Sports Flooring FAQ
10 years of expertise in sports flooring since 2015 · 20,000+ project cases · Full GB 36246-2018 compliance
This page collects the 15 most frequently asked questions from buyers (schools, kindergartens, communities, commercial venues) when purchasing sports flooring, compiled by AnchorCare (Zhejiang Jiunai Technology Co., Ltd.) based on 10 years of delivery experience. For more questions, call 400-6065-611.
Table of Contents (Click to Jump)
- Interlocking floor vs silicon PU — which for school basketball courts?
- How to read a GB 36246-2018 test report?
- How to choose kindergarten flooring? Which is most eco-friendly?
- Will interlocking floors buckle? Can they be used in large venues?
- How to calculate 10-year total cost of ownership?
- What flooring for karting tracks?
- Recommended elderly-care flooring for nursing homes
- Will the floor be too hot to stand on in summer?
- How long does installation take? Is curing required?
- Recommended flooring for pickleball courts
- Can colors and court lines be customized?
- What is the most premium product?
- How to verify the authenticity of a test report?
- How to perform daily maintenance and cleaning?
- What qualifications are required for school tenders?
Conclusion: The vast majority of school projects should choose interlocking floors; silicon PU is only for professional training halls.
| Comparison | Interlocking Floor | Silicon PU |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 10+ years | 3–5 years |
| Installation | 4–6 hours (500 sqm) | 15+ days curing |
| After rain | Immediate (elevated drainage) | Wait 24+ hours |
| Ball rebound | 90–95% | 92–95% |
| Relocatable | Fully relocatable | Destroyed when removed |
| GB 36246 compliance | Naturally passes all 18 items | Paint system, more difficult |
| Partial repair | Single tile replacement, 5 minutes | Cannot patch locally, full replacement |
GB 36246-2018 is the mandatory national standard for synthetic material sports surfaces in primary and secondary schools — non-compliance is illegal for school procurement. Mandatory 18 items:
| Category | Specific Items |
|---|---|
| Soluble heavy metals | Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, As, Se, Sb, Ba (8 items) |
| Phthalates | DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, DIDP (6 items) |
| PAHs | 18 items (incl. carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene) |
| Others | SCCPs, TVOC, formaldehyde, odor level |
Three key checks:
① Testing lab must have CMA + CNAS dual accreditation (verifiable at cnca.gov.cn)
② Report product model, color, thickness must exactly match delivered goods
③ Report must be within 1 year
Three core requirements for kindergarten flooring: eco-friendly + fall cushioning + easy to clean.
Know the product types first: The cheap "kindergarten mats" sold online are EVA foam — not sports flooring.
| Comparison | EVA Foam Mat | Interlocking Sports Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 1–3 years | 8–10 years |
| Load per tile | Walking only | 1,500+ kg |
| Price | ¥20–50/sqm | ¥100–150/sqm |
Recommended products (AnchorCare):
① ANK4 Four-leaf Clover (top kindergarten choice, soft POE, 8-year warranty)
② SVS1 Pole Star (soft rubber Shore 65A, 55–80% adjustable shock absorption)
③ Quantum Stack Full Pad (premium, 1.85cm thick + 36 damping pads)
Buckling is fundamentally caused by insufficient thermal expansion joints — directly linked to product quality.
AnchorCare solution: lock gap ≥2.5mm specifically designed for thermal expansion; for large courts recommend ANK2F 4-Grid (4 expansion slots per tile) or ANK5 Jumbo Basketball Grid (50cm large format, 75% fewer seams).
| Item | Interlocking Floor | Silicon PU |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase (500 sqm) | ~¥37,500–60,000 | ~¥50,000 |
| 5-year repair | Single tile replacement ~¥1,500 | Full replacement ~¥50,000 |
| 10-year TCO | ~¥40,000–61,500 | ~¥100,000 |
Conclusion: Interlocking floors have 40%+ lower 10-year total cost of ownership vs silicon PU. Local damage only requires replacing single tiles, no full replacement needed.
