Knowledge Base

Dec 02 2024

Extending the Life of Wood Flooring

Walking the Environmental Talk

Calling yourself an “Ecologically responsible flooring company” and actually living out that claim, are two, totally different things. To be an ecologically responsible flooring company, you need to provide innovative products that protect the environment.

What is Long Life ™ Flooring?

Horner Sports Flooring’s Long Life™ or L2 flooring option is just one product that proves our commitment to the environment. Long Life flooring provides the wear depth of 1 inch thick flooring (33/32”) in a ¾” (25/32”) flooring. So it not only provides an extended life floor, it does so using 25% less wood. This is accomplished by moving the tongue and groove lower in the profile and reducing them in size slightly. This can be done because modern milling techniques allow for more precise cutting and shaping. With more and more lumber mills providing less rough cut lumber over 1 inch, the availability and cost of raw material for 33/23” flooring is increasingly scarce and expensive. But with L2 you don’t’ need to spend up to get all the benefits of 33/32” flooring. The graphic below show how this is possible:

What are the Benefits of Long Life ™ Flooring?

With Long Life ™, you get an additional 3-4 sandings over the life of your floor. Under normal maintenance schedules, this can be 15-20 years, or more, of additional life. These benefits are available on nearly every Horner system that uses 25/32” flooring. That list includes nearly all systems. So if you are looking at replacing an old floor or are flooring a new facility, ask your architect to specify L2 – Long Life ™ wood flooring from Horner Sports Flooring and reap the benefits long into the future. In addition, you will be doing your part to use our natural resources responsibly.

Frequently asked Questions:

Q: Does using a smaller tongue and groove compromise the strength of the floor?
A: No. If Long Life™ flooring is properly installed and the environment maintained, it will perform like a 25/32″ floor with the life of a 33/32” floor.

Q: Are there special nailing requirements or special tools needed to install this flooring?
A: No. Standard methods and materials may be used.

Q: Are there any additional environmental credits available if I install this flooring?
A: None at this time. However, we strongly recommend submitting for a LEED Innovation & Design Process Credit, as this floor embodies the credit’s stated goal to recognize new technologies for their innovative building features and sustainable building techniques, not currently addressed by existing LEED Credits

Q: Can I mix Long Life flooring with standard 25/32” flooring?
A: Long Life ™ flooring cannot be mixed with standard tongue and groove flooring. That means it is not suited for repairs or patching standard wood floors.

If you have any questions about Horner Sports Flooring’s Long Life (TM) flooring option, contact us today.

Nov 11 2024

Horner Sports Flooring Celebrates 50 Years of ProKing® Portable Basketball Floors

50 years of ProKing® Portable Basketball Floors

Basketball Floor for Chicago Bulls at United Center

Basketball Floor for Raptors at Scotiabank Arena

Basketball Floor at Clipper Staples Center

USA Basketball Showcase Floor by Horner Sports Flooring - Abu Dhabi

Wide image showing the 2016 All-Star basketball court and air canada centre scoreboard used to highlight floors on the decision maker page.

Wide image from above showing LA clippers basketball court, staples center arena, and scoreboard used to highlight floors on the decision maker page.

image of the basketball court at the Madrid BBVA used to highlight floors on the decision maker page

Wide image looking down on the basketball hall of fame basketball court used to highlight floors on the decision maker page.

Horner Sports Flooring is proud to announce the 50th anniversary of its iconic ProKing® portable basketball floor. For half a century, ProKing® has been the benchmark for portable hardwood sports flooring systems, providing athletes and spectators with a durable, reliable, and performance-enhancing playing surface.

Introduced in 1974, ProKing® revolutionized the way portable basketball floors were designed and manufactured. Its innovative features, including lightweight, interlocking panels and easy, installation, requiring no tools or loose parts, set a new standard for portable floors. ProKing became a game-changer for colleges, professional sports organizations and especially venue managers. ProKing’s unique design allows for the shortest conversion time in the sports industry, meaning a basketball game can be played on the same day as another event, such as hockey. ProKing® floors have been used in countless tournaments, championships, and televised games, consistently delivering exceptional performance and durability.

