New Floor Helps Keep Libraries Quiet

McMaster University rubber flooringStudents at McMaster University can hear the difference rubber flooring makes. Thanks to the acoustic properties of norament® grano, they enjoy quiet libraries and a better learning environment. Plus, officials love the floor’s versatility, selecting it for heavily-trafficked stairwells, laboratories, cafeterias and offices.

The university, located in Hamilton, Ontario, is situated on a 300-acre campus that holds more than 50 buildings. After testing nora® premium rubber flooring in a heavily trafficked stairwell that was previously covered in vinyl floor tile, the university began using nora in other areas around campus.

“We love the versatility of the product – you can put it into a research facility, a wet lab where chemicals are present, a library, a cafeteria, an elevator or in an office,” says Craig MacDonald, director of maintenance and facility services. “It’s environmentally friendly, easy to care for, sustainable and it provides good slip resistance.”

McMaster, home to approximately 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students, initially tested nora in one of the school’s busiest buildings. “There is a stairwell right by the road that receives most of the foot traffic into the building. The landings were previously VCT (vinyl tile) and didn’t stand up. The floor was hard to maintain; stripping and waxing was required. It was not effective,” says MacDonald. “We replaced it with full noraplan® stairtreads and tiles on the landings. Thousands of students walk up and down those staircases every day – and they still look fantastic.”

McMaster University rubber flooringSince then, the university has used nora in as many areas as possible around campus. MacDonald says, “We’ve installed it in our student health services area and are currently using it in laboratory renovations. We’ve installed it in our three largest libraries.”

MacDonald further explains, “Libraries have changed over the years – they are no longer places with stacks of books and large quantities of carpet for quiet. They’re active learning centers and filled nonstop with students on computers, working in groups on projects and talking. Acoustics was part of our decision to use nora – but it was mostly care. Carpets were largely the standard, and they’re dusty. During the winter, they get matted with salt and slush. You just can’t maintain them.” He continues, “Our custodial staff likes the nora flooring, because they only need to use water and a scrubber to keep it clean.”

Plus, the university is impressed by the product’s versatility, MacDonald says, adding, “We’ve also used nora in our elevators, because they are such multi-use spaces. You can have one that sees constant foot traffic, and at the same time, if a skid needs to go up a floor, it’s going on the same elevator. Ceramics or porcelain break under palette trucks, so we’ve been switching our elevators over to nora for the past five years and have been happy with that. Again, you don’t need to strip and wax the floors. As long as you clean them with water, they look good.”

Ideal for the most demanding healthcare and education environments, norament® grano has proven strength under pressure. It stands up to the toughest workplace conditions without sacrificing style, combining resilient form with supportive function in a palette of over thirty colors – from cool, calming neutrals to bold, vibrant tones.

Sponsored by nora systems, Inc.

Featured

  • Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • California District Starts Construction on New Robotics Facility

    The Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) near Silicon Valley, Calif., recently announced that construction has begun on a new Robotics Facility on the campus of Cupertino High School, according to a news release. The 14,500-square-foot facility will serve students at high schools across the entire district, providing purpose-built spaces for student creativity and collaboration.

  • Tufts University Breaks Ground on Two New Residence Halls

    Tufts University in Medford, Mass., recently broke ground on two new residence halls with a total capacity of 664 beds, according to local news. The project’s ultimate goal is to expand on-campus housing and reduce pressure on the local housing market.

  • Mesa West Capital Provides Loan to Refinance University of Georgia Residence Complex

    Mesa West Capital recently announced that it has provided a $133.9-million, short-term, first mortgage loan to developer LV Collective (“LV”) to refinance a student housing complex near the University of Georgia, according to a news release. Rambler Athens, a 750-bed residence hall adjacent to the campus, was completed in August 2024.

Digital Edition