What to look for in commercial office flooring – Part 2
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 one we covered a few key things to factor into your research and decision-making. Now, let’s discuss the pros and cons of some common commercial flooring solutions.
Carpet
PROS:
- Warmer
- Offers noise insulation
- Visually attractive
- Pleasant underfoot (great if you have people who spend a lot of time standing)
- Huge range of styles, colors, patterns and textures to suit your design and budget
CONS:
- Needs to be vacuumed daily and cleaned regularly
- Prone to staining
- Less durable than carpet tiles because it doesn’t have the multi-layered structure and built-in backing that protects the carpet fibres from wear
Carpet tiles
PROS:
- Warmer
- Offers noise insulation (read our blog about Mix-Bac® acoustic backed carpet tiles)
- Visually attractive
- Pleasant underfoot (great if you have people who spend a lot of time standing)
- Huge range of styles, colors, patterns and textures to suit your design and budget
- Create unique patterns
- More durable than carpet due to its multi-layered structure and built-in backing
- Easy to repair or replace as a single tile can be removed easily
- Reasonably eco-friendly as they tend to be made from recycled materials (read our blog about Mix-Bac® acoustic backed carpet tiles)
CONS:
- Needs to be vacuumed daily and cleaned regularly
- Prone to staining
Vinyl flooring
PROS:
- Long lasting performance
- Resilient and resistant to damage, such as indentation and scratches (dependent on quality)
- Withstands high foot traffic
- Ideal for a wide range of applications (eg. Offices, commercial, healthcare, retail)
- Available in many different colours and designs bringing a stylish touch
- Easy to clean and with minimal maintenance.
CONS:
- Does not offer the same acoustic properties or comfort as carpet or rubber
Rubber Flooring
PROS:
- Super resilient
- Durable, withstands high levels of traffic
- Resistant to water and heat
- Comfortable to walk on
- Slip resistant
- Sound absorbent
- Comes in a variety of colours
- Anti microbial and hypoallergenic
- Eco friendly, sustainable and recyclable
- Good insulator
CONS:
- Dull finish, not the most attractive option
- Grease can leave stains
- Can be a bit smelly for some time after installation
- Needs some care taken to seal, wax and choose the right cleaning products
Hardwood flooring
PROS:
- Classic and timeless look
- Elevates the look and feel of the interior design of an office
- Durable
- Easy to clean
CONS:
- Prone to moisture damage
- Requires maintenance every few years to renew its lustre (choose a pre-finished floor to help maintain its appearance
- Can make annoying squeaky noises when a floorboard comes loose
Polished concrete
PROS:
- Very cost effective
- Quick to install and walk on
- Can create bespoke designs and patterns
- Highly durable
CONS:
- Reverberates noise so acoustic insulation would be needed on the walls and ceiling
- Hard underfoot
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.