POS Guide to Choosing Flooring for your Workplace

Choosing the right flooring can be a bit of a mind field with the extensive array of different options you can choose from. We all want flooring that not only looks great but will stand the test of time. To achieve this, look at our guide to choosing the right commercial flooring for your workplace below. If you are unsure on anything, please do not hesitate to contact one of our flooring experts who are eagerly waiting to assist on 01926 468 668 or email enquiries@pureofficesolutions.co.uk

STEP ONE – IDENTIFY KEY AREAS

Office and commercial spaces can be broken down into key areas. Each area may have different flooring requirements. Below is a list of ‘standard’ key areas but as commercial spaces can vary greatly it is best to only take this list as a guide.

1. Reception Area
2. Toilets/Staff Welfare Areas
3. Staff Kitchen/Canteen
4. Desk/Working Areas
5. Conference Room
6. Store/Server Room
7. Stairs/Landing

STEP TWO – IDENTIFY FLOORING REQUIREMENTS

Now you have identified the different key areas of your building it is now time to break these areas down and establish their individual needs which will help you determine the best flooring option.

If you are looking at upgrading the flooring in your existing office, have a look at where the flooring may have failed before so you can be sure it wont happen again i.e. reception area looking dirty and worn, kitchen area flooring is stained or working areas are too noisy.

For example:

RECEPTION AREA

• High foot traffic area
• First thing staff and visitors see when they enter the building so must look great
• Must be easy to clean
• Must not mark easily with wet/muddy shoes
• Must be easy to replace damaged areas

WELFARE AREAS – TOILETS, STAFF KITCHEN/CANTEEN

• Non-slip
• Hygienic
• Waterproof
• Must be easy to clean – anti stain
• Acoustic – reduce noise

DESK/WORKING AREAS

• High foot traffic area
• Acoustic – reduce noise
• Must be easy to clean – anti-stain

CONFERENCE ROOM

• Must look great for visitors

STORE/SERVER ROOM

• Low budget as not in full view
• Non-slip
• Anti-static

STAIRS/LANDING

• High foot traffic area
• Non-slip

STEP THREE – WHICH FLOORING MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS

If you want to invest in flooring that will last without expensive maintenance or repairs, it is key to use a combination of different flooring options.

Below shows you which type of flooring that will work best in the chosen key area.

RECEPTION

• Entrance Matting
• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
• Looselay Flooring
• Interwoven Vinyl Tiles
• Real Wood Flooring
• Carpet Tiles & Planks

WELFARE AREAS

• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
• Looselay Flooring
• Interwoven Vinyl Tiles
• Real Wood Flooring
• Heterogeneous Vinyl
• Homogeneous Vinyl

WORKING AREAS

• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
• Looselay Flooring
• Interwoven Vinyl Tiles
• Real Wood Flooring
• Carpet Tiles & Planks

CONFERENCE ROOM

• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
• Looselay Flooring
• Interwoven Vinyl Tiles
• Real Wood Flooring
• Carpet Tiles & Planks

STORE/SERVER ROOM

• Looselay Flooring
• Carpet Tiles & Planks
• Homogeneous Vinyl

STAIRS/LANDING AREAS

• Entrance Matting
• Carpet Tiles & Planks
• Heterogeneous Vinyl
• Homogeneous Vinyl

STEP FOUR – UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT FLOORING 

To make an informed choice you must be able to understand the differences between the flooring types.

ENTRANCE MATTING

Occupying a prime position in every building, not only does it create a good first impression for customers and visitors, it is designed to effectively remove and retain soil and moisture and prevent it from entering the building. This can greatly reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls and cut down on costly maintenance.

It’s best to choose an indoor entrance mat with raised sections to wipe and scrape footwear and it should have a fabric top which is able to soak up and contain moisture. You may need to regularly clean this mat, so that it doesn’t become saturated with dirt and water. So we advise you to check that the mat is easy to clean. 

LUXURY VINYL TILES (LVT)

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are the latest advancement in flooring, combining durability, water resistance and innovative design with beautiful depth of colour.  It is becoming an increasingly popular as an affordable alternative to real wood, ceramic or stone. There are endless creative possibilities, with varying sizes and patterns giving a high-end finish.

LVT are available in a wide range of stunning wood and stone effects in natural colours and embossed textures which allow you to see and feel grains, grooves and knots – just like the real thing.

LVT’s unique design has a protective polyurethane layer over the top which is extremely hard wearing and protects the floor against scratches and dirt, offering maximum protection with minimum maintenance. LVT’s are hygienic and easy to keep clean without having to use expensive products, just a mop will do.

Key Characteristics:

1. Low Maintenance
2. Durable
3. Sustainable
4. Easy to Fit
5. Modular design
6. Stain Resistant
7. Slip Resistant
8. Waterproof
9. Anti-Allergy

LOOSE LAY FLOORING

The key characteristic of Loose Lay flooring is that it does not require any adhesives due to the clever interlocking technology. There is no need to close the premises as the products can be installed with minimum disruption.   

