How to Choose Engineered Hardwood Flooring for Commercial Spaces

How to Choose Engineered Hardwood Flooring for Commercial Spaces

Are you planning to revamp your commercial space with engineered hardwood flooring? Amongst wood flooring, engineered wood is a good choice for high-traffic areas.

But selecting the right type is not the same as choosing flooring for your home, as commercial flooring requires different buying considerations.

And what are those, you ask?

At AA Floors, we want our business customers to understand what their flooring options are well in advance of purchasing it. So, here is a simple guide to choosing engineered hardwood flooring for your commercial space.

How to Buy Engineered Hardwood Flooring for Commercial Spaces

Investing in new flooring for your commercial space can be transformative as well as functional. That is why it is important to consider it with care. Here is how you can buy engineered hardwood flooring correctly.

1. Consider the Traffic and Area of Installation

In commercial environments, it is very important to consider the traffic of the area you are planning to install it in. The engineered wood flooring you choose should be able to withstand constant foot traffic during business hours. So, make sure that you choose harder wood species like oak, maple or hickory, as the engineered hardwood’s veneer.

Also, ensure that the engineered planks have a wear layer of at least 5 or 6 mm. This thickness is crucial for commercial areas with heavy traffic, as it allows for more frequent sanding and refinishing. Signs of wear & tear, like scuff marks, can appear more quickly in a commercial setting than in a home, so choose flooring with a finish (such as aluminum oxide) that can resist scratches and dents.

Also be sure to choose the area of installation carefully. While engineered hardwood offers superior resistance to moisture than hardwood, prolonged moisture exposure will lead to damage. Therefore, avoid installing it in areas such as bathrooms or below AC vents.

2. Consider Durability and Maintenance

Flooring solutions for commercial spaces must be easy to maintain while also withstanding continuous deterioration. Choosing an engineered hardwood with an aluminum oxide finish that has been UV-cured is one of the best ways to protect it from normal wear and tear.

The potential for long-term maintenance is another crucial factor. We recommend installing wide plank engineered hardwood. One special benefit of wide plank designs is that they can usually be refinished once or twice over their lifetime. This allows businesses to update their spaces without having to replace them entirely. It also increases the floor’s lifespan and offers considerable flexibility and cost savings.

3. Consider Width and Design

One of the best aspects of installing engineered hardwood flooring is that it comes in varied widths and designs.

It is best to install engineered wide plank flooring if you want your commercial flooring to make the space seem spacious and more airy. Businesses that wish to convey a sense of modernity and expansiveness will find this design approach especially helpful.

The relative lack of seams in wide plank flooring means there are fewer areas for dust and debris to accumulate, making them easier to clean. Also, consider selecting lighter-coloured strains that are more forgiving and more successfully conceal scuffs and scratches. This selection not only helps to protect the aesthetic of your flooring but also helps to maintain it in the long run.

4. Consider Installation

Time is money in the business world, and renovations can result in downtime and lost revenue. Engineered hardwood has several installation methods, which can be very beneficial.

For companies trying to reduce renovation-related downtime, floating installation provides a rapid and minimally disruptive solution. With this approach, installation can be completed quickly and with little disruption to regular business operations.

The glue-down technique offers optimal stability and durability in high-traffic areas. This method guarantees that the flooring stays securely in place, preventing movement and potential damage from constant use. The traditional nail-down method is more time consuming.

When performing their installation, businesses should also take into account when they are doing their renovation. It is usually easier to hire installers during the winter months and they can also get the job done more quickly than the busier spring or summer months. If your shop closes down for the holiday season, this time can be good to get the renovation complete with less downtime and lost revenue.

5. Consider Your Budget

New flooring is always a significant investment, so your budget is definitely an important consideration. It should also include the cost of transportation, installation, and subfloor preparation.

The good thing about engineered hardwood flooring is that it won’t require frequent maintenance or repairs. So, while the upfront cost may be higher than cheaper alternatives, it will be cost-effective in the long run.

Have questions? You can always talk to the experts here at AA Floors to help you find the best product for your project.

 
Following these tips will help you pick the right engineered hardwood flooring for your commercial space. Take your time to make sure you understand what you need. Always hire professional flooring installers, as shoddy installation will result in flooring issues that require expensive repairs. AA Floors offers reputable flooring services in and around Toronto, so get in touch with us to discuss your project.