How to choose Hospital Flooring

Choosing the right flooring for a hospital can be a difficult decision, with many different factors that need to be taken into account. Different hospital rooms have different flooring requirements, there’s budgets to consider and ease and cost of cleaning. And what about aesthetics, noise and comfort? All important factors too! The best place to start, is to identify the different types of rooms and walkways within the hospital setting, then work through each one by one.

Flooring for hospital corridors and reception areas

Corridors and reception areas will have the largest foot-fall, so durability is essential. Public areas will also need to be non-slip, have good grip for wheelchairs and be easy to clean. Good options for this type of high footfall area would be rubber or vinyl flooring, both have high durability and are easy to clean. It is worth noting that vinyl flooring can have higher maintenance costs, so this should be taken into account.

Flooring for wards and general use areas

One of the most popular flooring types for hospital wards and areas of general use, is marmoleum.  Marmoleum is extremely durable and hygienic, which makes it well suited for areas of heavy footfall, and also for areas where infection-control is paramount. It works as a deterrent to the growth and spread of infectious diseases such as the Noro Virus and MRSA, which are a recurring problem in UK hospitals.

Of course, comfort is also very important, especially for the hospital staff who are on their feet for many hours each day. Linoleum and rubber flooring are probably the best in terms of comfort, which makes them another popular choice for wards and general use areas. They are also extremely resilient and durable.

There are also some fantastic vinyl floors available for hospital wards. When designing hospital flooring schemes it is important to factor in characteristics which are friendly to people with dementia and visual impairment. E and M Services can work with you to identify products which best suit your requirements.

Flooring for operating theatres and medical laboratories

Specially treated vinyl or linoleum flooring is popular in specialised rooms such as operating theatres and medical labs. However, flooring for these rooms comes with extremely strict standards that must be adhered to including:

  • Puncture resistant
  • Stain resistant
  • Chemical resistance to disinfectants
  • Bacteriostatic
  • Fungistatic
  • Seamless floor
  • Slopes for drainage

Hospital rooms that requires strict infection control, such as operating theatres and medical labs, will require expert advice on the best approach for your flooring needs. This can include flooring products which assist in managing static also which can be generated in specialised environments.

Hospital flooring is without a doubt a bit of a minefield. With so many different spaces each requiring unique flooring solutions, it is always best to speak to the experts to find out the best approach. Rest assured, you do not need to compromise health and safety, comfort, or aesthetics, to get the perfect flooring solution for your hospital or healthcare space.

Contact us now for a FREE no-obligation consultation