QHF Sports and the Evolution of Gym Floor Maintenance
In 2026, QHF Sports (formerly Quality Hardwood Floors) proudly celebrates 30 years of gym floor maintenance and athletic facility care. For three decades, the company has helped grade schools and universities protect one of their most valuable athletic assets - the gym floor.
Founded in 1995 by Donald Rains while working in Campus Recreation at Texas A&M University, QHF Sports has grown from its early campus roots into a trusted regional leader. Today, the company maintains thousands of gymnasiums each year, supported by regional offices serving both the DFW and East Texas areas.
Over the past four years, QHF Sports has also become a preferred finishing partner of Connor Sports Floors and a key provider of portable court maintenance services for major universities, including:
- University of Georgia
- University of Miami
- Florida State University
- University of Texas
- Texas A&M University
Based in San Marcos, Texas, the company also supports some of college basketball’s biggest stages, maintaining tournament courts for the NCAA’s March Madness and the Final Four. This year, QHF Sports will be finishing multiple Regional Round courts, along with the NCAA Women’s Final Four court in Phoenix.
The Front Porch of the School
For Donald Rains, gym floors represent far more than athletic surfaces, they reflect school pride and community standards.
“Excellent stewardship means treating the gym floor as the ‘front porch’ of the school… a safe, pride-filled space that reflects the standards of the entire institution.”
Rains reflects on industry changes seen through the years and states that one of the biggest shifts is how schools now view their floors.
“Administrators should view their gym floor as a 40-year asset.”
Historically, school or facility-staff treated gymnasiums as just a big room with another floor to maintain. The pros at QHF Sports have focused on educating schools and facilities on the longevity of their floors through routine maintenance. This long-term mindset has transformed gym floor care from reactive repairs into strategic facility planning. For facility teams, consistency is essential, and partnership matters.
“A true partner doesn’t just show up once a year; they empower your on-site team to maintain the floor correctly every day.”
Safety Starts With The Basics
Rather than waiting until a floor requires major sanding or replacement, QHF Sports encourages proactive maintenance through annual screenings and recoating.
QHF Sports answers many more questions about routine gym floor maintenance and proper techniques. The facilities are paying attention, and their diligence is paying off (literally) by saving institutions on costly repairs due to negligence.
“This prevents the need for aggressive, deep sanding and extends the floor’s life.”
Today, safety and performance, not just appearance, are the true measures of a well-maintained floor. When asked about the most common mistakes his team encounters, Donald highlights a few misconceptions that can lead to costly damage.
Dust buildup and improper cleaning solutions remain leading contributors to slips and injuries. Donald points out one of the most effective daily practices:
“Daily dust mopping with clean microfiber heads… is the most effective way to maintain traction and reduce liability.”
Another frequent mistake is the belief that stronger cleaning solutions produce better results. In reality, excessive water and harsh chemicals are leading causes of finish peeling and wood damage.
Donald adds:
“A floor can look shiny but be dangerously slick if the wrong chemicals are used.”
Modern gym floor stewardship goes beyond cleaning products and coatings, it requires protecting the entire environment surrounding the floor. One of the most significant issues remains inconsistent building conditions:
“Neglecting consistent climate control… humidity fluctuations cause expansion and contraction that can permanently damage the wood structure.”
Simplest Advice After 30 Years
After decades in the industry, Donald believes one simple policy can make the biggest impact:
“Implement a strict ‘no outside shoes’ policy… it’s the simplest way to prevent abrasive grit from destroying the finish.”
Small daily habits often provide the greatest long-term protection.
Smarter Maintenance and Better Materials
Gym floor finishes and maintenance systems have advanced significantly since the 1990s. One of the most important changes Donald has seen is the industry-wide shift toward waterborne finishes.
“The shift from oil-modified finishes to high-performance, fast-curing waterborne finishes are a gamechanger for durability and air quality.”
Looking ahead, Donald expects continued innovation in gym floor maintenance. One advancement that’s not too hard to imagine anymore:
“Robotic cleaning technologies and ‘smart’ sensors that monitor subfloor moisture levels in real time.”
These developments will help facilities maintain safer, longer-lasting floors with greater efficiency.
Looking Ahead
As QHF Sports celebrates 30 years of service, the mission remains unchanged: protecting athletes, preserving facilities, and supporting the schools and communities that rely on these spaces every day.
From local gyms to the brightest championship stages, QHF Sports continues to protect the game—one floor at a time.