What Are the Advantages of rubber flooring?

03, Mar. 2026

 

Advantages of Rubber Flooring - Kiefer USA

Rubber flooring is a flooring type that has become quite popular in a wide range of settings.  This type of flooring has already been used for sports flooring in gyms, fieldhouses, and weight rooms, and it is being used more in homes and commercial buildings.  Not only are rubber floors resilient, durable, and easy to maintain, but they are also available in many different colors and designs to fit the decor of any space.  Rubber floors have been commonly overlooked because they can be pricey and they have a reputation of being difficult to maintain.  However, rubber flooring is actually quite easy to maintain and while it may cost more than some flooring options, its durability makes it a great long-term investment.

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Advantages of Rubber Flooring

The following are the main advantages of installing rubber flooring in your home or business.

Durability and Resiliency

Rubber floors can withstand a high volume of foot traffic and they are also water resistant, so they won’t be damaged by moisture or spills.  The natural elasticity of rubber is what makes these floors so durable and resilient.  They are great for absorbing impacts which is why they are popular in gyms and weight rooms.  The ability to absorb impacts also makes rubber flooring an excellent option for commercial settings in which people are constantly on their feet.  These floors provide more cushion than other flooring types which improves comfort and reduces injuries and fatigue.

The durability of rubber flooring comes from its density more than its thickness. The denser the rubber flooring is, the more resilient it is to tears and other damage.  The following are the most durable types of rubber flooring:

  • Vulcanized rubber: The vulcanization process compresses the rubber into a dense, durable, and non-porous surface.
  • Virgin rubber: Virgin rubber is the purest natural rubber, free of recycled materials, additives, and latex.

Absorbs Impact

Working out, lifting weights, and playing sports can be tough on the joints.  Rubber flooring is excellent at absorbing impact during these activities which reduces the stress on joints like knees, hips, and backs.  The ability to absorb heavy impacts lowers the risk of injuries.

Low Maintenance

Contrary to what many people believe, rubber flooring is relatively easy to maintain.  All you need to do is vacuum the floor regularly because rubber floors accumulate dirt and debris, and mop the floor at least once per week using a mixture of water and a mild detergent.  You should never use harsh chemicals for rubber floor cleaning because they will damage the rubber.  Cleaning up spills quickly is also important for protecting rubber floors.

For more about rubber floor maintenance, check out Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Rubber Flooring.

Good Slip Resistance

Rubber flooring has excellent slip resistance and typically far exceeds the minimum standard of the “coefficient of friction.”  Rubber floors are commonly used as gym flooring for this reason and the high slip resistance also makes rubber floors an attractive option in healthcare facilities and nursing homes.

Unlike other flooring types, rubber flooring becomes more slip resistant as it gets wet.  Water from spills, sweat, or condensation will not increase the risk of injuries.  This also makes rubber flooring a great option for an outdoor workout space.

Good Water Resistance

Rubber flooring is quite water resistant as it becomes more slip resistant when wet.  When rubber flooring is finished with a floor finish and sealer, water will not be able to reach the subfloor.

Rubber is Eco-Friendly and Recyclable

Rubber is a natural raw material that comes from the sap of a rubber tree.  The sap is extracted in a way that does not harm the growth of the tree and it is highly renewable.  Rubber is also recyclable and it is regularly reused for a wide range of applications.  Recycled rubber flooring is cut up into small pieces which can be used for mulch and playground surfaces, as well as to create entirely new products.

Easy Installation

A major benefit of rubber flooring is that it is quick and easy to install.  Flooring types like rubber floor tiles, rubber rolls, and rubber gym mats can be installed in a gym within a single day.

Rubber floor tiles can be installed simply by piecing the tiles together like a big puzzle and the tiles are heavy enough that no adhesive is required.  Rubber flooring rolls can be installed simply by rolling them out.

Bonus Advantages of Rubber Flooring

  • Rubber floors maintain their original dimensions.
  • Free of PVC
  • Absorb sound and resist static
  • Water and moisture resistance
  • Heavy impact resistance
  • Resistance to scuff marks and scratches
  • Cigarette burn and chemical spill resistant
  • Resistance to stains, mold, and mildew
  • Uniform color

Disadvantages of Rubber Flooring

While there are many advantages to using rubber flooring in a range of sports and commercial facilities, there are also some disadvantages that you should consider before getting new rubber flooring.  The following are the main disadvantages of rubber floors:

Odor

Rubber floors have a distinct odor that comes from the rubber material and off-gassing from the glue that holds the floor together.  Not all rubber flooring products have a strong smell as virgin rubber flooring is virtually odorless.  The smell will depend on the raw materials and production process used for the flooring.

The odor is the strongest right after the installation, but the smell will become weaker within a few weeks.  You can also eliminate the odor by mopping the floor with mild soap and water and keeping the area well ventilated.

Lack of Style

Rubber flooring is not the most stylish option as they tend to be black, the natural color of rubber.  However, there are rubber flooring options available with EPDM color flecks and virgin rubber flooring can be made in full colors.  It is important to remember that colored rubber flooring is usually more expensive.

Cost

Rubber flooring tends to be an expensive option for gyms and weight rooms, but it is also extremely durable with features like shock absorbency and a non-slip surface that other flooring options do not have.  Given the positive characteristics of rubber flooring, the investment may be worth it long term.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website PVC Sports Floor.

