Irrespective of what sort of business you’re setting up, getting the look and image right has never been more important. With the tough economic climate has come even more need to stand out from your competitors in order to win the hearts, minds and especially the wallets of those all important customers. No matter whether your proposed business is an office, a shop or a restaurant, getting the flooring right is a really important part of your overall planning process.
There are various flooring options that are suitable for commercial use. These include (amongst others): linoleum, tiling, laminate, solid wood and engineered wood. Here’s a brief overview of each:
Commercial grade linoleum. Commercial grade linoleum generally comes in sheet form and is specifically created with the heavy duty wear and tear that commercial life will throw at it. Available in a whole host of colours and patterns, commercial grade linoleum can be laid either in a single colour and pattern, or can be cut to be laid in a more inventive way. Either way, this option is easy to clean and relatively hardwearing as well as being low cost.
Commercial grade tiling. Commercial grade tiling comes in a choice of either vinyl, carpet or ceramic. Vinyl and ceramic, as you would imagine are both easy to maintain and hard wearing. That said, attention needs to be paid to both during routine maintenance. In particular, you need to make sure that respect is paid to health and safety regulations with regards risk of slipping whilst the floor is wet. Carpet tiling, although a very popular option some years ago, is now not so popular. When it comes to price, there is no doubt that vinyl and carpet tiling come in at the cheaper end of the scale, whilst ceramic tiling is more expensive and requires more skill to install.
Commercial grade laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is an imitation of real wood flooring, made from images that are bonded to a base to create a wood lookalike flooring product. Albeit an inexpensive solution, there is no getting away from the fact that laminate flooring has a tendency to look tired and worn very quickly. As a result, if you’re looking for a long-term solution, laminate is unlikely to be the best option for you.
When it comes to wood flooring in a commercial setting, there are two options available: solid and engineered wood.
Solid wood flooring for commercial premises. If you’re planning solid wood flooring for your commercial project, there is no doubt that the likes of oak, wenge or cumaru are ideally suited to the heavy-duty wear and tear that a commercial setting is likely to undergo. Irrespective of which solid flooring option you choose, it’s really important to choose a suitable finish to protect your floor and to keep it easy to maintain.
Engineered wood flooring for commercial premises. Once again, engineered oak wood flooring is a great solution for commercial premises. The main advantage of engineered wood flooring over solid wood in a commercial setting is that engineered solutions resist more effectively any fluctuations in temperature and, or moisture than solid wood. So, if your commercial project is in a setting where moisture and temperature fluctuations are anticipated, you’d be best to plump for engineered wood over solid wood.
Irrespective of which flooring option you choose, you need to consider the look you want to achieve; the length of time you expect your floor to last and the footfall you’re likely to experience. All of these things will impact on your final decision, but of course, our favoured option is a wood floor, no matter the setting. Here’s more advice on commercial wood flooring.
Commercial Flooring Options
| Commercial Grade Linoleum | Commercial Grade Tiling | Commercial Grade Laminate Flooring | Solid Wood Flooring | Engineered Wood Flooring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Comes in sheet form and is specifically created for heavy duty wear and tear. | Available in vinyl, carpet or ceramic options. | Imitation of real wood flooring, made from images bonded to a base. | Made of solid pieces of wood like oak, wenge, or cumaru. | Composed of several layers of different types of wood. |
| Durability | Relatively hardwearing. | Hardwearing, though attention needs to be paid during routine maintenance, particularly regarding health and safety regulations for risk of slipping. | Tends to look tired and worn quickly. | Depends on the type of wood, but generally suitable for heavy-duty wear and tear. | Resists fluctuations in temperature and moisture better than solid wood. |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean. | Vinyl and ceramic are easy to maintain. Carpet requires more care. | Maintenance depends on the degree of wear and tear. | Needs a suitable finish to protect the floor and keep it easy to maintain. | Generally easy to maintain. |
| Cost | Low cost. | Vinyl and carpet tiling are cheaper, while ceramic tiling is more expensive and requires more skill to install. | Inexpensive solution. | Generally more expensive than other options. | Price varies depending on the type of wood and construction. |
| Suitability | Suitable for commercial use where heavy duty wear is expected. Available in a wide variety of colours and patterns. | Suitable for commercial settings. Health and safety considerations must be taken into account. | Suitable for short-term commercial use. | Suitable for commercial settings with heavy-duty wear and tear. | Suitable for commercial settings where moisture and temperature fluctuations are anticipated. |
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FAQ
Why is choosing the right flooring important for businesses?
The look and image of a business are critical to stand out from competitors and attract customers. Flooring is an integral part of this overall aesthetic. The right flooring should also be durable to withstand the footfall and use of a commercial space.
What are some suitable flooring options for commercial use?
Various flooring options suitable for commercial use include commercial-grade linoleum, commercial-grade tiling (vinyl, carpet or ceramic), commercial-grade laminate flooring, and solid or engineered wood.
What are the characteristics of commercial-grade linoleum?
Commercial-grade linoleum is designed to withstand the heavy-duty wear and tear of commercial use. It comes in sheet form, in a variety of colors and patterns, and can be laid in a single color or cut for a more inventive pattern. It’s easy to clean, hardwearing, and a relatively low-cost option.
What should I know about commercial-grade tiling?
Commercial-grade tiling can be vinyl, carpet, or ceramic. Vinyl and ceramic tiles are easy to maintain and hardwearing, but they require attention during routine maintenance, especially to prevent slip risks when wet. Carpet tiling is less popular now. Vinyl and carpet tiling are more affordable, while ceramic tiling is more expensive and requires more skill to install.
What are the advantages of solid and engineered wood flooring in a commercial setting?
Solid wood flooring options like oak, wenge, or cumaru are suitable for heavy-duty commercial use, but need a suitable finish for protection and maintenance. Engineered wood flooring resists temperature and moisture fluctuations more effectively than solid wood, making it a good choice for environments where these conditions vary.