Best commercial flooring option?

last year

I've got some offices on a mezzanine in a factory. Plywood over corrugated steel on the floor. We were going for practical, durable finish originally, so painted and poly'd with Bona Traffic. There's been too much movement, so it's cracked on the seams and now doesn't look so hot. I need a better option.

My thoughts were to throw down an underlayment of sureply and then LVP or sheet vinyl. But I'm not sure these are rated real well for commercial use (office chairs and desks rolling on them). Menards ads say LVP has a 30 year residential warranty but only 7 years commercial, and I want longer than that.

Suggestions or advice?

Featured Answer

weedyacres
Original Author

last year

I ended up going with Supercore for the extra wear layer plus the availability of tile look (personal preference over fake wood look). They had a 30% off site-wide, plus the samples came with an additional 5% off, so I paid $3.33/sf. The 20-year warranty should put me past my time here, so we're good.

Thanks for the help!

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Comments (11)

millworkman
last year
Carpet tile.
weedyacres thanked millworkman
weedyacres
Original Author
last year
Carpet's a no-go. Factory environment (even though these are offices), too hard to keep clean. Plus I kind-of hate carpet.
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Timothy Winzell
last year
Vinyl composition tile. Rubber sheet goods. Armstrong corlon sheet vinyl.

Budget?

Cosmetic concerns?
weedyacres thanked Timothy Winzell
weedyacres
Original Author
last year
I don't care for VCT, too clinical-looking.

Budget <$5/sf

Digging into research on Supercore and Armstrong Corlon, thanks for the suggestions.
weedyacres
Original Author
last year
I've ordered a few samples of Supercore, and went to Menards last night. Found an LVP with a 20 mil wear layer, SPC core, and 30 year commercial warranty that might work too.
wdccruise
last year
I have real white oak floors but Supercore SPC020 Oak Natural looks pretty decent. Supercore is available in many varieties. Something that helps preserve a floor: soft, not hard, wheels (casters) on office chairs (example).
weedyacres thanked wdccruise
PRO
LaValle Flooring Inc
7 months ago
@weedyacres how'd that work out for you?
weedyacres
Original Author
7 months ago
So far so good as far as wear. In one of the offices a few of the pieces are gapping. That's possibly an installation error, as they should snap together securely, but we haven't yet investigated it further.
PRO
LaValle Flooring Inc
7 months ago
If you ever run into this type of project again, they make 1/4" or so thick vinyl planks that don't snap together and only require glue around the perimeter to hold them in place. We use them in commercial settings and they do really well with wheelchair/ walker traffic. The term for these planks is Loose Lay Plank.
justhighstone
7 months ago
For a durable commercial office flooring solution, consider the following options:
1. Commercial-Grade LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank): While LVP may have a 7-year commercial warranty, some brands offer more robust commercial options with longer warranties. Look for LVP products specifically designed for high-traffic areas.
2. Sheet Vinyl: Sheet vinyl is available in commercial-grade variants that offer better durability. It can be a cost-effective choice and provides a smooth surface for office chairs and desks.
3. Commercial-Grade Carpet Tiles: If you want something softer underfoot, consider commercial-grade carpet tiles. They are designed to handle office chair and desk traffic and come in various styles.
4. Commercial Laminate Flooring: Laminate flooring designed for commercial use may also be an option. It's relatively durable and easy to clean.
5. Engineered Hardwood: Some engineered hardwood floors are designed for commercial settings and can withstand heavy traffic. However, they may require more maintenance than other options.
When selecting a product, pay attention to the wear layer thickness, the manufacturer's commercial use rating, and consider consulting with a flooring specialist for specific product recommendations based on your office's needs. Proper installation, including a suitable underlayment, is crucial for long-term durability and to minimize movement-related issues.