How to Determine Parking Lot Size for Your Commercial Building

Your commercial building will be able to occupy or service a predictable number of people, and your parking lot should be able to accommodate your occupancy ranges accordingly. Continue reading to learn about the science behind parking lot ratios, which can help you determine the proper parking lot size for your commercial building.

Parking Lot Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Parking Lot Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Why Parking Lot Ratios are Important

Believe it or not, your parking lot can have a large impact on the overall success of your company. According to a recent American Community Survey, an average of 76.4% of Americans drive to work. Additionally, consumers are more likely to drive their own vehicles to their desired destinations then take public transportation or walk. This is especially true in Indiana.

It is important that your parking lot is large enough to accommodate the maximum occupancy and traffic expected within your facility, plus provide safe and compliant design thoughtful and compliant design that both protects drivers and pedestrians and leads them in the right direction. It is also important to note that curb appeal plays a major role in business traffic. The better your parking lot looks and functions, the more traffic you’ll likely see.

What are Parking Lot Ratios?

Parking lot ratios are a standard commercial real estate metric used to examine the link between building size and parking space. Like any ratio, a parking lot ratio will produce a size-to-occupancy percentage recommended for a commercial building. And it is all calculated with a simple math formula. To calculate parking lot ratio for your commercial building, you would need to divide the total number of parking spaced by the square footage of your property in thousands of feet.

Here’s an example:

Building Square Footage: 60,000 sq. ft.
Number of Parking Spots: 300
Equation: 300 ÷ 60,000 = 0.005
Finish the Equation: 0.005 x 1,000 = 5

Answer: 5 Spots Per 1000 Square Feet

How To Apply Parking Lot Ratio Calculations

Parking lot ratios generate a reliable foundation for designing the proper parking lot infrastructure for a commercial building. However, it is important to apply additional, relevant factors to determine the best lot size and ratio to your property’s total square footage. The top three factors that will have an impact on your final decision for parking size include the properties use, local building codes, and current market conditions.

How the Building Will Be Used – Your commercial building’s intended purpose of use will play a role in the total number of parking spaces needed for your property. For instance, restaurants will require more spots than a warehouse facility. Restaurants have tables that occupy multiple patrons who arrive in multiple vehicles, while a warehouse facility will likely only require parking for staff and visitors. The same principle applies to hotels versus office buildings, and so on.

Local Building Codes – Local zoning and building codes may also influence how many parking spots, your building should or can have. Some jurisdictions have a set standard for parking lot ratios, thus requiring contractors to submit building plans prior to breaking ground for approval from the city.

Market Saturation – The market condition will also have an effect on your decision to incorporate more or less parking spots in your lot. For example, companies located in busy downtown areas or city centers. Both consumers and staff. Companies located in suburban or rural areas will likely require less parking availability.

Get Tips From a Pro

Parking lot ratios are easy to calculate and give real estate developers and business owners an advantage when comparing property lot sizes in the market. Consult with a licensed Indiana commercial general contracting company for help determining the best parking lot size and building square footage ratio for your company.

Are you looking for help with commercial remodeling, new construction, or design? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for licensed and certified commercial general contractor services in Indianapolis Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state.

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Top 4 Commercial Construction Interior Finishes

With all the revolutionary technologies available to us today, interior commercial construction finishing has widened its scope to provide real estate investors and developers with several viable options. Continue below to learn the top four commercial construction interior finishes applied in the, plus how to determine which option best meets your overall business objectives.

Commercial Construction Contractors  Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Construction Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Popular Construction Finishes for Commercial Buildings

Whether you are a real estate developer who is preparing an upcoming build or a commercial tenant looking for a good TI allowance and build-out deal for a potential space, it is strongly encouraged to retain a brief understanding of the most popular construction finishes for commercial buildings. By choosing a commercial construction interior finish that aligns with your company’s goals, you can better meet the needs of your potential tenants or occupants, plus support the overall success of your company in whole.

Which Finish is Right for Your Commercial Construction Project?

So, what are the different interior commercial construction finishes available and which one is right for you? Well, you can custom design your commercial interior finish anyway you like alongside your trusted Indiana commercial construction management team. However, if you are like most, you may be more interesting in a turnkey option. If turnkey is your goal, these 4 construction finishes are a good place to begin your decision-making process:

WHITE BOX

White box commercial construction includes finished HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression systems, and fire escape accessibility options. It also comes with white walls, plain ceiling tiles, conventional overhead lighting. It does not have any appliances or industrial equipment.

