If you own a business or are trying to start one, be it corporate or industrial, you will need to ensure it is fitted with the best type of commercial flooring. Commercial floors experience more wear and tear than residential floors meaning heavy-duty materials are necessary. The best commercial flooring for your space should be cost-effective, durable, easy to maintain, and visually appealing.
There are different types of commercial flooring compared to Residential Flooring depending on a person’s needs, and it’s important to explore all the options available and weigh their attributes against your commercial needs. First, let’s start by understanding what commercial flooring is.
What Is Commercial Flooring?
Commercial flooring is any heavy-duty floor covering used in corporate and industrial environments. The flooring comes in various materials, and it is designed to offer the best combination of cost-efficiency, practical maintainability, visual appeal, and durability.
Below we have explained the different types of flooring you can use for your business space and how to choose the best for your corporate or industrial business.
1. Hardwood Flooring
Wood is a popular flooring choice, and it comes in various colours, cuts, styles and species. Real wood flooring will give a high-end look which will give your commercial space a wow factor as it provides a timeless aesthetic. While hardwood flooring can last longer than other types of commercial flooring, it is more expensive and can carry a lengthy installation period.
Hardwood flooring is highly durable even without any other advanced technology, and you can enjoy the maximum benefits of this flooring for years in your commercial building as long as it has been installed properly. Moreover, it is easy to clean as dirt and dust can be washed or swept away easily.
However, moisture or humidity can be a problem, and it’s not the most suitable choice for high-traffic areas. Also, it’s very expensive, meaning some commercial settings will shy away from using this type of commercial flooring.
2. Laminate Flooring
Laminate commercial flooring mimics the look of real wood flooring, but it comes at a fraction of the cost. It is a popular option in a commercial setting since it needs minimal maintenance and can also be made to withstand heavy traffic. In addition, the flooring is engineered to be hygienic, durable and easy to maintain, and the biggest advantage is that it’s waterproof.
Laminate flooring is more eco-friendly than hardwood flooring. However, when exposed to moisture, it is prone to warping but can resist expanding and contracting. Also, although laminate flooring in commercial spaces is less expensive than hardwood floors, they can be difficult to repair when they get damaged.
3. Vinyl Flooring
This is another durable and strong commercial flooring option that is visually appealing and more affordable than hardwood flooring. Vinyl flooring is made of a fully synthetic polymer that can give your office the look of stone or hardwood without needing upkeep. In addition, it is a moisture-resistant surface that is durable, and it comes in different colours and patterns.
Vinyl flooring may be less expensive than other types of commercial flooring, but the tiles can be dented or punctured in some settings. In addition, this commercial flooring type can fade with time, especially in areas subjected to UV exposure. Also, if you decide to replace this flooring type, it can be expensive and difficult to remove since the tiles are attached using glue.
In addition, when compared to other types of commercial flooring, vinyl has a greater impact on the environment because of the volatile chemicals released during the production process. For maintenance, you need to ensure the floors are well swept and vacuumed to minimise the risk of scratches and marks.
4. Polished Concrete
When in a shopping complex, warehouse, supermarket or corporate retail space, you will likely find a polished concrete floor. It is a durable classic flooring material that is increasingly popular since it gives a clean and contemporary look at an affordable price.
Most business owners like this type of commercial flooring since it cuts down maintenance costs compared to other traditional flooring materials. In addition, when compared to other commercial flooring systems, polished concrete is environmentally friendly since few waste materials are produced during installation.
Lastly, this is a suitable commercial flooring type since it helps to improve the air quality since the surface doesn’t retain mildew, dust, mold or other common indoor allergens.
5. Stained Concrete
Concrete can be transformed in many ways through staining, and it can be customised to mimic expensive materials such as natural stone, wood or marble. Thanks to patterns, stencils and other decorative elements, you can have a unique and customised commercial flooring that matches your desired aesthetic or style.
