Rubber Flooring
Rubber Flooring Guides and Resources
When people think of eco-friendly materials, rubber may not be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, many rubber products are petroleum-based. However, sustainability is not only about whether a material comes from natural sources. It also depends on how that material impacts the environment throughout its lifecycle. A great example of this is recycled rubber.
Recycled rubber is an engineered material made from discarded rubber sources, most commonly used vehicle tires. These tires are processed into fine rubber crumb and then bonded together using a polyurethane-based binder to create durable, long-lasting products. Often referred to as tire-derived products (TDPs), these materials represent one of the fastest-growing segments in the recycling industry. At Rubber-Cal, recycled rubber is widely used across a variety of flooring and matting solutions.
The environmental benefit of recycled rubber products lies in their production process. Each year, an estimated 250 million tires are discarded in the United States alone. Because rubber is not biodegradable, these tires can sit in landfills indefinitely and take up valuable space. By repurposing used tires into recycled rubber flooring and mats, manufacturers help reduce landfill waste and extend the usable life of existing materials.
Unlike organic waste, which naturally decomposes, tire rubber does not break down easily. This makes recycling not just beneficial, but necessary. Converting waste tires into usable products helps conserve landfill space and reduces the environmental impact associated with tire disposal. In this way, eco-friendly rubber products support a more sustainable approach to material use and waste management.
Nowadays, recycled rubber is used in a wide range of applications, from construction to fitness environments. Its durability and resilience make it ideal for high-impact settings such as commercial gym flooring, playground surfaces, and industrial applications like pallet liners. By choosing recycled rubber materials, businesses and homeowners can benefit from a product that is both high-performing and environmentally responsible.
Absorbent carpet matting is designed to protect interior floors by capturing moisture, dirt, and debris at entry points before they are tracked further into your home or business. A high-quality carpet mat acts as a first line of defense, helping to keep floors clean, dry, and safe. Available in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles, indoor carpet mats can also complement your interior décor while delivering practical performance.
Using both outdoor and indoor carpet mats is one of the most effective ways to reduce the amount of dirt and moisture entering your building. Outdoor mats help scrape off heavy debris, while absorbent indoor carpet matting traps any remaining moisture and fine particles. The textured surface of these mats is specifically designed to capture and hold dirt, water, and grime from the soles of your guests’ shoes, preventing it from spreading throughout your space.
To maintain peak performance, it’s important to keep your carpet matting clean. As debris builds up over time, regular maintenance ensures the mat continues to function effectively. Most absorbent carpet mats are easy to clean, requiring only vacuuming or sweeping to remove dust, dirt, and debris. For deeper cleaning, they can be washed without hassle.
Another key benefit of fast-drying carpet matting is its convenience. These mats are designed to dry quickly after cleaning or exposure to moisture, minimizing downtime and allowing them to return to use almost immediately. Whether for residential or commercial use, durable carpet matting provides a reliable, low-maintenance solution for keeping floors protected and presentable.
A rubber door mat is a simple yet essential addition to any home or business, helping keep your space both clean and safe. Designed to protect interior floors from dirt, moisture, and daily wear, a durable rubber mat actively scrapes debris from the bottoms of shoes before it can be tracked indoors. At the same time, its naturally slip-resistant surface provides added traction, even in wet conditions, reducing the risk of slips and falls.
One of the key advantages of rubber door mats is their exceptional durability. Many rubber mats are made from recycled and reclaimed tires, materials originally produced to withstand harsh outdoor environments. Automobile tires are built to endure constant exposure to sunlight, heavy rain, snow, and rough terrain. As a result, a heavy-duty rubber door mat inherits these qualities, making it weather-resistant, long-lasting, and ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
While commonly used at the front door, a rubber door mat can be placed at any entry point to improve cleanliness throughout your home. Adding mats to back doors, garage entrances, or patio doors helps reduce the spread of dirt and moisture, especially in households with pets or children. The textured rubber surface effectively removes debris from shoes and paws while providing a stable, non-slip area for everyday foot traffic.
Incorporating a non-slip rubber mat into your entryways is a practical, low-maintenance solution for protecting your floors, improving safety, and maintaining a cleaner living environment.
Industrial Elastomers
In the Media
How to Cut a Doormat
Rubber-Cal’s “Diamond-Plate” Rubber Flooring Featured On Spike TV’s “Sweat Inc”
Zcycle Rubber Flooring for a Gym Donated by Rubber-Cal, Inc.
Zcycle Recycled Rubber Floor Installation
On Sale Now
“Diamond Plate” Roll Rubber Matting
Elephant Bark 3/8″
Rubber-Cal at a Glance
The Company
Our Mission
Educate and Deliver Value to our Clientele
Increase Efficiency of our Organization
Bring to Market “Living Brands” That Evolve with our Client’s Changing Demands
Establish 1994
Founded in 1994, Rubber-Cal is a distributor of industrial rubber products. The company provides and inventories a wide range of rubber mats, rubber flooring, sheet rubber, flexible ducting, coir doormats, pavement maintenance parts and other specialty rubber products. Our large inventory and 24-hour fulfillment of stocked products makes us a great partner to agile OEMs and retailers by reducing their need to inventory parts and raw materials. Most of our rubber goods can be purchased in small custom-cut lengths, decreasing both the cost and time of installation and onsite fabrication.
