If you’re the owner of a commercial property and you’ve been wondering which type of flooring to go with, you’re not alone. It can be confusing and daunting to select the right kind of flooring that will suit your needs, style and traffic issues. So, the age-old question remains: commercial carpet or vinyl tile?
Commercial Carpet
Commercial carpeting is a bit different than residential. It’s tougher and built to withstand a lot of abuse. From boutiques to office buildings to banks, commercial carpeting can be found, often with a runner near the entrance so visitors can wipe off their shoes. Commercial carpet can provide a cozy, warm and comforting feeling for guests as it has natural insulative properties. In addition, it provides a natural sound muffling capability. You have a lot of choices when it comes to style, design, pile height and color, which is the main reason so many business owners choose carpeting.
Compared with hard surface floors, carpeting is considered to be safer, particularly in a commercial environment when the safety of employees and customers is deemed the #1 priority.
It’s not as sterile as tile, yet it can trap dust and allergens in the fibers over time. This means you’ll have to have a professional cleaning service come in on a regular basis to wash and vacuum the carpet. It can be tough to get stains out, too, so you have to be extra diligent in addressing stains immediately.
Vinyl Tiles
On the other hand, vinyl tiles are desired by many companies for many reasons. One of the main reasons it’s coveted is that it’s easy to clean. Unlike carpeting, stains, wet spots and spills are not big deal. They can be cleaned up in no time, with no lasting stains that cause unsightly marks. The sheer volume of design options, colors and patterns available in vinyl tile is staggering. In addition, vinyl tile is considered to be better for indoor air quality because unlike carpeting, it doesn’t trap allergens and dirt.
Another benefit to vinyl tiles is that they’re versatile, with the ability to mimic the look of other materials at a fraction of the price, such as natural stone and hardwood. It’s also available in various textures as well, from smooth to pebbled. Installation is quite easy, too, as it can be laid in sheets or as tiles, even with non-slip finishes for safety reasons.
Vinyl tile is inherently more slippery than carpet, posing a safety risk for visitors, especially after it’s rained or snowed out and the water gets tracked inside. Tile can be prone to dents, scrapes and other marks if heavy objects are dropped on it, and it doesn’t absorb sound like carpet does.
Your decision to use commercial carpet or vinyl tiles can be made easier when you seek help from Carpet Heritage. Our sales associates are on hand to assist you in weighing the pros and cons of each option.