White box finishes are very popular among landlords and multi-tenant real estate developers because they provide a clean slate for potential tenants. The commercial space is completely uncustomized, allowing tenants to choose their own wall colors, flooring, lighting fixtures, shelving, molding, accents, furniture, appliances, equipment, and more.

GRAY SHELL

Gray shell commercial construction finishes are a step down from white box finishing. Think along the lines of a concrete-like interior space. Walls, floors, ceilings, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, ductwork, and similar systems are all expected to be unfinished.

COLD SHELL

Cold shell commercial construction finishing is much like gray shell finishing, but even more scarce. You can expect much of the same environment as a gray shell interior in addition to no wall dividers or bathrooms.

FINISHED

Finished commercial construction interiors are completed and all elements and aspects of construction and remodeling. These commercial spaces will include finished floors, walls, ceilings, and all electrical, plumbing, HVAC, ductwork, fire suppression system, sprinkler systems, and more. These are what you call turnkey spaces, which are highly convenient and time-friendly.

Are you looking for a trusted commercial construction management team who can help you decide which interior finishes right for your new build or remodel? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for commercial office remodeling and commercial-use construction in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state.

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The Basics of High Rise Architecture and Design

Commercial real estate investors are fully aware that the availability of land and space is quickly dwindling. Perhaps this could be the reason why so many high-rise buildings are being constructed these days. If you are a developer looking to build new real estate in a crowded city with a rapidly-growing population, you too would be wise to consider high-rise construction.

Continue reading to review some important basics you want to know about high-rise architecture and design.

High Rise Construction Company Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
High Rise Construction Company Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Commercial High Rise Preconstruction Planning

Whether you are building a high-rise for residential or commercial applications, the most important step in the process is to have a solid plan in place. Commercial preconstruction service is an excellent approach to planning a high-rise build, and with the help of a licensed commercial construction management company in Indiana, you can achieve great results with your project.

During the process of commercial preconstruction, you can expect to review and decide on all aspects of the build from start to finish. This includes lot procurement, building codes and permits, architectural design, interior design, supplier arrangements, and all other phases that take place prior to breaking ground.

Overall, building a high-rise property is a complex project that requires the astute management of a qualified commercial general contracting company. After all, high-rise projects are a riddle in themselves being that the goal is to build a space-saving property that can fit potentially thousands of occupants. But once the space is established and planned out, there are still some framework, design, and structural stability considerations to keep in mind.

Framework Considerations for High-Rise Buildings

When you are planning a high-rise build, you want to think about how many, and which types of occupants will be using it. Is it an office building? Is it a residential property? Will there be tenants, employees, or guests? Will there be a combination of staff and guests, like a hotel? It is important to have a full comprehension of the expected general capacity for your high-rise building in order to accommodate the needs of the occupants inside. This means determining how many stories your building will have, how much space will be incorporated into each level, how many rooms or offices on each level, the number of bathrooms required for each level, the extent of ADA compliancy you will be incorporating, and much more.

High-Rise Design Considerations

Although designing is the fun phase of any building project, it is one to take seriously when it comes to high-rise development. Commercial real estate investors and developers can choose to put their own custom or personalized touches on the design or opt for a more generalized and neutral design palette. There is much opportunity for versatility in the design phase of high-rise new construction project. Most high-rise developers appeal to the idea of putting a unique and eye-popping feature on the outside of their buildings or in the overall exterior structure of their buildings. This is something to think about during the design phase of your high-rise construction project. Just keep in mind that function is still most important when it comes to any type of new construction build.

Structural Stability Considerations

High-rise buildings are unique in the architectural design and commercial construction world. At such great heights, they are more exposed to inclement weather conditions like strong winds, UV rays, extreme temperatures, and more. And because of their high structure, they are even more vulnerable in terms of natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. For this reason, it is important to consider your budget in terms of materials. High-rise buildings require double reinforcement of structural steel and concrete to be resistant to inclement weather conditions like winds and temperature changes, so you will need to be sure you have room in the budget for this before anything else.

Would you like to learn more about your commercial construction and development project ideas? Are you looking for a trusted commercial construction company in Indy but unsure where to begin? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for comprehensive commercial preconstruction management services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We work with clients all throughout the state.

