Do you need some help choosing the right flooring for you office space? Whether you’re fitting out an office, retail store, a medical or industrial facility, the flooring you select will impact not only the aesthetics of the space but also its functionality and it’s feel. With so many options available, it can be pretty challenging to determine which product will be the best fit. We wrote this guide to give you an outline of the various commercial flooring options, the aim is to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business’s practical requirements, budget, and design preferences.
Understanding your commercial flooring needs
Assess your space and requirements
Before choosing a flooring option, it’s important to take a step back and assess the specific needs of your commercial space. Different environments are best suited to different flooring types, some of the key things to take into account are;
- The space’s intended use
- The amount and type of traffic it will receive
- Any hygeine requirements
- Non slip requirements
- Council & building code requirements
- Will the floor be exposed to moisture? Does it require waterproofing?
- Acoustics / sound deadening
- Subfloor types
- Aesthetic and branding considerations
- Product maintenance and cleaning requirements
- Desired look & feel
- Company branding and colour incorporation
- Cost
There are a lot of factors to consider and a good flooring retailer will be able to work through these points with you.
Overview of Commercial Flooring Options
Let’s get into more detail on the most popular commercial flooring products.
Carpet Tiles: Versatile, Cost Effective & Easy to Maintain
Commercial carpet tiles are a popular choice for offices and commercial spaces that require a combination of comfort, sound absorption, and design flexibility. This section will explore the benefits of carpet tiles, particularly in high-traffic areas.
Benefits
- They are extremely hard wearing
- Individual tiles can be changed out as they wear out or get damaged which can save you the cost of replacing an entire area due to one damaged section.
- Cost effective
- Available with sound absorbing backings which are great for multi story buildings and offices or any space where you need to be able to hear the person next you.
- Design flexibility with various patterns, textures and colours. Common sizes are 50cm x 50cm, 60cm x 60cm and also 25c x 100cm planks. We can even mix and match different colour tiles to work in with company branding or create custom patterns
- Creates a far ‘warmer’ feeling in a space when compared to ceramic tiles or vinyl
- Easy to install in most situations with little disturbance
- While more expensive, woollen carpet tile options can also act as a natural dehumidifier as wool can absorb up to 20% of its weight in water from the air in a wet environment which is then trapped and only released when the air dries.
- Recycled nylon and wool options offer a better sustainability story and are becoming more popular.
- Options to suit all budgets and design requirements.
We install carpet tiles into a variety of commercial environments. From halls to church’s, restaurants to rest homes, kindergartens to commercial offices, retailers to funeral homes. Carpet tiles are my favourite commercial product due to their versatility and toughness. They have come along way from humble beginnings where they were looked at as a cheaper alternative to broadloom commercial carpets with limited colours. These days designers are specifying them due their versatility, toughness, and varied on trend designer options.
Commercial Carpet: Comfort and Noise Reduction
Commercial carpet is ideal for spaces where comfort and noise reduction are the main priorities. Areas like hotels, some offices and educational facilities fit the bill. Commercial broadloom carpets offer a continuous and seamless look. There are budget options as well as high end ranges, such as Axminster Carpet with various patterns and designs available. A big downside is that unlike carpet tiles, when carpet does wear out, you will likely have to replace the whole room instead of only the worn section.
Commercial carpet key points:
- Commercial carpet can be glued directly to the subfloor or glued on top of an underlay which is also glued to the subfloor.
- Comes in 3.66 or 4 meter wide rolls meaning less joins
- Gives you a cushier feel of comfort than is possible with carpet tiles and still offers good sound absorption.
- Has a seamless look with a large variety of pattern and design options.
- A great option for noisy office environments
- Commercial Carpet is a safer option for rest homes and schools where falls are more likely
- Woollen options offer great thermal qualities which trap the heat in cold environments and stay cooler for longer in hot environments.
- Woolen options can also act as a natural dehumidifier as it can absorb up to 20% of its weight in water from the air in a wet environment which is then trapped and released when the air dry’s
While carpet tiles are practical for most commercial environments, commercial broadloom carpets are the best option in areas like high end hotel lobbies and offices where the look and feel are paramount.
Commercial Vinyl Flooring: Extremely Durable & Easy to Keep Clean
Vinyl flooring is known for its durability and cost-effectiveness, making it a great option for high-traffic areas. It’s the go to product in kitchens, bathrooms, showers, healthcare and hospitals where hygiene and safety is important.
Commercial vinyl key points:
- Durability and ease of maintenance. Commercial vinyls are tough as nails. Unlike residential (heterogeneous) vinyls, commercial (Homogeneous) vinyls wear layer runs the full thickness of the product meaning they are hard to wear out.
- Comes in rolls usually 2m wide. Joins are welded together to create an easy clean and water proof surface. Coved 10-15cm up the walls in wet areas which offers better water proofing than tiles
- Most quality modern commercial vinyls have a PUR coating making them easy to clean and maintain without the need to buff or burnish.
- Waterproof product with non slip and safety options available, ideal for showers and wet rooms where non slip is a must.
- Hard surface which is easy to clean, this makes them an ideal choice for areas like kitchens and hospitals where hygiene is paramount.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT): Stylish and Resilient
Luxury Vinyl Tiles otherwise known as LVT or LVP offer a stylish yet resilient flooring option, combining the durability of vinyl with the upscale look of natural materials. This section will highlight why LVT is an excellent choice for high-end commercial spaces.
LVT Key Points:
- The aesthetic appeal of LVT, mimicking the look of real wood, stone, and ceramic tiles.
- High end plank options offer bevels giving the look of real wood.
- High durability and thick PVC wear layers make them great in high traffic environments with great resistance to wear and tear.
- Ease of maintenance and suitability for various commercial applications. Unlike sheet vinyls individual LVT planks / tiles can be replaced if damaged which can mean big cost savings if repairs are required parts of large areas.
- While the product itself is waterproof, the joins between planks have no locking mechanism and are not waterproof, which means that waterproofing is often required
- Can be pricy option depending on the level of floor preparation and or waterproofing needed.
- Unlike sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl tiles cannot be coved
How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Commercial Space
Factors to Consider When Selecting Commercial Flooring
Selecting the right flooring for your commercial space involves more than just choosing a product that looks good. This section will guide you through the key factors to consider when making your decision, ensuring you choose a flooring option that meets both your functional needs and aesthetic goals.
Matching the flooring type to your business needs in order of priority:
- Foot traffic, required durability
- Maintenance requirements for different products
- Budget constraints and long-term value.
- Alignment with your brand image, desired look, feel, interior design.
- Sound dampening
- Safety and hygiene requirements
- Waterproofing / council requirements
Conclusion
Choosing the right commercial flooring is a decision you want to get right the first time. It’s a big part of creating a functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing environment that reflects your brand and meets the demands of your business. Whether you prioritize, comfort, durability, style, safety or sustainability, or you want it all. The right flooring can make a significant difference to the functionality and success of your commercial space.
Find a good flooring retailer near you to guide you through the various options and give advice tailored to your situation. A good retailer will be able to help you find the products that align best with your needs. Most offer a free consultation where they will come and check out your space which is necessary order to be able to provide quality advice on which products not only look good, but are best suited to the job. Be sure to pick a retailer with a proven track record in commercial fit outs.
