Choosing durable flooring materials in high traffic commercial spaces is a decision that affects both the look and long term operational costs of a facility.
Changing between rolling equipment, foot traffic and just demanding usage these environments demand flooring which can stand a lot of wear and tear without looking the worse for it. Through a thorough examination of durability ratings, correct installation protocols, and ongoing maintenance routines, facility managers and property owners can make educated decisions that result in significant returns, in the form of decreased lifecycle costs, increased safety profiles, and increased occupant satisfaction.
Assessing Durability and Performance
Flooring material durability and performance are the paramount considerations when the environment is high traffic. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and polished concrete are two great options, both of which have stood the test of time in the most demanding commercial environments.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is a very durable flooring solution, with a high durability that makes the LVP really great for high traffic areas. Its multi layer construction with a protective wear layer protects the flooring from daily damage and wear to ensure long lasting performance. The wear layer on LVP helps prevent scratches, scuffs, and stains, and with the proper maintenance, LVP will withstand heavy traffic at retail stores, office environments, and healthcare locations.
Polished concrete, on the other hand, offers a unique combination of toughness and aesthetic appeal. This material is very well known for its capability to resist the heavy use without preserving water or mildew, which gains it environmentally friendly capability. Polished concrete can also be stained or dyed to complement the building’s appearance, giving facility managers the opportunity to create aesthetically pleasing spaces with long lasting durability.
Proper Floor Preparation: The Foundation of Success
Before choosing any flooring material, it is important not to neglect the step for proper floor preparation, however flooring material chosen is. The surface is inspected and assessed before moisture testing, old flooring materials are removed and the substrate is made clean, clear and porous. But skipping or rushing this important phase can be real troublesome down the line, resulting in uneven surfaces, peeling, and bubbling floors.
Depending on the size of the project and existing moisture issues, floor preparation can take from a few days, to a few weeks. Smaller projects can take 1–2 days, and for bigger commercial spaces it could take from 3–5 days and plus to complete the process completely.
Following industry recognized floor preparation standards facility managers and property owners can set the stage for their flooring installation to last and perform in high traffic environments.
Maintenance and Longevity: The Keys to Long-Term Value
Having picked the right flooring material and installed, ongoing maintenance is the secret to making it last as long as well as keep up to the performance as it should. LVP and polished concrete are both relatively low maintenance and perfect for busy commercial spaces.
In particular, LVP is famous for its low maintenance routine. In high traffic areas, LVP floors are usually good enough to just sweep and mop occasionally to keep them looking new. Highly durable wear layer resists dirt, grime, and stains, requiring minimal heavy duty cleaning protocols to keep the appearance polished.
Polished concrete is finished in some way — cut with saws, striated to create a pattern, colored, stained, etc. — and while it requires a little bit more specialized maintenance, when cared for properly it can also be a long lasting investment. It’s possible to keep dirt and grime from building up on the floor by regular cleaning with appropriate cleaning solutions and methods.
Proper care and maintenance will ensure that high quality vinyl plank flooring will last 10-20 years or more, making it a wise long term investment for busy commercial spaces. Polished concrete also offers decades of durable service when maintained by industry best practice.
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The Benefits of Durable Flooring in High-Traffic Environments
Aside from looking good, investing in long lasting flooring materials for high traffic areas comes with a host of benefits.
These benefits include:
- Reduced Lifecycle Costs: The facility managers and property owners can reduce life cycle cost by a significant extent by choosing flooring materials that are designed to withstand heavy usage. LVP and polished concrete are both known for their incredible durability, meaning you won’t have to replace your flooring as often and it will last you longer.
- Improved Safety and Occupant Satisfaction: A good floor maintenance program coupled with the inherent durability of the flooring material will result in improved safety profiles within the facility. Maintaining your floors well reduces the probability of accidental slips, trips, and falls, which makes for a safer place for all occupants, employees and visitors. Furthermore, maintaining visually appealing and well taken care of floor and floor surfaces creates higher occupant satisfaction leading to an overall more pleasant environment whilst in the commercial space.
- Environmental Considerations: Polished concrete, for instance, is a certain type of durable flooring that requires fewer construction materials, and also requires less frequent replacement. This can help to decrease an overall carbon footprint and back sustainability efforts within the facility.
Recent Developments and Industry Standards
The commercial flooring industry is always changing, with new materials and new technologies to increase durability and performance. These advanced polymers and protective coatings in modern scratch resistant materials provide both durability and aesthetic appeal. In environments where there is constant foot traffic and rolling equipment such as hospital and hotel corridors, these cutting edge materials are very useful.
Along with material advancements, the commercial cleaning industry understands the need to comply with industry standards for proper floor preparation and maintenance. These standards guarantee that flooring installations are conducted correctly and that ongoing maintenance routines prolong life and performance of the flooring.
Facility managers and property owners can stay up to date on the latest developments and follow industry best practices to ensure their high traffic environments get the most durable and cost effective flooring solutions.
Conclusion
Choosing the right flooring materials in high traffic commercial environments is a critical decision which affects the aesthetic appeal as well as the long term operational costs of a facility. Through resourceful examination of durability ratings, suitable protocol of installation, and routine of maintenance, facility managers and property owners can make sound selections that produce significant expense reductions in lifecycle costs, promote stronger safety profiles, and enhance occupant satisfaction.
Commercial spaces have found their match in luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and polished concrete, both of which offer superb durability and performance in busy spaces that see a lot of foot traffic. But any flooring installation is only as successful as the floor preparation, which provides a solid base for the flooring material and prevents problems down the road.
The second is as equally important, as the routinely ongoing maintenance routines will ensure the longevity and sustained performance of flooring. Following industry recognized cleaning protocols and best practices, facility managers can help to extend the life of their flooring investment and keep the appearance polished and visually appealing.
With the commercial cleaning industry constantly changing, and new materials and technologies emerging, facility managers and property owners need to know what’s new and what’s expected. With these advancements and best practices, they can make sure that their high traffic environments are serviced with the most durable and cost effective flooring solutions available.
In essence, the long lasting potential of flooring materials requires the correct strategic selection, alongside appropriate installation and maintenance protocols, for a significant investment that provides significant payback in the form of reduced replacement frequency, less operational costs, and generally a safer, more aesthetically pleasing environment for occupants and visitors.
