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Proper footing: Making solid choices from the ground up
By Glen Peloso
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Like it or not, the floor of a restaurant can make a big difference to how a dining room looks, feels and functions. That said, whether you’re in the process of renovating or in the midst of a new build, there are many upsides and downsides to the various kinds of flooring materials you can select.
 Hardwoods
Hardwood floors can look very elegant in a dining room space, giving customers the impression of being in a home. The large variety of both warm, rich colours and wood species available, allows you to play with colour and texture to achieve the look you're hoping for.
I would recommend looking at bamboo flooring if you have decided on hardwoods, as it is approximately 100 times as hard as oak, which will help with wear and tear. And make sure the floor's finish has a commercial rating, because it's the finish that wears down, leaving your spaces looking tired.
Large scratches and dents can also be an issue, the result of moving furniture and high heeled shoes. Softer woods are obviously the most susceptible to this kind of wear. If you are going to use hardwood for the beauty of the product, plan to refinish them approximately every seven years, depending on usage and space.
Another important choice to make with regards to hardwood flooring is engineered over three-quarter inch. Whereas engineered can be glued down, three-quarter inch must be nailed, which can create as much as an inch and a half difference at the transitions.
Laminates
Laminates have much of the look of hardwood and, depending on the quality of the laminate, can be a good choice for the more budget conscious. Although it is easy to install, it has a specific sound as you walk across it which gives it away and it swells much more easily than hardwoods. In very wet areas laminates are not a good choice.
Marmoleum
Marmoleum is a great product with an eco story. It too has a vast variety of colours – from primary to subtle greys or blacks – and patterns and gives you a unique opportunity for custom designs (think company logo). The flooring often found in commercial health facilities due to its completely non-porous nature – making it a tough place for bacteria to grow – marmoleum is great to walk on, easing sore feet and backs. Installation-wise it requires a specific tradesperson to install and the substrate must be perfectly flat and smooth or the flooring will take the shape of any imperfection. I would also avoid a solid colour as it won't hide the crumbs and dirt inevitable during service.
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Concrete
Concrete has a very industrial and modern look, and generally wears very well. There are also opportunities to stain it or give it detailing, such as flecks of silver or gold that when lit up, sparkle brilliantly. Concrete is as versatile as paint, so your imagination is the only limiting factor with this flooring. The finish is very durable, easy to clean, and will survive the spills and mishaps that are part of any busy club, banquet facility or restaurant. As you can imagine, it is a very hard surface and not very comfortable to walk on for the staff and when wet is very slick. The other issue is sound. Spaces with smooth hard surfaces can get very loud with very few people, so you will want to muffle the noise with soft surfaces in other areas.
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Stone
Stone can be a beautiful choice in any space as it's really God's art. The variation of colour and detail is fairly vast and the look is luxurious and timeless. It has been used for centuries and rarely do we tire of this classic look. Due to its porosity, health inspectors sometimes have issue. And it most certainly isn't a budget choice, as both the product and the installation can be expensive. It shares the down sides of concrete – noise and slippery when wet – however, the level of beauty and luxe is hard to beat.
Porcelain
Porcelain has come a long way over the years, the looks closer to stone all the time. It can be an economical choice if you want the look of stone but don't have the budget for it. There are also many more finishing choices, which can solve the issues of slipping, making it a great choice for those wet areas where staff needs to work. You can create a variety of looks – from hardwood to concrete and stone – with porcelains and there is no issue with porosity aside from grout areas. Installation can be costly, choices.
Commercial Carpet
There was a time when all restaurants had carpet, and while it has fallen out of fashion in the last several years, commercial carpet, with its huge selection of colours and patterns, seems to be making its way back into the marketplace. Still present are issues of cleaning and wear. With carpet tiles, however, you are able to replace problem areas. Carpet also assists with noise levels, allowing a full room to maintain an intimate quality. This is a great choice, provided you budget for the maintenance costs. Making a good flooring selection can change the look and feel of a space completely. A clear understanding of budget, as well as the long term issues of the flooring types will ensure you make smart choices from the ground up!
About the author:
Glen Peloso, Principal Designer of Glen Peloso Interiors, Inc., has been designing spaces for a diverse range of commercial, corporate and residential clients for almost 15 years and hosts such television design shows as Restaurant Makeover on the Food Network. For more information, visit www.glenpelosointeriors.com.
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