The Rise Of LVT And Polished Concrete

Have you noticed a lot fewer carpets in commercial facilities lately? Us too! And there's a very good reason for this.

In recent years, the flooring industry has experienced a significant preference shift among commercial building owners and designers. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and polished concrete have emerged as two flooring options that are gaining popularity for their attractive features in terms of aesthetics and functionality!

To help you better understand this shift, our team of experts is here to discuss the benefits of this type of flooring and highlight some advantages you can look forward to.

But first, let’s take a closer look at each type of flooring…

What Are LVT & Polished Concrete Flooring?

LVT flooring, also known as luxury vinyl tile, is a synthetic flooring material designed to replicate the natural appearance of wood or stone. Composed of multiple layers that enhance its look and durability, LVT offers a protective backing layer that can absorb sound and increase its stability — perfect for office buildings and high-traffic commercial spaces.

On the other hand, a polished concrete floor involves grinding and polishing concrete floor surfaces (or a concrete slab) to achieve a smooth and glossy finish. Polished concrete flooring is known for being long-lasting and able to transform ordinary concrete into a visually appealing flooring option.

The Benefits of Polished Concrete & Luxury Vinyl Floors

1. Offers High Levels of Durability

As mentioned, the durability of LVT and polished concrete flooring is just one of the reasons they’ve increased in popularity in recent years. With organizations focused on more environmentally friendly and cost-effective flooring choices, these two options make a great long-term solution.

Taking LVT flooring as an example, this type of flooring is specifically designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, making it an ideal choice for commercial spaces. Its ‘wear layer' (top surface layer) protects against scratches, stains, and dents, helping the floor maintain its appearance over a longer period of time than other flooring solutions.

While different in composition, polished concrete is also renowned for its durability. Offering strong resistance to impact and abrasion, polished concrete can withstand heavy equipment and frequent movement without showing wear and tear.

For property owners and facility management, LVT flooring and polished concrete offer a durable solution to your flooring needs as long as they are properly maintained.

Note: As durable as these types of flooring are, dropping objects and fluids or misjudging the weight of heavy equipment can still impact your floor. If you notice any stains or chips in your flooring, it's essential to contact a professional maintenance or restoration company to avoid further damage.

For concrete flooring, in particular, maintenance costs will depend on the square foot of your space and if you have sealed concrete or not — but in most cases, costs are much lower than facility managers expect!

2. Looks Professional & Polished (Literally!)

Another great feature of LVT and polished concrete flooring is their ability to create a professional and visually appealing atmosphere in commercial buildings, one being luxury and the other being industrial. LVT offers a wide range of designs, patterns, and finishes — allowing you to customize your space while also ticking several other boxes.

Whether you prefer the timeless elegance of rustic hardwood or the sleek modernity of stone-effect finishes, LVT provides endless options to suit your design preferences.

If LVT isn't your thing, polished concrete can also be a great option! With its unique and contemporary look, you can add a touch of industrial sophistication to any facility. Its glossy surface reflects light, creating a bright and inviting environment that leaves a lasting impression on employees, clients, and visitors.

Note: To keep your polished floors looking their best, professional advice should always be sought before using equipment or any cleaning product on the surface of your floor. The wrong cleaning technique can quickly scratch, dull, or strip away the shine (matte, semi, or high gloss), making stains harder to remove. Additionally, if your floor needs to be restored, it's vital only to trust the experts with this!

3. Easy to Maintain & Keep Clean

Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in commercial spaces is incredibly important, and both LVT and polished concrete flooring excel in this area. For example, LVT flooring can be easily cleaned through regular sweeping, vacuuming, and damp mopping with a microfiber mop.

Similarly, polished concrete is highly resistant to stains and can be cleaned with regular mopping or occasional polishing. It’s also good to know that the smooth surface of polished concrete can help prevent the accumulation of dirt and dust, making it an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.

That said, even though both LVT flooring and polished concrete are easier to maintain than other types of flooring, it’s important to remember that professional cleaning and maintenance services will still be required.

Improper care of concrete and LVT flooring can lead to:

• Your floor looking dull and grimy
• Dirt not reached by vacuuming or mopping can become embedded in crevices
• Residue forming on the floor
• Injury (usually resulting from slips and falls)

Tip: If you already have an exposed concrete floor or see an existing concrete slab that could use some TLC, older concrete floors can, in some cases, be restored, repolished, or even diamond-honed to achieve a unique look. However, some surface preparation will be required.

How Corporate Care Can Help Keep Your LVT & Polished Concrete Flooring in Pristine Condition

As much as we love to recommend LVT flooring and polished concrete to property owners and facility and property managers, all commercial flooring systems with heavy traffic require extra care and attention to ensure their performance and suitability for your space.

If you wish to maximize the lifespan of your floor and preserve its beauty, Corporate Care is here to assist you. Our professional cleaning, maintenance, and restoration services are designed to keep your floors in pristine condition.

Specialists in premium protective coatings, polishing techniques, and other deep cleaning services — you can leave your flooring in the hands of professionals!

To learn more about our services, contact our 24/7 facility support hotline at (800) 728-8508 or drop us a message.

About Corporate Care – A sustainability company

Corporate Care exists to improve the appearance, performance, and longevity of every surface in the commercial buildings you manage – reducing capital expenditures, stress, and management burden on facility managers from coast to coast.

As true surface care experts, we understand the unique properties and cleaning protocols every surface needs (or doesn’t) to look amazing and comply with manufacturer warranties. We’re here to support your existing janitorial crew with cadenced deep restorative cleaning and tailored maintenance protocols – performed by IICRC®-certified cleaning technicians.

We are firm believers in restoration over replacement. Let’s reduce waste together!