It is becoming increasingly popular due to it being so easy to fit and quick to install – all you need is a sound, smooth and dust free subfloor and you are ready to go.  

It is easy to repair should you need to replace a piece, simply lift the plank or tile in question and drop in a new one. The Loose lay flooring is softer and warmer underfoot then natural wood or stone flooring.  

Key Characteristics:

1. Low Maintenance
2. Durable
3. Sustainable
4. Easy to Fit
5. Modular design
6. Stain Resistant
7. Slip Resistant
8. Waterproof
9. Anti-Allergy

INTERWOVEN TILES

Interwoven vinyl flooring is an innovative flooring solution providing a unique opportunity to explore new textures and patterns with extraordinary depth and sophisticated aesthetics. The collection of diverse weave designs offers a varied yet unmistakable textile structure which naturally interacts with ambient light to bring a room to life.

With the advantage of a heavy commercial vinyl construction they are hard wearing and low maintenance – simply sweeping or vacuuming the floor is all that is required.

The vinyl construction of the flooring is resistant to most contaminants providing the spillages are quickly treated.

Key Characteristics:

1. Low Maintenance
2. Durable
3. Sustainable
4. Easy to Fit
5. Modular design
6. Stain Resistant
7. Slip Resistant
8. Waterproof
9. Anti-Allergy

REAL WOOD FLOORING

With a long history and the durability to last for generations, solid wood flooring is one of the most desirable flooring choices today. Despite recent advances in modern printing technology, the printed image on a laminate floorboard can never truly replicate the genuine knots, grain and texture that give real wood boards their timeless charm.

Key Characteristics:

1. Durable
2. Sustainable
3. Modular design

CARPET TILES & PLANKS

• MULTI-LEVEL LOOP CARPET TILES

Multi-level loop is also known as high-low loop pile. Multi-level loop pile is created by using loops of various heights to create a textured appearance. High and low loops are used in random or sequence to create textured patterns.

Multi-level loop encompasses changes of tone in varying proportions throughout, resulting in an all over effect of subtlety combined with soft angles. These characteristics ensure that each installation of appears slightly different from the last.

These carpets prevent dirt from embedding into the carpet and are extremely easy to clean.

The loops in the carpet make it extremely durable for medium to high-traffic areas.

Key Characteristics:

1. Low Maintenance
2. Durable
3. Sustainable
4. Easy to Fit
5. Modular design
6. Slip Resistant
7. Anti-Allergy

• LOOP PILE CARPET TILES & PLANKS 

The robust structure of loop pile carpet tiles and planks boast a hard-wearing finish with a number of design options available including a variety of solid colours, stripes and unique, striking patterns.

Loop pile carpet tiles and planks with class 33 heavy commercial wear classification offer extensive opportunities for unique flooring schemes with their soft feel adding an element of luxury and comfort to any commercial environment.

Key Characteristics:

1. Low Maintenance
2. Durable
3. Sustainable
4. Easy to Fit
5. Modular design
6. Slip Resistant
7. Anti-Allergy

HETEROGENEOUS – MULTI-LAYER SHEET VINYL

Vinyl floors are very popular because of their durability, low maintenance and versatility. Heterogeneous vinyl is a flexible multi-layer vinyl with a printed top layer providing endless design possibilities, it is available in many beautiful and unique designs that provide excellent acoustic performance and unique sound reduction properties because it can be applied from wall to wall.

Heterogeneous flooring in wet areas, like showers, splash areas, swimming pools offers comfort when walking and gives a firm grip as well as being anti-bacterial and fungicidal. It is an excellent low maintenance flooring solution which is perfect for heavy traffic areas.

Key Characteristics:

1. Low Maintenance
2. Durable
3. Sustainable
4. Easy to Fit
5. Modular design
6. Stain Resistant
7. Slip Resistant
8. Waterproof
9. Anti-Allergy

HOMOGENEOUS – SINGLE SHEET VINYL

Homogeneous vinyl floor covering is made of one single layer that does not have a backing. This gives the flooring the rigidity and toughness perfect to be used in places that experience heavy foot traffic. The surface coat of polyurethane resists dirt and spills as well as being anti-bacterial and fungicidal. It is not only easy to maintain, but practical and economical. While homogeneous PVC flooring is not considered a ‘high-end’ choice, it does very well in a healthcare facilities environment due to its excellent durability.

This type of flooring is mainly available in solid colours. The single layer of this flooring gives them vibrancy and depth in colour.

Key Characteristics:

1. Low Maintenance
2. Durable
3. Sustainable
4. Easy to Fit
5. Modular design
6. Stain Resistant
7. Slip Resistant
8. Waterproof
9. Anti-Allergy

STEP FIVE – CALL POS CONTRACT FLOORING