 15mm thick for functional fitness and HIIT zones. It offers more response underfoot, making it better for fitness classes.
The best-known brand for rubber sports tiles is SPORTEC. SPORTEC makes a wide range of gym tiles in various colours, including UNI-Versa (outdoor tiles) and UNI-Classic (indoor tiles). They are distinguishable with coloured flecks.
Rubber matting is more of a generic product. Variants include seamless matting, covering a solid subfloor for a seamless solution, studded rubber flooring, and rubber matting with holes, which can be thicker without adding weight.
Commercial gyms should use rubber tiles 30-40mm thick in free weight zones, although these are overkill in light training areas. Rubber matting is cheaper and better suited to light training zones paired with an underlay for cushioning.
In powerlifting zones, impact protection slabs are required. These are made from EPDM rubber, but they are significantly thicker at 80mm.
Lastly, one of the rarely known benefits of rubber sports flooring is sound absorption, and you can enhance this quality with an insulating underlay. With a high-quality foam underlay, rubber sports flooring dampens impacts, so dropped weights don’t affect other gym users. If you want to minimise noise and vibration in your gym, rubber sports flooring is the way to go.
Does Rubber Sports Flooring Need Underlay?
Rubber sports flooring does not ordinarily need underlay, providing it is of sufficient thickness for the intended activities. However, it is good practice to install an underlay in heavy lifting zones and machine zones to bolster the protection of the subfloor.
For example, 40mm thick rubber floor tiles are sufficient for a commercial gym’s free weight zone, but 10mm rubber matting would require an underlay to increase overall thickness and protect the subfloor from impacts.
In short: underlay is not needed if the top surface is thick enough for the intended activities, but you may want to use an underlay anyway.
Thickness Is Key
The flooring has to absorb impacts to protect the subfloor and users, and this can only be achieved with a thick floor. Rubber tiles are 20mm to 40mm thick made from an EPDM rubber which is fantastic at absorbing shock, vibration and impacts. However, these thicknesses are load rated, and a 40mm tile will not always offer sufficient protection.
Underlays provide a soft surface for the rubber sports flooring to compress into. The simplest example is a dropped 50kg dumbbell – a dropped dumbbell presses into the floor and could damage the subfloor. An underlay ensures the weight of the dumbbell is evenly distributed and doesn’t affect the subfloor.
Underlays can be made from foam or rubber, and these materials offer different performance characteristics. Foam offers more cushioning while rubber offers more impact resistance, and both have different applications.
Foam underlays are typically paired with stiff rubber matting up to 12mm thick, which delivers excellent cushioning for HIIT, yoga, pilates and dance classes. Rubber underlay is used for heavy workout zones with rubber tiles.
Why Is Underlay Important?
While you can install rubber sports flooring without underlay, underlay protects the subfloor from damage and extends the top surface’s lifespan. Underlay also makes a rubber sports floor nicer and safer to use because more layers equal more cushioning and support.
Installing rubber sports flooring directly over concrete or wood is less expensive but won’t deliver the best overall performance. There is a perceptible difference between gym floors with and without high-performance underlay.
Overall, underlay is worth it from a safety and performance perspective, but it is not always necessary when the rubber top surface is sufficiently thick. If in doubt, feel free to contact us for advice, and we’ll be glad to help.
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