gymnasium flooring systems

Your Complete Guide to Different Gymnasium Flooring Systems

By John Scillieri Hours Published on

Selecting a new floor for your gymnasium is a challenging decision and one that requires a lot of thought.  It’s an expensive and long-term investment, so it’s crucial to make the right choice based on your facility’s needs and requirements. 

To help you out in this process, we’ve drafted a comprehensive guide to different gymnasium flooring systems.  It covers the most popular flooring solutions and includes everything you need to know about them, so you can make the right decision for your gym.

Wood Gym Flooring Systems

Hardwood sports flooring systems are the first thing most people think of when they imagine gymnasium flooring.  Maple hardwood floors are the prevalent sports flooring option for gymnasiums all over the country.  They are durable, high-performing, visually pleasing, and offer high customizability.

Overall, hardwood maple flooring systems are the best flooring solution if you’re looking for a top-quality sports floor and are prepared to cash out for it. 

The most noticeable drawback of wood gym flooring systems is that they require a more expensive upfront installation cost.  They are also more complex and costly to maintain than the other flooring systems we’ll discuss on this page.

Synthetic Gym Flooring Systems

Synthetic gym flooring systems such as polyurethane athletic flooring are rapidly gaining popularity in the sports flooring industry.  The main advantage artificial gym flooring systems have over hardwood ones is they can match hardwood’s durability.  But they’re significantly less expensive to install and maintain. 

On the other hand, synthetic floors aren’t as versatile for sports activities as hardwood floors. They also don’t last as long.  Synthetic floors can be used as multi-purpose flooring solutions but can’t quite match up with hardwood’s performance characteristics.  That said, artificial flooring systems are also highly customizable. They allow gymnasium operators a lot of freedom in designing their facilities.

Rubber Sports Flooring Systems

Rubber sports flooring, either recycler or vulcanized, is an ideal sports flooring solution if you’re installing a new floor on a budget.  It’s one of the most affordable sports flooring systems and an excellent choice for various sports activities. 

It’s very tolerant to moisture, easy and cheap to maintain, and offers consistent performance. Rubber flooring systems are used for basketball, volleyball, handball, and many other sports. But the areas they’re used most for are weight rooms. 

Users often have questions regarding rubber sports flooring systems’ safety, but these fears are entirely unfounded.  There have been dozens of studies of recycled and vulcanized rubber sports flooring solutions.  No links have been found relating to dangerous toxicity levels or any illnesses associated with this material.  Rubber sports flooring is entirely safe to use, recyclable and eco-friendly.

Artificial Turf Sports Flooring

If your gymnasium also includes an outdoor sports surface, artificial turf is the best choice.  It mimics natural grass’s look and feel but offers much greater resilience and doesn’t require extensive maintenance like natural grass.  Artificial turfs are very resilient and shock absorbent and provide a non-abrasive surface made from recycled rubber.

Artificial turf is very adaptable and versatile.  Even if you only have an indoor sports facility, Artificial indoor sports turfs are an excellent solution for many sports activities.  Both indoor and outdoor artificial sports turfs have found their use in football, soccer, and many other sports played on grass.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Flooring System

Regardless if you’re operating a school gymnasium or rent out your gym to professional athletes, your sports flooring system must adhere to specific requirements.  Here are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a new flooring system:

  • Budget — Unfortunately, budget is the determining factor for many gymnasium operators when selecting a new flooring system.  The budget you’re working with will be the most limiting factor in your decision-making process.
  • Performance Features — Consider which sports the gymnasium will primarily be used for.  Depending on this, you need to assess the performance features such as friction, resistance, ball bounce, safety characteristics, and many others.
  • Hygiene and Ease of Maintenance — The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of proper hygiene and floor maintenance.  With that in mind, some sports flooring solutions, such as hardwood, are more difficult to sanitize and keep clean than others, such as synthetic and rubber sports floors.
  • Life Expectancy — As mentioned above, your new gymnasium sports floor will likely cost you a pretty penny, and you want to get the most out of it.  If longevity is a crucial factor for you, choosing a sports flooring system with the longest expected life should be one of your priorities.

Choosing The Right Gymnasium Flooring System

From the specific kind of subfloor to the type of gymnasium flooring system, there are many things to consider before you make the final decision.  Hopefully, this guide to the most popular gymnasium flooring systems has helped you decide which type of sports flooring material is the best choice for your gymnasium.

If this detailed page left you with further questions or looking for more helpful advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed professional.  An experienced flooring contractor can help answer all of your queries and assist you in choosing the most suitable flooring system for your sports facility. 

J&J Gym Floors professionals are eager to assist you!  Contact us online now or call (973) 241-5119.

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.