Research has found that learning environments play a significant role in student success. While the floor coverings only play one part in the design of an educational establishment, getting the specification right is vital – and there are several factors to take into consideration. Lewis Cooper, Segment Marketing Manager for Education at Forbo Flooring Systems, explains more …
SPECIFYING floor coverings for education is a careful balance of form and function. From classrooms and corridors, to canteens, libraries, laboratories, and sports halls – education buildings have multiple application zones that require a wide variety of specific performance attributes. Crucially though, the chosen floor coverings must also contribute to the wider design theme, helping to create a carefully planned interior that supports the learning environment.
What are the main factors to consider, to ensure that you are choosing the most suitable solutions? The first aspect to consider is the long-term practicality of the chosen floor covering, particularly when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. With hundreds, if not thousands, of pupils, staff and visitors travelling through a school or college every day, the flooring can quickly become dirty and subject to daily wear and tear.
For the internal areas of the building, a resilient floor covering such as vinyl is the ideal choice, as the smooth surface is quick and easy to maintain. It is recommended that products contain a well-formulated top finish too, as this will offer extra protection for the flooring and ensure it continues to look its best throughout the lifespan of the installation. This in turn will help to save on costs.
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools can have a negative effect on health, performance and comfort of students and staff. IAQ is defined by the concentration of various pollutants, including carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mould, dust, and airborne fungi. Indeed, it has been found that children inhale more pollutants per body weight than adults, due to higher breathing rates1, therefore thoughtful school design and operation that can improve the IAQ of a building is key.
Start with using furnishings, materials, and cleaning products with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including the choice of floor coverings being used. There are also solutions on the market that are phthalate free, contributing to creating a healthier indoor environment.
Colour is another key consideration and much has been written about the impact of colour on the emotional and cognitive response of a building’s occupants – and specifiers can translate this into classroom design by choosing a colour palette that supports the subject area being taught within each room.
Study spaces that will involve lively discussion and lateral thinking, for example, could benefit from the use of stimulating tones such as red, yellow, and orange, whereas classrooms dedicated to more artistic pursuits would suit softer, tranquil tones. Floor coverings that have the capacity to reflect natural light can also make spaces feel open and bright, and floor coverings with high Light Reflectance Values (LRV) offer the ideal solution.
With the above in mind, Forbo Flooring Systems has launched the second generation of its premium homogeneous vinyl sheet collection, Sphera Energetic. The dynamic new range now consists of four design families – Uni, Vivid, Shimmer and Confetti – with each one offering an array of beautifully balanced designs to help create fresh, contemporary education interiors, whilst still retaining its exceptional durability properties.
The chips throughout each design add a new dimension to homogeneous vinyl, while also helping to effectively hide dirt in areas where heavy footfall is expected. What’s more, the colour palette of the entire range offers high LRV ratings, which will maximise light within a building.
