What Is The Best Wood Flooring For A Retail Store?

Wood flooring has become a very popular option, not only among homeowners but also among owners of commercial properties, such as offices, pubs, restaurants or retail stores. It is a very practical choice, which looks superb and is very durable. The right wood flooring is a great backdrop to present the products in the best way. But, when you choose to lay wood flooring at a retail outlet, you should take into account a few aspects and think them through very carefully so as to make all the right choices. In this article we will present a few things you should think about. So, before taking the final decision we would recommend that you ask yourself the following questions: How durable is the given flooring? How practical is the finish I want to choose? What is the right cleaning regime?

Since you probably expect that the store will be visited by many customers, and thus experience a much higher level of traffic as compared to a home, it’s a crucial thing to opt for a wood flooring solution which will meet the challenges thrown at it by everyday retail life. A fundamental thing in your decision-making process will be to make up your mind as regards the choice between solid or engineered wood flooring. As already mentioned in previous articles, solid wood flooring is manufactured from a single piece of timber of wood species of your choice, while engineered wood flooring is a combination of various layers of wood products which are put together, making up an extremely strong and stable board. Engineered wood flooring is so interesting primarily due to its solid wood top layer, called lamella. This top layer makes engineered wood flooring look just like solid wood board.

When making a choice between solid and engineered wood flooring, you will need to consider such aspects as underfloor heating (UFH) as well as temperature and moisture changes. If you think that there will be extreme temperature and moisture level fluctuations at your retail store, or if you are planning on installing underfloor heating, we would recommend you to go for engineered wood flooring. But, if these restrictions do not apply in your case, then solid wood flooring will enable you to re-sand and re-finish the floor more often, which, in turn, will make it possible to keep it looking great for a longer time. You can find a lot of information on that in our previous articles, but if you still find it difficult to make up your mind, remember you can always consult your flooring supplier. They will most certainly be of help and will guide you through the process.

If you’ve already taken the first choice, the next crucial aspect is the finish. Obviously, oiled and oiled and brushed wood flooring is very visually appealing. Yet, in a retail store, a lacquered finish will without doubt be a more hard wearing option and will have higher resistance to damage. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to choose high gloss shine. If you’re not a proponent of shiny floors, simply choose a matt lacquer, as it can look great and prove very effective in such a setting.

The next important thing is a cleaning regime. It’s crucial to remember that wood flooring, be it solid or engineered, requires special care and maintenance and the cleaners need to be informed on the best ways to clean and maintain your new flooring. Your cleaners may already have all the necessary knowledge and equipment required to keep the store flooring looking great. If they don’t, remember that the crucial thing is to remove dust and mud as often as possible and not to use excessive amounts of water when cleaning the floor. Depending on how much traffic there is at your store, the cleaners will need to use some sort of a detergent product to make the floor looking clean, but usually water is sufficient.

OUR TIP! If you want to help make the cleaning requirements simpler and protect the flooring against damage, it’s a good idea to get a high quality doormat, allowing for as many footsteps as the space will allow. It will pay off, as such a doormat absorbs water and perfectly prevents all the dust and mud from getting onto the floor.