The yoga and holistic health industry is a booming business, and with the increase in yoga studios cropping up across the country comes an increase in competition amongst businesses. Creating the ideal studio is crucial in order to retain yoga enthusiasts and one of the most important aspects of this is, without a doubt, the type of flooring you choose for your studio.
There are many different aspects to consider when choosing a floor for your studio, all of which are covered here. Price, durability, and appearance are all factors to take into consideration prior to the purchase and installation of your floors.
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Best Flooring Option
Bamboo
While commonly thought of as wood, bamboo is actually a grass plant. It is exceptionally strong and is gaining popularity due to its sustainability.
Cost
The price for bamboo floors averages $3.84 per square foot for materials and $4.00 per square foot for installation.
Pros
The use of bamboo is quickly gaining popularity in yoga studios for many different reasons. It’s eco-friendly, producing fewer fumes than other flooring materials and unlike hardwood, which can take 30 years to replenish the trees cut down to create the flooring, bamboo crops mature in as little as five years.
Since it comes finished, it also reduces the amount of time and money spent on installation. Bamboo floors are excellent at resisting moisture which prevents warping and having to replace floors prematurely. A process called carbonization allows for many different style options, so there are plenty of different colors to fit the look and feel of your studio.
Finally, in the event that you need to replace the floors of your studio, you can simply refinish the flooring instead of having to replace the entire floor.
Cons
The most notable drawbacks for bamboo floors are the fact that they scratch easily and they do not do well in humid temperatures, so if you have a hot yoga studio, cross this flooring option off your list completely.
While they may be eco-friendly in regards to the crop that is harvested to make them, they still produce VOCs depending on the quality of bamboo selected. High-quality bamboo has fewer VOCs, which is something you will want to keep in mind when purchasing.
Other Options
Softwood
Softwood floors are made out of natural woods and, while the name may imply it, are not much softer on the feet than hardwood. Softwood refers to the type of wood used, with the most popular type being pine. However, if pine isn’t your cup of tea, there are many other options available as well. Here we will discuss pine as the primary softwood type.
Cost
The price per square foot of softwood floor materials is $3-5 and the installation cost adds on an extra $2-4.
Pros
Softwoods, such as pine, are exceptionally durable and withstand a lot of use making them an ideal flooring choice for yoga studios. In average climates, it doesn’t warp or swell like other flooring types.
However, in humid climates, it is important to coat it with polyurethane to ensure that it doesn’t change shape. While not quite as eco-friendly as options such as bamboo, it is more eco-friendly than hardwood floors and materials are able to regrow quickly. It is also more cost-effective than hardwood.
Cons
While softwoods are more durable than hardwood floors, they still are susceptible to dings and scratches. Maintaining proper housekeeping is crucial to help prevent scratches caused by debris that may be trapped in the flooring. Finishing is also required for softwoods like pine, so budgeting that into your overall cost is necessary.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors have traditionally been highly sought after. Like softwood, hardwood refers to the type of tree used to create the flooring. The most common type of hardwood floor is oak due to its abundance and inexpensive cost. However, with new trends coming out that offer more sustainable options, hardwood floors are no longer the primary flooring option for yoga studios.
Cost
The price for hardwood floors averages about $3-5 per square foot for materials and $6-22 for installation.
Pros
The best quality that hardwood floors offer is durability, and century-old homes and buildings can still have their original floors if they are properly maintained. There is also a lot of variety in options and styles for hardwood floors, making it a great choice for those who want a very specific look in their studio. They are also sought after for their elegant and timeless appearance.
Cons
As with any flooring type, hardwood has its drawbacks. Price is a huge factor in a studio owner’s decisions to purchase as it is the most expensive option for flooring. Maintenance is also an issue, as hardwood floors are susceptible to scratches and will need to be professionally refinished in the event that the floors become scuffed.
Cork
Made out of tree bark, cork is starting to gain popularity in yoga studios. Harvesting the bark to create cork does not harm the trees, so its sustainability is excellent. It is very easy to recycle.
Cost
Cork floors will set you back around $7.50 per square foot for materials and around $9.50 per square foot for installation + materials.
Pros
Cork is another excellent option for yoga studios due to its softness on bare feet. It is also hypoallergenic so customers who may be sensitive to the components in other flooring types are less likely to have an issue while attending your classes. It is also easy to maintain and refinish and the eco-friendly aspect makes it very appealing to studio owners who want to keep the environment in mind.
Cons
While the soft nature of cork flooring is great for bare feet, this naturally means that it is easily dented and dinged in the event that you drop anything excessively heavy on it. It needs to be properly sealed to avoid warping and also needs to be stained professionally to ensure that the finished product is even in color and tone.
The upkeep for cork is a little more than other floors, and it needs to be refinished every few years and it fades easily when exposed to direct sunlight.
Linoleum
Linoleum is a commonly used flooring type made out of a variety of materials including pine resin, cork dust, and linseed oil. They are highly cost-effective so if your a studio owner on a budget this floor will definitely spark your interest.
Cost
Linoleum flooring tiles will cost around $5.50 per square foot to install and
Pros
Linoleum is very easy and inexpensive to install, which is one of the best benefits to this flooring type. There are also a variety of styles and colors to choose from, making a custom yoga studio a cinch. It is also very low maintenance which allows you to focus your time on more pressing matters.
