By Carolyn Weber. Architects are usually the first in the industry to experiment with new products. And many have long recognized the virtues and versatility of rubber flooring. They like it because its rich colors are more appealing than vinyl; its resiliency makes it perfect for kitchens, baths, and laundry and exercise rooms; it’s easy to keep clean; and many rubber floors are made from recycled tires, so the product is also environmentally friendly.
One of these is ECOsurfaces, from manufacturer Dodge-Regupol (www.regupol.com). Made from 100 percent recycled car tires and a post-industrial-colored synthetic rubber called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), ECOsurfaces offers a unique blend of durability, good looks, and resilience.
There are six product lines, three suitable for residential applications. ECOnights, ECOstone, and ECOearth come in 38 colors in 4-foot-wide rolls, two tile sizes, and several thicknesses. At $3 to $5 per square foot installed, ECOsurfaces is comparable to vinyl. Dodge-Regupol offers a warranty for a minimum of five years for all ECOsurfaces flooring products.