Educational Facility Flooring
Sycamore Community Schools Multi-Campus Program
- Industries: Education
- Services: Decorative Epoxy Flooring, Polished Concrete Floors, Urethane Concrete
Durable, Safe Flooring Requirements in K-12 Facilities
When Sycamore Community Schools embarked on a multi-year facilities improvement program spanning five projects across four campuses (2021-2025), they faced critical flooring challenges in high-traffic wet environments: selecting durable, slip-resistant, easily cleanable flooring systems for showers, restrooms, locker rooms, and a newly expanded natatorium that would withstand constant moisture exposure, heavy student traffic, and aggressive cleaning protocols while meeting ADA safety standards and providing long lifecycle performance that protects taxpayer investment.
The Challenge
Sycamore Schools required robust, long-lasting flooring for demanding educational spaces subject to heavy traffic, moisture, chemicals, and temperature fluctuations. The ideal systems needed to provide slip resistance, inhibit microbial growth, resist thermal shock, offer seamless, watertight construction, and maintain accessible, properly sloped surfaces for drainage. Given the use of taxpayer funds, the systems needed to perform reliably for 15-20+ years. The multi-project, multi-campus program necessitated selecting varied, application-specific flooring technologies while maintaining budget, a task requiring deep technical knowledge and early design phase involvement to create a cohesive, district-wide facilities standard.
Technical Complexity of System Selection
Different areas within the projects required different flooring technologies:
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Natatorium:
Pool deck and surrounding areas needing maximum slip resistance, chlorine resistance, and drainage compatibility.
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Locker Rooms:
High-traffic zones requiring durability, moisture resistance, and easy cleanability.
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Showers:
Seamless, waterproof systems comfortable for bare feet with superior slip resistance.
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Restrooms:
Moisture-resistant, easily sanitized surfaces meeting health department standards.
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Dry Areas:
Cost-effective yet durable systems for corridors and ancillary spaces.
Hardig's Approach
Hardig Industrial Services partnered directly with the district’s architect during early project development phases to engineer comprehensive flooring solutions across five projects spanning 2021-2025, establishing Hardig as the preferred flooring provider throughout Sycamore Schools’ multi-campus improvement program.
Early Design Phase Collaboration & System Engineering
Hardig engaged in a consultative approach evaluating traffic patterns, moisture exposure levels, maintenance capabilities, budget constraints, and lifecycle cost expectations for showers, restrooms, locker rooms, and the expanded natatorium across all four campuses. By providing technical expertise during the specification development phase, Hardig ensured the final specifications reflected systems proven to perform in educational wet environments rather than generic solutions that might fail prematurely.
Customized System Selection by Application
Hardig specified three distinct flooring technologies: Decorative Flake Epoxy Flooring for high-traffic educational areas (impact resistance, easy to clean, attractive); Decorative Quartz Urethane Concrete Flooring for showers (superior slip resistance, waterproof, chemical/thermal shock resistance, comfortable for bare feet); and Polished Concrete for corridors and support spaces. This selection optimized performance, safety, and budget.
Seamless, Slip-Resistant Wet Area Construction
The decorative quartz urethane systems incorporated broadcast aggregate creating slip-resistant texture that meets ADA requirements and ASTM slip resistance standards even when saturated with water. Cove base installations created seamless floor-to-wall transitions preventing water intrusion behind walls. Properly sloped installations directed water toward drains while maintaining accessible, level walking surfaces. The monolithic construction provides waterproof protection that prevents substrate damage and extends building lifecycle.
Multi-Project Execution & General Contractor Coordination
Hardig maintained consistent quality standards, aesthetic continuity, and on-time completion across all projects. Each installation was executed with minimal punch list items, demonstrating the reliability that comes from proper system selection, experienced crews, and disciplined project management.
The Results
- All five projects across four Sycamore Schools campuses were completed on schedule with minimal punch list items, demonstrating the quality and reliability that comes from proper system selection and experienced installation teams.
- Hardig's early design phase collaboration and technical consultation established the company as the preferred flooring provider throughout Sycamore Schools' multi-year facilities improvement program, creating continuity across all five projects.
- The specified flooring systems — decorative flake epoxy, decorative quartz urethane concrete, and polished concrete — provide the long lifecycle performance Sycamore Schools required, protecting the district's capital investment and taxpayer funds.
- The decorative quartz urethane systems in wet areas deliver slip-resistant texture that protects students in showers, locker rooms, and around the natatorium while meeting ADA requirements and remaining comfortable for bare feet.
- These seamless, non-porous flooring systems support the district's commitment to student health and facility hygiene by enabling thorough cleaning and disinfection. Furthermore, by preventing water intrusion that damages substrates, the flooring extends the building's lifecycle and avoids costly repairs, thus protecting the district's facilities investment for decades.
Project Specifications
- Industry: Education / K-12 Schools
- Client: Sycamore Community Schools
- Location: Sycamore, Ohio
- Total Projects: 5 projects across 4 campuses
- Project Timeline: 2021-2025 (multi-year program)
- Solutions Provided: Decorative Flake Epoxy Flooring, Decorative Quartz Urethane Concrete Flooring, Polished Concrete
- Applications: Showers, restrooms, locker rooms, natatorium/pool deck, corridors, support spaces
- General Contractors: 3 different GCs across 5 projects
- Special Requirements: Slip resistance (wet and dry), ADA compliance, chlorine resistance, seamless waterproof construction, student safety, easy cleanability, long lifecycle performance
- Performance Standards: ASTM slip resistance standards, moisture resistance, chemical resistance, impact resistance, thermal shock resistance, antimicrobial properties
Ready to Discuss Your Educational Facility Flooring Project?
Planning school renovations, athletic facility upgrades, or new construction with challenging wet environment requirements? Hardig’s flooring systems are engineered to meet the safety, durability, and lifecycle performance demands of educational facilities while protecting your capital investment.