Soft floors for children's rooms: properties, sizes, care, how to assemble

Soft floors: what is it?

The soft flooring puzzle is made from a foamed polymer material called ethylene vinyl acetate, abbreviated EVA. In terms of its physical and mechanical properties, the material is similar to rubber coatings. He is not afraid of water, the influence of sunlight, or sudden temperature changes. Soft modules are not electrically conductive. They have an excellent degree of fracture resistance.

This material is produced in rolls and individual slabs that have grooves. It is possible to lay the material on an unleveled base, since ethylene vinyl acetate is highly elastic. In addition, the floor does not require special care and does not accumulate dust.

What are soft floors?

The soft puzzle covering is made from foamed polymer – EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). According to its physical and mechanical characteristics, the material is similar to rubber coatings. It is not afraid of water, exposure to UV rays and large temperature changes. Plastic modules do not conduct electricity and have good bending resistance.

The modular coating is available both in the form of individual slabs with grooves and in rolls. Due to the high elasticity of the EVA material, the coating can be laid on uneven substrates. In addition, the floor is easy to maintain and does not contribute to the accumulation of dust.

Distinctive characteristics of modular floors

An elastic mat consists of elastic tiles that are connected to each other through grooves. This connection method is more reliable compared, for example, with laying PVC modules. The material is made of a porous polymer, so it is almost non-slip, which means that during use the possibility of falling is sharply reduced.

The most commonly purchased soft floor puzzle is for children's rooms. The slabs have a size of 60x60, so laying the modules takes very little time. When the room has a large area, for example, a games room or sports ground, then a soft floor measuring 100x100 is laid. Large slabs are more durable due to the small number of seams between the flooring elements.

Features of modular floors

The basis of the elastic mat is elastic tiles, which are connected to each other using grooves. This system provides the coating with a more reliable connection than, for example, in the case of laying PVC modules. Since the material is made from a porous polymer, it is practically non-slip, which reduces the chances of falling while using the modular floor.

For children's rooms, soft flooring is most often used - a 60x60 puzzle. Sufficiently large slabs ensure quick assembly of modules. For larger areas, such as playrooms or sports fields, soft flooring 100 x 100 is used. Large-caliber slabs have greater strength, which is achieved due to the presence of a minimum number of seams between the covering elements.

Specifications

Modular flooring has become widespread due to such characteristics as:

Light weight due to the porous structure of the modular tiles. Soft tiles are lighter than even polyvinyl chloride materials.
Moisture resistance . Polymer compositions have excellent water-repellent characteristics, as they are hygroscopic.
Elasticity . The coating has excellent shock-absorbing properties that do not change at plus or minus temperatures.
Thermal insulation . The many micropores that the soft heated floor contains are filled with air, which gives the material excellent thermal insulation qualities.

Advantages of soft floors

The universal soft coating is designed for continuous use and heavy loads. It is for this reason that it is so in demand among consumers.

EVA tiles have the following advantages:

Quick installation on cement, concrete or wood substrates.
The floor does not have an unpleasant rubber odor and does not emit harmful substances such as formaldehyde.
This coating is endowed with excellent noise and thermal insulation qualities.
The coating can be easily repaired if individual modules suddenly become unusable. Changing them won't be difficult.
Any dirt can be easily removed from the floor, be it paint, marker stains or oil stains.
The covering is made exclusively from safe substances, so puzzle carpets do not cause allergies.

Advantages of soft floors

A universal soft floor designed for active use and intense loads. For this reason, it has become so popular and is in demand among many consumers. The advantages of EVA tiles include:

Quick installation on any type of base (cement, wood, concrete);
The floor does not emit an unpleasant “rubber” odor and does not emit formaldehyde;
The coating has good noise and heat insulation characteristics;
In case of damage, individual modules can be replaced, which indicates the repairability of the coating;
The floor is easily cleaned of any type of dirt (oil stains, paint, felt-tip pens);
The raw materials contain only safe components, which indicates that the puzzle carpets are hypoallergenic.

Soft puzzle floors for children's rooms

Soft flooring for children meets all the requirements that floor materials must meet.

There are two main types of such coverage:

game carpets-puzzles;
modular slabs for laying over the entire floor area.

Both types of EVA tiles are equipped with a locking system, which makes installation quite simple. Children will definitely love the floor lined with mobile non-toxic modules, as they come in a variety of bright colors. And in other rooms you can use, for example, a soft wood-like floor.

You can purchase soft flooring for children of the following types:

Educational, drawing, which may contain letters, numbers or geometric shapes.
"World map". A floor with a map of the world or individual countries and cities printed on it will allow the child to learn geography while playing.
"Zoo". Various animals are depicted on individual slabs. This allows the child to get acquainted with the animal world while playing.

In addition, you can choose a plain children's soft floor puzzle. The same connecting system allows you to combine blocks of different colors and shades.

Floors for children's rooms

A safe soft floor covering for children meets all the necessary conditions that apply to flooring materials. They can be of two main types:

Puzzle carpets for games;
Modular slabs for covering the entire base.

Both types of EVA tiles have a locking system, which greatly simplifies the installation process. Mobile non-toxic modules can have a wide variety of colors that kids will certainly love. Soft floors for children's rooms offered by manufacturers are of the following types:

Educational. Numbers, letters of the alphabet or geometric shapes can be depicted on the floor surface;
"World map". To familiarize your child with geography, you can purchase modules depicting maps of individual cities or the whole world;
"Zoo". Animals are depicted on individual floor modules, which allows the child to become familiar with the surrounding fauna.

