When it comes to selecting Ottawa office flooring materials, it’s crucial to consider both form and function. Since each room serves a different purpose, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. What works well in a lobby may not be suitable for your office kitchen. To make the best choices, it’s advisable to evaluate each space individually, taking into account functionality, design preferences, and cost constraints. Consult with your commercial general contractor to ensure the proper flooring is installed in your office.
Let’s explore some common office areas and the ideal flooring materials for each:
These materials suggested below are examples of the many possibilities available to you. Depending on your design preferences and budget, your commercial general contractor can guide you toward the best materials for each area of your office.
Lobby and Reception Areas
The reputation of a commercial general contractor is another important factor to consider. Check out their Google Durability and design are paramount when selecting flooring for your office’s lobby. As the first point of contact for customers, stakeholders, vendors, and new employees, your reception area flooring must create a positive first impression. Additionally, it should be capable of withstanding high foot traffic without showing signs of wear. A few common materials for your office flooring in your lobby and reception areas include terrazzo, wood finishes and luxury vinyl tile.
Open Office Spaces and Break Rooms
Flooring in general office areas should align with your desired aesthetic, absorb background noise, and withstand heavy foot traffic. It should seamlessly integrate with your facility’s design while being easy to maintain within your budget. A couple of recommended materials are carpet or luxury vinyl tile for these spaces.
Conference Rooms
Conference rooms serve as backdrops for important meetings with potential employees, clients, and stakeholders. Hence, while durability remains a factor in selecting flooring, design should take center stage. Strive for a flooring selection that leaves a positive impression and complements the overall aesthetic of the room. Consider using a flooring with a wood finish or choose luxury carpet or vinyl tile flooring.
Kitchen Areas
In office kitchens, prioritizing slip resistance, spill protection, and water resistance is crucial to ensure the safety of your team or guests. The chosen flooring material should also be easy to clean, maintain, and repair due to the common occurrence of spills and the need for impeccable hygiene in food preparation areas. Suitable options for these spaces include quarry tile, luxury vinyl tile or linoleum flooring.
Creating an Effective Flooring Master Plan
To ensure your flooring lasts its full lifespan, there are industry-proven strategies that facility managers can implement to maintain clean, safe, and reliable flooring systems. For more information, we invite you to contact us today.
Our Top Five Office Flooring Options
Now that you have an understanding of the flooring materials suitable for each area of your office, it’s time to delve into the options that best match your design preferences and cost considerations.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a LEED-friendly seamless flooring system known for its durability and design versatility. It offers an extensive range of design and colour options, allowing companies to greet visitors with a custom logo or unique patterns reminiscent of high-end marble tiles. Furthermore, terrazzo is easy to clean and maintain, offering excellent lifetime value when properly installed and cared for.
Wood Finishes
Commercial wood flooring, including solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and locking hardwood floors, provides an elegant look that impresses visitors in lobbies and conference rooms. While real hardwood is not as cost-effective as synthetic alternatives, it offers a classic appearance that complements certain design schemes. Engineered hardwood, an environmentally friendly alternative, offers similar durability and design benefits.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Vinyl tile, particularly luxury vinyl tile, is an excellent choice for office spaces. It boasts exceptional durability, ease of maintenance, and versatility. With a wide variety of finishes and design options, it seamlessly integrates into nearly any design scheme, making it suitable for almost every room in your office.
Carpet
Both broadloom carpet and carpet tiles are ideal options for areas where sound absorption and durability are concerns, such as open office spaces and common rooms. Carpet is visually appealing, environmentally friendly, and durable. Broadloom carpet is more cost-effective initially, while carpet tiles offer easier maintenance. To determine which option suits your needs, we recommend consulting our guide to commercial carpets.
Quarry Tile
For commercial kitchen spaces, quarry tile has been the industry standard for decades. It offers excellent lifetime value, with affordable installation costs and inherent durability. Quarry tile is easy to clean, maintain, and withstands spills and heavy foot traffic commonly found in kitchen areas.
When selecting office flooring materials, consider the requirements of each room, including functionality, design preferences, and cost considerations. A knowledgeable commercial general contractor in Ottawa can guide you toward materials that meet these requirements and provide the best lifetime value, factoring in installation and maintenance costs.
