Brief:
In most office or office/industrial environments, one can encounter a variety of flooring:
Carpet, ceramic tile, VCT (vinyl composition tile), cove base, hardwoods and laminates.
The flooring in an existing, vacated space often can be reused if the wear is not significant. It is amazing what a good (good is the key word here) carpet cleaning company can do. “I was planning to replace the carpet in an existing conference room because of stains that no one seemed to be able to resolve. Except for a couple of stains, the carpet was barely worn. Replacement of the 100 sq. yds. of carpet was going to cost $1,500. A professional acquaintance with First Industrial recommended CitruSolutions in Woodstock. I gave them a call. Twenty-four hours and $160 later, the carpet looked as good as new,” according to Gayle Davis, Property Manager at Sperry Van Ness in Norcross.
If the flooring can be salvaged, salvage! It's a great way to save money.
If the flooring must be replaced, either due to wear, damage or a new tenant's desire, make sure you use a qualified contractor. Best price is not always the answer. Floor preparation is an art and if not prepared properly, you are likely to encounter ongoing problems.
In choosing carpet, tile, hardwood or any type of flooring, keep in mind that wear-and-tear will show, no matter what is chosen. Choose materials that resist wear. If ceramic tile is used where there are entrances, it is best to use a “non-skid” tile to prevent slips and falls.
Nylon, loop pile or cut pile carpet (28 oz.) installation: $ 12.50 - $ 15.00/sq.yd.
Ceramic tile installation: $ 6.50 - $ 11.00/sq.ft.
Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) installation: $ 1.25 - $ 1.90/sq.ft.
Cove Base installation: $ 1.15 - $ 1.50/Linear ft.
VCT: $ .25 - $ .35/sq.ft.
Ceramic Tile: $ 2.00 - $ 2.25/sq.ft.
Carpet and glue: $ 1.00 - $ 1.25/sq.yd.
During a tenant buildout of a new space, flooring choices are easy, as is installation. Floor prep will be minimum, since there will be no glue removal. Simply choose the flooring, paint the walls and install the flooring. Don't install the flooring and then paint. That hardly ever works.
If the space is to be occupied primarily as office, choose the right carpet for the expected traffic. Nylon is extremely durable and wear resistant. Loop Pile for high traffic areas, and Cut Pile for conference room-type areas. While there are many compositions for carpet, ie. polyester, wool, olefin, acrylic or nylon, nylon is by far the carpet-of-choice in the commercial environment, and is winning much popularity in the residential and hospitality industries. Nylon is chosen for many reasons, including durability, color retention and stain resistance. Loop Piles are chosen for high traffic areas and Cut Piles, a more luxurious choice, for board rooms or conference rooms. Nylon does not wear out for years, or become “matted.” The tenant will get tired of the carpet before it wears out.
If an existing area is being renovated, the carpet can sometimes be reused if the wear is not significant and any stains are removable. Many stains can be removed with the proper proceedure. “We remove stains that a lot of people say cannot be removed,” claims Larry and Connie John of CitruSolution in Woodstock, GA. “It just takes a little patience and the proper tools.” It is not just a claim, because I have seen it happen!
If the flooring must be replaced, either due to wear, damage or a new tenants desire; make sure you use a qualified contractor. Best price is not always the answer. “Floor preparation is an art and if not prepared properly, you are likely to encounter on-going problems. VCT, ceramic tile or carpet glue must be removed and the floor sanded as necessary to prepare for the new floor,” says Foster McCaskill, owner of Fosmar Enterprises, Duluth, GA. “If the lumps aren't properly smoothed out, there will still be lumps. The floor must be level and smooth. I've seen people install VCT on top of lumpy VCT because it costs less than having the old VCT removed. Sometimes they end up having to saw off the bottoms of the doors. And they still have lumpy VCT. Installing VCT on top of old VCT, voids the warranty on the new VCT. People should not look totally at price. You get what you pay for, and I did not make that up.” Mr McCaskill should know what he's talking about. His company installs the carpet, tile and laminates for Kohl's and Steinmart and has been in flooring for 40 years.
In choosing a carpet, tile, hardwood or any type of flooring, keep in mind that wear-and –tear will show, no matter what carpet or other material is chosen. Choose materials that resist wear. If the entryways open to the elements like rain, sleet and snow, you might consider a non-skid Ceramic Tile insert. This will prevent the carpet from looking worn or coming unglued over time. Wet carpet is not pretty. Just inside the door, install a non-skid tile section and mat for wet feet. It saves the carpet appearance and looks classy to boot! Ceramic Tile does not wear out.
Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) is a glue-down tile, usually 12” X 12” or 18” X 18” and is very durable. It is often used in computer rooms or data processing centers because of durability and its low static electricity factor. Many data processing centers specify “static free” VCT, available at a slightly higher cost. The Breakroom that experiences a lot of spills is another choice. VCT can be polished to look like new for many years.
Both Hardwoods and Laminates are durable, luxurious and pricey, though it never hurts to be elegant. Used in specialty areas and lobbies, they exude an air of elegance that only hardwoods and look-alikes can exude. Call your supplier for current pricing, as they are all over the place.
Amtico Tile, manufactured by a British company, is a specialty product that is unique and elegant for those “special” areas, like foyers…. and entrances to palaces. With offices in Macon and Atlanta, their products are readily available, come in an almost infinite array of designs and are more than noteworthy
What is Cove Base and why do I need it?
Cove Base is the segway from wall to floor. It provides a smooth transition that is attractive, durable and color coordinated. Primarily made of rubber or vinyl, it is a great altenrative to a wood baseboard because of flexibility, durability and cost .
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