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 Sustainable flooring options?

Ginelle Lang's profile image
Ginelle Lang posted 09-25-2024 10:00 AM

Hello colleagues,

We are replacing a woven vinyl flooring in one of primary contemporary wings and are exploring non-PVC alternatives. We only have about 3/8" height to align with adjacent galleries, and the substrate is concrete. The main corridor/catwalk does have a slight give, so we are looking for a flexible applied solution.

  • Does anyone have any experience with a fluid applied resin such as Senso?
  • Or experience with some of the newer pvc-free "luxury planks" from Shaw or Milliken?
  • We are also looking at rubber such as Norament Castello, but aren't sold on the look yet, so would love to see an installation or hear others' perspectives.
  • Any other ideas?

Many thanks!

Ginelle Lang, AIA, LEED AP (she/her)

Senior Director of Facilities, Capital Planning, and Real Estate

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 

465 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Ma 02115

glang@mfa.org

www.mfa.org

Diane Gutenkauf's profile image
Diane Gutenkauf posted 09-25-2024 10:07 AM

have you looked into cork or real linoleum (Marmoleum)? 

I also recommend this book: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780759123243/The-Green-Museum-A-Primer-on-Environmental-Practice-Second-Edition

You might check out this AAM page as well: https://www.aam-us.org/2023/09/20/sustainable-exhibition-design-construction-toolkit/

Good Luck

Diane

Farah Ajami's profile image
Farah Ajami posted 09-26-2024 08:12 AM

Hello, Ginelle.

I have a close friend that distributes all kinds of flooring. I’m sure he will be happy to advice you.

i forwarded your question and he sent me this:

https://nhdtilestore.com/228-spc-vinyl

His contact info is:

Juan Velez

nhdtrading@gmail.com

786 768-5358

Cheers!

John Shaw's profile image
John Shaw posted 09-26-2024 08:45 AM

I was also coming to suggest Marmoleum and cork flooring. One of the children's museums I worked in had Marmoleum flooring and it was surprisingly durable and fairly easy to maintain. 

I'm not familiar with Senso, but some applied resin floors can be especially slippery when wet. I'd ensure that there's enough texture to prevent slips. For rubber flooring, I'd be worried about the odor. I haven't used the product you mentioned, but with some rubber flooring the smell never goes away. Before committing, get a box of sample tiles and see if it is still off-gassing a few weeks later. 

Best,

John

Leon Worden's profile image
Leon Worden posted 10-11-2024 06:29 AM

Interesting comments about Marmoleum.

We recently restored a historic building, in which we're going to install a new exhibition. It has a beautiful (beautifully restored) hardwood floor. We want to cover the visitor pathway -- about 300 linear feet x 2 feet -- with something to protect the floor from the foot traffic. From what I read, it seems Marmoleum would work; it looks like the planks and/or tiles snap together, require no adhesive, and have a cork backing. Could we place that over the high-traffic areas of the hardwood floor? Does anyone have experience with that? Or a better idea? Thanks!

Michele Pacifico's profile image
Michele Pacifico posted 10-15-2024 11:30 AM

I second reviewing the AAM Sustainable Exhibition toolkit for its overview of flooring materials.  See the footnote regarding rubber flooring.  We avoid vulcanized rubber products around special collections storage, and when possible exhibited materials, as rubber flooring and wall bases offgass their sulphur components that can degrade certain collection materials, especially photographs/negatives.  Additionally, the AIC lists rubber and rubber derivatives as unacceptable for exhibit case construction.  Let me know if you have questions.  Best, Michele

MICHELE F. PACIFICO
Archival and Museum Facilities Consultant
PO Box 1490, Jackson, WY 83001
301-908-8720

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