Rolls

RFS Recycled Rubber Rolls are a durable, resilient and eco-friendly flooring option made from recycled tires and other recycled rubber materials. Rubber Rolls are the most popular and cost-effective flooring choice for covering large, open areas with a seamless, professional appearance. 

Common Applications for Recycled Rubber Roll Flooring

No matter your application, RFS has high-performance recycled rubber roll products in various thicknesses to match your specific flooring need.   

Home gyms: Rubber rolls that are 6mm (1/4”) or 8mm (5/16”) thick are the most popular for exercise spaces that are used for flexibility training, bodyweight exercising and low to moderate weight training. Other common flooring applications include: dog kennels, basements, garages, and kid’s playrooms.

• RFS ¼” (6mm) Rubber Rolls

• RFS 5/16” (8mm) Rubber Rolls

Commercial gyms: Rubber rolls that are 9mm (3/8”) thick are the gold standard for commercial gyms and fitness centers. These high-traffic spaces require long-lasting, durable rubber to withstand daily wear and to absorb continuous impact from heavy weights. Other common flooring applications include: home gyms, locker rooms, healthcare facilities and office spaces 

• RFS 3/8” (9mm) Rubber Rolls

Powerlifting/Cross training environments: Rubber rolls that are 12mm (1/2”) thick are required for maximum subfloor protection from extra-heavy weight impact. Our thickest rubber flooring provides superior comfort for high-intensity cross training. Other common flooring applications include: bodybuilding gyms, Olympic training facilities and horse stalls

• RFS 1/2” (12mm) Rubber Rolls

Pros and Cons of Recycled Rubber Rolls

Recycled Rubber Rolls have all of the desirable features and value you look for in a durable flooring product; however, there are some minor downsides you should consider when choosing rubber rolls.

Pros of Recycled Rubber Rolls

High durability and resilience: Made exclusively from resilient tire rubber, rolls can withstand heavy foot traffic in commercial gyms and fitness equipment in weight rooms. 

Exceptional shock absorption: Dense rubber material absorbs the impact of dropped weights, protecting your subfloor, equipment, and your body joints. RFS offers different thicknesses for light, medium and heavy-duty applications.

Slip-resistant: The unique surface texture of recycled rubber provides reliable traction and is slip-resistant when wet. Rubber rolls will help prevent slips and falls in your space.

Sound & vibration dampening:Recycled rubber is excellent at dampening noise and vibration from dropped weights or workout equipment. The dense rubber also helps reduce footfall and airborne noise between rooms.

Water- & mold/mildew-resistant: Recycled rubber does not absorb water and is naturally resistant to mold and mildew. Its water-resistant properties make rubber rolls and excellent choice for areas prone to dampness, such as gyms, basements and outdoor spaces.

Eco-friendly: Recycled rubber rolls are made from recycled materials and prevents non-biodegradable vehicle tires from landfills. Recycled rubber flooring can also be recycled at the end of its life. 

Cost-effective for large spaces: Rubber rolls are ideal for large, open spaces and more economical than interlocking rubber tiles.

Seamless appearance: The large coverage area of rubber rolls provides a sleek, nearly seamless surface for a professional look. It is also easier to clean than a floor with many seams. 

Low maintenance: Rubber flooring is easy to clean. Simply vacuum, mop the floor with a pH-neutral cleaner and allow the rubber to air dry.  

Cons of Recycled Rubber Rolls

More difficult to install: Rubber rolls are heavy to handle and can make installation difficult for a single person to install with or without adhesive. Rubber tiles are more manageable for DIY installations.

Minor odor: Recycled rubber flooring does have a distinct odor when first installed. The smell will dissipate over time and through routine cleaning. Create airflow in your space by opening windows and doors or use a box fan to help circulate air in the room.

Vulnerable to oil and UV: Although recycled rubber rolls can be used in outdoor spaces – including garages – auto fluids, oil and grease can stain or damage the rubber. Color flecks can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight.  

Less durable than vulcanized rubber: Recycled rubber rolls are more porous and less dense than vulcanized rubber. Vulcanized rubber is more expensive and has a strong odor from the manufacturing process. 

Less insulation: Rubber flooring can help insulate a basement or garage floor depending on the thickness used. However, the dense material does transfer temperatures more easily than foam or other less dense materials. 

Recycled Rubber Rolls -vs- Recycled Rubber Tiles

Recycled rubber flooring from RFS is available in rubber rolls or rubber tiles. When choosing the best rubber flooring for your space, it is helpful to understand the primary differences between rolls and tiles before making your selection. 

