Essential Guide to Planning for Your Commercial Flooring Installation

Taking on a new flooring installation project in your restaurant or commercial space can seem daunting. With many flooring options to consider knowing where to start your installation plan is important. Our team of expert flooring technicians compiled this indispensable guide of essential tips you can use to prepare for your successful commercial floor installation.

This guide is designed to take you through every phase of the process. From initial considerations like assessing your current floor conditions and space usage to selecting the right materials that align with your operational needs. Whether you’re drawn to the clean finish and low maintenance of Jetrock epoxy or leaning towards the industrial-grade toughness of urethane concrete, our expert tips will help you navigate the choices with confidence.

Let’s take a closer look at the essential aspects of how you can ensure your project runs smoothly.

Design and Aesthetics

When you’re getting ready to install new floors or upgrade flooring in a restaurant, school, assisted living home, or food factory, you want to think about how it will look and feel in your commercial space. The floors should match the style of the place. For example, certain colors can make a room look bigger or smaller, and different patterns or textures can make it feel cozy or cool. You want to pick floors that look good and make the space more functional, like making it easy to walk around or clean up. It’s all about choosing the right floors that people will like to see and that will enhance the look of the space while being durable and reliable for many years.

How Our Visualizer Tool Simulates Flooring Samples in Your Space:

The Feature Flooring Visualizer Tool allows users to simulate different flooring options within images of various commercial spaces or to view them in an uploaded photo of your space. You can envision the final look before making a final decision on your flooring system and download your simulated images too.

Watch the demonstration video for our visualizer tool:

Safety and Hygiene

We know when you’re planning the floors for a setting that is accessed by large numbers of people, like an assisted living center or a large school, you think about more than just how it looks. You want your floors to be safe so that no one slips and falls, and also easy to keep clean, especially where food is made or many kids are playing. There are a few considerations when safety and hygiene are your priority.

1. Slip Resistance – Select flooring with high slip resistance ratings, especially in areas prone to moisture.
2. Antimicrobial Properties – Consider materials with built-in antimicrobial properties to inhibit bacterial growth.
3. Ease of Sanitization – Opt for surfaces that can be easily sanitized without deteriorating, ensuring a hygienic environment.
4. Non-Porous Surfaces – Choose non-porous flooring to prevent absorption and retention of contaminants.

Best Approach to Logistics Planning for Your Installation

When it’s time to install new floors in a busy place like a restaurant, manufacturing facility, or school, planning is key. You have to determine the best time for the work to occur so that it won’t interrupt your daily business or community members.

1. Installation Timing – Think about a time when the place isn’t too busy or is closed, so you can avoid the nuisance of the installation. It’s all about planning it out so your business can keep running smoothly while the new, safe, and clean floors are put in place.
2. Careful Coordination – If there are other big changes planned for the building like remodels or buildouts, it’s important to speak with everyone involved. This helps make sure that the floor installation fits into the bigger schedule of construction and that all the different teams and delivery of materials aren’t clashing with each other.
3. Get the Best Team – The people who install your new floors will need to follow important steps to make sure the job is completed professionally. They’ll prepare the area carefully, use the top quality products to lay down the floors and excel at time management to ensure the floor is cured and ready by the time you need it.

It’s important to know what to expect when you work with expert flooring technicians like Feature Flooring so you have the best project outcomes.

Pre-installation Checklist

Before the flooring team arrives, there’s a checklist of tasks that will ensure a smooth installation process for your new commercial floor. When you work with Feature Flooring, our project manager will assist you with planning and completing some of these installation preparation tasks.

1. Clear the Area – Remove furniture, equipment, and other items from the floor area to be worked on.
2. Clean the Space – Ensure the existing floor is clean and free of debris that could interfere with installation.
3. Check the Schedule – Confirm the installation date and time with the installers to ensure there are no conflicts.
4. Notify Staff and Customers – If your business will be affected, let everyone know well in advance to plan accordingly.
5. Access Issues – Make sure the installers have clear access to the area, including parking, loading docs, and entryways.

What to Avoid When Installing Epoxy

When it comes to installing commercial epoxy flooring being aware of common pitfalls is important to achieve a flawless finish. Understanding potential issues such as improper surface preparation, incorrect mixing ratios, or inadequate curing conditions can make all the difference. To steer clear of these setbacks and ensure a smooth installation, it’s essential to follow these best practices.

1. Skipping Surface Preparation – Not properly cleaning, repairing, and priming the floor before installation can lead to poor adhesion and eventual peeling of the epoxy coating.
2. Incorrect Mixing – Epoxy components must be mixed in precise proportions; otherwise, the flooring will not set correctly, resulting in a weak finish that can chip or crack.
3. Ignoring Climate Conditions – Temperature and humidity play a critical role in epoxy curing. Installing in conditions that are too hot, cold, or humid can prevent the epoxy from setting properly.
4. Rushing the Process – Epoxy flooring needs time to settle and cure. Rushing through the steps or not allowing enough cure time can compromise the durability and look of the floor.
5. Overlooking Ventilation – Proper ventilation is crucial during the installation process to avoid trapping air bubbles in the finish and to ensure the safety of the installation crew from fumes.

Learn More About the Feature Flooring Installation Process
JetRock Epoxy Process →
Urethane Concrete Process →

How Much Should I Budget for a Commercial Floor?

Budgeting for commercial flooring requires a careful balance of cost and quality. Here’s how to plan your finances effectively for this important investment:

Understanding the Costs

1. Materials – The price of the flooring material itself can vary widely based on quality and type.
2. Labor – Skilled installers are worth the investment for a job done right, but their fees need to be accounted for.
3. Maintenance – Consider the long-term care costs associated with the flooring you choose.
4. Downtime – If your business needs to pause operations during installation, factor in this potential revenue loss.

Tips for Managing Your Budget

1. Compare Quotes – Get several estimates to ensure competitive pricing.
2. Choose Durability – Investing in higher-quality floors can reduce long-term costs.
3. Off-Peak Discounts – Schedule installation during slower business periods if possible.
4. Do It Right – Avoid the cost of future repairs by ensuring the job is done well the first time.

For superior value, quality, and results, choose Feature Flooring. Our expertise in commercial flooring installation ensures you select the right solutions that respect your budget and uphold excellence. Contact us to begin your journey to a durable, reliable new floor.