For a long period of human history it seems like people understood that the environment in which we work can influence our thoughts and feelings. Those making the big decisions of the day, whether they were aristocrats, academics, politicians, merchants, or religious authorities, often had beautifully designed and decorated offices to help inspire them as they worked.
When desk work became more common in the 20th century, this seemed to get forgotten for a while. Now it’s back, and there’s research to show that physical spaces can influence people’s productivity, job satisfaction, and even their loyalty. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to designing a working space, but one of the big decisions that impacts not only how the office will look but also how it sounds and feels is the type of flooring.
The first choice to make regarding the floors is whether to go with a hard material or a carpet. This article will take a look at the pros and cons of each.
Cost
There are lots of exceptions to this which depend on the specific materials used, the size of the space and so on, but carpets tend to be cheaper on average than hard floors. There’s some overlap, with commercial carpets generally costing between two and five New Zealand dollars per square foot, while hard floors usually cost between three and nine.
However, as will be discussed in more detail later, there may be additional items that you need to buy to counteract some of the downsides of each material. Depending on how many of these you need, they could tip the cost one way or another.
Comfort
Carpets win this hands down. It’s softer to stand on, which is nice and easy on your employees’ joints if they spend a lot of time standing. Even if they don’t, carpets are better at making the office feel warm and homely instead of cold and industrial. However, you can use rugs and soft furnishings to make hard surfaces more comfortable too.
Flexibility
This goes to hard floors. Firstly, it’s much easier to move things around on top of hard floors, since they can be rolled with wheels instead of lifted. With carpets, even office chairs can be difficult to move around without chair mats.
Secondly, it’s a lot easier to change your office space down the line with a hard floor. Rugs can easily be swapped out for a fresh look. Furniture can be moved without leaving ugly impressions on the floor, and it’s easier to change a hard floor than to tear up a carpet.
Durability
Hard floors can last for decades if they are looked after well, and they’re obviously pretty robust so that isn’t hard to do. As long as you’re not regularly dropping heavy objects onto them or letting liquids seep in then they should be able to last a long time.
Carpets, on the other hand, can only last for a few years before they need replacing. The fabric naturally wears out and frays with use, it can also become uneven as people use some areas of it more than others, and it’s prone to staining.
That last point is also another argument in favour of hard floors – they are much easier to clean.
Safety
However, when liquids are spilled, hard floors can become very slippery. This increases the chance of workplace injuries, which can cost businesses a lot of money if the employer is found liable. Carpets are a lot harder to slip on, and less harmful if people do fall over on them.
Conclusion
The weight you give to each of these points in your decision should depend on the specific circumstances of your company, but one sensible thing to do whichever you choose is to use quality materials.
