Buildings that are easily accessible and welcoming have a role to play in improving the quality of life for both students and staff.

In recent years, there has been a greater awareness on the importance of healthy spaces that promote people’s health and well-being. With the fabric and environmental performance of school buildings under scrutiny, architects and designers are now focusing on creating spaces that make better use of natural light; choosing products with greater sustainability credentials for healthier buildings and harnessing renewable energy resources; all the while working within very tight budgets.

School environments also need to contribute towards  their student’s personal development to becoming responsible adults, which means schools must create inclusive spaces that suit everyone's needs. With these current challenges taking place, Tarkett has pulled together their recommended collections that consider inclusive design, health & safety, sustainability and durability.

Linoleum, the true sustainable flooring solution

More than just a floor covering, Tarkett linoleum is a natural and noble solution, one that has been admired for over 150 years. 100% recyclable post-use, linoleum is a truly sustainable flooring choice that will support net-zero builds.  The collection offers a broad palette of subtle shades and patterns that are ideal for coordinating floors, walls, and even furniture.  Creating an inclusive environment that supports children with autism no longer needs to be a struggle, it can be created with playful creativity that can be enjoyed by all.

Tarkett lino is available in a choice of thicknesses and specifications, including non-slip, electrostatic, and acoustic options.

Resilient floors, offering endless design opportunities

Not all resilient floors are made the same.  Some contain phthalates and biocides which have come under scrutiny in recent years.  In education facilities, floors are exposed to heavy wear as crowds of people and equipment pass daily, therefore it needs to not only be durable enough to stand the test of time but also continue to look as good as the day it was laid.

Tarkett’s homogeneous vinyl floors are tough and ultra-durable solutions for heavy traffic areas. The collections are glued to the sub-floor and welded for optimal durability and hygiene.  Acoustic options which reduce sound transmission and absorb shocks helps students' concentrate. All of the solutions are 100% recyclable at our in-house recycling plants and contribute to healthy indoor air quality as they have below quantifiable VOC emissions – protecting both people and planet.

AirMaster Carpet tiles

It might surprise you to read that indoor air quality can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.  Add to this that 1 in 11 children in the UK suffer from asthma and knowing air pollution is a major cause of asthma attacks – we have a significant problem that needs addressing!

It’s the reason Tarkett developed AirMaster, the world’s first product to be awarded the GUI Gold Plus Label, the highest possible accreditation granted by Germany’s leading independent air quality testing organisation.  Not only are DESSO AirMaster carpet tiles better at capturing harmful particles, they are also better at releasing them into the vacuum cleaner during cleaning – at least 80% of the captured dust is released when the carpet is vacuumed that’s 16% more than regular carpets.

If you need a flooring solution that will support everyone’s well-being, help create an inclusive environment, all the while preserving the planet, or for more information visit https://professionals.tarkett.co.uk/en_GB/node/floors-for-schools-12606