Rubber baseboard

Rubber baseboard, either molded or extruded, is used to cover the seam between floors and walls. Rubber is an ideal material for baseboards because it is more impact- and scratch-resistant than wood or plastic, and if damaged, it is readily replaced. Rubber self-stick vinyl wall base can be installed in institutional, industrial, and residential buildings for purely functional reasons or to improve the visual attractiveness of a living or working environment.

Features of rubber baseboards

Rubber baseboard trim can be plain and simple or decorated with unique patterns and designs. In either scenario, they shield classroom walls from being harmed by desk leg impact. They shield factory walls from scuffs brought on by contact with moving parts or machines. They can be made from either synthetic or natural rubber, depending on the application. For baseboards used in demanding locations, such as factories, synthetic rubbers such as EPDM can provide higher levels of impact resistance as well as other strength and durability properties. In other situations when durability and strength are less important, basic baseboards can be made from moderately priced natural rubber products and still perform efficiently.

Types of rubber baseboard

There are three different types of rubber baseboards: Thermoplastic rubber (TP), Thermoplastic vinyl (TV), and Thermoset vulcanized rubber (TS). Despite being one of the three types of rubber, thermoplastic vinyl (TV) is a composite material made almost entirely of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The vinyl wall base material is heated, extruded, and then molded into the final product since it is malleable at high temperatures. TV offers several advantages. It can be recycled since it can be heated and cooled repeatedly without losing value.

It is the most easily accessible of the three varieties of rubber. However, compared to other varieties of rubber, the TV is more difficult to handle and install, and it might develop white stress lines or discoloration when shaping corners. While TVs are more susceptible to visible gouges and nicks than other types of rubber, the matte covering can help hide scuffs. TV is a great, economical solution for wall bases, accessories, flooring, and stair systems in low-traffic locations (emergency stairways, secondary stairwells, and light commercial applications).

Vinyl and rubber are mixed to create thermoplastic rubber (TP). TP is heated, extruded, and molded into a final product in the same way that television is. It also retains its features, whether heated or chilled, making it recyclable. The wall base must be acclimated on-site for at least 24 hours prior to TP installation. Similar to TV, stress lines and discoloration may emerge while constructing corners. Additionally, it has a matte surface to help nicks and gouges blend in. The "optimum" alternative for a rubber wall base is TP since it comprises rubber.

Thermoset vulcanized rubber is TS rubber. It is a rubber that includes virgin fillers and additives combined with either synthetic or natural rubber. The elasticity, tensile strength, hardness, and weather resistance of this baseboard trim are all enhanced by the vulcanization process, which involves heat and pressure. TS includes the most rubber of the three varieties. One of the main distinctions between the various forms of rubber is the chemical process of vulcanization. Because it doesn't contain PVC, TS is better for the environment and could earn LEED points. The most durable rubber is Type TS, but it is also the priciest option. Because of the uniform composition of TS, nicks and gouges are less common than in TP or TV. Furthermore, TS is resistant to shrinking and stress signs.