Are you preparing for the renovation? Flooring is one of the main things you have to pay attention to. It will take on the load and pressure in high traffic areas. How do you find a flooring that can handle high traffic and maintain a decent look? What is the best flooring for high traffic areas? What nuances to pay attention to when choosing a material? How to protect the chosen flooring? We will tell you all the answers in this article.
When it comes to high-traffic areas in your home or commercial space, selecting the right flooring is paramount to ensure longevity and maintain aesthetics. Fortunately, several options stand out for their durability and ability to withstand the constant hustle and bustle. Hardwood flooring, renowned for its timeless appeal, offers durability and can be refinished to renew its appearance over time. Engineered wood provides similar aesthetics with added resilience against moisture and temperature fluctuations. For spaces prone to spills and moisture, tile flooring, whether ceramic or porcelain, proves to be an excellent choice due to its water resistance and easy maintenance. Vinyl flooring, available in various styles including luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), offers affordability without compromising on durability or aesthetics. Lastly, laminate flooring provides a budget-friendly option with scratch and stain resistance, making it ideal for high
High-Traffic Areas floor: basic requirements
The coating must be durable. Choose a quality finish with a high abrasion resistance class. The classification that you can focus on depends on the type of coverage. For linoleum, carpet, laminate and quartz-vinyl tiles, the EN 685 system applies, according to which the material is assigned a two-digit index from 21 to 43. When choosing porcelain stoneware, the PEI class system will help: from 1 to 5.
The floor must be moisture resistant. If it does not have this quality, there will be enough moisture on the soles of workers ‘and visitors’ street shoes to spoil it.
The coating must be non-slip. Otherwise, it is fraught with injury. Opt for materials with a rough texture and slip resistance R10 – R12.
The floor must be fireproof. This concept includes both resistance to ignition and other parameters: low flame propagation speed, low smoke-generating ability and non-toxicity at high temperatures. Most modern coatings meet these requirements, but do not be too lazy to look at the technical documentation to check the manufacturer’s conscientiousness.
Which flooring to choose
Laminate.
One of the most popular options: it will not disappoint you during operation and will last 10–20 years.
Linoleum.
This is a good budget solution if you are not ready for a large investment. With proper care, linoleum will retain its appearance for 5-10 years.
Carpet.
It is not inferior to linoleum in terms of wear resistance and durability, but loses to other coatings.
PVC tiles.
If you do not want to change the coverage for the next 15-25 years, we advise you to choose this one.
Porcelain stoneware.
It copes well with high loads and has no shorter service life.
Self-leveling floors.
A high-tech solution that will delight you for up to 25 years.
Whatever you choose, be sure to check with the reference technical parameters given in the article when purchasing. Focus on them and you won’t go wrong!
Which laminate to choose
The main thing when buying a laminate is to choose the right class of wear resistance of the carrier base. You will need a commercial laminate, so the first number in the label should be 3 (2 for household laminate, 3 for commercial).
Class 31 is suitable for workspaces with low traffic or utility rooms.
Class 32 is more reliable. Such a covering can be laid in places with an average load: offices, hotel rooms, conference rooms.
Class 33 is intended for finishing commercial premises with high traffic: offices, shops, cafés.
Class 34 – heavy artillery. It can be used in large shopping malls, sports complexes, clubs, dance floors and other places that require high loads.
Focus on the wear resistance of the protective coating: it is denoted by the letters AC. For commercial use, materials with AC4, AC5 or AC6 ratings are required. The higher the number, the more reliable the coating will protect the laminate from abrasion.
Correctly selected laminate with dignity withstands the tests that have fallen to its lot. This is helped by a well-thought-out design, which consists of several bearing layers and a protective coating made of polyurethane, which takes the first blow.
Pros
-The optimum ratio of price and quality. Laminate is one of the most affordable floor coverings. At the same time, it has good technical characteristics.
-Appearance. Laminate most often imitates a pleasant looking wood texture. Modern materials allow you to do this in a rather naturalistic way.
-Does not require special care. The laminate is wiped with soapy water and a semi-dry cloth. The most important thing is not to allow a lot of water to remain on the surface.
Minuses
-Low moisture resistance. So that the laminate does not deform over time due to the water that remains in the joints after cleaning, it is advisable to treat the seams between the boards with a sealant.
-Low noise insulation. This is a booming coating that does not absorb sounds, rather the opposite – amplifies them due to the “drum effect”. This effect arises from the voids between the coating and the substrate. In addition, if the laminate is laid on an uneven surface, it can squeak.
Which linoleum to choose
Choose semi-commercial linoleum if you are going to lay it in a small office, private office or small store. Consider the characteristics that will help predict how it will be in operation. In order for the coating to last a long time, it must have the following parameters:
Wear resistance class: 31, 32, 33, 34.
Working layer thickness: not less than 0.4 mm.
Total thickness: from 2 mm.
Commercial linoleum will be appropriate if you are looking for a covering for a large office, where there are many employees and where customers often come, or a retail space with a large flow of customers. Linoleum that can cope with high traffic must have the following characteristics:
Wear resistance class: 41, 42, 43.
Working layer thickness: not less than 0.7 mm.
Total thickness: from 2 mm.
Wear resistance: acceptable.
Commercial and semi-commercial linoleum is often homogeneous. Such a coating consists of a single layer, and its colour and pattern spread throughout its entire thickness. For the same purposes, a protective coating of greater thickness is applied to heterogeneous materials, that is, consisting of several layers, linoleum during production.
Pros
-Simple installation. It is easy to lay linoleum yourself: just roll out the roll, cut the covering to the size of the room and glue or nail it to the floor.
-Good insulation. Linoleum is quite soft, and therefore absorbs sounds. The clatter of heels will no longer be an annoying factor in work areas.
-Affordable price. This material is cheaper than laminate or PVC tiles.
Minuses
-Low wear resistance. Despite the fact that modern linoleum is becoming stronger and stronger and has already proven its “professional suitability”, it cannot be compared with many other coatings – for example, laminate or tiles.
-Special care. To avoid quick wear, linoleum should not only be washed, but also rubbed with mastic every six months.
Which carpet to choose
Have you decided to put carpet in your office? In this case, commercial coverage is fine again.
Wear resistance class: 31, 32, 33, 34.
Pile height: 2–5 mm.
Overall thickness: 5–7 mm.
Wear resistance: acceptable.
Carpets and mats are most often used in residential premises, but a high-quality covering of this type can also be laid in the office. It is best to choose needle-punched carpet – a densely compressed canvas, which is considered the most durable among other soft materials. Experts in Mat Shop will offer you a big choice and help you find the right one for your needs.
Pros
-Simple installation. Carpet spreads as easily as linoleum: it is carefully rolled out, smoothed and glued to the floor.
-Soft floor. This covering can make the room more comfortable, it is pleasant to walk on it, it absorbs sounds and retains heat.
-Affordable price. Like linoleum, carpet is in the middle price segment.
Minuses
-Time consuming cleaning. Cleaning is required to keep the floor clean. In addition, dust that accumulates on the carpet due to its electrostatic properties can provoke allergic reactions. To minimise risks, choose special anti-static coatings.
Conclusion
Before proceeding with the repair, decide on the purpose of the premises and choose the floor covering based on your calculations. Do not be afraid to combine materials: for example, in the reception or office you can lay a cosy carpet, and use PVC tiles to decorate the entrance area.
To understand if a floor is suitable for you, check the optimal characteristics presented in the article and study the technical documentation of the product. Give preference to reliable materials: such an investment will surely pay off over time.
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