Restaurants

Types of Restaurant Flooring

From an aesthetics perspective, identifying a high-quality flooring material that relates well to the design of your dining space is a common factor in the selection process. The style of the restaurant, along with the menu, branding, and personal taste of the owners, is key when shopping for flooring. Today, owners have an abundance of options when it comes to selecting restaurant flooring types, including but not limited to:

Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most widely used restaurant flooring types because of their strength and durability. Ceramic tile can withstand heavy foot traffic, as well as scrapes from chairs and tables, and it’s unlikely to chip or crack. Tile that is properly installed by restaurant tile installers is also virtually waterproof, making it both sanitary and easy to clean. Because it is made from all-natural clay and sand, tile is also environmentally friendly and does not release harmful fumes or gases into the air.

Carpet

Commercial carpet has great traction and acoustical factors and can consist of recycled content, but the durability can be low for high-traffic areas in restaurants of any size. Plus, carpet is subject to a great amount of build-up from contaminants and deterioration that calls for regular deep cleaning. A design trend seen in many operations is a combination of various flooring finishes, with carpet used in some areas for color and acoustical effect, and complementary wood finishes, tile, or concrete used elsewhere.

Concrete

Concrete flooring is one of the most inexpensive flooring types available to restaurant owners. It is part of the building’s construction, and when left uncovered, can provide significant savings in materials and installation. Concrete floors are also incredibly durable and long-lasting and require virtually no maintenance. By treating the surface of the floor with a clear seal coat, owners will find that spills and other messes are easy to clean and will not stain. Another important aspect of concrete flooring is leveling to prevent cracks and waves that may cause trips and slips.

Vinyl

Vinyl floor coverings are available in sheet or tile/plank installations. Sheet vinyl is one of the most sanitary and easy-to-clean restaurant flooring solutions on the market. Unlike tiles or planks, sheets have no joints to trap dirt, and spills can be easily mopped up. Vinyl sheet, tile, and plank flooring options come in a wide variety of styles and colors, which can be mixed and matched to create any look. Staff and customers will appreciate the comfortable, soft feel of these floors, as well as their clean, modern look. Vinyl is resistant to damage but has a short lifespan.

Wood

Hardwood may help impart a warm, sophisticated look, but long-term maintenance also must be considered. Commercial-grade wood flooring should ideally be stripped and resealed with polyurethane once yearly. That could require a few days of downtime – not a viable option for most restaurants. Other wood choices, such as bamboo, cork, or engineered wood, can be easier-to-maintain alternatives. A new restaurant flooring installation trend we’ve seen is to use porcelain tile products with highly rendered wood-grain patterning to capture the look of real wood.

Rubber

You also need to consider each zone of the restaurant. The bar area needs to be protected from customers who spill drinks as well as provide protection against liquids that may spill from behind the counter. Areas behind the scenes require rubber flooring, which is durable, waterproof, and protects employees from slips and falls. Plus, it’s easy on the feet and easy to clean.

Importance of Flooring in Often-Overlooked Areas

Waiting areas and restrooms are often overlooked, but crucial spaces that can leave lasting impressions with customers. Your restaurant’s waiting area is where the public gains its first impression of your dining establishment. It’s important to make that first impression count by incorporating aesthetically pleasing flooring. However, because waiting areas are among the highest-trafficked parts of restaurants, it’s also important to incorporate durable, easy-to-clean floor coverings. To create a visually appealing entry with a warm feel to help customers relax while anticipating being seated, many opt for broadloom carpet or hardwood flooring installations in restaurant waiting areas.

Restrooms are equally, if not more so, important to your restaurant’s ability to leave customers with a positive impression. One survey revealed that more than 80 percent of customers believe restroom cleanliness reflects the hygiene standards throughout the restaurant – including food prep areas. The study also found that negative experiences in restaurant restrooms can result in damaging word-of-mouth, potentially leading to declines in restaurant patronage.

Restaurant Flooring Solutions at East Coast Flooring & Interiors

East Coast Flooring & Interiors has a wealth of experience with installing flooring for restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. We offer a collection of high-performance restaurant flooring solutions, including rubber flooring, custom broadloom and Axminster carpeting, engineered hardwood, marble, porcelain, natural stone, sheet vinyl, vinyl planks, luxury vinyl tile, ceramic tile, terrazzo, concrete, laminate, and more. We invite you to check out our gallery, where you can view photos of the many beautiful restaurant flooring installation projects our top-rated commercial flooring contractors have completed throughout South Florida.