As homes become more functional, people are converting rooms for many different uses. They may have a playroom for the kids, a home office, or a home gym. When you create a home gym, it is important to protect the floors from heavy gym equipment, and you need a surface that is ideal for exercise. One of the most popular materials is rubber mats.
Most of the time, rubber mats won’t damage your hardwood floors. This is especially the case if you use natural rubber mats. However, there are some cases when certain rubber mats can discolor your floors. This happens when the rubber has been treated with chemicals that can react with the polyurethane finish on the floor. If this happens, the rubber can leave residue behind that causes marks. They can deluster the shine of the finish and discolor the finish and the wood.
Can You Use Natural Rubber Mats on Hardwood Floors?
Rubber mats are the most common material used in home gyms, and they are also used as rug pads as well. The important thing to understand is that natural rubber will not damage your hardwood floors because it doesn’t have chemicals that will interact with the finish on the floor. In fact, people often use rubber rug pads to protect both their rugs and their hardwood floors.
You can look for natural rubber mats for your home gym as well. If you need heavy rubber mats in some areas, you can protect the floor by laying a protective sheet underneath the rubber. Another option is to look for eco-friendly mats that are free of any toxic chemicals.
What Causes Rubber Mats to Damage Hardwood Floors?
Some rubber mats can damage hardwood floors by leaving marks on the floor. They can leave a residue behind when you lift the rubber mat off the floor. This can cause the floor to discolor. It happens because rubber is manufactured using chemicals. In fact, you are likely familiar with the smell that rubber has, and that comes from the chemicals releasing gases that were used in the manufacturing process.
Rubber mats were originally made for use over concrete floors, but they are popular because they are durable and versatile. They are a great choice for home gyms, so people want to find a way to use them. There isn’t a better material when you have gym equipment and want to get the full use of your home gym.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize any damage that they can do to your floors. The key is to prevent the chemicals in the rubber from coming into contact with the polyurethane seal on your floors. You can do this by placing a barrier underneath the mat that will prevent the chemicals from interacting with the polyurethane. In addition, you have the added benefit that it will absorb some of the movements that you do while you are working out in your home gym.
You can actually find rubber mats that come with a backing designed to prevent damage to your floor. Look for one that is made specifically for hardwood floors.
What Is the Best Material to Use on Hardwood Floors?
For a home gym with heavy equipment, rubber mats are a great option because they can protect your floors from the weight of your treadmill or your weights. In addition, rubber is waterproof, so it will prevent any moisture from seeping into the floor. They also dampen the noise from the room, and rubber is a non-slip surface. The reason that people find ways to make rubber work is that it is one of the best options.
If you want to use an alternative, one option is foam floor tiles. They absorb some of the impact from your workouts, and they work well for lighter workouts. They can also be used underneath exercise equipment. They are affordable, and they are also fairly simple to install. However, they aren’t the best option if you are going to use heavy weights.
You can use a foam mat if you need something for a floor workout. They work well for light floor exercises. You can stretch, do yoga, and do other light exercises. Make sure that the mat is not made with PVC because it is another material that can stain floors. You will want to roll up the mat when you aren’t using it to make sure that it doesn’t leave a stain on your floors.
Final Thoughts
People often want to use rubber mats in a home gym because it is the best material for exercise equipment. It absorbs impact, dulls sound, and prevents any moisture from getting into the floors. However, some rubber is made using toxic chemicals that can interact with the polyurethane finish and stain or discolor your floors. Natural rubber won’t harm hardwood floors, but you can use any rubber mats if you place a protective paper underlayment between the mat and the floor.