When building or renovating a gymnasium, it’s fun to dream about what it will look like when finished, how comfortable it will be, and what sort of activities and sports it will host. But after you settle on the colors, logo graphics, and materials, you arrive at the more difficult question: what will it all cost?
The true cost of gym flooring is more complex than a number on a material invoice. That’s why understanding the less obvious costs is essential to making good decisions. Here are three basic considerations that offer important context when evaluating sports flooring cost:
- The initial cost is not the total cost of ownership. Flooring materials require different amounts of maintenance. For example, wood floors require periodic sanding and refinishing. Estimate what maintaining the floor will cost upfront.
- Is it really a sports floor? Many of the cheapest floors that unfortunately end up in gyms are not actually sports floors. Carpet and VCT fall in this category. Don’t be tempted to cut corners on cost at the expense of safety. Consider an AIA course if you are unsure about what constitutes a true sports floor.
- What’s underneath the floor counts too. Especially in renovations, the condition of the subfloor affects the overall project cost. If concrete moisture must be mitigated with an underlayment or other methods, the total cost of flooring will increase.
Of course, the worst kind of costs are those you don’t expect. These considerations are meant to start a conversation about true costs. If you want more information about gym flooring costs, check out this article.