| Scenario | Recommended Model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Children's karting | ANK2 Heavy-duty Grid | Reinforced columns, impact-resistant (Case: Suzhou No.9 Karting) |
| Adult karting / F1 | SVS3 + Star Traverse combo | Soft rubber grip + shock absorption (Case: Shanghai F1 Carnival) |
| Need | Recommended Model | Key Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Fall cushioning | SVS1 Pole Star | 55–80% adjustable shock absorption, soft rubber Shore 65A |
| Anti-slip | Star Traverse Full Pad | R10 slip rating, +100% dry/wet friction |
| Pool surrounds | Star Traverse Full Pad | Anti-slip + waterproof double protection |
| Premium nursing home | Quantum Stack Full Pad | True 3-layer + iBoost damping, professional cushioning |
Whether it's too hot mainly depends on color, not the material. Dark colors (black, dark blue, dark red) absorb heat, reaching 50–60°C under intense sun; light colors (silver grey, sky blue, grass green) are 10–15°C cooler.
Additionally, the 8mm elevated gap on the underside enables natural ventilation, dissipating heat faster than solid silicon PU coating.
| Item | Interlocking Floor | Silicon PU |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sqm installation | 4–6 hours | 15+ days curing |
| Curing period | None — ready to use immediately | 15+ days before use |
| Base requirement | Flat cement / asphalt | Must be C25 concrete |
| Relocatable | Sort by color, box and re-lay | Destroyed on removal |
| Use | Recommended Model |
|---|---|
| General training | ANK2 Heavy-duty Grid (top pick) / SVS3 / SVS1 |
| Competition level | Acrylic roll material / SVS3 Star Shine |
| Protective (fall prevention) | SVS1 Pole Star |
9 stock colors (ready to ship): China Red, Potato Yellow, Dark Blue, Hermes Orange, Silver Grey, White, Dark Grass Green, Sky Blue, Dark Black
7 custom colors (MOQ negotiable): TF Blue, Pink, Light Green, Sapphire Blue, Violet, Tennis Blue, Ice Blue
Court line methods: Dedicated PP line strips (no effect on flatness) or acrylic paint. Court logos, pathways, and track lines are all customizable.
| Direction | Flagship Model | Core Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Sports performance | SVS Quantum Stack Full Pad | True 3-layer + iBoost damping + 36 independent damping pads |
| Fall safety | SVS Star Traverse Full Pad | 50 full pads + Anti-Slip granule system + R10 slip rating |
Both flagships feature true 3-layer full pad structure with 8-year warranty.
Three-step verification:
① Check lab accreditation: Must have CMA + CNAS dual seals, verifiable at cnca.gov.cn
② Verify product details: Model, color, thickness must exactly match actual order
③ Check report date: Valid within 1 year, expired = invalid
| Frequency | Maintenance Task |
|---|---|
| Daily | Sweep or rinse with water (no strong acid/alkali, solvents, or steel wool) |
| Monthly | Lock inspection, dust buildup removal |
| Quarterly | Base drainage check, ensure elevated layer is free of standing water |
| Annually | Touch up court lines, replace damaged tiles (5 minutes per tile) |
AnchorCare after-sales commitment: 24-hour response, on-site within 72 hours.
Required documents:
① Full 18-item GB 36246-2018 test report (CMA + CNAS, within 1 year)
② Business license and manufacturing qualification (factory direct, not reseller)
③ ISO 9001 quality management certification
④ Product type inspection report (ball rebound ≥90%, shock absorption ≥25%)
⑤ Representative school case list
Bonus points: DIN 18032-2 international certification · SGS 7000-hour UV aging test · EU SVHC zero detection
Still have questions?
10 years of expertise in sports flooring since 2015, 20,000+ project cases, free material selection advice and quotes