Whether you are in the middle of a remodel, moving into a new space or simply weighing your options, choosing a commercial flooring style is one of the most important elements of your transition.
Here, we’ll discuss what to consider before making your choice as well as the pros and cons of each choice.
Before You Decide…
Before we dive in to the types of commercial flooring at your disposal, remember that this is something you won’t want to do more than once. With that in mind, ask yourself the following questions as you begin the process of comparing options:
What impression are you hoping to create? Will potential clients be seeing this floor?
The flooring installed in a space can have a huge impact on the aesthetic and overall atmosphere of a room. If the ambiance matters to you, think about the flooring decision carefully.
Are you going for appearance or are you focusing more on durability?
If this is for an industrial workspace, your decision process will look a lot different than if you are planning for a retail space or consumer trafficked space.
What kind of foot traffic do you anticipate? If it is a workspace, will your employees be mainly staying in one place or will they be moving around a lot?
Certain materials will hold up to wear and tear than others. We’ll discuss this more in detail later on.
How frequently will the floors need to be cleaned?
Determining your maintenance needs is a big part of the process. Will you be able to accommodate refinishing your floors every few years? Do you prefer an easy-to-replace option? Or is a maintenance-free option something you desire?
Once you have determined the aesthetics and maintenance standards you want, ask yourself these questions to prepare working with a contractor:
- Has your floor been properly leveled or will leveling need to be part of that process?
- What is your subfloor made of?
- What kind of climate do you work in?
- What is your budget?
Having your logistical needs in place will make the process of getting quotes and weighting options a smooth one.
Selecting a Contractor
Here are a few key elements to consider before you decide on a contractor.
References
Ask for references or look for testimonials on the website. One of the best ways to get a feel for the quality of work is to see what previous clients have said.
Ask for previous examples of work
Or look for it on the website or social media. A picture is worth a thousand words, and can be a great point of reference to see what the contractor specializes in or does best.
Make sure they’re licensed and insured
This might seem obvious, but it’s very important to be sure the credentials of the contractor are out in the open and verified.
Try to find a team who prioritizes low turnover
Because the longer a team works together, the better quality of work and coherence of the team’s efforts you can expect.
Finally, while price matters, don’t let it be the deciding factor.
While you should certainly get quotes and make sure the price you’re paying makes sense, don’t automatically choose the lowest price. Previous work and the professionalism of the team should matter too, because you will get what you pay for.
Types of Flooring
An epoxy floor basically means concrete coated floor.
No other part of your commercial or industrial space takes as much of a pounding as your floors, and that’s why epoxy floors are built to be durable. They’re engineered to take abuse. They’ll protect from stains, chemicals, oils, liquids, extreme variations in temperature, impact, wear, scratching and more. Through all of that, they’ll maintain their lustrous beauty for years to come.
They’re also built to be safe – clean, smooth, impermeable floors and optional anti-slip precautions can help protect your employees and customers.
If environmental responsibility is important to you, epoxy may be the right choice – some companies like McLean use long-lasting, environmentally friendly techniques and materials.
Epoxy floors require little maintenance – because very few materials can penetrate epoxy, conventional cleaning techniques leave it shiny and looking like new. No stripping or waxing is required. Generally, a mop or surface cleaning will do the trick.
Finally, epoxy floors are UV stable. Depending on your climate or the location of the flooring, urethane coatings allow the flooring to retain color and clarity, even when exposed to sunlight.
Industries that will benefit from Epoxy: Manufacturing, Industrial, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Warehouses, Distrubution, Retail and Commercial, and Private Educational Facilities
With today’s technology, even older, damaged or just plain worn concrete floors can be transformed to look brand new. Companies like McLean can evaluate the condition of the floor and find the solution to fit your needs. Options like color-dye, decorative flourishes or even safety and traffic markings can be accommodated as desired.
There are three main types of finishes: Industrial, commercial and premium. Polished concrete’s durability and low maintenance make it a great choice for industries of all types.
In addition to their low maintenance needs, polished concrete is extremely durable. The floors are strategically ground, densified and sealed to be foot and machine traffic friendly. The floors are also resistant to chemicals, stains, impact trauma, and changes in temperature and moisture.
In addition to being easy to maintain, safe and environmentally friendly, polishing your concrete floor is an extremely affordable option. In comparison to adding a new floor, polished concrete can decrease your electricity bill and save you time and money because it needs so little maintenance.
Industries that will benefit from Epoxy: Manufacturing, Industrial, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Warehouses, Distrubution, Retail and Commercial, and Private Educational Facilities
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to transform worn-out or damaged surfaces, update the look of your facility and find the right flooring solution for a brand new building, McLean can help.
We also offer dustproofing and concrete floor sealing, as well as coating removal and surface preparation. You’ll experience the convenience of working with a single contractor for all coating, repair and finishing needs.
Click here to learn more.