When speaking with a retail business, we’re often asked about wood-look commercial flooring. Years ago, your only option for something that looked like wood was real wood or laminate. However, with today’s new products, you have many more including luxury vinyl plank, porcelain tile, and engineered wood in addition to laminate and real hardwood. These flooring materials all have pros and cons and this month we’re going to look at their pros and cons in detail to help you make the right decision for your retail business.
Pros & Cons of Laminate Flooring
Many retail businesses choose laminate flooring because it is low maintenance and doesn’t scratch or dent easily. Its installation also is easier than some other materials, which can save you money. You can find commercial laminate in many colors and styles that look like wood flooring.
So why isn’t commercial laminate the top choice for retail businesses? There are a few reasons including the fact that it can be easily damaged by water and there is no easy solution for repair. Once it buckles or warps, it is permanently damaged. It’s also fairly noisy to walk on which can detract from a pleasant shopping experience.
Porcelain Tile Pros & Cons
This is a relatively new option for wood-look commercial flooring. It’s only been in the last decade that design quality and manufacturing has come to the point where one can really believe that it might be wood. It shares one of the biggest cons with laminate and that is that it can be rather loud to walk on. It is also among the most uncomfortable types of flooring to stand on for prolonged periods. Also, if you choose the wrong type, it can be slippery. When you compare installation of tile to that of other materials, installation generally takes more time.
However, there are reasons to consider tile for your retail business. First, it’s virtually stain-resistant. Many people also love that it’s practically water proof, making it ideal in retail businesses on the coast in Sarasota, Clearwater, and other beach communities. And, it’s easy to clean, especially because wood-look tile flooring has very thin grout lines unlike other styles of tile.
Contact Seer Flooring Today
As a commercial flooring company with vast experience installing all types of commercial floors, we’ll help you choose the right material whether you want wood-look commercial flooring or something else. And, if you need installation overnight or on weekends, we can help with that too. Call us today at (727) 469-7963 or fill out our contact form for your free, no-obligation consultation. If you still need more information, stay tuned for part two coming soon.