When it comes to flooring for hospitals, there are many features that contractors consider, such as cost, durability, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance. Hospitals are complex structures with many departments and diverse functions.
Besides patient rooms, the cafeteria, entrance, lobby, corridors, nurses’ stations, clinics, emergency room, and operating theater all have their own flooring needs. To find the right flooring for hospitals, it is best to think of each department and determine which material is best suited for that location.
Entrance Areas/Lobby
The majority of patients, visitors, and staff first see the entrance when they arrive at a hospital; therefore, aesthetics are important, as well as all the other qualities mentioned above. This is also an area with heavy foot and roller traffic possible at all hours of the day and night.
Preferably in these areas you want flooring that has good aesthetics with a warm welcoming design, is easy to clean, and is also durable. Two floorings for the entrance include hospital grade sheet vinyl flooring and ceramic tile. Both these floorings have superb aesthetics, can handle heavy foot traffic, are user-friendly, easy to clean, and durable.
They both come in many styles and designs to match the interior decor. Finally, both are relatively easy to install and very cost-efficient.
Corridors
Hospital corridors are central to the functioning of the hospital. The corridors see a heavy foot and roller traffic consistently and connect to many other departments, including nurses’ stations. Other than heavy traffic, spills (food, beverages) are not uncommon along the corridors.
Two concerns about flooring for corridors are that it should be easy to clean quickly so that the floor does not need to be closed for cleaning and, secondly, corridor flooring should muffle sounds as much as possible so that patients can rest better.
The two flooring materials recommended for the corridors include rubber and nylon fabric carpet. Both these flooring choices have excellent sound muffling capability, can tolerate heavy loads, and are relatively easy to clean and maintain.
Rubber also has good internal elasticity and will restore its shape once the heavy load has been removed. As well, rubber flooring is easy on the feet and is therapeutic for patients, as it allows patients to walk with more ease. Rubber flooring can also be patterned with ridges and lines to show staff and patients the direction to different departments.
It is important to select carpet made from nylon as this is the most durable and because its short fibers will not easily collect dirt and debris.
Clinics
Outpatients usually visit hospital clinics where they meet healthcare providers. These clinic areas are usually busy during the day, but the foot and roller traffic is less than that seen in the main hospital. However, clinic areas can get very dirty, spills are common, and it is not uncommon to see bandages, band-aids, and other medical items on the floor.
Thus, clinics need flooring that can withstand spills, is easy to clean, durable, and has good esthetics. Here luxury hospital grade sheet vinyl is ideal as it has all the desired features. Two options are the latest generation laminate and nylon carpet.
The latest laminate comes in many styles and patterns and can mimic hardwood, stone, or tiles. In addition, it may have a surface coating that is both slip-resistant and waterproof. Both are easy to install, need minimal maintenance, lower stress, and can make patients feel more comfortable.
Cafeteria
Like the main hospital, the cafeteria is a busy place and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in many hospitals. It sees heavy foot traffic and food spills are common. The key is to select a flooring that is easy to maintain, inviting, does not collect debris along the edges, can be cleaned quickly, and is durable.
The two options here are hospital-grade sheet vinyl flooring and rubber flooring. The one advantage of luxury vinyl is that it has far better cosmetics than rubber flooring. Rubber flooring is very durable and can be cleaned with just water and detergent.
However, since rubber can be slippery when wet, it is important to get the flooring etched with ridges and patterns to create an anti-slip effect.
Emergency and Operating Rooms
Both these locations see a heavy foot and roller traffic 24/7 and spills are very common. The most important feature you want to keep in mind with this flooring is that it is antimicrobial. You do not want the flooring to collect any dirt or fluid spills and create a source for bacterial growth, which can then spread throughout the hospital. As well, since both areas are busy, you preferably want flooring that can be cleaned quickly so no prolonged closure of the area is required.
Further, you also want flooring that is durable so that you do not need to continually replace it. Again, the two choices of flooring for the operating and emergency rooms include hospital-grade sheet vinyl flooring and rubber flooring. Both have very similar features, but rubber flooring is more durable and less likely to collect dirt due to the built-in wax, which continually pushes all the dirt to the surface.
Nurse Stations
Perhaps one of the busiest places in the hospital, outside the emergency room, is the nurses’ station. This area typically has many visitors to it besides the nurses, including patients, doctors, and visitors. Nurses’ stations commonly encounter heavy foot and roller traffic, and nurses and doctors spend a lot of time on their feet.
Therefore, the flooring should be as cushioned and easy to walk on as possible, relieve stress on the joints, and avoid injury if a patient falls. Again, the two most common floorings of choice include hospital-grade sheet vinyl flooring and rubber flooring. Both will serve well as they are easy on the feet, easy to clean, muffle sound, reduce stress, and are relatively easy to maintain. Both are also easy to install without having to close the area for prolonged periods.
Patient Rooms
Today, patient rooms are designed much like the home environment to promote comfort, warmth, and healing. Patient rooms are also prone to the collection of dirt and other debris, so it is important to select flooring that has antimicrobial features.
Finally, because patients are not monitored in their rooms, it is important to select flooring that minimizes the impact of any falls that might occur. Choices here include nylon carpet, luxury vinyl, and rubber.
Conclusion
Hospital flooring contractors are moving away from the traditional flooring for hospitals and shifting towards rubber, tiles, and luxury vinyl. These floorings also come with a variety of protective coatings that are anti-slip, prevent scratches, and increase moisture resistance, which avoids the regular use of waxes and buffing
If you have any questions about the best types of flooring for hospitals and what hospital flooring contractors are utilizing the most, contact East Coast Flooring & Interiors at 1-954-626-8053. East Coast Flooring has vast experience helping select and installs flooring in hospitals.