Ramsey County Family Service Center - Entrance Tiles - Maplewood, MN

Appearance, ease of installation and ease of repair are all important aspects when deciding on flooring for high traffic areas - especially to someone in charge of installation and maintenance. Those factors, as well as price and performance specs, guided Ramsey County (Minn.) Building Services Manager Bruce Christofferson to Greatmats Entrance Linear Tiles when deciding on flooring for the entryway of the Ramsey County Family Service Center, located in Maplewood, Minn., back in December of 2013.

Greatmats modular entrance tiles are made from 100 percent recycled materials and come with a three-year limited warranty. The interlocking tile design allows them to easily snap together without any need for adhesives. They are waterproof, UV resistant and feature a non-slip ribbed carpet top surface. It was the modular design of the American-made 1x1 foot by 1/2 inch tiles, and the ease of installation, that piqued Christofferson's interest.

Operating as a homeless shelter, the Ramsey County Family Service Center is operated 24/7 and temporarily houses as many as 65 adults and children at one time. After a year and a half of heavy use at the facility, the tiles have more than lived up to expectations.

''Many of the building's users use strollers and other carts,'' Christofferson said. ''The mats have withstood the cart traffic without movement or separation. The carpet has not separated from the backing, even with daily cart traffic. ... The tiles continue to look new.''

With less time spent on maintenance, the staff at the family service center is able to focus better on helping Ramsey County families find employment and transition into stable housing.

Bruce Christofferson

Ramsey County Family Service Center

Maplewood MN 55109