Rubber floor rolls are often used to create resilient rubber flooring that offers superior surface protection and non-slip properties. Rubber flooring materials offer long-lasting applications in all settings, whether it be residential, commercial, or industrial, and will offer excellent indoor/outdoor versatility. Synthetic flooring can offer slightly enhanced properties compared to other variations of rubber; however, in general, a rubber floor cover will provide sufficient and effective protection against floor damage as well as dangerous slips, trips, and falls. In addition, rubber is a highly durable material that retains high tear strength and a low compression set which allows rubber flooring to remain intact even in the face of abrasive factors.

What is a Rubber Flooring Roll?

A rubber flooring roll is a long sheet of rubber used to create protective and non-slip resilient rubber flooring. Rubber is a very durable and reliable material that can provide long-lasting floor protection and non-slip safety. Rubber floor rolls are available in custom cut lengths of up to 50 consecutive feet. Due to their length, rubber floor rolls are ideal for covering larger wall to wall spaces due to the sizes they are available. In general, people install resilient rubber flooring to increase non-slip safety and provide surface protection for sensitive floors. Rubber naturally retains a grippy surface that can increase traction even in the presence of moisture. This means rubber flooring will not become slick even when moisture is present on its surface. Additionally, rubber floor rolls are used to provide surface protection to whatever surface it is installed. Case in point, “In addition to elastic properties, rubber has energy absorbing properties of a viscous liquid. The combination of viscous and elastic properties makes the rubber a unique material. In accordance with these unique properties, rubber is commonly used as shock and vibration absorber having elastic and viscous properties such as high inherent damping, deflection capacity, and energy storage” (journals.safepub.com). Rubber’s natural elasticity and flexibility allows it to efficiently absorb the force of impact and spread the energy of an impact evenly across the surface of the rubber’s surface to reduce the amount of damaging energy that reaches the subfloor. Rubber floor rolls can provide durable surface protection and non-slip safety in any setting whether it be residential.

• (a) What is Rubber Flooring Made of?

  Rubber flooring is made of durable post-consumer rubber or synthetic rubber variations. These rubber flooring materials will offer excellent durability in the face of damaging physical forces and harsh environmental factors. Post-consumer rubber, such as reclaimed and recycled rubber, are made of repurposed vehicle tires. Vehicle tires experience harsh weather conditions and abrasive terrains but can remain intact in the face of these conditions. Because of this, post-consumer rubbers are excellent outdoor materials that can stand up well against weathering and harsh terrains. Synthetic flooring will offer enhanced protection against damaging physical and environmental factors. For example, SBR, a common synthetic rubber material used to make rubber flooring, is a synthetic rubber that is comprised of styrene and butadiene monomers and, despite being a general-purpose rubber, offer excellent benefits, such as “abrasion resistance, perfect impact strength, good resilience, and high tensile strength” (omnexus.specialchem.com). Compared to natural rubber materials, synthetic flooring, such as those made of SBR, has enhanced strength and abrasion resistance making it a durable and reliable choice of material for flooring. Despite the slight difference in properties between the rubber materials, both post-consumer and synthetic rubber floor rolls will offer excellent impact absorption and non-slip traction.

  (b) Can Rubber Mats be Used Outside?

  Rubber mats can be used outside due to their resistance against damaging environmental factors, including UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and wet weather conditions. The post-consumer rubber and synthetic rubber flooring materials used to make rubber mats are highly environmentally resistant. Post-consumer rubber, such as recycled and reclaimed rubber, are made of repurposed vehicle tires, which are very environmentally resistant as they are exposed to harsh outdoor environments. Due to this, the same excellent environmental resistance properties seen on vehicle tires will be transferred to rubber floor rolls that are made of tire derived rubber. Synthetic SBR is also inherently resistant to damaging environmental factors and it is a common material used in the composition of vehicle tires. Due to their excellent resistance to damaging environmental factors, rubber mats and rubber floor rolls can be used and left outside without worry of deterioration or loss of functionality.

• (c) Do Rubber Mat Rolls Absorb Water?

  Rubber mat rolls do not absorb water and will resist the permeation of any liquid. In general, the post-consumer and synthetic rubber flooring materials used to create rubber floor rolls are highly water-resistant materials that will not absorb any liquid that rests on their surfaces. This resistance to moisture absorption allows it to remain a protective rubber floor cover option in outdoor settings where it may be subjected to precipitation, including rain and snow. Some rubber flooring materials, such as natural rubber, can absorb some moisture which can weaken the material and prevent it from efficiently protecting the floor’s surface. Additionally, the resistance to the permeation of moisture gives resilient rubber flooring longer life by prohibiting the growth of harmful and degrading microbial byproducts, such as mold and mildew. Furthermore, their moisture resistance also helps rubber flooring retain excellent traction even when moisture is present on its surface.

  (d) How Do You Cut Rubber Flooring Rolls?

  You can cut rubber flooring rolls with a straight-edge ruler, a utility knife, and a pair of safety gloves. Rubber floor rolls are available in a range of thicknesses, including 3/16”, 1/4”, and 3/8”, that are thin enough to easily cut at home using simple tools. Due to their thin compositions, it is easy to cut rubber floor rolls yourself with the use of simple equipment: a straight-edge ruler and a utility knife. The straight-edge ruler ensures a straight cut, and it is important to use a ruler, such as a yard stick or a meter stick, that can cover the width. Once the ruler is set, using the utility knife, cut along the ruler for a straight cut. You may need to cut along this line multiple times, a method called “scoring”, to completely cut through the rubber flooring materials. Do not forget to wear protective gloves when you are using a sharp utility knife.

Does Lowes Sell Rolls of Rubber?

Lowes sells rolls of rubber material as well as rubber floor rolls. Rubber-Cal’s rolls of sheet rubber as well as rubber flooring rolls are sold at Lowe’s. When purchased at Lowe’s, rolls of sheet rubber and rubber floor rolls are available in set a width and length. Rolls of sheet rubber are commonly used to create industrial rubber parts, such as seals and gaskets. Sometimes, sheet rubber can be used as protective matting placed under heavy machinery or equipment. At Lowe’s, Rubber-Cal’s rubber floor rolls are available with traction enhancing surface patterns that helps add to rubber’s natural grippy surface.

• (a) How Much Does a Roll of Rubber Flooring Weigh?

  The weight of a roll of rubber flooring can differ as each square foot of rubber material can weigh anywhere from 0.9 to 1.25 pounds. Rubber floor rolls are generally heavier than other forms of rubber flooring, such as interlocking rubber tiles. Due to the sheer weight of the rubber flooring materials, they do not necessarily require the use of adhesives to install. Rubber floor rolls are generally used to cover large spaces, such as wall-to-wall floors, and because of this, the long rolls of rubber flooring will weigh a significant amount. However, for extra stability in areas that may need it, the use of a polyurethane-based glue or a double-sided tape adhesive can be used to secure the mats to the surface of the subfloor.

Resilient rubber flooring is a versatile and long-lasting flooring option that will offer durable floor protection and a non-slip surface. Rubber floor rolls are offered in custom lengths of up to 50 consecutive feet and are generally used to cover large wall-to-wall spaces. Additionally, the rubber flooring materials are very versatile materials that are highly resistant to damaging environmental factors, including UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture, allowing them to be used and left outdoors without worry of damage or loss of functionality. Furthermore, rubber can offer excellent impact absorption and abrasion resistance for efficient surface protection. Overall, rubber floor rolls are perfect for promoting non-slip safety and for long-lasting surface protection.