Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Low Maintenance Floors for Cleaner Air

  • 10/01/16
Low Maintenance Floors

The absence of fumes often associated with the application of flooring has positively impacted the well being of the maintenance staff, as well as students and teachers.

Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Concord, N.H., is one of three new, futuristic elementary schools designed to meet the changing needs of 21st-century learning. Throughout the facility, norament grano rubber flooring supports a vision of open, collaborative, flexible and technology-integrated multi-use learning spaces.

“The facility is not only an elementary school, but also a community building that is heavily used before and after school for several town programs, such as the Boys & Girls Club,” says Matt Cashman, director of Facilities & Planning. “The durability and increased stain resistance — without the use of chemical cleaners or coatings — is a huge benefit realized by our district, when compared to our previous dealings with VCT.” The selection of nora flooring also helped the district meet Northeast-CHPS standards of sustainability.

“The elimination of coatings and chemicals has been a breath of fresh air, literally,” says Rusty Bonner, head custodian. The absence of fumes often associated with the application of these substances has positively impacted the well being of the maintenance staff, as well as students and teachers. “Just a few regular washes with little more than water erases any staining, allowing the floors to easily maintain their new appearance,” says Bonner. This is especially beneficial in spill-prone areas, including the cafeteria and art rooms. “It’s an easy-maintenance flooring,” says Bonner. “As a result, we can devote more time to cleaning alternate surfaces, such as glass.”

The rubber flooring also plays an important role where acoustics are concerned. Open project areas throughout the school, including an amphitheater, circular story room, reading nooks and spaces for small group work complemented by smartboards, benefit from the floor’s ability to attenuate unwanted ambient noise. Students and staff can better focus on listening and learning.

www.nora.com/us

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.