Choosing the right commercial flooring might be no easy task, but when certain factors are at play, it can be especially challenging.
How do you find flooring that is safe, comfortable, and durable for a commercial property such as a senior living community?
In this article, we will break down the best commercial flooring options for senior living facilities and the factors to consider before installation.
Table of Contents
- Factors To Consider When Selecting the Best Commercial Flooring for Senior Living
- What Type of Flooring Is Best for Seniors?
- The 7 Best Options for Commercial Flooring for Senior Living Facilities
- Interior Motives Flooring: Expert Commercial Flooring Installers in Auburn, WA, Since 1989
Factors To Consider When Selecting the Best Commercial Flooring for Senior Living
When shopping for commercial flooring for senior living facilities, there are a few factors that you want to consider.
Making the environment feel warm and inviting is very important to those living there. Providing a comfortable and familiar setting is crucial to the resident’s morale and mental health.
Additionally, there are practical considerations to keep in mind when it comes to day-to-day maintenance and usage.
#1: Safety
Choosing the right flooring is a crucial decision when designing commercial property such as a senior living facility. You want flooring that is durable but also safe for those living and working there every day.
At Interior Motives Flooring, we know that flooring is an investment in your business and important to the well-being of those walking on it every day. When looking at safety for seniors, some of the features you want in flooring include:
- Slip-resistance
- Flat, without ridges or bumps
- Padded
- Comfortable
- Anti-bacterial
Some types of flooring that fit the criteria mentioned above are vinyl, carpet, and cork.
Vinyl is a great safety option due to its slip-resistant nature. Carpet and cork provide comfort and padding to minimize injury due to a fall or an accident. All of these types have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will break down below.
#2: Ease of Maintenance
Due to the nature of senior living communities, you will want flooring that is durable and easy to maintain. Flooring that will last for years of spills is important, but you also want an option that can be cleaned quickly and easily. When considering maintenance, it’s a plus to have flooring that can be sanitized each day.
Vinyl and linoleum are two choices that meet these criteria.
#3: Durability
Flooring in senior living communities needs to withstand high traffic from various methods.
In these communities, the floors can see a variety of daily wear such as:
- Wheelchairs
- Hospital beds
- Walkers
- Machinery
- Carts; and
- General foot traffic
Due to the variety of impacts and traffic, it is important to make sure everyone can move around with ease. Additionally, the floor mustn’t damage or break easily. This will ensure longevity and not require frequent replacement or refurbishment. Some durable flooring options are cork, rubber, laminate, and linoleum.
It’s also important to choose durable flooring for senior living facilities because the disruption caused by flooring replacement or refurbishment can be particularly challenging in this environment.
What Type of Flooring Is Best for Seniors?
After looking at the top three factors to consider when choosing flooring at a senior living facility, you are probably asking, “What is the best type of flooring for this type of commercial property?”
While there are lots of different flooring options to choose from, our top picks are:
- Vinyl
- Hardwood
- Linoleum
- Laminate
- Carpet
- Rubber
- Cork
Each type of flooring can be used in senior living facilities, but some may work best in certain areas over others. Below you will find a description and use of each flooring type. Additionally, we will describe the advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision about what type of flooring is best for seniors.
Want to look at these flooring options in person? Head to the Interior Motives Flooring showroom to find the best fit for your commercial flooring needs.
The 7 Best Options for Commercial Flooring for Senior Living Facilities
#1: Vinyl
Vinyl is a popular choice for all areas of a senior living community. There are three types of vinyl flooring typically used in commercial flooring. These are LVT (luxury vinyl tile), LVP (luxury vinyl plank), and sheet vinyl.
Vinyl flooring is durable, waterproof, and typically low maintenance. It also has a variety of styles to make the facility feel more inviting and warm. Vinyl allows you to customize the facility’s look to fit your vision without breaking your budget.
The pros of vinyl in a senior living community:
- Resilient
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Easy install
- Sustainable
The cons of vinyl in a senior living community:
- No padding
- Emits VOCs ( Volatile Organic Compounds)
#2: Hardwood
Hardwood can be a great option to provide warmth, style, and practicality in a senior living facility. Hardwood flooring is made of individual planks of wood laid in place. It is not only inviting for those calling the senior living facility home but also a durable choice.
