When it comes to selecting the right flooring for your office space, there are a lot of things you need to consider. Let’s break down some of the pros and cons of both flooring options to make your decision a bit easier.
Hardwood Office Flooring
When you think of an office, your mind probably doesn’t jump to hardwood flooring first. Office hardwood flooring is not incredibly common, but its popularity is growing among startups and other business owners looking to differentiate. The job market is competitive, and attracting talented employees has never been more difficult. Hardwood flooring can help to set your office apart from other companies, both to prospective employees and clients. Hardwoods provide a rustic, homey feel that many commercial flooring options lack, offering a greater level of comfort and aesthetic options when it comes to decor.
There are certainly downsides to selecting hardwood flooring for your commercial space. Hardwoods are not the budget option, so if you’re looking to keep costs low in the flooring department, you may want to look elsewhere. With that said, your investment in hardwood flooring can return greater benefits in the future. Hardwood floors, when properly maintained and refinished every 7-10 years, can outlast many other flooring options, including carpeting. While upfront costs are higher, hardwoods have unparalleled longevity and style, making them an attractive option for startups and expanding businesses alike.
Carpet Flooring for Offices
Carpet flooring is the traditional choice for modern office spaces for a few good reasons. But there are also those who are critical of the option due to aesthetic or hygienic concerns. Carpeting provides a high level of comfort for people who are up on their feet a lot, so if your office has a production space, it may be wise to go with carpeting.
Additionally, carpet is very affordable when compared to other soft flooring options. The downside to this saving is that carpet needs to be steam cleaned and eventually replaced much sooner than hardwood. Carpet has often been regarded as the old-school option, but there are a variety of choices that can give your office a contemporary feel. Office carpeting can very easily match your intended style.
Comparing Options and Making a Decision
The carpet or hardwood debate for flooring has been going on for decades now. There are so many scenarios in which either option can work for a space, between cost effectiveness, aesthetics, and comfort level. Carpets, no matter how high-end, are going to absorb and retain allergens in the fibers that hardwoods simply do not. For people with seasonal allergies, carpeting can lead to red, itchy eyes and a stuffy nose for a few weeks as things flare up. Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, is more prone to visible signs of damage like scratches, dents, and scuffs than carpeting. With a dynamic office, desks, chairs, and filing cabinets can all easily cause damage to hardwoods if not properly handled. Cleaning hardwood flooring is easier than carpet, though refinishing these floors every decade or so is more time-consuming than carpet steaming. Installation also takes much longer for hardwoods than carpeting, as most carpets can be installed directly over subfloors in large sections. So what type of flooring is best for an office? There may not be a clear winner in the abstract, but when it comes to meeting your specific needs, things should be a bit clearer now.
No matter what you select, you can trust the experts at Ozburn-Hessey to complete the installation quickly and efficiently, providing you with a high-quality floor that will last. If you’re interested in learning more or are ready for a free consultation and estimate for your commercial office space, give us a call at Ozburn-Hessey today.
