Match each floor to the work that happens on it.
Start with the zones in your office
An office is not one room. It has work areas, private offices, conference rooms, a lobby and often a kitchen. Our commercial flooring guide names four criteria to check first: durability, style, ease of maintenance and cost. Some options work better in some spaces than others, so plan the floor zone by zone.
| Zone | Option our guides name | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Work areas and private offices | Commercial carpet tiles | Carpet tiles were first designed for commercial spaces like offices. Low-pile fibers resist crushing and matting. |
| Lobby and reception | Commercial vinyl sheet | Vinyl sheet is common in office foyers. Its top layer resists spills and stains. |
| Client areas with a wood look | Commercial laminate | Laminate resists scratches and stains. Offices and boutiques often use it. |
| Office kitchens and restrooms | SPC rigid core vinyl | The construction is 100% waterproof, and the core protects against dents. |
Carpet tiles for work areas
Commercial carpet is a low-pile, durable floor that does not stain easily. It does not get matted down or look worn after a lot of use. With carpet tiles, you lift a stained or damaged tile and put in a new one. You also buy less extra material than with full rolls, so there is less waste.
- Fiber: our carpet guide recommends low-pile nylon for commercial use. It handles heavy traffic without matting or crushing.
- Construction: looped fibers, such as Berber, make the carpet even stronger.
- Installation: in areas with a lot of traffic, glue the tiles down with a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
- Care: vacuum frequently. Remove spills immediately with a cotton cloth and clean water.
Send us the room list and the square footage. We will help you match a floor to each zone.
Control noise in open-plan areas
Noise travels far in an open-plan office. Rubber flooring has a dense, slightly elastic surface that helps absorb sound and reduce echo and footfall noise. Our rubber flooring guide also lists comfort underfoot as a benefit in offices. If you prefer carpet, many buyers add rubber roll underlayment under commercial carpet for extra comfort and sound absorption.
Wood looks for client areas
Laminate gives a wood look at a lower price than genuine hardwood. Its wear layer resists yellowing and fading from UV light better than vinyl. Commercial laminate installs as a click-lock floating floor, with no glue, tape or adhesive. Our experts recommend an AC rating of 4 to 5 for commercial spaces.