Page 20 - College Planning & Management, June 2018

Facilities CAMPUS SPACES
9-to-5 Flooring
Campus administrative and office areas have requirements for flooring that differ from academic, residence hall, athletics, and other facilities. Here’s what to consider for these working spaces.
indoor air quality characteristics are two other key points to consider. Brockman says new luxury vinyl tile (LVT) options with no-polish surfaces, vinyl as well as tile made from renewable ingredients, heterogeneous and homogeneous sheet products, and hardwood each can meet the needs of cam- pus offices and administrative areas with distinction, economy, and aesthetic appeal.
Vinyl composition tile is a frequent choice, says Interface’s Hadden, but requires waxing and wax strippers. LVT, on the other hand, requires less maintenance, but the key is that the LVT product prevents scuffing and reduces sound impact, as does a product with acoustic backing, according to Hadden. Additionally, carpet tile can pro- vide solutions for administrative spaces. He says carpet tile’s benefits include “reducing sound transmission, providing underfoot comfort, strengthening a campus’ brand- ing and design, and providing flexibility to update and refresh as needed.” He points out that such flooring can “improve sanita- tion, as stiff fibers can capture more than 90 percent of dirt and debris.”
Stanley at Tarkett says that while there are many things to consider for such spaces, “generally the criteria revolve around acoustics. Soft-surface flooring is the primary choice.” Yet, things are chang- ing, with “administrative areas now being blended into campus life,” he explains.
BY SCOTT BERMAN
CHOOSING FLOORING sys- tems for campus administrative spaces requires an adroit balance
of factors that include acoustics, function, budget, aesthetics, sustainability, and maintenance. Decision makers can have their hands full, particularly when consid- ering whether to go with hard surfaces or carpets for such spaces.
Finishes in high-profile administrative areas, whether at the university, college, or departmental level, are expected to reflect and exude a certain bearing, such as leader- ship of an institution. Still, these are working areas that must withstand plenty of traffic. Additionally, administrative areas are not monolithic, or solely an office for a president or dean, for instance, but also consist of sections for staff as well as for leadership, conference and meeting rooms, reception areas, and back-of-the-house spaces.
Three industry experts recently shared insights about this topic with College Plan- ning & Management: Robert Brockman, channel marketing manager at Armstrong
Flooring; Wendell Hadden, vice president of Education at Interface; and Jonathan Stanley, vice president, Education Strategic Accounts, at Tarkett North America.
Each addressed flooring for today’s campus administration areas and the best ways to respond. Attractive flooring comes in various forms, yet each material has pros and cons that need to be weighed.
Weighing Pros and Cons
For example, carpet is popular for such spaces, Armstrong’s Brockman acknowl- edges, but issues such as cleaning, water resistance, and durability point instead, in his view, to “resilient, non-fibrous, and stain-resistant flooring options.”
Brockman urges decision makers to con- sider factors such as: “Durable finishes that resist staining and protect against scuffs, scratches, and heavy foot traffic; colors and patterns that disguise scuffs,” and materials and finishes that resist “indentations from chairs, desks, and other heavy objects.” Additionally, a product’s sustainability and
20 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / JUNE 2018
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PHOTO S © ARMSTONG