What to look for in commercial office flooring – Part 1

Flooring in commercial office spaces serves two purposes - it contributes to the space’s aesthetic as well as its functionality and level of comfort. In part two we’ll cover the pros and cons of some common commercial flooring solutions. But right now, in part one, let’s go over a few key things to factor into your research and decision-making.

Traffic levels

Offices contain multiple people moving around a lot so needs flooring that can withstand heavy foot traffic.

Durability

As above, an office experiences lots of foot traffic as well as furniture movement (eg. chairs rolling or being dragged) so look for flooring labeled as ‘commercial grade’. Residential products are not designed to cope with the same level of wear and tear. 

Repair flexibility

When it wears or gets damaged you want to be able to repair or replace the flooring with minimal fuss and disruption. 

Ease of cleaning and maintenance

Most offices have a cleaning service but if something is spilled or the floor gets dirty in between cleans, you want to be able to quickly and easily clean it up in-house.

With regards to maintenance, some flooring (eg. natural stone, hardwood) requires regular treatment during its lifetime to keep up its level of durability and attractiveness. This is something to factor into long-term budgets, not just the build budget. 

Budget

Flooring is not the area to skimp on in a commercial space. Considering the use it will get and the lifespan you want it to have, a cheap option will only make your business look cheap and unprofessional if it wears and damages easily. A higher initial cost could work out much better over the floor’s lifetime. 

Health and safety

If you are a business owner, you are responsible for the health and safety of your office’s occupants so air quality and slip resistance need to be factored in. 

Noise levels

Depending on the work environment you operate in, noise may be a factor, particularly in open plan layouts. Some flooring provides acoustic insulation while others tend to amplify sound.

Not all flooring options are ideal for all locations within a commercial space so we recommend partnering with an industry professional to help determine what is best for where. Robert Malcolm is a commercial flooring distributor committed to providing you with inspiring designs and accurate information in a consultative manner. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information or advice. 

To read part two, the pros and cons of different options, click here.