What makes for a good commercial office floor? The material you choose for the floor of your business must successfully blend functionality with aesthetics. Of course, when comparing flooring options for your business or office, also factored into the equation are maintenance needs, traffic, design, and budget. To help you choose between all available office flooring options, we asked some floor maintenance experts for little advice. The following is what they had to offer.
What Are the Options?
Where both usability and design are concerned, the flooring in an office must fit the office ambiance. For example, for a sleek, modern office’s decor, hand scraped hardwood may not be a good choice. What about the budget? Not considered particularly budget friendly, natural stone is gorgeous – especially with the right decor – but it can be pricey.
The following are material options when it comes to office flooring:
- Vinyl
- Rubber
- Natural stone
- Laminate
- Hardwood
- Ceramic tile
- Carpet tiles or carpet
Let’s take a very brief look at each of these.
Vinyl
If budget is a factor and the area is one of high traffic, both vinyl and rubber (below) are good choices. Vinyl can be treated to resist stains and scratches, as well as for slip resistance. Vinyl is available in a range of designs, color, and styles.
Rubber
Like vinyl, it’s great for high-traffic areas, it’s easy to care for, and offers design versatility. Rubber is slip resistant, water resistant, heat resistant, and durable. It’s comfortable to stand on and walk on daily. It’s perfect for an open concept office and offers good sound absorption, too.
Natural Stone
Natural stone offers a luxurious look but isn’t right for every office. It creates a distinctive appearance and is a higher end material. Price aside, however, it’s capable of adding something truly special to your surroundings. Make sure that a protective sealer is applied because natural stone can stain and scratch. Regular cleaning and maintenance are required.
Laminate
Although offering the look of hardwood, stone, or tile flooring, laminate is priced much lower. It’s designed to resist moisture-caused warping and is constructed in layers. A thick coating is typically featured to protect against damage such as scratches. Regular cleaning and care are required.
Hardwood
With regular care, hardwood floors are easy to maintain and very durable. From environmentally friendly bamboo to rich red oak, there are many options. A classic, hardwood flooring adds style, warmth, and elegance to any workspace. It can however be damaged by stains, scratches, shoe heels, and moisture. To help ward off damage, modern hardwood floor finishes offer some protection. If needed, sanding and refinishing can be done to hardwood floors.
Ceramic tile
Durability, beauty, and warmth are offered by ceramic tiles. According to the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) hardness chart, a ceramic tile rating of 4 or 5 is appropriate for high-traffic areas. This material can stain, like most other flooring material, but spots can be treated and removed by a professional to restore the original look of the tile.
Carpet
If your office space requires insulation against noises, carpet tiles or carpet should be considered. If your staff spends a lot of time on their feet, this is a softer surface, so it provides added comfort. To fit your budget needs and your design, this material is available in a vast array of constructions, colors, and styles. A lot of flexibility is offered by carpet. The surface will need to be regularly vacuumed and cleaned to keep it looking stain free and appealing. If you go with carpet tiles, it will be easier to replace/repair a damaged area than with wall-to-wall carpeting.
Whatever design and/or material you feel suits your office situation most appropriately, you can find durable and attractive materials for your office, meeting room, break room, lobby, etc. at Materials Inc. Whether it’s your flooring, the ceiling, or the walls in your place of business, we have a wide selection to choose from.