The Hidden Cost of Cheap Gym Floor Covers

Do low-cost gym floor covers save money long-term?

While budget-friendly options like plastic tarps or thin vinyl runners may seem like a savings upfront, they often lead to higher costs over the lifespan of a gym floor. Low-cost covers frequently fail to prevent the specific types of damage that necessitate expensive repairs.

Accelerated Refinishing Cycles

Because thin covers offer little impact protection, floors still suffer from scuffs and compression dents. This means the floor must be screened and recoated more frequently, or fully sanded down years earlier than necessary. Each full sanding removes wood, shortening the total life of the court.

Labor Inefficiency

Cheap covers like tarps are labor-intensive to tape down securely and fold up after use. The staff hours spent managing difficult covers often exceed the cost difference of a purpose-built system designed for rapid deployment.

Replacement Frequency

Inexpensive materials tear and degrade quickly. A school might replace a cheap tarp every 2-3 years, whereas a high-quality gym floor protection system can last for decades, providing a much better return on investment.