rubber floor mats

Are Rubber Floor Mats Safe for Hardwood Basketball Courts?

By John Scillieri Hours Published on

Rubber floor mats may seem like a good idea to protect hardwood basketball courts. After all, rubber gym mats provide some bounce and traction and can offer some protection when basketball players fall. And there may be times when you must protect a hardwood gym hall from potential damage from other sporting activities. However, there are several reasons to avoid placing rubber floor mats on hardwood basketball courts. 

Installing and maintaining high-quality hardwood flooring in a basketball court is expensive. However, the results are definitely worth it. A hardwood maple court is manufactured to provide the shock absorption levels required for basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer. 

Therefore, having protective pads on the floor makes sense when engaging in other athletic activities. For example, heavy weights, exercise equipment, chairs, or setting up the gymnasium for concerts or exhibitions could result in costly damage to a hardwood floor.

This article examines the pros and cons of using rubber floor mats on hardwood basketball courts. You will learn when rubber gym flooring has its benefits and the potential risks of placing rubber gym mats on hardwood flooring.

Understanding rubber floor mats

Rubber floor surfaces are the go-to choice when installing certain types of gym flooring. These include activities like aerobics, weightlifting, tennis, running tracks, and fitness. Also, rubber floor mats protect small areas of hardwood flooring where heavy equipment is used or in high-impact or heavy foot traffic areas. 

Rubber mats can also help to improve gym safety because they are durable, resist traction, absorb shocks, and are easy to clean. Additionally, rubber floor mats are eco-friendly gym flooring solutions. 

Here are some of the types of rubber flooring commonly used in gyms. 

  • Rubber flooring rolls: These rubber rolls come in sheets four feet wide and up to 50 feet long. They allow you to quickly cover an entire hardwood gym floor to provide good shock absorption, maximize slip resistance, and increase sound absorption.
  • Rubber gym flooring tiles: This gym floor solution uses interlocking rubber tiles to protect gym floors from damage. The rubber tiles are easy to install and remove and can be used to fit any gym layout. 
  • Rubber gym floor mats: Gym mats made from rubber are typically used for small spaces like cardio or weightlifting areas. The rubber mats are versatile and are easy to lay on any flat surface to improve shock absorption and protect hardwood floors from damage. 

Rubber gym flooring is the best solution for many indoor sports activities. Rubber has a natural resistance and can provide a stable yet soft surface for performing many athletic activities. Additionally, rubber has traction, slip, and rotation resistance, which is ideal for running, lifting weights, and playing tennis. 

Therefore, rubber gym flooring is one of the safest options for indoor and outdoor sports floors.

However, is rubber flooring suitable for basketball courts? Are rubber floor mats and hardwood basketballs courts a good combination? Let’s see. 

The potential risk of rubber floor mats on hardwood basketball courts

You will never see NBA games played on anything other than maple hardwood flooring for various reasons. Hardwood basketball floors are aesthetically pleasing and provide the necessary ball rebound, traction, and slip resistance professional athletes require. These factors minimize fatigue and damage to players’ joints.

Of course, when installing the best hardwood flooring for a gymnasium or sports hall, nothing beats maple for its attractive grain and finish. 

But it may be tempting to use rubber floor mats to protect your prized hardwood flooring. And, because of the cost of basketball court maintenance, protecting hardwood floors is vital to reduce the costs of sanding and refinishing a wooden sports floor. 

However, what are the potential risks of using rubber floor mats on hardwood maple basketball courts?

One of the risks of placing rubber mats on hardwood floors is damage to the floor’s surface. This happens because chemicals used in manufacturing rubber mats can leech into the hardwood floor’s porous surface. Or, the chemicals in the rubber could react with the varnish that protects the wooden flooring. 

Therefore, the mats could damage the court’s finish or cause streaks, staining, or indentations. 

Best practices for using rubber floor mats on hardwood basketball courts

Of course, rubber flooring products on hardwood basketball gym courts can be used temporarily. However, it would be best to consider a few things when using rubber flooring material to protect maple hardwood flooring.

First, it’s important to use high-quality rubber flooring products. Cheaper rubber mats may generate potentially toxic fumes and probably leave black streaks on the basketball court flooring. 

Second, only use rubber mats or floor tiles when you need them. Therefore, you should remove them when not in use. This will prevent any potential negative impact on the finish of the gymnasium flooring. 

If you notice that rubber mats or pads have left streaks or scuff marks, you can remove them easily using standard cleaning products. Additionally, you could try gently rubbing a tennis ball over the black rubber marks to remove them. 

Here are some handy tips on how to install rubber mats on basketball courts:

  • Only use rubber mats on hardwood flooring when necessary. 
  • Use rubber flooring options to protect hardwood floors in high-foot traffic areas or where heavy equipment is used.
  • After use, clean rubber mat surfaces with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning solution. 
  • Store the mats where they won’t interfere with day-to-day activities on the basketball court. 

Conclusion

Rubber floor mats can be used on hardwood basketball courts as a temporary measure to protect small gym areas from damage by heavy equipment like weights, treadmills, or other cardio equipment. However, it is important to use high-quality rubber mats, avoid leaving them out permanently, and regularly clean the court’s surface.

These simple steps will help keep your gymnasium floor looking new for many years and reduce maintenance costs.

Additional Resources

Here are more resources about rubber floor mats and hardwood basketball courts:

John Scillieri

John Scillieri is the Founder and Managing Partner of J & J Gym Floors, bringing over three decades of expertise in hardwood flooring to the sports and fitness industry. Following in the footsteps of his father, a renowned hardwood floor professional, John launched J & J Gym Floors after graduating college, combining rich family tradition with innovative approaches to gym floor installation, maintenance, and customization.

With a passion for quality craftsmanship and a commitment to customer satisfaction, John has led J & J Gym Floors to become a trusted name in the industry. His hands-on approach and deep understanding of flooring technologies ensure that every project, from local school gymnasiums to professional sports arenas, receives the highest standard of care and attention to detail. When he's not transforming gym floors, John enjoys staying active and spending time with his family, always keeping an eye out for the next big trend in sports flooring.