If you’re planning to expand or refresh your existing space this spring, one of the first things to consider is what type of flooring will serve best as the foundation for your interior design. The type of you pick has a lot to do with the type of business you own—restaurants, offices and warehouses, for example, all have different needs. But the reality for any business is that the floor you choose sets the tone for your design and plays an important role in the functionality of your space. A well-chosen floor will help create the aesthetic you want while supporting your daily activities and holding up its appearance over time. And many easy-to-clean floor options exist.
To truly get the best value from your new floor, you should also consider hygiene and ease of cleaning when choosing a flooring material. Floor cleaning and maintenance is often one of the most time-consuming custodial tasks in a commercial space. The easier your floors are to clean, the more money you can save in long-term cleaning costs—and the safer and healthier your environment will be for everyone who enters it. If you starting from scratch, we recommend concrete floors.
Choosing the right flooring for your space is a matter of balancing budget considerations with maintenance costs, aesthetics and functionality. To help you get started, here’s a rundown of some of our favorite easy-to-clean floor materials.
Vinyl flooring
Of all the available flooring materials, vinyl flooring is one of the most versatile. Its ability to mimic just about any material, from hardwood to stone to terazzo, makes it a flexible design option that can fit pretty much any aesthetic. It’s also durable enough for high-traffic environments such as restaurants and hospital lobbies while remaining low-maintenance and easy to clean.
Unlike hardwood, a properly maintained vinyl flooring doesn’t trap dust or debris. A simple sweep and mop is all you need keep it clean on a day-to-day basis, and its non-porous surface won’t harbor germs. With the right cleaning products, you can maintain a safe, sanitary floor with minimal hassle.
When you’re considering vinyl flooring options, one thing to keep in mind is the difference between luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and vinyl composition tile (VCT). Although VCT typically costs less upfront, it requires regular buffing, stripping, and waxing to maintain its appearance. LVT, on the other hand, may come with a higher initial price tag, but it’s designed with a durable outer layer that doesn’t need much maintenance as VCT.
If you’re looking for durable flooring that can withstand foot traffic, abrasions and spills with minimal cleaning effort required, vinyl flooring is one of the most flexible and aesthetically appealing options available.
Carpets, a soft-surface flooring option
While hard-surface floors are the easiest to clean and maintain since they don’t require heavy vacuuming and are less likely to stain or harbor germs, some environments require the warmth and comfort of carpeting. If soft-surface flooring is a priority for your space, one way to minimize maintenance costs is to use carpet tiles instead of broadloom carpet.
Broadloom carpeting comes in a large roll, which means if your carpet gets stained or ruined, you may have to replace the entire roll. With carpet tiles, however, you only need to replace the affected tiles, which minimizes the labor, materials and time required.
You can also make your carpets easier to clean by choosing synthetic rather than natural fibers. Nylon, for example, is considered one of the most durable and easy-to-clean materials. Polyester is an oil-based fiber that’s valued for its high resistance to water-based stains. And polypropylene offers moisture and mildew resistance for wetter climates.
Concrete flooring
Concrete flooring is another versatile material that’s making its way into a variety of commercial settings. Concrete in our professional opinion is the superior choice when considering cleaning and maintenance. It can be very inexpensive or also a very high-end option depending on the type of concrete you pick or the current condition of your concrete floor. Epoxy floors, for example, are a moisture-treated concrete slab coated with a thermosetting resin that are both sanitary enough to use in laboratories and attractive enough to enhance retail spaces. They’re also mid-priced to install, long-lasting and easy to clean.
Concrete floors are chemical- and abrasion-resistant, making them suitable for high-traffic areas as well as heavy-duty industrial environments. They also require minimal cleaning. A daily sweep, spot cleaning as needed, and the occasional machine floor scrubbing is typically enough to keep them looking good.
The important thing to note about concrete flooring is that correct installation is the key to ensuring a long-lasting floor. If you decide to go with concrete floors, choose an installer you trust to do the job right.
Need help selecting easy-to-clean floors?
If you’re looking to design a space that’s sanitary and easy to keep clean, our team is here to talk through flooring options with you. We’ll help you understand what cleaning considerations to keep in mind as you choose the right material for your environment. And once your space is ready, we’ll help you develop a professional cleaning plan that fits your needs and your budget. Schedule a consultation today!