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Top Considerations for Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

From droughts and wildfires to electrical defects, gas explosions, and more, building fires can be caused by a long list of triggers, which may explain why they are a common occurrence all throughout the United States. Structural and biohazardous damages are the wake of a fire accident, making fire damage restoration services a critical resource for commercial real estate owners and investors.

If you are currently planning to outsource fire damage restoration for your commercial property, be sure to include these important considerations in your decision-making process.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

To come back from commercial property fire accident, you will need a selective and qualified team of fire damage restoration specialists on your side. These commercial general contractors are an essential tool for repairing the damages left behind from smoke, heat, flames, ash, fire retardant, and water. A lot of elements go into the remediation of fire damages, especially on a commercial scale.

Act Fast After a Building Fire Accident

It is important to hire qualified fire damage restoration professionals who are licensed and insured and have extensive experience in the field. Contact them as soon as the fire has been controlled and put out. Time is of the essence when it comes to repairing the damages left behind by a fire catastrophe. In fact, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) supports the fact that licensed commercial fire damage contractors are effective sources for large-scale, extreme fire accident restorations. They have the proper equipment, training, licensing, and resources to deliver full-service, fire accident cleanup, demolition, safety inspection, building code compliance, renovations, and more.

What to Keep in Mind in Regard to Fire Damage Restoration Service

Chemicals

Fire accidents generate the production of many dangerous chemicals. Things like plastics and similar synthetic materials leave behind traces of hazardous chemicals, which can be toxic to your health and the surrounding environment. Similarly, burning wood generates heavy amounts of smoke being that it is one of the most combustible materials within a building. Wood smoke is filled with all sorts of noxious chemicals and gases like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and even heavy metals, which can linger after fire accident.

Acidic Ash Residues

Fires, if they burn long enough, can turn everything into ash and leave behind a thick layer of black soot. After a fire, acidic ash residues are visible on all surrounding structures, including ceilings, walls, floors, furniture, equipment, escalators, elevators, and even within air ducts and plumbing pipes. Because of the high level of toxicity, fire ash and soot must be removed as soon as possible, preferably within a couple of days after the accident. If acidic ash residues and soot from smoke are not treated after a fire, they will begin to discolor and deteriorate all that they cover. Soot in particular becomes harder to remove as time goes on and will even break down metals and glass, causing irreparable damage.

Smoke Odors

Residual smoke odor is another hazardous element of a fire accident. It is important that noxious smoke odors are treated with professional grade equipment like ozone treatment devices and thermal foggers. These technologies penetrate deep within the walls and building materials of the property, including HVAC systems, vents, and air ducts, working invasively to eliminate smoke and fire odors.

Fire Extinguishing

Fires cause an extreme amount of damage, but the methods used to put out a fire can also leave behind messes and damages that require restoration. Fire retardants and water hosing can cause what is known in the industry as secondary damage, which can result in flooding, damp walls, damp floors, water-logged insulation, moisture and humidity issues, mold growth, mildew, toxic fumes, stains, and related hidden damages.

If you are looking for a commercial fire damage restoration contractor in Indy, look don’t need to look any further. Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for comprehensive commercial renovations in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and insured commercial general contractors serve clients all throughout the state.

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Pros and Cons of Moving Your Business From the City to the Suburbs

Everyone knows it is more expensive to live in the city compared to the suburbs, and this year, the price of city life has seemingly skyrocketed. From excessive overhead expenses, rising corporate rent, and loss of tenancy across the board, it is no surprise that so many business owners are choosing to relocate outside of the city district to a more cost-effective region. Yet despite the many benefits that come along with moving your business to the suburban areas, you can expect to encounter a few pitfalls.

Before choosing your new business space in the suburbs, continue below to review some well-noted pros and cons of making the move, plus where to get the best commercial real estate space planning and permitting advice in Central Indiana.

Commercial Real Estate Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Real Estate Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Should You Locate Your Business in the City or Suburbs?

Like anything decision in life, deciding between moving your business or staying in the city will require some critical thinking. One of the most basic methods of gearing up a successful brainstorm is comparing pros and cons. Many argue that moving a business to the suburbs will deliver cost-savings and ultimately, a higher quality of living. While others warn that making such a move can subject a business to reduced access to nearby amenities and walk-in customers, as well as a smaller pool of aptitude.