In addition, the soft floor for children can be plain. Thanks to the same “puzzle” system, you can combine coatings of different colors and shades.

Types of soft blocks

The type of coating should be chosen that is best suited to the specific conditions of use. This will ensure the material has a long service life. Due to its excellent technical characteristics, soft tiles are widely used.

This tile is laid in such rooms as:

Intended for commercial activities . Thanks to the improved technical characteristics of the material, it can be used in premises with a significant degree of traffic, such as shopping centers, sports grounds, public playrooms and others.
Children's rooms . In this case, small tiles are used. The largest is 30x30 cm. In this case, the thickness of the floor covering can be 10-12 mm, which gives the floor better shock absorption.
Sports grounds . For such rooms, modules measuring 60x60 cm are used. The thickness of slabs intended for significant loads can be 15-20 mm.
Offices and administrative premises . Modular tiles have a top layer of carpet, which allows you to imitate carpet on the floor. It has improved elasticity and wear resistance.

Types of soft modules

Types of protective floor coverings

To ensure a long service life for the material, it is important to choose the type of coating that best suits the specific conditions of use. Excellent technical qualities allow the use of elastic tiles in many areas, namely:

Commercial premises. EVA material has improved technical parameters that allow it to be used in areas with a high degree of use - shopping centers, public playrooms, sports grounds, etc.;
Children's rooms. Typically, the tiles in this case reach small sizes (maximum 30 by 30). In this case, the thickness of the polymer layer can reach 10-12 mm, which provides the coating with good shock absorption;
Sports grounds. In this case, a soft floor 60x60 cm is suitable. Modules intended for severe mechanical loads can reach 15-20 mm in thickness;
Office and administrative facilities. Elastic EVA tiles are covered with carpet on top, thanks to which they successfully imitate carpeting on the floor. At the same time, it has improved technical qualities, such as elasticity and wear resistance.

To objectively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of elastic tiles, we collected reviews from consumers who used soft coverings:

I gave my 2-year-old son a rug - a puzzle for children. I liked it because it was very bright and depicted different animals. We have been using it for several months and so far there is nothing to complain about;
We recently installed a modular floor made of soft tiles in the children's room. Honestly, it's a pleasure to play with kids. He is really very resilient and even if someone falls, he doesn’t immediately start roaring. The mat, like rubber, absorbs well;
I put a roll of elastic covering in the nursery. From a technical point of view, it was quite simple, and it “wears” well. The only thing that confused me at first was the rather high price of the material.

Customer reviews about soft flooring

To objectively assess the advantages and disadvantages of soft children's flooring, a survey was conducted among consumers of this coating.

Below are some reviews:

When my son turned two years old, I gave him a children's puzzle rug for his birthday. I liked it because it depicts different animals, and it is very bright. We've been using it for several months now, and so far we're happy with it.
Modular soft tiles were recently installed in the children's room. I really enjoyed playing on it with the kids. It is really very elastic and if suddenly someone falls, there will be no tears. The floor, like rubber, absorbs well.
In the nursery I laid a roll of elastic covering. It was not difficult to do this, and there were no problems with it. It works well. The only thing that confused me at first was the fairly high cost of the material.

How to make the right choice of EVA tiles

When choosing a roll or modular soft floor, you need to take into account the following important aspects:

If you plan to use the material in a room with a significant degree of mechanical load, then it would be rational to choose a coating with a minimum thickness of 13 mm.
You should never agree to purchase packages of material that have already been opened. In this case, there is a high probability that the package will contain fewer tiles than stated on the package, or the shades will not match.
For installation on open areas, it is better to choose an EVA coating with an increased degree of physical and mechanical characteristics, such as moisture resistance and reduced porosity.

Recommendations for choosing EVA tiles

When purchasing soft flooring in rolls or in the form of modules, you need to consider several important points, namely:

For rooms with an expected high degree of mechanical load, it is advisable to take materials with a thickness of at least 13 mm;
When purchasing modular rugs, do not agree to buy already printed models. They may be understaffed or of different shades;
For finishing bases in open areas, give preference to EVA coatings with improved physical and mechanical properties (moisture resistance and less porosity).

Review of manufacturers

Which manufacturer should I choose underfloor heating for children? When choosing a coating, it is very important not to make a mistake with the manufacturer of modular EVA tiles.

The most popular companies on the domestic market are:

BABYPOL . This manufacturer uses special thermal insulation materials to manufacture its products. There are no toxic substances in seamless and modular floors. On some models, the design is applied to both sides of the cover.
Ecopolymers . This company makes puzzle carpets, from which you can make cubes if desired. Many consumers choose soft flooring from this manufacturer because the product does not contain harmful synthetic additives.
MD Taiwan . The Taiwanese company specializes in the production of children's and sports EVA tiles, which are highly durable. Increased elasticity and wear resistance of the floor are achieved by adding plasticizers to the material.

The best option for flooring in children's rooms, gyms, playgrounds and even commercial premises is a soft covering. The modules have universal technical characteristics and can be installed on absolutely any type of base.

Type of floor for heating installation

The choice of flooring for a child's room depends on the type of heated floor installed in it. IR systems heat up any type of material well. You can lay laminate, parquet, carpet, etc. on top of them.

It is better to finish the screed above a water or cable heating system with tiles and self-leveling coatings that have high thermal conductivity. Warm floors can be covered with linoleum without insulation or soft panels.