View Full Version : flooring
Pilgrim
11-19-2003, 04:09 PM
I have a relatively small mat. I need to replace the sheet vinyl flooring. Do any of you have a recommendation as to what to use?
Duane
11-19-2003, 08:09 PM
Ceramic tile is the best. Of course very expensive, but the best.
Get a mixed pattern to hide the dirt and one that is slip resistant.
Howard
11-20-2003, 01:00 PM
Duane, While I usually agree with you, I must make a comment here. Ceramic is the second best, porcelain is superior as it has the color throughout the tile and will wear better.
Duane
11-20-2003, 05:03 PM
Howard,
I agree ...
CleanSpot
11-20-2003, 11:01 PM
The most important quality for me is the slipperiness of the floor. Many tile floors seem slippery to me. I am going with a non-slip sheet vinyl. The vinyl I have now has lasted 20 years. If the new one last half that it will be a good investment and then I'll put in another new floor (people like new)
Howard
11-21-2003, 04:33 PM
Vinyl can be slipperly when wet. The new porcelain floor I recently installed is excellent. They showed me ASTM data on it and it actually has a higher coefficient of friction when wet than when dry (ie is less slippery when wet). Check the specs on any floor, don't just go on feel or looks.
phantom
11-22-2003, 07:45 PM
although i agree with howard about the porcelain, (it is of no comparison to ceramic) there is an even better floor which is a poured floor. its non skid and its forever. alot of supermarkets use it. its an epoxy composite mix. it is sprayed on or poured. its very expensive. theres also stampcrete. which is concrete stamped into designs to your liking. i, myself have never used or sold it, being all my jobs were residential, but both types of floors are more durable. and for the price of porcelain, id rather spend the extra on something that is vitually indestructable. after all, porcelain is still tile. and sheet vinyl has absoloutly no place in todays market at all. especially laundromats. you might as well put vct. (vinyl composition tile.) sheet vinyl is outdated and not durable at all. no offense cleanspot, but i dont know how on Gods earth sheet vinyl lasted you 20 yrs.
Howard
11-22-2003, 08:14 PM
What type of pricing are we talking about for the poured floor - I had always heard these were ultra expensive. I just go very nice porcelain for $1.79/SqFt (material cost).
SecretarytoBraveDave
11-22-2003, 09:57 PM
When we were doing an addition to an exsisting laundry we decided against terrazzo as it was 3 times as expensive as it had been 12 years earlier. We opted for a concrete floor, similiar to a garage floor, with the exception of the grey color. It is possible to add a color to the concrete and it was not that expensive. It would have looked nice except the fact the contractor that was hired to do the floor did not know what he was doing. The contractor used the machine to finish the concrete to a smooth surface, and by using this machine he "burned" the color out of the concrete. The finished product was horrible, we tried to paint the floor there after and it looked even worse, we eventually put the 12x12 vinyl tiles down. They are impossible to clean and not worth the money even though it was not much. If I were to do a floor today it would be something that could be maintained easily and not be a hazard. The look of tile is clean looking and usually sparks an immediate good impression. The flooring is very important and should be as carefully picked as your machines. Good luck.
millenniumplus
11-23-2003, 08:02 AM
Almost three years now we are very happy we went with porcelain. No complains - easy to clean and looks good (minimal slippage).
millenniumplus
11-23-2003, 08:03 AM
Almost three years now we are very happy we went with porcelain. No complains - easy to clean/maintain and looks good (minimal slippage).
Has anyone used the Epoxy compsoite floor or talked with anyone that has used it. I am getting ready to replace VCT and am considering going back with VCT around the dryers and other dry areas and anti skid vinyl in front of washers. Had looked at ceramic but did not want keep the business closed an estimated week I was told the installer needed.
Howard
11-30-2003, 01:12 AM
Get a different installer. I had mine work from 10pm till 2am for about 2 weeks to do the job.
phantom
11-30-2003, 09:24 PM
i agree with howard. get another installer. depending on the amount of sq.footage, you should get it done in a reasonable amount of time. i have a 1200 sq. ft. store and i did the existing ceramic rip out in one night. installed in two days. grouted and finished in one more day. and mack, stay away from vinyl. even vct is better than vinyl. trust me, i've been in the flooring business for 20 yrs. you want to put something down that you wont have to woory about for a long, long time. and vinyl is definately not it.
Laundry_Mike
12-01-2003, 02:12 PM
My store still has the original flooring (9" tile) that is going on 35 years old, and still looks good. Perhaps if I owned my building, I would replace, but since I lease, it's definitly not worth the investment to me. I'll put the ceramic tile in my condo.
The tile I referred to as vinyl is a 16in x 16 in rubber with raised circles for anti skid when wet that is installed with an epoxy adhesive. Is this the type of material you had the problem with? Cost for these areas was quoted at $5.00 per ft and VCT at $1.50 including taking up the existing 12in x 12 in VCT. Also I have seen 12 in x 12 in VCT that has a sandpaper type finish but this was not what was quoted. Would the sandpaper type be better than the vinyl, rubber tile. Do these prices seem in line?
phantom
12-03-2003, 01:15 AM
Mack,
the rubber skid resistant floor is an exellent way to go. its primarily used in restaurants , diners, and even boats. great choice if your trying to control slippage. and the price you got is reasonable. i would go with it. although vct tile is nicer to look at, it wont last nearly as long. and unless your going with porcelain . or a poured or sprayed floor, its the next best thing. have you looked into colorstone? ask your local commercial floor guys about it. nice colors, everlasting, but expensive. never dealt with it myself ,ive seen it done in nightclubs, bars, catering halls, etc.
Is the colorstone only for finishing the concrete when it is originally poured and finished or is it also for an existing building? I have not been able to find anything about it in my area.
Danlaundry
12-23-2003, 02:54 AM
Anybody have an opion on rubber flooring?
phantom
01-14-2004, 01:46 AM
mack, as far as i know, you can use colorstone on an existing floor. , but like said, its pretty expensive, and hard to find people to do it. you should look into a poured epoxy floor too. like the supermarkets have . easier to find. although i really believe if you look hard enough you will find a company for colorstone. what state are you in? i could try to find a compny in your area for you, if you want.
I traded this week on anti-skid rubber in front of all washers, doors and restroom and vct in the other areas. I wll make the store non smoking after the installation due to concerns that the rubber may get burned with cigarette butts.