Rubber Tiles

How To Choose The Right Thickness For Rubber Flooring

Rubber Flooring and Rubber Tiles are among the most recommended flooring options for gyms, play areas, or commercial spaces. Their stability, friction control, and shock-absorbing properties make them suitable in any homestead or workplace. Nevertheless, the selection of the right thickness is one of the most significant moves in the rubber flooring selection. Rubber flooring is sensitive to the thickness, which determines the comfort, safety, and resistance to wear and tear. We have gone ahead to prepare this elaborate guide, ensuring that homeowners and business owners make the right choice.

A selection of colorful, speckled rubber flooring samples

Why The Right Thickness Matters

Rubber Flooring depends on its thickness in order to handle heavy weight, dampen sound and provide shock absorption. Slimmer Rubber Flooring can be appropriate in light usage, but heavy impacts of performing activities or heavy machines may demand thicker flooring in order to protect. The appropriate option is a compromise between the performance, life and budget, so that the flooring will be able to address the needs of the particular space.

gym with black and gray rubber floor tiles.

Rubber Flooring Thickness options knowledge

There is a wide range of rubber flooring, with normal thicknesses being between 2 mm and over 20 mm. All the thicknesses are suited to different uses and the correct choice of thickness is a sure way of the floor doing the job.

Thin Rubber Flooring (2 mm to 4 mm)

Main Features

  • This flooring will be preferable to use in places with low traffic, like home gyms with little equipment, yoga studios, or office environments.
  • Although thin rubber flooring offers a minimum of comfort and slip protection, it is not heavyweight or high-impact.

MTR Flooring (6 mm to 10 mm) 

  • It is a medium-thickness Rubber Roll Flooring product for covering that is engineered to be both flexible and lightweight. 
  • MTR Flooring (6 mm to 10 mm) is a non-heavyweight rubber product that is flexible and designed to be used as a floor covering.

This represents the most widespread number of multipurpose gyms, play areas, and fitness studios. Flooring within this range has a good shock absorbing ability, sound damping, as well as durability which does not necessarily make it too thick. It fits perfectly in areas that exercise moderate fitness equipment and incorporate a mix of cardio and strength training.

Thick rubber flooring (12 mm to 20 mm thick)

  • It is commonly used in the majority of gyms, sports clubs, and bowling areas.

Heavy flooring is necessary in case of heavy use like commercial gyms, weight lifting areas or areas with heavy machines. tha It keeps the subfloor as well as the equipment safe and provides the highest shock absorption. 

  • This type is also suggested in playgrounds where safety is of concern.
playground with multi-colored, interlocking rubber floor tiles

Extra-thick Rubber Flooring (20mm and greater)

  • It is available in both solid and geometric options. 
  • These are very special floors that are made in the highest areas of impact, like outdoor playgrounds, or industrial places or places where there is the possibility of dropping heavy weights. 
  • Extra-thick flooring is the most cushioning, safe, and soundproof flooring.

Buyer Guide: Factors To Consider when selecting The Thickness of The Rubber Flooring.

The choice of the right thickness is based on the intended use of the flooring and the surroundings where it is to be used.

Purpose of the Space

Take into account the activities to be performed. In the case of yoga, exercises or office flooring, thin is enough. In the case of weight-lifting gyms or commercial gyms, you might require a thicker flooring as a protective measure.

Level of Impact and Noise

In case the flooring will be subjected to heavy impacts like falling weights or foot traffic, a thicker material must be used. The rubber floor is also thicker and hence lowers the noise level which is quite important in customers’ housing or in multi-storey buildings.

Subfloor Protection

Rubber floors of greater thickness are more protective of the surface underneath. With the subfloor being concrete, it is important to protect against cracks or damage caused by heavy weights and equipment.

Budget Considerations

Thicker flooring is more protective but it is also more expensive. So achieve a balance between durability and affordability by choosing a thickness that will satisfy the needs of the space without wasting money.

Safety Requirements

Safety cannot be compromised in a play area or gym. Thick flooring offers higher shock absorption to minimize the chances of injuries. The correct selection of the thickness depends on the safety requirements of residential and commercial installations.

large office lobby with colorful rubber flooring

Buyer Guide: Thickness with Applications

In general, to make the decision-making process simpler, the following are general recommendations about the common uses of rubber flooring:

  • Home gyms that have light equipment: 6 mm to 8 mm.
  • Commercial gyms and fitness studios 10 mm to 12 mm.
  • Areas of heavy equipment weightlifting: 12 mm to 20 mm.
  • Play areas or playgrounds for children: 20 mm and more.
  • Machine areas in industries: 15 mm to 25 mm.

Installation and Maintenance Issues

Rubber flooring is also sensitive to the installation and the maintenance depending on its thickness. Heavier flooring can be difficult to install, whereas thinner flooring can be used in DIY work. Rubber flooring is low-maintenance irrespective of its thickness. Frequent sweeping, periodical mopping as well as instant cleaning of spills will keep the surface in good condition over a span of several years.

close-up of hands installing speckled rubber flooring

How To Select The Appropriate Rubber Flooring Thickness.

The proper thickness of the rubber flooring is based on the weight of safety, durability, comfort and cost. Homeowners and businesses that require resilient flooring can make the correct choice depending on the intention of the room, activity, and usage in the long term. The thicker flooring is better than the thinner one in terms of impact resistance and safety, whereas the thinner one is cheaper and easier to use in places with light traffic.

Key Points To Remember

  • The thickness of rubber flooring is between 2 mm and more than 20 mm.
  • The slim one is most suitable to be used lightly like in a yoga or an office environment.
  • Medium thickness is suitable in multipurpose gyms Floors and play areas.
  • Heavy equipment, playgrounds and industrial areas should be covered with thicker floors.
  • Before making a choice, safety and durability, as well as budget need to be considered.
gym with tiled black rubber flooring.

What is The Thickness of The Rubber Flooring That I require in My Home Gym?

You can always use light equipment, which is normally sufficient at 6 mm or 8 mm. In the case of weightlifting and heavy machines, 12 mm should be used at least.

Is The Thicker Rubber Flooring Always Good?

Not always. Heavy-duty floors offer greater protection and therefore may not be required in the light-use zones. The best method is to make a choice based on activity.

Does Rubber Flooring lower the Noise in multi-Story Buildings?

Yes, the thicker rubber flooring is a good absorber of sound and thus it is best used in apartments or fitness studios that are situated in multi-level places.

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