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Commercial Floors
Choosing commercial flooring material can be one of the most challenging aspects of shopfitting. Although choosing the right kind of floor is not as exciting as choosing which colour to paint the walls, or which fixtures you need to set up your space, it is vital to pay attention to the kind of flooring we use. After all, floors take the brunt of the everyday traffic within all kinds of spaces.
Flooring For Functionality
Choosing the right kind of flooring is not only about functionality. The perfect floor should also exude a personality that would attract potential customers and guests to your little corner of the world. Various materials such as ceramics, wood, plastics and fabrics can be used as flooring to address the functions that your site requires while also providing you with the personality that you can use for your branding.
Practical Implications of Commercial Flooring
Before choosing which material and design you want for your floor, it’s important to consider three things for commercial flooring: traffic, maintenance and style. High traffic areas usually require durable and sturdy flooring to keep up with the flow of people. You would also want to invest in low maintenance flooring if you are on a tight budget. It should also match the artistic design of the room as a whole to give your space a more cohesive look. The following are some types of flooring material and how they are used:
Carpets For Commercial Flooring
Carpeting is the go-to flooring for most corporate establishments and luxurious fashion outfits. Not only does it come in various colours and designs that can match the style of the area, but it can also be easily installed. Carpets display an upscaled refined look that highlights the luxurious nature of many fashion brands. Lighter colored carpets tend to give the floorspace a smooth open look making the area look wide and chic.
The sound-proof nature of carpet lends an air of exclusivity to your space since it filters unwanted noises outside. Some carpets that have patterned designs doubles as a room décor as it draws the eye. This material is also durable as it doesn’t tend to break easily especially if something hard is dropped on the surface. Some fiber materials such as nylon, wool and acrylic have natural properties that repel insects and stands up well against mildew and moisture.
A point to remember is that this material could be easily ruined by spills or stains so it is not advisable to lay carpet in premises that handle food products regularly or where foot traffic is very high.
Wooden Flooring
Wooden floors are arguably the most common type of flooring for most establishments. You can spot these cozy and classic floors in most coffee shops, retail stores, bistros, and some office spaces. Hardwood floors comes in various stains, finishes and types of wood. Darker stains are often used in coffee shops, while lighter and natural-colored stains can often be seen in office spaces and retail shops since it gives the room an illusion of space. Common wood type used are chestnut, oak and maple since these are more durable.
Commercial flooring that makes use of hardwood is more resistant to wear and tear. This material can handle not only heavy foot traffic but it could also withstand the bulk of heavy equipment. It is also considered to last longer than most materials since it is easy to sand and re-finish whenever the surface gets scratched.
However, hardwood materials tend to be expensive and difficult to install. A viable alternative to this is engineered woods. Engineered wood is a type of flooring where instead of using solid wood, a thin layer of hardwood is compressed with a lighter material such as plywood or cardboard. These are significantly less expensive than hardwood floors and are much easier to install because it is lighter than actual wood.
Hardwoods and Engineered woods, however, are not water resistant and could rot easily if frequently exposed to moisture. It is also neither sound-proof nor fire-proof so it is best to keep it away from kitchens and flammable areas.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is an affordable flooring option with a wide range of designs to choose from. Vinyl floorings usually include roll-on linoleums, peal and stick plank or tile sheets, and decorative plastic panels. Since vinyl is made from synthetic materials like plastic, acrylic and similar polymers, they are water-resistant and are very easy to clean. It comes with various designs and are often made to resemble hardwood, stone, or tile materials.
This material is also considered as the most functional flooring option due to its slip-proof and water-resistant quality. The surface is also scratch and stain resistant making it the ideal flooring for food chains and retail establishments. Vinyl is also easy to install as it is often glued to the ground. The durability of the materials also makes it perfect for high traffic areas or the outdoors. The panels are also easy to replace once it gets chipped off making it not only affordable but also cost-effective commercial flooring solution.
However, due to the plastic nature of the material, it tends to corrode easily. Thus, it is not advisable to install vinyl on areas that are prone to hot spills or under direct heat.
Tiling For Commercial Interiors
Another durable and water-proof flooring option are tiles. This material aside from being water-proof also has low water absorption which makes is stand well with moisture. Tiles are also chemical and stain-proof which makes them easy to clean. It is also versatile when it comes to style since it has various sizes, colours and patterns which you can coordinate with the over-all look of your space. Shopping centers, fast food chains, retail stores, restaurants and medical centers often use tile floorings.
Tiles can be used both indoors and outdoors depending on the texture of the surface. Smooth and glossy-surfaced tiles are often used indoors while rough-textured ones are installed outdoors. Natural stones such as limestones, marbles and granite are usually used as decorative tiles. Decorative tiles can be installed in a pattern or in mosaic-like design functioning as not only an a flooring option but also as an ingenious room décor.
The durability of the material also causes it to withstand heavy foot traffic. However, since it is made up of mostly glass or stone, it can be brittle and tend to break easily. If this happens, you can easily repair the flooring by replacing the damaged tiles with similar ones if need be. The installation is also simple. The material is also heat and cold resistant making it the perfect material for kitchens or outdoor areas.
What The Best Flooring Material For My Shop?
With all the materials for flooring that are now available, it can be overwhelming to choose which one is the best for you. However, you will find that choosing the right kind of commercial flooring is the best investment you can make for your enterprise. Should you find yourself in need of assistance when it comes to choosing and installing your flooring, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team here at Guardian Built, we would be happy to have a chat and offer a free quote for your flooring needs.
Our team has worked with flooring material for all kinds of businesses including special flooring for dance floors, medical centres, health centres, yoga studios and retail stores.
Call us on 1300 222 022.