In the field of indoor sports flooring, PVC sports flooring has become the preferred choice of many investors due to its excellent performance, and is particularly widely used in basketball court construction.
What is PVC sports flooring?
PVC sports flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride resin as the core raw material, with auxiliary ingredients such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and anti-wear agents added. It is manufactured through processes such as extrusion and calendering and is manufactured in rolls or sheets. It is designed specifically for sports settings. Compared to ordinary PVC flooring, it offers three key advantages: First, it offers sports protection. Its moderate elastic modulus effectively absorbs sports impact, reducing the risk of injuries to athletes' knees, ankles, and other joints. Its basketball rebound rate can reach over 85%, approaching that of professional wood flooring. Second, it offers excellent practical performance. The surface is treated with an anti-slip treatment, making it non-slip even when splashed with water. It also offers excellent wear resistance (over 100,000 abrasion revolutions) and water resistance, allowing daily stains to be cleaned with just water. Third, it is highly adaptable and can be cut and spliced to suit venue needs. It supports fixed or mobile installation. Its lightweight material and low transportation costs make it a cost-effective choice for small and medium-sized basketball courts.
Two Installation Methods for Indoor Basketball Court PVC Flooring
Our PVC sports flooring comes in rolls (typically 1.5-2 meters wide, with customizable lengths). Customers can choose from two installation methods based on their venue's needs:
Fixed Installation: Suitable for long-term use without relocation
The key to fixed installation is to securely adhere the roll to the floor using professional double-sided tape (we recommend using sports flooring tape with a bond strength of ≥5N/25mm and a temperature resistance range of -10°C-60°C), ensuring the floor remains stable and free of movement and cracking. Three key points to note during installation:
Surface Requirements: It must be a flat cement or asphalt surface, with a flatness tolerance of ≤3mm as measured using a 2-meter ruler. The surface must be clean, free of water and sand, and have a moisture content ≤0.6% (a moisture content meter can be used; if exceeded, air dry for 7-10 days). Small cracks (<2mm wide) should be filled with a special repair paste and allowed to dry before installation.
Applying methods: There are two methods: "Partial" and "Full." Partial application is suitable for venues that meet flatness standards and are used infrequently. Simply apply tape 20cm inside each roll edge and every 1 meter in between. Full application is suitable for venues with frequent use (such as commercial stadiums and school venues) or slight unevenness. Apply tape evenly across the entire surface, ensuring there are no gaps between the roll and the ground.
Mobile installation: Suitable for venues requiring flexible adjustments or temporary use.
Mobile installation is recommended for venues requiring frequent layout changes (such as those accommodating multiple sports like basketball and badminton) or for short-term use (such as temporary courts at exhibitions or short-term training facilities). This method eliminates the need to secure the roll to the ground. Instead, special non-slip tape (5-8cm wide) is applied to the joints and edges of the roll to prevent movement.
Key points: Before laying, ensure the floor is clean and dry. Align the rolls to avoid misalignment. The edge tape should extend 1-2 cm beyond the edge of the roll. After applying it to the floor, compact it with a scraper to reduce the risk of warping. For larger sites (>100 m2), it is recommended to apply horizontal tape every 2 meters along the center of the roll to further enhance stability.
Key Considerations for PVC Sports Flooring Construction
Construction quality directly impacts the performance and lifespan of the floor, requiring strict control throughout the three stages of pre-construction preparation, during-construction operations, and post-construction testing:
Pre-construction preparation: The key to avoiding later problems
Material acclimatization: The rolls must be delivered to the construction site in advance and placed in an environment at 20°C-25°C and 40%-60% humidity for 24-48 hours to allow the material to acclimate to the site's temperature and humidity. This prevents bulging and cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Tools: You will need a special cutting knife (blade sharpness ≥HRC58 to ensure smooth cuts), a 2-meter ruler, a silicone scraper to avoid scratching the floor surface, a tape measure, a pencil, a moisture content meter, non-slip tape (for mobile installation), and sports-specific double-sided tape (for fixed installation). Site Measurement: Accurately calculate the required roll size based on the site dimensions. It is recommended to allow for a 5%-10% margin (for trimming corners and correcting errors). If the site has obstructions such as pillars or steps, measure the dimensions in advance and mark the cutting lines on the roll.
In-Construction Operations: Details Determine Smoothness and Safety.
Precision Cutting: Cut the roll along the marked lines, keeping the cut parallel to the floor edge to avoid beveled edges. If the roll has a pattern, align the pattern with adjacent rolls to ensure an overall aesthetic. After cutting, check the roll edges for smoothness; any rough edges should be lightly sanded.
Expansion Joints: For fixed installations, allow 5-10mm expansion joints around the site (where the roll contacts the wall or pillars) to prevent expansion and bulging due to temperature fluctuations. For mobile installations, expansion joints are not required, but ensure that the rolls do not overlap.
Adhesion and Compaction: For fixed installations, after applying double-sided tape, first align one end of the roll. Then, use a scraper to push from the center toward the sides to remove air from between the tape and the roll to prevent bubbles. For mobile installations, the tape should cover the adjacent rolls by 2-3cm at the joint. After compaction, test adhesion by stepping on it.
Post-Construction Testing: Ensure Compatibility with Athletic Requirements
After installation, the floor cannot be used immediately. A 5-7-day testing period is required. Key inspections include:
Flatness Test: Use a 2-meter ruler to measure the floor surface in different directions. The tolerance should be ≤3mm. Observe the joints for any height differences. If the difference exceeds 1mm, recompact or adjust.
Stability Test: For fixed installations, walk on each area to check for looseness or unusual noises. For mobile installations, simulate physical activity (such as running or jumping) to observe whether the rolls are moving. If any slippage occurs, re-tape.
Performance Testing: After spraying water, test the anti-slip properties. If there is no slipping sensation when walking, the product passes. Use a basketball to test the rebound rate. Drop it from a height of 1.8 meters and the rebound height must be ≥1.2 meters (in compliance with basketball standards). Check the waterproofness by pouring a small amount of water on the floor and letting it sit for 30 minutes. If there is no water seepage, the product passes.
Repair: If cracks or bubbles appear during the testing period, they must be repaired promptly. Small bubbles can be punctured to release air and then recompacted. Cracks should be patched with a roll of the same material and secured with double-sided tape.
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