Eco-Conscious Products
Ingrained in our basic philosophy is the mission to offer “Green” products, whenever possible, to industry and consumers alike. Natural, reclaimed and recycled rubbers are not only a practical substitute but also a far more affordable option. Firstly, by using eco-friendly materials like natural and recycled rubber, we help to reduce the presence of non-biodegradable rubber waste in the ecosystem. In the US, there are approximately 245 million tires discarded annually. Our products help reduce the presence of these tires in dumpsites. Secondly, consumers directly benefit from recycled rubber products because they are more affordable than their synthetic counterparts. This has been a distinguishing hallmark that has served Rubber-Cal well over the years. In fact, it is a point of pride for us. Products using eco-friendly recycled rubber, such as our interlocking rubber floor tiles, are very popular with consumers because they offer superior protection and durability at a competitive price.
Limited-Time Seasonal Sales
“Diamond Plate” Roll Rubber Matting
Industrial Elastomers Guides and Resources
All flooring materials have a scent, and rubber flooring is no exception. Natural rubber is derived from latex, an organic substance obtained from plants such as Hevea brasiliensis. Like many organic materials, harvested latex can contain natural impurities. During processing, liquid latex is combined with additives to create a consistent texture and improve overall performance. This process also helps neutralize impurities by breaking them down into various compounds.
During vulcanization, the final stage of rubber processing, the material is exposed to high heat and pressure to stabilize its molecular structure and form a durable solid. This step further reduces impurities and contributes to the final characteristics of the rubber. As a result, natural rubber products may retain a mild scent from compounds formed during processing. However, this scent is typically temporary and will gradually fade, especially when the product is stored in a well-ventilated area. By the time rubber flooring products are manufactured and distributed, many people barely notice any odor at all.
To further minimize odor, manufacturers often take additional steps during production. Some facilities add specialized compounds to the latex to inhibit the formation of odor-causing molecules during vulcanization. In regions such as Malaysia, producers may also use wet scrubber systems to help remove unwanted smells during processing. In some cases, rubber mats and flooring products are treated with additives that influence color or scent, replacing the natural rubber odor with more neutral or pleasant alternatives, such as a light vanilla fragrance.
Overall, while rubber flooring may have a slight scent initially, it is typically mild, temporary, and manageable, making it a reliable and practical choice for both residential and commercial applications.
EPDM rubber is a highly moisture-resistant material suitable for both freshwater and seawater environments. It resists water permeation and maintains its integrity when exposed to moisture, making it an excellent choice for outdoor and marine applications. Solid EPDM and closed-cell EPDM foam are widely used because they do not absorb liquids and offer strong resistance to UV rays, ozone, and oxidation. In contrast, open-cell EPDM is much more absorbent and is not ideal for moisture-heavy environments.
Among these options, solid EPDM rubber is considered one of the most water-resistant rubber materials available. It is commonly used for weatherstripping and protective padding due to its durability and ability to form a tight seal against moisture. EPDM weatherstrips are frequently found around windows and doors in both homes and vehicles, where they help block out water, air, and debris. Thanks to EPDM’s resistance to harsh environmental conditions, these applications offer long-lasting performance.
Closed-cell EPDM foam is another excellent choice for moisture resistance. Its dense structure is made up of tightly sealed air pockets, resulting in a very low absorption rate, typically less than 5%. This makes it a popular material for industrial and marine applications, where limiting water intrusion is critical. Due to its low moisture absorption and insulating properties, closed-cell EPDM is often used as water-resistant electrical insulation in demanding environments.
The performance and application of a silicone rubber product depend on several factors, with durometer (hardness) being one of the most important. Understanding silicone durometer ratings, such as silicone 60A, can be challenging for those unfamiliar with rubber materials. However, having a basic understanding of durometer helps ensure you select the right silicone sheet rubber for your specific needs.
When it comes to off-the-shelf silicone rubber sheets, common hardness options include silicone 40A, 50A, 60A, 70A, and 80A. These ratings range from softer materials (40A) to firmer, more rigid options (80A). Ultra-soft variations, such as 20A or 30A silicone, are also available but are typically custom-made. As durometer increases, the silicone becomes denser, heavier, and more resistant to compression.
Durometer is measured using a standardized test that evaluates how resistant a material is to indentation. A device called a durometer presses a small pin into the material under a specific spring load. The depth of the indentation, which can reach up to 2.5 mm, is then converted into a hardness value on a scale from 0 to 100. Softer silicone allows deeper penetration and results in a lower reading, while harder silicone resists penetration and produces a higher rating.
Soft silicone rubber is commonly used in applications that require cushioning, flexibility, and impact absorption. It helps protect both the surface it covers and the objects it encounters. On the other hand, hard silicone rubber is ideal for applications where durability and wear resistance are critical. Its dense composition makes it more resistant to abrasion, allowing it to maintain its integrity over time.
At Rubber-Cal, we offer silicone rubber sheets in durometers ranging from 40A to 80A, including 40A, 50A, 60A, 70A, and 80A. These sheets are typically available in red/orange and a variety of thicknesses. For 50A and 60A silicone, additional color options such as translucent, white, gray, black, brown, and blue are available. With multiple options in durometer, color, and thickness, you can select the right silicone sheet for your application.





















































