The entry takes the most wear, so spec it first.
Start at the entry
Our commercial carpet guide lists retail entryways, grocery stores, and banks as common places for commercial carpet. Its traffic ratings go from medium to walk-off. Walk-off is the most durable rating, and it is designed for entryways. Porcelain and ceramic tile also suit entryways and lobbies where you want a visual impact.
Commercial carpet has short, dense fibers, so it holds up to wear without matting or crushing. Low-pile, stain-resistant carpet is easy to keep clean. Vacuum it often, and remove spills at once with a cotton cloth and clean water.
Pick the sales-floor surface
| Surface | Where our guides place it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial carpet tile | Retail entryways, commercial offices, grocery stores, airports | Low, dense pile resists crushing and matting |
| Commercial vinyl sheet | Large spaces, office foyers, hotel lobbies | Often more affordable than vinyl planks and tiles |
| Commercial LVT and LVP | Lobbies, offices, grocery stores | Easier to clean than carpet, with wood and stone looks |
| Commercial laminate | Boutiques, offices, cafes | Some laminates are only water-resistant, so keep them dry |
On vinyl sheet, the clear top layer is a surface barrier against spills and stains. Homogeneous vinyl sheet is one solid color from top to bottom, so stains and wear show less.
Check the rating of each product
Not every carpet tile suits a store. In our carpet tile guide, one peel-and-stick tile has a residential rating and is not for high-traffic commercial retail. Another is best for residential or light commercial spaces. Read the rating on each product page before you spec it.
- Nylon: a popular fiber inside commercial buildings. It fades in the sun.
- Polyester: usually costs less than nylon, and it resists water and stains.
- Polypropylene: found in grocery stores and office lobbies. It resists mold and mildew but stains more easily.
Send the zones of the floor plan and the square footage. We will match a floor to each zone.
Plan for repairs
A busy store needs floor repairs over time, so choose the format with the repair you can accept. A stained carpet tile lifts out, and a new tile goes in its place. Damaged vinyl sheet needs the full section removed. Vinyl sheet also needs a glue-down install, which our guide recommends for flooring professionals.