Blending Style and Durability: The Best Flooring for Commercial Office Spaces

Imagine you have an important doctor’s appointment and feel pretty nervous. You walk in, look around the space, and take a seat.

Does the office feel warm and inviting with carpet or cold and sterile with tile? 

You want to feel comfortable going to an office for a nerve-wracking doctor’s appointment the flooring can make or break your experience.

In this guide, we will discuss the best flooring options for commercial office spaces. We will break down our flooring options for offices, high-traffic spaces, and the factors that impact these important decisions for your business.

 Table of Contents

• What Is the Best Type of Flooring for an Office?
• What Is the Best Flooring for a High-Traffic Office Space?
• Factors To Consider When Determining the Best Flooring for Commercial Office Space
• The Best Flooring for Commercial Offices: 8 Options
• Tips for Choosing the Best Flooring for Commercial Offices
• Interior Motives Flooring: Residential and Commercial Flooring Specialists in Auburn, WA, Since 1989

What Is the Best Type of Flooring for an Office?

Flooring is arguably one of the most important decisions when building a commercial space, so it’s critical to know what the best type of flooring for an office is. Finding the best flooring can depend on various factors including purpose, durability, and budget. 

Each commercial flooring type has its place in a commercial environment, but as professionals, we recommend: 

• Commercial Laminate Flooring
• Commercial SPC Vinyl Flooring
• Commercial Vinyl Sheet Flooring
• Commercial Carpet Flooring
• Engineered Hardwood Flooring
• Commercial Floor Tile
• Rubber Flooring
• Stained Concrete Flooring

What Is the Best Flooring for a High-Traffic Office Space?

The flooring of a high-traffic office space can be drastically different than that of a regular office space. 

Why do you need a different type of flooring for a high-traffic space?

While you could use the same type of flooring across your entire commercial office, it may not be cost-effective or practical for your business. You will want something that will withstand the wear and tear of everyday use while still being inviting and functional. 

Choosing the right flooring can also save you money and contribute to a productive environment. 

For high-traffic office spaces specifically, we recommend:

• Commercial Laminate
• Commercial Vinyl Sheet 
• Commercial Floor Tile
• Commercial Rubber 
• Stained Concrete 

High-traffic office spaces typically require more consideration. This might involve asking yourself questions about your business, like: 

Are you using machinery that may damage flooring? Is your business accustomed to constant spills, such as a cafeteria? Will you need something that can be cleaned quickly and easily?

Not every flooring option works in each industry. Take note of the needs that work best for your business before investing in new commercial flooring. 

Factors To Consider When Determining the Best Flooring for Commercial Office Space

Before you choose your commercial office space flooring, you should consider a few factors, including:

• Durability: Will this withstand wear and tear/high-traffic environments?
• Maintenance: Does this require additional costs to keep clean and sealed?
• Budget: Are there any hidden costs in addition to installation to consider?
• Acoustics: Would this aid in the productivity of my business or distract my employees?
• Design: Does this flooring convey the aesthetic I am trying to portray?
• Environmental impact: Does this meet building code standards for my area?
• Safety impact: Is this flooring material going to cause toxic or physical harm to my staff?

Considering these factors will help ensure you are getting flooring that is both functional and economical for your business.

Still trying to figure out what is the best flooring for a commercial office? 

We are here to help with this decision.

Interior Motives Flooring has a large variety of flooring options and a helpful team of specialists who value your business. We are educated and dedicated to helping you choose the right flooring for your commercial office. Schedule a consultation or book a free estimate today.

The Best Flooring for Commercial Offices: 8 Options

Once you have taken the time to consider all the factors that may influence your flooring decision, we can now compare each flooring option.

#1: Commercial Laminate Flooring

Commercial laminate flooring is great for spaces that need a little more durability. It is naturally scratch and stain-resistant, making it a great alternative to wood. Examples of commercial spaces that would benefit from commercial laminate flooring include schools, retail stores, and healthcare facilities.

Commercial laminate flooring is perfect for spaces where liquid mishaps may occur.

Some pros of commercial laminate are: 

• Cost-effective
• Durable
• Easy maintenance
• Easy installation
• Affordable 

Some cons of commercial laminate are:

• Inability to repair due to plank being scratched or damaged
• Susceptible to water damage

#2: Commercial SPC Vinyl Flooring

Commercial SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) Vinyl flooring is made of four layers: a wear layer, a decorative layer, a core layer, and an underlayer layer. These work together to provide durability and style for your space. SPC vinyl flooring is great for high-traffic spaces. Additionally, it performs well in spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms. You can choose from a few visually appealing types (stone, tile, wood, etc) to create the look you want. 

