The Ultimate Guide to Commercial Flooring: Enhancing Your Business From the Ground Up

Posted on February 12, 2024 by bafcorp20

Choosing the appropriate flooring for your commercial space is more than just a design choice. It’s an investment that impacts aesthetics, safety, maintenance, and even the environment. As a facility manager or business owner, navigating the expansive world of commercial flooring can be daunting. From carpeting to concrete, each flooring type offers a unique set of advantages and drawbacks.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about commercial flooring, ensuring that you’re well-equipped to make a choice that sets your business up for success.

Call 317-253-0531 to Speak With an Indianapolis Commercial Flooring Contractor

Understanding the Core Types of Commercial Flooring

Commercial spaces such as offices, retail stores, and healthcare facilities often demand flooring solutions that can withstand significant wear and tear. Understanding the different types of flooring available will help you make informed decisions regarding your specific needs.

Carpeting: The Soft Underfoot Option

Carpeting is a popular choice in commercial settings, adding warmth and sound-proofing qualities. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and styles, making it a versatile design tool. However, the maintenance of commercial carpeting requires routine cleaning to prevent wear, tear, and the buildup of allergens and bacteria.

Vinyl: Resilient and Versatile

Vinyl flooring is durable, low maintenance, and comes in numerous colors, patterns, and textures. It can replicate the look of natural materials like wood and stone while providing a softer feel underfoot. As a cost-effective solution, vinyl remains a top choice for areas with heavy foot traffic.

Tile: The Enduring Classic

Tiles, such as ceramic or porcelain, are celebrated for their longevity and resistance to moisture, stains, and scratches. They offer a sleek, professional appearance and are relatively easy to maintain. However, broken tiles can be expensive to repair, making them a less flexible solution for dynamic commercial spaces. Grout lines can also be tricky to keep clean if they are not sealed properly.

Hardwood: The Elegant and Long-lasting Option

Hardwood floors exude elegance and are hardwearing, but they may require additional maintenance to keep them looking their best in a commercial environment. Wood floors are often a top choice for creating a sophisticated ambiance in high-end businesses like boutique shops and law offices.

Concrete: The Industrial Workhorse

Long seen as a utilitarian option, concrete’s versatility is now appreciated for its minimalist aesthetic. Stained or polished concrete flooring offers unique design opportunities, and its exceptional durability makes it a prime candidate for high-traffic areas, production spaces, and warehouses.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Flooring

Selecting the right commercial flooring is a complex decision that involves a range of factors beyond initial cost and visual appeal. It requires a thoughtfully balanced consideration of functionality, maintenance requirements, and the user experience.

Durability and Maintenance

High-traffic commercial areas need durable flooring that can withstand the daily grind. Consider the anticipated foot traffic, frequency of cleaning, and any special maintenance requirements when assessing a flooring type’s durability.

Aesthetics and Design

The visual appeal of a flooring choice can influence customer perception and employee morale. A well-designed floor can complement and enhance a space, creating a welcoming environment for clients and staff alike.

Cost and Budget

The initial cost of the flooring material is just the tip of the iceberg. When evaluating the total cost, factor in installation, long-term maintenance, and the flooring’s lifespan. While cost is a significant consideration, it’s important to balance it with long-term value.

Safety and Slip Resistance

Safety is non-negotiable in a commercial space. Factors like slip resistance and fire safety ratings should be thoroughly evaluated, especially in areas where these risks are higher, such as entryways and food preparation spaces.

Environmental Impact

The growing awareness of environmental responsibility has led to an increase in Eco-friendly flooring options. Evaluate products based on their material sourcing, manufacturing process, and ability to be recycled or reused.

Customizing Your Flooring Selection for Different Commercial Settings

Each type of commercial flooring has its ideal setting based on the unique demands of the space. Let’s explore how to tailor your flooring choice to suit various environments.

Offices and Workplaces: In a commercial office space, comfort and cleanliness are key. Carpet tiles may be a suitable choice, as they are easy to install and replace, provide insulation, and can help control noise levels.

