When Architects and Designers work together, they are faced with several complex decisions with every project they work on.

They have to consider several important factors like budget, product availability, product lifespan, acoustics, design aesthetics and the list goes on.

Mistakes are costly, so a lot of time is spent making informed decisions to ensure the best outcome. Imagine deciding on wood panels that warp with the humidity or choosing a beautiful flooring product only to discover that the high-volume traffic wears out the flooring in 2 years.

The Architects and Designers can expect some unpleasant phone calls if those kinds of things happen. Nobody wants this to happen which is why they spend the time and energy to research and make those big decisions.

Here are just a few of the important things that architects and designers consider when making decisions about finishing materials for a project in a retail space.

Product Durability

Durability is certainly a crucial factor to consider when choosing finishing materials for any retail space. The materials need to be able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use with a high volume of foot traffic from customers. Durable materials will help ensure the retail store looks good for many years to come, which is important for creating a positive impression with customers.

Design Aesthetic

Architects and designers must consider the design aesthetic when choosing finishing materials for a retail store. The materials should complement the overall design of the store, creating a cohesive and visually appealing environment for customers. This includes choosing materials that match the color palette, texture, and style of the store.

Budget

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing finishing materials for a retail store is the budget. Architects and designers must make sure the materials they choose fit within the budget constraints of the project. While it may be tempting to choose more expensive materials to achieve a certain look or feel, it is important to make sure the budget is not exceeded.

Product Availability

Architects and designers need to make sure that the materials they choose are readily available so construction deadlines are met. Delays in procuring materials can cause significant delays in the construction schedule, so it is important to make sure the material availability won’t cause any production delays before making their final choices.

Acoustics

Acoustic design is also a very important factor to consider when choosing finishing materials for a retail store. Architects and designers need to make sure the materials they choose will help reduce noise levels, creating a more comfortable shopping environment for customers. This is particularly important in large retail stores and malls where noise levels can be quite high.

How acoustic design impacts the shopping experience…

Shopping malls can attract more foot traffic to stores when they are well-designed and provide an enjoyable shopping experience for customers.

Each store in a mall will of course choose the flooring they feel is best for their store and brand experience. There is, however, only one flooring material required for the mall’s common areas. With continuous, heavy foot traffic and unique challenges malls face, Dinoflex Sport Mat rubber flooring is an excellent choice.

Recycled Rubber flooring is an excellent choice for many reasons but let’s talk about sound.

A study¹ by the Andreyev Acoustics Institute found the revenue of retail shops can go up by 5-10 percent when the acoustic environment is optimized.

On the other hand, the same study discovered bad retail soundscapes can lead to a 28?crease in sales.

A key component of designing retail and public spaces is making them enjoyable and comfortable. The acoustic comfort of a shopping mall is an extremely important characteristic. Specifically, the study mentioned above examined public spaces in malls have a large volume and are perceived as acoustically uncomfortable.

Poor acoustic conditions are primarily due to a long reverberation time. The malls in the study had reverberation times that reached 4–5 seconds at middle frequencies.

Elevated background noise and reverberation time values result in poor speech intelligibility in a noisy space as explained in this study² by the College of Engineering, University of Porto.

Sound-absorbing materials are typically applied to surfaces of the space to improve acoustics. In the article, they discuss two ways to improve the acoustics of food courts. Changes in acoustics were considered significant and positive in both cases after the reverberation time was reduced by about half. In the case of the considered spaces, Sabine’s equation holds. Sabine’s equation is used to find average absorption coefficients, which can be used to estimate reverberation times in space without absorbing. This and other studies have been analyzed to develop a method for qualitatively assessing the acoustics of public spaces.

Excellent sound absorption is a major reason retail spaces can benefit from Dinoflex recycled rubber flooring.

Focus on beautiful visual design is naturally a high priority for architects and designers. Aesthetics are important but it is a mistake to overlook acoustic design. However, the overall experience of bad acoustics can have a dramatically negative impact on retail businesses.

The longer consumers stay in malls and stores, the more they will spend. If the loud noise makes the experience unpleasant, many people are going to leave as soon as possible no matter how pretty it looks.

