How to Select the Right Commercial Wood Flooring

When it comes to installing new commercial flooring, you are likely aware of the gaining popularity of wood floors. From solid wood and hardwood to laminate wood, engineered wood, and many more, the options for a new wood flooring system are abundant, but not all are the right choice for you.  Continue reading to learn some tips for selecting the right commercial wood floors for your business, plus who to trust in Central Indiana for superior commercial flooring services that stand the test of time.

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

Commercial Wood Floor Considerations

There are several considerations to address if you want to make the right wood flooring selection for your place of business. Among the more important considerations are the type of workplace environment within your commercial building, as well as any related or subsequent conditions that might affect wood floors, such as humidity levels, daily foot traffic, and of course, budget.

Some Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing New Wood Floors:

↪ Do you want your commercial wood flooring system to look perfectly polished?

↪ Do you prefer a more rustic or natural finish?

↪ What’s your flooring budget?

↪ Does your budget allow for higher-quality materials? What about a post-install protection plan?

↪ Do you have radiant-floor heating? If not, do you want heated floors?

These questions and more can be answered with the help of a qualified Indianapolis commercial general contractor who specializes in commercial flooring services. Below some common types of commercial wood flooring sold on the market today so you are better prepared to make the right decision for your business or commercial property.

Solid Wood Floors

Solid wood flooring is just that, solid and dense wood. It comes in many colors and levels of rustic-like looks. But keep in mind that solid wood floors will naturally mark and scratch overtime. This makes it a good choice for property owners and business owners who prefer the “lived-in” or countryside look. It is also highly recommended for those who want a low maintenance option. Some places are prone to imminent wear and tear, like child or doggy daycares, vet offices, music venues, skating rinks, or dive bars. Overall, solid wood flooring is a stress-free option for those who like a natural look and feel. If scratches and marks are not an option for you, then this is probably not the best choice for your property.

Also, properties with heated floors are not good matches for solid wood. Likewise, commercial properties located in regions with fluctuating humidity levels are not good matches for solid wood flooring. This is due to the fact that solid wood expands in heat and contracts in cold, which can cause warped or loosened floorboards and other aesthetic challenges. A simple and quick moisture test can tell your commercial general contractor whether solid wood floors will be a lucrative choice for your business or not.

Laminate Wood

Laminate is a synthetic material. Although it is not real wood, this type of flooring is made to replicate the look and feel of real wood floors, but without all the wear and tear. For those who want flawless wood flooring, laminate is the best option. With a real look of wood, laminate flooring offers property owners a scratch-free and mark-free surface, all the time. With a little routine maintenance and gentle cleaning, laminate floors can last a very long time. And the best part is, they are very affordable! They come in infinite styles, sizes, and colors so customizing your interiors is easy to do.

Engineered Wood Flooring

For business owners and commercial real estate developers who want real wood floors but cannot because their property is in an area with fluctuating humidity or has underfloor heating, engineered wood is a great choice. Engineered wood floors are basically a top layer of real hard wood that is bonded to a bottom softwood base. This allows property owners to have a real wood look and feel, even if they have heated flooring or a property that otherwise wouldn’t work well with real hardwood flooring. They come in basic tongue and groove versions, which look like nailed-down boards, or they can come in floating or click versions that look close to the tightly lain laminate floorboards you’ve seen before.

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial flooring services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We retain the latest technologies and resources to deliver professional installation for all commercial flooring types, including wood floors, vinyl floors, laminate floors, tile floors, stone flooring, concrete floors, floor coatings, carpeting, and much more.

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The Advantages of Commercial Engineered Wood Floors

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
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.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services
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