Choosing the right office flooring not only depends on a keen eye for style but an awareness of functionality as well.  Not all types of flooring are appropriate for every office – so if you want to be sure to choose flooring that works for your space, you have to think beyond aesthetics.  There is a wide range of flooring options for commercial and business spaces, and you want to know what the pros and cons of the main flooring materials before choosing the best flooring for your office.

Materials

Not all flooring materials are created equally.  It’s important to consider factors such as durability, cost, maintenance, and style when choosing your office flooring.  First, let’s take a quick look at the most common office flooring materials:

• Carpet
• Carpet tiles
• Ceramic tiles
• Hardwood
• Laminate
• Stone
• Rubber

Each of these materials has benefits and drawbacks.

Carpet and Carpet Tiles

Carpet is affordable, stylish, and provides exceptional sound protection.  The surface is comfortable to walk on making it a great choice for offices or workspaces where staff are required to spend a lot of time on their feet.  Moreover, carpet is versatile with respect to style – it comes in a variety of colours and designs.  Still, carpet must be regularly maintained.  In most offices, it should be vacuumed daily and will need to be shampooed on a regular basis as well.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic is attractive and tough – it makes an excellent choice for busy offices that see a lot of traffic.  Though it can stain, it tends to be relatively easy to maintain and restore.  However, ceramic tiles are somewhat more expensive than other flooring options.

Hardwood

Durable, easy to maintain, and stylish – hardwood flooring is a very popular office flooring option nowadays.  It can be made from a variety of types of wood from bamboo to oak, and nothing quite compares to the elegant appearance of hardwood.  Over time, hardwood does lose its luster and will likely require refinishing which can be costly.

Laminate

Laminate is another affordable flooring option that can mimic the look of most types of flooring including hardwood, tile, and stone.  Like carpet, it must be cleaned and maintained regularly, and its durability won’t compare to surfaces such as ceramic tile.

Stone

Stone flooring is increasingly popular in modern office designs.  If you’re looking for contemporary style and durability, stone flooring definitely stands out.  Though it is somewhat prone to staining, natural stone can be sealed to prevent stains.

Rubber

One of the best materials in high traffic offices, rubber flooring is easily maintained and cleaned, durable, water resistant, and even prevents slipping.  Like carpet, it provides added comfort for offices with staff that must stand or walk a lot throughout the day.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider in choosing the right flooring for your office.  Speak to a flooring expert to clarify your needs and you’ll be sure to find the right fit for you.

Commercial flooring is designed to withstand the demands of high traffic, but that does not mean you need to sacrifice style.  When it comes to commercial flooring options, it is possible to get a durable, easily maintained material that is also aesthetically pleasing.  Depending on your business and the volume of traffic your floor receives, you’ll want to carefully select a commercial flooring option that holds up to heavy use while saving you money on maintenance, repairs, and replacement.  So what do you need to know when considering commercial flooring options?

Contrary to popular opinion, not every business will require commercial flooring for high traffic scenarios.  However, if you operate retail stores, sporting facilities, gyms, hotels, restaurants, healthcare offices, or entertainment venues, you most likely need to choose from high traffic commercial flooring options.  High traffic commercial flooring has a few distinct features.  First of all, it’s built to be durable.  Materials used for commercial flooring are chosen for their ability to withstand even the most intense traffic – whether that means the volume of traffic or the demands of that traffic.  For example, consider the traffic in a restaurant compared to a warehouse – while restaurant flooring will receive a high volume of traffic and a warehouse will receive fewer people but more demanding traffic (related to footwear and warehouse machinery), both will need to meet minimum expectations for durability.

Next, commercial flooring should be low-maintenance.  Regardless of the type of flooring – whether commercial or residential, flooring will require regular maintenance.  This includes cleaning, repairs, and occasional replacement.  Commercial flooring is designed not only for durability, but to require minimal maintenance.  And finally, commercial flooring is attractive.  We often associate durable and low-maintenance construction with less visually appealing options.  However, high traffic commercial flooring today is made to be visually appealing so that you don’t sacrifice quality for aesthetic.