Retail Stores: Retail spaces need flooring that can handle heavy foot traffic while also serving as a design element. Vinyl or hardwood can provide a balance of durability, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance.

Hospitality and Restaurants: For areas where cleanliness and quick turnaround are essential, such as hotel lobbies and restaurant dining rooms, polished concrete or high-quality ceramic tiles provide both a stylish and hygienic solution.

Healthcare Facilities: In healthcare environments, hygiene and maintenance are paramount. Non-porous, bacteria-resistant flooring materials, such as sheet vinyl, are recommended in patient rooms to reduce the risk of infection.

Educational Institutions: Schools and universities require robust flooring that resists damage from desks and chairs. Additionally, easy-to-clean surfaces like linoleum can manage the regular maintenance required in these bustling environments.

Commercial Floor Installation and Maintenance

The installation and ongoing care of your commercial flooring are as important as the choice of material itself. Neglecting proper maintenance can lead to premature wear and even pose safety hazards.

Hiring Professionals

Consulting with professional flooring contractors from the outset can prevent costly mistakes later. They have the expertise to recommend and install the right flooring for your space, ensuring it’s done correctly the first time.

Proper Cleaning and Maintenance Techniques

Implementing a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule is crucial for preserving the integrity of your commercial flooring. Whether it’s daily vacuuming, periodic deep cleaning, or refinishing, following manufacturer guidelines and professional advice will extend the life of your investment.

Repair and Replacement

Addressing any damage or wear promptly is essential for maintaining a professional appearance and safe environment. Repair and replacement options will vary based on the type of flooring, but again, professional guidance can help you navigate these challenges successfully.

In Summary

Investing in quality commercial flooring is investing in the foundation of your business. The right flooring can enhance your brand, provide a safe and productive work environment, and even contribute to your company’s sustainability goals. Take the time to assess your needs thoroughly, explore all the options available, and consider consulting with professionals to ensure the choice you make is the best one for your space, ensuring that your business is set to thrive from the ground up.

Are you ready to upgrade or install new flooring in your facility or office space? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial flooring services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve all of Central Indiana and its surrounding locations.

Why You Should Consider Epoxy Floor Coatings For Your Commercial Renovation or Build

Posted on September 16, 2022 by bafcorp20

Epoxy flooring is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to higher-end flooring upgrades because it is cost-effective and delivers remarkable results in a convenient time frame. On top of these benefits, commercial epoxy flooring can be customized in an infinite range of colors, patterns, textures, designs, finishes, and more. Regular grey concrete can be restored and even upgraded with an epoxy coating.

After carefully catalyzed and applied, epoxy coatings bond very well with its substrate. They form a hard, rigid, plastic material that is strong and resistant to water, chemicals, solvents, and degradation. Because commercial epoxy floors are so strong, they are commonly used in industrial and commercial settings, as well as, garages, warehouses, basement floors, and more.

Continue reading to learn about some of the most common epoxy coatings for floors, and who to call for professional advice you can trust.

Epoxy Floor Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Commercial Epoxy Floor Coating Options

There are various types of commercial epoxy floor coatings on the market. The one you choose will depend on a variety of factors unique to your decorative concrete needs.

Self-Leveling Epoxy Coatings – These coatings are fairly simple to install, and create a smooth, hard surface. This makes them popular for both new and old concrete floors. Use self-leveling epoxies on various floors, including garages, kitchens, storage rooms, warehouses, commercial offices, and more.

Self-Dispersing Epoxy Coatings – These coatings are used in rougher, tougher applications, such as factories, warehouses, and other types of indoor industrial or construction-type settings. This is because they deliver outstanding mechanical strength and anti-slip qualities.

Epoxy Terrazzo Coatings – If you are looking for a highly-decorative but durable and low maintenance epoxy finish, this is the coating for you. These are commonly applied in hallways, foyers, lobbies, dining halls, entrances, schools, and more.

