If you’re looking to build or renovate your restaurant, chances are one of the first things you’re going to want to consider is flooring options. Restaurant flooring, much like pub flooring, needs to adhere to a few key elemental factors, including ease of maintenance, durability, aesthetics. Making the right decision is crucial. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of the most suitable options avaliable.

Carpet, engineered hardwood and vinyl are the three most suitable options for restaurant flooring. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Carpet Flooring – Pros and Cons

Pros

• In terms of looks, carpet is a fantastic choice for a restaurant space, contributing to the warm and comfortable atmosphere that many restaurants strive to exude.

• Carpet retains heat better than wood or vinyl creating a warmer environment and reducing heating costs.

• Carpets (such as broadloom types) have a large scope for embellishing with designs that will contribute to the granduer of a room.

• Some carpet types can function as a passive air filter, trapping particles like dust as they fall, ready to then be vacuumed up easily.

• Carpeted areas safer as they are slip-resistant.

• Carpet have noise-reduction characteristics making them prime for large restaurant spaces where you don’t want sound reverberating around the room.

Cons

• Carpet is far more susceptible to damage from foot traffic than hardwood or vinyl.

• Cleaning carpet can prove a large task and will often require professional maintenance which can be costly.

• Carpet will absorb stains easily thus reducing its lifespan. However, with darker materials and proper maintenance this can be managed easily.

You can read more about carpet flooring here.

Engineered Hardwood Floors – Pros and Cons

Pros

• Engineered hardwood is made from composite layers that are fused together in a cross-grain construction that is very sturdy. A veneer of protective coating adds even further stability, making it perfect for high foot traffic areas.

• Engineered hardwood is less susceptible to moisture than carpet

• Under the right conditions, it can even be installed directly over concrete and below grade.

• It can be sanded and refinished multiple times and will therefore outlast most other types of flooring.

• Engineered hardwood is very easy to clean and maintain, making it very suitable for restaurant flooring where it may be subject to dirt, moisture or food debris that will need to be cleaned consistently.

• Engineered hardwood can provide an affordable alternative to solid hardwood, making it a great choice for those on a tight budget looking for quality restaurant flooring.

Cons

• Engineered hardwood is not suitable for spaces will under-floor heating.

• Engineered hardwood will not be as durable as resilient flooring options like vinyl, or even tile, as it is vulnerable to scratches and other exterior forces.

You can read more about engineered hardwood flooring here.

Resilient Flooring – Pros and Cons

Pros

• The heated welding process when laying vinyl flooring stops dirt particles, moisture and other substances getting trapped between the planks. This is particularly beneficial in restaurants where hygiene is paramount.

• Vinyl is extremely versatile, offering up wide variety of styles, patterns and finishes, with an enormous scope for interior designers to be creative.

• Vinyl planks can include a convincing photographic layer to resemble anything from stone and wood to tiles or ceramics.

• Vinyl is water and slip resistant.

• Vinyl is very easy to install and is cheaper than many other popular flooring options.

Cons

• While these photographic layers are convincing (and are perhaps more suitable for some restaurant spaces) they cannot quite match the look of real hardwood or engineered hardwood.

• Vinyl cannot be sanded back like hardwood can, meaning it may not outlast wood options.

Read more about resilient flooring here.

There you go, three great options for restaurant flooring, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.

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 if you’re in need of a flooring contractor, and let us help you find your perfect flooring.