Like any product, a maple gym floor's lifespan is influenced by various factors, both positive and negative.
Several factors can shorten a maple floor's lifespan, including water damage, structural issues, the use of automatic scrubbers, excessive weight, and poor daily and annual maintenance. Even without these issues, the number of possible sandings - and therefore the floor's life - depends heavily on the skill of the person performing the sanding. A skilled craftsman only removes minimal material for the flooring to look rejuvenated, maximizing the floor's lifespan. Conversely, someone not possessing the equivalent skill and knowledge can significantly shorten the floor system's life.
Experienced athletic floor contractors will tell you that more frequent (but reasonable) sanding removes less of the floor's surface. This is because the sanding process can be gentler when there's less finish buildup. Floors left unsanded for long periods (e.g., 15 years or more) require more aggressive sanding to cut through the thick finish layers, resulting in greater surface removal.
Generally, a 25/32" thick maple floor, properly maintained and sanded by a skilled contractor, can withstand up to six sandings during its lifespan, provided it avoids environmental damage or abuse. With sandings every 8 to 12 years, the typical lifespan can exceed 75 years.
Disclaimer: The MFMA provides general information to architects, specifiers and consumers. The MFMA, its members, officers and agents disclaim any responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy or applicability of these guidelines under all circumstances and conditions.