In the world of business when something works, it is inevitably copied by everyone else. This is true of management strategies, Casual Fridays, and flooring. In the world of business flooring, two options usually rise to the top of the pile: commercial carpeting and laminate flooring. They each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, as you will see.
What to Know About Commercial Carpeting
Commercial Carpeting: The Silent Majority
Although there is a great chance you have seen commercial carpeting, it is different than the style of carpeting you find in most homes. That is because both styles have different goals. Residential Carpeting is usually supposed to be about comfort and style, for one thing. Commercial carpeting, on the other hand, is about covering large areas of space that will be walked over a lot. It needs to be durable, or at the very least, cost-effective. Part of the reason you find so many businesses with the same color flooring is because the dark coloring tends to block out or make stains less visible. But those are not the only styles you will find; commercial carpeting also comes in lighter shades, as well as patterns– think of the carpeting at the Nashville airport, for example. Commercial carpeting also tends to muffle sounds better than many other flooring options, making it an ideal candidate for a place with lots of productive workers.
Laminate Flooring: King of the Kitchen
Laminate flooring is usually found in office buildings because of one simple fact: it handles water and moisture better than most every other flooring option out there. Now, you might ask yourself how often moisture can really be an issue in a place where people are working on computers for the most part, and the answer is that moisture is always a concern. Moisture is the number one killer of floors, because all it takes is a little bit and then it goes to work. That won’t be an issue with laminate flooring, meaning there is one less thing to worry about. Laminate flooring is also very cheap, making it a great option for those looking to cover large areas.
Best of Both Worlds
When it comes to making a decision, the best best is probably to use both materials like many offices do. Commercial carpeting is about $2-$4 per square foot, while laminate flooring can be found for as little as less than a dollar per square foot, while the higher end products are around $3 per square foot. But unless you plan on covering the floors of your office in laminate flooring designed to look and somewhat feel like real hardwood flooring, your best bet is to mix things up by adding carpeting. Depending on what is used underneath the commercial carpeting, it can actually be comfortable to walk on, something your employees are sure to enjoy. Having laminate flooring will make cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen a lot easier, since you don’t have to worry as much about the water.
Commercial carpeting and laminate flooring are two of the most popular flooring options in the corporate world for a reason. Commercial carpeting is durable, cost-effective and helps cut down on ambient sounds, while laminate flooring is soft and handles water so well. If you would like to find out more information about either of these wonderful flooring materials, so not hesitate to contact the wonderful professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey!
