If you manage a commercial kitchen, you know how important it is to pay attention to the smallest things. The floor of your work space is one of the most important features. It might be tough to pick the ideal flooring for a restaurant kitchen since there are so many options available.
At the absolute least, every kitchen floor should have the following characteristics:
Installation is simple. You need a flooring system that can be installed fast and efficiently, with little downtime, for the greatest outcomes.
Antimicrobial/hygienic. Seamless kitchen flooring prevent water or liquids from seeping into gaps and also function as a barrier against microbial illness.
Resistance against slipping. It should go without saying that the finest flooring for a restaurant kitchen should be slip-resistant, even when wet, to keep your staff safe.
Durability. The flooring in kitchens must tolerate a range of thermal shocks, such as spills of boiling cooking oil, water, and other liquids. It must also be moisture resistant.
Simple to keep up with. With a watertight seal and non-porous surfaces, flooring should be simple to clean and sterilise and withstand regular washing and scrubbing.
Let’s take a look at the five most prevalent commercial kitchen flooring options and see how they compare.
The Best Flooring Options
Epoxy Flooring JetRock
Based on our expertise, the best all-around option is a quartz-blended epoxy flooring system, and JetRock stands out among the numerous brands we’ve dealt with. (This is not to be confused with broadcast epoxy, which is a non-commercial quality flooring that is not normally suited for high-traffic commercial situations.) It instals rapidly — overnight — to save downtime, and it may last up to 10 or 15 years, depending on use. It is both impermeable and sanitary. Finally, it can handle the chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and excessive wear that are common in commercial kitchen flooring, making it an excellent choice for anything from hotlines to chiller boxes. Other epoxy flooring systems may use elements other than quartz, making them less durable, wearing out quicker, and taking longer to install with two or three layers. Materials cost $6-8 per square foot, while installation costs $9-14 per square foot.
Flooring made of ceramic tiles
Ceramic tile flooring is another good option. Its finest advantages are its timeless beauty, long-lasting sturdiness, and minimal installation cost. Cleaning on a daily basis is very simple, but the use of chemicals in washing supplies or frequent cleaning weakens the grout lines, leaving them prone to moisture retention and bacteria accumulation. Individual tiles may shatter over time, but they are quite easy to repair. In a commercial kitchen, a tile floor will exhibit wear and tear, retain aromas, and water may seep in beneath the tile. It has a reputation for being expensive to maintain. In commercial kitchens, replacing damaged tiles and regrouting once or twice a year might cost up to $5,000. Materials cost $5-6/sq. ft., while installation costs $8-10/sq. ft.
Flooring made of concrete
Another common alternative is concrete. It has the advantage of being very long-lasting, with a hard, flat, and smooth surface that is resistant to heat and most impacts. Polished concrete makes an appealing kitchen floor and may last up to ten years if properly maintained. This sort of flooring is also long-lasting and able to withstand the weight of large machines and equipment. On the downside, its hardness makes it a difficult surface to stand on for extended periods of time, which is why many owners use rubber mats to cushion the impact. Concrete flooring is porous, allowing germs and mildew to grow, and it may fail health department inspections unless it’s painted over with epoxy. It’s not the easiest to clean, and it’s a little slick when wet. It may also raise the amount of noise in a business area. Materials cost $3-5 per square foot, while installation costs $6-12 per square foot.
Food Grade Flooring (Advance Polytech)
A relatively new flooring material that is starting to gain in popularity is food grade flooring. This type of flooring is made from a non-toxic, FDA approved polyurethane resin and it is completely sealed, making it impervious to moisture and bacteria. It can be installed in any area of a business, including the kitchen, and it is easy to clean and maintain. Food grade flooring is also non-slip and comes in a variety of colors. The only downside is that it tends to be more expensive than other types of flooring. Prices start at around $10 per square foot and go up from there.
Tile made of natural stone
Another choice for commercial kitchen flooring is natural stone tile, which is particularly attractive when the workstation is visible to consumers. It’s tough and durable, comparable to ceramic and quarry tile, but it has a few negatives to consider. First, if you truly want a designer appearance, the installation cost might be fairly costly, and it can take days or weeks to complete. Natural stone, in addition to being more expensive up front, may also be high-maintenance, needing periodic repairs or tile replacement. There are a few more drawbacks: Stone tiles, unlike quarry or ceramic tile, are susceptible to stains and discolouration until sealed. Furthermore, stone tiles use in commercial kitchens must be selected with care: profound surface variances might provide tripping risks. Most significantly, they must be slip-resistant even when wet, which is a condition that not all natural stone tiles satisfy. Materials cost $5-6/sq. ft., whereas installation costs $8-25/sq. ft.
Consult an expert in the field of flooring.
Of course, each restaurant kitchen has its unique set of needs and no one solution is suitable for all. The easiest way to decide is to look at and feel the different alternatives, as well as speak with a food grade flooring installers about your wants and concerns. In an ideal world, the choice you make will produce a long-term return on investment, so it’s worth taking your time.
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