There is no shortage of museums and interesting public spaces in Middle Tennessee that draw millions of visitors each year. But while people are admiring your facility’s art, history, or cultural collections, you may be quietly examining the state of your flooring.
High traffic areas such as these need commercial flooring that balances aesthetics, durability, and acoustic control, which can make the research process feel overwhelming if you’re looking to update interior spaces in the next few months.
At Ozburn-Hessey, we specialize in commercial flooring installations for a variety of public spaces. We understand what works for the Middle Tennessee climate, and for your unique needs, too.
If you’re part of a museum’s or public space’s facility services or specialized maintenance team, and you’re looking for the best flooring options for your building’s aesthetics, acoustics needs, visitor volume, and your budget, read on for industry tips and insights designed to make the shortlisting process a whole lot easier.
Commercial Flooring for High Traffic Spaces
With museums and other public venues welcoming legions of visitors season after season, your building’s flooring must withstand continuous foot traffic safely and without wearing down.
Important characteristics to consider when evaluating your flooring options are:
- Durability
- Aesthetics
- Scratch and stain resistance
- Ease of maintenance
- Anti-slip qualities
- Acoustics
Flooring plays an important role in your site’s form and function. It also provides an appropriate aesthetic backdrop and adds to your brand identity. In high-traffic public venues, the right choice needs to tick many boxes.
Vinyl Flooring vs. Laminate Flooring
Vinyl flooring—especially Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring, (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)—is the most widely used flooring material for public and commercial interiors. Vinyl floors are budget-friendly, highly durable, and easy to install and maintain. These products come in a variety of styles, colors, and patterns, making it easy to match your choice with your space.
The difference between LVT and LVP is their visual design. LVT is made to resemble materials like natural stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile, whereas LVP offers the look and feel of traditional hardwood flooring, such as oak, walnut, or rustic wood. LVT is the sleeker, more modern-looking of the two, with LVP providing a warm, classic, seamless wood aesthetic.
Commercial-grade laminate flooring is also recommended for museums and busy public spaces for its durability, cost-effectiveness, slip resistance, and anti-glare qualities, but with a few caveats. While it can provide the look of wood or stone at a lower price point, it’s not identical to these materials and can sometimes have an artificial appearance. It’s also not the best choice for resisting moisture and can be difficult to repair if damaged.
Commercial Tile for a Spectrum of Aesthetics
Porcelain, terrazzo, and natural stone tiles are all excellent choices for museums and public spaces in Middle Tennessee. They’re all durable, offer aesthetic versatility, and can be used to create a range of looks; however, sound and slip resistance are important factors to consider. A polished surface is very slippery! Look into matte, honed, or textured surfaces instead.
Wood Flooring for a Warm and Welcoming Look
For a timeless and sophisticated ambiance, commercial wood flooring is an ideal choice. Hardwood flooring for commercial spaces is usually made from dense hardwoods like oak or maple and can include enhanced finishes. It’s durable and long-lasting, although it will need proper maintenance, such as sanding and refinishing, as well as regular sweeping and cleaning to extend its lifespan and maintain its appearance.
A couple of drawbacks that should be considered when evaluating commercial wood for busy public spaces: Wood can be vulnerable to warping from moisture and humidity, and it can reflect sound, causing excessive echoes as people walk.
To avoid warping, consider engineered wood flooring. Its unique construction and thicker wear layer make it an excellent option for high-traffic areas. It can also be installed over concrete subfloors, but that’s a tricky process. Professional installation is absolutely crucial.
Commercial Carpet vs. Industrial Carpet
While these two terms are often used interchangeably, commercial carpet and industrial carpet are not the same. Both describe low-pile designs made for high-traffic areas, but commercial carpeting would be the better choice for museums and public spaces. Its loop-pile construction resists matting and crushing, and its synthetic fibers make for easy upkeep. Commercial carpet is also great at absorbing sound, and there are many colors, patterns, and designs to choose from.
A recommendation for high-traffic areas would be carpet tile for easy replacement should any part of the flooring become stained, worn, or damaged. Routine vacuuming and spot cleaning are sufficient to keep commercial carpet looking fresh (and many come with stain-resistant treatments anyway).
Industrial carpet—also known as heavy-duty commercial carpet—is often too severe for a museum, and is better suited to extremely demanding conditions, such as airports or warehouses.
Trust Nashville’s Certified Flooring Professionals
Ozburn-Hessey has served Middle Tennessee businesses for more than 30 years, partnering with leading manufacturers to deliver long-lasting commercial flooring that complements your site’s architecture while withstanding heavy use. Our certified installers have extensive experience with museum interiors, public venues, universities, and music studios, ensuring precise, efficient installation with minimal downtime.
No matter your flooring project, you can’t do better than the team at Ozburn-Hessey. Ready to learn more about your options? Contact Ozburn-Hessey today to speak with a commercial flooring expert today.