Six Questions to Ask Before Choosing Commercial Flooring

Choosing commercial flooring requires advanced planning and research. After all, you want to make the right choice the first time, rather than having to replace flooring prematurely. In order to make the right decisions, it helps to have a guide in place. Use these six questions to assist you in developing a plan for choosing the best flooring for your needs and space.

How Will the Commercial Space be Utilized?

The first question is an easy one. What are you using the commercial location for? In whatever way that you use the space consider how this will affect the flooring you have installed there. For example:

1. What is the amount of foot traffic expected in the commercial space as a high foot traffic area really wears on flooring?
2. What is the typical type of clientele or customers who will frequent the location? Will they tend to bring along or wear items
   that could scratch or scuff the floor, i.e. business professionals wearing heels or customers with babies in strollers?
3. Will any heavy equipment be added to the space, i.e. industrial size ranges and ovens, office tables, bookcases, etc., that could damage the flooring?

Think of other ways that the flooring will be impacted. This will help you think of and eliminate flooring types that aren’t conducive with the use of your commercial space.

What is the Outside Environment Surrounding the Commercial Property?

The environment of the location where your commercial property is located has a lot to do with the flooring you choose. The weather and various seasons affect what flooring is exposed to and how it should be cared for or utilized. For example, if you live in Seattle where it is rainy and cold most of the time, season after season, you need to have slip resistant and water resistant flooring. Otherwise, you will have slick floors that pose a safety hazard, and lawsuit.

In environments that are dry and humid, hardwood flooring has to be treated differently than it would in a mild climate. For states where you have frigidly cold winters your choice of commercial flooring has to contend with extreme temperature fluctuations. On the other hand, beachcombing states like California and Florida are dealing with strong sunlight that can lead to fading of wood flooring. Offices or retail buildings with lots of windows experience the same issue.

Consider the weather throughout the year for the location of your commercial space. You want to be prepared to handle the foot traffic during any season without worrying about whether you're flooring will be safe.

What is My Flooring Budget?

This is a big one. You are in a business to make money, not lose it. However, you also get what you pay for. In the case of flooring you do not want to cut corners and choose a material because it has a cheap price tag. You want quality so to attract businesses and customers. Yet you can’t just look at the upfront costs of flooring.

You also need to consider how much it will cost you to maintain and clean the flooring. Maintaining flooring for a commercial space can be costly depending on the square footage. Also, how long with the flooring last? Find out the average lifespan of the flooring, and factor that into the cost of replacing the floor in the future. If you choose a cheap material expect to wear down sooner than a more durable type of flooring.

What is My Timeline for Getting Flooring Installed?

When you run a retail store or restaurant you need to get your business up and running. Any down time due to maintenance or repairs will send your customers to your competitors, which is an expense you can’t afford. Calculate how long you can feasibly be down to install flooring. Bring this to the table when choosing a wood flooring company.

Do I Want an Eco-Friendly Flooring Solution?

Going green is a highlight for many customers, as well as businesses. Everyone wants to do their part in the environmentally sustainable practices. Businesses are either producing eco-friendly products or using sustainable practices. Customers want to support eco-conscious businesses, and they are interested in doing their part, too. Your choice of commercial flooring can follow this movement and help to make your space greener.

For example, reclaimed wood flooring allows you to reuse wood rather than sourcing all-virgin lumber from new growth trees. It also has the character and charm we’ve come to appreciate with reclaimed lumber. Reclaimed flooring brings with it an old growth look and aged patina that is quite attractive.

Do I Want Commercial Flooring in Color?

A final consideration is if you want a wood flooring that is a particular color. For hardwood you have the ability to stain the wood to your preference. At the same time, by choosing a real hardwood for your commercial flooring you will be unable to fully choose the color that you want. This is thanks to the natural beauty of hardwood. The wood grain, shade and hue of the lumber use for flooring varies. More so, even if you are able to look at a sample of the wood you aren’t getting the full spectrum of the lumber. Every piece of lumber is different, offering its own interesting features. Only when all of the floor boards are installed will you be able to gauge the overall color balance.

Here at Nydree Flooring we take hardwood floors for commercial spaces very seriously. It is our business to bring your commercial flooring to life. Contact our office today and let us help you find the perfect flooring for your commercial needs.