Material | Type | Pros | Cons | Best locations | Suitable for raised access | Reclaimed |
Carpet | | - Absorbs sound
- Multiple designs
- Multiple colours
- Tiles can be easily replaced
| - Can stain easily
- Requires regular cleaning
- Can look dated
| - General spaces
- Meeting rooms
- Private offices
| | |
| Tiles | | | | YES | YES |
Vinyl | | - Easy to clean
- Durable
- Multiple designs
- Multiple colours
- Waterproof
| - Can be damaged by sharp objects Made from non-renewable material Can fade in sunlight Difficult to repair
| - Reception
- Kitchen
- Canteen
- Communal areas
- Hallways
- Toilets
| | |
| Sheet | | | | YES, with appropriate preparation | NO |
| Tiles | | | | YES | NO |
Laminate | | - Inexpensive
- Easy to clean
- Multiple designs
- Multiple colours
| - Susceptible to water damage
- Can’t be sanded and refinished
- Can look cheap
| - Reception Canteen Communal areas Hallways
| | |
| Smooth | | | | YES, with appropriate preparation | YES |
| Embossed | | | | YES, with appropriate preparation | YES |
Timber | | - Timeless look
- Lasts a long time if cared for properly
- Natural insulator Durable
| - Needs regular maintenance
- Susceptible to moisture
- Susceptible to scratching
- Can be noisy to walk on
| - Meeting rooms
- Private offices
- Reception
- Communal areas
| | |
| Solid timber | | | | YES | YES |
| Engineered timber | | | | YES | YES |
Tiles | | - Contemporary look
- Easy to clean
- Waterproof
| - Can feel cold
- Can crack under impact
- Heavy so may not be suitable for upper floors
| - Reception
- Kitchen
- Canteen
- Toilets
- Communal areas
- Hallways
| | |
| Ceramic | | | | YES, with appropriate preparation | YES |
| Natural stone | | | | YES, with appropriate preparation | YES |
Concrete | | - Contemporary look
- Easy to clean
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Highly reflective
- Low maintenance
| - Can feel cold
- Extremely hard
| - Reception
- Kitchen
- Canteen
- Toilets
- Communal areas
- Hallways
| | |
| Polished | | | | NO | NO |
| Stained | | | | NO | NO |
Rubber | | - Contemporary look
- Easy to clean
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Slip resistant options available
- Low maintenance
| - Certain materials such as grease and certain detergents can cause staining
- Dull finish
| - Reception
- Kitchen
- Canteen
- Toilets
- Communal areas
- Hallways
| YES | YES |