By absorbing noise, rubber reduces visitor stress by keeping shopping mall spaces relatively quiet. Since it’s also made for use in hockey arenas it can be installed in areas subject to high moisture and keeps sound reverberation to a minimum.

A quiet, aesthetic floor can help keep customers shopping longer and help them return more often if they feel comfortable walking around the mall.

Originally, Sport Mat rubber flooring was developed for use in gyms where extremely tough, long-lasting flooring is required. However, with Sport Mat’s beautiful array of color

Sport Mat rubber flooring is also designed to be slip-resistant – even when wet, allowing people to safely traverse the mall. Its low-maintenance, easy-to-clean nature ensures that the floor looks and feels inviting and clean.

Is recycled rubber flooring a good aesthetic choice for a retail store?

Sport Mat comes in 54 beautiful colors but it doesn’t stop there. With recycled rubber flooring from Dinoflex, customers can order custom colors by sending in other finishing materials for color matching or by using the online Color Innovator.

Rubber flooring for retail chains

Take branding to another level. Rubber flooring from Dinoflex is more than durable. Aesthetic options also include brand assertion. With a distinctive flooring design, a brand can establish its personality. See the example below where we inserted their logo near the entrance of this sporting goods store.

Here are more reasons why recycled rubber flooring is a good choice for a retail store…

Durability

A big advantage of rubber flooring is its durability. Recycled rubber flooring is highly resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. It’s made to withstand skates, skis and heavy gym equipment, so you know it’s tough. It is also able to withstand heavy foot traffic, spills, and other common occurrences in retail stores. This makes it a practical and long-lasting option for retail environments.

Safety

Another advantage of rubber flooring is the safety features. Rubber flooring is slip-resistant, providing a safe surface for customers to walk on. This is especially important in retail stores, where spills are common, and the floor can become wet and hazardous. The slip-resistant, even-when-wet, surface of rubber flooring helps to prevent accidents, making it a safer option.

Comfort

In addition to its durability and safety features, rubber flooring surfaces are also comfortable to walk on. Rubber flooring has a cushioned feel, which helps to reduce fatigue and discomfort for customers who are shopping. This makes it a more comfortable option for retail environments, where customers may spend a significant amount of time walking around as well as employees who have to stand for many hours.

Is rubber flooring considered to be eco-friendly?

Yes, rubber flooring can be considered eco-friendly.

Recycled Content: Dinoflex rubber flooring products are made from recycled commercial grade truck tires. This helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and makes efficient use of existing resources.

This reduces waste making it a more sustainable option.

Low VOCs: Some rubber flooring products have a high level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are harmful pollutants that can negatively impact indoor air quality. Choosing low-VOC rubber flooring can help to improve indoor air quality and reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Conclusion: Sport Mat by Dinoflex is an excellent choice for retail stores.

As mentioned, a rubber flooring surface helps to reduce noise levels, making the retail store a more comfortable environment for customers.

When you add in all the other factors like comfort, durability, safety, cost and infinite color options, rubber flooring is in a class of its own. It stands out from all other flooring options as a great choice for retail environments.

In high-traffic areas, recycled rubber floors are durable and withstand heavy use. The natural elasticity of rubber makes it an ideal material for commercial flooring. With a Dinoflex recycled rubber flooring solution, you can rest assured that your floor will last for many years. Dinoflex recycled rubber flooring is “Made Flat Stays Flat™ Guaranteed Never To Curl” and comes with a 10-year warranty.

With its durability, safety, comfort, acoustics, and design aesthetic, Sport Mat recycled rubber flooring offers a range of benefits that make it an ideal choice for retail environments. Whether you are designing a new retail store or renovating an existing one, recycled rubber flooring is an option that is worth considering.

Other Dinoflex Rubber Flooring products are excellent choices for Retail settings also include Evolution Commercial Flooring, Next Step^® WalkSoft, and Nature’s Collection.

