School environments provide a particular challenge for floor coverings. High levels of impact and abrasion make this one of the most demanding environments, so durability is key. Aesthetics, health and safety, cleanability and hygiene must also be taken into account. With a minefield of practical and financial implications involved, where do schools start to look for flooring that combines long term performance, ease of maintenance, an attractive appearance and value for money?
When we think of floor finishes, the majority of us will immediately think of flooring being pre-manufactured and delivered to site in rolls or boxes, be it vinyl, rubber or carpet. Resin flooring, however, offers unrivalled versatility to suit any school environment that cannot be matched by such ‘off the peg’ floor coverings.
Although bespoke options are available with other products, resins are manufactured specifically for each individual situation, meaning that a vast array of colours, textures and finishes can be achieved with ease. Unlike other coverings, a resin floor will generally arrive on site in a combination of buckets and aggregates on a pallet, which are then mixed in something resembling a small cement mixer. The resultant wet mix is then tipped onto the floor, “trowelled” out by the contractor, and left to cure - as you will appreciate, a totally different operation to laying a piece of vinyl or carpet.
The main benefit of a resin floor is that, when professionally laid, it is locked both mechanically and chemically to the underlying substrate, becoming an integral part of the building structure and thus giving a hardwearing, long lasting surface. Apart from incorporating necessary structural movement joints it is totally seamless, providing a smooth easy to clean surface with no joints where dirt can build up over time.
You can install a resin floor almost anywhere that you would look to install either a vinyl or carpet, and systems can be tailored to schools’ individual performance and appearance requirements and budget – although whilst we are mentioning the “B” word, very small areas can work out more expensive than other surfaces because of the installation time involved.
Preparation is key and, as the floors are hand finished on site, a degree of skill is required to achieve a professional finish. It is recommended that a specialist resin contractor is always used – FeRFA, the Federation of Resin Formulators and Applicators, can advise on installers across the UK.
Versatility and all round performance make resin flooring an ideal choice for schools, says Linda Briffett of interior surfaces specialists Altro.
School environments provide a particular challenge for floor coverings. High levels of impact and abrasion make this one of the most demanding environments, so durability is key. Aesthetics, health and safety, cleanability and hygiene must also be taken into account. With a minefield of practical and financial implications involved, where do schools start to look for flooring that combines long term performance, ease of maintenance, an attractive appearance and value for money?
Although resin floors started life purely in the industrial sector, they are now being installed in a wide range of other markets, especially in educational and retail buildings. There is a wide variety of options available, offering schools design, durability and performance. Choices range from the textured to very smooth, from plain to patterned (great for hiding scuff marks), and from matt to highly reflective. It goes without saying the choice criteria will be very different when looking at the main school street, toilets, kitchens or workshop type environment.
As Altro manufactures and supply a wide range of flooring materials including safety flooring, smooth vinyl, rubber and resins, we are able to offer unbiased advice to help schools choose best product to meet their needs, be they driven by performance, appearance or budget. For further information on Altro’s full portfolio of interior surfaces, call 0800 018 2960 or visit www.altro.com
For further press information please contact: Heather Power, Haslimann Taylor Public Relations 0121 355 3446 heather@haslimanntaylor.com