Generally, there are 4 main types of commercial flooring options.  Concrete, hardwood, vinyl, and carpet are all materials that are used in commercial flooring.  Each of these commercial flooring options has their own advantages and disadvantages.  Concrete commercial flooring options are great for restaurants and retail spaces because they are durable and easy to maintain, but they can be very aesthetically pleasing because they can be customized with graphics or other finishes.

Hardwood flooring is an increasingly popular commercial flooring option.  These flooring options can be visually stunning and resilient, but they tend to require more maintenance than other commercial options.  Artistic facilities such as dance or museum spaces are ideal for hardwood flooring.

Vinyl flooring is affordable and available in a wide range of styles and colours, but tend to be somewhat less durable than concrete or even hardwood flooring.  Still, depending on your budget you can find some highly durable and easily maintained vinyl flooring options that are a great choice for restaurants and healthcare facilities.

Finally, carpet is a popular commercial flooring option when you want better noise control.  Carpet is durable and comfortable, but requires regular cleaning.  You’ll often find carpet flooring in hotels and offices.

If you’re trying to decide the best commercial flooring option for your business, speak to a flooring expert to ensure you choose an option that meets your needs with respect to durability, maintenance, aesthetic, and budget – of course!

Properly maintaining your carpets involves a regular cleaning schedule.  Not only should you vacuum your carpets frequently (most carpet cleaning experts recommend vacuuming at least on a weekly basis), but they should also be steam cleaned regularly.  But what exactly does “regularly” mean?  How often should you clean your carpets?

This is actually a very common question, to which there isn’t really a defined answer.  For new carpets, you should be mindful of the conditions in your warranty.  Most carpet warranties require that carpets are professionally cleaned at least every 12 to 18 months in order to keep the warranty valid.  But, once the warranty has run out, there are many factors to consider when determining how frequently you need to clean your carpets.

Some homeowners make the false mistake of thinking darker coloured carpets need to be cleaned less frequently, but this is simply not true.  On the contrary, because visible signs of soiling are not always obvious on darker-coloured carpets, you likely want to clean these carpets more frequently in order to reduce dust and allergens in your home.  So what factors do you need to consider?

Manufacturers Rrecommendations

First and foremost, consider your manufacturers recommendations with respect to frequency of cleaning.  While they’ll usually suggest relatively frequent cleaning, their recommendations are typically based at least in part on the type of fabric used in the carpets.  Ultimately, it’s important to note that regular steam cleaning will help increase the life expectancy of your carpets.  Standard recommendations suggest cleaning at least every 2 years.

Traffic

Do you have pets or young children?  Is the carpeted area in a heavy traffic room or a low-use room?  Not only are carpets that are subjected to heavy traffic more likely to become stained, they’ll also accumulate more dirt and dust that may or may not be visible.  If your carpets are located in high-traffic areas, consider cleaning them more frequently.  Obviously, you can spot clean stains between cleanings, but annual or biannual cleanings in high traffic areas are recommended for rooms that see a lot of action.

Cleanliness

The final consideration you should make when deciding how often to clean your carpets is daily maintenance.  If you vacuum your carpets regularly, have a “no shoe” policy, or if you don’t have pets, you can probably schedule carpet cleanings less frequently (i.e. every two or three years).  However, if you avoid vacuuming like the plague, you probably want to schedule yearly cleanings in order to keep your carpets in their best condition.

Remember, more frequent cleaning is not a problem and many carpet cleaning experts will recommend annual cleanings.  This not only improves the life expectancy of your carpets and keeps them looking great, but also lends to a more hygienic home environment.

Spring is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing…time for spring cleaning!  If you’re anything like me, you’re starting to notice every little neglected crevice and you’re itching to get your entire home spotless.  From top to bottom, it’s time to get your home ready for summer barbecues and out-of-town visitors.  There are a few tasks that you probably leave for a couple times a year, and one of these cleaning tasks is most likely carpet cleaning.  If you’re determined to do it yourself, these spring carpet cleaning tips will remove stubborn spots and erase all the effects of kids, pets, and good ol’ fashioned living.

