Are you responsible for the maintenance of the wooden gym floor in your school or sports facility? Read our blog to know how to maintain wooden gym floors in schools & gyms.
There are really only two ways to ensure your real wood floor receives the maintenance it deserves. This blog shares the associated costs, considerations and tips for wood flooring care and maintenance.
A full restoration or maintenance clean and coat?
A large sports hall of up to 300m2 can take up to five days or more to complete.
A full restoration is a significant investment and you will want to do all you can to avoid the associated costs.
Let’s say your solid wood floor isn’t too badly damaged and actually only needs a deep-clean and a re-coat. Let’s talk about maintenance first…
Maintain Wooden Gym Floors – Quick Wood Floor Care and Maintenance
Sports halls often see a high footfall, and downtime for maintenance is a luxury they can’t afford. Fortunately, there’s a solution: quick maintenance coats. Depending on the size of your sports hall, this process can be completed in less than a day. It’s a game-changer for facilities with constant activity.
The most common approach involves a lacquered finish. Here’s how it works:
Deep Cleaning: The process begins with a thorough deep clean of the wooden floor. This step removes dirt, grime, and small scratches.
Abrasion: A light abrasive is used on the floor to eliminate those pesky small scratches.
Lacquer Application: The finishing touch involves applying a professional lacquer, which not only enhances the floor’s appearance but also protects it.
If your floor is of a different type, an oiled finish might be applied. This process, similar to lacquering, includes deep cleaning and oil application.
Whether lacquered or oiled, these services can extend your floor’s lifespan by up to 15 years. However, to reap these benefits, it’s essential to schedule a clean and coat annually.
Our maintenance packages are designed to be both quick and cost-effective, making them a top choice for sports facilities.
What if your floor is in a bad way and needs full restoration?
But what if your gym floor is in a bad state, showing signs of serious wear and tear due to hard use or a lack of maintenance? In such cases, full restoration becomes a necessity.
A fully restored solid wood floor can stand strong for about 5 years before requiring another full restoration. While this is a sound investment in the long run, it’s essential to understand the projected costs involved. For instance, a 300m2 hall might incur estimated costs of £8,000 to £10,000 for full restoration. Over a decade, this could add up to £20,000.
To save on costs over time, we highly recommend considering our annual maintenance package. It’s a proactive approach that can help you avoid the hefty expenses associated with full restoration.
The full restoration process includes:
Sanding: The previous finish is entirely removed through a thorough sanding process.
Sealing: A professional sealant is applied to protect the wood.
Lacquering: The floor receives a fresh coat of lacquer to restore its original beauty and durability.
Additionally, if your sports hall requires specific line markings for different activities, we have you covered.
Our services also include sports line marking to ensure your facility is ready for a variety of events.
Sports Line Marking
An essential part of sports hall floor maintenance is making sure the markings are clear.
Sports court marking, also known as sports line marking, can be completed during both our annual maintenance package and full restoration options.
We apply court lines between the coats of lacquer to best protect the lines from wear. Once re-applied and protected your new lines will last for many years to come.
We use paint for line marking as opposed to tape as it is more sustainable.
Other things to consider
If you believe a full restoration is necessary, please consider the time of year.
We get booked up to three months in advance so, think ahead and plan a restoration during downtime. For schools, we usually work during the half term or summer holidays. Other sports facilities such as gyms or leisure centres tend to be quieter during the months leading up to Christmas.
In conclusion, maintaining wooden gym floors is not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s a critical component of safety and performance. Whether you opt for quick maintenance or full restoration, investing in the upkeep of your gym floor is an investment in the success of your sports facility. So, don’t wait until the wear and tear become unbearable; take action now to preserve and prolong the life of your wooden gym floor.
Maintain Wooden Gym Floors – Sussex Floor Restoration
Making sure you get an expert opinion before disrupting your business is highly advisable. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation should you wish to get some expert advice in advance of the work. Contact us now.
