Home Improvement

High-traffic areas require durable commercial flooring

Your facility’s flooring will experience wear and tear. But high-traffic areas will last a lot longer.

To impress potential tenants, you might want to install a lobby floor system that can withstand moisture, dirt, and nearly constant use.

Perhaps you are looking for a material that will withstand frequent rolling in of heavy medical equipment and meet safety and cleanliness standards.

No matter what your facility goals are, there is one common factor: Durability.

Durability is an important consideration when choosing a flooring material. However, it is essential for high-traffic areas such as airport terminals and schools, hospitals, and restaurants.

This article will give you an overview of six durable commercial flooring options based on price, application, and other important considerations. This guide will help you find the right flooring system for you. It will meet your aesthetic, cost, performance, and withstand heavy use.

Terrazzo: Large spaces that are LEED-friendly and upscale

Terrazzo is the best flooring material for durability. Terrazzo can be made of a cement matrix or an epoxy resin combined with marble or recycled granite, as well as a variety of other aggregates.

Terrazzo is one of the most versatile and beautiful products available. This makes it a great product for custom logos or designs. Terrazzo can be used for situations that require a lot of attention, such as showrooms, entrance ways, and high-end offices.

It is extremely durable and has a low life expectancy. However, the high upfront cost and installation costs make it prohibitive for lower-budget applications. To achieve the desired shine, it must be poured into place and then cured before being polished mechanically. Terrazzo can be expensive in small spaces or areas of buildings. The cost per square foot actually goes up the more space you have. To ensure a cost-effective installation, it is recommended that you allow at least 2,500 square footage.

Terrazzo is best for high-traffic areas like airports and showrooms, where the designer wants to create a stylish look. This LEED-friendly, durable flooring is ideal for upscale applications.

Quarry tile: The industry standard in commercial kitchens

Quarry tile has been proven to resist spills, foot traffic, and grease buildup. This makes it the best choice for commercial kitchens. Although porcelain tile is functional for heavy-duty applications and can be used in a variety of ways, quarry tile, made from hard-fired pottery, is more affordable and has the same functionality and durability. Quarry tile can last for as long as you need it to, provided that it is installed correctly and maintained well throughout its lifetime.

When installing epoxy grout, it is important to use thin-set adhesives and epoxy grout. There are many cheaper options for epoxy grout. However, they are not suitable for heavy traffic, hot water spills, or grease buildup, and will eventually fail. Maintaining your quarry tile system’s usability is key to its longevity. Keep the flooring clean and replace worn sections as soon as possible.

Quarried tile is durable, cost-effective and simple to maintain. However, it doesn’t allow for much design flexibility. Quarried tile is usually laid in straight lines, and it comes in a limited number of colors. (Red is the most popular color. However, there are other colors available, such as grey, tan, and brown depending on how much feldspar, clay, or shale is used. However, in commercial and receiving areas, quarry tile is often found, function prevails over form.

CHOOSING KITCHEN FLOORING MATERIALS FOR SAFETY, DURABILITY, AND PERFORMANCE

Commercial kitchens are unique and present unique challenges for their commercial flooring and carpet. This product guide highlights the best commercial kitchen flooring options.

Luxurious vinyl tile (LVT), a way to achieve any look in busy areas

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) has been a major player in the flooring market for the past decade. The three-layer structure of this resilient material includes a base layer of vinyl that provides dimensional stability, a digital film (capable of imitating virtually any material), and an outerwear layer.

LVT is durable enough to be used in high-traffic areas such as hospitals and elegant enough to be used in restaurants. LVT has a wide range of products at every price point and design. It is today’s most versatile commercial flooring product.

LVT is not suitable for high-impact commercial or industrial kitchen environments. However, it can withstand foot traffic, abrasions, and spills in any office, hospital, or school setting. LVT is more flexible than other resilient flooring products and can be used in commercial applications.

The design possibilities are limitless. You can choose from a variety of sizes, colours, and patterns that mimic any type of material, including ceramic tiles, hardwood, terrazzo, and everything else. You can have durability and still keep your aesthetic.

LVT has been proven to be strong enough to withstand the heavy traffic loads that are common in commercial applications. Restaurants, offices, and daycares replace LVT only when they wish to update the design, not because it has worn out. LVT is a great way to reduce flooring costs in commercial construction projects, as it is easier to install than other materials and more affordable.

Epoxy flooring systems are also versatile and strong.

Epoxy flooring can be used for many purposes. The thermosetting resin is applied directly to a concrete slab that has been treated with moisture. The epoxy coating prevents wear from chemical spills, foot traffic, and abrasions.

Epoxy is versatile and durable. It can be used as flooring in manufacturing facilities or hangars. It can also be used in retail spaces. It is also a LEED-certified product that protects against staining, mold, and odors, making it a popular choice for healthcare facilities.

Epoxy flooring is durable, but it must be correctly installed to reap its benefits. Before epoxy coating can be applied, concrete must be cleaned and any cracks should be patched with the urethane. The epoxy coating will likely crack or peel if applied without prepping.

Your epoxy flooring should be maintained with regular sweeping and occasional deep cleans.

Carpet tiles: Simple installation, easy replacement

Because of their functional advantages over wide loom carpets, carpet tiles are gaining ground in soft-surface flooring. Although carpet tiles can be more costly than broadloom carpets, they are much easier to replace. Carpet tiles are the best choice for high-traffic areas. It is much cheaper to replace a damaged carpet tile than to reseam, stretch and replace an entire broadloom roll.

Concerns about moisture and spillage have diminished with the advent of high-strength carpet tiles as well as water-resistant tiles. Even under heavy traffic, most carpet tile floors can be maintained with regular vacuuming and cleaning. You can easily replace worn sections, saving you time and money.

Rubber flooring: Durable and safe for hospitals and gyms

Rubber flooring is resistant to heavy traffic loads. Its cushioned design prevents customers and employees from getting tired while they walk. Rubber flooring is also slip-resistant and reduces noise from dumbbells dropping, carts rolling, impact damage to the subfloor, and other noises.

It’s simple to install and maintain but the “rubbery” scent will persist long after installation. This product is more utilitarian than aesthetic due to the lack of design options and finishing options. Rubber flooring, despite its limitations, is an excellent product to use in hospitals, laboratories, and gyms. Its strength, durability, and acoustic properties make it a great choice.

 

Ted Rosenberg
the authorTed Rosenberg
David Rosenberg: A seasoned political journalist, David's blog posts provide insightful commentary on national politics and policy. His extensive knowledge and unbiased reporting make him a valuable contributor to any news outlet.