¹ Source: Kanev, N. Study and Improvement of Acoustic Conditions in Public Spaces of Shopping Malls. Acoustics 2021, 3, 137-155. https://www.mdpi.com/2624-599X/3/1/11#B1-acoustics-03-00011

² Source: Sound and Noise in Shopping Malls Laboratory of Acoustics, College of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal https://paginas.fe.up.pt/~carvalho/nc16.pdf

For more than 30 years, Dinoflex has been a leader in the flooring industry, continually pushing the limits on recycled rubber flooring production and design. We’ve helped our customers incorporate custom designs and logos as well as artwork into their personalized projects in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and shapes to create lasting impressions. From industrial, commercial, educational applications and more, architects, contractors, and interior designers routinely recommend recycled rubber floors for a wide variety of projects. We offer our customers the highest quality product with the lowest minimums.

Product Matching

There’s no doubt carpet brings warmth to a space; unfortunately, it doesn’t bring durability – especially in high-traffic areas. Dinoflex is proud to offer product matching for spaces where resiliency matters most – such as in hallways. The process simple:

1. Send in a product sample.
2. We match up the EPDMs to colors that match closest and then send a scan of the color so you can determine if it’s a match or if you would like the color adjusted.
3. If the sample meets your satisfaction, we send a petri dish for you to view. A mini-block or puck can be ordered through your local distributor.

It’s as simple as that!

Dinoflex also has the technology to waterjet cut four types of patterns in two colored ways to create Evo Patterns, such as herringbone, to create bold and impactful designs. Available in colors exclusive to our Evolution and Nature’s Collection product lines, Evo Patterns are an excellent way to bring contrast and color into your space.

Create Custom Colors with Color Innovator

Make it uniquely yours! Sometimes you need a specific color for a specific project. Enter Color Innovator: Dinoflex’s digital do-it-yourself program to help you design a custom color blend for your recycled rubber flooring – whether it be for a commercial or educational space or even for sports facility. We can even match school or corporate logo colors! Creating a custom color using our Color Innovator involves a simple, yet innovative process. It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Choose up to five colors from our diverse range of 40, (black is automatically selected!) and determine your texture preference for each.
2. Get creative and play with the percentages of your colors and the ratio of the textures for your rubber floor tiles.
3. Mix it!

Once you’re satisfied with your custom swatch, you can save it digitally via email. You may also request samples.

Create Customized Logos – and Custom Rubber Floor Mats

No matter the size or scope of your business, Dinoflex can help you make use of valuable floor space by creating custom floor designs and logos to match your corporate image. We can even create high-color interactive mats for a children’s learning or play area. As a leading commercial flooring provider, we have pushed the limits on technology to meet the demands of our corporate and retail customers. We collaborate with architects and designers to create logos, patterns, and vivid colours that everyone – from customers to potential investors – will notice. With more than 26 colors to choose from, and designs ranging anywhere from 3’ to 60’, the possibilities are limitless! Simply send over your logo or design in an SVG file format and we’ll take care of the rest!

Dinoflex loves working with our customers to bring their one-of-a-kind designs to life. Please reach out! We would be more than happy to assist you in creating a custom product logo or color for your next project.

Dinoflex isn’t like other flooring manufacturers. Read on to learn why recycled rubber flooring is superior to carpet and what sets Dinoflex apart from its competition.

Product Matching

The Benefits of Rubber Flooring Over Carpet

Traditional carpet has long been a popular flooring choice. It’s also a material that’s frequently replaced due to its short lifespan. Although wear-and-tear can be expected with any flooring product, some options are more resilient than others.

Commercial flooring has evolved. With repeated use, carpet can have a poor surface appearance – including stretching and buckling. With its 15-20 year lifespan, recycled rubber flooring is an ideal choice for high-traffic areas subject to high wear, such as hallways. This durable, attractive flooring material disguises wear patterns so flooring looks newer longer, and it won’t stretch or buckle when glued. Best of all, Dinoflex’s products are all Made Flat, Stays Flat™ Guaranteed Never to Curl.

Accidents happen and there is arguably no worse place to for a spill than on carpet, which stains easily and can be difficult to clean. Recycled rubber flooring’s stain-resistant and easy-to-clean properties help extend its lifespan. And unlike carpet, which can develop mold and bacteria in wet areas, water can’t easily penetrate our rubber flooring, making it a natural inhibitor of bacterial growth.

