When prospective tenants are looking for a new space to rent or buy, what’s the first thing they notice after the aesthetics of the outside of the building? Those who are considering high-end luxury condominium spaces look at the flooring when they first enter the building. So let’s talk about luxury floors for apartment spaces.
First impressions are very important. If the flooring looks tacky, worn out, or stained, many potential tenants just walk out. Getting the right type of flooring is vital if you own or are the building manager for luxury condominiums. You also don’t want to have to replace flooring every other year because it didn’t wear the way you expected.
Today, there are several types of flooring materials available, and each has its own pros and cons. For luxury floors for apartment spaces or condominiums, consider the following factors when deciding:
High Traffic Areas
Before you make a decision on luxury floors for apartment spaces, it is important to know which areas will require the most durable flooring. You need to know the high and low traffic areas in a luxury condo or apartment.
In most cases, high traffic areas will include the foyer, the entrance, the hallways, and any common areas. Inside each apartment, the areas with the most foot traffic typically are the kitchen, hallway, living room, and bathroom. For example, if you install carpet in the foyer, it most likely will become dirty and stained rather quickly. A better choice might be laminate or luxury vinyl.
Your Budget
The next factor to consider is your budget. Scan the internet and look at the price of flooring for luxury condominium floors. Depending on the type of flooring you want, the cost may vary from $5 per square foot to $20 per square foot. Stone and high-quality engineered wood tend to be the most expensive, whereas tile and laminate might be more reasonably priced. In most cases, you can get good flooring material for prices between $10-$15 per square foot.
In addition, you also need to consider the price of installation, which depends on the complexity of your condominium, the size, and the shape. In general, it is recommended that flooring is best installed by professionals to get the job done perfectly and you will also get a warranty.
Aesthetics and Style
If you are working with luxury condominium space, then of course aesthetics of the flooring should be a high priority. You will want flooring that not only looks elegant and stylish, but also durable as well.
The good news is that, if in doubt, you can never go wrong with engineered wood. If money is limited, then tile, luxury vinyl, or laminate come in a variety of styles and designs, and they can even mimic the look of stone or hardwood. If you want more versatility in aesthetics, you need to consider laminate because it is relatively easy to match to the interior of the condo.
Maintenance
You will need to consider the amount of total space the luxury condominium floors will claim. Chances are the apartment building or condominium you are choosing flooring for is quite large, and the decision will also need to factor in maintenance and ease of cleaning. You want to choose flooring which is relatively easy to clean and maintain.
For example, solid wood, tile, and laminate only need to be swept regularly, but carpet needs regular vacuuming and, at times, steam cleaning. To maintain the aesthetics, concrete needs to be waxed regularly and solid wood can be refinished several times. By maintaining the luxury floors for apartment spaces and keeping them in good condition, you can keep it looking great and prolong its useful life.
Comfort
You also want to select a flooring that is comfortable to the feet. While hard flooring like concrete may last a long time, it does feel cold and hard and may not be appreciated by the tenants. For comfort, tile, engineered wood, and laminate stand at the top of the list, with carpeting perhaps for bedrooms. Inside the condo, if you have hard flooring (e.g., tile), you can always throw a rug over the flooring to help make it more “feet friendly.”
Safety
As a building owner and manager, safety should be a top priority as well. Slips and falls in apartment buildings are frequently associated with litigation and the onus is on you to make sure that you select slip-resistant flooring, especially in the kitchen and bathroom areas, and the front entrance of the building.
Non-slip flooring that you may want to select includes engineered wood, carpet, and vinyl. Tile and laminate are the most slippery and should be avoided in wet areas. However, some of the latest tile floorings come with nano-surface etching, which makes it less slippery. In addition, you need to place signs in areas where slippery flooring is installed.
Durability
When you are planning for a commercial space, rubber is another choice that isn’t talked about as often as some others. It offers great slip and fall resistance in certain areas of the building, including high-traffic areas. It’s easy to maintain and it’s great at absorbing sound.
You preferably want elegant and stylish flooring for many areas that need to be visually pleasing, but rubber could be a good answer in a lot of common areas. Flooring materials that can last many decades include engineered wood, porcelain, tile, vinyl, porcelain slab, and stone.
Of course, no matter what flooring you install, you still need to take care of it. Vinyl and laminate have come a long way and are very durable.
Resists Daily Wear and Tear
Condominiums and apartment complexes often see heavy traffic with the daily comings and goings of residents and service personnel. For those especially high-traffic areas, you want flooring that will not easily develop dents and blemishes.
Consider tile, engineered wood, rubber, and laminate in these areas as these materials can withstand significant foot traffic without compromising functionality. Today, rubber is offered in a variety of designs and colors, so matching interior décor should not be a problem.
Waterproof Ability
The flooring you select should have some degree of moisture resistance, especially in places like bathrooms and kitchens. If the building or large space you are seeking flooring for is located near the shore or if there is normally large amounts of rain, you need to consider tile and luxury vinyl as the floorings of choice.
Soundproof
In condos, it is recommended that you select flooring that can absorb noise. Noise complaints can be numerous from residents of the spaces; therefore, you want to do as much as possible to minimize noise impacts. Materials that work well at absorbing sound include rubber and carpet. Carpets may be the ideal choice in certain locations, like the bedroom.
Conclusion
There is no one flooring that has all the above features, and that is why East Coast Flooring & Interiors has a variety of flooring options from which to choose, along with experts who are professionals in the flooring industry.
In almost all cases, when choosing luxury floors for apartment spaces, you are going to need to choose more than one type, depending on your building’s space and configuration. The staff at East Coast Flooring & Interiors stand ready and willing to assist with your unique needs for luxury floors for apartment spaces and luxury condominium floors. Give us a call today at 1-954-773-9575.