Residential and commercial floors can often be the same, but in general it’s fair to say that a commercial floor will see more “traffic” while also being more likely Garagenboden to carry heavy items like furniture and appliances that can cause and limit damage Effectiveness of general cleaning. A commercial floor can represent a significant investment, so it is important to maintain it properly and keep it as clean as possible.

It is important to note that the term ‘commercial’ is somewhat ambiguous as it can range from a small office or corner shop to a large industrial factory – with different flooring choices to match. However, to keep it simple, let’s consider a general office environment and focus on common types of floor care.

Keeping a floor clean is always difficult, but the key is to avoid getting the floor dirty or damaged in the first place, so there are certain factors to consider.

More ‘traffic

In almost all cases, there will be more people in and out of a commercial setting than in almost any domestic setting. Whether they are workers, customers or visitors, delivery men, etc., all these people bring dirt and grit onto their shoes. People also often leave an office for lunch breaks and cigarette breaks, which increases this risk. The sand and dirt particles that get on the soles of shoes are one of the main risks for floors like ceramic, vinyl and wood, as they can cause surface scratches, which allows dirt and bacteria to collect and stain the floor over time. Placing and using doormats at entryways should help reduce this to some extent, in addition to regular sweeping.

People are careless

This is a particular problem in a commercial setting as workers do not exercise the same level of care in the workplace as they do at home. People are less likely to wipe their feet, remove their shoes, or even wipe up tea and coffee stains—factors that are almost taken for granted in most home environments. This lack of attention can lead to problems in the long run when it comes to keeping the floor looking good.

Heavy objects

Although apartments invariably contain heavy furniture, this will not even be on the scale of a small office, which may contain filing cabinets, desks, photocopiers and a large number of chairs. These items are also more likely to be moved or dragged and increase the risk of them being scratched or in other cases not being moved at all, meaning that the floor beneath these items can discolour over time leaving a very unsightly overall appearance.

A combination of these factors results in a floor that is difficult to keep clean, even with regular cleaning. Minimizing the impact of these factors is very important, as is regular cleaning and sweeping, but there will inevitably come a time when a specialist commercial floor cleaning company is needed to restore a floor to its original condition.

A specialist cleaning company will be able to deal with the more difficult stains and discoloration caused by scratching the surface and provide a more satisfactory finish. The type of service or technique offered by a commercial floor cleaning company depends on the location and the type of floor – whether it is a pressure and heat cleaning system, or a deep cleaning followed by a seal, or even a sanding and resealing of the surface handles hard cases for wooden floors. It’s always a good idea to speak to a specialist to assess the condition of the floor – as well as ways to prevent surface damage and to aid in future cleaning efforts.

Look for durability

Durability is obviously a key consideration when it comes to commercial flooring. Traffic is typically heavy and the flooring needs to be able to withstand both damage and general wear and tear. Look for carpet tiles with a dense loop structure that can be paired with vinyl flooring. Hardwood isn’t as durable as you might think!

Be comfortable underfoot

When a space is used for business, that means people work in it. This means that employee safety and comfort is one of the most important considerations when choosing flooring, and the best option for underfoot comfort is soft flooring. Rugs and carpet tiles can significantly reduce leg, foot and back fatigue, leading to increased productivity and fewer absenteeism.

Consider noise reduction

Commercial spaces can get very noisy. Soft flooring helps absorb noise, which can become almost overwhelming at peak times.

Look for flooring that improves air quality

It’s a common misconception that hard floors are better for asthmatics, allergy sufferers and for overall air quality. Many believe that hard flooring reduces the number of airborne fibers, when in fact it increases them. Carpets and carpet tiles trap dust, pollen and other allergens in their fibers as the airborne particles settle until they can be safely removed by cleaning with a HEPA filtered vacuum. Hard floors release the particles that can be kicked up by someone walking by, irritating staff and guests alike.

Look for flooring that is easy to replace

All flooring is subject to stress. The difference between a truly inexpensive floor covering and one with a high lifetime cost is that it is easy to replace. Heavily worn or soiled carpet tiles can be lifted and replaced without professional help and at very little cost.

Look for floor coverings that protect against germs

Some innovative carpet tile manufacturers have started incorporating antimicrobial protectants into their products. This protection actually lasts a lifetime if the product – there is nothing to renew or buy more.

Look for flooring that doesn’t produce excessive waste

On average, 10% of carpet purchases are wasted during installation as the wide rolls have to be cut to shape. Waste is only 3-4% for modular carpet tiles.