Your retail store needs a change and upgrading your flooring can quickly turn your store from drab to sleek and stylish.
However, new flooring is expensive, and there are a lot of questions that come with this kind of upgrade.
What flooring would work best for my retail space? What are the best flooring materials for my needs? How can they fit into my budget?
Read on as we answer these questions, share our top picks, highlight pros and cons of a top flooring solution, and more.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Best Flooring for a Retail Store?
- Things To Consider When Choosing the Best Type of Flooring for a Retail Store
- Our Top 5 Picks of the Best Flooring for Retail Stores
- Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring for a Retail Store
- Let Interior Motives Flooring Install the Best Flooring for Your Retail Store
What Is the Best Flooring for a Retail Store?
The best flooring for your retail space depends upon your unique business needs and the look you want for your store.
Many customers choose vinyl, tile, and engineered hardwood because of their durability and low maintenance, and because they come in a variety of styles and colors.
If you want to know what kind of flooring is best for your business, check out Interior Motives Flooring. Not only does our small family business offer competitive prices but we also have a wide selection of retail flooring options.
Come see our showroom to pick out your perfect retail flooring, and learn why Interior Motives Flooring is the premiere Auburn flooring company.
Things To Consider When Choosing the Best Type of Flooring for a Retail Store
If you are ready to upgrade your Washington retail business, new floors are a great place to start. New flooring gives your business a sleek and well-kempt appearance that is attractive to customers. However, you need commercial flooring that will match both your business needs and aesthetics. Here are some things to consider when choosing flooring for a retail store:
Aesthetic
Your retail store is more than just a place where people buy stuff. You want to sell an image, and your store’s aesthetic is part of that. If your retail store flooring is old, dirty, and outdated, it may imply that your business doesn’t make a lot of money.
In addition, different types of retail floor materials are good for different aesthetics. If your retail store’s image is sleek and polished, you may want a different type of flooring than if your store has a rustic or cozy feel.
Durability
Many brick-and-mortar businesses rely on foot traffic to make sales. If that sounds like your business, you should consider durability when looking for the best flooring for your retail store.
If you have any questions about what flooring is best for your retail space, consider reaching out to Interior Motives Flooring. Not only do we offer the best materials, but our installation is quick and hassle-free.
Maintenance
Commercial flooring not only sees more foot traffic than residential floors but it’s likely mopped more often. If you are looking for new flooring for your business, consider how often the floor will be washed and with what products.
Certain flooring is not water-resistant and does not hold up well to lots of mopping or harsh cleaners, while other flooring can withstand daily washing with no problems.
Budget
As with any commercial renovation, budget is a factor when choosing the best flooring for your retail store. If you have a high-end shop, you may have more capital to spend on luxury flooring than someone with a shoestring budget who wants something more practical. Either way, Interior Motives Flooring can help you get the commercial flooring you need at a price that works for you.
Our Top 5 Picks of the Best Flooring for Retail Stores
Not sure what material would work best for your retail flooring? We’ve collected a list of the best flooring materials for retail stores and explained why we’d recommend them. If you want to see what these materials look like in person, check out our showroom in Auburn, WA.
#1: Vinyl
Vinyl is not just for records!
Vinyl flooring has been a popular option for decades due to its durability, moisture resistance, and ease of replacement. Not only is it durable, but modern vinyl flooring can be designed to look like many other different types of flooring, such as hardwood.
Vinyl is significantly cheaper and easier to clean than other options, such as hardwood or carpet, giving you the best of both worlds. However, vinyl does wear down a lot faster than engineered hardwood or tile and may need to be replaced more often if your retail space gets a lot of foot traffic.
Vinyl comes in a range of styles and price points, so you can likely find an option that meets your retail flooring needs.
#2: Tile
Tile is considered one of the best flooring options for retail because it is low maintenance and durable, especially for heavy foot traffic.
Tile is hardly new, as the history of humans using tile flooring goes back centuries. The reasons for the ongoing popularity are simple. Tile is:
- Durable to foot traffic
- Water-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy to replace cracked/damaged tiles as opposed to having to redo the entire flooring
However, if you might be dropping a lot of heavy things on your floor or operate heavy machinery in your retail space, then tile may not be worth it for you. There is a wide variety of tiles from industrial to high-end options — Interior Motives Flooring can help.
#3: Industrial Carpet
Industrial carpet is a tried and true retail flooring option. Industrial carpets are budget-friendly and, when properly maintained, can hold their appeal for a while. They are also sound dampening, which is good for noisy stores and the dining areas of restaurants.
However, carpet tends to get dirty and unappealing quickly, especially in high-traffic areas where lots of muddy feet can matt it down over time. It is also not waterproof, and can grow mold over time if not properly cared for. This can quickly become a hazard to your customers and employees.
#4: Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is wood that has been treated to last longer. This option allows you to have the elegance of hardwood without the high level of maintenance or damage concerns.
Engineered hardwood is more moisture-resistant and durable than traditional hardwood, but it does come at a higher price point than some other options, making it a good choice for high-end retail spaces. If you want attractive flooring that will last and have the budget for it, engineered hardwood is a great choice.
#5: Rubber
Rubber is a popular flooring choice for industrial kitchens, gyms, animal care facilities, and other retail spaces. However, it is not a good choice for everyone, especially customer-facing retail spaces.
Rubber flooring simply does not imply elegance or make your retail space look great. In addition, rubber degrades over time, which is both unattractive and possibly dangerous. Rubber is a good choice for some specific retail spaces, like gyms and dog grooming centers, but certainly not all of them.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring for a Retail Store
Laminate is a popular choice for retail flooring, especially in back offices or other non-customer-facing spaces. Laminate is a low-cost option that’s useful for a lot of retail space and is commonly used in short-term or “pop-up” retail stores.
Laminate may also be a good flooring option for your retail store if:
- You have a low budget: Laminate flooring is one of the cheapest flooring options available, making it a good choice for retail flooring on a budget.
- You need a variety of designs: Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, making it a versatile choice.
- You want an easy installation: Laminate installation can be done in a matter of hours.
- You require low-to-moderate foot traffic: If the space in question isn’t going to get too much foot traffic, such as a back office, laminate can be a great cost-effective option.
However, laminate flooring is not a good option for every retail space. Here are some of the drawbacks of laminate flooring in a retail space:
- Durability: Laminate flooring does not stand up well to heavy foot traffic. It may be a cheaper option up front, but if your laminate flooring requires regular replacement to look nice it could cost you more long-term.
- Waterproof: Laminate flooring is not as waterproof as other retail flooring options, such as vinyl or tile. If your retail space has a lot of possibilities for spills, you might want to consider a different flooring option.
- Noise levels: Laminate flooring does not dampen noise, and may actually make footfalls louder. If you are looking to make your retail space quieter, consider industrial carpeting instead.
- Overall aesthetics: Modern laminate flooring comes in a variety of styles, including mimicking hardwood and other materials. However, once it starts to age, it becomes rather obvious that it’s laminate. If you want a more upscale look for your customer-facing retail space, consider another retail flooring option.
Let Interior Motives Flooring Install the Best Flooring for Your Retail Store
What kind of flooring is best for your retail store? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect flooring for your retail space. If you are trying to choose flooring for your Auburn, WA, area business, consider reaching out to Interior Motives Flooring.
Interior Motives Flooring is a family business, with decades of experience in industrial, retail, and home flooring. We offer small business services with the selection and prices of a big-box competitor. If you are struggling with finding the perfect flooring for your retail space, Interior Motives Flooring can help.
