Hard Surface Flooring
What Are Common Hard Surface Options?
Durable commercial floors are vital for business owners and property managers, and hard surface flooring meets the demands when considering commercial flooring options. The most popular hard surface flooring for businesses are:
Made from natural wood such as oak, maple, and walnut, hardwood is popular for its aesthetic appeal and durability. It can be refinished multiple times to restore its appearance. Currently, Lakeside only completes glue-down hardwood flooring projects when customers want a hardwood, commercial flooring solution.
Laminate is a synthetic flooring material that mimics the look of wood, stone, or tile. It’s made of layers, including a printed layer and a protective coating applied to a fiberboard core, making it durable and budget-friendly.
Available in sheets, tiles, or planks, vinyl is a water-resistant flooring option that can replicate the look of wood or stone. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a popular choice for commercial and residential settings.
- Ceramic Tile – Made from clay and other natural materials, ceramic tiles are water-resistant and come in various colors, sizes, and patterns. Compared to porcelain tile, they are easier to cut during installation and a lower cost option for those considering their budgets.
- Porcelain Tile – Denser, harder, and more water-resistant, porcelain tile is ideal for high-traffic areas and wet environments such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and pool areas. They are available in a variety of styles and finishes, from matte to glossy.
Natural materials like marble, granite, travertine, and slate are timeless flooring options offering a unique, luxurious look you can’t find anywhere else. While stone is highly durable, it often requires more care and maintenance. For example, you need a designated product to clean marble floors, as acids and other harsh chemicals can etch or stain them.
Polished or stained concrete is commonly used in industrial and modern commercial settings. These floors are resistant to water, stains, and bacteria, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Polished concrete floors can be customized with different colors and finishes to match a particular design aesthetic.
Bamboo flooring is a unique design for those desiring a sustainable commercial flooring option. It looks similar to hardwood but is made from natural bamboo stalks.
Made from the bark of cork trees, cork flooring is a custom and sustainable commercial flooring. It is softer and more resilient than many other hard surface options but still provides durability and insulation for businesses needing flooring for high-traffic areas.
Common Hard Surface Flooring Applications
When considering a commercial floor renovation or flooring for businesses, hard surfaces are often chosen because they are excellent for high-traffic areas.
- Entryways, Lobbies, and Hallways – Tile or polished concrete flooring are resilient choices for entryways and corridors in office, retail, healthcare, and hospitality spaces as they can withstand heavy foot traffic and are easy to clean.
- Restrooms – Tiles are the preferred commercial flooring solution for restrooms because they are water-resistant and easy to sanitize.
- Kitchens and Food Prep Areas – In restaurants or cafeterias, hard surfaces like ceramic tiles and epoxy flooring are common for hygiene and durability. Lakeside installed hard surface flooring in the Hollywood Casino Barstool Restaurant in the Toledo, Ohio, area that met restaurant standards.
- Office Spaces – Because of their professional appearance, areas such as break rooms, reception areas, and meeting spaces often have laminate, hardwood, or vinyl flooring.
- Retail Stores – Polished concrete, tile, and LVT are popular retail flooring options for their sleek look and ease of maintenance.
- Warehouses and Industrial Spaces – Epoxy and polished concrete flooring are often chosen for their resilience to heavy machinery and industrial activities.
- Healthcare Facilities – Hard surfaces like vinyl, laminate, and tile commercial flooring are used in patient, surgery, and exam rooms to maintain a clean, sterile environment.
- Public Areas – Non-slip commercial floors and hard surfaces are installed in airports, malls, and large event venues because they can withstand high foot traffic, spills, and heavy equipment.
Knowing your needs, budget, and design preferences will help narrow down the best commercial flooring solution for your business. Lakeside has a variety of durable commercial flooring solutions and the experience and expertise you need for commercial floor installation.
Hard Surface Flooring Considerations
Before buying or installing hard surface flooring, there are several important factors to consider as you make the right choice for your space. These factors impact not only the installation process but also the long-term functionality and durability of the flooring. Review our suggested considerations:
Determine the amount of foot traffic the area will experience or currently endures. Areas such as lobbies, retail buildings, and healthcare facilities require durable commercial floors with thicker wear layers.
Vinyl and laminate are easier to clean and maintain than natural stone or hardwood. Consider the cleaning schedule and whether regular maintenance, such as sealing and waxing, is feasible.
You must ensure your subfloor suits your chosen commercial floor option. Some hard surfaces, like tile or stone, require a perfectly level subfloor, while vinyl may be more forgiving. Also, if you’re installing flooring in a high-moisture environment, such as a basement or kitchen, it is vital that the subfloor is moisture-resistant or has a moisture barrier to avoid damage over time.
Commercial floors in wet or high-moisture areas like restrooms, kitchens, or entryways, need to be slip-resistant to prevent accidents. Lakeside will find an option with texture or slip-resistant coatings to meet your requirements. We also know building codes and safety regulations that may require specific slip ratings for commercial spaces. The non-slip flooring we installed in The Toledo Zoo Aquarium provides confidence that visitors will be safe, no matter the weather conditions.
The price of materials varies significantly, with stone and hardwood being more expensive than laminate or vinyl. Knowing your budget, we will find a commercial flooring solution that determines upfront costs, installation, and long-term value.
Flooring design is essential and should align with your business’s image. For a modern, industrial look, polished concrete may be ideal, while a more luxurious space may call for natural stone or hardwood.
Hard surfaces can amplify sound, leading to echoing or noise, especially in large, open commercial spaces. If sound control is important, consider adding soundproofing materials or acoustic solutions like rugs or underlayments.
If sustainability is a concern, flooring options like bamboo, cork, or recycled materials are produced with environmentally friendly processes to meet your requirements. Some businesses aim for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and Lakeside has a variety of flooring materials that can play a part in earning points toward this.
Wood and laminate can expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Ensure your commercial floor option is compatible with your local climate and environmental conditions.
When choosing a commercial flooring solution from Lakeside, you get three warranties: our Lakeside warranty, the manufacturer warranty, and the INSTALL warranty. You can be confident that your selection is durable and covered for long-term commercial use.
Once you determine all your needs and concerns as well as customer uses, you will be ready to choose a commercial floor option from Lakeside Interior Contractors that meets your functional requirements, aesthetic, and budget.
Contact our commercial flooring experts today!