School’s out, tools out! Time for a hygienic refurb
As the school year progresses and the summer break creeps closer, now is the ideal time for schools to start thinking seriously about refurbishment projects, especially in high-use, hygiene-critical areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and changing rooms.
These spaces are essential to the day-to-day functioning of any school, yet they’re often the ones that get left behind when it comes to upgrades. If your school’s facilities are starting to show their age, here’s why it makes sense to start planning refurbishments now, and why hygienic wall cladding and flooring should be at the top of your list.
Take advantage of the Summer holidays
Planning refurbishments now means you can book in works to take place during the summer break, minimising disruption to staff and pupils. It also gives you enough lead time to get everything in place, from budgeting to choosing the right materials.
A fresh start for the new academic year
There’s nothing like starting a new school year with a clean, modern space. Refurbished kitchens and bathrooms can improve staff morale, enhance pupil experience, and reflect your commitment to health, safety and wellbeing. It’s a great way to show parents and inspectors that hygiene is taken seriously.
Hygiene has never been more important
Since the pandemic, hygiene standards have come under greater scrutiny than ever before. In schools, where bacteria and viruses can spread quickly, investing in surfaces that are easy to clean and resistant to moisture, mould and bacteria is essential.
That’s where hygienic wall cladding and flooring comes in.
Why choose hygienic wall cladding and flooring?
Easy to clean – Unlike tiles, wall cladding has no grout lines to harbour dirt and germs, making cleaning quicker and more effective. Faster and more thorough cleaning reduces the time and labour required while maintaining high sanitation standards. Hygienic wall cladding is resistant to chemicals, stains and odours, making it compatible with rigorous cleaning protocols involving disinfectants and sanitisers. This durability allows for frequent cleaning without degrading the material, ensuring consistent hygiene over time.
One of the standout features of vinyl flooring is also its low maintenance. All modern vinyl floors have a PU coating, which is a protective polyurethane film, which makes the surface of the flooring more durable, and resistant to water, abrasion and some chemicals. This ensures that the flooring is easier to keep clean, and grease free.
Durable – Wall cladding is designed to withstand high traffic, spills, steam and frequent cleaning, ideal for school kitchens and bathrooms. Products like Altro hygienic wall cladding has extremely high impact resistance. In fact, durability test results on their wall cladding showed impacts that would damage ceramic tiles barely left a scratch on the wall cladding surfaces. The same goes for the wall cladding's thermoformed corners – an area where, for example, ceramic tiles are especially vulnerable.
Unlike standard flooring, vinyl flooring is built to withstand heavy foot traffic, frequent spills, and impact. It also has good stain resistance too. When used in schools and colleges, these floors are made from high-quality materials ensuring longevity and reduced maintenance costs over time.
Waterproof and mould resistant – Hygienic wall cladding is designed to be smooth and free of cracks. It’s a fully-sealed, watertight system so that bacteria, mould, and viruses can’t sneak in. Its non-porous nature prevents moisture and contaminants from penetrating the surface, reducing microbial growth. This makes it very unfriendly towards nasty pathogens looking to make a homely breeding ground. It keeps a clean appearance for years.
Vinyl flooring is a non-porous surface which prevents liquids, dirt, and contaminants from seeping in. This reduces the likelihood of microbial growth, which thrives in moist and porous environments. Unlike carpets or unsealed wood that can retain germs deep within their fibers or grains, vinyl creates a barrier that is easier to clean and sanitise.
Compliant – Hygienic wall cladding meets hygiene regulations for education and catering environments, such as those set by healthcare and food safety authorities. In particular, Altro’s hygienic wall cladding was tested by the Food Hygiene Department of Campden & Chorleywood Food research Association Technology Ltd. (CCFRA), which proved that it's compliant with the European Directive on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs. Altro hygienic wall cladding is also Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approved, and is safe for food and medical environments, providing the hygiene and protection needed.
In many industries, vinyl safety flooring may be a legal requirement. Nowadays, workplaces, especially the education sector, are required to adhere to increasingly strict health and safety regulations. Vinyl flooring is compliant with hygiene standards like ISO, HACCP and other regulatory frameworks, underscoring its suitability for education applications. Installing compliant flooring not only protects people but also ensures you meet necessary safety regulations, avoiding potential fines or legal issues.
Whether you’re replacing worn-out tiles, upgrading old floors or designing a new layout from scratch, hygienic wall cladding and flooring offer a smart, long-term solution that’s both practical and professional.
Budget-friendly options available
School budgets can be tight, but refurbishments don’t have to break the bank. There are a range of cladding and flooring solutions available to suit different needs and budgets. Plus, investing in quality, low-maintenance materials now can help reduce repair and replacement costs down the line. Talk to our team to understand more about the ranges on offer.
Ready to start planning?
From nurseries to secondary schools, creating safe, hygienic spaces has never been more important. By planning your refurbishments now, you can ensure your school is ready for the next academic year, with facilities that are not only up to standard, but built to last.
If you’d like advice on choosing the right hygienic surfaces for your school, or help with planning your project, get in touch with our team today.
