If you’ve ever worked in an office building or even simply been in one, then you know what to expect when it comes to flooring. Nine times out of ten, it will be the flimsy, probably dark blue, flat as a thin-crust pizza commercial carpeting. The reason you see it so often is usually because of the strengths of the material: it’s a cost-effective way to cover the subflooring with a material that does not require a whole lot of maintenance. Let’s face it: offices with heavy foot traffic tend to go through carpet pretty quickly. But what if there was another way?
What to Know About the Flooring in Your Office
Why Does Office Flooring Wear Out So Quickly?
The reason you see a lot of wear and tear on your average office floor is because of all of the foot traffic it sees. Even if you work in a small building, there’s still probably at least a dozen people walking across the floor at least five days a week. That’s a pretty hefty workout. Factor in the kind of heavy equipment you find in most office buildings, such as desks, printers and industrial shelving units, and you’ve got even more stress. Commercial carpeting is pretty thin, especially when compared with residential carpeting, so it’s only a matter of time before it wears through, even in a place like Nashville where the people are so nice and friendly. Even if it doesn’t completely wear through your carpet, there’s a good chance that snags and loose threads can develop, making office life a bit more dangerous than you’d like.
Some Replacements for Commercial Carpeting
Commercial carpeting is a culprit, but only to a certain extent. You can make the flooring last a little longer by switching up the layout of your office. This will prevent weak areas in the flooring, like the kind that develop when heavy pieces of furniture sit in the same places for decades. This usually creates pathways of carpeting worn down by repeated use, like the kind that develop naturally in the forest. Just be careful to use moving pads or dollys when you do, otherwise you will simply contribute more to the problem.
The Best Flooring Materials for High Traffic Areas
Presuming you do want to replace the old carpet in your building, you’ll want to install something that can handle the job, but also won’t break the bank, otherwise you’ll be in the same position as before.
The first material that comes to mind in terms of affordability and durability is laminate plank flooring. It’s one of the cheapest flooring options on the menu, but only in terms of price. It can be styled to look like almost anything, so banish from your mind the notions of cheap laminate flooring from years past. You won’t have to worry about vacuuming either, and as long as you have a good sweeper you’ll notice fewer allergy problems in the office as well. Hardwood flooring is another great option for office buildings. It will class up almost every building and will last at least a century if properly cared for.
The floor in your office building is literally the only thing that employees touch almost all the time. They deserve something that’s going to support them well. If you’re ready to make the change, the professionals at Ozburn-Hessey are here to support you. Call us any time.
