Can wood flooring be installed in commercial projects?

Wood flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners. It can add beauty and value to a home, and it is also durable and long-lasting. But can you use wood flooring in commercial settings? The answer is yes – wood flooring can be installed in a variety of projects, including office buildings, restaurants, retail stores and more. In this blog post, we will discuss recommendations for using wood flooring in commercial settings, as well as some tips for installation.

There are things to consider when choosing hardwood flooring for commercial settings. The floor you choose needs to withstand not the normal lifestyle of a family but the wear and tear of heavy foot traffic, high heels, moving furniture and more.

Engineered wood floor in commercial spaces

The first recommendation is to use engineered wood flooring rather than solid wood flooring. Solid and engineered floors look similar to the naked eye, but the construction is quite different. The core of an engineered hardwood floor can be either plywood or recycled wood, and the core is what makes it more stable than a solid wood floor. Wood is a natural material that is very susceptible to temperature and humidity. In this case, solid hardwood flooring tends to expand and contract more easily to changes in temperature, while engineered is more stable and has better resistance to it.

Wear layer and core

Chepstow Distressed Charcoal Oak Engineered Flooring
Chepstow Collection.

Choose an engineered wood floor with a plywood core and the thickest wear layer. The wear layer is the topmost layer of the engineered wood, and it is this layer that will be sanded and refinished multiple times over the life of the floor. A thicker wear layer means that your floor can be sanded and refinished more times, which equals a longer lifespan for your floor.

oil-finished

Harlech white oak. Engineered hardwood flooring

Use an oil-finished. Oil finishes penetrate the wood, providing more protection against wear and tear. Woodpecker oiled boards are coated between five and seven times, and cured with a UV lamp between coats to produce a protective, muted appearance.

Prefinished floor

Engineered wood flooring in a commercial space
Berkeley Cottage Oak

Prefinished floors are more durable and easier to install than unfinished floors. Unfinished floors have to be sanded and finished on-site, which can be a messy and time-consuming process. Prefinished floors come with a factory-applied finish that is cured and ready for traffic, so they are a good choice for high-traffic areas.

Character floor

Engineered wood floor installed in commercial setting

Consider choosing a floor with a more rustic texture. Wire-brush or sawn finishes are the perfect solutions to disguise scratch marks and scuffs.  A wire-brush finish is achieved by using a wire brush to distress the wood and give it a more rustic appearance. A sawn finish is created by sawing the boards in a way that leaves them with a textured surface. These finishes are perfect for busy areas because they help disguise wear and tear.

Installation

goodrich natural oak being installed

Wood flooring can be installed using a variety of methods, but the best method for a commercial setting is the full trowel glue down. This method involves spreading adhesive onto the subfloor with a notched trowel and then laying the boards into the adhesive. This method creates a solid foundation that will help to reduce wear and tear from heavy foot traffic.

Maintenance

Cleaning kit for wood flooring

Be sure to follow the recommended cleaning routine for hardwood floors, but make sure that your chosen cleaning company uses the right products. Using the wrong products can damage the finish of your floors.

A yearly oil recoat will help maintain the floor and increase the lifespan.

When it comes to commercial projects, wood flooring is always a great option. Not only is it stylish and timeless, but it’s also durable enough to stand up to heavy foot traffic. When choosing wood flooring for your commercial project, make sure to follow these recommendations to ensure that your floors will withstand the busy environment.

Wood flooring is a valuable investment for any commercial space. Not only does it add value and beauty to your property, but it can also be practical in many ways. If you’re considering wood flooring for your next project, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss the different options available and help you choose the perfect flooring for your needs. You can also order samples online or check out our website to learn more about the benefits of wood floors. Thanks for reading!