Office floors are high-traffic areas. When looking for flooring for your office, you need sturdy, highly durable material. Wood flooring is a great option for office spaces because it’s warm and timeless.
There are many different types of wood flooring to choose from. These include laminate wood flooring, solid wood flooring, and engineered wood flooring.
The kind of wood flooring you choose will depend on your budget, purpose, and the look you are going for.
Are you looking for a classic look or a modern finish for your office floors? Does your budget only allow you to find a cheap but durable flooring material?
Whatever the case, there is a wood flooring option for every office space.
Different types of wood flooring
Wood flooring types differ according to wood species, hardness, finish and saw patterns. Most types of office floors are made from either engineered, laminate or solid wood.
- Solid wood flooring
Solid wood floors are highly durable and can last a lifetime, if you sand and refinish them regularly.
Although solid wood floors amplify sound, they will give your office a classic look. Use area rugs on your solid wood flooring to minimize any sound issues.
You can install solid wood flooring in many different climates. However, solid wood is sensitive to high humidity making it more prone to swelling and warping.
Do not use water to clean solid wood floors. Solid wood floors are also prone to scuffing and will not last long in high-traffic office areas. Therefore, pick solid wood floors for private office spaces such as executive suites.
- Engineered wood office flooring
Engineered wood floorboards are another great office flooring option. They are cheaper than solid wood floors but are still relatively durable.
Engineered wood consists of a veneer of real wood glued over a high-density fiberboard or plywood core. It is less likely to warp than solid wood but is still susceptible to temperature changes. Therefore avoid it if you are in a high humidity climate.
Engineered wood flooring is the next best option to solid wood floors due to its affordability. It’s one of the best flooring materials for high-traffic formal office spaces such as law and investment banking firms.
- Laminate office floors
Although it’s not made from solid wood, laminate flooring is your best option if you want water-resistant floors. It is also hard-wearing and durable.
Laminate flooring is made from fibreboard planks covered with a faux protective overlay of wood. The more expensive a laminate flooring is, the more realistic it looks.
Laminate floors are easy to install. They are best for high-traffic areas that require frequent cleaning such as doctor’s offices.
Office flooring wood species
You can also choose your office wood flooring according to wood species. Some popular examples are mahogany, oak, teak, and walnut.
Red Oak is warm, with rusty, reddish, or pink undertones. And White Oak is cool with green-gray undertones.
Maple flooring comes in a variety of colors that range from creamy-white to reddish-brown. It is a hardy type of flooring that looks great in neutral finishes.
If you like exotic wood and have an unlimited budget, try mahogany. It’s costly but elegant and highly durable. Mahogany has a beautiful grain that will impart warmth and richness to your office space.
Teak is another exotic wood option. It is full of natural oils that will minimize your refinishing costs. Its radiance, durability, and warmth make it a favorite office flooring material.
Although it seems like hardwood flooring materials are all that is available for offices, that’s not the case. There are softwood options such as pine flooring that are quite beautiful, durable, and renewable.
Another great example is cork flooring. It’s soft and springy underfoot, and offers terrific acoustic and insulation properties.
Most cork floors are also anti-microbial. Therefore, they are the best flooring option for people suffering from joint issues or allergies.
Wood floor finishes for offices
The finish of your office wood flooring will determine its durability. You may choose from water-based polyurethane, oil-based polyurethane, Aluminum Oxide, and natural oil floor finishes.
Floors covered with water or oil-based polyurethane are available in a variety of gloss finishes. For instance, oil-based polyurethane gives wood a beautiful amber finish.
Aluminum oxide protects wood flooring from scratches, dents, or fading due to exposure to UV light. And natural oils give wood office floors a hard finish and a warm rustic look.
Types of wood floor parquets
Apart from the finish, the cut pattern of your wood floor will also affect its look. Wood flooring cut patterns are called parquets.
Some examples of wood floor parquets are Herringbone, Chevron, Mixed-width, and Horizontal strip. Herringbone parquet will give your office a timeless, classic look, while Chevron parquet is more modern.
If you are looking for a combination of classic and modern, mixed-width parquet is your best option.
Final thoughts on wood flooring for office spaces
That’s quite a lot of information on wood flooring for office spaces. If it’s too confusing for you, don’t hesitate to consult a flooring expert for advice.
The main points to consider when installing wood floors are the materials, budget, ease of maintenance, and finish. Of course, the overall look also matters, but you must get the basics first.
Always use the Janka scale to measure the hardness of wood flooring. That will help you determine your floor’s resistance to wear and tear.
Remember, your office floors need to withstand a lot of wear and tear and look good too. Therefore, choose something that will add value to your office space and withstand the test of time.
