Frequently Asked Questions About Our Recycled Rubber Flooring

1. Where is ECOsurfaces commercial rubber flooring manufactured?

ECOsurfaces commercial rubber flooring is manufactured by ECORE International in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

2. How is ECOsurfaces rubber flooring produced?

ECOsurfaces rubber flooring is manufactured using 100% post-consumer SBR tire rubber and 30% post-industrial EPDM. Both types of rubber granules are combined with a polyurethane water-based polymer in huge cylinders. The result is a polymerically bound cylinder of recycled rubber that is peeled into 4’ wide rolls of a variety of thicknesses.

3. What is SBR?

SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber) is the most widely used type of synthetic rubber. Its manufacturing involves copolymerization of three parts butadiene with one part styrene. Perhaps, the most widely used application is tires.

SBR is ECORE International’s chief raw material. The SBR used in the production of ECOsurfaces rubber flooring is recycled black scrap tire. The scrap is cleaned to remove fiber, metal and other impurities. Additionally, the SBR is ground to specified sizes for use in manufacturing.

4. What is EPDM?

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is an organic synthetic elastomer which, when cured, has many properties equivalent to or better than those of natural virgin rubber.

During the production of the EPDM polymer, there are several additives which are used to enhance color stability, wear characteristics, durability and flexibility.

The original state of this EPDM is actually scrap derived from the manufacturing of virgin EPDM. This scrap material is contaminated with water, metal and other by-products suitable only for landfill disposal. In order to take advantage of this available scrap, ECORE International has the EPDM thoroughly cleaned and re-processed in order to remove all contaminants and meet the strictest of quality assurance standards.

The color for ECORE’s EPDM originates primarily from carefully selected organic dyes and, for a few special colors, inorganic pigments.

5. From where do your tires originate?

• Our rubber is supplied by industrial facilities that originally obtain the tire from landfills all over the country. For a particular project, it is possible for us to obtain tires from a certain area, and to provide a certificate as back up.
• We receive two types of tire rubber: whole tire from passenger vehicles, which comes in round granules; and truck retreads, which comes in shredded form. The blend of rubber (round or shredded) utilized varies by each product.
• The rubber is triple distilled in order to ensure all dirt, fiber and metal is removed from our ECOsurfaces rubber flooring.

6. How do your rubber flooring products do in terms of IAQ/emission of VOCs?

• ECOsurfaces rubber flooring and rubber flooring systems conform to the criteria established by the State of Washington for indoor air quality.
• Our adhesive, E-Grip II produces 50% lower VOCs than the most stringent national standard – the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) – and can contribute to obtaining credits toward LEED certification. Please see the “ECOsurfaces and LEED” document for more detailed information.
• Our recommended cleaner and sealer from Taski meets criteria established by SCAQMD.
• Our flooring products do NOT contain PVC or formaldehyde

7. Can you describe the “Green” properties of your manufacturing process?

• We use minimal water
• Scrap is reused to eliminate waste
• We do not “heat” our product during the manufacturing process
• Air quality of our plant is good – minimal odor
• No smoke stacks

8. What is the percentage breakdown of recycled content of your rubber flooring product?

• SBR tire rubber is 100% post-consumer content.
• EPDM chips are 30% post-industrial.
• The exact composition of post-consumer/post-industrial make up varies on the particular product (nights/earth/stone/rocks/max) and color. Please see our green technical data sheet entitled “ECOsurfaces and LEED” for a detailed breakdown of recycled content.

9. Can ECOsurfaces rubber flooring contribute to obtaining LEED credits?

YES! ECOsurfaces rubber flooring can assist in obtaining a total of 7 points in 2 out of the 6 categories of LEED-NC (LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations). Please refer to our “ECOsurfaces and LEED” document.

10. How do ECOsurfaces rubber flooring products test in terms of slip resistance?

• The ADA standard for coefficient of friction is .5
• The higher the coefficient of friction, the better
• The coefficient of friction for ECOsurfaces rubber flooring products range from .85 -.9
• For SBR and EPDM
• For both leather and rubber soles
• Wet and dry
• With coatings (both Derma and Taski) still had a minimum of .9
• Overall our coefficient of friction is 80% better than the minimum standard

11. What are the basic installation steps?

• Dry lay the rubber flooring; acclimate overnight
• Overlap and double cut to ensure a nice, tight seam
• Lift rubber flooring, apply glue, re-lay
• Blue tape or weigh down the seams wherever gaps may appear (no duct tape)
• Allow glue to set 24 hours before traffic
• Clean
• Apply (buff) recommended sealer to the rubber flooring – 2-3 coats (Taski is a thinner sealer, more suitable for dirty environments; Derma is a non-porous “skin”)
• 5 year warranty

12. How do you clean your rubber flooring product?

• Vacuum/sweep
• Damp mop with using a PH neutral cleaner (we recommend Taski cleaner – profi)
• Pereriodic extraction cleaning/strip/reapply coatings

13. In what sizes is ECOsurfaces rubber flooring offered?

ECOsurfaces rubber flooring is available in standard 4’ wide rolls, up to 50’ feet in length, and 36” x 36” or 18” x 18” tiles in a variety of thicknesses. Custom roll sizes are also available.

14. How much is your rubber flooring product?

The price varies by market. You can receive pricing through any of our 35 field offices or by contacting us directly. Click here to contact your local sales representative for a quote.

15. Where is ECOsurfaces rubber flooring used?

ECOsurfaces rubber flooring and rubber flooring systems are appropriate for a wide variety of applications:

• retail/mercantile – check outs, sales floors, specialty areas, fitting areas
• hospitality – vending areas, health clubs, entrances, stairways
• offices/corporate environments – meeting rooms, cafeterias, mail rooms, common areas
• educational facilities/libraries/museums – throughout
• parks/recreation – water parks, exhibits, outdoor fountain areas, pool areas
• hospitals/healthcare – entrances, day care centers, nursing homes
• apartment buildings/condos – entrances, stairways, sound underlayment between floors, pool areas
• child play areas/malls – indoor play areas, child care areas

16. Are there any areas where ECOsurfaces rubber flooring should NOT be used?

• garages (petroleum based solvents break down rubber causing it to swell)
• kitchens/food prep areas
• “clean” rooms

17. What is your turn around time for: Standard orders, custom color, custom logos?

Standard: If product is in stock – as little as 1 week; non-stocked item – 2-3 weeks
Custom: 2-6 weeks – (largely depends on time for client approval)
Logos: 2-6 weeks