With a wide range of striking colors, designers can create stunning spaces that are both cohesive and functional while standing the test of time. Combined with its high traction, underfoot comfort, and superior sound-reducing properties, recycled rubber floor tiles are perfect for a wide range of commercial applications.

Value Engineering

Have the perfect color in mind for a project, but it’s not in the budget? Increase your recycled content while reducing costs with value engineering. Our manufacturing process offers low minimum order quantities for custom color giving you the power to design to your price-point by manipulating color ratios; by adding more black, you can reduce the price per square footage. What’s more, adding black is a sustainable option, helping you increase the recycle content, adding to LEED credits. Dinoflex can also laminate a 4mm wear layer on three different types of backing, further boosting recycle content and reducing cost by 15-30 per cent.

Total Customization

Perhaps one of the greatest ways Dinoflex stands out from the competition is through our total customization. What makes Dinoflex uniquely different from our competitors is our custom capabilities. We work closely with our customers on color matching, custom colors, and logos. Dinoflex can help bring your project to life.

The Ultimate Customer Experience

At Dinoflex, we work hard to create the ultimate customer experience – from our first conversation to well after your project is complete. When you become a Dinoflex Business Partner, you become a partner for life. Ready to get started on your next project? Contact us today.

When it comes to creating a productive and comfortable learning environment, Architects and Designers are well aware of the importance of choosing the right flooring for public facilities. In spaces like study centers, libraries, and auditoriums, the flooring should meet specific requirements to ensure that it supports learning and is functional for the space.

Here are four key requirements they consider when selecting flooring for these types of spaces:

Colors that stimulate concentration

Color can have a significant impact on our mood, productivity, and concentration. In spaces like study centers and libraries, it’s important to choose colors that stimulate concentration and focus. Shades of blue or green, for example, are known to be calming and promote focus, making them ideal for study spaces.

A 2021 study done by Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences “The Impact Of Colour On Students’ Perception In Learning Spaces”¹ found that cooler colors like white, blue and green colors were associated with increased focus and attention. Participants in the study who were exposed to white, blue and green colors performed better on a visual attention task than those who were exposed to red or yellow colors.

The results show cool colors like white, green and blue are most often recommended for educational spaces. These colors affected positively the perception of respondents and added feelings of hope, curiosity and satisfaction to the group.

The findings demonstrate colors in the environment play an important effect on student’s perception. The study concluded that colors affect the behavior, performance and mood of the space users.

¹ Baper, S. Y., Husein, H. A. ., & Salim, S. S. . (2021). THE IMPACT OF COLOUR ON STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION IN LEARNING SPACES. Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences, 28(2), 33–43. https://doi.org/10.25130/tjes.28.2.03

 

The vast color possibilities are unlike any other flooring options which is just one of the factors that make rubber flooring an excellent choice for study spaces.

Sound reduction

The library has traditionally been associated with silence and quiet. Previously there was a relatively limited number of functions in them like studying, reading and storing books and their architecture itself was designed to encourage silence.

Modern public libraries tend to be geared towards more vibrant environments (e.g., audio-visual materials and media formats), which go beyond the simple function of reading books.

Over the years, individual involvement has shifted to collaborative and social activities (cafés, meeting rooms), corresponding to different room layouts, furniture, and acoustic treatments. In libraries, the proliferation of new activities has inevitably resulted in different types of sound sources and sounds, which requires architects and interior designers to rethink how to improve the overall experience by managing the acoustic environment in a proactive way instead of just achieving silence in these spaces.

It is particularly difficult to control the sounds of various human activities and speech in large open plan areas that combine multiple functions and modern architectural forms. There are many instances where acoustic consultants recommend solid separations between different functions to minimize aural influences. However, this approach often conflicts with open-plan design.

It has become more common for people to use libraries for other purposes than reading, including attending exhibitions, activities for children, meeting friends and eating lunch. The continuous sound of dragging chairs as people slide in to sit down and then get up can be a big problem in a large facility.

