What Are the 10 Best Questions to Ask?
1. What activities will take place on the floor?
Different sports and activities require different surfaces. At Horner, we know that your biggest investment is in your athlete. We aim to provide the best-fitting resources to help them compete at the highest level. When considering a new floor, be sure to identify WHO will be using the floor. From basketball to dance, we provide systems for every need.
Another important consideration is the kind of equipment that will be used on the floor. Equipment includes bleachers, backstops, portable hoops, media tables, and more. Knowing your intended level of wear-and-tear will help us hand-pick the best flooring options for you. This also tells us what maintenance you will require in the future. Horner doesn’t just deliver a product…we are a service. This means that we are here to help you through the entirety of the floor’s life. Contact us to learn more about our Cleaning and Maintenance Program.
2. What subfloor system will best suit the activities?
By identifying possible activities that will take place on your new floor, we can steer you in the right direction of the best system. Here are some trends we’ve noticed…
- Basketball: The most common sub-floor is the 2-panel system. Some things to consider are levels of fatigue and stress on the court, consistent ball-bounce, and vibration.
- Volleyball: With the same general wear-and-tear, we promote systems similar to that of basketball. In addition to the flooring characteristics we look at for basketball courts, we identify ways to maximize players’ verticals while minimizing injury that occurs more often on harder surfaces. We do this using different padding, which affects the hardness of the floor.
- Racquetball: These courts tend to be a mix of components of both basketball and volleyball courts. Because there is less space to stop momentum, it’s important to achieve the right level of traction for these surfaces. This is done through the application of a finish to increase friction, reduce slipperiness, and increase overall performance.
3. What type of environment will the gym be in?
What amount of moisture will the floor encounter? Depending on the geographic location and air quality control, there could be substantial differences in relative humidity.
Floors are installed to account for these changes as the maple expands and contracts from the humidity level.
Building architects are expected to provide MFMA-approved conditions for wood floors by looking at existing conditions and the possibility of future moisture problems. If post-consumer recycled materials, sustainably harvested hardwood, and plywood are necessary for your new floor, make sure the gym floor contractor is aware.
You can often get a quality sustainable product and make eco-friendly choices even without a LEED certified floor. Also, when evaluating green choices, consider a water-based finish to reduce the BOC content. Some state and local laws limit BOC amounts.
4. How important are sustainability and green building?
In the field of sports flooring, a critical design decision brought to the forefront by Horner and USGC is to choose wood material harvested from sustainable forest land – but another critical sustainability question comes into play when specifying a particular cut of maple.
At Horner we believe the intention of sustainable design is to “eliminate negative environmental impact completely through skillful, sensitive design”. (see Wikipedia) To us this means choosing a sports maple design which consumes the least amount of trees possible while maximizing the maple trees resource to the greatest benefit of both design professional and owner. Subfloors can be made in part with post-consumer recycled materials, combined with sustainably harvested hardwood and plywood.
5. What grade of maple should be specified?
Choosing a grade of maple is based solely on aesthetic appearance. It has no effect on playability.
- First grade maple is the lightest in color with a clean, consistent look.
- Second grade maple is a bit darker with a few more imperfections (such as knots or mineral stains). This is the most common grade used for gym floors.
- Third grade maple is the darkest color and has more knots and mineral stains.
If you ask any manufacturer, they will tell you the quality will be the same whether you get first, second or third grade maple. They will all perform equally, so it is simply for your aesthetic preferences.
6. What kind of finish should be specified?
The finishing choice depends on personal preference
- Oil-based finishes: color will amber as the floor ages
- Water-based finishes: maintain a clearer shade
The MFMA has a list of approved sealers and finishes. Be sure to consider the regulations of your area in the country, particularly for VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content. Oil-based finishes are higher in VOC content than water-based finishes. Finishes with lower or zero VOC content are better for the environment, but ultimately, the choice depends on your needs.
7. When should game lines and graphics be considered?
Game lines and graphics should be considered right away. They are an essential part of choosing and making a new hardwood floor, because they will determine the future uses of the floor. Here’s our quick tips:
- The best time to apply game lines is during the installation of the floor
- Taping a floor can pose injury to athletes if it creates a slippery area, and can also damage the floor finish upon removal
- It is important to remember that there are different game markings for NBA, college, and high school basketball
8. What are the terms of maintenance?
Maintaining a floor is crucial and will essentially protect the investment in the floor. Daily dust mopping is highly recommended, along with regular cleanings with an approved solution. As weather changes, watch for leakage, and ensure that proper heating/cooling systems are in place. If you live in an especially humid area, we will help you pick the proper system to allow for extra expansion.
On a yearly basis, the floor should be screened and recoated. Approximately every seven to ten years, depending on the usage, the floor will need to be sanded down, resealed, repainted, and refinished. Contact us with any questions about taking care of your Horner floor.
9. Who should install the floor?
The MFMA has a list of accredited installers on their webpage. Each of these installers and flooring manufacturers are evaluated every two years. These tests ensure that the installation recommendations are being followed.
10. Can the performance of the floor be assured?
There are multiple sets of flooring standards and guidelines.
At Horner, we have several DIN floors known as our Performance Systems. DIN standards measure the following performance characteristics:
- Shock absorption
- Vertical deflection
- Deflective indentation
- Ball bounce
- Friction
- Rolling load
Quality assurance is always a priority. Contact us with any questions regarding our warranty or DIN-compliant floors.
