Commercial Flooring Guide

Choosing the right commercial flooring is one of the most impactful decisions in any facility project. Flooring affects aesthetics, maintenance costs, employee comfort, acoustics, and long-term lifecycle expense. This guide covers the five most popular commercial flooring types and helps you match the right product to your space.

Commercial Flooring at a Glance

Flooring Type	Cost/sq ft	Lifespan	Maintenance	Best For
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)	$3–$7	15–25 years	Low	Offices, retail, healthcare
Carpet Tile	$2–$6	10–15 years	Medium	Offices, education, hospitality
Rubber Flooring	$4–$9	20–30 years	Low	Healthcare, gyms, labs
Commercial Hardwood	$6–$14	25–50+ years	Medium-High	Hospitality, exec offices, retail
Polished Concrete	$3–$8	20–30+ years	Very Low	Retail, industrial, warehouses

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

LVT has become the dominant choice in commercial flooring, and for good reason. Modern LVT products offer realistic wood and stone visuals, excellent durability, and low maintenance requirements — all at a fraction of the cost of natural materials.

Key Advantages

• Waterproof — ideal for healthcare, break rooms, and lobbies
• Excellent wear layer options (12–28 mil for commercial use)
• Easy replacement of individual tiles/planks
• Acoustic underlay options reduce noise transmission
• Extensive design options: wood, stone, abstract patterns

Considerations

• Lower-end products may show wear in very high-traffic areas
• Not ideal for heavy rolling loads without proper specification
• VOC emissions vary by manufacturer — look for FloorScore certification

Carpet Tile

Carpet tile remains the go-to choice for offices and education facilities. The modular format allows easy replacement of damaged tiles, creative design layouts, and simplified installation over raised access floors.

Key Advantages

• Modular — replace individual tiles instead of entire floors
• Excellent acoustic properties reduce noise in open offices
• Easy access to underfloor systems
• Strong sustainability story — recycled content and take-back programs

Considerations

• Not suitable for wet areas
• Requires regular vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning
• Shorter lifespan than hard surface options in high-traffic areas

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is the workhorse of high-performance commercial environments. From hospitals to fitness centers to laboratories, rubber offers unmatched durability, slip resistance, and ergonomic comfort.

Key Advantages

• Exceptional durability — 20-30+ year lifespan
• Slip resistant even when wet
• Ergonomic — reduces fatigue for standing workers
• Naturally antimicrobial
• Excellent sound absorption

Considerations

• Higher upfront cost than LVT or carpet tile
• Limited design options compared to LVT
• Strong odor during and after installation (dissipates over time)

Commercial Hardwood

Nothing matches the warmth and prestige of real hardwood flooring. In hospitality lobbies, executive offices, and high-end retail, commercial-grade hardwood creates an impression that no other material can replicate.

Key Advantages

• Timeless aesthetics that add perceived value
• Can be refinished multiple times, extending lifespan to 50+ years
• Engineered options offer greater dimensional stability

Considerations

• Highest upfront and maintenance cost
• Vulnerable to moisture and heavy rolling loads
• Requires periodic refinishing
• Not suitable for below-grade installation (solid hardwood)

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete is gaining popularity for its industrial aesthetic, extremely low maintenance, and long lifespan. It's particularly popular in retail, restaurants, and modern office spaces.

Key Advantages

• Virtually zero maintenance beyond occasional cleaning
• Extremely durable — 20-30+ year lifespan with minimal upkeep
• Utilizes existing slab — no additional materials needed
• Highly sustainable — no VOCs, no adhesives, no waste

Considerations

• Hard underfoot — not ergonomic for extended standing
• Poor acoustics — sound reflects rather than absorbs
• Limited to ground-floor and slab-on-grade applications
• Results depend heavily on existing slab condition

How to Choose the Right Commercial Flooring

The right flooring depends on your specific application. Consider these factors:

1. Traffic volume — How many people walk this space daily?
2. Moisture exposure — Will the floor get wet regularly?
3. Lifecycle cost — Don't just compare install price; factor in maintenance and replacement
4. Acoustic requirements — Open offices need sound absorption; lobbies less so
5. Aesthetics — Match the space's design intent and brand image
6. Sustainability goals — EPDs, recycled content, and end-of-life programs matter

Need help choosing? Request a free consultation and we'll connect you with qualified commercial flooring specialists in your area.

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