April/May 2019 - 16

MAPLE SPORTS FLOORS -
THE SMART CHOICE
When choosing a new gymnasium floor, several factors will
influence the material choice. Will the space be multipurpose?
Is it in an elementary school that also uses the gymnasium as
a cafeteria? What sports will utilize the space? What type of
aesthetic is desired?
Elementary schools with shared spaces will fare well with
synthetic floors or vulcanized rubber. These materials are less
expensive than the durable hard maple, and they won't be
damaged by cafeteria or science fair set-ups. Recycled rubber
is another option that schools consider due to the relatively
low cost, but it absolutely kills ball bounce. Vulcanized rubber,
a material containing the recycled rubber layer plus a virgin
rubber layer atop the recycled rubber layer, will allow for some
bounce. But when jumping
sports are primarily utilizing
the space, rubbers and
synthetic flooring quickly
become second options.
PROS AND CONS OF
VULCANIZED RUBBER
Vulcanized rubber will
provide a decent ball
rebound, but the shock
absorption won't be what
athletes such as basketball
and volleyball players,
gymnasts and cheerleaders
need to support their joints. Vulcanized rubber is somewhat
hard to clean, but it also fares well for weight lifting and is ideal
for running. It is inexpensive compared to a traditional hard
maple flooring.
THE MAPLE FLOORING OPTION
When basketball, volleyball or other sports that require
a ball bounce or create a high level of stress on ankles and
knees will primarily use the space, there is no doubt that hard
maple flooring will provide the best bang for the buck. Not
only will it reduce the shock and stress on joints, preventing
some injuries from repeat trauma, but also it will allow the ball
to bounce correctly. The up-front cost is significantly higher,
but when maintained properly, it is less expensive over time
than a synthetic floor.
" Maple will outlive vulcanized rubber. Maple is easier to clean.
And overall performance is better than Vulcanized rubber. You'll
experience better ball bounce and better shock absorption, "
said Daniel Heney, executive director of the Maple Flooring
Manufacturers Association (MFMA), a group that ensures
the top quality standards for manufacturing and installing
hard maple floors. " For basketball, you typically won't see a
vulcanized rubber floor in high schools, and definitely won't at
Choose #106 online or text CADAPR 106 to 41411
the NCAA level. NBA teams also rely upon the ball bounce and
shock absorption of a hard maple floor, " Heney continued.
HOW DOES A PROGRAM CHOOSE THE BEST MAPLE
FLOOR?
" You'll want to make sure your project architect specifies
MFMA maple flooring to ensure it meets grading standards.
Hundreds of subfloor systems are available. The different subfloor
systems are designed towards activity or multi-purpose. Typically,
the biggest difference is the resilient layer. If you were putting in
a dance floor, you may use a different pad durometer to provide
more cushion and shock absorption than for basketball, " Heney
said. The MFMA PUR standards are an excellent tool for helping
you choose the best
sports floor for your needs.
MFMA's PUR Standards
focus on shock absorption,
vertical deflection, area
of deflection, ball bounce
and surface friction. These
standards have been
designed, utilizing exacting
testing methodologies,
to ensure that customers
receive a reliable, well
performing, competitive
sports surface.
Beyond the resilient layer
specifications, architects also need to consider if a floating,
fixed or anchored resilient floor system will be utilized. Each has
different benefits, but your architect or MFMA mill manufacturer
member will help navigate the complex floor system
specifications to choose the correct one for the space.
WHAT DOES THE MFMA BRING TO THE TABLE?
All MFMA mills are required to meet MFMA grading
standards and milling profile. They have to follow
specifications for the percentage of imperfections in the
wood. Every mill is inspected without notice four times a
year in order to ensure compliance. If part of a floor needs
to be replaced years down the line, any MFMA-member mill
can supply replacement material with an exact match to the
original floor, even if a different mill produced the original floor.
Every MFMA-accredited sport floor contractor is re-tested
to comply with standards every other year as continuing
education for those contractors.
To get started on the process of identifying and choosing
your next sports floor, finding your sport floor supplier or sport
floor or contractor for your new hard maple floor, visit
www.maplefloor.org.
ADVERTISEMENT | © 2019 MFMA
http://www.maplefloor.org
April/May 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April/May 2019
