Hello scdesign,
Thank you for your question. I've tried my best to answer each of my
questions, and my sources are listed at the conclusion of my answer.
Good luck with the hotel!
--Which is more slip-resistant?
Rubber is just about the most slip-resistant flooring available.
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--Which absorbs sound better?
Rubber will absorb sound better. It is known for this quality and is
often used in gymnasiums because of it.
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--Which is more flammable?
Rubber is more flammable. Warnings are given when rubber is installed
that it is a flammable surface.
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--Which has more off-gassing?
Linoleum floors experience less VOC (volatile organic compounds)
emission than rubber flooring. Linoleim has off-gassing due to its
inherent linseed oils, but rubber has a distinctive odor that is a
turnoff to some people. Still, it has a low emission of toxins.
Rubber can also be installed without adhesives, which lessens toxic
emissions.
For both types of floor, installers may add a polyurethane layer to
the top upon installation, which can greatly add to the VOC content
emitted from either type of floor. If you're truly worried about
VOCs, do not allow any type of polyurethane (the layer is used to
prevent scuffing).
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--For rolls of each product (i.e., not tiles): is one better at hiding
seams than the other?
Rubber can be installed without seams, and that is why many people
choose it over linoleum.
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--How durable/how long will each one last?
Rubber can last the life of a building, according to the Asthma
Regional Council of New England. Rubber can also have a lasting odor
for quite a long time, which is not harmful but still unwanted.
Linoleum will have to be replaced much more often, although it does
have a pattern that continues to the other side of the flooring and
helps prevent wear and tear from showing, so it is a better choice
than vinyl flooring would be.
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--How easy is each to maintain?
Both rubber and linoleum are easy to clean. Rubber is probably more
environmentally friendly because it does not need any type of harsh
cleaning product; linoleum does not even need water and benefits from
dry cleaning.
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--Is one more environmentally friendly than the other? (Not just in
terms of the product materials, but please consider the overall
life-cycle cost as much as possible).
Rubber is probably more environmentally friendly in this case. Much
rubber is recycled from tires and and the process is relatively
efficient. When the rubber is pulled up, it can be completely
recycled.
Sources:
Asthma Regional Council of New England
"Health Considerations
When Choosing
School Flooring"
Google cache:
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:MkpOW_MqV_AJ:www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org/documents/Flooringfactsheetfinal.doc+rubber+vs+linoleum+floor&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=6&client=firefox-a
Green Home Guide
"Navigating the Flooring Thicket: Find the Greenest Way to Meet Your Needs"
http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/knowhow/entry/802/
Flooring
http://www.globalgreen.org/pha-energytoolbox/tech_flooring.htm
School of Planning and Management
http://www.peterli.com/archive/spm/1144.shtm
Search terms:
linoleum rubber flooring
If you need any additional clarification, let me know and I'll be glad
to assist you.
--keystroke-ga |
