In the past, wood flooring for restaurants hasn’t necessarily been the most popular flooring choice. The general feeling was that hardwoods can quickly get dirty and scratched and will not last long. Fast forward to 2022, and we have come full circle. Today, hardwood is installed in a wide range of commercial businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and all types of eateries. 

Restaurant wood flooring can be an excellent flooring choice for restaurants, especially in customer dining areas. Not only does it have superb aesthetics, but it is also very durable and can withstand significant foot traffic without breaking down. Surveys have recently indicated that customers prefer restaurants with hardwood flooring because it is more inviting and comfortable. 

Choose the Right Wood Flooring for your Restaurant

If you are planning on choosing wood flooring for restaurants, the first step is selection the right type of restaurant wood flooring.  There are two basic types of hardwood floors: solid wood and engineered wood. Solid wood flooring planks are made using a single piece of wood, whereas engineered wood flooring is a composite of several thin wood sheets adhered together. It would be best to consult with a flooring installation expert, such as East Coast Flooring & Interiors, to understand all the pros and cons of each in a restaurant business.

Here are some reasons why hardwood flooring may be the best choice for your business: 

  1. Ease of maintenance: Once hardwood flooring has been installed, it requires minimal maintenance. You do not have to have it professionally cleaned every week. Hardwood flooring requires only regular sweeping and/or vacuuming, likely on a daily basis. Any scuff marks can be removed with a slightly wet mop and warm water. Hardwood can also be waxed at regular intervals, but because wax tends to be sticky, it can attract dirt. Hardwood can also be refinished anywhere from 2-5 times in its lifetime, which can help restore the original aesthetics.
  2. Durability: Hardwood is considered to be one of the most durable flooring materials, especially when it comes with an oil-based finish. The wood is tough and can withstand all types of foot and roller traffic without getting damaged. If the installation has been done by a professional, expect the hardwood flooring to last many decades.
  3. Adds value: One of the biggest positives about installing wood flooring for restaurants is that it increases the value of the property. Potential buyers are always looking for flooring with great aesthetics, and if you have maintained the restaurant wood flooring well, you can expect an increase in the value of your property. This can be economically helpful when you increase your customer base so much that you need to find a bigger area to expand.
  4. Elevates mood: For restaurant owners, one of the ways to increase the success of the business is to ensure customers feel welcome with a warm, inviting space. This is where wood flooring for restaurants really shines. Universally, no matter what type of hardwood flooring you select, they all have excellent aesthetics. Hardwood not only makes the space look clean and pristine, but it also exudes richness in splendor and beauty. These features tell customers they are dining in an upscale restaurant.
  5. Easy to clean: Another positive about wood flooring for restaurants is the ability to clean it quickly without hassles. Dirt, debris, and food spills can easily be wiped and vacuumed without leaving any marks. A restaurant that is spotlessly clean helps customers feel confident that they are being served quality food in a healthy environment.
  6. Slips and fall prevention: In general, hardwood flooring can be slippery, especially when it has been waxed or finished. To prevent slips and falls, it is important to get an anti-slip coating placed on it.  This extra finish provides more traction and minimizes the risk of falls. Some of the slip-resistant finishes that you may want to consider include polyurethane, acrylic urethane, or silicone coating. At the same time, sweep the flooring clean and free of dirt regularly. If the flooring has just been cleaned with a cleaning solution, make sure it is dry before allowing customers and staff to walk on it.

What Type of Hardwood Flooring to Select

There are at least a dozen types of wood species used to make hardwood flooring, and they include the following:

  • Oak
  • Ash
  • Birch
  • Maple
  • Brazilian walnut
  • Teak
  • Tigerwood
  • Hickory

While all the above have beautiful aesthetics, they do differ in durability, moisture resistance, and strength. The best advice would be to consult a flooring installation expert.

Location of the Hardwood

It is also important to consider where you are going to place the restaurant wood flooring. For example, in areas that need to be frequently cleaned and aesthetics are important, look for hardwood with straight grains, like maple and oak. In areas of heavy traffic, ensure the wood flooring for restaurants has the right properties to be slip-resistant.

Engineered Wood

Besides traditional hardwood flooring, another option for restaurant wood flooring is engineered wood. Unlike solid hardwood, which is made from a single solid piece of wood, engineered wood is made of 100 percent natural wood on top and bottom with a highly solid middle core. The core will consist of several layers of thin wood sheets oriented in different directions, which makes it exceptionally strong. Finally, a thin surface veneer layer completes the process. A good quality engineered wood can last a very long time, and it is generally less expensive than solid hardwood.

Some of the benefits of engineered wood include:

  • Slightly lower cost compared to solid hardwood. The costs are lower because of the way engineered wood is made.
  • Overall, engineered wood tends to be more moisture and temperature resistant than traditional hardwood.
  • The method of manufacturing engineered wood is eco-friendly, and there is no damage to the environment.

Overall, engineered wood is a better option for high moisture environments, like the kitchen and bathrooms, compared to solid hardwood.

CONCLUSION

There’s no question that hardwood flooring is an excellent option for a restaurant, provided you select the right type of wood, keep up with the maintenance, and apply a durable oil-based finish that is both slip-resistant and low maintenance. In addition, no matter which hardwood you choose, it will enhance the value of your business as well as improve customer satisfaction. To decide whether you should choose natural hardwood or engineered wood for your restaurant, speak to a consultant from East Coast Flooring & Interiors. They have valuable experience with installing wood flooring for restaurants in South Florida.  Visit them at their showroom today!