The difference between residential and commercial flooring

Although the products used for a commercial flooring application may be different to those in many residential uses, one thing remains the same: they must be fit for purpose.

That’s the message from Harrisons Carpet Hastings franchise owner, Jeff Burson, who says it’s still vital to quiz building and business owners on their key requirements before helping them choose the right flooring.

The main elements he identifies are:

• Budget (for new builds and commercial fit-outs, it’s important to offer quotes that businesses can trust)
• Purpose (for example a commercial showroom may require a different look and style to a staff room)
• How robust it needs to be (whether it needs to be moisture-resistant, deal with high levels of foot traffic, cope with potential spillages and regular commercial cleaning)
• The benefit of choosing value over price makes good business sense.

Commercial flooring applications can vary widely from schools, hotels and large offices to small retail spaces or food outlets. Just as a household’s primary concern is comfort and durability, so business owners also require choices across the carpet, vinyl (sheet, tiles and planks) and laminate to deal with similar differences in usage.

In one recent job fitting out an office block, Jeff says he used Eclipse vinyl (his go-to product in terms of toughness) across all staff rooms and halls, and carpet tiles in the offices and showroom.

“Vinyl planks are very good for commercial jobs,” he says. “They are easy to maintain, they’re incredibly tough and can be replaced more simply than sheeting. We also use a commercial-grade adhesive because that means there are no problems with them shifting even when they’re getting a lot of use.”

Vinyl planks, just like carpet tiles, are also useful in commercial buildings because in the case they get damaged they can be replaced simply and speedily without the need for removing a large section of flooring.

When it comes to choosing the right type of flooring for a commercial building, Jeff also says it pays dividends to think about the value you’re potentially adding to a space – especially if that space is tenanted.

“Most clients don’t often think about value, they think about price – even though when they buy on the price they’re not always getting the best value,” he says.

A recent job showed the benefit of thinking about the big picture when choosing a product with longevity. “The client had a commercial building, half of which was untenanted and half of which had just signed a long-term lease. He chose a good product to go across both halves because, as well as attracting a new tenant, he also wants the tenant to stay and not suddenly realise that the flooring is their problem in just a handful of years. “It’s all about looking after good tenants”.

Although Harrisons Carpet has a range of commercial-quality carpet, vinyl and laminate flooring that stands out from the competition, the service we offer also makes a big difference. Here’s how:

·Because we’re used to working with schools and big-brand national chains, we understand the importance of sourcing and working with products specified by a central office.

· We’re used to pricing and tenders and can quote from fixed, national pricing from floor plans sent electronically.

·We’re able to project manage anything from small to large-scale jobs and use trusted professional installers. This means the project can be run from start to finish within agreed parameters and with a single point of contact.

For pricing to supply and install carpet, vinyl, overlay timber or laminate and terms and conditions, contact Rex at Harrisons Commercial on 09 488 4713, or fill out the form on our web page.