Low Maintenance Floors for Cleaner Air
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 .