Choosing floors for a school requires several things: it has to be durable, easy to maintain, affordable and water-resistant. Schools are places with high traffic and frequent spilling accidents, so the floors should be able to endure all that. A school flooring must not burden the school's budget and in the long run, it should pay off; any reparation costs must not be higher than the instalment.
Rigid Core Vinyl
Rigid core vinyl is similar to the vinyl plank, except it’s even more resilient. The great thing is that these planks are entirely waterproof which makes rigid core vinyl a terrific choice for schools (bathrooms, cafeteria, locker rooms), and any other areas of the school that are exposed to frequent spilling of water. A rigid core is quite easy to maintain and great for noise absorption. It has a higher price than a vinyl plank, but that’s only because of its extra layer of water resistance.
Vinyl Plank
Vinyl planks are often the first choice for high-traffic school floors. This type of flooring is a visually aesthetic, affordable and easy-to-maintain alternative to hardwood. The fact that it's durable (it can last for up to two decades with proper care), and water-resistant makes it the best school flooring. It's easy to lay and even easier to repair, as it doesn't require removing all the planks. High traffic and potential spiling of leaking liquids can't easily damage vinyl flooring. The gaps between the planks are sealed to prevent moisture from seeping through the floor. Vinyl is also great for noise absorption, which is an important feature of the school setting.
Laminate
Many schools opt for laminate as it's quite cost-efficient and durable. It's easy to install (making the installation costs much lower which is great for the school's limited budgets). This flooring comes in various styles as well. It comes in five different AC ratings - the higher the rating, the more durable the floor. Schools often go for an AC4 or AC5 rating; this way they can be sure the laminate can withstand the daily foot traffic.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tiles vary in colours, sizes, styles, and textures and schools often choose them because they're durable. Porcelain tiles are scratch and stain-resistant and work well in wet areas. They’re dense and hard, making them a long-lasting and attractive option for schools. Schools need porcelain tiles with a PEI rating of 4 or 5, also they need to skip any polished finishes because they make tiles slippery, which is a huge risk in a school environment.
Carpet Tiles
Another popular classroom flooring are carpet tiles. There are so many styles on the market and schools choose them because they're easy to instal, remove and replace in case they get stained or worn out. Carpet tiles are quite durable and can resist soils, fading and stains. Most schools choose these for classrooms for younger kids who are more prone to trips and falls, but also who sit and play on the floor.
Engineered Hardwood
The engineered hardwood is a high-quality flooring that doesn't require all the maintenance hassles. It's the most expensive choice on this list, but schools with higher budgets still opt out for it because it's durable and water-resistant. It has the look of natural hardwood floors minus the maintenance drawbacks. It's best for schools to get engineered hardwoods with several layers and an HDF core for maximum durability.
What to Have in Mind
High Traffic Resistance
School floors endure a lot of traffic, which means the flooring must endure foot traffic all day long in any area. This is why it's important to make a smart investment. Flooring that isn't durable will only mean frequent reparations or replacements, which will surely affect the budget. Durable floors should easily stand not only high traffic but frequent maintenance as well.
Moisture Resistance
School floors will endure a lot of abuse from pills in the cafeteria, to art and craft classrooms, to overflowing bathrooms. No matter how careful kids are, there will be spilling accidents. This is why the floors must be water-resistant and easy to clean. This is why schools always seek flooring that won't get easily damaged by liquids. Any flooring choice that isn't water and moisture-resistant will easily get damaged in no time. Besides that, safety should be considered as well; slips and trips are common in schools, so the choice of flooring should have slip resistance as well.
Cost-Effective
Schools usually have a tight budget and can't just splurge. This is why they should carefully choose an option that ticks all the important features, including the budget. A cost-effective floor choice will not affect the school's budget but also will pay off in the long run. Let's take vinyl for example; it's affordable and with proper maintenance, it will last for fifteen years a least.
Also, the school won't have to deal with frequent reparations, and in case such a thing is necessary, the job will be done on the affected spot only. So, instead of removing all the vinyl planks or tiles, the reparations will only remove the damaged ones. Let's not forget that schools have constant and high traffic, so there will be reparations and replacements, which is why choosing a cost-effective option is important in the long run.
