What hospital floors are made of: 6 types of surfaces
22 Oct, 2024
- Why floorings are so important to hospitals & other healthcare facilities
- What should hospitals consider when selecting the best flooring?
- Explore 6 hospital flooring materials and their pros&cons
- Rubber flooring
- Vinyl flooring
- Linoleum flooring
- Ceramic tile flooring
- Epoxy flooring
- Bamboo flooring
- What type of floor to choose for each area of the hospital?
It is almost impossible to find a place where safety, hygiene, and comfort play a more vital role than healthcare facilities. That is why picking the suitable flooring material for one is so crucial. Not only do they demand exceptional durability in heavy foot traffic, but they also need to be easy to clean and maintain. But what are hospital floors made of?
All the best flooring for hospitals balance durability with safety, cleanliness, and aesthetics. In this article, we’ll take a look at the six most commonly used hospital flooring materials, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to pick the best option.
Why floorings are so important to hospitals & other healthcare facilities
In any facility, including healthcare, flooring is more than a surface to walk on; it is an irreplaceable component in creating a safe and sterile environment. Picking among all the types of floors in hospitals is arguably the most definitive decision you can make when projecting any healthcare facility. Here is why:
- Hygiene: First and foremost, the hospital needs to be clean and sterile. This allows for the prevention of the spread of infection in the hospital, making the treatment so much more effective. In addition to that, it prevents the development of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
- Safety: Another characteristic that a hospital floor needs is slip- and injury-resistance. Operating rooms and, especially, hospital corridors are extremely high-traffic areas, meaning that preventing slips and trauma is vital.
- Durability: Hospital environments are constantly being used by a large number of hospital beds, carts, and staff. The flooring has to be tough enough to endure all of this movement without giving up its integrity.
- Aesthetics and сomfort: The hospital needs to be a welcoming, calming place where people would feel at peace. Choosing the right flooring materials for patient rooms and public parts can help create this atmosphere, promoting healing and comfort for patients.
What should hospitals consider when selecting the best flooring?
If you are wondering “what type of floors are in hospitals?”, here are a few factors that determine the materials:
- Moisture resistance: Hospital floors must resist all kinds of spills, liquids, and humidity, especially in areas like operation rooms. Consider the best flooring for humid environments or areas with high humidity to prevent slips, contamination, and mold development.
- Cleanability: The easier it is to clean a hospital floor, the better, which is why it is better to opt for smooth and non-porous materials. Easy-to-clean options help ensure the environment stays sterile, preventing the accumulation of bacteria.
- Slip resistance: Flooring in any healthcare environment needs to provide sufficient traction. This is especially true for critical areas like operating rooms, where a single slip can cost human lives.
- Durability: Certain materials can be damaged by heavy equipment like hospital beds, carts, and regular movements. Ensure the material you choose is resistant to such load and does not show any wear or tear.
- Noise reduction: Certain materials like rubber flooring help create soft, cushioned surfaces, allowing them to dampen the sound, reducing noise pollution, and contributing to patients’ comfort.
- Chemical resistance: Many hospital environments require the use of harsh cleaning agents, so floors must withstand chemical exposure without damage.
Explore 6 hospital flooring materials and their pros&cons
Picking the right flooring material for a healthcare facility can be challenging, with so many options and factors to consider. Here is our list of the top six hospital flooring options, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses.
Rubber flooring
Rubber is known for its durability, slip resistance, soft feel, and ability to absorb sound. Such floors are commonly installed in hospital corridors, waiting areas, and patient rooms, where they ensure safety and comfort alike. In addition to that, rubber flooring is highly environmentally friendly, as it can be made from recycled rubber or natural caoutchouc.
Rubber pros
- Highly durable flooring material, even in harsh hospital conditions.
- Slip-resistant naturally, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Soft to the touch, making it safe even if you fall on it
- Absorbs sounds, creating a quieter and more peaceful environment for sound-sensitive areas, like patient rooms.
- Resistant to mold and bacteria growth.
- Easy to maintain and clean.
Rubber cons
- Limited aesthetic options compared to other flooring solutions.
- Relatively higher price than other options.
- Extensive areas require professional installation.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is a popular and cost-effective option for hospitals due to its wide range of applications and high durability. Available in formats such as sheet vinyl and vinyl composition tile (VCT), vinyl provides a smooth, impermeable surface that makes it ideal for sterile areas like operating rooms and laboratories. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) offers additional aesthetic appeal by mimicking natural materials like stone and wood.
Vinyl pros
- Extraordinarily water-resistant and easy to clean, making it fit high-moisture environments like operating rooms or labs.
- Sheet vinyl flooring provides a smooth and seamless surface that is less likely to get contaminated.
- Withstands heavy foot traffic and rolling equipment like hospital beds.
- One of the most affordable options with a wide range of designs, mimicking other materials like tile or wood.
Vinyl cons
- Requires more frequent replacement than rubber or epoxy.
- Some types emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which sometimes affect indoor air quality.
