Throughout the years, many options have emerged for finishing the floors in an office workplace. Each has its pros and cons; however, with newer technologies, some options have shown themselves to have more pros than others. Continue below to find out which option is right for you.
Traditionally, broadloom and tiled carpets, as well as vinyl composite tiles, have been the go-to for the office workplace. Broadloom and tiled carpets are noted for being ergonomically friendly, as well as “warm feeling,” however they are hard to keep up with the maintenance. Over time, contaminants from the outside are brought in by many factors, which build up in the layers and become a harbor for bacteria and allergens, causing what has been termed “sick building syndrome.” Vinyl composite tiles are known to be cost effective to install but have a very rigorous maintenance schedule that requires regular waxing and polishing (which increases the overall cost of ownership!)
When natural surface flooring is installed, including wood or stone, a visual appeal is created that leaves many people thinking “Wow!” when they first see it. However, the cost to install these types of floors tend to be an expensive option and requires a maintenance schedule. Wood types of floors tend to scratch or get indentations due to use. Whereas stone, although hard, has the chance of cracking or chipping with impacts from normal use. Also, due to the nature of these materials and their porosity, they are known to stain.
Viable Solutions
New England Floor & Wall provides industry leading solutions for your flooring needs at all price points. These finishes provide top of the line protection for your business investment and come in a multitude of varieties, including (but not limited to):
- “Grind & Seal” Flooring– One of the most cost-effective systems we supply, this can be completed in as little as one day. These are mainly performed on the “back end” of buildings, but in recent years have been used in the office workplace to provide an affordable means of dust proofing, while still maintaining an aesthetically pleasing floor. Note that these are primarily clear, and any imperfections that remain in the floor after preparation will be sealed into the floor. Just remember…imperfections add character!
- Solid Color Resinous Flooring– This is an industry standard, and provides all the protection, without breaking the bank. A typical three coat system will take 3-5 days, depending on the condition of the existing floor.
- Decorative Flake Resinous Flooring- Similar in nature to the solid color resinous flooring, decorative flake flooring is typically a four-coat system and will take 4-6 days. This system creates a textured floor, is customizable, and allows the customer to choose their flakes from a range of colors and sizes.
- Reflective Metallic Resinous Flooring– Newer to the scene, this system creates stunning designs that can be a multitude of designs, with the possibilities being limited by the imagination. Although many designs are made to resemble the look of granite or marble, each finished product is a unique design that is created using many techniques.
- Concrete Polishing– A polished concrete floor has many price points depending on which finish is preferred. Polishing starts at a flat (100 grit) look that still provides the dust-proof qualities of a polished floor with no clarity, up to a highly polished (3000 grit) look that produces a high level of shine, as well as total clarity.