Some pros of commercial SPC vinyl flooring are: 

• Durable
• Water-resistant and waterproof
• Easy installation
• Low maintenance
• Versatile in design

Some cons of commercial SPC vinyl flooring are:

• Cost of installation
• Not very comfortable
• Noisey 

#3: Commercial Vinyl Sheet Flooring

Commercial Vinyl Sheet flooring is made of a sheet of sealed material that is great for high-foot traffic areas such as offices, medical facilities, schools, and churches.

It comes in a variety of style options making it customizable for any commercial space. Many businesses choose commercial vinyl sheet flooring to cover large spaces at an affordable rate.

Some pros of commercial vinyl sheet flooring are: 

• Water and stain-resistant
• Comfortable 
• Easy to install
• Durable
• Low maintenance
• Cost Effective 

Some cons of commercial vinyl sheet flooring are:

• Cannot be refinished or repaired once damaged
• Discoloration may occur 

#4: Commercial Carpet

Commercial carpet is made of tough fibers that can withstand high-traffic environments. This can be used in environments wanting to provide warmth and comfort such as hotels, classrooms, churches, and offices.

Some pros of commercial carpet: 

• Aesthetic Design
• Low maintenance
• Cost-effective
• Comfortable 
• Easy installation

Some cons of commercial carpets:

• Retains dirt
• Wears quickly in high-traffic areas

#5: Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood is an alternative to hardwood without the cost. It is a durable flooring option made of multiple layers of wood, making it stable and water-resistant. It’s best used in conference rooms, lobbies, or waiting rooms. 

Some pros of engineered hardwood flooring are: 

• Water-resistant 
• Low maintenance
• Environmentally friendly
• Easy to install
• Absorbs Sound
• Cost-effective

Some cons of engineered hardwood flooring are:

• Fading
• Susceptible to moisture damage 
• Potentially made from lower-quality materials 

#6: Commercial Floor Tile

Commercial floor tile is an easy-to-maintain flooring option that gives the customer unlimited design opportunities. It provides a sophisticated feel while holding up in high-traffic environments. It can be used in spaces such as retail, restaurants, malls, hospitals, and more.

Some pros of commercial tile flooring are: 

• Durable
• Easy maintenance
• Moisture resistant:
• Cost-effective (over time)

It is important to note that typically, commercial floor tile costs more to install, but due to its impressive longevity and simple maintenance, it saves the owner more over time than other flooring options.

Some cons of commercial tile flooring are:

• Tough Installation
• Upfront cost 

#7: Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is a cushioned flooring that is great to use in spaces where water-resistant flooring is needed. Installation options include tiles, rolls, or mats. Gyms, schools, hospitals, and vets are the perfect businesses to use rubber flooring.

Some pros of rubber flooring are: 

• Easy maintenance
• Durability
• Comfort
• Eco friendly
• Noise friendly
• Slip-resistant

Some cons of rubber flooring are:

• Difficult installation
• Smell
• Comfort 

#8: Stained Concrete

Stained concrete is a budget-friendly flooring option that is flexible in design and use. It is perfect for conference areas, schools, restaurants, and breweries. Stained concrete can also work well in outdoor commercial spaces. 

Once the concrete is poured and set, a stain can be added. This increases its durability, longevity, and helps reduce chips and stains. There are two types of stain to choose from: acid-based stain and water-based stain. 

 Some pros of stained concrete are: 

• durable
• low maintenance
• customizable 
• Cost-effective

Some cons of stained concrete are:

• Comfort
• Temperature
• Moisture retention
• Installation
• Susceptible to cracks
• Noise

Tips for Choosing the Best Flooring for Commercial Offices

When researching flooring for your commercial space, you want to ensure that your investment is worth it. 

Consider these tips before making your final flooring decision:

• Although carpet tends to wear more with heavy foot traffic, carpet with pile density of 5,000 or more generally holds up to traffic.
• When considering flooring options, each option has an AC Abrasion Criteria rating ranging from 1-5. AC4-AC5 will withstand higher traffic areas. AC 4 is better for spaces such as offices while AC5 suits restaurants or stores.  
• When considering tile, The PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) ranks tile from least to most durable (1-5). For commercial flooring, you want to look for options with a PEI of 3 or higher. 

To get a better idea of what each type of flooring looks like in a particular space, browse our gallery for inspiration. 

Interior Motives Flooring: Residential and Commercial Flooring Specialists in Auburn, WA, Since 1989

Interior Motives Flooring is a family-owned flooring company in Auburn, WA. They have been providing award-winning customer experiences and flooring expertise for the past 35 years. 

Our physical showroom allows customers to meet with us and browse the best flooring options for their commercial space. Our trained professionals are here to listen to your priorities and walk you through finding the best flooring solution to last your business for many years. 

Want the five-star experience our customers get? Call us today to book an appointment with our team. We value our customers and strive to provide each with the care and consideration they deserve.