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!