You might not realise it, but the flooring of your warehouse is one of the most important aspects of the fit out. We tend to pay little to no attention to the type of floor we use in commercial spaces, especially in warehouses. This, however, is a mistake, and the floors of your business deserve just as much thought and attention as any other part of your fit out.
In fact, out of all the commercial spaces available to business owners, those who operate out of warehouses need to be the most concerned about the flooring material they choose. This is because flooring options for warehouses are limited as they need to meet a number of requirements, such as being durable and cost-effective, before they can be considered for use within the space.
In this article, we explore the best flooring for a warehouse fit out, as well as what qualities you should be looking for in flooring material.
Qualities of good warehouse flooring
Before we get into the options available for warehouses, it’s first worth noting what characteristics you should be looking for in the material you end up choosing.
So, what makes for a good warehouse floor?
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Durability: The combination of heavy traffic, the weight of the equipment and the mass of products you’re storing all contribute to the wear and tear of your floor. Therefore, your warehouse flooring needs to be durable and able to withstand all the daily happenings within the space, such as forklifts and trucks that are continuously loading and offloading products.
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Cost-effective: A majority of warehouses are big in size and offer a large area of square footage. If you choose a more expensive flooring material, you’ll end up paying an arm and a leg to cover the entire warehouse. So, you’ll want to choose the most cost-effective option to save as much money as possible.
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Anti-slippery properties: Warehouses see a lot of traffic and footfall throughout the day, from both workers and vehicles navigating the space continuously. Add in the heavy machinery, and it’s easy to see why safety is a top priority in all warehouses. One of the best ways to do this is to have flooring with anti-slippery properties.
Now that you know what to look for in a warehouse flooring material, it’s time to explore the options available to you.
Best types of warehouse flooring
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PVC plastic floor tile
Perfect for garage areas where vehicles are parked and settings where heavy machinery operates, PVC plastic floor tiles are rugged enough to withstand the daily wear-and-tear of all heavy traffic – including forklifts.
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PVC rubber interlocking tiles
Another material that checks off all the traits you need in a warehouse floor is PVC rubber interlocking tiles. These tiles are cost-effective and anti-slippery. Although they are durable and can withstand a lifetime of footfall in low to moderate traffic areas, the durability of these tiles drops when laid down in areas where heavy vehicles are being operated.
It is advised to install this type of flooring in areas that are commonly used by employees, like a workshop, and where products are stored, such as an exhibition room, as they have the added properties of anti-fatigue and thermal and sound insulation.
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Wood laminate
If you’re considering wood laminate for your warehouse floor, then it’s highly advised to install this material in spaces where there are no heavy traffic movements, like forklifts and trucks, as they are not as durable as the aforementioned options and will likely crack under the tremendous pressure of big vehicles. Wood laminate is most suitable for areas that see a lot of human traffic and lighter pallet jacks.
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Cement flooring
One of the most popular options in warehouse flooring is cement – and if you have an area that sees a lot of heavy-duty activity, then this is your best choice. Cement flooring ticks all the boxes, but lacks aesthetic appeal, unlike the options mentioned previously. However, if you’re not after looks, then this option is perfect for your warehouse.
Need help from the experts?
As you can see, the flooring you choose for your warehouse is much more important than you might think. If you don’t install suitable flooring materials in the right areas, you’ll end up spending a fortune on constantly replacing cracked flooring or dealing with injuries or damaged equipment and vehicles.
However, it’s not enough to just purchase the right flooring materials – you need to install it properly if you want it to be effective – and for that, you’ll need the help of an expert contractor who knows exactly what they’re doing.
And fortunately for you, we know just where to find the perfect professional for your warehouse fit out project.
Contractors.Direct offers a curated database of thoroughly vetted, quality contractors, interior designers and interior architects who can bring your vision to life, on time and on budget. Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to connect you with the right people for the job.
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