One building, many floors: spec each zone for its own load.
Zone the building
Our Quick Ship post describes a college recreation center as a mixed-thickness install. All four Quick Ship thicknesses ship from the same regional warehouse network. The 8mm rolls leave the warehouse in 1–3 business days, and the other thicknesses in 3–5.
| Zone | Rubber in our Quick Ship post |
|---|---|
| Olympic platforms | 1/2″ Pre-Cut Mega |
| Free-weight zone | 3/8″ |
| Cardio and stretching areas | 8mm |
Send us the zone plan and we will quote each zone and its format.
Rolls, tiles, or mats
| Format | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber rolls | Cover large areas fast; seams almost disappear when the rolls are aligned | Heavy; you may need help to install them |
| Rubber tiles | Interlocking; replace one damaged tile instead of the whole floor | Slow to install in large spaces; liquids can pass through the seams |
| Rubber mats | Good for small spaces; no installation | Cost more per square foot |
Commercial gyms often glue down rubber rolls so the edges do not move or curl. This is permanent, so you cannot reuse glued rolls in another space.
Do not buy the thickest rubber for the whole building. Our commercial gym guide calls that a common misconception: most commercial gyms do well with 3/8″ rubber.
Turf lanes
Gym turf gives a flat, cushioned surface for pushing and pulling sleds. Our most popular gym turf thickness is 3/4″.
- Polypropylene: one of the softest turf materials, and less likely to irritate hands and elbows during floor exercises.
- Polyethylene: ultra-durable and UV-resistant, for indoor and outdoor use.
- Nylon: the most durable turf material, good for steady sled work. It is not UV-stable, so do not use it outdoors.
Many turf products give little subfloor protection. Put underlayment below turf where people drop heavy weights.
Courts on event days
Gym Floor Cover Tiles protect hardwood gym floors during events at schools and universities. Their light-colored backing does not mark gym floors, and they stay in place without sliding.