Sealed vs Unsealed Rubber Flooring: What Should You Specify?

What is the difference between sealed and unsealed rubber flooring?

REGUPOL everroll is naturally porous to an extent. When the flooring is left unsealed, dirt, sweat and other contaminants can work into the surface over time. This does not prevent the flooring from being cleaned, but it means that the cleaning and maintenance regime needs to account for the characteristics of the unsealed surface.

A penetrating sealer works by closing these surface pores, creating a surface that is easier to maintain through routine cleaning.
REGUPOL PUR 21-306 is a water-based polyurethane sealer specifically developed for REGUPOL everroll rubber flooring. It is applied as a two-coat system and produces a matt finish.

Is sealed rubber flooring easier to clean?

Yes. Sealing REGUPOL rubber flooring can make routine cleaning significantly easier by reducing the amount of dirt and contaminants that can penetrate the surface.

Unsealed REGUPOL flooring requires a more intensive maintenance regime. Because of the porosity of the surface, dirt and contaminants can become embedded and periodic cleaning may require mechanical cleaning equipment such as a rotary scrubbing machine.

Sealing closes the surface pores and reduces this ingress. Routine maintenance can therefore be simpler, with regular mopping generally able to play a much greater role in maintaining the floor. This can be particularly important in facilities where flooring is exposed to sweat, dirt and frequent foot traffic, such as gyms and fitness facilities.

What about hygiene?
It goes without saying that cleaning and hygiene are closely related considerations. Where sweat, dirt and other contaminants are regularly introduced to the floor, reducing their ability to enter the surface can make it easier to maintain an appropriate cleaning regime.

Does sealing rubber flooring affect slip resistance?

Yes. Applying a sealer can change the slip-resistance classification of REGUPOL rubber flooring under the AS 4586 wet pendulum test; however, where a higher slip-resistance classification is required, an additive can be incorporated into the sealer to help achieve the required rating. 

According to ABS West's technical experience, REGUPOL everroll classic can achieve a P5 slip-resistance classification when unsealed and P4 when sealed, while everroll ultimate can achieve P4 when unsealed and P2 when sealed.

Where a sealed floor needs to achieve P5, a silica bead additive can be incorporated into the sealer to increase the slip resistance of the finished surface. This means that the choice does not necessarily have to be between easy maintenance or higher slip resistance. The sealing system can potentially be adapted to meet the requirements of the application.

Slip resistance is just one part of the flooring specification. Before making a final decision, speak with an ABS West product expert to review the requirements of your specific application and ensure the flooring and sealing system are appropriately specified.

When should you consider sealing REGUPOL rubber flooring?

A sealed finish may be worth considering where ease of cleaning and maintenance is a high priority, particularly in facilities exposed to frequent foot traffic, sweat or dirt.

It may be particularly relevant where:

• routine cleaning needs to be straightforward;
• hygiene and ease of maintenance are important;
• the floor is likely to be exposed to dirt, sweat or other contaminants;
• access to specialist rotary cleaning equipment is limited;
• the slip-resistance classification of the selected REGUPOL flooring and sealing system meets the project requirements; or
  additional slip resistance can be incorporated into the sealing system using an appropriate additive, where required.

Slip-resistance performance varies between REGUPOL products and can change when a sealer is applied. The required classification should therefore be considered across the flooring and sealing system as a whole.

When should you consider leaving REGUPOL rubber flooring unsealed?

Leaving REGUPOL flooring unsealed may be preferable where the natural appearance and characteristics of the rubber surface are priorities, the unsealed product meets the required slip-resistance classification, and the facility can accommodate the appropriate cleaning regime.

For example, an unsealed finish may be considered where:

• the natural appearance of the rubber is preferred;
• retaining the intensity of coloured EPDM granules is important;
• minimising the visual prominence of joins is desirable;
• the selected unsealed flooring product achieves the slip-resistance classification required for the application; and
• appropriate equipment and procedures are available for maintaining an unsealed rubber floor.

Can previously sealed REGUPOL rubber flooring be resealed?

Yes. Once sealed, REGUPOL rubber flooring can be cleaned and resealed as required. Importantly, the existing REGUPOL sealer does not need to be stripped from the floor before a new application.

This can simplify ongoing maintenance compared with some traditional resilient flooring systems, including certain vinyl flooring systems, where the existing sealer may need to be stripped before a new coating is applied.

The appropriate frequency for resealing REGUPOL flooring will depend on factors such as the application, level of traffic, use and maintenance of the floor. There is no single recommended resealing interval that applies to every installation, so the condition of the floor and requirements of the facility should guide the maintenance approach.

What should you consider before choosing sealed or unsealed rubber flooring?

Before making the decision, consider these questions:

1. How will the floor be cleaned and maintained?
2. Will the flooring regularly be exposed to sweat, dirt or other contaminants?
3. How important is ease of routine cleaning and hygiene management?
4. What slip-resistance classification does the project require?
5. Is maintaining the original colour and appearance of the rubber important?
6. How acceptable will visible joins and natural surface variations be?
7. Is the flooring being installed in an indoor dry environment suitable for the sealing system? 
8. If the flooring is to be sealed, when should the sealer be applied within the construction program?

For commercial projects, these considerations are best addressed during specification rather than after the flooring has been installed.

So, should you seal REGUPOL rubber flooring?

It depends on the requirements of the project. Sealing can significantly simplify routine cleaning by closing the surface pores and reducing the ingress of dirt and contaminants. This can be particularly valuable where maintenance and hygiene are important.

Leaving the flooring unsealed retains its natural surface appearance and can provide higher inherent slip resistance in some REGUPOL flooring systems, but requires an appropriate cleaning and maintenance regime.

Where both easy maintenance and high slip resistance are required, a sealing system incorporating a slip-resistant additive may provide an appropriate solution.

Technical review

This article has been developed with technical input from the ABS West team, drawing on experience specifying and supplying REGUPOL flooring systems for commercial applications.