Rubber flooring is also durable because depending on the outdoor product used, and the purpose of the application, recycled rubber surfaces maintain their appearance over time. They do not crack when exposed to extreme freeze-thaw cycles and, therefore, will last for many years.

Using materials that are recycled, recyclable, long-lasting, and durable are proving to be not only a benefit to the environment, but to pocketbooks as well. In the process of designing a building that meets the customer’s criteria, long-term operational costs must be considered. What is the point of installing a beautiful, creative floor low in initial cost, but prohibitive to maintain? This is often the crux of the design process—finding a product that meets the stringent demands of these facilities while still offering a low lifecycle cost and an environmentally responsible footprint. In the discussion of lifecycle costs, recycled rubber flooring is beginning to take centre stage (Figure 1, page 1).

In this whole building approach, many architects and designers use Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as a guideline. Recycled rubber products contribute toward LEED credits for construction projects in numerous categories. The most prominent is Materials and Resources (MR) Credit 4, Recycled Content, but another key component is found in the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) category. Most manufacturers submit their products through rigorous indoor air quality (IAQ) emissions requirements to earn Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), in conjunction with the Scientific Certification Systems’ (SCS’) FloorScore certification, (FloorScore certification tests and certifies hard surface flooring and flooring adhesive products for compliance with rigorous indoor air quality (IAQ) emissions requirements. Individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are evaluated using health-based specifications. Flooring and adhesives that earn FloorScore certification earn a legitimately enhanced market position, distinguished by the FloorScore certification label) as well as Collaborative for High-performance Schools’ (CHPS’) certification. This means the recycled rubber floor is a low volatile organic compound (VOC)-emitting material, requiring minimal maintenance. It is this low maintenance that translates into a very low lifecycle cost in comparison to other flooring products.

Benefits of rubber flooring
Recycled rubber surfaces are not only environmentally responsible, but also exceptionally durable, shock-absorbent, slip-resistant, and noise-reducing. The natural anti-fatigue properties associated with recycled rubber flooring eliminate the need for underlayments, as well as additional surface mat products.

While many flooring materials require underlay to offer cushioning, recycled rubber flooring has natural cushioning. Other flooring substrates like concrete can be cold, hard, and tend to cause fatigue in people who are working long periods on these floors. In many instances, an anti-fatigue mat is purchased and placed near machinery and equipment where an employee spends most of the day to alleviate aches and pains in feet, ankles, and knees.

Recycled rubber flooring is manufactured in roll format or tiles, offering designers the choice of installation means. While both are easy to work with, tile flooring offers an ease in pattern-making, and reduces waste at the installation site. These certified products are used in schools, community centres, healthcare facilities, and many other markets.

Controlling or eliminating glare by using speckled flooring, such as that found in recycled rubber surfaces, should also be a focus as it provides a setting that can be considered less harmful (i.e. reduced eye strain) to both visitors and employees.

Creating a high-quality visual atmosphere using a balance of scale, colours, texture, and patterns is also important. Available in palettes of neutrals, warm subdued colours, and bright, vivid, cool tones, recycled rubber flooring can help to create a place of healing, and in another area, an energetic place that engages employees.

Electrical equipment—including computers, server rooms, and other apparatus—could create static electricity. The physical properties of recycled rubber surfaces lends itself as a natural choice to combat this issue because the rubber acts as a deadener and does not conduct electricity.

Wayfinding and making sense of the facility’s zones are also important aspects of creating a functional building design. The different areas can include:

• public (e.g. entries, lobbies, spiritual centres, schools, and conference and registration areas);
• customer/patient (e.g. departmental entries, waiting areas, consults, exam and treatment spaces, and patient wards);
• staff zones (e.g. offices, work rooms, copy spaces, locker rooms, lounges, and conference and all research areas); and
• service zone (e.g. building support spaces, communication, electrical rooms, stairwells, housekeeping, and food preparation).

Creating patterns, logos, and directional signage within the floor is easy and cost-effective with recycled rubber surfaces. They can all be inlaid—stencils are cut out and then placed into the floor. Recycled rubber floors come in various colours, and by mixing and matching them, it is easy to create a directional flow for foot traffic.

Recycled rubber surfaces are easy to clean because they do not require any stripping, waxing, or special cleaners. This low maintenance is a benefit for both the time spent and the cost of maintaining the floor.

It is important to be able to adapt to trends in design. Interlocking recycled rubber tiles lend themselves to easy updating of colours and patterns. This non-glued-down method allows the end-user to move tiles around, creating a new flooring pattern effortlessly, years after the floor has been laid.

Installation methods
There are two methods of installing recycled rubber tiles—glue-down and interlocking. To glue the tiles down requires a clean, dry, non-chemically treated surface at an ambient temperature. (This is so the rubber does not react with the chemical over time. Also, moisture can accumulate under the tiles, causing a reaction with the subfloor, the glue, and the levelling of the rubber product.) The glue is applied using trowels and the tiles are set into place. The floor should not be used for at least 24 hours.

For interlocking tiles, the same conditions of the subfloor must exist as in the glue-down application—clean, dry, and non-chemically treated. The tiles fit together and stay in place because of the precision cut of the interlocking pattern.

Recycled rubber surfaces help meet the criteria of creating a comfortable, attractive area that is sustainable without breaking the bank.

Cara Murphy is the marketing co-ordinator for Dinoflex Group LP. She is a two-time National Canadian Small Business Award winner. Murphy can be contacted via e-mail at cmurphy@dinoflex.com.