Floors may be the last thing on your mind when starting a retail business, but it’s a crucial investment that simply cannot be overlooked. Those stepping inside your business will immediately notice your floors. So, it’s up to you to choose an option that will highlight your products, benefit your day-to-day operations and boost your brand’s reputation.
The flooring of a retail store is heavily influenced by the kind of products you’ll be selling. For instance, if you’re an upscale store, you must make sure that the floor’s quality and design mirror the high-end clothing you’re selling.
A high-quality carpet could be a wise choice in this regard. However, looks is not the only thing to consider. Because carpets are difficult to maintain and exhibit wear and tear, retail stores may want to consider another option like for instance, wood or the versatile vinyl flooring commercial solution.
How to Choose the Right Solution for Your Retail Store
There are a few considerations to address while choosing a retail flooring option. High-traffic places like retail stores require interior design that reflects the company’s identity and line of goods.
That said, it’s crucial to choose a flooring option that provides:
- Durability
- Ease of Maintenance
- Safety
- Longevity
Cost and installation time may also be crucial considerations (depending on your needs and goals). For instance, these factors are important to think about if you have a limited budget and need the floor installed before a fast-approaching grand opening.
What Are Some Good Flooring Options for Retail Businesses?
There are many different options when it comes to choosing flooring for your business. However, considering the aforementioned factors, the most suitable types are the following ones.
Vinyl
Many people immediately think “cheap plastic” upon hearing the word vinyl. Technically, it is a type of plastic, but not the kind you’d find in shopping bags and water bottles. Vinyl floors are made from the sturdy PVC plastic which is specifically built to be able to withstand the rough and tumble of harsh environments.
The quality vinyl flooring commercial models on the market are thick, strong and can withstand significant foot traffic which is often the case in retail stores. They are also waterproof, scratch-resistant and a breeze to maintain. You just need to make sure they get regular sweeping and damp mopping to ensure they remain attractive for years.
A great advantage of vinyl used in commercial spaces is that this type of flooring can be made to mimic a range of materials and different patterns. It comes in various colours and designs to perfectly match your brand. Some of the designs you can choose from include stone, wood, marble, geometric or abstract patterns.
Also, compared to wooden floors and tiles, vinyl flooring is intended to feel more cosy and softer underfoot and does not create a cool sensation. It also has a noise-reducing effect and performs better acoustically than laminate. Considering all these features, vinyl is everything a retail business could want in a nutshell.
Engineered Hardwood
Many high-end retail spaces continue to choose natural hardwood flooring since it is still regarded by many as the most beautiful flooring available. It gives any commercial environment a timeless, classic appeal that improves the atmosphere.
Its stunning beauty is the main reason it’s so popular. What’s more, hardwood is not only durable but also simple to maintain and clean. Similar to vinyl, you only need to give it a regular sweeping and mopping. However, you want to be careful since it’s not very scratch-resistant.
Hardwood’s high cost could be the deciding factor whether to install it in your space or not. Also, the floors will need to undergo professional treatment twice a year on average, depending on the severity of the damage (scratches and faults).
Natural hard flooring does not offer any sound insulation or acoustics to help the space in terms of sound. It is noisy, especially when you’re moving around, therefore it shouldn’t be used in rooms that need to be quiet.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is a versatile, long-lasting, and simple to maintain option for retail businesses. When fitted appropriately, it has a long lifespan. Although installing porcelain tile can need some time and expertise and come with relatively expensive upfront expenses, the material’s long-term advantages and need for less upkeep may make it a more sound financial choice.
A crucial consideration is porcelain tile’s resistance to slipping. A retail store owner does not want customers getting hurt because of the establishment’s slippery tiles.
To Sum Up
Vinyl flooring is the way to go if you want long-lasting retail flooring that is cost-effective, easy to install, and easy to maintain. It meets all the requirements for high-traffic commercial buildings and retail establishments. Also, there are so many different styles so you can pick one that meets your requirements.
Vinyl looks terrific and is easy to install, making it a wonderful choice for installers and business owners alike. It’s not overly challenging to install, yet it looks just as good as options like hardwood and tile that are more challenging.
