gym floor finish

How to Pick the Right Finish for Your Gym Floor: Top 7 Choices

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The gymnasium is a hub of community activity.  Events, games, fundraisers, and more often take place in the gym.  For sports facility managers, choosing the right gym floor finish is critical. You want to be sure that you’ve selected a floor that can withstand heavy foot traffic, equipment weight, and ensures athletes’ safety. 

Embarking on a careful evaluation of gym floor finish requires you to look into how the floor will be used, who will use it, the installation budget, and environmental conditions.  So, let’s dive into your top seven choices for gym floor finish. 

1. Hardwood maple sports floors

Hardwood maple is the most popular choice for gymnasium flooring.  It’s a classic, and maple sports floors look sharp and can be branded with logos and paint

Hardwood gym floors can also withstand heavy foot traffic for fifty years or more with care and routine maintenance.  For multi-use facilities, maple is a good gym floor finish. 

The biggest issue with maple sports floors is the cost.  Initial installation can be pricey.  But since the floor will last for many decades, initial installation costs are a good value. 

Hardwood gym floors require daily cleaning and dry mopping between activities.  You’ll also need to sand and refinish the gym floor roughly every ten years to keep it in tiptop shape. 

2. Rubber sports floors

Rubber flooring isn’t as expensive to install as hardwood floors, but it won’t last as long.  Sports facilities with weight rooms and cardiovascular equipment typically opt for rubbering flooring because it is ideal for these activities and machinery. 

You can purchase rubber flooring that comes in a roll or as interlocking tiles.  Tiles that frequently see heavy foot traffic can be swapped out with tiles from less traveled areas of the gym, extending the floor’s shelf life.  Environmentally-conscious facility managers can choose recycled rubber flooring. 

3. Sheet vinyl

PVC, or cushioned sheet vinyl, is becoming a popular synthetic gym floor finish.  This flooring choice looks similar to a traditional wood floor and comes in various colors, designs, and thicknesses. 

Vinyl flooring is prefinished before it leaves the factory.  Urethane added to the flooring’s surface makes it much easier to clean and maintain. 

PVC gym flooring can be used in multipurpose sports facilities, and it’s impervious to water damage.  Schools and gyms that are hybrid cafeterias typically opt for sheet vinyl flooring since it is durable and ideal for withstanding heavy foot traffic and water damage. 

4. Vinyl composite tile

Vinyl tile is an excellent choice for sports floor installation projects on a tight budget.  This gym floor finish is less expensive than the other options on this list.  It comes in a wide range of color and pattern choices that can fit any sports facility. 

But vinyl composite flooring requires annual wax coatings to protect it from foot traffic.  It also doesn’t offer ideal shock absorption and isn’t the best choice for certain sports and activities that require it. 

5. Concrete

Concrete floors can be helpful for some team sports.  Also, concrete is durable and offers a long lifespan.  Remember that no matter what gym floor finish you choose, the floor will require a concrete subfloor.  But it’s also important to consider that a concrete floor finish won’t offer much in terms of shock absorption. 

6. Artificial turf

Artificial turf offers a high standard of safety and performance as a gym floor finish.  The material used to make artificial turf is recycled rubber, making it an environmentally-friendly choice.  It is also non-abrasive and shock absorbent, making it an ideal gym floor finish for sporting events that require quick movement and agility. 

7. Combination gym floor finishes

Combination gym floor finishing systems have several layers that give players a high level of shock absorption and force reduction.  For budgetary reasons, hybrid systems are a good choice. 

They feature a shock-absorbing pad, engineered wood layer, and a top gym floor finish of any choice on this list.  Combination systems are typically used when a sports facility transitions from a hardwood section to a synthetic gym floor.  For multipurpose facilities, combination systems are an excellent choice. 

Ready to choose your gym floor finish?  Reach out to us today! 

Are you considering an upgrade to your sports facility?  Choosing the right gym floor finish is a must.  When you contact us, we’ll help you decide! 

We’ll walk you through the right gym floor finish for the area you need to cover, the activities that’ll take place in your gym, and any equipment considerations you may have. 

We install hardwood maple floors, artificial turf, and rubber flooring. Reach out to us today, and we’ll get back to you asap!