The ProKing® portable basketball floor played an instrumental role in the growth of basketball as a world wide sport. Having the ability to pack a full size, professional level court into shipping containers, ship it to a country anywhere in the world and put on a demonstration game was huge. The court made its way to several countries as the floor of choice for The Summer Olympic Games. It was often deployed to military bases and was occasionally setup outside for games. As American products go, the ProKing® floor has lead a storied life.

At home, in the United States, The ProKing® portable basketball floor was underfoot for nearly every superstar that has played the game in the last 5 decades. It was the floor in use for most of the iconic moments in the sport. If there was a memorable event that happened in basketball, there is a very good chance it happened on a ProKing® floor.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ProKing®,” said Doug Hamar, President and CEO of Horner Sports Flooring. “This milestone is a testament to the quality, innovation, reliability and the industry’s acceptance of our products. ProKing® has been a cornerstone of our business for decades, and we are committed to continuing to provide our customers with the best possible flooring solutions.”

Oct 22 2024

The Superior Dome Showdown Honoring Tom Izzo

Celebrating Basketball at The Superior Dome in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

It’s a moment decades in the making. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo, who has cemented his legacy at Michigan State, returned to his alma mater, Northern Michigan University, for one of the greatest honors in sports—a jersey retirement ceremony. On this special occasion, the Wildcats immortalized the coach’s incredible journey from a small-town player to a legendary figure in the world of college basketball.

The Superior Dome Showdown, a game between Northern Michigan and Michigan State basketball, may have been the largest sporting event ever held in the Upper Peninsula. But there’s more to this event than just Izzo’s celebrated return.

Superior Dome Showdown view from rafters — Superior Dome Copyright 2024 – Northern Michigan University

The game took place on a specially crafted court made by Horner Flooring, a company deeply tied to Michigan’s history of basketball. The combination of these elements—a hometown hero and a locally crafted court—brings the entire event full circle.

Tom Izzo's Wildcat Roots

Before his days of leading Michigan State to multiple Final Fours and a national championship, Izzo was a standout player at Northern Michigan University in the 1970s. He played guard for the Wildcats from 1973 to 1977, where his work ethic and leadership skills became apparent.

Superior Dome Showdown - Tom Izzo — Tom Izzo – Photo Copyright 2024, Northern Michigan University Athletics

Though he found greater fame on the sidelines, guiding Michigan State’s Spartans to basketball prominence, those formative years in Marquette laid the foundation for his coaching philosophy—one rooted in hard work, loyalty, and grit.

It’s fitting, then, that NMU retired Izzo’s jersey. This honor highlights the deep bond between Izzo and the Northern Michigan community, a bond that has only grown stronger over the years despite his many accomplishments in East Lansing.

Horner Flooring: A Special Touch for a Special Night

To make the evening at the Superior Dome even more memorable, Horner Flooring, a company based in Dollar Bay, Michigan, crafted the custom hardwood court that was used during the event. Horner is renowned for producing top-tier basketball floors, with its products used in NBA arenas and college gyms across the country. Known for precision craftsmanship and durability, Horner’s floors provide the perfect foundation for players to perform at their best.

The pristine hardwood will not only serve as the stage for Izzo’s jersey retirement but also as a tribute to the legacy of basketball in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s a fitting contribution from a company that, like Izzo, has Michigan roots and a national reputation.

A Historic Night for the Northern Michigan University Community

As Tom Izzo stepped onto that custom Horner Flooring court for his jersey retirement ceremony, it marked a full-circle moment for the coach, the university, and the Upper Peninsula. It’s not just a celebration of one man’s career, but a recognition of how basketball and local craftsmanship are intertwined in Michigan’s culture.

For Michigan State and NMU students, fans, and basketball enthusiasts, this night at the Superior Dome was one to remember—a hometown hero returning to the place where his journey began, honored in the most fitting way possible: with his number retired on a court made by local artisans.

Oct 09 2024

How to Clean Wood Sports Flooring

A Clean Wood Sports Floor is a Safe Floor

Perhaps the most important characteristic of a sports floor is traction, also known as coefficient of friction. In professional sports, this one quality of a floor can mean the difference between a multi-million dollar per year athlete playing or sitting out a season. So its critically important to get your cleaning program dialed in.

Floor Finish and Shoes

There a four main elements that determine the coefficient of friction between the floor and the athlete.