For a more in-depth review of rubber flooring options, read our Rubber 101 article on Rubber Rolls or Rubber Tiles. 

Recycled Rubber Roll Thicknesses

Recycled Rubber Rolls from RFS are available in a variety of thicknesses. The rubber thickness you select for your space is one of the most important decisions for protecting your subfloor and matching the rubber durability to your specific activity. 

6mm (1/4”) – Commonly used for home gyms where flexibility/body weight exercises and lightweight equipment is primarily used. Not recommended for use with moderate to heavy weights.

8mm (5/16”) – Most popular thickness for home gyms and suitable for moderate weight impact (10-45 lbs). Not recommended for use with heavy weights. 

9mm (3/8”) – Provides greater floor protection from heavy weights (45-75 lbs). Commonly used in commercial gyms, fitness centers and CrossFit rooms. 

12mm (1/2”) – Maximum durability and protection from extra-heavy weights (75-100 lbs) and extreme fitness programs such as powerlifting, barbell complexes and CrossFit.

For a more complete review of RFS rubber thicknesses, check out our Rubber 101 article on Choosing Your Rubber Thickness. 

Rubber Roll Flooring Installation

Installing rubber rolls yourself as a DIY project will take some effort due to the heavy weight of each roll. A second person for handling and placement will make your installation go much smoother. Permanent installations that use floor adhesive may require a professional installer.

Depending on your rubber flooring performance needs and space, there are three primary installation options to consider:

Loose Lay Installation

This is the easiest method to install rubber roll flooring. Rubber rolls are unrolled and placed on the subfloor. The heavy weight of the rubber typically keeps it in place. Loose lay installations are ideal for temporary flooring, smaller spaces, or when you need to move the flooring later. This form of installation is not recommended for high-traffic areas or where the rubber needs to remain perfectly flat at all times. 

Double-sided Adhesive Tape Installation

This cost-effective method is an easy way to provide extra stability to your rubber flooring where a more permanent bond is not required. Double-sided adhesive tape is used around the perimeter of the room and along the seams between the rolls.  Adhesive tape provides more security than loose laying and is still removable. This DIY install option is most common for active home gyms or even renters. 

Polyurethane Adhesive Installation

For permanent installations, the use of a special polyurethane adhesive is used to bond the rubber flooring to the subfloor. This method requires applying the adhesive to sections of the subfloor using a notched trowel and laying the rubber into the wet adhesive. A heavy roller is used over the rubber to ensure full contact and proper adhesion. Due to the complexity of this installation option, a professional installer is highly recommended. Permanent installations are most commonly used in high-traffic commercial spaces.

How to Clean Rubber Flooring

The easiest part about adding rubber flooring to your space is the cleaning and maintenance! 

Recycled rubber flooring is extremely durable and does not require a lot of maintenance once it is installed. Routine cleaning is as simple as using a vacuum and a damp mop.

Follow these general steps for keeping your rubber flooring in top shape: 

Vacuum the floor: Use an upright vacuum to remove loose dirt, dust and debris from the rubber surface. Adjust the vacuum brush height so it does not scratch the rubber. 

Mop the floor: Use a pH-neutral floor cleaner with warm water to wash and sanitize the rubber.

Apply the cleaning solution using a microfiber mop. Avoid applying too much liquid as excessive moisture can seep into the seams and saturate the subfloor. Depending on the floor cleaner, such as mild dish soap, you may need to rinse the floor thoroughly with a clean mop and plain water to remove any residue.  

Air dry the floor: Allow the rubber flooring to air dry completely before walking on it. Open windows/doors in the room to help circulate air or use a box fan to promote air flow.  

Additional cleaning tips to keep in mind for maintaining your rubber flooring: 

Avoid harsh cleaners: Never use acidic (vinegar or lemon juice), alkaline (ammonia or bleach), oil-based products (Pine-Sol, Murphy’s Oil Soap, WD40) or abrasive tools (steel wool or scouring pads) on rubber. These products can damage the rubber flooring over time. 

Spot clean tough stains immediately: Use a soft nylon scrub brush or microfiber cloth to clean the stain on the rubber surface. A mild dish soap and warm water mixture may be all that is required to work the stain free.  

Never saturate rubber flooring: Avoid using excessive cleaning solution on your floor. Liquid can seep through the seams and damage the subfloor. Wooden subfloors can swell and potentially rot. This can lead to harmful mold growth.

Check out our Rubber 101 article Is Rubber Flooring Easy to Clean for more cleaning tips.