Pros:

You Will Save More Money and Have a Better Life

Relocating your business to the suburbs or suburban areas will certainly set you up for a long list of cost savings. Not only can you attain cheaper office rent or commercial lease, but you will also enjoy lower taxation rates and pay less in payroll.

As for your actual business space, you will get more bang for your buck in the suburbs. Office spaces in suburban areas tend to have more square footage and cubic square footage. They also tend to have better features and amenities, such as parking lots, landscaping, security, and more.

When it comes to paying taxes, you will be relieved of your responsibility to cover income tax, corporate tax, sales tax, and more. You will likely pay less in payroll since you won’t have to compete with the average cost of living in the city. Those who live and work in the suburbs have lower living costs, which means a lower salary will still be a desirable one because still goes a long way.

Saving all this money on overhead expenses, taxes, and facility maintenance will have a significant impact on your annual dividends, and more importantly, your overall quality of life. Suburban life is typically safer and experiences less criminal activity.

Cons:

The Needs of Large Scale Organizations May Not Be Met

If your business is a large corporation or company, the city might be the most compatible location in terms of meeting the needs of your business operations and objectives. For instance, city areas are typically epicenters for all sorts of travelers, cultures, services, entertainment, and more. Some businesses rely on this draw of people.

Additionally, walkability is greatly reduced in the suburbs. Being in the city gives you access to all sorts of services and stores within walking distance. For businesses that rely on walk-by or walk-in service, a city location that is densely packed will be most beneficial. Along with walkability, city areas have ample access to public transportation.

If a business chooses to move from the city to the suburbs, they could risk losing a wide scope of talent and entertainment. It is much easier to find talented employees and contractors in the city than it is in the suburban areas. Furthermore, it can be more difficult to locate and procure the resources you need for your business operations.

Would you like professional assistance with commercial real estate procurement in Indiana? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for commercial space planning and permitting in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our commercial general contractors can help you find and renovate the best space for your business.

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How to Safely Discard Leftover Paint and Paint Cans

Most of us would likely agree that it’s better to have too much than not enough of something. When it comes to a large painting project, this principle can certainly a valid one. But the downfall to buying too much paint is that you will likely end up more paint than you need, which leaves you in a somewhat an inconvenient position. After all, you can’t just toss out fresh, liquid paint in the garbage can. And you definitely don’t want to pour them down the drain or in the nearby creek. You see, oil-based paints are considered a hazardous household waste, and thus require specialized steps for safe, regulation-approved disposal.

Continue reading to learn your options for safe and responsible paint can disposal, then share your knowledge with everyone you know!

Commercial Painting Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Painting Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

What To Do With Old or Leftover Paint

Contact the County to Discard Fresh Paint

As mentioned, oil-based paints are deemed hazardous, so they cannot be thrown away in the regular garbage. If you have leftover cans full of liquid, oil-based paint, contact your local government’s office for instructions on proper and acceptable procedures for your county. For all other types of paint, you can either let the paint harden, make the paint harden, or donate a fuller can to a resale store near you.

Let the Paint Harden Naturally

If you only have a tiny bit of paint left in the can, simply let the remainder dry by leaving it uncovered for 24 to 36 hours. Check that it is entirely dry by inserting a toothpick or paint stirrer into the paint. If it comes out clean, the paint is dry enough. If it won’t puncture the surface, the paint is fully dry. Once the paint is entirely dry, you are safe to toss it in your own garage but place them in a plastic bag first just to be safe from residual splatter.

Manually Harden the Paint

If you have a little to moderate amount of liquid paint left in the can, you can implement a few strategies to expedite the hardening process. The most effective method is to use a waste paint hardener, which can be purchase online or at any local home improvement store. You just mix it in and wait for the paint to cure. You other option is to find your own solid debris and use it to thicken up the leftover paint, such as saw dust, newspaper, and similar absorbent materials.

Donate Your Full Cans of Paint

There are several places that will accept your full cans of leftover paint. Check with local resale stores or place a listing online for free paint. Ask your neighbors, friends, family, and coworkers to spread the word that you have free paint. Churches, rec centers, schools, and daycares, are another great consideration for donating leftover paint.

Do you have a large-scale or commercial painting and drywall project in mind, but you are not sure where to get started? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 when you need the most trusted and qualified commercial general contractors for commercial painting and drywall services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state.

