Rubber flooring
Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 09652
Applications
Rubber flooring has a wide variety of applications both in commercial and residential including: public transit, sports and fitness centers and stair treads. Rubber flooring's slip resistance property makes it a good choice for fitness centers, stairways and around pools.
Emerging uses / trends
Rubber flooring is becoming an increasingly popular material for its ease of use and the fact that it can be cut and shaped into any pattern. It is also available in a wide variety of colours, textures and thicknesses, depending upon the application. This flooring is sustainable and environmentally friendly due to the fact that it is created from recycled tiles and previous rubber tiles are being melted down and reused. Rubber floors are also sometimes treated to decrease static electricity buildup. These floors can be installed underneath wood or tile for additional comfort, heat retention, insulation and sound absorption. This relatively new material in terms of its applications is now being used more increasingly in roofing, playground equipment and even furniture.
Finish and aesthetic qualities
Rubber comes in a variety of finishes and patterns including: round stud, solid smooth, slate effect, interlock, hammer blow, dot smooth, marbled smooth, checker plate, wide grooved and narrow grooved; all of these applications are added when the rubber is being processed into sheet form as it is passed through a series of textured rollers. Due to the fact that it is available in various sizes and forms it is given a rather seamless appearance. A urethane can be applied on top of the rubber to increase durability and add a glossy finish to the end product.
Surface forms / shapes
Rubber flooring comes in rolls or tiles that can be cut, shaped and customized to any length for easy installation. It can be preformed into sheets or tiles at the manufacturing site or it can also be poured into a custom mold for a unique design or shape.
Cost analysis
- $4 - $7 per sq. ft.
- The price varies on thickness and custom design.
Material properties
Primary structural use
Rubber flooring is not structural in and of itself. It becomes structural when it is applied to the subfloor and can also be used as the subfloor itself; under wood flooring or tiles.
Material performance
- In terms of durability, the strength of rubber flooring can be compared to the durability of rubber tires.
- Rubber flooring is often used in high-traffic areas for this reason.
- Even over time and under high-traffic circumstances, rubber wears evenly.
- Rubber flooring absorbs both shock and sound, which is often a reason for its selection in the design process.
- Resistant to chemicals and disinfectants; most spills can be easily removed without residual staining.
- Resistance to chipping and breaking, because it is a flexible resilient material.
- Rubber flooring is antibacterial and resists the growth of fungus and mold because it is a synthetic.
- Cigarette burn resistant.
- Rubber flooring ages well, however, finished may have to be reapplied if they dull over time.
- Colourfast, ultra violet and ozone resistant, Blue scale > 6.
- Resistant to dilute acid and most chemical products.
- Rubber is Rot-proof.
- Can be installed in saline conditions.
- Suitable for use on sub floors with underfloor heating
- Anti-static. Recommended for rooms with static build that often comes with extreme computer use.
Dimensional and opening restriction
- Again, rubber is easily customized in terms of size and shape.
- Tiles are typically: 18" x 18" or 36" x 36"; thickness can range from 4mm - 6mm.
- Rolls are typically 48" wide.
- Residential - 1/4" thick, Commercial - 3/8" thick
Acoustic property
- 0.05 sabine/ft² [1]
- Rubber provides excellent sound absorption, so is often used in large rooms, such as gyms.
Manufacturing process and assembly
- Rubber, although found in the sap of various plants, is largely produced by tapping the trunk of what is known as the "rubber tree," or scientifically named the "Hevea brasiliensis."
- The white sap that is tapped, is called latex.
- Rubber producing plants grow best within 10 degrees of the equator; South America was the largest source of rubber in the 19th century.
- Tires and tubes are the largest group of rubber products, and eco-friendly rubber flooring is made of recycled tires.
- A urethane binder holds the rubber granules together.
- The product is heated in cylindrical molds and the thickness is peeled from the cylinder.
- Installation for rubber flooring depends on the nature of the project.
- Interlocking tiles do not require the use of adhesives for installation.
- Square tiles or rolls require the use of adhesive (usually an epoxy recommended by the manufacturer).
Environmental impact
- The production of recycled rubber has the lowest environmental impact—less total energy is consumed in production compared to making products from virgin or synthetic sources.
- The production and disposal of rubber causes 54% of the earths ecological footprint.
- Recycled rubber is more cost effective than other rubber products, both with respect to production and purchase.
- The collection and production of used rubber creates job opportunities in developing countries around the world.
- It provides a creative way to make use of resources that are difficult to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner.
- Rubber flooring is a low VOC, antistatic, recyclable surface. [2]
- Product can contain natural fillers that supplement the high-quality natural and industrial rubber qualities, as well as environmentally compatible color pigments that are free of lead and other heavy metals.
- Some rubber flooring is made with first-grade recycled components.
- Some rubber floor coverings are completely free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plasticizers and halogens. Floor coverings that do not contain any PVC guarantee that no hydrochloric gas is produced in the event of fire, and no corrosive hydrochloric acid results from contact with water, used to extinguish the fire. In addition, no toxic halogenated dioxins and furans are produced
sustainable.
- Cleaning consists of simple dust and wet mopping with a mild ph-neutral cleaning product. [3]
- Rubber floors do not need to be waxed or sealed because of their dense, nonporous surface, which translates to easier cleaning and eliminates the need to strip or rewax the floor later in the maintenance cycle.
LEED
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Life Safety & Rating Standards
Flammability rating
- The flammability of rubber flooring depends on what materials are in the mix, and that will depend on the manufacturer.
Coefficient of friction
- The coefficient of friction for rubber flooring products range from .85 -.9 [4]
- For SBR and EPDM
- For both leather and rubber soles
- Wet and dry
References
Notes
- ↑ http://www.ecosurfaces.com
- ↑ http://www.greenlivingideas.com
- ↑ http://www.edcmag.com/Articles/Feature_Article/cd710e983b8fb010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____
- ↑ http://www.ecosurfaces.com
Student contributions
- Brinda Toprani, Spring 2009
- Janna Frapart, Spring 2008
- IRT Resilients - Fall 2010, Ryerson University
- Chloe Dingman, Fall 2011, Ryerson University, School of Interior Design
See also
Similar materials
Building references
- Elementary Institute of Science, San Diego, California
- Amtrak, Cascade/Talgo, Seattle,Washington
- Nissan stand, Japanese Motor Show
External links
Additional resources
