Opening a new retail store is an adventure, from designing your space to helping customers find what they need. One overlooked design element is the floor, which is going to do more work over time than any employee ever could! We’ll tell you how to choose the right retail flooring to stand the test of time.
Types of Retail Flooring
You have endless options to choose from when it comes time to install flooring in your retail space, but each provides different benefits. While there’s no best flooring material, epoxy, polished concrete and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are top choices in retail applications.
Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring is made with concrete and a topcoat of resin, and is ideal for manufacturing, retail and laboratory settings. It’s effective in several ways, as epoxy is:
- Durable – Epoxy is capable of resisting abrasions and chemical spills. Your retail space experiences enough traffic. Don’t let it ruin your flooring.
- Aesthetically Pleasing – It’s not enough to install durable flooring in your store. You want it to be attractive and pleasing for your retail space.
- Sanitary – Epoxy resin creates a smooth surface. So, you only need to do some light sweeping to maintain a clean appearance, plus an occasional deep clean to restore its luster.
Is epoxy your winning retail flooring solution? You’re in good company. McLean specializes in epoxy applications.
Polished Concrete
Polished concrete is a long standing favorite for homeowners and commercial spaces alike. It’s ideal for restaurants, retail stores and entertainment venues because polished concrete is:
- Easy to Maintain – Because the concrete is smooth and polished, you don’t need to apply sealant or wax coating. This is handy because the material repels spills instead of soaking them up, making cleanups a breeze with a mop.
- Customizable – Probably one of the most attractive features of polished concrete is that it’s fully customizable. Have a design in mind for your floor? It’s easy to add color, designs or even textures to make the surface your own.
- Reflective – Concrete conjures images of ho-hum gray surfaces. But the opposite is true of polished concrete. The shiny surface reflects light and makes spaces seem brighter.
If a custom flooring design is on the top of your list, polished concrete might be the answer. Consider adding your logo for extra flair.
LVT Flooring
Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is prized by restaurants, retail stores and hotels because it’s the chameleon of the flooring industry. Made from premium vinyl materials, LVT is an effective flooring solution because it’s:
- Versatile – LVT comes in any size, pattern or color, so you can use it to mimic surfaces like hardwood or
- Easy to Install – Because it comes in larger sections, LVT is quicker to install than most of the materials it imitates. Think about tile, and how each square is set precisely with caulking in between. LVT lets you move on with other design needs.
- Protected – Vinyl is coated with a “wear layer” intended to act as a buffer against damage. This makes LVT waterproof and resilient against heavy foot traffic.
Wood and tile are gorgeous, but tough to install and maintain. Achieve a high-end look with LVT.
Factors Involved in How to Choose the Right Retail Flooring
When you’re ready to install new flooring in your store, the most important consideration is how your flooring will live up to your long-term needs. Think about your budget, overall store aesthetic and flooring durability.
Operating Budget
Your expenses as a retail store owner are going to vary far and wide, from acquiring merchandise to payroll, so don’t bloat your budget with design elements like flooring. Remember that the cost will include materials and installation.
Store Aesthetics
You have a vibe in mind for your retail store, so the flooring should match. Customers need to easily understand your culture and your store should be approachable. If the flooring is incongruous with the rest of your space, folks might have a hard time understanding who you are and what you’re about.
Durability
Because flooring is expensive, you don’t want to replace it in a year. Once you get up and running, you’ll have substantial foot traffic every day, so the floor needs to be able to take a beating. Which option will stand up to long-term wear and tear?
Learn How to Choose the Right Retail Flooring from McLean
You know the options and the benefits of different retail flooring, now it’s time to choose. Which will it be? Durable epoxy? How about customizable concrete? We’ll work with you to create the right look for your retail space. Call today to chat with an expert.