Commercial Wood
Hardwood flooring is the premier choice for many business owners looking for a long lasting, high quality floor covering. Hardwood floors increase value, and lend themselves to almost any type of décor. Solid hardwood flooring commonly consists of either Red Oak, White Oak or Hard Maple, although other species such as Ash, Cherry, Walnut, and Hickory are also available. Thicknesses can vary - three quarters of an inch is common. Hardwood flooring of this thickness has a 5/16” top wear layer that can be sanded and refinished multiple times, extending the life of the floor to nearly a century. Less expensive ‘wood’ flooring options include veneered wood, engineered wood, and the environmentally friendly cork and bamboo.
Uses for Commercial Hardwood
Hardwood flooring should be sealed if used in rooms where water damage could occur. Hardwood flooring can enhance entryways and is used commercially in showrooms, hotels and offices where carpet or tile is not desirable. Hardwood flooring can be matched to paneling when desired, or used in rooms where the walls are papered or painted, making it highly versatile when it comes to integration with existing interior décor.
Advantages of Commercial Wood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring is normally nailed down, and as such is best installed over a wooden sub-floor. Certain manufacturers sell glue-down wood flooring for use in commercial applications. Lighter weight engineered wood flooring or veneered floors may be ’snap-together’ and require no nailing, but cannot be refinished like genuine hardwood and do not last nearly as long. Hardwood flooring is suitable for high traffic areas, and is comparable in price to nice tile or high quality carpet. An advantage of hardwood flooring is the added structural strength provided by the interlocking tongue and groove construction.
Things to Consider When Purchasing Commercial Wood Flooring
Hardwood flooring expands and contracts due to atmospheric conditions, so all flooring should be delivered to the installation site and allowed to acclimate for several days before being laid down. A small amount of expansion space should be left around the perimeter of the room. Hardwood floors should only be installed on ground level floor or above - using hardwood below ground basement as in a basement or sunken garage is not recommended due to humidity. If hardwood flooring isn’t the best choice, other options such as carpet, tile or linoleum may be preferable.
