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

  • Kimball International Launches Season 5 of Alternative Design Podcast

    Commercial furnishings manufacturer Kimball International recently premiered the fifth season of its Alternative Design podcast, according to a news release. The first episode was released on March 17, and new episodes will launch monthly. The podcast discusses forces that shape built environments, from work to housing to healthcare to human wellness.

  • Fellowes Launches New Textile Collection

    Fellowes Contract Interiors recently partnered with Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings to launch a new line of high-end-design, cost-effective textiles, according to a news release. Part of Momentum Textiles’ Kickstart collection, the new selection offers high-quality and versatile textiles for both smaller budgets and the early design phase of larger projects.

  • University of Kentucky Receives $2.5M Donation Toward Renovation Project

    The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced that it has accepted a $2.5-million donation that will transform Pence Hall into the home of the university’s College of Communication and Information, according to a news release.

  • Oregon Institute of Technology to Construct $35M Mass Timber Residence Hall

    Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Ore., recently announced the construction of a new, $35-million mass timber residence hall, according to college news. The facility will stand four stories, have room for 517 students, and cover 86,710 square feet to address the college’s need for more on-campus housing.