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

  • Western Kentucky University, Gilbane Announce “Elevate WKU” Partnership

    Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., recently announced that it has reached the financial close on a on a public-private partnership (P3) with Gilbane Development, according to a news release.

  • Bradley Company Highlights Hygiene Tips for Global Handwashing Day

    In honor of Global Handwashing Day on October 15, commercial washrooms and emergency safety solutions provider Bradley Company recently released the results of its 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey. The findings indicate simple, practical steps that facilities managers can take to encourage good hygiene on campus.

  • Washington State University Debuts New Engineering Hall

    Washington State University recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for the new Schweitzer Engineering Hall on its Pullman campus in Pullman, Wash., according to university news. The facility measures 66,288 square feet, and its completion marks the first milestone in a larger university effort to modernize the engineering and design district.

  • Q&A: How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Fires in Commercial Kitchens

    School cafeterias and university dining halls serve thousands of meals daily, relying on high-heat equipment like fryers, grills, and ovens. While these operations keep students fed, they also generate significant grease-laden vapors. Without proper controls, this grease becomes a silent fire threat. As a certified exhaust cleaning specialist and business coach who has helped hundreds of institutional facilities achieve NFPA 96 compliance, I emphasize that proactive grease management isn’t optional; it’s a core fire/life safety practice.