July 28, 2023

Is Resilient Flooring or Hard Surface Flooring Better for My Facility?

Selecting the right floor for your facility can feel overwhelming. The world of commercial flooring has no shortage of available options to accommodate your company’s unique set of needs and budget.  

To simplify matters, it’s important to ask, “Do I need resilient or non-resilient flooring?” Let’s look at the differences between the two. 

 

Smooth is a resilient, self-leveling floor offering depth and design to contemporary commercial spaces. 

Resilient flooring 

An engineered product manufactured using various types of flexible material, resilient floors are firm and “bounce back.” Resiliency gives floors better impact resistance, an advantage in high-traffic areas. 

Seamless, poured-in-place floors can be resilient when formulated with specific polymer materials. Poured-in-place urethane floors possess less elasticity than some traditional materials, but offer degrees of flexibility underfoot, providing more comfort than many other hard surface choices. Like urethane, epoxy floors are also thermosetting polymers used to coat concrete floors. Typically, epoxy coatings bind tighter to a floor than urethane, offering greater durability, but less flexibility.  

Seamless floors provide a host of advantages not found in other flooring materials.  

Concrete is a non-resilient flooring with an unforgiving surface that is uncomfortable and tends to crack easily. 

Non-resilient flooring

Also known as “hard surface flooring,” non-resilient flooring comprises any flooring material that is not carpet. This flooring is made up of natural and man-made materials, including hardwood, laminate, and tile. A rigid surface, non-resilient flooring does not have the same cushion as resilient floors.  

The Benefits of Resilient and Non-Resilient Flooring 

In general, resilient floors offer better traction and higher slip resistance than non-resilient floors and provide ergonomic benefits such as comfort underfoot and decreased fatigue. Traditional resilient floors like vinyl (planks, sheets, tiles,) linoleum, and limestone are made with flexible materials with underfoot cushion that also provide sound dampening. Resilient floors also tend to be quieter with lower foot-traffic noise and are available in many aesthetic choices with a wide variety of colors, patterns, and finishes. An elastic surface, resilient flooring is easier to maintain.  

As you might expect, non-resilient flooring is quite different. This category includes tile, hardwood, brick, ceramic, natural stone, slate, and laminate. With a rigid surface, these floors are not as elastic as resilient floors and do not have the same "cushion" to spring back when impacted. Low maintenance is a benefit, with many requiring only regular sweeping and household cleaners. 

Which Flooring is Right For Me? 

A seamless, epoxy floor like Reflect is a decorative epoxy floor that ensures comfort underfoot with scratch resistance and easy maintenance. Reflect is available in four polyurethane finishes.  

Resilient Floors 

Resilient floors are used in many commercial industries and are recommended for high-traffic environments, including retail, education, and other commercial spaces. 

Seamless, Resinous Flooring – Epoxy and Urethane 

Epoxy and urethane flooring systems are common in commercial settings, including automotive facilities, hospitals, airports, schools, and colleges. A popular choice in high-performance environments, epoxy coatings are highly resistant to wear and tear and abrasions.  

Another exceptional advantage to poured floors is they are sustainable. Poured floors become a part of your structure, so when you choose to change your floors, the product does not end up in a landfill. 

Urethane floors are popular for resiliency, longevity, design capabilities, and easy maintenance. Some urethane floors feature low VOC formulas to improve indoor air quality. Urethane floors also offer antimicrobial protection, as well as resistance to moisture, thermal shock and cycling, and feature great eco-friendly sustainability. 

Epoxy flooring systems are strong and durable material with wear-resistant features that stand up to harsh conditions and heavy traffic daily. Epoxy floors also provide a number of performance functions such as slip resistance, chemical resistance, and abrasion resistance; and are also used to provide waterproofing and pitch for water drainage and are seamless solutions for hygienic protection. Easy maintenance and nearly unlimited colors and designs. Finishes include gloss, semi-gloss, and matte.  

Vinyl 

A traditional resilient floor, this category includes vinyl composition tile, solid vinyl tile, and luxury vinyl tile or planks. Vinyl is the most popular resilient floor for its low maintenance and resistance to water. Vinyl floors do have their drawbacks, however. One major downside is that they cannot be repaired when damaged and replacing vinyl flooring is no easy task. They are also highly susceptible to harsh chemicals that can wear down their protective layering, exposing the surface to scratches and dents. 

Linoleum 

A natural product comprising of wood, linseed oil, cork, limestone, and resins. An early precursor of vinyl floors that is still manufactured today, it shares vinyl flooring's many drawbacks including its susceptibility to damage. 

Cork 

An organic flooring made of tree cork, this surface is a favorite of eco-conscious consumers who enjoy its sustainable nature. A relatively easy floor to take care of, cork's invisible sealing barrier guards against stains and spills. Want to change its look? Cork's surface lends itself to periodic refinishes, much like hardwood. 

Non-Resilient Floors 

 

Non-resilient hardwood floors are beautiful but easily damaged. 

Hardwood 

Easily one of the most beautiful floors available, hardwood offers a unique warmth and richness. While they are long-lasting and easy to clean, hardwood floors are easily scratched and prone to damage. 

Ceramic tile 

Ceramic floors are easy to clean and feature many design possibilities. However, they are hard surfaces that are tough to stand on for lengthy periods and cannot be softened with underlayment. Additionally, they damage easily. Grout lines make them less hygienic than seamless surfaces, offering areas where dirt and bacteria can harbor. 

Concrete 

Incredibly hard and strong, concrete is durable and can stand up to scratches and dents. That hardness is also a drawback, as concrete is an unforgiving surface that is uncomfortable and tends to crack easily. Moisture issues also plague concrete to create unacceptably damp conditions.  

Granite Tile 

A beautiful surface made by processing and smoothing out volcanic rock, granite tile is exceptionally durable and a viable choice for moist areas. However, many find this surface tough to clean and maintain. Its "cooling" surface can also be a drawback in cold climates. 

 

Liquid Elements Offers Artfully Poured Floors for Commercial Interiors  

Liquid Elements, a Stonhard brand, specializes in formulating artfully poured floors for a wide range of commercial spaces, including hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and more. Liquid Elements specializes in seamless design with captivating looks to impress both customers and visitors to your commercial space.  

Liquid Elements formulates floors to provide benefits like noise reduction, comfort underfoot, scratch resistance, and slip resistance. For the ultimate in high-end design and custom flooring, count on Liquid Elements to make your vision a reality.