Have you ever slipped on your kitchen floor? Not only can this situation be unpleasant, but it can also be downright dangerous when it happens in a restaurant. The inconvenience of spillage doesn’t remotely compare to the risk of injury, so you want to be sure that you and your colleagues stay safe in this fast-paced environment.
In this article, we will highlight why you should invest in a commercial kitchen flooring option that provides safety, comfort, and longevity — all desirable qualities for employees who stay on their feet for most of the day.
Interior Motives Flooring wants to help you choose the right flooring option for your kitchen. Read on to discover the best types of flooring for a commercial kitchen, their respective pros and cons, and other important flooring applications to keep in mind.
Table of Contents
- What Is The Best Floor For a Commercial Kitchen?
- 6 Common Flooring Requirements For Commercial Kitchens
- What Type of Resilient Flooring Would Be The Best Choice For a Commercial Kitchen? 6 Popular Commercial Kitchen Flooring Options to Consider
- Interior Motives Flooring Is Ready To Give Your Commercial Kitchen Floor a Makeover
What Is the Best Floor For a Commercial Kitchen?
Having the right flooring for your commercial kitchen can be vital to its success. Whether it’s visible to patrons or not, there are things to consider such as safety, comfort, durability, and efficiency when choosing your flooring. Depending on your kitchen’s priorities and state regulations, the best commercial kitchen flooring options include resin or epoxy, ceramic tile, quarry tile, concrete, vinyl, and natural stone.
6 Common Flooring Requirements for Commercial Kitchens
Durability is always a priority when installing any flooring, especially in commercial spaces with high traffic. However, there are some specific things to consider when installing commercial kitchen flooring.
Remember that whichever you decide is best, picking a commercial-grade flooring material will be important due to high traffic and the need to sterilize and disinfect frequently. Whether you are considering options for a hospital, clinic, small private practice, or anything in between, Interior Motives Flooring has the expertise to advise and install the flooring that will work best for you.
#1: Slip Resistance
Some flooring is more prone to slipping. If the option you choose isn’t naturally slip-resistant, you can treat it through different processes depending on the material to make it safer.
#1: Easy to Clean/Antimicrobal
Spills are a natural occurrence in kitchens, so making sure your floor is easy to clean, moisture-resistant, and free of mold and mildew will make it easier to follow health protocols. You can also treat floors to limit high-traffic damage and the spread of harmful bacteria.
#3: Chemical Resistant
Your kitchen floor needs to be able to withstand repeated exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals since commercial kitchens have specific sanitary regulations. Ensuring that you have a chemically resistant kitchen floor satisfies the need for durability.
#4: Heat Resistant
Kitchens have hot ovens and stoves. All kitchen surfaces must be cleaned using hot water and should be able to last without warping or damage from heat. This is why flooring plays a pivotal role in maintaining the overall functionality of the kitchen.
#5: Noise Reduction
With the hustle and bustle of communal cooking, commercial kitchens are inherently loud. Choosing an option to help lower noise levels should be considered.
#6: Building Code Compliance
Depending on where you are located, commercial kitchens have specific regulatory and sanitary codes they have to stand up to. Make sure the materials you choose comply with your specific locality’s building codes.
In Washington, for example, there are particular guidelines for all components of your facility. You have to pay attention to every detail of your kitchen, especially ensuring that your floor is manufactured of smooth, durable material that is impervious to water, corrosion-resistant, and easily cleanable.
What Type of Resilient Flooring Would Be The Best Choice For a Commercial Kitchen? 6 Popular Commercial Kitchen Flooring Options to Consider
Some of the most resilient flooring options for commercial kitchens include resin, ceramic tile, quarry tile, concrete, vinyl, and natural stone. Below, we have more information about the flooring options that are most suitable for commercial kitchens in addition to things you should be aware of for each option.
#1: Resin
Epoxy is the most commonly used option for resin flooring because of its durability. PMMA, a synthetic polymer used to cure epoxy — often known as plexiglass, acrylic, or acrylic glass — has a quick cure time, so it can be installed and repaired quickly in a couple of hours.
Resin flooring is a non-porous option that is water- and chemical-resistant, contributing to its longevity. However, epoxy floors are slippery when wet, which can easily pose a safety hazard, so they need to be combined with a non-slip coating.
