An office floor is possibly the most forgotten aspect of a redecoration. A floor, once installed, is expected to sustain multiple redecorating projects that focus upon layout, partitioning and wall colour. In this way, when a full refurbishment or initial installation project takes place, it is imperative that the correct flooring decision is made.
Looking Down
So why is a floor important? In a busy office no one is looking at it, right? Well, despite the fact that a floor is not the focal point of an office space, it is in fact one of the most important elements. It underlies the whole concept of your design and provides significant scope for light dispersal and reflectivity. It impacts the acoustic performance of your office in the way that it can cushion or amplify sound. Moreover, it is the surface with which workers and visitors have the most physical contact. In this way, the ergonomic benefits or challenges of a flooring should always be considered.
What’s Great About:
Wood
Bringing a natural element into an office design, a wooden floor wonderfully reflects office greenery and can calm a working atmosphere. It is acoustically more gentle than stone, however, less so than carpet. It is also a high status flooring. This automatically gives a gravitas to a commercial environment. Wood works especially well in renovated and repurposed buildings as it can highlight the history of a working space. Similarly, the warm, natural tones can aid creativity. However, it can quickly show signs of wear and requires regular maintenance.
Stone
A stone office floor will be extremely hard wearing. With the right care, it can serve a multitude of decorative incarnations. With a huge variety of stone finishes available, this is a flexible choice which can reflect a variety of decorative concepts. However, it is acoustically challenging and can result in echoes which create an oppressive and daunting environment. The price tag is high for real stone flooring and an ongoing programme of maintenance should be expected.
Vinyl
This is a popular commercial flooring as it is hardwearing and cheaper than natural finishes. With a choice of varieties out there, offices can avoid the clinical environment that vinyl can create. Indeed, choosing bright vinyl tones can bring a real vibrancy to an office floor. The more luxury end of products replicates wood or stone finishes so that a design concept can be fulfilled without the maintenance commitments or acoustic challenges.
Carpet
A carpeted office floor is great for soft acoustics, so for businesses that prioritise privacy, it is ideal. For durability reasons, businesses look to either broadloom or carpet tiles. There’s a range of colours and patterns out there so there is often a colour or design that fits your concept. Choosing a carpeted office floor also has ergonomic benefits, reducing stress and strain on those standing or walking all day. When choosing carpet tiles, any damage can be easily remedied by replacing a section, so ongoing maintenance costs are lower.
Industrial
Some spaces benefit from existing concrete which can be polished into a great office floor. This works wonderfully within an industrial design scheme once treated and finished. By cushioning sound with a generous use of softer furnishings or furniture, and acoustic challenges can be overcome. Indeed many techs and creative office spaces and receptions have maximised their industrial atmosphere to enhance modernity and creativity.
Durability & Maintenance
But it’s not just about design. Practical considerations for an office floor are important too. A business should consider how long they expect to be in a building. What level of movement is there expected to be around the building? How sensitive are business conversations? What age is your building and are you required to be sympathetic to its history? What financial benefits could you achieve by choosing a more insulating form of flooring? How much budget can you allocate to ongoing maintenance? Answering these questions with an awareness of the variety of flooring options out there will guide you to the best floor for your office.
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