Education: A Problem-Solving Guide for Specifiers
Gerflor & Gradus are manufacturers of contract interior solutions, offering a complete range of products designed to enhance and protect education spaces. In this article, we explore how Gerflor & Gradus products can help resolve common problems encountered in Education spaces to provide a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space for students and staff.
Noise Pollution
On upper levels of education spaces, noise created by footsteps, objects being dropped, and furniture being moved around can radiate through to the spaces below. Talking and walking noise can also reverberate around spaces, creating a disruptive and stressful learning environment.
Selected Gerflor floorcoverings have acoustic properties that help decrease noise pollution using one of two main types of sound reduction: Impact Sound and Sound Absorption. Installing a floorcovering that has acoustic properties may help promote a better learning experience.
Traditionally, carpet rolls and tiles can be used to reduce sound levels in education areas such as classrooms, auditoriums and libraries. Gradus Times Square provides a 32dB reduction in Impact Noise and aesthetically, features a segmented, linear design in a choice of colours to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
Alternatively, Gerflor Creation 70 Zen Luxury Vinyl Tiles provide 20dB of acoustic insulation and 65dB of Impact Sound Absorption and features a choice of wood, mineral and textile designs that will enhance any colour scheme.
Floorcoverings are one product – rather than many – that can help resolve noise pollution in learning environments.
Maintenance Costs
Maintaining educational buildings from dirt and moisture being tracked in or the cost of refurbishing walls that are subject to scuffs and scrapes from bags and wheeled traffic can negatively impact the cost and lifecycle of surrounding finishes. Durable products that offer easy cleaning and prevent recurrent costs associated with maintenance can help negate some of these issues.
Gradus Barrier Matting Systems can help extend the lifecycle of surrounding floorcoverings by absorbing dirt and moisture from foot and wheeled traffic. By reducing the amount of dirt and moisture being tracked into the building, less cleaning and maintenance is needed from the surrounding floorcoverings, as well as helping to prevent slips from damp floors.
Gradus SureProtect Endure PVC-u Wall Cladding can be used in areas subject to impact damage from bags and wheeled traffic by absorbing the impact and any damage being concealed in the textured, through-coloured PVC-u material. It also helps reduce the need to refurbish and repaint walls which helps reduce long-term costs associated with repeated maintenance.
Selected Gerflor floorcoverings are designed with exclusive surface treatments which can make cleaning easier, reduce stains and create highly durable floorcoverings. Creating a non-porous barrier prevents liquids from soaking through the floorcoverings, making stain removal simple and easy.
Student Safety
Education spaces need to be safe places for everyone to navigate. Floors that are damp from dirt or moisture being tracked onto them can easily become slippery without the correct product used. Stairs are also common places for trips and falls to occur, so making these areas as safe as possible can help reduce accidents and provide an inclusive environment for all building users.
Gerflor Safety Flooring is designed to provide slip-resistance and durability in heavy-use areas with selected ranges achieving between R10-R12 slip-resistance or HSE compliant 36+ PTV ratings. Ideal for use in circulation spaces such as corridors and stairs, as well as WC’s, changing rooms and shower rooms.
Gradus Stair Edgings can help reduce accidents in two ways: by providing slip-resistance at the edge of the step and providing visual contrast to highlight the edge of the step. With a range of PTV tested interior and exterior inserts providing different levels of slip-resistance, solutions are available for most applications. A wide choice of colour options provides sufficient visual contrast – at least 30 LRV points - to help create safe stairs for everyone.
Inspirational Learning Environment
Soft, calming tones or bright, stimulating colours can be used to help meet the specific needs of students. Gerflor Flooring offers a wide choice of wood, mineral, textile, graphic and plain resilient floorcoverings as well as linear, abstract and plain Gradus Carpet designs. Use in conjunction with Gradus Wall Protection, Barrier Matting, Stair Edgings and LED Lighting for a complete solution that allows flexibility in designing zones.
Sustainable & Cost Effective
With the planet at crisis point, sustainable specifying that doesn’t cost the Earth is possible. A wide range of Gerflor & Gradus products contain recycled material as standard, for no extra cost.
Gradus aluminium Stair Edgings contain 70% recycled material and selected PVC products contain PVC sourced from production waste.
Selected Carpet and Matting ranges are manufactured using ECONYL® Regenerated Solution Dyed Nylon which is produced using nylon waste which is recovered from oceans and landfills. Selected Carpet ranges also have Bitumen backing that contains 75% recycled material.
Gerflor Creation LVT ranges contain up to 55% recycled content and DLW Linoleum is manufactured from 98% natural materials.
Gerflor & Gradus are committed to reducing their Carbon Footprint with milestone targets set for 2025. Visit www.gerflor.com and www.gradus.com to view their CSR Reports for detailed information. We Care. We Act.
Summary
Whether it’s a Sports Hall or Library, Gerflor & Gradus have durable products that go beyond aesthetics to help create an environment that is inspiring, safe, sustainable and durable. To discuss your Education project, contact Gerflor & Gradus on 01625 428922 or alternatively, email contractuk@gerflor.com or imail@gradus.com
