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Roller Skating and Rollerblading

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of roller skates/blades on a maple gymnasium floor. MFMA does not recommend the use of roller skates/blades on a standard gymnasium floor. Nylon, plastic, and metal wheels can cause scuff marks and scratches in the gymnasium finish. Ongoing skating activities can shorten the life of the finish and skating accidents have the potential to cause damage to the maple flooring itself.

As you know, MFMA maple is the preferred surface for use in roller rinks. However the finish application for a roller rink differs from that of a gymnasium, and the maple is always laid in the direction of the skating (usually in a hexagonal or octagonal pattern.) These minor differences in installation procedures produce a surface much more geared to skating use than installation procedures typically employed for recreational facility and gymnasium installations.

If you have additional questions, contact MFMA's Technical Director at 847-480-9138.

Rev. February 2005

© Copyright 2005

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