What is the Best Commercial Kitchen Flooring?
Metropolitan Ceramics’ quarry tile is the best solution for demanding flooring applications like commercial kitchen floors.
What is the Best Commercial Kitchen Flooring?
Metropolitan Ceramics Quarry Tile is the best solution for demanding flooring applications like commercial kitchen floors.
Quarry Tile is the Best Flooring Choice for Commercial Kitchens
There may be other options available for restaurants and other commercial kitchen floors, but quarry tile remains the best choice. This section will compare quarry tile to other floor covering sometimes used for commercial kitchen floors – seamless epoxy, stained concrete and vinyl flooring.
We base our comparison on five essential criteria, slip resistance, durability, work environment, installation, and maintenance.
Slip Resistance – In a commercial kitchen, more than nearly any other area, A floor with added slip resistance is one of the most crucial considerations. No floorcovering is completely anti-slip or non-slip. Environmental conditions play a significant role in how well the floor will perform in an area, and few spaces are more wet and slippery than a commercial kitchen.
Durability – How well the floor performs over time is also extremely important. No one wants to repair or replace the restaurant kitchen floor frequently. To last, the floor must resist thermal shock from extremes in temperature. The floor must not melt from hot fryer oil or oven spills. Commercial kitchen floors need to resist chipping and abrasion and not wear away from constant use.
Work Environment – Beyond slip resistance, the commercial kitchen floor can affect the work environment in other ways. Primarily the concern is air quality in the kitchen and how each step in a floor’s life can affect it. What impact will the floor have when installed and right after installation? What effect will maintenance and floor cleaners have on air quality? Finally, what air quality issues will there be when you repair or replace the floor?
Installation – Installation will have a significant impact on the success of the floor. Questions you will want to ask include the following. Who is installing the floor, seasoned professionals, or someone just completing a week of training? Are there established standards and specifications for installing the product you choose? Are the installers certified to install the product? What is the installation process? How do environmental conditions affect the installation?
Maintenance – The daily and weekly maintenance routine will affect how well a restaurant kitchen floor performs and lasts. Slip resistance can also be affected by floor maintenance. Questions you need to ask when choosing a floor covering include how the floor is maintained, are top coatings applied to the floor, and what kind? What is the maintenance schedule? How is the floor repaired, how often?
We will show you the many advantages of using Metropolitan Ceramics’ quarry tile for your kitchen floor by looking at these five considerations.
METROPOLITAN CERAMICS
Quarry Tile & Slip Resistance
- Tested using standardized equipment
- Wear has minimal effect
- No top coat additives needed
- Installation – should have no impact
- Maintenance – low to no impact
Slip Resistance
Commercial Kitchen Flooring Comparison
Seamless Epoxy / Urethane Floor
Slip Resistance
- Floors may not be tested for slip resistance
- Wear can remove – wear off aggregate
- Aggregate is scattered by hand during installation
- Poor installation can hurt slip resistance
- Cleaning/scrubbing can have a negative impact
Stained Concrete Floor
Slip Resistance
- If tested, only after installation – too late?
- Wear can remove – wear off aggregate
- Aggregate is applied to the floor as part of a top coat
- Poor installation can have a negative impact
- Cleaning/scrubbing can have a negative impact
Vinyl Floor
Slip Resistance
- Types of tests used will vary
- Wear will have a negative affect
- After-market coatings may be used
- Installation should have no affect
- Cleaning can have a negative impact
METROPOLITAN CERAMICS
Quarry Tile & Durability
- Tested using standardized equipment
- Installation should not impact durability
- Performs great in harsh environments
- Extremely durable –decades of performance
- The floor can last 50+ years
Durability
Commercial Kitchen Flooring Comparison
Seamless Epoxy / Urethane Floor
Durability
- Floors likely not tested for durability
- The floor will show wear patterns from foot/cart traffic
- Floors can melt from hot spills –compromising the floor
- Installation/conditions can affect longevity
- A properly installed product will likely last 2-5 years
Stained Concrete Floor
Durability
- Floors are not likely to be tested for durability
- The floor will show wear patterns from foot/cart traffic
- Extreme heat and cold can compromise durability
- Installation/conditions can affect durability
- Reseal, re-stain, and repair concrete as necessary
Vinyl Floor
Durability
- Tests /results not equal to quarry tile testing
- The floor will show wear patterns from foot/cart traffic
- Extreme heat and cold can compromise durability
- Installation should not impact durability
- Repairs difficult at best – expect to replace instead
METROPOLITAN CERAMICS
Quarry Tile & The Work Environment
- Tiles are inert and do not give off odors
- Don’t dry cut tile – use mask for pouring/mixing grout and setting materials
- Cleaning will not impact air quality
- Installation low/moderate impact on air quality
Work Environment
Commercial Kitchen Flooring Comparison
Seamless Epoxy / Urethane Floor
Work Environment
- Epoxy odors can be harmful until floor completely cures
- Installation, repairs/re-coating create air quality issues
- Cleaning with ammonia can negatively affect air quality
- Grinding uncured epoxy - face/skin exposure is harmful
Stained Concrete Floor
Work Environment
- Acid Stains contain VOC’s – sealers may as well
- Proper ventilation and PPE required during installation
- Re-staining and regular sealing also impact air quality
- Stains can harm skin, wear PPE when acid staining
Vinyl Floor
Work Environment
- Vinyl is plastic containing VOCs during/after installation
- Use correct PPE for installing – adhesives may be toxic
- Sealers with VOCs may be used for coating/re-coating
- Additives used in vinyl floors may also be toxic
METROPOLITAN CERAMICS
Quarry Tile & The Installation Process
- Installers with years of experience are available
- Installation follows well-established guidelines
- ANSI standards for products and installation
- Apprenticeship training/certification is available
Installation
Commercial Kitchen Flooring Comparison
Seamless Epoxy / Urethane Floor
Installation
- Installer knowledge about floor systems can vary greatly
- Training likely proprietary to system used
- Certification - if any - likely proprietary to system used
- Installation procedures will vary from system to system
Stained Concrete Floor
Installation
- Staining is usually one of a variety of products offered
- Staining is often a part of decorative concrete training
- There is no industry standard for staining concrete
- Staining concrete is a fairly straightforward process
Vinyl Floor
Installation
- Vinyl contractors are available to install vinyl floors
- Training and certification is available from associations
- There are industry standards for vinyl floor products
- Installation procedure is specific to the product type
METROPOLITAN CERAMICS
Quarry Tile Maintenance
- The floor is maintained using neutral cleaners
- correctly installed/cared for, repairs are minimal
- Maintain daily and scrub with deck brush weekly
- No top coatings are required for quarry tile
Maintenance
Commercial Kitchen Flooring Comparison
Seamless Epoxy / Urethane Floor
Maintenance
- Use specific cleaning products/tools to avoid scratches
- Top coatings are often used in commercial kitchens
- Do daily/weekly maintenance and re-coating as needed
- Repairs include re-coating and fixing holes and cracks
Stained Concrete Floor
Maintenance
- Clean using neutral cleaners and non-abrasive tools
- Top coatings are necessary for commercial kitchens
- Do daily/weekly maintenance and re-coating as needed
- Repairs include re-coating and fixing holes and cracks
Vinyl Floor
Maintenance
- Use neutral cleaners and soft cleaning tools to maintain
- Vinyl floors vary, some require a top coat/others do not
- Clean daily and weekly – no harsh chemical or tools
- Consult a vinyl installer to see if repairs are possible