A study called “A soundscape approach to exploring design strategies for acoustic comfort in modern public libraries”² provides context and possible solutions to the acoustic challenges of modern libraries.

 

Sound reduction is a critical requirement for any space where people will be working or learning. Hard surfaces like concrete or tile can reflect sound and create a noisy environment, which can be distracting and make it difficult to concentrate. Flooring materials that absorb sound, such as carpet or rubber, are a better choice for spaces like study centers, libraries, and auditoriums.

² Xiao, Jieling and Aletta, Francesco. “A soundscape approach to exploring design strategies for acoustic comfort in modern public libraries: a case study of the Library of Birmingham” Noise Mapping, vol. 3, no. 1, 2016. https://doi.org/10.25130/tjes.28.2.03

Indoor air quality

Indoor air quality is an important consideration for any space where people will be spending time. Flooring materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can contribute to poor indoor air quality. Choosing a flooring material that is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as rubber or cork, can help improve indoor air quality and create a healthier environment for students and staff. In an article called “Controlling Pollutants and Sources: Indoor Air Quality Design Tools for Schools” from the EPA provides more information on indoor air quality and flooring.

Resistance to heavy foot traffic

Finally, a durable flooring material that can withstand a lot of foot traffic is essential for study centers, libraries, and auditoriums. These spaces see a lot of use, and a flooring material that can’t handle the traffic can quickly wear down and become damaged. Materials like rubber or carpet tiles are designed to withstand heavy traffic and can provide long-lasting durability in these types of spaces. This article from Construction Canada provides more information on the benefits of rubber flooring for high-traffic areas.

When selecting flooring for study centers, libraries, and auditoriums, it’s important to consider a range of requirements to ensure the flooring is functional and supports learning. Choosing colors that stimulate concentration, selecting a material to reduce sound, improving indoor air quality, and choosing a durable material that can withstand traffic are all important considerations. By keeping these requirements in mind, you can create a learning environment that is both comfortable and conducive to learning.

Why Nature’s Collection Rubber Flooring is a Great Choice for Libraries

Libraries are a crucial part of our communities, and they provide an essential service for many people. Libraries are a place where people can come to learn, read, and explore the world around them. For this reason, it’s important to create a safe and comfortable environment for library users.

Dinoflex is a leading manufacturer of recycled rubber flooring and our Nature’s Collection is an excellent choice for libraries because it offers a wide range of important benefits. This beautiful collection offers a unique combination of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Durability and Longevity

Nature’s Collection by Dinoflex can withstand high traffic and heavy use without showing wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for libraries.

With high-quality, sustainable ingredients, the flooring remains strong and performs for decades. With this floorcovering, a facility can save money in the long run and support the environment for years to come, while enjoying lasting appeal.

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of the Nature’s Collection are one of its primary advantages. You get a product with superb performance and a visual dimension that isn’t typically found with rubber surfaces, because it combines similar yet complementary characteristics.

This rubber flooring is sophisticated and elegant, combining the durability and versatility of recycled rubber with the beauty of sustainably harvested cork. Cork granules infused with recycled rubber contribute depth and texture to the surface, while the EPDM’s vivid colors provide contrast, resulting in a striking, well-balanced design.

The natural look and feel of the flooring can create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the library, which can encourage users to spend more time in the space. The collection’s designs can also be used to create distinctive zones or wayfinding in the library, which can help users navigate and find resources more easily.

Comfort

Nature’s Collection provides excellent cushioning, making it comfortable to stand or walk on for extended periods. This feature is particularly useful in libraries, where users may spend long hours studying, reading, or working. The cushioning provided by the flooring can help reduce fatigue and improve overall comfort.

Safety

Safety is always a top priority in public spaces like libraries. Nature’s Collection is slip-resistant, which can help reduce fall consequences, especially in areas prone to spills. Additionally, the collection’s cushioning properties can help reduce the impact of falls, which can make it a safer choice for libraries.

Sustainability

Nature’s Collection is an eco-friendly choice, which is made from recycled rubber and sustainably harvested cork granules.

