Flooring is a visual focal point of any space, whether for a special event or during the course of daily business. In some cases, the existing flooring just doesn’t offer the aesthetic appeal needed. In these situations, businesses often install temporary flooring that adapts to a specific event’s theme or requirements and will not cause lasting damage to the surface underneath.
When to Use Temporary Flooring
Temporary flooring is commonly used for a range of special events, but it can also be used in more permanent settings where subfloor access is necessary.
Film Sets
From professional to amateur films, finding the right location for filming is key. However, the existing flooring setup in a given location might not be what was envisioned. Quickly installing temporary flooring that is easily removable after the shoot is an easy way to address this major visual challenge.
Red Carpet Events
Once we resume in-person events again more regularly, red carpets will likely be quintessential to major events and award shows again. But when “rolling out the red carpet,” make sure it stays securely in place. A rug that wrinkles, buckles, curls, or rolls can quickly become a tripping hazard and doesn’t look great in photos. Securing the red carpet to the underlying floor (whether it’s pavement, tile, or carpet) is critical.
Weddings
Hotel ballrooms and outdoor facilities have historically been two of the most popular locations for wedding receptions and will likely be again soon. However, the existing flooring often doesn’t match the couple’s theme and can often be very bold and busy, competing for the eye and compromising wedding photos. The ability to easily install secure temporary flooring gives couples, wedding planners, and wedding venues an affordable way to “change” the flooring for each event. This is particularly inviting to venues as it can mean the difference between getting the booking or missing out.
Conferences & Trade shows
Conferences and trade shows are also often held in hotels and convention centers that may have unattractive carpet. While it may not matter to the conference hosts, brands are always looking for ways to make their booth stand out at trade shows or match brand visual standards. Temporary flooring gives companies the ability to customize the booth floor with confidence that the temporary flooring will be secure and removable. Conference hosts can offer this feature as an additional paid option for booth rental.
Sub-flooring Access
Office buildings that have carpeted halls and rooms often need the ability to access sub-flooring utility areas. “Temporary” carpet solutions offer a polished look while enabling easily removable carpet over access panels.
What to Consider with Temporary Flooring
Putting down any flooring requires consideration and preparation, even temporary solutions. The main factors to keep in mind (other than cost) include:
Temporary Flooring Type
What type of flooring is planned (rolled carpet, carpet tiles/squares, unconventional flooring like astro-turf)? The type of floor can have an effect on how easy and affordable it is to procure and install.
Subfloor Condition
What type of ground will be underneath the temporary flooring? Ensure that the installation solution selected will work with the subfloor without causing any damage or leaving residue upon removal. In almost any case, ensure that the subfloor is clear of debris and dry before installing the temporary flooring.
Ease of Installation AND Removal
In most cases, temporary flooring needs to be quick and easy to install. Some large events may have weeks of preparation time, but most cases have a matter of hours. A temporary flooring solution that is fast to install and can take foot traffic immediately is critical. Similarly, there will be a limited amount of time available to break down the event, so make sure the flooring solution is simple and fast to remove without causing lasting damage or excessive subfloor cleaning post-removal.
Flooring Security
No matter what the event or how long the temporary flooring will be in place, it needs to lay flat and stay flat the entire time. Ensure the use of a strong adhesive that will keep the flooring in place without any buckling, even under heavy or prolonged foot traffic. Also consider using a product specifically on the floor’s edges and seams, as these areas are prone to moving, puckering, and curling.
Temporary Flooring Installation Solutions
With temporary flooring in high-traffic situations, a dry adhesive flooring solution is often best. Friction-based products may help keep simple flooring (like an area rug) in place, but don’t do anything to fully secure the flooring. Dry adhesive products, on the other hand, are designed to be highly secure and easy to use, but can be removable based on the specific product.
Dry adhesive products often come in the form of double-sided tape and are available in everything from large-scale commercial rolls (like Lok-Lift®) to specialty cuts specifically designed to secure flooring edges or corners. Used together, they can create a secure, temporary flooring solution that can help reduce tripping hazards by ensuring a consistent, flat, smooth surface.
Dry adhesive products can be used over a large range of surface types, including carpet, tile, concrete, asphalt, cement, and wood, making them ideal for just about any need in any environment.
How Dry Adhesive Temporary Flooring Works
Dry adhesive flooring products for large flooring installations are heavy duty double-sided adhesive systems. Place the product in the desired area with the exposed adhesive down on top of the clean, dry existing floor and apply pressure to the tape to ensure a strong bond to the subfloor.
Remove the top sheet of the tape and place the new flooring over the now-exposed adhesive. Ensure everything is lined up and flat, then apply pressure to the flooring to activate the adhesive. In most cases, the more pressure applied, the stronger the hold will be. Depending on the size of the space, Lok-Lift® secured flooring can be installed in a matter of minutes or hours.
To remove the temporary flooring, simply lift up the top flooring with enough force to detach the adhesive.
For truly temporary installations, ensure the product chosen is designed specifically for temporary flooring so that minimal residue is left behind. Permanent dry adhesive flooring solutions are available, but can damage underlying floors if used for a temporary installation and will not be easy to remove.
Cost of Temporary Flooring
The cost of temporary flooring solutions vary based on the product, product dimensions, and amount of square footage required. In addition to the flooring material itself and labor costs, businesses will also have to budget for the installation solution. Dry adhesive products often cost around $0.45 per square foot.
Customize a Space with Temporary Floors
Temporary flooring is a great way to customize spaces for special events. Whether it’s for a few hours or a few days, laying down the right flooring can add to the aesthetic of the event and protect existing flooring from unnecessary wear and tear.
When done right, installing temporary flooring can be fast, easy, and secure, allowing businesses to get the look they’re dreaming of without the hassle or cost of a full flooring replacement.
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