Spots

Start by identifying the most obvious spots and stains.  Spot treatment should be done during daylight hours because that’s when it’s easiest to find even the faintest stains.  Use sticky notes to mark all the spots and then give each area your undivided attention.  White vinegar and baking soda are all you need to safely and naturally remove stubborn stains.  First pour a little vinegar on the stain and then sprinkle baking soda over the area.  For minor stains, let the mixture sit until it dries and then vacuum it away.

For more serious stains, allow the vinegar and baking soda for sit for at least 30 minutes and then gently rub or blot the stain with a cloth soaked in warm water.  Again, let the vinegar dry completely and then go over the spot with a vacuum cleaner.  Vinegar and baking soda will work on most types of stains from pet to food and everything in between!

Steam Cleaning

Once you’ve addressed all the spot stains on your carpet, a general steam cleaning is all you have left to do.  Steam cleaners can often be rented from local supermarkets or big-box chains, or you might even want to invest in a steam cleaner of your own.  Either way, one pro-tip that will save you money is to use white vinegar as your cleaning solution.  There are a wide range of commercial carpet cleaners available on the market, but vinegar is a very effective cleaner that also helps to remove odors without exposing your pets and family to harsh chemicals.  Mix equal parts vinegar and water in your steam cleaner’s tank and you’ll have a great solution that doesn’t leave residue on your carpets.

Now all you have to do is run your steam cleaner over all your carpets just like you’d do with a vacuum cleaner.  For the best results, make sure to let your carpets dry thoroughly before walking on them.  Oh, and if you’re worried about the vinegar smell in your home, it’ll be gone before the carpets are dry!

Maintaining a professional and clean work environment is not only important when it comes to impressing new clients, but also with respect to ensuring an effective and efficient staff.  Regardless of the type or size of your business, you most likely want to hire professional cleaners to make sure that your offices are always in tip-top condition.

While a small business owner with an office of just a few staff members may prefer local maid services, larger companies usually opt for commercial cleaners.  Ultimately, it’s important to understand the difference between a maid service and commercial cleaning, and also to identify your needs when deciding your cleaning protocol.

What are Commercial Cleaning Companies?

What exactly is a commercial cleaning company and what can you expect?  Well, while a maid service offers most of the basic cleaning activities including vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and bathroom cleaning, commercial cleaning companies typically offer a wider range of services that apply to a variety of workplaces.  For example, commercial cleaners will cover all the tasks of a maid service while also offering more advanced services such as cleaning carpet and upholstery, changing light bulbs, removing garbage and recycling, providing emergency cleaning services, and more.  In addition, commercial cleaning companies often have a range of specialized equipment that ensure their cleaning tasks are completed thoroughly.

Maid or Commercial Cleaner?

When deciding whether you need a maid service or a commercial cleaning company, you first need to identify your needs.  Commercial cleaning and janitorial companies will offer a complete range of services.  Depending on your current needs, a maid may not be able to help.  Ultimately, you want to work with a company that can handle the cleaning tasks you need on a schedule that suits your company.  For example, you likely want regular cleanings of bathrooms, floors, and windows as well as garbage removal; if this is the extent of your cleaning needs, consider hiring a maid service.  On the other hand, retail and industrial settings, and even some office environments may require more advanced cleaning.  Do you want your carpets cleaned?  Are your offices located in a high-rise requiring specialized window cleaning equipment?

Ideally, you want to speak to potential cleaners and assess exactly what they can offer.  If your cleaning company or maid service does not offer what you need, you need to keep looking.  Take some time to contact a number of professionals to see what they can do and how much it will cost.  Also, remember that maid services are not as customizable as commercial cleaning services, but whichever route you decide to take, make sure to develop and sign an explicit cleaning contract so that you can rest easy knowing your workplace will be cleaned thoroughly and efficiently.