Flooring for Healthcare Environments - How Do I Decide?
/The Best Flooring for Healthcare Environments
Whether you’ve been working with healthcare design for years or you’re just getting started with your research, you are probably aware that flooring in a healthcare setting serves a greater purpose than just visual appeal (although important too.) As one of the most predominant surfaces in healthcare facilities, flooring directly impacts all day-to-day functions of the healthcare environment.
With so many flooring options out there, how does one choose the best flooring product?
For decades, Teknoflor has been dedicated to providing healthcare systems with high-performance flooring solutions that foster healing spaces to nurture health and wellness through function and durability. Throughout the years, our sales teams have accumulated an abundance of knowledge regarding what types of flooring work best in each setting. Here are a few things they consider when choosing the best flooring for your healthcare space:
Ideal Characteristics for Flooring in a Healthcare Setting
CLEANABLE
In a healthcare setting, it goes without saying that cleanliness is a priority, and that is especially true for flooring. In patient care areas, avoid choosing a product that has hard-to-clean features. For example, carpet and soft surfaces should be avoided as they are not easy to clean and are susceptible to stubborn spills and stains. The material of the product must also be able to withstand repeated, thorough cleaning as most areas are cleaned numerous times a day.
Andrew Heeter, Vice President of Strategic Sales and Sustainability Manager, says his clients are first looking for ease of maintenance and cleaning/disinfecting.
“It was always an important consideration, but the recent pandemic has really brought it to the top of the list,” Heeter said.
EASY TO MAINTAIN
In addition to cleanability, the product must also be easy to maintain. Avoid products that are made with materials that easily crack, scratch or chip. It is best to choose a flooring made with materials that are durable, so it can withstand heavy foot traffic, rolling loads and consistent cleaning. In addition, products that require buffing or waxing to maintain their appearance can add a significant cost. Look for products that simply need a mop or scrub without any complicated machinery or skills. Teknoflor has stood by its No Wax, No Buff promise for decades and still has products that look brand-new 20 years later, resulting in unmatched maintenance savings.
Nicolette Grieco, Vice President Regional Sales Manager says “our engineering and design set us apart from the competition. We create the most durable, low-maintenance products in the industry while managing to keep the design element high”
SEAMLESS
Today, most hospitals and healthcare facilities use Resilient Sheet flooring, especially in patient care areas. Resilient sheet products are seamless, which means no tiny crevices for bacteria, and are best to maintain a sterile environment. These types of floors include either a poured-in-place product or a sheet product with welded seams. With this type of installation, there are no cracks or crevices in which bacteria could grow. The best part about new resilient sheet flooring, is that it doesn’t have to be boring. From wood-grain visuals to unique abstract designs, your design does not have to suffer at the expense of cleanability and maintenance.
Transparent Healthcare Flooring
Not only is it important to find a flooring product that encompasses all of the characteristics listed above, but it’s also important to choose a transparent product. When searching for the best flooring option, it's important to consider how a product is made and what exactly the product is made with.
At Teknoflor, we are proud to be an industry leader in manufacturing and selling products that promote human health, protect the environment and conserve resources. We’re dedicated to playing a responsible role in sustainability and transparency, which is why we provide numerous eco-labels, including open disclosure of materials, ingredients and environmental impacts on almost all of our products.
Teknoflor - Industry Leader in Healthcare Flooring
Teknoflor offers several resilient flooring products that feature all the ideal characteristics for flooring in a healthcare setting.
Our sales team has worked with healthcare design professionals for years and is up to date with the latest trends in healthcare design. Regional Vice President of Sales, Tony Barzycki, worked in the healthcare industry for several years prior to joining our team. With a background in healthcare, Tony understands the needs and priorities for healthcare design.
“Teknoflor checks off a lot of the boxes that are critical in medical hygienic surfaces. Our products appeal to trends while offering longevity, durability and low-maintenance. We have projects like George Washington Hospital that have been around for decades which says a lot about the quality of our products,” said Tony.
For decades, Teknoflor has provided flooring solutions to many healthcare facilities, including Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, George Washington University Hospital in Washington D.C., and The Neurodiagnostic Institute in Indianapolis. Check out our other healthcare projects and testimonials here. To learn more about which flooring products work best for your healthcare project, contact our team!
The NeuroDiagnostic Institute