Cons
Drawbacks for linoleum floors are mostly related to the potential for peeling. It is important to keep water away from the edges of the flooring, and if any is spilled cleaning it up right away is important to ensure that no peeling occurs.
With peeling comes the potential for mold if water or liquid is able to get underneath the flooring. Finally, lighter linoleum floors are susceptible to yellowing. Choosing a darker color floor can help offset this issue and allow for longer use of your studio floor.
Rubber
Rubber floors are often used in gyms and studios that utilize high-impact practices. They are easy to install and quick to clean.
Cost
The price for rubber flooring can range drastically depending on the type, but basic rubber tile costs around $8 per square foot or $10 for installation and material.
Pros
Rubber flooring is damage-resistant, so you won’t have to worry too much about wear and tear. It also provides excellent traction and is water-resistant. The fall rating for rubber floors is also much higher, so your customers are less likely to injure themselves if they were to fall out of a pose. The quick installation is another added benefit of rubber floors.
Cons
As far as aesthetics go, rubber floors aren’t generally as “pretty” as other flooring types. They are also a little more on the expensive side, but many studio owners find that the durability of rubber floors helps to offset these costs.
Laminate
What it is:
Cost per Square Foot: $0.70-2.00
Cost for Installation per Square Foot: $2-8
Pros
Laminate floors are very inexpensive and come in a wide variety of options. If you want the look of wood floors in your studio but don’t want to deal with the cost and upkeep of true wood flooring, laminate is a great option.
It is also very durable and scratch-resistant, which minimizes costs to replace damages that may occur more easily with other flooring types. It is also easy to clean, which helps cut back on housekeeping time.
Cons
Lower quality laminate flooring can end up looking tacky if the imprint of the wood is not done right. It is important to select the right laminate flooring and get a sample of it before you commit to a specific style to avoid a look that is excessively fake.
In the event that you do need to repair a part of the floor, you will likely have to replace the entire floor due to the manner in which it is installed. If you decided to go with laminate tiles, it is possible to replace a single tile. However, due to the potential for fading, the new tile may not match the rest of the floor which will create an uneven, unfinished look.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a man-made material created from PVC resin. It is highly durable and inexpensive to install, which makes it a great option if you’re wanting to reduce the costs of flooring in your yoga studio.
Cost
Sheet vinyl runs about $3 per square foot for installation and material and can range anywhere from $0.50 to $5 per square foot for materials alone.
Pros
Vinyl is very durable, so repair and replacement shouldn’t be much of an issue. It is also very comfortable under the feet, which helps provide a better experience for both you and your customers. If you are savvy in your DIY skills, it is also much easier to install than other flooring types and you can minimize costs if you feel capable of installing it yourself.
Lastly, there is an endless array of options for colors and styles for vinyl floors. Many of them closely mimic the look of hardwood floors, creating an aesthetically pleasing environment in your studio.
Cons
Fading is a major issue with vinyl if it is constantly being exposed to direct sunlight. If your studio floors are getting a lot of sun all day long, this may not be a great option as you will have to replace the floor sooner than you may like (or have to deal with faded floors, which aren’t pretty). It is also important to keep sharp objects away from your vinyl floors. While they are very durable, they do not handle heavy or sharp objects well and will become damaged if they come into contact with them.
FAQs
Q: What options do I have for my yoga studio floors?
A: There are tons of flooring options, so choosing the right one depends on your needs and wants. Hardwood, softwood, bamboo, linoleum, cork, and rubber are just a few different types.
Q: What is the most sustainable flooring option for my yoga studio?
A: As of now, bamboo is proving to be one of the most sustainable options (and comes with a very appealing price tag for studio owners). The wood used in hardwood floors can take decades to regrow, creating a huge impact on an already dwindling forestry. Bamboo is able to be harvested and then regrown in as little as five years. As an added bonus, it has a beautiful and natural look which appeals to the yogi community immensely.
Q: What is the difference between softwood and hardwood?
A: The only difference between the two is the wood that they are made out of. Neither is more hard or soft than the other, and both are great choices for yoga studios.
Q: I own a hot yoga studio, what is the best flooring type for my business?
A: Wood is the most common flooring type for hot yoga studios. However, due to the climate in the room during the sessions, it is important to maintain strict control over the humidity in your rooms in order to prevent warping and buckling. The studio should never exceed 50% humidity and should be monitored constantly.
Q: Why is sustainability important for my floor material?
A: Most studio owners know that yoga is not just a practice, for many, it is a lifestyle. An aspect of this lifestyle is being conscious not only of our bodies but of the impact we have on the environment. This is also a great point to mention to your eco-friendly customers as well, as some may choose a studio that shares their same concern over the current state of the environment.
Q: How should I clean my studio floors?
A: This depends entirely on the material you decide to install. For example, hardwood floors will have different cleaning requirements and upkeep requirements than a material such as linoleum. The amount of time you are willing to spend cleaning your floors and keeping up on them should factor into your decision when selecting the floors for your studio.
Q: Can I install my floors by myself?
A: Again, this depends on the material you decide to go with and if you are handy in the DIY department. Hardwood floors will be much harder to install than, say, rubber flooring. Some flooring types will also require a finish, whereas others will not. On that same note, certain flooring types that don’t require finish will require a foam or rubber underlay to help minimize the impact on feet and decrease unnecessary sound.