What are the best types of flooring for offices and home offices?
When outfitting your commercial office space or home office, selecting the right flooring goes beyond aesthetics; it's about creating the perfect blend of style and functionality. Choosing flooring for your office is a crucial decision, impacting not only the overall look but also the daily functionality of the space.
A well-designed and comfortable workspace can have a profound effect on employee productivity and motivation. This means the flooring you choose for your commercial office holds a significant role in shaping the environment where your team spends time. Which is why it is important to balance aesthetics with functionality.
When choosing your office flooring, it’s important to ask yourself a couple of questions:
What image do you want your business to project, both to its workers, and potential visitors?
Choosing your office flooring goes beyond personal taste, as your office flooring contributes to the overall look and feel of your workspace. It’s important to consider your corporate image and any brand colours or styles that could be incorporated or used elsewhere in the space.
How is your office space used?
Beyond aesthetics, the functionality of the chosen flooring is determined by the activities within the office. Identifying the purpose of each space helps in determining the ideal resistance and durability required for the floor. Considerations such as the number of occupants, frequency of visitors, goods traffic, and other factors contribute to tailoring the flooring choice to the specific needs of each area.
5 key considerations when choosing office flooring
Traffic levels and noise
When choosing commercial office flooring, traffic levels play a pivotal role, demanding careful consideration for both durability and noise reduction. For spaces experiencing high footfall, such as reception and communal areas, it's essential to select flooring that not only withstands the rigours of daily use but also contributes to a quieter and more productive workspace.
When your office sees a substantial number of employees—especially exceeding 15—it's crucial to opt for flooring that can endure the potential for damage. In this scenario, durable options like laminate flooring, vinyl flooring, or luxury vinyl tiles become highly advantageous. These materials are resilient and can withstand the demands of a bustling workplace, ensuring longevity and minimal maintenance.
If you have areas of your office that are likely to experience more footfall, usually reception areas and communal spaces, noise reduction becomes an important factor in your choice. Look for flooring options that incorporate sound-reducing properties to reduce noise levels. This not only makes the workspace more comfortable but also contributes to a more focused and productive atmosphere.
Cost
When it comes to selecting office flooring, the financial aspect is a crucial factor that extends beyond budget constraints, it’s about achieving value for money. The cost of your chosen flooring material should be carefully weighed against considerations of potential maintenance costs and resources and life expectancy. It's a common misconception that opting for the cheapest option equates to the most cost-effective choice in the long run.
We’d advise that you consider the long-term implications of your office flooring. While upfront costs are important, it also pays to factor in the longevity of the material. Choosing a commercial office flooring option with a longer life expectancy may mean a higher initial cost but can result in substantial savings over time.
The cost of your office flooring should be weighed up with potential maintenance requirements. Some materials may be budget-friendly initially but demand higher maintenance costs in the long run. Laminate flooring, for instance, not only offers affordability but also boasts ease of maintenance, minimising ongoing expenses and ensuring a longer lifespan for your investment.
Striking the right balance between cost, longevity, and maintenance requirements ensures that your flooring choice remains a wise and cost-effective investment. Vinyl, known for its budget-friendly nature, and laminate, offering a perfect blend of cost and durability, stand out as valuable options for offices with varying budget considerations.
Maintenance
Another important factor is how easy this floor will be to maintain. It’s unrealistic to think that you won’t encounter any spills or mishaps along the way, so you’ll want a floor that isn’t easily damaged and can be cleaned quickly and hygienically. Again, opt for a floor that’s resistant to moisture, such as vinyl or laminate flooring for an office. While solid wood may look good, it may not fair as well under the strains of high traffic use in an office space.
Installation
When choosing office flooring, it's crucial to factor in both installation time and cost, as these elements can significantly impact your project timeline and budget. Certain flooring options are not only more budget-friendly but also boast quicker installation processes, making them a pragmatic choice for minimising both expenses and practical downtime.
It's important to acknowledge that some flooring materials are inherently quicker and more cost-effective to install than others. For those seeking a flooring solution that combines affordability with fast and easy installation, click-vinyl flooring could be an appropriate solution. This innovative flooring choice is designed to be cost-effective but also easy and quick to install.
Remember, the right flooring choice goes beyond the material itself; it encompasses the entire installation process. By strategically selecting a flooring option that aligns with your budget and time constraints, you pave the way for a successful and efficient office flooring project.
Repairs
Lastly, the ease of your flooring repair should also be a big focus. If your floor does eventually suffer from some wear and tear, you don’t want a lengthy repairing process which inconveniences your employees and business overall. The quickest and easiest flooring to repair in this case is vinyl flooring, as you can simply glue the damaged parts back together. Even more importantly, flooring that is quick and easy to repair will not require much or any downtime that may prevent your staff from using the space while repairs are going on, meaning minimal cost and disruption.
Our office flooring recommendations
Vinyl flooring
Taking into account all of the above considerations, a suitable floor would be durable, easy to maintain and repair, while not overpriced.
Vinyl flooring is popular for commercial flooring because it offers longevity. Vinyl can easily replicate the effects of tile or real wood while being a fraction of the price and not prone to damage. It’s also easy to clean, with minimal maintenance. If by chance it does need repairing, vinyl can be easily repaired with a bit of vinyl adhesive and there is rarely a need for renewal. Taking health and safety into consideration, vinyl is one of the safest floor solutions as today it is layered with anti-slip material.
Finally, vinyl flooring is also a great choice if you’re looking to make a statement or have a very particular aesthetic in mind, as it offers an extensive range of colours, patterns and finishes, from wood effect to herringbone, parquet to a tile effect, there are hundreds of options to help you achieve your desired look, without compromising on durability. It is the perfect mix of style and substance that won’t break the bank.
Laminate flooring
Our other recommendation, due to its ease of maintenance and authentic looks, is laminate flooring. Because it’s remarkably durable, this flooring is ideal for offices with a lot of footfall and does not need the extra maintenance a solid wood flooring would need. While it recreates the look of solid wood, it is highly water-resistant and significantly less expensive. It is also simple to install and does not scratch or dent easily. Laminate is modern, and neutral and will stand the test of time, especially if you decide to redecorate down the line.
LVT
LVT flooring, crafted with multiple layers of robust materials, provides exceptional resilience against wear and tear. This durability ensures that the flooring maintains its appearance even in areas with heavy foot traffic, frequent furniture movement, and the day-to-day demands of a busy workspace.
For environmentally-conscious offices, LVT flooring is an eco-friendly option. The manufacturing process of LVT often incorporates recycled materials, contributing to sustainable practices. Its long lifespan and resistance to wear mean that replacement cycles are extended, reducing the environmental impact associated with frequent flooring replacements.
It’s easy to clean and maintain, making it a practical choice in spaces where spills are inevitable, and with a huge range of different styles and colours available, suits the aesthetic requirements of most office designs.
Not sure which flooring to choose?
If you’re still unsure about which type of flooring would be most appropriate for your office space, then don’t worry, as a member of our team can support you in making a choice that balances cost with durability and aesthetics. We’re on hand to provide you with advice, guidance and quotes, and will happily work with you to help you achieve your desired office space with the right flooring for your workforce.
If you’d like to speak to one of our flooring experts, call us on 0330 100 00 15 between 9 am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or between 9 am and midday on Saturdays. Alternatively, you can drop us an email at info@factory-direct-flooring.co.uk with your question and one of our team will get back to you.
What flooring have you got in your office? Let us know in the comments!