Rubber Flooring from Kiefer USA

The Pros and Cons of Rubber Flooring - Mannington Blog

If you’re considering whether to install rubber sheet or tile flooring, this article is for you. Like any flooring option, rubber has pros and cons. It performs well in high traffic areas, has good acoustics, and low maintenance costs. On the other hand, it has a higher price tag up front and requires dry fitting during installation. This article will give you an in depth look at these points along with where and how rubber flooring is used. 

Where is Rubber Flooring Most Commonly Used?

Because of its durability and safety features (among others) there are three sectors where you often see rubber flooring—education, fitness, and healthcare. It’s been a popular product in the education sector for many years. You’ll see it in preschools, primary schools, and universities. Health clubs and gyms often choose rubber flooring. And you’ll find it in hospitals from the individual rooms to the cafeterias and common areas. Rubber flooring facilitates the needs of these large and highly trafficked spaces well. 

Related: The Designers Ultimate Guide to Specifying School Flooring

Color Anchor Rubber Collection, ColorScape  

When to Use Rubber Sheet Vs. Rubber Tile 

Making the decision to go with rubber sheet versus tile has to do with aesthetics and application. Generally speaking, we see more sheet in healthcare, and more tile in education. If it’s a large open space, we typically recommend rubber sheet because there are less seams. Having less transitions is a good thing, because it means less opportunity for hazardous material buildup. That being said, sometimes we see large open areas that use tile. With modular versions of the product, you have more design flexibility with things like color and quarter turning, so even in large open spaces tile is sometimes chosen to create a certain look.  

Related: Top Ten Decisions to Make When Selecting Healthcare Flooring

Related: The Best Flooring For Schools and Education Spaces

Benefits of Rubber Flooring 

Rubber has plenty of benefits, here is the breakdown:

  • Durability: Whether it’s sheet or tile, rubber flooring holds up particularly well in high traffic areas over long periods of time, so it makes for a good investment. It’s also resistant to indention, not just from foot traffic, but from things like hospital beds or heavy rolling wheels. 
  • Comfort: Another benefit of rubber is comfort under foot. We get a lot of feedback on this feature. It feels nice to walk on rubber flooring, and it’s naturally slip resistant. This makes it a safer option when there are a lot of people walking around. 
  • Acoustics: Because rubber is a bit softer than some of the other hard surface products, it ends up being quieter. The sound absorption of rubber is particularly useful in large open areas where there may be an empty echoic sound. 
  • Self-Migrating Wax: A particularly unique feature of rubber flooring is self-migrating wax. Rubber has built-in waxes that help dirt and grime release from the floor surface making it easier to keep clean.  It’s similar to how your skin produces oil. As the product ages, the waxes continue to migrate to the surface, so you don’t need to take that extra step of waxing the floors. This results in lower maintenance costs over the life of the product. 
  • Sustainability: Rubber is a sustainable product. It’s harvested from rubber sap that comes out of rubber trees. Tapping trees for sap does not necessarily harm them. As a result, manufacturing rubber ends up being easier on the environment than other flooring materials like PVC (polyvinyl chloride).  There are folks out there that want and appreciate non-PVC products, and the biggest and most popular option is rubber. 
  • Design Options: Rubber flooring at Mannington Commercial has so many options! Customers can choose their stair tread, wall base, transitions, landing tiles, and whether they want tile or sheet. There are tons of colors and formats that can be coordinated. These come in handy when you need to transition from one type of flooring to another or from one space to another. Imagine you have a color spec on the floor, and when you go into the stairwell, you have stair tread and landing tile that coordinates with the color you just left. Facilitating all of the design options can really help tie a space together. Some people might find the number of options overwhelming, but Mannington has tools to help.

Related: Design Solutions: Get Help Designing Your Floor


Teles Collection, Beach Stone, Costal Fog, Dew Drop

Drawbacks of Rubber

There are three disadvantages that have been associated with rubber flooring. The main downside is cost. Rubber typically costs more upfront. But over the life of the product, the cost is actually less because of how long it lasts along with the lower maintenance costs.

And while there are more design options than ever before, rubber has a reputation of being visually limited. Mannington has products like Teles that have overcome the visual limitations of speckled rubber tile with new textures and patterns.

And the last drawback involves installation. Installing rubber floor requires dry fitting the product before installation. 

Installation Issues 

In terms of installation difficulty, you could say rubber flooring is a little less forgiving than something like LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile), but it’s a very subtle difference. We recommend dry-laying rubber tile or sheet before its installed. Because rubber is made from natural materials, there's a little more variation than there is with PVC based printed products. There are cases where LVT would be more difficult to install than rubber and vice versa. You need experienced installers putting down any commercial hard surface product, because it requires knowledge of the adhesive and subfloor. 

Related: The Best and Worst Places for Rubber Flooring and Costly Installation Mistakes to Avoid

Some people assume that rubber doesn’t work in places where there is existing slab moisture, but that is not the case. The adhesive system has more to do with moisture tolerance than the flooring product itself. Whatever the product, whether it’s LVT or rubber, the sub floor must be properly prepped and the correct adhesive for the product must be used for adequate moisture tolerance. 

All in all, rubber is a great flooring option, especially if you are dealing with large open spaces or high traffic areas. In the end, it’s worth the extra upfront cost. It’s a very durable product that has unique color and design elements, and it’s made from natural materials. If you have questions, or if you would like customized information about flooring for your project, contact a Mannington Commercial Representative.

A Guide to Rubber Stairways and Wall Base

In this guide you'll learn about the 3 main types of rubber and where to use them. You'll also learn how to design stairways to be in compliance with IBC regulations. Then we'll look at how to specify rubber wall base to finish out your space with style and performance.