An office flooring is a very important part of any workspace. This is because it creates the decor and feel of your work space.
When considering which flooring to use in any particular situation, there are several factors you should think about first. For example, what type of staff will be working in the office? Then there are the financial considerations, and concerns over whether the flooring will be damaged easily with routine usage.
If you need a new floor, you should first examine what you already have – such as old tile or carpeting – and determine whether that can be cleaned up and used again. Most importantly, you have to choose the type of flooring that you are comfortable to work on for your office.
Because some types of floorings can be toxic or cause allergic reactions to some individuals, you have to take much care while choosing the product for your office. There are many types of options available in the market and you can choose the right one according to your needs.
Here are a few factors to take into account while you make your decision.
Your Brand Image
Office floors are the setting for life at work. Not only does it provide the looks, but it also gives out feelings and emotions. An office flooring should be able to enhance the brand image of your company, and at the same time, can create a great first impression on people.
The flooring you choose for your business office reflects as much about your brand as anything else; this includes stylish flooring such as laminate, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or maybe even ceramic tile.
Comfortable Working Space
The most important feature for office flooring should be that it is comfortable for the employees to work on. Without proper comfort, your workers will not enjoy their job and may get injured by standing on a hard surface. By creating a comfortable working space for your employees, it displays how much you value their time and hard work.
Office flooring that is too hard or too soft can cause shoulder, back and joint problems for workers and discomfort for managers.
Office floors need to be the right hardness so there is good stability, while at the same time still feeling comfortable for employees. Some office flooring options will make your feet ache within a day of walking on them, while some will make your joints ache after standing on them for too long.
Slippery floors can cause accidents or can add stress to the body of an employee who has to stand all day.
Climate
Climate is the most important factor to consider while choosing an office flooring. It is advisable to think about your climate; not only does this influence the proper flooring material, but it affects the frequency of which you need to replace your flooring product.
A large city with a lot of rain and humidity will not do well with a hard-to-clean vinyl.
Hardwood is a wonderful choice as it provides superior aesthetics and has a great deal of resistance to moisture.
Make sure you choose a suitable type of floor based on the climate conditions of your locality.
Look
The appearance of an office floor is surely one of the most important things to consider when making decisions about office flooring. An open floor plan tends to be more conducive to communication and conversation than a closed one, so permitting natural light into your office in addition to choosing lighter-coloured furniture can draw your employees away from their desks and into the communal space of the office.
Whether the office is from the traditional, modern, post-modern, chic, minimalist, or traditional style design, it is a good idea to stick to the office’s theme when selecting its flooring.
Eco-Friendly
Flooring choices with no added chemicals or toxic products which can harm the environment make an office with environmentally friendly practices easier to maintain. These choices also protect the people in the office from potential chemical burns or health effects associated with direct exposure.
Sustainable flooring is manufactured from reclaimed, recycled or renewable materials. Eco-friendly categories include bamboo, cork and leather flooring.
Maintenance
The maintenance of an office flooring greatly depends on the materials used to manufacture it. It’s best to find out the quality of the material before spending on it. Some products are guaranteed to last a lifetime while others will need frequent cleaning and other routine maintenance procedures to keep them in good shape. The money that you spend on maintenance can be cheaper than purchasing another flooring in the future for your office.
Noise
Noise can cause distractions at work. The floor beneath you is one of the main sources of these sensory distractions. There are many types of office floors that control different aspects of sound so that the office remains focused and productive.
The lower frequency noise is absorbed by carpets while mid and high frequencies are reflected causing increased levels of distraction. Carpet tiles absorb noise efficiently due to their loose weave and higher pile while a resilient floor absorbs sound at nearly the same rate as resilient tile, and both tiles provide great acoustics.
Water And Chemical Resistant
It’s not uncommon for office floors to end up in the same conditions as public walkways. For some businesses, this simply means a few casualties of dropped water bottles and spilled liquids by customers.
For other businesses, however, chemicals and other hazardous materials are in play. If your business falls into this category, it’s critical to choose an office flooring that is both water and chemical resistant.
Colour Options
Office floors are the first thing anyone entering your space notices. It is important to consider the aesthetics of the flooring you choose. Carpet tiles offer many options pertaining to colour and style, matching the ambiance of any office setting. You have to make sure your office flooring offers the right appearance. That means it has the colour you want while complementing – and not competing with – the colour of the walls, ceiling, furniture, and other elements in your office.
Traffic
When you choose an office floor, think about the foot traffic in your workplace and how that use can affect longevity. A main entry or shopping mall will experience frequent use, which is ideal for a hard-wearing stone floor.
Consider if you have employees who may wear heels, or if people will be moving around a lot carrying things to and from their desks. If so, then you will need a more durable flooring option that will not show your every footprint.
Budget
Budgeting is probably one of the most important factors when you are about to get some office flooring. There are many different types of flooring that are more affordable than others.
Depending upon your space, the amount of walking traffic, and the number of people who will be using the floor, there is a wide variety of options available. This will save you the trouble of overspending, and being in debt, at the end of the day. Some people find it hard to budget on a certain item, so this will ease your worries.
Safety And Security
Safety and security measures should be the most important when considering your flooring. Cork tiles are a great option because they are naturally slip resistant and can offer an anti-fatigue effect to help you avoid slouching forward as you work.
Traditional carpets can help you lower sound levels in your workspace which could make for a more peaceful environment while also being able to withstand heavy furniture that will be placed on top. Although sometimes office chairs have wheels to help with moving them around, these wheels also create noises that can bother others if you choose carpets.
So, it is important to consider all of these safety and security risks associated with what you’re installing. That’s why it’s critical to visit a specialist who are your local experts and know the ins-and-outs of each type of flooring that is available. This will ensure that everything is done right regardless of what your office needs.
Final Thought
To say that office floors are one of the most important parts of the entire office would be an understatement. An office floor is one of the first things that customers and clients see when they come in, but that is not just the case.
Office floors also reflect how organised and maintained a particular business really is, which ensures camaraderie between employees and also helps boost overall morale. So, it is important to choose the right flooring for your office by considering the factors discussed above.
