Selecting the right restaurant tile flooring can be a daunting task because of the wide number of choices available. Restaurants are complex business entities with several different areas that have different functions, and there is no one flooring that is suitable for the entire business. The key is to select flooring that is durable, safe, cost-effective, and easy to install. With all these criteria in mind, one flooring that can satisfy most of the needs of a restaurant are tiles.
Tile Flooring
Restaurant flooring tiles have been around for many decades, and they are found in most bathrooms and kitchens of many homes as well as commercial businesses, especially restaurants. The reason why tile is a popular choice in restaurants is because of tile’s durability, aesthetics, and ease of cleaning.
Tiles have withstood the test of time in both residential homes and commercial businesses. They have the ability to withstand significant foot traffic, spills, and dropped items from both employees and patrons, and are moisture resistant.
In a commercial kitchen, the amount of stress floorings endure can be enormous and, thus, the flooring material needs to be non-porous, strong, durable, easy to maintain, and have good cosmesis. New technology allows for many novel finishing options.
Tiles satisfy all these requirements. However, it is best to avoid porcelain or glazed tiles in the kitchen environment because of the risk of slips and falls. In addition, porcelain tiles need to be sealed adequately to prevent moisture from seeping through and entering the subfloor.
Why Tiles are a Good Choice for a Restaurant
It is the way that porcelain tiles are manufactured that makes them functional for businesses like restaurants. As mentioned before, this makes them very durable and enables the tiles to withstand the 24/7 heavy foot traffic. In addition, porcelain tiles are stain resistant and will not absorb spills. You will never have to worry about any sauces or ketchup ruining your flooring or sticking around and encouraging the growth of bacteria and mold.
The Surface Coating
The latest commercial-grade porcelain tiles also come with an extra surface layer of coating that make them stain-, scratch-, and slip-resistant. If you opt for porcelain tiles for your restaurant tile flooring, you will also have an endless choice of design options to select from, including some that can mimic hardwood, marble, or stone.
Restaurant flooring tiles, for the most part, can be installed in most places in a restaurant, including the kitchen, bathroom, entrance, lobby, bar area, and dining room.
Glazed or Unglazed
For use as restaurant tile flooring with busy kitchens, porcelain tiles are recommended. These tiles are pretreated with a molten glass glaze, which protects the surface from stains, water, and everyday wear and tear.
Another advantage of restaurant tile flooring is that if a tile does get damaged, it can be repaired or replaced without disrupting the entire kitchen. In addition, glazed tiles are practically impervious to water and are stain resistant.
Quarry Tile
Another option for restaurant tile flooring is quarry tile, which is an unglazed clay tile that has natural anti-slip features. Quarry tiles have been the standard in the restaurant industry for decades, but the one downside is that they are available in a limited range of colors from tan and gray to reddish brown.
The quarry tile may not be ideal for the entire restaurant as it lacks great aesthetic appeal, but for the kitchen this material is fantastic. It is slip-resistant, durable, and cost-effective. Similarly, quarry tile may be useful for the restaurant bathroom, which can also get slippery when wet.
How are Commercial Kitchen Tiles Installed?
Professional installers are, of course, highly recommended. After the subfloor has been cleaned, all debris removed, and the floor has been leveled, porcelain tiles are individually installed with thinset. This method of installation ensures that no moisture will be able to penetrate the tiles and the maintenance and upkeep will be relatively easy.
What is the Best Way to Clean Tiles in a Restaurant?
Since restaurant tile flooring can take a beating and is prone to dirt and grime, they should be cleaned every night using a cleaning kit with hot water, a detergent or degreaser, and a squeegee. It is important to clean all spills, including grease, to keep the tiles looking like new.
What is the Cost of Tiles for a Restaurant?
Restaurant flooring tiles are relatively inexpensive compared to hardwood. The actual tiles may cost anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot, plus the cost of installation. Of course, there are some tiles that are many times more expensive.
The great thing about tiles is that, once installed, they do not require fancy maintenance programs as long as you keep them clean. If well looked after, restaurant tile flooring can easily last several decades. Even if a single tile develops a crack, it can be replaced without having to redo the entire floor.
Is Tile Installation a DIY Project?
For restaurant flooring tiles, it is best to consult a flooring installation expert with experience with flooring projects.
If you have a restaurant and are not sure which flooring you should select, speak to a consultant from East Coast Flooring & Interiors. These professionals have been in the business for decades and will be happy to help. Call them today at 1-954-773-9575 to learn more.