Flooring for schools: Sheet vinyl

First things first, how it is almost SEPTEMBER? That means only 4 months until the horrors of 2020 are just a blast from the past and we are safely in the comfort of 2021 (let's hope so at least). As September creeps up on us we all know it only means one thing... back to school.

So we’ve previously nattered on about carpet tiles for breakout areas in the education sector as well as our most affordable flooring solutions, but it’s time for us to leave carpet tiles behind and switcheroo over to the world of sheet vinyl.

From nurseries to universities, educational environments demand attractive, hard wearing and low maintenance flooring solutions. The education sector can be the most challenging and treacherous for your poor floor. Spillage after spillage, a constant stream of traffic and a whole host of heavy furniture - it really is pushed to its limits. Vinyl flooring is the perfect choice for education sectors as vinyl is a highly durable solution able to withstand heavy footfall in busy and challenging environments.

Here at DCTUK we have a range of sheet vinyl products to suit your needs and this guide should help you understand that basic dos and don’ts when it comes to selecting a new flooring. 

School corridors probably experience the highest levels of footfall with the whole school racing down as soon as that bell rings. These areas can take quite the pounding. Therefore the flooring must be highly durable and low maintenance in order to withstand the never-ending traffic. 

Polysafe Standard PUR - standard by name but certainly not standard by nature. Polysafe Standard provides the perfect combination of safety and style. Slip resistant and easy clean thanks to its polyurethane top coating, this low maintenance flooring solution is great for heavy traffic areas as it has teeny tiny particles incorporated to help improve traction. 

Altro Walkway - an excellent solution where durability is key. Altro Walkway boasts an impressive 36 on the pendulum wet test to ensure all little ones remain on their feet as they dash between lessons. With 42 diverse colourways to choose from, there is something to suit every interior project. 

Forbo Eternal Colour - meets the three essential requirements; resistant to chemicals, extremely durable and very easy to clean. The Eternal range is extremely hard wearing and able to withstand the heavy footfall school hallways endure whilst offering a range of bright and visual textures designed to inspire.

From pasta king to ham sandwiches, left over spag bowl to jam roly-polys, these floors are ready for it whatever is thrown (or spilled) at them.

Polysfae Vogue Ultra PUR - features a high quality cross-linked polyurethane reinforced layer and is UV cured to provide a low-cost and polish free maintenance regime. Each of Vogue Ultra's stylish designs is laced with luminous quartz fragments for a bedazzling finish that also provides those all-important anti-slip properties.

Altro Reliance 25 - an excellent all round performer where hard-wearing, cleanable and stain-resistant properties are essential. Plus Reliance 25 comes with some lip licking tasty extras, such as 25 years slip resistance, 20 years product guarantee, just to give you piece of mind with the product.

Forbo Sphera Energetic - bold and contemporary, Sphera Energetic is easy to clean and to maintain, thanks to its highly durable PUR finish. Embossed for superior appearance and durability and boasting dirt hiding properties thanks to it’s flecked design, Forbo Sphera is setting new standards in homogeneous vinyl flooring.

WC's need to stay clean and safe at all times whilst providing a firm grip to prevent any whoopsie-daisy moments on wet areas around the sinks and toilet areas.

Polyflor Hydro - as delicate looking as a glittering ocean but as tough as a towering tidal wave, Polyflor Hydro promises to be as hard wearing as it is decorative. This slip-resistant vinyl solution significantly reduces the risk of slipping as clever little embossed 'pimples' allow water to escape quickly and easily. 

Altro Marine - highly decorative and a visually appealing product, but you should never underestimate its level of endurance and anti-slip capabilities. Featuring unique easy clean PUR Technology, Marine delivers maximum performance benefits for an exchange of minimal maintenance costs and is perfectly suitable for barefoot and soled feet.

Forbo Safestep Aqua - this clean and modern collection meets the hygienic and aesthetic requirements for WC's. Scoring 36 on the wet pendulum rating and R10 on the ramp test, this organic range features a unique embossing to provide anti-slip properties. Safestep Aqua is available in 8 different colourways meaning there is something to suit any area in need.

Slip resistant and easy clean is of utmost importance where banana skin moments are frequent. Changing rooms flooring must be durable enough to withstand such unique conditions, from being drenched in water by soggy feet once swimming lessons are over to being trampled on by studded football boots just moments later.

Polyflor Quattro - Slippy slippy no more. Quattro has been designed to provide a high degree of slip resistance in continually wet areas. Engineered to achieve a sustainable slip resistance of 50+ on the Pendulum wet test, this range is not only practical but also offers superior comfort underfoot whilst maintaining high performance and safety.

Altro Aquarius - Dry and wet environments are no match for this adaptable safety vinyl. Designed specifically for areas where wet, dry, shoe and barefoot use are all necessary. Featuring Altro’s easy clean Maxis PUR technology, Aquarius promises to keep its long term ‘cleanability’ and effortless maintenance in check.

Forbo Surestep laguna - A champ in the world of safety, Surestep Laguna significantly reduces the risk of slipping in wet areas whilst still creating a modern and fresh interior.The floor is also coated with a PUR pearl floor surface finish for protection and optimal hygiene (and most importantly low maintenance).

After we've found the perfect vinyl to suit your project requirements, we'll even roll up our sleeves and lay them for you too. We offer a bespoke installation service and call upon our team of expert fitters to make sure we achieve that professional finish every time.

So if you are looking for a stress free installation then head on over to our fitting page to book yourself in! Or alternatively, give us a call on 0345 222 1541.

Check out these previous fitting projects we completed at Southampton University and Grove Primary School...

So for a safe but slick, chic and oh so stylish space, shop vinyl flooring at DCTUK here.