Jamie Sandford was the Owner and Chief Editor of Home Flooring Pros. After 12 years’ experience in screen and stage set construction, followed by a further 15 years working in the home renovation and remodeling business, he now writes and curates online home improvement advice.
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Foam flooring is certainly cheaper than rubber flooring but foam tiles can’t really compete when it comes to performance and durability. Foam tiles work well for low impact exercise and playrooms but under perform for a serious home gym.
For homeowners looking at options for a home gym, garage or children’s play area, rubber flooring has a lot to offer in terms of quick installation, easy cleaning and maintenance and low/affordable pricing as opposed to just adding a hard epoxy flooring.
The average total cost ranges from $9 to $20 per square foot.
The average total cost for carpet ranges from $5.67 to over $21 per square foot, depending on the quality.
The average total cost for laminate flooring is between $3 to $13 per square foot.
In this post we wanted to look more closely at the differences between true rubber flooring and foam flooring. Often these two types of flooring are lumped together under the heading of “rubber flooring” but they each have very different qualities and different applications. So let’s focus here on foam tile flooring and look at its characteristics and best uses.
While similar, these flooring materials have important differences. The right choice for you is the one that is best suited for the demands you’ll place on your flooring.
Foam flooring advantages: This material is also called foam rubber flooring and EVA flooring and typically comes in large interlocking tiles. You’ll be happy with a foam floor if you want one that is:
Rubber has been a prized material for centuries, and it makes sense today for a wide range of applications because it is:
What is foam flooring used for, what are your options and what does foam flooring cost? Here are answers based on where it is installed most and the type of foam most often used in each area:
The cost of foam flooring varies by the type. Rolls are available in a wider choice of thicknesses than tiles, so the cost for premium products are higher. Here are your options and the cost of foam flooring:
When debating rubber flooring versus foam flooring, consider the weight of those that will spend the most time on the floor, the equipment to be placed on it and the intensity of the activity the floor will endure.
Rubber is the best choice for durability when impact isn’t a major factor; foam is preferred for young children and when softness is the highest priority. Durability versus softness – that’s what the rubber flooring versus foam flooring debate comes down to for many shoppers.
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