Flooring in Solihull schools face tougher conditions than almost any other type of building. Corridors see several thousand footsteps a day, classrooms have chairs scraping across them every hour, and cleaners use strong chemicals daily. At Stansbie Flooring, we have been fitting flooring for schools Solihull and across the West Midlands for more than forty years, and we’ve seen exactly what works and what doesn’t. Our goal is always to deliver safe, durable, and easy-to-maintain floors that help pupils and staff move around confidently and comfortably.
A floor in an education setting has to balance five key factors: safety, strength, comfort, hygiene, and acoustics. If any one of those is off, problems appear within a year or two. The biggest mistake schools make is choosing a surface based on price alone. A cheaper vinyl might save money up front but can scuff or lift under furniture legs, leading to extra maintenance costs later. A well-specified floor should last at least ten to fifteen years with normal care.
We’ve measured that in a standard Solihull primary school, corridor floors experience between 3,000 and 5,000 steps per day per section. That kind of footfall means the material choice and adhesive system both matter as much as the finish. We always check subfloor moisture and select the correct preparation system before fitting to prevent lifting or seam gaps later on.
Safety vinyl is the workhorse of modern school flooring. It’s slip-resistant, easy to clean and tough enough for corridors, toilets and canteens. Welded seams stop dirt and bacteria from building up, and coved skirtings help with hygiene checks. We often specify R10 or R11 slip resistance, depending on the risk level in each zone. Textured finishes now clean easier than older styles and can handle daily machine scrubbing.
Karndean and LVT offer a higher-end appearance that suits entrance areas, staff rooms or new-build academies. They combine design flexibility with practical benefits like scratch resistance and quiet footfall. Some Solihull schools use wood-effect planks in reception areas to make a warmer first impression without the maintenance of real timber.
Carpet tiles remain a favourite for classrooms, offices and libraries. They absorb sound, keeping noise levels down during lessons. A good nylon tile with cushion backing can cut airborne sound by up to 25 percent and feels warmer underfoot. Damaged tiles can be swapped in minutes, avoiding disruption. We often recommend a mid-tone fleck pattern because it hides marks and reduces cleaning frequency by roughly 15 percent compared with plain colours.
For PE halls and multi-use spaces, we fit cushioned vinyl or polyurethane sports flooring. These surfaces are shock-absorbent, easy to clean and meet EN 14904 standards for ball bounce and slip resistance. They also handle the dual use of assemblies and after-school clubs without wearing out quickly.
We understand that timing is critical for schools. Most projects happen during the summer or half-term holidays, but we can also phase work during term time if access allows. Our team plans carefully to complete each zone before pupils return. All our installers working on school sites are DBS checked and trained in safeguarding and site safety.
We also prepare the subfloor before fitting. Moisture testing, levelling and primer selection are standard steps for us, not extras. These checks prevent long-term failures such as bubbles, loose tiles or cracked joints.
Once a new floor is down, we train site teams on simple maintenance routines that extend life and reduce costs:
We replaced 400 square metres of vinyl in corridors and classrooms with a safety vinyl system. After one term, staff noticed cleaning took about 20 minutes less per corridor each day because the new finish resisted dirt better. The floor still looks as good as new two years later.
The college wanted to reduce noise in its library and IT suites. We specified acoustic-backed carpet tiles rated at 24 dB sound reduction. After installation, teachers reported a calmer atmosphere and improved concentration levels. The tiles also reduced heating costs slightly as rooms retained warmth better.
To see more of our recent jobs please check out our gallery here.
If your school, college or nursery in Solihull is planning a refurbishment, we can help. We’ll assess your floors, test subfloor conditions and suggest materials that match your space, budget and safety standards.
Call 07432 153015 or use our online contact form to book a free site visit. We’re always happy to share honest, experience-led advice so you get a floor that performs for years.