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Is it Better to Lease or Own a Commercial Building?

Are you looking for a new commercial space for your business? If so, you will soon be making the decision between buying or leasing. What are the pros and cons of renting a commercial space versus owning? Does owning come with certain inherit risks? Will renting come back as an economic disadvantage down the road?

Continue below to review some important considerations that will help you decide between buying and leasing commercial real estate.

Commercial Remodeling Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Remodeling Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

To Buy or to Rent Commercial Real Estate?

Well, that is the question; isn’t it? Whether you are looking for commercial real estate for a small office, multi-divisional headquarter, retail storefront, café, factory, or distribution facility, your decision to buy or lease will rely heavily on your capacity to take fiscal risks. Here are some of the top considerations to keep in mind when weighing the pros and cons of each option:

Buying a Commercial Space

There are plenty of upsides to owning your own commercial space. Not only will your asset appreciate over time and build you equity, but it will also give you full control over the property itself. In many industries, this level of executive decision-making is essential. With full control, you don’t need permission from a landlord or property management company to do any type of renovation or build-out to your commercial space. On the other hand, you’ll still be subjected to local zoning, permitting, and building codes. Not to worry, this is something your Indianapolis commercial general contractor can take care of for you.

Another prime advantage to owning your own commercial spaces being your own landlord. Not only does this give you more flexibility over rent rate adjustments (as opposed to going through landlord), but it also gives you the opportunity to generate additional income by renting excess commercial space to other tenants. Of course, with owning any type of property, you are typically eligible for certain tax credits and tax breaks, such as interest paid, business expenses (including startup costs), and depreciation of value.

Lastly, owning your own commercial space will provide you with the benefit of an investment safety net. If anything were to happen to your business, such as bankruptcy or closure, you would still have your commercial asset to fall back on. You could choose to sell the property or continue renting it to another tenant or tenants.

Potential Downfalls to Owning:

A large down payment is required to procure a commercial property, typically between 10% and 40% of the property’s full market value. Along with a substantial down payment, you’ll also be subjected to additional financing fees and expenses.

If you have difficulty qualifying for financing, you will be subjected to using unconventional lending sources, which can result in cost-prohibitive interest rates. Furthermore, commercial real estate loans can come with terms and conditions that are with prepayment penalties, including defeasance and yield maintenance.

In terms of investment, commercial real estate procurement always comes with the inherent risk of depreciation rather than appreciation. It is very possible for a commercial property to lose value rather than gain it over time. When it comes time to sell, you could lose money.

Being your own commercial a commercial property owner automatically subjects you to a legal duty of care. Under premises liability law, you will be responsible for any damages and losses incurred by a victim of a wrongful accident that takes place in your property.

Then there’s always the risk of outgrowing your commercial space. If this were to happen, you could hire a commercial general contracting company in Indiana to remodel or build-out your current property. But in some cases, business owners are forced to sell and relocate, which can be inhibiting to business operations, and not to mention, very expensive.

Renting a Commercial Space

Now, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of leasing a commercial space. First and foremost, leasing a commercial space is safe much faster process than procurement. This allows you to get your business operations up and running sooner, which in turn starts generating income faster. It is also a lot easier and faster to get approved for a lease than it is for a loan.

Another notable advantage of leasing commercial property is the upfront affordability. Rentals do not require a substantial down payment other than a first month and last month deposit. A rental deposit compared to a down payment is much lower, giving you more capital for starting your business.

As we continue down the list of all the pros to renting a commercial space, you will see a pattern of cost-savings. Renting versus owning will save you a lot of money in terms of maintenance and upkeep. You will not have to hire an in-house custodial service, nor outsource for landscaping, street sweeping, parking lot repairs, and seasonal maintenance work. All of these facility maintenance needs will be incorporated into the total cost of the lease and provided by the landlord.

Leasing also entitles you to certain tax breaks and tax credits. Not only can you deduct your full lease payments, but you might also be able to deduct insurance costs and property taxes.

Potential Downfalls to Leasing:

In some cases of leasing a commercial space, you will pay more in monthly rent than you would in a monthly mortgage payment plan. And since your rental payments are not going toward the goal of outright owning the property at some point, these payments can be viewed as wasteful. Unless you are in a lease-to-own agreement, you will not build equity with your rental payments.

