Flooring has a major influence on the feel and mood of a room, so it’s important to make the right choice. Flooring can be expensive, so you need to get it right. When it comes to the best flooring for high-traffic retail or commercial businesses, there are four important things to look for: durability, ease of maintenance, appearance, and cost.
There are many different options for commercial flooring to choose from, so it is important to understand your organisation’s priorities.
Flooring Options
There are five major options when it comes to commercial flooring types: Luxury Vinyl Tile, Laminate, Carpet Tiles, Polished Concrete, and Tile Flooring. Each flooring options there are accompanying benefits and drawbacks.
1. Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl flooring captures the beautiful design and feeling of natural hardwood, without the high cost and maintenance. Since the pattern of wood grain is printed onto vinyl, you can choose from a variety of colours and designs, so it is easy to match with nearly any commercial interior. It is also extremely durable and waterproof, making it ideal for retail spaces, cafes, etc. The surface of the LVT is protected by a wear layer, which protects against wear and tear.
2. Laminate
Laminate flooring is a highly affordable which requires minimal maintenance. When purchasing laminate flooring in a commercial setting, it is important to consider the AC rating. AC ratings are used to indicate the durability levels of laminate flooring, and the amount of foot traffic it can handle. For laminate flooring in commercial areas, we recommend using floors with a AC4 or AC5 rating. AC3 laminate floors can also be used in areas with lighter foot traffic.
Many very good laminates can be found in the affordable $2 to $3 range. This makes laminate flooring one of the more inexpensive flooring options. Laminate flooring can be cleaned with a vacuum, broom or mop with a slightly damp mop, making sure to avoid using excessive water. is vulnerability to moisture, so if your commercial space has a risk for high moisture levels this may not be the best option.
3. Carpet
Carpet flooring can be the ideal choice for businesses that place a high priority on underfoot comfort and keeping the noise levels low. There are a several of options of carpet for commercial use, mainly modular carpet tiles and broadloom carpet.
Broadloom carpets come in a range of styles, ranging from traditional colours to contemporary designs. This typically allows for a number of creative possibilities. The installers will usually install broadloom carpets over a carpet pad, correcting the minor imperfections in the subfloor. Some broadloom carpets offer backings that acts as a moisture barrier. These carpets offer superlative levels of stain resistance and durability. In some cases, suppliers can even weld the seams chemically. This serves to provide a virtually seamless appearance.
Modular carpet tiles, also called carpet squares, come in pre-sized squares integrated backing material and base. these tiles are increasingly becoming the flooring material of choice – especially in high-traffic commercial applications. Regardless of the type of carpeting you choose; broadloom carpets and carpet squares will exude a warm and welcoming look. In addition, they will provide greater levels of insulation compared to hard surface flooring. With proper maintenance, both carpets could last for many years.
4. Polished Concrete
Polished concrete flooring is a popular choice, whether it’s the commercial or industrial environments. They are very tough and resilient, and also able to handle heavy foot traffic and equipment. Due to its strength It is very difficult to damage and is nearly impossible to chip or scratch. A properly installed, sealed and maintained polished concrete floor can be expected to have a long-life span.
They are affordable, energy efficient, low-maintenance and dust-free. Maintenance of a polished concrete floor is a breeze because, unlike regular concrete floors, polished concrete does not need to be sealed or waxed. A dust mop daily or a frequent wet mop will work just fine! Polished concrete flooring has such a range, so you are able to match it will any décor. There are a variety different dyes, textures, and stains that can be added to enrich the surfaces look. It also reflects light extremely well, brightening up any space and making it feel inviting.
5. Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is extremely versatile and available in seemingly endless design options. Tile maintenance is fairly easy, being that if a tile happens to crack under pressure, it can easily be replaced easily. The Porcelain Enamel Institute have a rating scale of 1-5 to grade tiles based on their hardness.
For high foot traffic industrial or commercial environments, you will want to go with a tile that is rated either a 4 or 5. Some tiles are moisture resistant tile options are also available ideal for commercial kitchens as it is able to withstand spills, and heavy foot traffic.
