Can furniture stand on rubber tiles without leaving marks?
In normal use, furniture leaves no visible pressure marks or impressions on rubber tiles, provided the product description specifies that the covering is suitable for furniture and equipment. This includes patio tiles, balcony tiles, fitness tiles and floor coverings for trade fair and exhibition areas. Plant containers and training equipment may also stand on these surfaces.
The decisive factor is the point load, that is the weight in relation to the contact area of the furniture feet. Broad feet distribute the load, while very narrow feet concentrate the same weight over a small area. Patio and balcony tiles also accommodate the concentrated loading created by shoes with high heels. Tables and chairs of conventional design are therefore unlikely to leave marks. The limit is only approached by an exceptionally narrow metal foot carrying a high load.
Compressive strength is assessed under BS 7188. A force of 1000 newtons is applied to a test piece with a contact area of one square centimetre, equivalent to the weight of about 105 kilograms. Residual indentation is measured 24 hours after the load is removed. For patio and balcony tiles it is less than one millimetre. The corresponding rating appears in the technical data. The higher the rating, the smaller the residual indentation.