Selecting Your Commercial Flooring
For commercial establishments, selecting appropriate flooring solutions involves several complications. With market demands rising for modern workspaces that seek durability, resilience, style, functionality, and affordability, two popular flooring choices, Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) and rubber tiles, stand out as the ideal options. However, the question stands—Which one works better?
Crafted with versatility and a unique set of benefits, both LVT flooring and rubber tiles offer aesthetics and performance in their own manner. But for specific clients/projects, their preference should be taken into consideration. At BSC Interiors, we understand the need for distinction and precision. That is why, in this blog, we will be breaking down which of the two choices is perfectly suited for your next project.
What is LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)?
A type of modular vinyl flooring, Luxury Vinyl Tiles are renowned for their replicating properties, offering realistic textures and clear finishes of natural materials like wood, stone, or ceramic. With their multiple-layer design garnering popularity in recent years, they offer stability and can be installed with click-lock systems or glue-down methods. Their low-maintenance and affordable range makes LVT flooring a go-to choice for those who want the luxurious appeal without the high price tag.
What Are Rubber Tiles?
Commonly applied in areas that prioritize durability and safety, like gyms, playrooms, schools, and healthcare facilities, rubber tiles are made with natural or synthetic rubber that can withstand extensive usage. Now offering a wide range of textures, patterns, and colors, modern rubber tiles have evolved into presenting viable options for commercial spaces. A significant and recent addition to rubber tiles is the Nora® rubber tiles by Interface that speak of a high-performance and sustainable future.
Aesthetics & Design Flexibility
In terms of visual appeal, LVT flooring takes the lead for its chameleon-like features. Offering a wide range of designs mimicking hardwood, marbles, slate, and high-end materials, their selections can come with natural oak tones and chic concrete finishes. Highly acclaimed by architects and designers, their layered construction offers a realistic touch to their texture, elevating their aesthetics.
On the other hand, rubber tiles lean towards a more utilitarian, traditional appearance. As designs have evolved, rubber tiles are now available in various colors and textures and can be installed in different patterns or combined with other flooring materials for a more aesthetic look. Despite the selections, their range is more functional and caters to modern-industrial visuals.
Verdict: Among the two, LVT flooring wins for its premium aesthetics and design versatility.
Durability & Maintenance
For durability, both LVT and rubber tiles perform well. However, their methods are slightly different. Talking about LVT, they come with scratch, water, and stain-resistant properties. They are suitable for spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, and heavy commercial spaces where regular sweeping and mopping is common.
Rubber tiles offer impressive durability and longevity due to their composition. Best suited for heavy-impact zones, they come with moisture resistance and effortlessly support heavy footing. Additionally, they are also slip-resistant, making them the appropriate choice for high-risk spaces.
Verdict: Due to their impressive composition and overall support features, rubber tiles take the lead for durability and maintenance in high-traffic zones.
Comfort & Safety
For every space, comfort and safety are the topmost priorities. In terms of these two aspects, LVT flooring brings moderate cushioning and other options with an underlayment. While they are designed to add comfort and absorb sound, they are not exactly shock-absorbent.
However, with rubber tiles, they offer better shock absorption and comfort features. Commercial floors, especially in high-traffic zones, require exceptionally slip-resistant and shock-absorbent properties, and rubber tiles come with exactly such properties, making them
Verdict: Rubber tiles are superior in both comfort and safety.
Installation & Cost
With its modern click-lock systems, LVT is easier to install. It can be laid over directly on existing flooring and does not generally require professional expertise, making it cost-efficient.
Rubber tiles, with their modular and DIY-friendly properties, fall under the heavier side. They are not that easy to install due to their weight and require adhesive for secure placement. The material cost itself is usually higher than their counterpart.
Verdict: LVT is more cost-effective and easier to install.
Eco-Friendliness
For every material, sustainability is a crucial factor, commercial flooring included.
In the case of composition, LVT is made of PVC, which is petroleum-based. However, there are options that come with low-VOC and recyclable features, though they may come at a premium.
As for rubber tiles, especially for those made from recycled rubber like old tires, they are considered to be the most sustainable commercial flooring solutions. Promising longevity and easy recyclable features, they fit perfectly for projects that encourage a green future.
Verdict: Rubber tiles have the edge in sustainability.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
For every commercial space, specific floorings play a crucial role in upgrading their overall functionality. Between LVTs and rubber tiles, both flooring choices come with their unique and effective features. But in terms of application, one should understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two while also acknowledging whether they are meeting your needs. Choose LVT if you are seeking cost-effective and stylish flooring. And for spaces like gyms, daycares, hospitals, and industrial settings where heavy-duty performance, safety, sustainability, and comfort are necessary, choose rubber tiles.
With BSC Interiors working closely as a trusted Interface distributor, we bring premium Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Nora® rubber tiles that fit perfectly for your next project. So what are you waiting for? Contact our team right away, and we will be there to assist you with the perfect flooring.
