Picking the right flooring for schools isn’t always straightforward. In one building, there are classrooms, office spaces, laboratories, corridors, bathrooms, kitchens, canteens and more. Each space has its own needs and regulations to follow and it’s also a challenge to find flooring that transitions staff and students smoothly from room to room.
With our extensive background in manufacturing and supplying flooring for schools across the country - we have built a wealth of knowledge and an extensive portfolio of commercial flooring solutions to revolutionise education spaces. We understand that the variety of spaces within schools and education spaces means that each area has its own specific needs and nuances, and a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t possible.
In this blog, we explore the best types of school flooring for each area, along with recommendations of products from our extensive portfolio to help you get the most out of each space.
When it comes to choosing the best flooring solution for your school, you first need to consider the nature of the space. Areas with high foot traffic need to focus on long-lasting durability. Conversely, quiet spaces should be fitted with a flooring solution that will help to reduce noise. From classrooms to entrances, the flooring solution you choose should be designed with the space in mind.
The school entrance is a place which students, staff and visitors will use at the beginning and end of every day. This means you need a flooring solution that’s both durable enough to stand up to high foot traffic, but functional in a way that stops people dragging in unwanted dirt and debris.
Our Coral and Coral and Nuway entrance matting Nuway entrance matting is designed to prevent dirt and moisture from being tracked in by users from the outside, with a durable construction that can withstand the high-footfall nature of entrance areas. This blend of durability and functionality reduces the risk of slips and falls and reduces cleaning costs for the surrounding interior flooring .
With Coral and Nuway entrance flooring installed alongside other Forbo Interior Flooring, schools will also benefit from a 5+ years added onto your guarantee. This is thanks to the entrance flooring helping keep grim and dirt at the door, helping your interior floors last longer.
The school reception area is a place where visitors make their first impression of the school, so it’s important that the flooring is easy to clean and maintain as well as helping to make users feel invited and comfortable.
Our Marmoleum, Eternal and Sphera ranges are all highly durable and available in a range of finishes and colourways. This allows you to create a unique and memorable experience for visitors, whilst setting the tone for your school from the offset.
School corridors are high foot traffic areas by nature, with students and staff often moving quickly from space to space. The fast-paced nature of corridors means that durability and safety are the main considerations when choosing the perfect flooring solution, as well as the ability to reduce unwanted noise that might disorientate or cause disruption.
Allura Decibel combines beautiful floor design with best-in-class impact sound reduction of 19dB, making it highly suitable for a demanding environment like a school corridor.
Sarlon 19dB is an acoustic solution that is perfect for school corridors where noise pollution can be high. It also features several unique, engaging designs for any learning environment. For a softer yet vibrant floor, Tessera tufted carpet tiles are known for combining exceptional performance with beautiful styling, even in the most challenging high-traffic environments.
A student’s learning experience can be enhanced with factors such as colour, lighting and especially acoustics, so classrooms should be designed in a way that creates an atmosphere of comfort, safety, and inspiration. Classroom flooring should also be easy to clean and maintain to further create a healthy indoor environment.
We’re proud to offer classroom flooring solutions such as the strong and hygienic Flotex, which combines the hard-wearing and durable characteristics of a resilient floor with the quality and warmth of a carpet. It provides a perfect flooring solution in classrooms where practical tasks often take place.
For general classrooms, Tessera carpet tiles create inspiring learning interiors through our variety of stimulating designs and sympathetic colours to make students feel at ease.
When choosing flooring for a school dining room, durability and slip-resistance to enhance safety are of paramount, as well as easy cleaning and stain resistance. As well as the basics, however, you should consider colourful aesthetics that complement the space and contribute to a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Surestep Safety Vinyl blends slip resistance and easy maintenance to create a safe and hygienic flooring solution that is perfect for school dining rooms. The Surestep range uses innovative slip resistance particles named Step Crystals which add to the uniquely modern design and greatly enhance environmental performance.
School libraries are quiet places where pupils’ concentration is precious, so the acoustic properties of the flooring design are a key component. Our portfolio can also offer muted design tones and materials that further boost students’ concentration, aiding in their learning.
Sarlon and Modul’up are acoustic flooring solutions that feature 19dB acoustic performance, in combination with best-in-class indentation. Our acoustic flooring range is designed to be used in a variety of use cases, so it can be adapted to all library layouts and designs.
Our Flotex range also works well here, as the warmth and comfort of the carpet creates a comforting place for reading and studying. Our library of custom digitally printed Flotex flooring also contains very creative designs that could be themed around famous books and story themes to create a truly engaging environment.
Making sure that you’re selecting the right flooring for the space is crucial in schools, due to the sheer variety of use cases in each area. From durable and functional matting for entrances to acoustic-focused solutions for libraries, our extensive flooring portfolio offers tailored solutions for every space.
By considering factors like durability, safety, cleanliness, and noise reduction, schools can create environments that enhance learning, safety, and overall well-being for students, faculty, and visitors alike.
Are you interested in revolutionising spaces in your school or educational facility with our wide range of flooring solutions Download a catalogue , order a sample or get in touch today for more information.