When choosing commercial flooring for multi-family and residential properties, the biggest considerations are probably durability and budget. You certainly want something that looks good, but you would likely select something for the design after you have met the durability and budgetary constraints.
There are tons of flooring choices for commercial properties, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of some of them.
- Carpet. Carpeting is budget-friendly, easy to install, and it’s quiet, which could be a big consideration in a multi-family property, especially one with several stories. Also, with the new Antron nylon fibers available, carpeting is much easier to clean than it used to be.
Of course, carpeting will not be as easy to clean as a bare hard floor, and it also won’t be as easy to repair if it’s damaged.
- Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). LVT will be much easier to repair if it’s damaged because it’s laid as individual tiles. It could be green if you choose one that is made of recycled materials. LVT will be extremely easy to clean and very durable.
Luxury vinyl tile could possibly off-gas VOC’s depending on what it’s made of and what kinds of adhesive are used in the installation. You would need to discuss this with your flooring professional (like us).
- Wood. Wood is trendy and most people like its upscale and classy look. It’s also relatively easy to clean and well-liked by those who have allergies to dust and pollen.
The cost of wood and its durability will vary depending on what type of wood you choose and what type of finish it has on it. Engineered wood could be cheaper and more durable than solid wood, but it wouldn’t be able to be refinished an unlimited number of times because the real wood is the top layer rather than all the way through. Obviously, some rare wood from an exotic locale will be expensive.
- Tile. Ceramic, stone, or terracotta tile is a possibility. Tile is very easy to clean and very hard to damage. And it has great durability. Tile also looks great—it’s very classy.
Of course with durability, if you drop glass on it the glass will shatter more easily. Similarly, if you fall on it, it’s not as safe as a softer floor that will cushion the fall. Grout will have to be cleaned regularly although there are now many sealants available for grout that will cut down on the grout cleaning needs.
We’ve mentioned here just a few best choices of the many options available. There’s also sheet vinyl, sheet and tile linoleum, cork, and bamboo, just to name a few.
There are a lot of variables to consider when choosing flooring for a multi-family property. So let us help you decide on the best choice for your particular situation.
Questions? We are experts at specifying the right product for your corporate space. @EagleMatFloors is family owned and operated, providing sales and installation of commercial flooring products to the Washington Metro area for over 35 years. We specialize in renovating and retrofit of facilities in the Corporate, Education, Hospitality, Multi-Family and Government spaces. For more information please contact us at (301) 762-2000 or sales@eaglemat.net