The use of materials helps to reduce the environmental impact of the production process and can contribute to a more sustainable library.

Easy Maintenance

When foot traffic brings with it mud, snow, and other substances, rubber flooring’s simplified cleaning requirements are most beneficial during the cold winter months. Cleaning these substances is easy and quick with rubber flooring.

Conclusion

The collection’s unique combination of functionality and aesthetic appeal can create a welcoming and safe environment for study centers, libraries, and auditoriums. If you are looking for a flooring solution for your library, Nature’s Collection by Dinoflex is definitely worth considering.

Other Sources:

Mehta, R., & Zhu, R. (2009). Blue or red? Exploring the effect of color on cognitive task performances. Science, 323(5918), 1226-1229.

Shield, B., & Dockrell, J. (2004). The effects of environmental and classroom noise on the academic attainments of primary school children. The Journal the Acoustical Society of America, 115(4), 1664-1670.

Wang, Y., Yao, J., Li, X., Li, X., & Li, N. (2017). Study on the Impact of Floor Materials on Indoor Air Quality. Indoor and Built Environment, 26(2), 310-318.

“If you’re specifying floors for long-term durability, or if safety, low-maintenance and environmental friendliness are your goals, rubber should be at the top of your list.” – Quote Source – “Rubber Flooring: Value and Beauty for the Long Term”

“In Sustainable Resilient Flooring, Rubber Tops the List” Quote Source

Dinoflex’s AEC Daily CEU accredited program includes discussions on rubber manufacturing, green building certification programs, and more. Click the photo to sign up!

Dinoflex was founded in 1989 on the principal of environmental stewardship. Since then, we have been resolutely committed to the environment and to reducing our impact on it. Some AEC community members believe recycled rubber flooring cannot contribute to creating green spaces – but that couldn’t be further from the truth; rubber is both highly sustainable and easily recyclable. Dinoflex is dedicated to creating sustainable construction materials, which is why we proudly meet all rigorous industry standards associated with Health Product Declaration (HPD), Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), and FloorScore^®.

LEED^® Certification

Dinoflex creates its indoor and outdoor surfaces by using post-consumer recycled rubber. To construct our rubber floors, Dinoflex purchases SBR graduals made from recycled commercial truck tires that were destined for the landfill and repurposes them into LEED^® credit qualifying sustainable solutions, which is made possible in part by our memberships with the Canada Green Building Council and U.S. Green Building Council. Our products are environmentally friendly, exceptionally durable, shock absorbent, slip resistant, stain resistant, and long lasting, helping to keep them out of landfills longer. When they’ve reached their end of use, Dinoflex breathes new life into its products by regrinding them and reusing them in an ongoing sustainable cycle.

What is FloorScore^®?

Improving indoor air quality in the flooring industry is directly correlated with reducing emission levels created by specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs). FloorScore^® has been touted as “the most recognized indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments.” FloorScore^® helps identify sustainable, environmentally friendly materials and products that contribute to healthier air and, in turn, healthier people. All Dinoflex’s highly sustainable and easily recyclable rubber flooring is FloorScore^® certified. Our customers can breathe easy knowing the Dinoflex products they choose help contribute to a greener world.

Health Product Declaration

Health Product Declaration (HPD) uses standardized reporting to provide crucial information regarding how products can impact human health and wellness – including disclaimers on potential risks associated with each product component. Providing a breakdown of chemicals and other potentially hazardous ingredients and products increases consumer confidence in the products they purchase. By achieving our HPD, Dinoflex demonstrates our commitment to transparency of information and building health.

Environmental Product Declaration

EPDs documents the lifecycle of a product from an environmental impact standpoint by transparently reporting on objective and comparable third-party verified environmental data. Based on international standards, they consider the complete life cycle of goods and services. Dinoflex’s believes in transparent communication regarding the long-term impact of our rubber flooring. Our EPD certification is a testament to our commitment to both safety and robust environmental standards.

Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation

Dinoflex was proud to be part of one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable buildings: the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation. This project is a shining example of our dedication to sustainable materials and practices. To learn more about this LEED^® Platinum certified building and our involvement in the project, visit our case study.