Unlike residential homes, choosing flooring for condo buildings and large apartment complexes can be a daunting task. The reason is that not only is there more area to cover but the amount of foot traffic can vary significantly.
Obviously, in an area where there is heavy foot traffic, luxury carpeting should be avoided, or the aesthetics will be lost in no time. In busy areas, one needs to consider flooring that is durable. But before you even walk into a flooring showroom, here are five things you should consider when selecting luxury apartment floors for large scale renovations and builds..
- Sustainable: More consumers and apartment owners are considering the environment when it comes to luxury flooring for apartment spaces. Today, reusable, sustainable, and recycled content materials dominate the flooring industry as these products are environmentally and people-friendly. The choice of sustainable flooring material is wide enough to meet the demands of most condo buildings and apartment complexes.
- Previous types of flooring: Years ago, apartment complexes and condo buildings often used monochromatic flooring everywhere. Not only did it lack any design, but it was visually unappealing. A lot has changed over the past two decades. More building owners are now selecting luxury apartment floors with creative designs that tend to be more visually appealing. Luxury flooring for apartment spaces composed of geometric shapes and vibrant colors are in style today, as it also blends well with many building landscapes and offers flexibility when selecting furniture.
- Safety: A key factor when selecting choices for luxury apartment floors in condo buildings is to ensure safety. You preferably want flooring that is slip-resistant and complies with any local government regulations. Always ask for the slip-resistant rating on the flooring material because slips and falls can be a major cause of litigation.
- Go luxurious: Unlike the past, today’s luxury flooring is no longer only reserved for mansions and palaces. The current trend is to use luxury flooring in upscale apartment buildings and condo buildings. Luxury flooring in the form of wood, luxury vinyl tiles, and laminate is affordable, relatively easy to install, and can have a dramatic impact visually.
- Ease of maintenance: Because most condo buildings and apartment complexes tend to have heavy foot traffic, the flooring frequently gets dirty. Therefore, you want flooring that is relatively easy to clean and maintain. You should also look for flooring that has a rating of 33 (for heavy contact use), as well as being stain-resistant and will not fade easily.
- Consider the cost: Of course, the cost should be a consideration as a bigger space requires more flooring and the costs can be higher. However, many flooring suppliers offer discounts for large-scale flooring purchases. In addition, engineered wood is a cheaper option than traditional hardwood, while remaining a luxurious option.
Which Flooring Should You Select For Condo Buildings?
Today, owners of condo buildings and apartment complexes have several good flooring options: each with its pros and cons. If you are considering luxury flooring for apartment spaces in your building, here are some luxury flooring materials that you may want to consider:
Luxury Vinyl:
Vinyl has come a long way and unlike the dull monochrome flooring of the past, the latest stone plastic composite vinyl flooring is a great option for areas of high foot traffic. Vinyl is not only durable, but it is also waterproof. Advances in technology have led to the creation of multiple layer technology that protects the flooring against dirt, moisture, and scratches.
The other benefit of luxury vinyl is that it has a look and aesthetic features that mirror wood, tile, or stone, and it is also soundproof. Besides being eye-catching, vinyl is relatively easy to maintain and clean. Luxury vinyl is best reserved for areas with heavy foot traffic like restaurants, kitchens, hospitals, construction offices, and hallways.
Overall, luxury commercial vinyl may be slightly more expensive than other flooring materials, but the benefits are that it is durable, stylish, comfortable, and comes in many beautiful patterns and colors.
Laminate:
Laminate was once widely used for flooring in most commercial businesses, but it never appealed to the masses as the first-generation products were dull and lacking in style and color. Much has changed today, and the latest generation of laminate is sought after by most property owners. In some cases, it is a better option than stone or wood flooring.
Laminate comes in all types of colors, designs, and can even mimic the aesthetics of tile and wood. Another great thing about synthetic laminate is that it is also more affordable than many other flooring materials. The surface can be etched to make it look embossed, hand-scraped, or distressed. Due to the fact that laminate is both stain- and scratch-resistant, it is popular for large condo spaces and apartment complexes.
With laminate, you simply cannot go wrong. It can be installed almost anywhere in a condo building and will easily match most decors. Like vinyl, laminate flooring is also relatively easy to care for and maintain. The one downside of laminate is that it is not soundproof, and you will need to make sure that the style you buy is waterproof as not all laminate flooring is.
Today, laminate flooring can be installed in any condo space, foyers, lobbies, and hallways. The pros of vinyl include a wide variety of designs and colors, which make it suitable for installation almost anywhere
Commercial Floor Tile:
The latest commercial floor tiles can offer excellent aesthetics to any condo building. More importantly, commercial tiles are durable, waterproof, and relatively easy to maintain. One can select either ceramic or porcelain tiles and they come in all types of shapes, sizes, and finishing. Unlike residential tiles, commercial tiles are usually thicker, making them sturdier, and a good choice for heavy foot traffic areas.
Because of the availability of numerous patterns and designs, they can be used almost anywhere in a condo building, including lobbies, spas, gyms, and hallways. Besides the durability, tiles have a big visual impact and can immediately transform a room. If well-maintained, they will last at least several decades.
Maintenance is relatively easy, and tiles are also cheaper than stone. The downside of tiles is that they can be expensive, depending on the design, plus they can be hard on the feet and can become slippery when used in wet environments.
Commercial Carpet:
There are many types of carpet styles, designs, and colors that can make any apartment complex building look trendy and elegant. For common area flooring, it is important to select carpets made from polyester, nylon, and polypropylene, because of their durability and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic.
In addition, one should look for Berber carpets that are made of loop pile fibers. The loops provide a solid backing making the carpet able to withstand pressure and weight. These carpets will not easily get damaged or worn out. Carpet flooring can be used almost anywhere in an apartment complex or condo building, including the gym, rental office, and hallways.
Carpet has many benefits, including its ability to cushion feet, soundproof noise, be affordable, and match almost any decor. The downside is that most carpet is not stain- or moisture resistant. Maintenance also requires regular vacuuming and cleaning.
Engineered Wood:
Traditional wood flooring can be quite expensive to install in a condo building or an apartment complex. It is a luxurious option, however, and has an upscale look that can help raise the resale value of the building if it is ever sold. A better choice than traditional wood flooring might be engineered wood flooring, which is made in layers, and topped with a real wood veneer.
Because of the way it is made, engineered wood has many excellent qualities, including similar aesthetics as traditional wood, moisture resistance, ease to clean, and durability. Engineered wood can be installed almost anywhere in a building but should be avoided in areas that are constantly wet.
Engineered wood reflects the beauty and adds value to the property. There are many types of engineered wood flooring, and the choice depends on affordability and the style desired.
Conclusion
If you are considering luxury apartment floors for your apartment complex or condo building, speak to a representative from East Coast Flooring & Interiors. Today, the choices of flooring material are numerous, each with its own pros and cons.
East Coast Flooring has been in the business of flooring for decades and can help guide you to the best flooring that meets your commercial needs and impacts positively on your employees and customers. Call them today at 1-954-417-6966.