You may find stained concrete in restaurants, churches, waiting rooms, retail stores, homes and outdoor malls, but also this is a common type that can be found almost everywhere. It won’t crack, fade, or chip making it suitable for outdoor areas since other flooring materials cannot withstand the elements. Lastly, it’s long-lasting and cost-effective.
6. Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy is some of the biggest growth seen in the concrete flooring market, and it’s becoming more popular in commercial settings. These commercial settings include pharmaceutical companies, parking facilities, automotive facilities, hospitals, oil and gas manufacturing plants, airports, schools and colleges, and food and beverage plants.
Epoxy flooring coating can be tailored to match the demands of the commercial space and are highly resistant to wear and tear, among other common abrasions. In addition, it can perform under different temperatures thanks to its insulating properties.
In addition, the different types of epoxy coatings can offer high UV stability, chemical and heat resistance which makes epoxy a popular choice for high-performance environments
7. Carpet Flooring
Carpet is the most traditional choice in some commercial settings since it provides additional warmth in cold climates and absorbs noise. However, a carpet can easily get damaged and stained when toxic chemicals are released in the manufacturing process.
While you can easily sweep away dirt and dust on a concrete surface, allergens easily get trapped in carpet fibres. The carpet may need to be removed when exposed to excess moisture, especially if mould and mildew develop.
Generally, carpet is not as durable as other flooring alternatives for commercial spaces.
8. Rubber Flooring
In some commercial settings, the rubber may be the best type of flooring as the material offers extra cushioning to reduce fatigue or injury in commercial hospitals, gyms, schools and kitchens. However, while rubber flooring is comfortable, slip-resistant and sound absorbent, it is easy to maintain, and it can discolour on its surface with time.
In addition, costs can add up over time, becoming expensive. However, rubber is a practical flooring choice, and it’s not visually appealing as other options available in the market
How To Choose The Best Commercial Flooring For Your Project
a). Unique Business Needs
The first factor to consider is what kind of business you are working on, which will help you make informed flooring choices. For instance, a salon or spa flooring should create a relaxing atmosphere. On the other hand, if the commercial flooring is meant for an assisted living facility, you will need an inviting floor that is still practical.
You will need a strong, durable, and easy to clean flooring type for hospitals and manufacturing facilities. Lastly, you will need commercial flooring with bright hues for schools, daycare centres, and libraries to engage families and children.
b). Flooring Recommendations by Industry
As you shop for the best types of commercial flooring, you will realise different industries have different needs. The right type of commercial-grade flooring can make your business run smoothly, and most businesses will need commercial flooring for the high-traffic areas
Below are some recommendations by the industry:
1. Medical Practices
A medical building floor experiences a lot of foot traffic and wears for routine transfers of heavy medical equipment. So, patients and providers prefer durable yet smooth floors such as linoleum flooring, making rolling transport effortless.
In addition, there are strict sanitation requirements that help prevent the spread of diseases, and things can get dirty easily in a hospital. This means that medical practices need easy-clean flooring to make sanitisation a breeze.
2. Schools and Educational Institutions
Durability is a major factor for floors used in educational institutions such as colleges, elementary schools, secondary schools and universities. However, since many of these institutions are funded by public taxes, the budget matters.
Some popular choices for education flooring include porcelain, linoleum, carpet tiles and broadloom, and they should all be easy to clean.
3. Office Buildings
Office workplaces vary in purpose, and the flooring type should reflect the company’s brand. Moreover, flooring could be used to designate different rooms. For instance, a company’s break room could have ceramic tiles, and a corporate boardroom could have something upscale such as a luxurious carpet or hardwood.
4. Salons and Spas
Commercial floors for spas and salons should be stylish and durable, ensuring the material withstands heavy foot traffic and spillover from washing stations. The flooring should be comfortable for workers since they are on their feet all day and vinyl flooring is a top choice.
5. Restaurants
While a floor’s look is important, it must be safe, durable and easy to clean. Some great choices include laminate, tile, cork and vinyl, but for upscale restaurants, a carpet could make a good choice for aesthetics and minimise noise.
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