As students flee schools for their scheduled downtime, maintenance crews rush in for repairs and renovations.

This often means getting a great deal done in a relatively short amount of time – and it must get done. There’s no delaying the start of school.

Yet, higher education facilities often need to complete major repairs, such as renovating flooring and restrooms, to keep students safe, healthy and happy.

Facilities with grimy, unsanitary flooring often consider using school breaks to completely replace tile flooring, but tight budgets and limited windows of time often make tile restoration a more affordable option than replacement. Here’s why.

Hidden perils of replacing tile

There is the obvious cost comparison of restoring tile flooring versus rip-out and replacement, where you are not only paying for new flooring materials and installation, but also for the labor of breaking up the tiles, removing them and disposing them properly.

The process takes longer and can pose hazards due to airborne particulates, or even asbestos, released during demolition.

Unsightly demolition areas may even create negative perceptions about the school’s sense of environmental responsibility. Private University Products and News said, “Colleges and universities are increasingly highlighting their environmental responsibility in order to attract students… Regardless of material, colleges and universities don’t want their appearance marred by time-consuming installations.”

For universities and colleges, it’s all about timing

If replacement takes longer than expected, it can create serious (and costly) disruptions. When performing renovations during school downtime, projects must be completed quickly and efficiently, so Private University Products and News also recommends a fast-performing solution for flooring.

The advice highlights the importance of this timeline: “Any floor covering used in a school — from carpet to terrazzo — will look and perform better if the surface is properly prepared. Seek out a product that is fast curing, walkable in 2-4 hours, and ready to install for permeable coverings in 6 hours and non-permeable coverings in 12-16 hours.” Meaning, SaniGLAZE’s install time is a great advantage to higher education facilities.

A long-term look at cost

School maintenance budgets are notoriously tight, especially when it comes to floor maintenance, so replacing tile flooring with a less expensive material can make installation seem more financially attractive. Yet, it’s important to make sure whatever material is installed is appropriate to the area. For instance, while designer VCT may be attractive and affordable, it won’t perform as well as tile in moisture-rich areas.

It’s also important to consider the life-cycle costs of flooring materials when contemplating new installations. Facilitiesnet.com describes the life-cycle cost as “the first cost of the flooring, cost of installation (including the cost of disruption to business, if applicable), the cost of maintenance over the expected service life of the flooring, and disposal, reclamation, and removal costs. The total cost is then divided by the number of years the floor is expected to last, resulting in a total cost per year.”

Although an installation cost may be low upfront, subpar or inappropriate flooring material can cost a school a lot more in the long run due to frequent maintenance costs or repairs. Therefore, ease and frequency of maintenance should be an important factor when considering replacement. Whether one chooses replacement or simply tile restoration, it’s critical to use a service provider that is readily available, responsive and gets the job done right the first time. Nobody wants to repair damaged flooring with school in session. To avoid that, find a service provider with a strong technical team that insists on a preventative maintenance program. This helps limit disruptive reactive maintenance and reduces cost.

New options for added showing school spirit

In instances where a fresh look is desired as well as sanitation and shielding, new technologies and products have expanded the capabilities of tile and hard surface restoration services. Some professional restoration companies are now able to change the color of existing tile and grout, as well as cleaning and sealing it. This allows facilities to customize existing flooring to their desire, delivering a new look with the addition of reflective chips for added sparkle and light, or perhaps incorporating the school colors into athletic areas and locker rooms.

With new advances in floor restoration products and services, rip-out and replacement is no longer the only option for achieving eye-catching flooring with both designer flair and durability – and it certainly isn’t the cheapest.