Polysafe Hydro

Polysafe Hydro is a specialist safety vinyl flooring developed by Polyflor, a leading name in commercial and residential flooring solutions. Its primary design focus is to provide sustainable slip resistance in environments that are constantly wet and typically navigated barefoot or with soft-soled footwear. This makes it an essential choice for areas where the risk of slips and falls is significantly heightened due to water presence, such as walk-in shower rooms, hydrotherapy pools, indoor swimming pool surrounds, changing facilities, and specific areas within healthcare and residential care settings.

The exceptional safety performance of Polysafe Hydro stems from its advanced construction. It features a high concentration of safety aggregates, including silicon carbide particles and aluminium oxide, integrated throughout the full 2mm thickness of the vinyl. This ensures that the slip-resistant properties are maintained throughout the product’s guaranteed lifespan, even as the surface naturally wears over time. This contrasts with products where slip resistance relies solely on a surface texture. Polysafe Hydro achieves a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of ≥36 in wet conditions and an R10 slip resistance rating, fully complying with HSE guidelines and the European standard for safety flooring, EN 13845.

Beyond its core safety function, Polysafe Hydro is designed for durability and hygiene. The homogeneous vinyl sheet construction, coupled with a substantial 0.7mm wear layer, ensures it can withstand heavy foot traffic common in commercial environments. Furthermore, it incorporates Polyflor’s PUR reinforcement, a high-quality polyurethane coating. This PUR layer significantly enhances cleanability, reduces the need for intensive maintenance regimes involving polish, and helps maintain a hygienic surface by resisting dirt build-up and staining – a crucial factor in wet environments.

Available in a range of attractive, non-intrusive decorative colours, Polysafe Hydro allows for the creation of safe yet aesthetically pleasing wet area environments. Its design complements modern sanitaryware and interior styles, moving away from purely institutional looks often associated with safety flooring. Polyflor also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability with this range; Polysafe Hydro contains recycled content, achieves a BRE Global A+ rating for environmental impact (specific to certain building types like healthcare and education), and is 100% recyclable through the Recofloor take-back scheme.

Choosing Polysafe Hydro means investing in a proven safety flooring solution tailored for challenging wet conditions. Grosvenor Flooring provides comprehensive support, from selection advice tailored to your project’s needs to expert installation by skilled fitters, ensuring your Polysafe Hydro floor delivers maximum safety, durability, and compliance for years to come. Its specific formulation makes it a go-to choice for facility managers, specifiers, and homeowners seeking reliable barefoot slip resistance.

Polysafe Hydro Buying Guide

This guide helps you determine if Polysafe Hydro is the right flooring choice for your specific needs, considering various factors from location to maintenance.

• Room usage / Location: Polysafe Hydro is specifically designed for continually wet, barefoot areas. Think walk-in showers, wet rooms (domestic and commercial), hydrotherapy suites, swimming pool surrounds, communal changing rooms, and specific healthcare settings requiring high wet slip resistance. It is not intended for general dry areas like living rooms, bedrooms, or standard kitchens.
• Lifestyle: This flooring is ideal for environments where safety for barefoot users is the absolute priority. This includes commercial leisure facilities, gyms, schools, hospitals, care homes, and residential properties with adapted bathrooms or dedicated wet rooms. If your primary concern is high slip resistance in wet conditions, Hydro is a strong contender.
• Budget: As a high-performance safety flooring, Polysafe Hydro represents an investment in safety and durability. Its price point will typically be higher than standard domestic vinyl but offers long-term value through its longevity and low maintenance costs. Professional installation, including potential seam welding for complete watertightness, is essential and should be factored into the overall project cost.
• Durability & Maintenance: Polysafe Hydro is highly durable, with a 2mm overall thickness and a 0.7mm wear layer, designed for heavy foot traffic. The PUR reinforcement makes it exceptionally easy to clean and maintain, resisting dirt and reducing the need for polishes or harsh chemicals. Regular cleaning with appropriate methods maintains both hygiene and slip resistance.
• Material Type Pros & Cons:
  • Pros: Excellent sustainable slip resistance in wet/barefoot conditions, fully waterproof when correctly installed, highly durable, hygienic and easy to clean (PUR coating), meets stringent UK/EU safety standards (HSE compliant, EN 13845), available in various colours, good environmental credentials.
  • Cons: Primarily functional aesthetic (not a luxury design focus), specialist application (not suitable for all areas), requires professional installation for optimal performance and watertightness.
• Aesthetics & Style: While safety is paramount, Polysafe Hydro comes in a selection of clean, decorative colours designed to create pleasant, modern wet environments. The aesthetic is functional and hygienic rather than highly decorative like LVT.
• Comfort & Sound: It offers more underfoot comfort than ceramic or stone tiles, which is beneficial in barefoot areas. Its acoustic properties are typical for sheet vinyl flooring.
• Underfloor Heating: Polysafe Hydro is suitable for use with underfloor heating systems, provided the surface temperature does not exceed 27°C. This is often a desirable feature in changing rooms and bathrooms for added comfort.
• Installation: Professional installation is crucial for Polysafe Hydro, especially in wet areas where seams must be correctly hot-welded to ensure a fully impervious and watertight surface. Proper subfloor preparation is also vital. Grosvenor Flooring’s expert fitters ensure installation meets Polyflor’s standards.
• Sustainability: Polyflor prioritises sustainability. Polysafe Hydro contains recycled material, is 100% recyclable via the Recofloor scheme, boasts a BRE Global A+ rating (specific building types), and is certified for low VOC emissions, contributing to better indoor air quality.

Frequently Asked Questions about Polysafe Hydro