For a long time, rubber floor was only used in commercial gyms and industrial areas. Nowadays, modern rubber flooring mats are being considered for use in homes, too. The resiliency of rubber and its natural resistance to water, mold and bacteria make it an excellent choice for areas like basements, bathrooms, garages and home gyms.

Advantages of Rubber Mat Flooring

If you’re comparing and contrasting types of floor for your home, consider the several advantages to rubber floor:

• Rubber floor is very durable and last for years.
• Rubber floor is resistant to water and heat.
• Rubber floor absorbs sound well.
• Rubber floor is very comfortable to stand or walk on–even barefoot.
• Rubber floor is easy to install, even for people who don’t have much experience working with different types of floor.
• Rubber floor is made out of 100 percent recyclable material, making it an eco-friendly option.

Disadvantages of Rubber Mat Flooring

Unfortunately, all of those benefits come at a price. Some of the disadvantages of rubber flooring are the following:

• If you drop a sharp object onto a rubber floor, it scars the floor’s finish.
• Rubber floor is more expensive than many other types of floor.
• Rubber floor requires regular maintenance to keep it in good condition.
• Water or grease may make these types of floor slippery, so they’re not suitable for use in kitchens.

How to Install a Rubber Floor

Rubber flooring is relatively easy to install, and generally doesn’t require professional installation. You can buy the flooring in either rolls or tiles and have it cut to fit your room. If you’re not totally confident about your installation abilities, go with the rubber mat flooring tiles. They’re easier to install, and sometimes include a locking mechanism that makes it easy to snap the tiles together.

When installing a rubber floor, you’ll want to follow these steps:

• Before laying down your rubber floor, check to make sure the subfloor is level and dry.
• If you’re using rubber flooring mats, install them according to the manufacturer’s directions. For rolls, make precise cuts and seal the seams with a urethane seam sealant.
• If the floor needs to be glued to the subfloor, make sure you use a polyurethane adhesive.
• Allow the floor to dry for at least 24 hours before walking on it.

Rubber Floor Maintenance

When you purchase your rubber floor, ask the retailer if they sell any special rubber cleaners. If you can’t find any, clean your floor with a mop and mild soap after sweeping to remove dust and dirt from the floor’s surface. Rubber floor should be cleaned regularly, but otherwise needs very little maintenance.