Best Tiles for Commercial Use
Flooring plays a critical role in every commercial design project. Covering significant surface area, floors are always in full view and instantly impact the aesthetics of any space.
Unlike residential properties, buildings for commercial use often see substantial traffic. As a result, whether they are installed in restaurants and bars or offices and hotel foyers, flooring solutions selected must be hardwearing to guarantee years of use. However, they must also be designed with ease of maintenance in mind to ensure they always appear at their best.
In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits commercial floor tiles and look at the best options and what they offer. We’ll also examine the key considerations designers should account for when choosing tiles to match their project requirements. Read on to update your knowledge on the best tiles for commercial use.
What is the most durable flooring for commercial use?
In the past, vinyl has earned a reputation as an affordable and hardwearing solution for commercial projects. However, it can’t compete with the benefits offered by ceramic and porcelain tiles. Far tougher than vinyl, tile installations last far longer than other types of flooring, making them a wise investment for commercial projects.
Tiles are also resistant to moisture, heat and scratches, making them a more durable floor choice for commercial tile flooring installations.
Is ceramic tile good for commercial use?
Durability
Ceramic tile is excellent for commercial use, especially in high-traffic areas, because of its outstanding durability, resistance to water and staining and ease of cleaning.
High traffic performance
Ceramic tiles are often selected for their ability to cope with wear and tear and heavy footfall, making them suited to busy commercial locations. They are also relatively simple to care for and require minimal upkeep.
Water resistance
The stain and water resistance of ceramic tiles also make them ideal for areas exposed to excessive moisture and places that are prone to spills.
Flexible design choices
From an aesthetic perspective, they also offer exceptional versatility. A wide array of sizes, colours, patterns and textures are available, allowing for high levels of customisation to meet any commercial design brief.
Is porcelain tile good for commercial use?
Like ceramic, porcelain tile is also an impressive floor choice for commercial use thanks to its durability, ease of maintenance and resistance to wear. It is particularly suited to areas with considerable traffic and spaces where water and spillage a concern.
Durability
Porcelain is denser, making more durable than standard tiles. It’s resistant to cracks, chips and scratches, letting it last longer even under heavy foot traffic.
Low maintenance
Porcelain tiles have a low water absorption rate. This makes them an optimal choice as tiles for restaurants where spills are an everyday occurrence or in bathrooms and kitchens with continuous water use. Porcelain is easy to clean and keep looking at its best, making it ideal for entryways at busy offices and other commercial settings.
Design versatility
A wide range of styles, sizes and colours can be accessed by porcelain tile users, so designers have diverse options to choose from to create the desired aesthetic for a commercial space while still selecting one of the best tiles for commercial use.
Key factors to consider when choosing tiles for commercial projects
When selecting tiles for any commercial design project there are key points to consider. While there are many different materials available from marble to glass, as discussed, ceramic and porcelain offer many advantages in commercial environments.
Slip resistance & safety
Functionality is important, so consider the purpose of the space to be tiled. For instance, water-resistant tiles are essential for wet rooms, but may need texture to ensure they have an anti-slip feature for safety.
Durability
Durability will ensure tiled areas can cope with the levels of traffic experienced onsite. Select a hardwearing option for place that will see more use.
Size & installation
Tile size is also important. Larger tiles with fewer grout lines can make spaces feel larger, though smaller tiles are easy to install.
Aesthetics
As for shape, rectangle and square tiles are not considered the standard anymore. Tiles are now available in any shape imaginable to match project needs. Texture is also a key factor and can create visual interest or improve safety levels.
Colour
Finally, colour can transform spaces. Lighter colours make areas appear larger while neutral hues offer more flexibility with furniture and accessories.
At Digital Ceramics, we offer colour match glazes so you can access the exact Pantone reference you require. Connect with us today for high-quality digitally printed ceramic tiles to fit your project.