Commercial kitchens deal with a lot of daily abuse, from grease, high temperatures, moisture, and foot traffic. Commercial kitchen owners need to invest in a durable flooring solution that can stand up to the stress of everyday operations.
With that in mind, the team at Excel Concrete Coatings is here to discuss the best solution for commercial kitchen flooring. These solutions will provide durable flooring that will last.
What to Look For in Commercial Kitchen Flooring
When searching for floor coating systems, make sure to consider the following factors.
- Slip-resistant: Kitchens get very busy during rush hours. Above all, commercial floors need to be slip-resistant to prevent falling and injuries.
- Maintenance: Commercial floors also need to be easy to clean. You should be able to scrub your floors clean at the end of the night without too much trouble.
- Moisture-resistant: Kitchens are humid environments, and liquid spills are common. Concrete floors need to be resistant to moisture and liquids.
- Anti-microbial: Bacteria and organic growth in kitchens is a serious issue. Kitchen flooring should resist mold and mildew to provide a sanitary environment for food preparation.
Best Commercial Kitchen Floorings
The best commercial floor coatings are epoxy, rubber, and tile. We will talk about each flooring type and its pros and cons below.
Epoxy
Epoxy consists of a mixture of resin and adhesive that forms a durable and water-resistant layer over the concrete surface. Epoxy floorings are chemically resistant and have several customization options. Epoxy resin is also slip-resistant, making it a safe option for commercial kitchen floors.
One of epoxy’s best features is its abrasion resistance. Epoxy can handle heavy traffic and equipment without scratching or gouging. This durability is one reason epoxy is common in industrial settings. An epoxy floor can last over 20 years if you remember maintenance and care.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Easy to install
- Resists liquid and stains
- Sanitary and resistant to mold and mildew
Cons
- It can take several days to set and be ready to use
- Some epoxy resins can emit fumes under certain conditions
Rubber
Rubber mats are a classic solution for commercial kitchen flooring and provide a safe slip and moisture-resistant layer for kitchen floors. Kitchen managers favor rubber mats because they provide cushioning, making it easier for employees to walk around the majority of the day. Rubber mats are most useful near entrances, cooking stations, and sinks.
Rubber is also easy to place because it does not require installation. Of course, that means you need a suitable floor coating underneath the rubber mats. Nitrile rubber is the best kind of rubber because it is highly resistant to oil and grease—two common things in commercial kitchens.
Pros
- Resistant to oils and grease
- Provides additional cushioning when carrying loads
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Easy and fast to install
Cons
- Doesn’t cover the entire floor
- Will deteriorate over time
- Cannot hold heavy machinery or equipment without ripping
- Require frequent cleaning
Tile
Tile is an old-school kitchen flooring solution because of its classic and attractive appearance. Saltillo tile, in particular, is a durable option that can last upwards of 15 years. Tile flooring has low emissions and is also easy to clean. Last but not least, Saltillo tile ages very well and looks great as the color settles.
Saltillo tiles also give several options for decoration. You can choose custom colors and styles to get the look you want. Saltillo is also environmentally friendly and only consists of baked and fired clay.
Pros
- Low emissions and no volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Ages well
- Extremely durable and resistant to slipping
Cons
- Saltillo tile is hard and can cause discomfort and pain after standing for long hours
- Tile is generally more difficult to install and takes longer to place than other flooring types
How Much Does Commercial Flooring Cost?
The average cost for commercial kitchen flooring is between $3 and $22 per square foot, depending on the kind of flooring you get. Generally speaking, Saltillo tile is the most expensive of the three discussed options, while epoxy and rubber mats are the second and third most expensive options.
Commercial Floor Coatings in Waukesha
Excel Concrete Coatings strives to provide the best commercial floor coatings in Waukesha, WI. We always go the extra mile to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. We pride ourselves on the quality of our services.
Contact us online or call today at (262) 993-6950 to schedule an appointment!
