4 Commercial Flooring Trends to Watch in 2020
Commercial flooring trends are on the move as we head into 2020.
Here at DPM Care, we spend a great deal of our time looking at commercial flooring options. We see flooring styles change each year and, as carpet and floor cleaning specialists, we take note!
We see how a building’s style changes dramatically with the flooring choice. And we know how those choices make a significant difference when it comes to maintenance.
It’s vital that a facility owner or manager considers the options, sees what others are moving to, and makes an informed decision.
To help you make that decision, we’ve shared the most notable changes that we’ve seen across a wide range of facilities. You’ll learn the new-year trends, why those trends are relevant, and what to consider when choosing each type of flooring.
Top Commercial Flooring Trends
If you’re looking to change things up, here’s what commercial flooring trends we expect for the new year:
1. An Increase in Polished Concrete Floors
Many of our clients, especially those building new facilities or moving into new spaces, are choosing polished concrete for their high-traffic common areas.
It’s not difficult to see why concrete is becoming a more common choice. It fits the style of many modern buildings and provides multiple benefits beyond aesthetics.
Unlike carpet and other types of flooring, concrete won’t wear out. You can be confident that you won’t need to replace it down the line.
Concrete also requires less maintenance than other flooring types. We typically recommend to clean and buff concrete quarterly and then to buff and seal annually—making maintenance significantly less difficult than if you were to choose carpet.
Because of its long lifecycle, the concrete option will save on future costs and keep your maintenance budget low.
The verdict: Choose polished concrete for a sleek, modern look with minimal maintenance.
2. An Increase in Carpet Used for Individual Offices
Although we’ve seen many facilities move away from carpet in common areas, carpet is increasingly popular for individual offices.
Carpet creates a warmer, more inviting space. It also absorbs sound, unlike concrete or tile, allowing office tenants to have a more private and quiet space to work.
The verdict: Choose carpet for individual offices to provide tenants with a more comfortable space.
3. An Increase in Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
LVT is a common choice for those who want their facility to have a more comfortable atmosphere. We commonly see it used in break rooms and other common areas. Compared to similar flooring, like vinyl composite tile (VCT), LVT feels less commercial.
Although LVT flooring holds up well under heavy foot traffic, it will show signs of wear when soiling is left on the floor. That’s why regular cleaning and maintenance is important for hard-surface flooring like LVT.
Another consideration is that chair casters can damage LVT floors. We see this most commonly in pivot areas like elevators, corners, and doorways. If you’re going to use LVT flooring, we strongly recommend using chair caster covers and chair pads to avoid scratching LVT flooring. For our clients, we have an entire line of floor protection products to help with this.
Some are overcoming this challenge by sealing the floor; others are choosing to move to concrete instead.
The verdict: If you choose luxury vinyl tile, consider having it sealed to extend its life or use floor protection products to prevent damage.
4. A Decrease in Natural Stone
As many flooring choices are, understandably, made based on maintenance needs, it’s clear why natural stone is becoming less popular. While people once chose marble, granite, and other natural stone for their buildings’ entryways, they’re instead turning to lower maintenance alternatives.
The verdict: Only opt for the natural stone if you’re prepared to maintain it well and often.
Which Commercial Flooring Should You Choose?
Before you choose new flooring for your building, consult with a flooring specialist that can determine the best choice for your building’s needs. They can help you understand what to look for and the type and frequency of maintenance to expect.
Whatever flooring you choose, a specialist will help you keep the floor looking brand new for as long as possible. They will assess the traffic patterns in your building to create a customized maintenance program, saving you from prematurely replacing your floors.
Contact DPM Care to learn more about what we can do to extend the life of your commercial flooring.