When it comes to designing an office space, one crucial element to consider is the flooring.  Among the many commercial flooring options available, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and carpet tiles remain two of the most popular choices for their durability, aesthetic appeal and practicality within office environments.  Both LVT and carpet tiles have their own advantages (and disadvantages), making it a little easier to decide which is best for your workspace.  We’ve reviewed the pros and cons of each to help you decide whether luxury vinyl tiles will make the perfect statement in your office, or if carpet tiles could be the sound attenuating solution you’ve been searching for.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles
LVT flooring can be water resistant, making them an ideal choice for restaurants and cafes looking for an easy to clean and low maintenance floor type.  They also offer incredible durability.  In fact, they’re (almost!) indestructible, making them a suitable choice for offices as they can withstand heavy foot traffic and the sliding of swivel chairs.  LVT are also known for their resistance to stains, scratches and general wear and tear.  What’s more, with proper care, your commercial LVT could last for decades, making it an economical design choice.

When designing your workspace, a key element to consider is thermal efficiency – we bet half of your team feel the cold, and the other half complain about being too warm?  It’s a difficult balance to get right.  But you’ll be pleased to know commercial luxury vinyl tiles have inherent thermal properties that contribute to the energy efficiency of your office.  Through their multi-layered construction, luxury vinyl tiles help regulate the indoor temperature by retaining coolness during the warmer months.  They can also be combined with underfloor heating systems for added warmth, ideal for the colder seasons.

And let’s not forget how LVT is available in an extensive range of colours, patterns and finishes – you can create a professional, visually appealing atmosphere that also aligns with your brand identity.

The list of advantages doesn’t end there; luxury vinyl tiles are also resistant to moisture and dampness, economical and hygienic (they don’t trap dust or allergens, promoting a healthier indoor environment).  But they do have some disadvantages too including:

• Difficult to remove if glued down (labour intensive).
• Discolouration – the outer layer of LVT is not UV resistant and is therefore prone to fading over time. Of course, this is only an issue dependant on where your tiles are laid –  for example near south-facing doors or windows.
• Non-sustainable – the materials used for LVT flooring are not bio-degradable and therefore not environmentally friendly.

Carpet Tiles
Another popular choice to complete your office fit out are commercial carpet tiles.  Just like luxury vinyl tiles, they also have multiple benefits including design versatility.  Carpet tiles are available in every colour and in a variety of sizes and textures too.  This makes it possible for you to create a visually appealing working environment that encourages creativity and comfort.  It’s also worth noting that carpet tiles are great for odd-shaped spaces that are either hard to get to or where space is tight.

Carpet tiles can last for 10 – 20+ years before showing any real wear and tear.  Pretty impressive, eh?  And when carpet tiles do begin to show their age, they are easy to replace (unlike a traditional broadloom carpet installation) as you can swap out individual tiles rather than replacing the entire floor.

Another significant advantage of carpet tiles is their ability to absorb sound (a must-have for any busy office).  Through absorbing the sound of the hustle and bustle of day-to-day operations, carpets help to minimise noise levels, subsequently reducing distractions, creating a more productive workspace. This makes them a great choice in areas with high foot traffic or where meetings and confidential discussions take place.

Other advantages of carpet tiles include:

• Easy maintenance – they are low pile so tend to collect less dirt than other commercial floor types. Regular vacuuming will keep your carpet tiles in tip top condition.
• Access – office carpet tiles can be individually lifted should you need to access the floor below.
• Comfort – offering a softer and cushioned surface, carpets are ideal for areas where employees spend extended periods standing or walking. Compared to alternative commercial flooring options, carpets are comfortable!
• Safety and slip resistant – commercial carpet tiles offer excellent slip resistance, minimising the risk of accidents in the workplace.
• Easy to install – arguably one of the most attractive benefits of carpet tiles is how convenient, straightforward and efficient they are to handle, store, transport and replace. The same goes for the installation process.  In fact, the relative speed of using carpet tiles will see a reduction in disruption and downtime throughout your refurbishment.
• Cost effective – carpet tiles are a popular choice within commercial refurbishments where time and money are of the essence. This is because they are simple and quick to install, and are a cost-effective alternative to other commercial flooring options.

While there are many pros to installing carpet tiles in the workspace, there are also a few cons.  For instance, carpet tiles are available in loose forms and installed one-by-one. Over time, this increases the chances of wear around the seams of each tile.  The good news here is that this can be prevented through proper upkeep and monitoring, particularly in high foot traffic areas.

While installing carpet tiles is straightforward, you first need to ensure the subfloor is even.  Any visible dents, heightened spots or cracks will need treating before laying the carpet tiles otherwise the end result will not have the perfected look it deserves.  It’s also worth noting that carpet tiles are made of different layers and so it is possible for the backing layer to partially separate from the tile resulting in a lumpy and out of shape appearance. And finally, because of their many seams, carpet tiles can’t provide a complete waterproof protection.  It is therefore possible for spills and stains to be absorbed into the sub-floor beneath the tiles.  Replacing the carpet tile itself will remove visible stains, but it won’t eliminate odours that may have soaked into the floor beneath.

Choosing between luxury vinyl tiles and carpets tiles for your office flooring is a decision that requires careful consideration.  While LVT offers durability, easy maintenance and a wide range of design options, carpets provide comfort, acoustic benefits and a cozy, comfortable aesthetic.

Selecting the right flooring will contribute to a productive and visually appealing work environment, so choose wisely.  For expert guidance on your commercial fit out and refurbishment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Cubex Contracts!