What Type Of Floor Is Best For Roller Skating?

If you are an avid roller skater, then knowing which type of floor is best for you to use is a must. There are many types and styles of floors that can be used in your favorite roller skating rink, but they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. These different types of floors will affect the way you skate because it affects how much friction there is when you push off from one foot to the other. For example, if your favorite type of flooring has lots of grip on the surface which means that it may not be as slippery as some others.

What Type Of Floor Is Best For Roller Skating

Types Of Floors For Roller Skating

The main types of surfaces used in roller skating include:

  1. Concrete Flooring
  2. Interlocking Rubber Floor Tiles
  3. Skate Court/Versacourt Flooring
  4. Hardwood Maples Flooring

Concrete Flooring for roller skating rink

Concrete floor is the most common and widely used type of flooring in roller skating rinks. The reason behind its popularity is because of its hardness, durability, noiseless floors, durability, sound-absorbent, and smooth surfaces which facilitate fast movements for speed skaters. On the other hand, it can also be slippery when wet or damp.

If you are considering installing a new one, make sure to install and maintain them properly as failing to do so may cause cracking that will damage your entire skating rink setup.

Prevent cracks appear by using rust-proof paint or epoxy coatings. The cracks will definitely cause problems in your skating rink as they may break apart the layer of rust-proof paint or epoxy coatings and eventually turn your concrete floor into a non-skateable surface.

Concrete floors for roller rinks should be at least 2 inches thick if you want to avoid this kind of problem. Some cheap skate court/Versacourt floors only have a 1-inch thickness which is really dangerous and prone to cracking. If you plan to install DIY interlocking rubber tiles, remember that the measurement for an average home size is about 8 feet by 16 feet with 6 mm thickness each tile.

It doesn’t matter how you build your own skating rink, always wear protective gear especially safety shoes when you play on

Interlocking Rubber Floor Tiles for skating

It is one of the popular choices and a fairly cheaper solution compared to concrete flooring. It doesn’t only provide you with a smooth surface but also a great sound-absorbent feature that reduces any distracting noise when you are skating. The tiles themselves are very light in weight allowing you to easily move them around if necessary.

As a matter of fact, unlike most people think, interlocking rubber tiles cannot be installed on both sides as other regular types of mats do because it will result in uneven spaces between each tile which cause problems when skating such as getting your feet stuck inside it or even worst losing balance, especially during fast movements and trips. Rubber tiles can only be installed on one side without affecting their optimum quality and performance.

When installed on one side, the best option to go with is the hockey rink style using black tiles. If you want your own skate rink to have two-sided symmetry, use any other color tile that blends in the skating surface such as white or red flooring tiles.

One last thing you should put into consideration before buying this kind of flooring

Skate Court/Versacourt Flooring for skating

Skate court flooring is very similar to interlocking rubber tiles. It’s less expensive, easy to install and maintain because it can be removed whenever necessary such as for repair or replacement with new ones. In fact, you can also use it in other areas besides roller skating rinks such as basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and etc.

The pros of using these kinds of flooring are that they are hard, smooth, easily cleanable, and have a great color finish which makes it easy for you to maintain it. On the other hand, this kind of flooring has no soundproofing material so if you want your skating rink to be quieter, interlocking rubber tiles might be the better option for you.

However, this kind of flooring isn’t recommended if you plan on having a home roller rink as it has no special coating that will protect it from moisture, abrasion, and other damages so it’s not really suitable to use in such conditions. If there is any damage of some sort then it can only be replaced with the same kind of flooring which means you need to buy a new one each time your skating rink is too damaged. Also, because it’s not designed for skateboards, the tiles may easily chip off if hit by strong impact from wheels and blades.

If you are considering installing Versacourt or skate court flooring for your home roller rink, make sure that you have regular concrete flooring underneath it. If you choose not to install any protective layer between the two kinds of floors, then they might chip off easily if and when the tiles are affected by strong impact from the skating wheel and blades.

Hardwood Maples Flooring for skating

The benefit of using hardwood maple flooring for skating rink is that you can easily find it in a wide range of sizes, designs, and patterns. It’s also possible to choose from a variety of finishes such as oiled, polished, stained and etc which will all depend on your personal preference and how you want your skate rink to look like.

Apart from being used as a skating flooring, hardwood maple flooring can also be used in other areas such as sunrooms, porches and etc. It’s because they are environment-friendly since they come from renewable resources. Another benefit of choosing this type of flooring is that it has zero carbon footprint which means it doesn’t affect the environment in a negative way, unlike other materials.

In terms of durability, this kind of flooring is one of the most resilient ones compared to rubber tiles and Versacourt because they are made from strong and hard maple wood which can last for decades or even centuries under normal wear and tear. That’s why it’s often used in high traffic areas such as restaurants, retail stores and etc.

However, installing this kind of flooring for a skating rink is more challenging compared to using rubber tiles or Versacourt. It also requires more maintenance if you want to keep it looking new at all times. You have to regularly use cleaning products on it or seal the edges to prevent it from water damage and ensure that your skating floor stays in tip-top condition.

Another drawback is that, if you want a higher quality hardwood maple flooring for your skating rink, then expect to spend more money. It’s because the price of this kind of flooring will mainly depend on its quality.

How Much Does a Roller Skating Rink Floor Cost?

The cost varies depending on the size of your rink, what you’re covering it with, and other factors. Generally speaking though, you can expect an intimate skating rink to cost $8-10 per square foot.A typical rink measures about 100 by 200 feet, so it can cost between $8,000 and $20,000 for materials alone. Add in labor and permits, and you’re looking at $15,000 to $50,000 for materials and labor.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the pros and cons of three different materials for skating rink flooring. While there are many factors to consider when making a decision about which material is best for your skate court or home roller rink, it’s important that you find one that will work well with your budget as well as what you want in terms of style and durability. Whichever option you choose, make sure to avoid installing any type of surface on top without taking proper precautions such as by using protective material between hardwood maple floors and concrete surfaces otherwise, they may chip off over time. Finally, remember to always clean your floor regularly so it stays looking new!

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