Commercial and residential flooring projects have many things in common, but there are also some pretty stark differences between the two types of work that flooring contractors do. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about how a project for a business compares to one in the home, read on.
Timelines
One of the most important questions a flooring contractor gets from any type of client is, “How long should this take?” The installation timelines of commercial and residential flooring can vary depending on the type of flooring and the size and complexity of the area. While you might figure that commercial projects always take longer, that isn’t always the case. A vinyl floor installation in a storefront or small office may actually take less time than a hardwood flooring installation in a similarly sized home. For larger jobs like carpeting a large office complex, the size does factor into how long it will take. When it comes to an installation timeline, each depends on a few elements like materials, the scope of the project, and the condition of the subflooring. In terms of the time an installation may take, commercial flooring and residential flooring are quite similar.
Durability, Maintenance, and Longevity
What is the difference between commercial and residential flooring? Durability and longevity are factors that differentiate the two projects quite substantially. Since commercial environments like offices, retail stores, and restaurants have high levels of foot traffic and are at greater risk of damage, commercial flooring has to be more durable. While it’s certainly true that your home can be a place with high traffic, and you can never fully account for the damage pets or children (or ourselves) can inflict on a floor’s material, residential flooring is generally designed more for comfort than durability. Residential carpeting and commercial carpeting are two very different things. Commercial carpeting is often low-pile and much less soft than residential carpeting. Often, commercial carpeting is applied in squares with adhesives rather than as a sheet in a home. Since carpeting in your home is often walked on with bare feet, you want it to be more plush and supportive. In a business, the flooring needs to be tough to resist tears and damage from heavy office furniture and equipment.
Since residential carpeting is more focused on comfort, and commercial carpeting focuses on durability despite much more foot traffic, they often last about the same amount of time before they need to be replaced. Both have average lifespans of five to 15 years, depending on use.
Cost
Cost, whether it’s for residential or commercial flooring projects, is a huge concern for our customers. But which one usually costs more? Much like the timeline question, the similarities and differences for pricing depend on materials and the size of the installation. When you’re budgeting for a flooring project, you need to consider the square footage over most other factors. Both commercial and residential settings have more expensive flooring options. For instance, hardwoods and tile are much more common in residences, and these are two high-cost types of flooring. Contrast that with rubber or vinyl flooring in a commercial space, and two similarly sized projects could end up costing far more for a homeowner than a business owner.
Get the Right Kind of Flooring for You
In the end, residential and commercial flooring projects share many similarities, but they are not without their differences. Ozburn-Hessey is well-equipped no matter what type of installation you need!. Reach out to fill us in on your project and get a custom quote and estimate.
