Polysafe Hydro Evolve

Polysafe Hydro Evolve is a specialist safety vinyl flooring range from Polyflor, meticulously engineered to provide exceptional slip resistance in demanding, continuously wet environments. Specifically designed for areas typically used with bare feet or soft-soled footwear, it offers confidence and underfoot safety where it matters most, such as walk-in showers, hydrotherapy areas, and changing rooms.

This high-performance flooring solution combines functionality with a selection of clean, appealing colours. Its construction incorporates safety particles throughout the vinyl and a surface emboss designed to maximise traction, significantly reducing the risk of slips even when the floor is constantly wet, making it an ideal choice for both commercial and adapted domestic settings.

Further reading

Polyflor Polysafe Hydro Evolve represents the next generation in sustainable slip-resistant flooring, specifically developed to perform in environments where water is almost constantly present. Unlike standard flooring, Hydro Evolve is engineered with a unique formulation featuring coloured quartz, aluminium oxide, and silicon carbide particles integrated through the performance layer. This ensures consistent, high-level slip resistance that lasts for the entire guaranteed life of the product, meeting rigorous safety standards like EN 13845.

One of the key innovations in the Hydro Evolve range is its carborundum-free composition. Instead, it relies on coloured quartz and aluminium oxide particles for safety. This not only provides excellent traction but also contributes to a cleaner aesthetic across its eight available shades, which are designed to complement wet room interiors, from leisure centres and spas to healthcare facilities and adapted bathrooms in homes. The enhanced slip resistance is specifically optimised for bare feet and the soft-soled footwear often worn in wet leisure environments.

Beyond safety, hygiene is paramount in wet areas. Polysafe Hydro Evolve incorporates Polysafe PUR, a high-quality polyurethane reinforcement coating. This PUR coating protects the surface, makes it easier to clean and maintain, and resists stains and scuffs, helping to keep the flooring looking good over its lifespan. Furthermore, the flooring contains antimicrobial agents, providing continuous protection against bacterial and fungal growth, which is crucial in damp environments.

Installation requires precision, particularly in wet areas where watertight seals are essential. Polysafe Hydro Evolve is designed for hot welding, creating impermeable seams that prevent water ingress and protect the subfloor. Its flexible construction, aided by a polyester scrim reinforcement, allows it to be easily coved up walls and fitted around drains and fixtures, ensuring comprehensive water protection.

Polyflor demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability with the Hydro Evolve range. It achieves a BRE Global Environmental A+ rating (for specific building types like health and education), contributing positively to sustainable building schemes. The product contains recycled material and is 100% recyclable through the Recofloor vinyl take-back scheme. Additionally, it boasts low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, meeting strict indoor air quality standards.

Polysafe Hydro Evolve Buying Guide

Choosing the right flooring for demanding wet environments is crucial for safety and longevity. This guide helps you determine if Polysafe Hydro Evolve is the ideal solution for your needs:

Room usage / Location: Polysafe Hydro Evolve is specifically designed for continuously wet areas where barefoot or soft-soled footwear traffic is common. Think walk-in showers (commercial and domestic adapted), hydrotherapy pools surrounds, changing rooms, and spa wet areas. It is not intended for general dry commercial areas or typical domestic living spaces.
Lifestyle: Essential for environments where safety is the absolute priority and the risk of slips due to constant water presence is high. This includes commercial leisure facilities, healthcare settings (showers, bathrooms), schools (changing rooms), and private homes adapted for specific mobility or safety needs.
Budget: As a specialist safety flooring, Polysafe Hydro Evolve represents an investment in safety and performance. While the initial cost may be higher than standard vinyl, its durability, low maintenance, and crucial slip-resistance offer long-term value and peace of mind, potentially reducing accident-related costs.
Durability & Maintenance: Engineered for high traffic and constant moisture, it is extremely durable. The Polysafe PUR coating significantly simplifies cleaning and reduces the need for harsh chemicals or polishes. Regular cleaning following Polyflor’s guidelines is essential to maintain its appearance and slip-resistant properties.
Material Type Pros & Cons:
Pros: Exceptional sustainable slip resistance in wet conditions, specifically for barefoot use; hygienic with antimicrobial properties; durable and hard-wearing; easy to clean PUR coating; fully waterproof when correctly installed; good environmental credentials.
Cons: Primarily functional aesthetic; limited colour palette compared to decorative LVT; requires professional installation including hot welding; higher initial cost than non-safety vinyl.
Aesthetics & Style: The style is functional, focused on safety. It features visible safety particles within the vinyl, contributing to its performance. Available in a palette of 8 clean, often subtly coloured shades designed to create safe and hygienic-looking wet environments rather than making a strong design statement.
Comfort & Sound: Provides the typical underfoot comfort associated with vinyl flooring. It offers reasonable sound insulation properties, helping to reduce noise transmission.
Underfloor Heating: Polysafe Hydro Evolve is suitable for use with underfloor heating systems, provided the surface temperature does not exceed 27°C. Always confirm compatibility and follow guidelines for installation over UFH.
Installation: Professional installation is strongly recommended, especially due to the critical need for correct seam welding and detailing (like coving) to ensure a fully watertight and safe finish. Subfloor preparation must be perfect. Grosvenor Flooring provides expert fitting services for Polyflor products.
Sustainability: Features include a BRE Global A+ rating, use of recycled content, 100% recyclability via Recofloor, and low VOC emissions, making it a responsible choice for environmentally conscious projects.

Frequently Asked Questions about Polysafe Hydro Evolve

What makes Polysafe Hydro Evolve so effective in wet, barefoot areas?: Polysafe Hydro Evolve is specifically engineered with aggregates like aluminium oxide and coloured quartz particles integrated throughout the vinyl. This construction, combined with a carefully designed surface emboss, provides sustainable slip resistance that maintains high traction even when constantly wet and used with bare feet or soft-soled footwear.
Is Polysafe Hydro Evolve hard to keep clean?: No, the Polysafe PUR reinforcement coating makes the surface less porous and more resistant to dirt and stains. This allows for easier cleaning routines compared to non-PUR treated safety floors. Following Polyflor’s recommended cleaning procedures will ensure the floor remains hygienic and maintains its slip resistance effectively.
Can I install Polysafe Hydro Evolve myself?: Due to the specialist nature of safety flooring and the critical importance of achieving fully watertight seams in wet environments (requiring hot welding), professional installation by experienced fitters is strongly recommended. This ensures the product performs correctly and safely throughout its lifespan. Grosvenor Flooring offers expert supply and fit services.
Is Polysafe Hydro Evolve environmentally friendly?: Yes, Polyflor places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Polysafe Hydro Evolve achieves an excellent BRE Global Environmental A+ rating, contains recycled material, is 100% recyclable through the Recofloor scheme, and has low VOC emissions, contributing to better indoor air quality and sustainable building certifications.