Commercial spaces require a certain look and feel that reflect the activity which go on inside them. Of all the elements that contribute to the aesthetics and functionality of a room, floors are perhaps the most important. This is why choosing the right commercial flooring is such a vital process, ensuring the space is properly equipped for anything that is thrown at it while looking good at the same time.
Depending on the space, there a generally a wide range of products suitable for commercial needs. These can range from high quality woven carpet for more distinguished purposes such as a showpiece in a foyer, to highly functional modular carpet for creative work spaces. The commercial activity will usually dictate which kind of flooring is needed – but within these larger categories, there are many smaller options which will be more suitable to particular spaces.
There are different types of carpet suited to certain applications, the main being woven, tufted, bonded, flocked and needle punched – and each can either be supplied in modular or broadloom types.
Broadloom
Broadloom carpet is often manufactured in two main types:
Woven Carpet
Woven carpet is your classic carpet style, made using techniques that date back almost 200 years. Woven carpet is slower and more labour intensive than other types, such as tufted or flucked, and because of this tends to be little dearer than other carpet options. That being said, the weaving techniques allows for endless design possibilities and is suitable for grander applications. Woven carpet is popular in industries where custom patterned floors, and durability are a key focus.
Woven carpets tend to be made from roughly 80% wool and 20% artificial materials. This, combined with a superior face construction to other carpet types, retains its original look and feel for a far greater amount of time. They are often viewed as the deluxe or luxurious option for flooring needs.
Tufted Carpet
A far more contemporary method of carpet production, tufted carpet uses much faster and more efficient methods of production – thus is it is ultimately much cheaper.
The process uses specialised multi-needled sewing equipment to stitch rows of tufted pile yarn through a backing ‘canvas’ fabric. The yarn is caught by loopers and then cut off with a blade. There are also various types of backing that can be applied for different performance applications.
These carpets are secured in place by a synthetic latex that acts as an adhesive, plus a secondary backing fabric. Tufted carpet is a relatively affordable and quite durable; and its flexibility makes it a suitable choice for designers.
Modular
Modular carpet is made up of carpet ’tiles’ and are very flexible for use in buildings or retail spaces that require rapid changes. These ’tiles’ are held in place by PVC or bitumen compounds that keep the carpet flat and secure.
Modular carpet is a cost effective method that can greatly reduce expenses. This style of carpeting is highly flexible and allows for an array of arrangements to suit many different spaces. ‘Tiles’ have different features, such as cushioning for greater foot feel, variegated patterning and feature tiles to liven up large expanses.
Resilient flooring refers to hard, durable floors, suitable for spaces that experience harsher conditions than carpet. Vinyl is a common option for commercial flooring due to its high resilience to dirt and liquids and thus it’s easy to clean.
Vinyl typically comes in either sheet or tile format, each which are more suited to different commercial areas. It provides enormous scope for designers to create tough yet attractive and inspirational work and living spaces.
Sheet Vinyl
Sheet vinyl is made up of thousands of tiny chips which are pressed, under high heat and pressure, int0 solid sheets of varying size and thickness, depending on the needs of the commercial space.
Commercial vinyl seams need to be ‘welded’ at the joints to ensure dirt or moisture cant make its way under the surface and disrupt the integrity of the floor. This is particularly important in commercial areas where hygiene is paramount such as kitchens. Vinyl flooring is also highly slip resistant.
Planks and Tiles
Vinyl plank flooring is similar to sheet vinyl in it manufacturing process, however, is cut into strips or sections to allow for greater flexibility and a speedy installation process. They are also cheaper than vinyl sheets.
Tiles or planks can be manufactured to resemble wood, ceramics and stone, and therefore have a huge spectrum of applications. The planks are secured by a PVC base.
Commercial spaces can encompass a massive scope of different flooring needs, and Aussie Flooring Insights works with all major flooring manufacturers to ensure we can find the best products for your unique needs. Give us a call or contact us online and let us help you find your perfect flooring.
Aussie Commercial Flooring Insights is one of Australia’s largest commercial flooring contractors. We are committed to providing flooring solutions that will enhance built environments for end users as well as delivering on the business needs of our clients across Australia.