subflooring Archives - 91ԭƬ /tag/subflooring/ K-12 + Higher Education Market Coverage Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:00:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.5 /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-SCN_favicon-32x32.png subflooring Archives - 91ԭƬ /tag/subflooring/ 32 32 More Than a Surface: How the Right Flooring Affects Athlete Health and Performance /2026/01/05/more-than-a-surface-how-the-right-flooring-affects-athlete-health-and-performance/ Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:00:15 +0000 /?p=54507 Schools are no longer choosing athletic flooring based on performance metrics alone. While performance still playsan important role, facilities are also taking student-athlete health, sustainability and longevity into consideration whenplanningtheir build.

The post More Than a Surface: How the Right Flooring Affects Athlete Health and Performance appeared first on 91ԭƬ.

The post More Than a Surface: How the Right Flooring Affects Athlete Health and Performance appeared first on 91ԭƬ.

]]> While on the surface, flooring may look similar, the individual parts all come together to make the best choice for a specific space and athlete — and can have a lasting impact on safety, wellness, the environment and pocketbook. | Photo Credit (all): Courtesy of Action Floor Systems LLC

arl Borree

Floor systems need to offer protection to athletes, while also balancing the impact and energy return that supports jumping, sprinting and multi-sport functionality.
Floor systems need to offer protection to athletes, while also balancing the impact and energy return that supports jumping, sprinting and multi-sport functionality.

Elementary and high school floors can lookindistinguishable,even when compared to university facilities.Each is chosen and designed based on the specificuse case for the flooring and can varygreatly basedon the spectrum of performance needs vs. utility. Schools are no longer choosing athletic flooring based on performance metrics alone. While performance still playsan important role, facilities are also taking student-athlete health, sustainability and longevity into consideration whenplanningtheir build.

Over the past 15 years or so, school construction has become more holistic in its approach to building material decisions.New builds are focusing onhow building-wide materials affect the health of students,teachersandvisitors.For example, many new schools or remodels are focusing on. It only makes sense that this same mindset would extend into school sports facilities.However, it is important to take into consideration who the space is being builtto serve.

K-12vs. Higher EducationFlooring Needs

Maple floors with the proper subflooring could last for many decades, and don’t require an entire replacement when they have aged.
Maple floors with the proper subflooring could last for many decades, and don’t require an entire replacement when they have aged.

Elementary school gymnasiums are often multi-purpose, serving as lunchrooms, community gathering spaces and even hosting school plays. Flooring systems need to be durable to withstand movingfurniture multiple times a day, while also protecting younger children who are more susceptible to falls and injuries. Flooring systems in elementary schools are often designedwith softer subflooringto absorb energy and reduce the force of impact, which keeps the focus on safety and durability over athletic performance.

Middle andhighschool sportsare more competitive and physically demanding on student-athletes. These gymnasiums are more likely to be used for sporting events only, but they are not usually sports-specific, which means they need to focus on durability and performance. Floor systems need to offer protection to athletes, while also balancing the impact and energy return that supports jumping,sprintingand multi-sport functionality.

Collegiate athletic facilities are more specialized, usually focusing on one or two sports. While athlete health and protectionareimportant,it’sathlete performancethat’skey. Flooring systems that are durable and provide a firmer subfloor provide athletes with an energy return that can improve their plays and jumps as well as protect their joints and muscles as they play at this more intense level. Regardless of education level, one factorremainsconsistent—what lies beneath the surface of the flooring is just as important as the flooring itself. Both have a significant impact on student-athlete health and long-term sustainability.

The Value of Subflooring

Subflooring has more of an impact on energy absorption,forcereductionand student-athlete healththan people may realize.For example, onestandardthat student health and safety is based on is the Head Injury Criterion (HIC), which measures the likelihood of an impact-related head injury. This is incredibly important, but it can vary based on the athlete’s age range.Younger studentsrequirea softer subfloor thatallows themtoprevent injury.Firmer subflooring for older athletes allows for a more controlled energyreturn but still protects them. Some flooring systems opt for subflooring thatdoesn’tallow for much padding between the floor and the concrete, which means increased injuries due to the lack of “bounce back.”This is a great danger to athletes and should be taken seriously when choosing a new flooring system.

Anaspect to consider when choosing the right flooring system is sustainability and environmental impact. Manysubfloors are made of PVC plastics,andfloors are finished with harsh adhesives and stains, which leads to harmfuloff gassingin enclosed athletic environments. These allgreatlyimpactthe, which is incredibly harmful to children, theelderlyand people with health conditionssuch asasthma.For a healthier and more environmentally conscious choice, facilities can opt for a subfloor that is made of all-natural rubber or choose adhesives and stains that are water-based,eliminatingharmful off-gassing.

Sustainability Considerations

Another sustainable choice that facilities can make is toselectnaturalwoodover synthetic flooring.Beyond theobvious that wood occurs naturally,it tendsto last longer than synthetic flooring. Some flooring might require full replacements during a standard 25-year building life.Maple floors with the proper subflooring could last formany decades, anddon’trequire an entire replacement when they have aged. The flooring can be sanded down and refinished without creating anyadditionalwaste,cementing the longevity of the up-front investment.

In aat Manitowoc Lutheran High School in Wisconsin,the priority ofsustainability and athlete healthare madeevidentthrough thoughtful flooring design. The school was experiencing performance issues with its existing athletic floor and needed to re-evaluate what wasunderthe surface.Officialsupdated the flooring system to a mixture of firm and soft subflooring that improved uniformity, vibration dampening, ball rebound and overall athlete comfort. Choosing the right subfloor paired with maple floorboards means that the school should havethis floor for decades beforeanysubstantialimprovementsare necessary. This project highlightsavaluable lesson:flooring performance, durability, and sustainable choices can improve athlete health and support long-term goals.

Understandingthe components ofafloor allows schoolsofficialsto build better spaces for their student-athletes andimprovethe lifecycle of the building. While on the surface, flooring may looksimilar,the individual parts all come together to make the best choice foraspecific space and athlete—and can havealasting impact on safety, wellness, theenvironmentand your pocketbook.

Karl BorreeisVice PresidentatAction Floor SystemsLLC.

The post More Than a Surface: How the Right Flooring Affects Athlete Health and Performance appeared first on 91ԭƬ.

The post More Than a Surface: How the Right Flooring Affects Athlete Health and Performance appeared first on 91ԭƬ.

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