Under a commercial lease, you are not permitted to rent out excess space to tenants. This means you will not have the opportunity to generate secondary income. This is just one way you are under the control of the landlord or property manager. Which comes to our last notable downfall to leasing, you have very limited control over what you can do with and within the property.

Are you looking for a trusted commercial general contracting company who can turn your new commercial space into exactly what your business needs? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for professional commercial construction management and space planning in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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3 Eco-Friendly Types of Flooring That Are Making a Notable Comeback

The urgency for “greener” construction is exponential these days. The Eco-friendlier the materials, the less impact your building has on the environment. Additionally, green construction choices can also save investors and business owners a substantial amount of money, both upfront and in the long run. This collective initiative for an environmentally-friendly future has recently presented itself in the flooring industry. What once was considered outdated or second-rate is now becoming popular again, not just for greener purposes, but also for flexible design, durability, and cost savings.

Continue below to learn three Eco-friendly types of flooring that are making a notable comeback in the construction and building industry, plus where to find trusted commercial flooring service in Central Indiana.

Commercial Flooring Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Flooring Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Eco-Friendly Commercial Flooring is Green Construction Approved

Eco-friendly flooring is a terrific element of green construction that can be easily incorporated into a commercial remodel or new construction build. Flooring like linoleum, terrazzo, and cork were once considered antiquated or mediocre, but today, they are viewed as superior environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional or higher-end commercial flooring materials on the market.

Let’s take a closer look at each type of flooring for commercial buildings, and how they deliver environmental protection and preservation.

Terrazzo Flooring

Fun fact: terrazzo flooring actually originated in Italy in the early fifteenth century by mistake. Terraces, or terrazzi in Italian, were accidentally peppered with chips of marble, leaving the appointed mosaic artists to solve the error by smoothing the surface over with foot traffic. The results were these beautifully designed floors that resembled slabs of marble or granite.

Terrazzo flooring is very durable and can last a lifetime, so it is commonly used in many commercial buildings, like hotels, museums, government buildings, office buildings, shopping malls, warehouses, and schools. Even better, because of the materials used to manufacture terrazzo flooring, like marble, glass, mother-of-pearl, and recycled plastic, it is considered an Eco-friendly approved flooring option.

Terrazzo flooring delivers the luxury and appeal of marble or granite, but with a much cheaper price tag and a substantially-lower environmental impact. Furthermore, it can be created in an array of different colors and pigments and can even be custom-designed to meet any color or theme.

Linoleum Floors

Sadly, linoleum flooring has lived with an outdated stigma. Many people view linoleum flooring as cheap and aesthetically-undesirable, to put it politely. But the truth is, linoleum flooring has made a substantial comeback in the construction industry. Not only is linoleum an Eco-friendly building material, but it also comes selections of structure and design, is economically-priced, and delivers long-lasting durability. It even has natural anti-bacterial properties.

Do not make the mistake of confusing vinyl with linoleum. While vinyl is synthetically manufactured with chlorinated petrochemicals, linoleum is manufactured from all-natural ingredients. Such ingredients include cork dust, wood flour, linseed oil, tree resins, and ground limestone, as well as dyes pressed onto burlap backings.

In fact, if you break the word apart, you get “linum”, which means flax, and “oleum”, which means linseed oil! We can all thank Englishman, Frederick Walton, who patented the product in 1863. Two common complaints regarding linoleum installation are the after-smell, which fades away after a few weeks, and the need to have the flooring treated with an acrylic sealer to protect it from wear and tear.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring has been used for ages, but most recently, it has made quite the comeback as top-choice green building material. As a remarkable renewable resource, cork can be applied in several elements of construction. As for flooring, cork delivers a wide range of benefits for both investor and user. Not only is cork and inexpensive material to procure, but it also has several properties that make it a top flooring choice.

Cork floors are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic, and slip resistant, plus they deliver natural warmth, sound and shock absorption, and cushioned support. But that’s not all; they are scratch resistant, stain resistant, and highly-durable, plus easy to clean and maintain. You can order cork floors in a wide selection of designs and textures.

If you are looking for highly qualified commercial general contractors for your flooring renovation or procurement needs, look no further. Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to speak with our skilled commercial flooring contractors in Indianapolis, Indiana. We work with clients all throughout the state.

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