There are a few things to consider when looking at commercial flooring for your space:
Purpose
The purpose of your commercial flooring should be one of the first considerations as everything else will be dictated by that. Is the commercial flooring for an office space where sound proofing is important? High traffic hallway? Showroom? Restaurant? Will your customers or clients be coming directly from outside with dirty or wet footwear? Is a non-slip surface important?
Style
What kind of style are you trying to match with your commercial flooring? Does it need to be modern? Elegant? Professional? Casual? Ideally, your flooring shouldn’t be the centre-piece of a room, but instead draws one’s attention upward to items you are selling, or a workspace, or even to help guide someone along a path. The colour should complement the rest of the room, using patterns or textures to conceal areas that are more prone to getting dirty.
Materials
By first deciding on the purpose and style of the space for which you need commercial flooring, it narrows down the list of flooring types and materials.
Carpet is most popular in offices and in hotels as they offer more sound-dampening than a hard floor, but they are made using materials which stand up well to more traffic than you would see in your home. They typically have a low pile, allowing for vacuums to easily pick up dirt.
Vinyl flooring is most often used in high traffic areas such as retail stores as it is highly durable – scratch and dent resistant – as well as easy to clean. It is also a very affordable option, and can come in thousands of colours and styles.
Rubber flooring is also extremely durable and is waterproof, making it slip-resistant. It can give an added comfort level for your employees or customers as well, as it has more cushioning than vinyl flooring.
Marble or porcelain flooring is a more expensive option that is often found in business or apartment foyers but it lends to an elegant first impression for your customers or clients. It is highly durable but can be prone to cracking if not properly installed.
Wood flooring, whether laminate or hardwood, can add an element of warmth and class to your commercial space, but is not ideal for higher traffic areas or areas prone to wetness.
Maintenance
The effort and cost of maintaining your commercial flooring is also important to consider. How many times a day will you need to vacuum, sweep or mop in order to keep your flooring clean? If it gets damaged, are you able to repair the damaged area without having to replace the whole floor?
Commercial flooring manufacturers and installers are often able to give you an estimate of the lifespan of your flooring under reasonable use, so it’s important to consider the bigger picture and the costs involved with maintenance and repair. Remember, sometimes a larger up-front investment will save you in the long-run.