In their attempts to combat germs, Boston schools have most commonly employed easy-to-clean flooring materials, such as vinyl flooring tiles or linoleum, that result in a hard slippery surface when they are wet due to spills.
However, school designers have realized that school cafeteria flooring in modern schools requires some consideration. Cafeteria facilities often serve breakfast and lunch to students in multiple rotations throughout the day, and this same space also gets used for study halls, after school gatherings and more. This leads to highly trafficked cafeteria floors that need to be safe, durable, and easy to clean.
Traditional flooring materials, like vinyl sheeting, can be susceptible to water that pools underneath the floor, which can grow bacteria. Heat-welded seams in these materials can crack, which also creates a space for water and bacteria. After installation, materials like vinyl outgas volatile organic compounds. Moreover, tile and terrazzo will require regular maintenance, like waxing and buffing.
As an alternative, non-slip epoxy flooring, like that used in commercial kitchens and industrial facilities, can provide the best option on Boston’s school floors. Not only are non-slip epoxy floors safe to walk on if they get wet, they are also easy to clean. Epoxy floors are resistant to even the strongest cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, so they will hold up to heavy use. At the same time, they offer hygiene and sanitation benefits resulting from the epoxy’s bond to the concrete substrate underneath. Since there is no way for water to seep underneath it, epoxy flooring eliminates spaces that can harbor bacteria.
In addition to these obvious advantages, another reason to use non-slip epoxy floors in Boston schools is their impact on air quality. During the installation process, nearly zero volatile organic compounds are released, and, once cured, there are no emissions or outgassing.