The floor finish
Dirt or dust on the floor
The sole of the shoe
Dirt or dust on the shoe’s sole

Floor finishes have undergone extensive testing at the professional level and there are only a handfull of approved finishes. These include both water based and oil modified polyurethane products. These approved products will occasionally change, so check with your flooring professional for current approved finishes.

Dirt, dust and sweat are a constant problem for sports floors and represent a real threat to an athlete’s safety. Loss of traction can lead to injuries and lost playing time. Keeping the floor clean and dry is an important job that is taken seriously by the league and players alike.

Known as “The Chirp”, it is the squeak that happens between a player’s shoe and the floor. The chirp is an audible indication that all is well when it comes to traction.

"The Chirp"

In this short clip from NBA Summer League, you can clearly hear the chirp coming from the player’s shoes and the Horner Sports Flooring’s ProKing® portable basketball floor. This indicates the floor is clean and dry, and the player’s shoe soles are also clean and dry.

To protect the finish and get a chirp clean floor there are a few rules, hints and tricks:

Never wax a floor. Never.
Never use harsh chemicals.
Never use abrasive cleaners or pads for routine cleanings.
Never wet mop a wood floor.
Dry mop using a clean, dry terry cloth towel or micro-fiber cloth.
If cleaning heavy dust or dirt, use a damp towel that leaves no water behind.
Dry mop the entire floor just before competition.
Always clean a portable floor after assembly and just before competition. (it is a good idea to give it a quick dusting before storing as well)

Daily

Daily dust moping is also highly recommended, as doing so won’t allow dust to settle onto the floor.

Yearly

On a yearly basis, the floor should be professionally screened and re-coated if necessary.

Long Term

Approximately every 7 to 10 years (depending on the usage of the floor) the floor should be sanded, sealed, painted, and finished by a trained professional. This will help to further protect your investment in the floor and prolong the life of your floor.

There is no substitute for a clean wood sports floor. Following these few instructions will help ensure your floor is safe for play and protected from unnecessary ware and tear.

Sep 26 2024

A Flooring Showdown in the WNBA Playoffs

The Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun

September 29, 2024

As the WNBA playoffs heat up, basketball fans are buzzing with excitement for the upcoming clash between the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun on September 29th at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. This matchup isn’t just significant for the teams and their dedicated fans—it also highlights a unique connection between them and their basketball floors. Both teams have built their seasons on floors expertly crafted by Horner Sports Flooring.

A Unique Connection: Horner Flooring and the WNBA

While the teams take center stage, it’s essential to recognize the behind-the-scenes craftsmanship that sets the stage for their performances. Both the Lynx and Sun play on a ProKing® portable basketball floor made by Horner Sports Flooring, a company based in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, renowned for its high-quality sports flooring solutions. This partnership ensures that both teams have the best possible playing surface, contributing to optimal performance, player safety and fan satisfaction.

Horner Sports Flooring’s commitment to excellence is reflected in the unique artwork tailored for each team. The vibrant colors and team logos not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the courts but also create an atmosphere that energizes players and fans alike. Whether it’s the Lynx’s distinctive blue and green or the Sun’s bold orange and yellow, the floors are a canvas showcasing team spirit and pride. A floor’s artwork is also the team’s most powerful branding tool, boldly displaying the team’s logo.

The Impact of Quality Flooring

High-quality flooring is crucial in professional sports, particularly in basketball, where agility and precision are key. Horner Flooring utilizes advanced technology and materials to create surfaces that provide optimal traction and cushioning. This means players can perform at their best, making sharp cuts, explosive jumps, and quick pivots knowing the risk of injury has been minimized.

As the Lynx and Sun prepare to battle it out, their players can trust that the court beneath them will support their athletic prowess. The synergy between the players and their flooring plays a significant role in the outcome of the game. Each dribble, pass, and shot will be executed on a surface that’s designed to meet the high demands of professional competition and to meet all the specifications mandated by basketball’s governing bodies.

What to Expect on Game Day

Fans can anticipate a thrilling game filled with intense action, strategic plays, and perhaps a few highlight-reel moments. Both teams will bring their A-game, fueled not only by their competitive spirit but also by the pride of representing their respective brands on a Horner designed floor.

As the countdown to September 29th begins, the anticipation builds—not just for the game itself but for the unique story lines that intertwine the teams, their fans and the basketball courts. The Lynx and Sun will face off in an epic battle of skill and determination, all while competing on a quality floor that plays a vital role in their performance.