The convenience of this option is that it is low-maintenance, easy to clean, and makes it easy to follow hygiene protocols in the kitchen. But you must consider that resin flooring will need to be reapplied every 10-20 years since a commercial kitchen environment sees heavy use.
#2: Ceramic Tile
Depending on your budget, ceramic tile is among the best alternatives, offering more slip resistance than many other materials. It can be a good option for commercial kitchen flooring, as it:
- Holds up well in high-traffic environments
- Is low-maintenance even over time
- Offers many design possibilities, an attractive feature for more open spaces where patrons can see the interior of the kitchen
However, the downside of this option is that it does not offer as much slip protection or acoustic benefits. In addition, it is more difficult to install, making it rank on the pricier side.
#3: Quarry Tile
Quarry tile is a specific type of ceramic tile used in commercial kitchens. It’s great for this environment because it is heat, moisture, and stain resistant.
However, quarry tile may underperform in other areas if not handled properly. It:
- Becomes slippery when wet
- Requires higher levels of precision during installation compared to other alternatives; and
- Holds in cold temperatures, which can prove especially chilly during the winter months
While this option may be higher maintenance, the quality and longevity it can provide to kitchens are supreme.
#4: Concrete
Concrete flooring is not only durable, resistant to heat/moisture/chemicals, and easy to clean, but it also provides an extra element of customization.
It can be personalized with different designs and styles, allowing you to attain almost any look in your commercial kitchen. Complete with the right finishes, concrete flooring can achieve a lustrous effect, making it an option that is unmatched by wood, linoleum, or tile as it can stand the test of time concerning discoloration, chipping, and deformations.
Since concrete is an unyielding surface, it may not be the best choice for commercial kitchens unless the right precautions are taken to guarantee the foot health of restaurant workers. One way to curb this con of concrete flooring is to make sure employees wear shoes with adequate cushioning. In addition, providing anti-fatigue mats will ease the impact of the surface, ensuring that joint pain and plantar fasciitis are minimized.
Concrete flooring is also unique in its cleaning protocols. It only needs daily sweeping, mopping with non-abrasive cleaners, and occasionally reapplying sealant to help it last for years to come.
#5: Vinyl
Durable, affordable, easy to install, and becoming more and more popular for commercial kitchens, vinyl flooring also has a wide range of applications.
- Vinyl engineered with a rigid core is constructed for stability and durability.
- WPC Vinyl consists of polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, calcium carbonate, and wood-like materials, making it ideal for waterproof areas.
- Vinyl planks are constructed of synthetic multi-layer PVC flooring, suitable for high-traffic areas.
While vinyl flooring is completely waterproof, durable, long-lasting, able to be installed in under a week, and imitates natural materials such as tile, stone, and wood, we also need to acknowledge that some people may prefer the aesthetics of the natural look and feel of tile or stone flooring for their facilities.
#6: Natural Stone
Last but not least, we have the option of natural stone. When opting for this alternative for commercial kitchen flooring, several factors should be considered. To ensure that the stone has good slip resistance, especially when wet, you can opt for mildly textured or honed finishes. If you’re looking for optimum durability, stones like granite or slate can withstand heavy foot traffic and machinery.
Similarly to concrete, stone floors require maintenance such as sealing to prevent stains and water damage, with granite being easier to maintain than more porous options like limestone. Stain resistance is also important, so choosing stones that won’t absorb oils and chemicals is crucial for a restaurant kitchen setting.
Cost is a factor, with natural stone being an investment, but its durability often makes it worthwhile. The stone should be easy to clean to meet hygiene standards, and acid resistance is important to avoid damage from food substances.
Natural stone installation can be costly and intricate, so a skilled team like the one we have at Interior Motives Flooring is a key requisite.
Interior Motives Flooring Is Ready To Give Your Commercial Kitchen Floor a Makeover
What is the best flooring for a commercial kitchen? With so many options available, it can be confusing to find the perfect flooring for your restaurant. If you are in the process of choosing flooring for your Auburn, WA, restaurant, paying a visit to Interior Motives Flooring can be transformative for your business.
With a long history of dedicated flooring consultation and application, the family behind Interior Motives Flooring is delighted to serve you with a level of diligence and attentiveness that can’t be found in larger retail stores — while still offering as many flooring options to select from at an affordable price.
Scheduling a free consultation through our website is easier than ever. Contact Interior Motives Flooring, a commercial flooring company in Auburn, WA, for your commercial kitchen needs.