- VCT requires regular (every 4-6 months) waxing and more demanding maintenance than materials like rubber
Linoleum flooring
Compared to synthetic materials like vinyl, linoleum is a more sustainable solution because it is made of linseed oil, cork dust, and other natural elements. Because of its innate antibacterial qualities, linoleum is a fantastic option for hospitals that want to keep their surroundings sanitary. It can be used in patient rooms, hospital hallways, and administrative spaces with versatility because it comes in a range of colors and designs.
Linoleum pros
Naturally antibacterial.
- It can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it perfect for hospital corridors.
- Offers broad design flexibility with a variety of colors and patterns.
Linoleum cons
- More vulnerable to moisture than vinyl, so it may not be the best flooring for high-humidity areas like bathrooms or operating rooms.
- Requires regular maintenance, including sealing, to prevent moisture absorption.
- It can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight, affecting the aesthetics.
Ceramic tile flooring
In hospital bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet areas where flooring must survive repeated exposure to water, ceramic tile is the preferred flooring choice. It is a great option for high-moisture areas because of its exceptional water resistance and longevity. Because ceramic tile is non-porous and simple to sanitize, it is frequently utilized in medical areas where hygiene is a paramount.
Ceramic tile pros
Waterproof and resistant to stains, making it suitable for hospital areas with high exposure to liquids.
Highly durable and can withstand years of heavy use.
Available in a variety of tile designs, offering aesthetic flexibility for hospital flooring.
Easy to clean, making it ideal for sterile areas.
Ceramic tile cons
- Grout lines can harbor bacteria if not sealed properly, which could affect hygiene.
- Hard underfoot, which can be uncomfortable for hospital staff who spend long hours on their feet.
- Slippery when wet which could pose a safety hazard in certain hospital areas.
Epoxy flooring
Hospital operating rooms, labs, and emergency hospital rooms are some of the most demanding situations for which epoxy flooring is utilized. Concrete floors are coated with epoxy, which is poured as a liquid and solidified into a continuous, smooth surface. One of its nicest features is that it is seamless, meaning that there are no spaces for liquids, dirt, or bacteria to get through. Because it is so resilient to wear and tear, this is the best flooring for hospitals where heavy equipment, such as hospital beds, is moved around and there is constant foot traffic. Additionally, this flooring option is quite resilient to the chemicals and disinfectants that are utilized in hospital cleaning procedures.
Epoxy pros
- Seamless and non-porous, reducing the risk of contamination and making it easy to clean.
- Highly durable flooring, able to withstand heavy equipment and foot traffic.
- Resistant to chemicals and disinfectants, making it ideal for areas where harsh cleaners are used.
- It provides slip resistance and enhances safety in busy hospital environments.
Epoxy cons
- Expensive to install, as it requires a professional application.
- It can be prone to cracking over time, especially in areas of a hospital with high moisture or temperature fluctuations.
- Less flexible than vinyl or rubber, which may affect comfort in areas with heavy foot traffic.
Bamboo flooring
Bamboo flooring is a sustainable substitute for conventional hardwood floors that have been used in medical spaces where sustainability and aesthetics are important considerations. Bamboo flooring has a warm, natural look that can make patient rooms or hospital waiting areas feel cozier and more welcome, even though it isn’t as popular as vinyl or rubber flooring. Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that is a viable choice for establishments that care about the environment.
Bamboo pros
- Highly renewable and eco-friendly, offering a sustainable flooring solution.
- Durable and harder than some hardwoods, capable of withstanding the toughest hospital conditions without sacrificing style.
- Has a warm, natural appearance that enhances the aesthetics of public hospital areas.
Bamboo cons
- Moisture absorption can be an issue in humid environments, making it unsuitable for bathrooms or operating rooms.
- Requires proper maintenance and sealing to prevent warping and damage in high-humidity areas.
- More expensive than synthetic options like vinyl or epoxy flooring.
What type of floor to choose for each area of the hospital?
Selecting the right flooring option depends on the specific demands of each hospital area:
- Patient Rooms: Go for comfortable, noise-reducing material like rubber or vinyl. These options contribute to patients’ comfort, are easy to clean, and require very little maintenance.
- Operating Rooms: With this critical area, flooring experts suggest looking at materials that are easy to clean and disinfect and that provide a seamless, sterile surface. Epoxy flooring can be an excellent option if you value both safety and ease of maintenance.
- Hospital Corridors: Corridors experience arguably the highest traffic in the whole hospital, which is why ensuring their durability is crucial. Consider rubber or vinyl for this area to ensure all the foot traffic and rolling equipment are handled.
- Bathrooms and Restrooms: These rooms experience high water exposure, meaning that humidity resistance is the key here. Go for ceramic vinyl or ceramic floor, as these materials are highly water-resistant and easy to clean.
- Hospital Entrance and Waiting Areas: Luxury vinyl tile or bamboo flooring can add a touch of warmth and style to these high-traffic public areas while being durable enough for hospital conditions.