Choosing the Best Commercial Flooring for Restaurants
When choosing commercial flooring for a restaurant, there are many things to consider, and the details matter. Every area of a restaurant has different flooring requirements, for example the bar area needs flooring that offers protection from frequent spills, and the ability to withstand harsh chemical cleaning on a daily basis, whereas the dining area needs flooring that creates an inviting, cozy atmosphere with stain resistance and durability for high foot traffic. The kitchen, arguably the area with the most requirements and highest safety standards, calls for flooring that is durable, easy to clean, and safe for employees to work long hours on their feet in a fast-paced environment.
From high temperatures to heavy foot traffic, frequent spills, and industrial kitchen equipment, commercial kitchen flooring is put to the test day after day and must outlast a lengthy list of non-negotiable demands. There are two popular materials for commercial restaurant flooring solutions that offer the properties and requirements for the busy restaurant environment: vinyl flooring and ceramic tile. Here is the breakdown of each flooring option to help choose which is best for your restaurant.
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Factors to Consider When Selecting Commercial Restaurant Flooring
When hunting for commercial restaurant flooring, you’ll need a material that can check off many boxes when it comes to daily requirements including:
Safety– a slip resistant or non-slip surface is imperative to restaurants to improve traction and prevent slips and falls in high-traffic areas susceptible to spills in a fast-paced environment.
Durability– kitchen flooring must be able to withstand a variety of thermal fluctuations and shocks, i.e. spills from boiling water, cooking oil, water, harsh liquids and chemicals for cleaning. General wear from foot traffic, and the strength to support heavy industrial kitchen supplies and equipment.
Sanitation– kitchen flooring should be easy to clean and sanitize with the ability to stand up to frequent cleaning and scrubbing often with harsh chemical cleaners on a daily or even shift-by-shift basis.
Antibacterial/Antimicrobial– the best commercial restaurant flooring is seamless preventing waters and liquids from seeping into any cracks to guard against microbial growth. A pre-treated material is also beneficial to safeguard against potential spread of infection.
Comfort– restaurant employees keep long hours on their feet, a commercial restaurant floor should provide comfort underfoot while also being durable and safe for employees.
Aesthetics– with anything, look is always important. While the kitchen flooring is less likely to be seen by patrons, the overall style and interior design of a restaurant should still be considered.
There are two popular materials for commercial restaurant flooring solutions that offer the properties and requirements needed for a busy restaurant environment: vinyl flooring and ceramic tile. Here is the breakdown of each flooring option to help choose which is best for your restaurant.
Commercial Restaurant Flooring Option 1: Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is one of the most versatile flooring materials to use for any room of the home or for a commercial business. It is particularly a good choice for commercial restaurants and kitchens because of its outstanding durability and strength. As commercial flooring, glazed ceramic tile offers excellent stain resistance and protection from general wear and tear. Ceramic tile flooring also offers easy installation and maintenance.
Tile is a long-lasting selection, applying sealer every three to four years helps to preserve the integrity of the floor, and the grout holds tiles in place to provide excellent protection from water damage and spills. Tile does not need to be aggressively cleaned and can stand up to repeated use of cleaners and solvents for sanitation. The appearance, texture, and variety of styles and designs allows ceramic tile to fit with a variety of decor, perfect for a commercial restaurant.
Commercial Restaurant Flooring Option 2: Vinyl Flooring
Commercial vinyl flooring is a durable and affordable option that is extremely resilient made from a mix of natural and synthetic polymers to create ultimate durability. There are three types of vinyl flooring options to choose from:
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT)- a much stronger option, LVT is more durable, heat resistant, water resistant, and offers a large range of design versatility. Minimal maintenance, and easy cleaning also make this vinyl a good option for a commercial kitchen. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)-also known as sheet vinyl, this is another strong option for use in a commercial kitchen.
Vinyl composite tile (VCT)- a mix of limestone and filler, it uses layers of polish to protect its surface, but requires regular stripping and recoating making it less likely to be able to withstand the demands of a commercial kitchen.
Vinyl flooring offers other outstanding benefits that make it a front-runner for restaurant flooring. Vinyl is slip-resistant and takes on the properties of the subfloor and when installed above a cushy underfloor, it is a comfortable option for restaurant staff who work on their feel for long hours. Maintenance is minimal, and newer types of vinyl can be pretreated to protect against infection.
About Flowers Flooring
Flowers Flooring has two locations – Cornelius, NC and Winston-Salem, NC. Both locations service a 100-mile radius from the showroom. Both locations specialize in flooring sales and installation including carpet, laminate, hardwood, sand & finish, hardwood restoration, vinyl plank, vinyl tile, rubber flooring, tile floors, tile showers, tile backsplash, area rugs, interior painting and more. To reach the Cornelius, NC location please call (704) 445-7750 and to reach our Winston-Salem location, please call (336) 660-0977. Please be sure to inquire about our current promotion and financing offers.
