Choosing the right office flooring not only depends on a keen eye for style but an awareness of functionality as well.  Not all types of flooring are appropriate for every office – so if you want to be sure to choose flooring that works for your space, you have to think beyond aesthetics.  There is a wide range of flooring options for commercial and business spaces, and you want to know what the pros and cons of the main flooring materials before choosing the best flooring for your office.

Materials

Not all flooring materials are created equally.  It’s important to consider factors such as durability, cost, maintenance, and style when choosing your office flooring.  First, let’s take a quick look at the most common office flooring materials:

• Carpet
• Carpet tiles
• Ceramic tiles
• Hardwood
• Laminate
• Stone
• Rubber

Each of these materials has benefits and drawbacks.

Carpet and Carpet Tiles

Carpet is affordable, stylish, and provides exceptional sound protection.  The surface is comfortable to walk on making it a great choice for offices or workspaces where staff are required to spend a lot of time on their feet.  Moreover, carpet is versatile with respect to style – it comes in a variety of colours and designs.  Still, carpet must be regularly maintained.  In most offices, it should be vacuumed daily and will need to be shampooed on a regular basis as well.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic is attractive and tough – it makes an excellent choice for busy offices that see a lot of traffic.  Though it can stain, it tends to be relatively easy to maintain and restore.  However, ceramic tiles are somewhat more expensive than other flooring options.

Hardwood

Durable, easy to maintain, and stylish – hardwood flooring is a very popular office flooring option nowadays.  It can be made from a variety of types of wood from bamboo to oak, and nothing quite compares to the elegant appearance of hardwood.  Over time, hardwood does lose its luster and will likely require refinishing which can be costly.

Laminate

Laminate is another affordable flooring option that can mimic the look of most types of flooring including hardwood, tile, and stone.  Like carpet, it must be cleaned and maintained regularly, and its durability won’t compare to surfaces such as ceramic tile.

Stone

Stone flooring is increasingly popular in modern office designs.  If you’re looking for contemporary style and durability, stone flooring definitely stands out.  Though it is somewhat prone to staining, natural stone can be sealed to prevent stains.

Rubber

One of the best materials in high traffic offices, rubber flooring is easily maintained and cleaned, durable, water resistant, and even prevents slipping.  Like carpet, it provides added comfort for offices with staff that must stand or walk a lot throughout the day.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider in choosing the right flooring for your office.  Speak to a flooring expert to clarify your needs and you’ll be sure to find the right fit for you.