Vapor Barrier Epoxy Coatings – These coatings create an impermeable surface that decreases vapor transmission to virtually none. They are applied directly to concrete floors prior to the final material layer is installed. It is common to use this type of coating for hardwood, tile, and vinyl floors.

Mortar Epoxy Coatings – These coatings are admired for being the strongest of them all. For this reason, they are mostly used in industrial applications where heavy traffic and construction is routine.

Epoxy Antistatic Coatings – When static-sensitive electronics are in constant use, you need an epoxy coating that will not interfere. Antistatic coatings do just that; they are conducive to environments that must remain static-free at all times, such as hospitals, laboratories, and manufacturing plants.

Graveled Epoxy Coatings – These coatings are another decorative option and are even more decorative than terrazzo coatings. This is the perfect choice for you if you are looking for a stunning look, such as family crests, logos, emblems, custom stamps, and more.

Are you looking for a qualified Indiana commercial general contracting company to manage an upcoming commercial build or remodel? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for reputable commercial construction and remodeling in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We deliver commercial flooring services as well.

The Advantages of Commercial Engineered Wood Floors

Posted on September 4, 2020 by bafcorp20

If you are in the market for commercial hardwood flooring, you may want to consider engineered wood as an option. It is a popular mid to top-level flooring choice among business owners for various reasons. To find out if engineered hardwood flooring is right for your business, it is best to review its advantages and disadvantages, and then determine which factors on each side carry the most weight with you.

Continue reading to evaluate the most notable advantages, and a few possible disadvantages, of engineered hardwood flooring so you can make your choice for your commercial property.

Indianapolis Commercial Flooring Contractors 317-253-0531

Commercial Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood is not entirely hardwood, but mostly a wood product made with bonded wood fibers and adhesive veneer panels. It is manufactured using recycled veneers and woods from several types of tree subspecies. Engineered wood flooring is constructed with layers of plywood, and then finished off with a top veneer layer of real hardwood. This top layer is stained and treated just as any hardwood floor would be. The layer beneath the top hardwood ply is called the structural support core board. And the layers beneath that are called backing layers, used for stability.

Advantages of Engineered Wood Floors

The best advantage to installing engineered hardwood floors is the price points. Because it does not require an abundant amount of real solid hardwood, it is much cheaper all around. For anyone remodeling or renovating on a budget, but still desires the look AND feel of hardwood floors, this is a great cost-effective alternative.

Additional Advantages Include:

☑ EASY INSTALLATION
☑ HIGHLY DURABLE & STRONG
☑ EXCELLENT STABILITY
☑ LONG LIFE SPAN
☑ LOW MAINTENANCE
☑ MOISTURE & CLIMATE-RESISTANT
☑ INFINITE DESIGNS & STYLES
☑ LESS PRONE TO WARPING & WATER DAMAGE

A Few Potential Downfalls of Engineered Wood to Consider

The major drawback to engineered hardwood flooring is probably the thin layer of real hardwood veneer. Because it is so thin, it is more vulnerable to grooves, dents, and other forms of wear. This means it will most likely need to be replaced because engineered wood cannot be redone over and over again like solid hardwood floors. This is especially true for areas of the office or property with heavy foot traffic or vehicular traffic (forklifts, golf carts, etc.).

Aside from vulnerable veneers, engineered wood floors are susceptible to shape distortion. Although they are highly durable, their shape can distort overtime, and can even warp or twist. This means it will require some repairs after a while. Because they are not the best fit for all commercial buildings, be sure to take the professional advice of an Indianapolis commercial general contractor.

Indianapolis Commercial Flooring Contractors

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial flooring repair and replacement in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Whether you are having commercial floors installed for a new business, or to revamp an existing one, we provide full-service, turnkey flooring installation for all commercial industries, including offices, retail stores, dance studios, medical facilities, apartments, warehouses, and all other varieties. Our commercial general contractors serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.