When designing the perfect business, retail or commercial building, a common conflict that is often faced is between aesthetics and practicality, but there are just as many opportunities to have the best of both worlds by choosing the right materials.
A good example of this is the decision to choose beautiful laminate flooring over a hardwood alternative; whilst the latter is often romanticised as a flooring material in the same way polished stone can often be, laminate provides an almost identical look but is superior from a practical standpoint in almost every respect.
Choosing laminate flooring options, either in plank or tile form, is a shrewd investment that allows for the clean, natural look of traditional hardwood but without the cost and complications that come with it.
Here are some of the benefits and why laminate is the best choice in business settings.
Simple And Quick To Install
Hardwood tends to need to be either glued or nailed in place, which can take a lot of time depending on the subfloor and the type of wooden planks used.
By contrast, laminate is remarkably easy to install, to the point that certain systems can be installed without the need for professionals in a very short space of time. Many laminate planks simply need to be clicked together.
Even if you opt for a professional installation for a larger complex, the amount of time saved is considerable, which consequently leads to lower overall labour costs.
Consistency In Quality And Design
Laminate is designed, fundamentally, to be modular and to provide a consistent finish throughout the entire floor, whether it is used for a tiny room or for an entire shopping complex.
Thanks to the use of high-quality design layers as part of a multilayered durable design, the laminate planks would look not only authentic but consistent, avoiding the need for additional preparation, sanding and sealing that would be needed for natural wood.
Wide Variety Of Options
Hardwood is limited to certain types of grains and species, essentially based on what is available and affordable. Given that hardwood trees take a long time to mature, the types of hardwood available are only going to get smaller over time.
By contrast, laminate is available in almost any type of woodgrain and style that you can imagine, including ones that would otherwise be unavailable or unfeasible to have in a building.
Whilst the difference is not as stark as it can be for luxury vinyl tiles, the sheer choice available is a significant advantage for laminate.
Easy To Maintain
Laminate is remarkably stain-resistant and easy to clean. A simple routine of mopping, brushing and vacuuming will typically be enough to keep stains away.
This is in stark contrast to wooden floors, which often need sealing, waxing, sanding and careful maintenance to avoid permanent and potentially very expensive damage.
If a particular plank does get worn over time, it is also very easy and very cheap to replace, requiring the same minimal level of expertise to unclick a piece and replace it with a new one.
Sustainable
Much like how there is a tendency to romanticise the appearance and appeal of hardwood flooring, there is also a tendency to understate its environmental impact based on the assumption that natural materials are inherently less wasteful.
This is not the case with hardwood production, as very little of the tree can be used for the types of planks that are suitable for hardwood production, with the rest either being used for engineered wood production, pulped or simply thrown away.
Laminate is typically made from these byproducts or recycled wood fibres, and many of them are environmentally certified by organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council because of the levels of sustainability that they provide.
Versatile
Laminate is compatible with underlays for greater comfort as well as underfloor heating systems for more luxurious and energy-efficient heating throughout an entire complex.
Some hardwood products can be used with underfloor heating, but it is not always the most efficient heating medium compared to laminate.
More Cost-Effective
The biggest appeal of laminate is just how much cheaper it is to buy per square foot than hardwood for a more practical, consistent and long-lasting finish in high-traffic settings.
This means that it can be used to cover significant areas without becoming prohibitively expensive.
Beyond the material costs, it is also significantly cheaper to install, either by allowing you to install it yourself or by saving a professional installer time and hassle through the use of easy installation techniques.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch with the CVT Direct team via our Contact Us page or give us a ring on 0345 121 1234.
Browse our flooring and accessories product ranges and use the filters when searching for your new flooring and the accessories needed.
