Here at The Ohio Floor Company, we can supply you with any type of gym floor system. Strip maple hardwood, portable hardwood, and synthetic floor systems. Each has its place in the gym floor world, but when it comes to your main competition floor maple hardwood is still the king.
Synthetic floor systems have their place and are the perfect choice for a multipurpose space. They work great in a community center, YMCA, or high school fieldhouse. They are also great options for elementary schools; places where the gym is used for more than just basketball and volleyball games.
A synthetic floor stands up to the wear and tear these multipurpose spaces take. They are easy to clean and do not require the yearly maintenance that hardwood floors need. But they are not the best choice when it comes to competition floors.
Maple flooring rates very high on the Janka Hardness Scale, which gives it the ability to be a long-lasting investment. Even though it is one of the hardest woods, maple flooring has the following key performance features that help set it apart from other gym floor surfaces.
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- Shock Absorption – The shock absorption properties of hardwood make it perfect for the athlete in sports like basketball, volleyball, dance, and aerobic training. Due to the shock absorption athletes will be more comfortable while practicing or playing in games. There is no direct evidence that proves hardwood floors prevent injury. However, it is a fact that a surface with good shock absorption helps prevent player fatigue. Shock absorption helps an athlete's joints which in turn will lead to better comfort and performance. A maple gym floor built on a good subfloor system will give you a consistent shock absorption playing surface.
- Ball Rebound – How a ball bounces off a floor is a major concern when it comes to a competition floor. A soft floor that would result in a lower vertical ball rebound is not ideal. A well-built maple floor will produce a minimum 93 percent ball rebound per The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association.
- Vertical Deflection – Vertical deflection is the measurement of how much downward movement a surface has at the point of impact by an athlete. For example, zero deflection occurs on a concrete floor. In contrast, a deflection of several inches will occur if an athlete is jumping on a trampoline. Like shock absorption, the vertical deflection of maple hardwood is perfect for the athlete. It makes the playing surface more stable creating a safe comfortable playing surface.
- Surface Friction – The finish used on maple hardwood floors play a big part in making maple hardwood floors the King. Athletes need there to be the proper surface friction on a floor to keep them safe and give them the ability to perform at a high level. A surface that is too slippery can make cutting and stopping difficult. This will put the athlete at risk for injury and make playing at a high level almost impossible. In contrast a surface that is too sticky poses the danger of an athlete's feet gripping the playing surface too well which will put them at a higher risk of knee and ankle injuries. The finishes used to coat the surface, when applied properly, produce the perfect surface friction. Help the athlete to stay safe and perform at peak levels.
As you can see from the information spelled out above maple flooring is the best surface for your competition facility. It is a flooring system that will last, looks great, helps keep your athletes safe and performing at a high level.