It’s funny how most people who enter a commercial building don’t think much about the floors they are walking on. Despite this, no other surface in a building gets as much wear and tear as the floors. Despite the general public’s lack of interest, building maintenance managers need to think about space in a practical and efficient manner. It is costly and unnecessary to damage commercial flooring if it is chosen incorrectly.
A wood floor might be installed without consideration in a place with a low water table, for example. The wood floors will undoubtedly get damaged whenever there is heavy rain. It wasn’t that the wood floors were bad, it was simply that they were not a good choice for that location.
Factors to Consider
To choose the right flooring for long-term success and ease of maintenance, building managers need to consider a variety of factors. The right flooring for a business location depends on many factors, so managers should work with the manufacturer, architect and interior designer in order to choose the best flooring.
Here are some factors to consider:
What is Your Space’s Function?
Is the floor in a large apartment building’s lobby or in a hospital’s cafeteria? It’s likely that the lobby will be busy, but spills shouldn’t be an issue as in the cafeteria. There is no question that these two spaces need durable flooring, but they also have their own individual functional requirements.
Consider the activities that will take place in the space, the people who will use it, and the maintenance necessary.
How Easy Will Repairs Be?
A commercial space cannot close for a long period of time. In general, repairs need to be made fast and during the evening hours if possible. Choose flooring which is easy to remove and replace as needed.
Consider carpet tiles if, for example, you would like the look and feel of carpeting. Whenever they become worn, such as the centers of hallways, they can easily be replaced with new ones.
Traffic Levels
Now let’s talk about traffic levels. The amount of traffic in a commercial space can differ widely, so you’ll need to think about how busy it is on a daily basis. You’ll want to consider flooring materials that will last for a long time such as marble and granite if you have a lot of foot traffic, like the kind on college campuses and in public gathering areas.
Bamboo flooring is an excellent choice for rental units in apartment buildings. In addition to offering the same warmth and beauty as hardwood, bamboo is also considerably more affordable than many hardwoods, more durable than many hardwoods, and environmentally friendly.
Are They Easy to Maintain?
You should also consider the maintenance of your system carefully. Some flooring options will require extensive care. A spill on carpeting needs immediate attention; terrazzo will require regular buffing; marble should be polished regularly; and VCT may be stripped of its old finish and need to be refinished. Maintenance costs over time must be considered. The cost of this installation is likely to be many times higher than the initial installation cost.
And Speaking of Cost
Commercial interiors are always on a budget, but the public’s expectations of a beautiful and innovative environment continue to rise. When it comes to selecting the right flooring product for a renovation or design project, managers often feel the stress when it comes to the biggest ticket item. In addition to looking good, the flooring must also be highly durable, easy to install, and affordable to maintain.
Consider LEED Certification
Sustainability has transformed from a concept to an individual choice, to a collective responsibility over the last decade. Building managers and designers are able to integrate sustainable strategies without much additional effort or cost. It is now known as “smart design”.
Benefits of Certification
Owners and managers of buildings can benefit from LEED certification in a number of ways. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, LEED-certified commercial buildings are more cost-effective to run and more desirable to occupants and residents who care about the environment. Tax rebates may also apply to LEED-certified buildings, making green design choices a smart investment.
Certification for Commercial Buildings
To achieve LEED certification, commercial buildings must comply with strict requirements set up by the Green Building Certification Institute, an independent organization that conducts third-party inspections of commercial buildings in accordance with ISO international certification standards. The level of LEED certification can be achieved based on how well an organization adopts environmental standards.
Commercial Bamboo Flooring Options
Bamboo is a terrific flooring option for many commercial spaces.
Engineered
Engineered bamboo floors require little maintenance, which may result in lower maintenance costs. They are a good choice for locations with medium to high traffic. Engineered hardwood floors are the hardest floors you can get. Installation, replacement, and removal are simple. A damaged tile or plank can be easily removed and replaced due to the way the pieces click together. It is also much easier and more cost-effective to remove the floor at the end of its lifetime.
Strand Woven
Apartment buildings and office spaces benefit from this bamboo option, which is the most durable. Compared to traditional hardwood floors, strand woven floors require less refinishing.
Buy from a Reputable Dealer
Bamboo is a beautiful, durable, affordable, and sustainable flooring option for your commercial building, but make sure to buy from a reputable dealer.
Bamboo flooring is one of Ambient’s specialties; as a result, our floors contribute to LEED credits such as:
- (MR) 6: Materials & Resources credit for Rapidly Renewable Resources
- (IEQ) 4.4: Indoor Environmental Quality credit for Low-Emitting Materials
