November, 2019
Choosing a flooring for high-traffic areas is relatively easy, considering the array of commercial flooring available to this specification. It is therefore worth considering the differences, as well as the benefits of different flooring types, beyond the need to be to the recommended standard (Class 33) and how this might impact your decision.
Below you will find some of the best commercial-rated flooring materials for high traffic spaces, offering you longevity, ease of maintenance, and a great appearance.
1. Carpet Tiles
This soft-surface flooring option has always been one of the most popular thanks to the functionality advantages it has over carpets rolls or hard surface floors.
Carpet tiles are ideal for businesses that require noise insulation, and they can help to keep workspaces warm as well. Tiles are more easily and cheaply replaced when damaged and can be more hard-wearing. This obviously makes carpet tiles a more sustainable option over for example broadloom.
They are designed for heavy wear areas such as retail, commercial, and educational environments. Carpet tiles often use dyes and patterns that minimise the visual effects of spillages, and many come with stain resistant properties. The tighter the molecular structure the better defence against staining. For example: due to its lower permeability, antron nylon 6.6 slows down the diffusion of stains, allowing more time to clean up. A good example of this is the Freedom Ranges of Carpet Tiles which use this yarn type – with Freedom Storm being our most popular tile in this range.
2. Safety Flooring
Environments like hospitals, care homes, schools and food-processing areas need to provide safe and sanitary conditions conducive to maintaining health. Duragrip floor is one of the best option for these spaces. This type of flooring gives the space excellent slip-resistance, preventing trips or falls of any kind. Alongside preventing physical damage, it’s also easy to maintain and a hygienic option, due to its antibacterial and fungistatic surface treatment.
The latest addition to the Duraflor portfolio, Cienna goes beyond many designer’s expectation combining beautiful styles with both safety, durability. The range is PTV rated at 36+ and has a R13 slip rating, incorporating an innovative grip technology. It has a high performance wear layer with PUR treatment – all key factors when making decision about flooring suitability for key heavy traffic environments.
3. Luxury Vinyl Tiles
LVT flooring has a vast range of uses and is highly adaptable to many environments. Vinyl flooring is a popular form of commercial flooring due to its longevity and hard-wearing performance qualities. Vinyl Tiles are highly resistant to damage, such as dents from heels or scratches from dragged furniture. Another big advantage is the fact LVT is easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance. The possibilities of creating interesting tonal patterns or simply an authentic looking wood or stone floor also make LVT such a great choice. This is especially the case for areas where there is heavy traffic and you are looking to create a good impression for staff and visitors alike.
4. Entrance Matting / Barrier Tiles
As the main place where people come and go continuously, the entrance of every business is the area that endures the most traffic. So, it only makes sense that surfaces in business entrances are made to be durable and fit for heavy wear. Barrier tiles are arguably the best option for this space. The advantage to including this type of flooring in your plans is that it will protect the other flooring throughout the business by reducing dirt and moisture brought into the building from the outside.