Typically, hardwood would be best in common areas or bedrooms. One great benefit is that hardwood can be restained and refinished if it gets worn down, which is a good option in a high-traffic facility.
The pros of hardwood in a senior living community:
- Natural
- Durable
- Variety of styles
- Sound-absorbing
The cons of hardwood in a senior living community:
- Cost
- Prone to scratches and water damage
- Can be noisy over time
- Can cause fatigue in joints and back due to a lack of cushion
#3: Linoleum
Linoleum can be a great flooring type for those who are looking for a budget-friendly option. Linoleum is unique because it is made of only natural ingredients. You can typically use it throughout the facility including kitchens and bathrooms. Linoleum is water-resistant, easy to clean, and has anti-bacterial properties making it a healthy choice for a facility like a senior living community.
The pros of linoleum in a senior living community:
- Non-slip
- Affordable
- Easy to maintain
- Water-resistant
- Anti-bacterial
The cons of linoleum in a senior living community:
- May not be as visually appealing as other options
- Less durable
#4: Laminate
Laminate is a popular option for senior living facilities due to its budget-friendly appeal
and practical features. Laminate is made of four layers:
- A core of fiberboard or plywood
- An underlying insulation layer
- An image layer
- A wear layer to protect the floor from damage
Laminate can be used throughout the facility and is a popular alternative to hardwood as it is easier to install and maintain.
The pros of laminate in a senior living community:
- Easy to install
- Cost-effective
- Variety of styles
- Comfortable
- Water-resistant
The cons of laminate in a senior living community:
- Difficult to repair
- Can fade
- Not 100% waterproof
#5: Carpet
Carpet is a great choice for common areas and bedrooms in a senior living facility. It is made of small fibers which can trap sound waves. Its soft texture is great for keeping people safe from falls or injury.
Due to its customizable nature, carpet can be made to fit any design or mood. This is a great option to make the community feel at home while getting the care they need. Carpet is also a budget-friendly option for your facility and pairs well with other flooring options we have discussed.
The pros of carpet in a senior living community:
- Insulation
- Comfort
- Sound-canceling abilities
- Affordable
- Eco-friendly
The cons of carpet in a senior living community:
- Difficult to clean
- Retains dust, germs, and allergens
- Stains easily
- Retains odors
#6: Rubber
Rubber flooring can be an amazing choice for a senior living facility. It is made of heavy-duty material that absorbs noise and impact. Additionally, the wax coating on the rubber flooring repels dirt, keeping it cleaner.
Rubber is great for preventing injury during falls due to its cushion. It also tends not to become as slippery as other flooring types when wet. This can prevent unnecessary injuries to staff or community members.
The pros of rubber in a senior living community:
- Ease of installation
- Ease of maintenance
- Water-proof and resistant
- Shock-absorbing
- Comes in a variety of styles
- Eco-friendly
The cons of rubber in a senior living community:
- May not be warm and inviting
- Cost
- May have a strong smell
#7: Cork
Cork, which is made from the bark of cork oak trees, can be a great addition to a senior living facility. It is comfortable and smooth, making it a safe option for those in wheelchairs or walkers. In recent years, the enhancement of cork has included water-resistant seals, which has greatly added to its appeal.
One feature of cork that gets overlooked is its health benefits. Safety and cleanliness are top priorities in a senior living facility. Cork has antimicrobial properties which do not allow the growth of bacteria or mold.
It also repels dust and dirt, which can help make the inside air quality cleaner. In addition to daily cleaning, this will help keep the community healthy during their time at the facility.
The pros of cork in a senior living community:
- Shock-absorbing and provides cushioning against falls
- Smooth
- Water-resistant (with proper seal)
- Antimicrobial
- Durable
The cons of cork in a senior living community:
- Not waterproof
- Could dent and warp causing danger on uneven surfaces
Interior Motives Flooring: Expert Commercial Flooring Installers in Auburn, WA, Since 1989
Interior Motives Flooring is a family-owned company that can assist in floor installation for senior living communities in Auburn, WA. For the past 35 years, we have provided top-notch service throughout the community.
We want to ensure that you get the proper flooring to fit your business and customer needs. In our physical showroom, you can talk with our trained professionals to find the best flooring solution to last your business for many years.
Want the five-star experience our customers get? Contact us today to book an appointment with our dedicated staff. We value our customers and are ready to provide top-notch service no matter what their commercial flooring needs are.
