Commercial bathrooms have come a long way in design. Today’s public restrooms feature forward-thinking products and materials that have stylish, sustainable, durable, low-maintenance, hygienic, safety, and water- and energy-saving qualities.
The key to commercial restroom design is using products that strike the balance between practicality and attractive styling. Newer quality restroom products, such as lavatory fixtures and washroom accessories that use finely-crafted, sculptural elements, can create a common aesthetic to integrate the look of the space. For example, when used throughout a restroom, the sleek and modern design of newer stainless steel accessories (towel and toilet paper dispensers, waste receptacles and hand dryers) can create a completely uniform aesthetic.
Commercial flooring for the bathroom needs to be taken into consideration when designing the area. Commercial bathroom flooring is specialized. The flooring takes a lot of abuse – broken pipes, spilled water and overflowing toilets, not to mention the foot traffic. Dirt and water not only breed unknown types of bacteria, but eventually leads to offensive odors and the growth of mold, staph and other types of bacteria. When deciding on what type of commercial flooring for the bathroom should be installed, consider that the material should not only be tough and easily maintained, but be able to withstand high tractability when wet yet smooth enough to accommodate easy cleaning. Unfortunately these two factors often conflict.
Below are common materials used for commercial flooring for the bathroom:
Stone and Ceramic Tile: Tile is one of the most popular materials in a bathroom because of its resiliency and ease of cleaning. It can be mopped, hosed off or swept when necessary. In commercial applications, the grout lines should be sealed to stop moisture and dirt from discoloring it. The only problem with ceramic tile occurs when something hard or heavy is dropped on it, as it may chip or fracture.
Vinyl: Durable and less expensive than ceramic, vinyl can be mopped or otherwise wet-cleaned because moisture can’t penetrate it. It is available in 6- and 9-foot widths and should be installed in one piece to eliminate seams. Seams can pull apart over time, allowing water and dirt to intrude. This can lead to a short flooring lifespan.
Epoxy Flooring: Epoxy flooring systems are poured or layered directly onto concrete. When finished, they created a thick seamless flooring system that resists moisture, wear and impact. Epoxy flooring is practically indestructible. Beyond the normal cleaning and maintenance, epoxy floors need periodic re-coating every three to five years.
Concrete Paint: Painting the concrete slab floor is an inexpensive approach to commercial flooring for the bathroom. Concrete is simple to repaint as needed and easy to maintain. The biggest drawback to concrete paint is the aesthetic.