When you are looking for new flooring for your campus rec facility, you might be looking for specific colors, textures, styles and even durability. But what should be the most important thing to consider is whether or not it is antimicrobial flooring.
An antimicrobial surface contains an antimicrobial agent that inhibits the ability of microorganisms to grow on the surface. Running a campus rec facility during a pandemic is not easy. Protecting students from the flooring up is the No. 1 priority.
Choosing the Type of Flooring
There are different types of surfaces you can choose from that are considered antimicrobial. Some are considered antimicrobial because they have a protective coating added on top or into the material. This type of flooring may include tile, vinyl, epoxy, cork, carpet and even concrete. There is also flooring that is antimicrobial throughout, and that is rubber flooring.
Aside from being antimicrobial, you also want to make sure to choose a flooring that is non-porous or impermeable. Having a non-porous surface prevents moisture and contaminants such as sweat, bacteria and viruses from penetrating the surface and harboring within. You also want to be sure the flooring you choose is easy to clean. Having a non-porous or impermeable floor keeps these dangers on the surface, making them easy to wipe away.
Why Where its Going Matters
The flooring you choose for your fitness room may be different then the flooring you choose for your locker rooms or weight rooms. Either way, you want to make sure the flooring you choose is antimicrobial. Locker room flooring is another area where a lot of bacteria can harbor. This is especially true if you have flooring that does not allow water to easily drain from the surface. Consider looking for wet-area flooring that is antimicrobial and allows water to easily drain and not sit on the surface.
No matter where you are replacing flooring, make sure you choose an antimicrobial surface that’s easy to clean.
Visit kieferusa.com for more information on antimicrobial flooring or call 800.322.5448.
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