Preventive Strategies to Extend Flooring Life and Cut Costs

11/13/2024

Today’s flooring maintenance strategies revolve around preventive actions with long-term planning and sustainability efforts. As Schoen explains, more facilities are adopting long-term maintenance strategies, such as regular cleaning schedules and protective coatings, to extend the life of flooring materials and reduce the need for costly replacements. 

“There is also a shift toward durable, low-maintenance flooring options that require less frequent upkeep and often do not require waxing or polishing,” Schoen says. “Additionally, green cleaning products and methods that don’t degrade flooring materials are being prioritized, especially in environments like schools and healthcare facilities where reducing chemical exposure is a priority.” 

According to Von Lehe, the biggest flooring maintenance strategy is to properly onboard and train the maintenance staff and ensure ongoing oversight for their cleaning methods.  

“Maintenance can be simple, and the life of a floor greatly prolonged, as long as the cleaning staff understands what is and isn’t acceptable for both cleaners and equipment such as industrial buffers,” Von Lehe says.  

The most successful project DesignGroup has been involved with included the facilities and environmental services staff as part of the process. 

“The groups that most invested in the selection of the materials have the deepest understanding and long-term success,” Zollars says. “That understanding of the maintenance requirements and clear communication with staff have been very encouraging.”  

Selection considerations 

When it comes to selecting the ideal flooring for commercial and high-use applications, it’s important to weigh initial costs versus long-term maintenance expenses. The cost of regular or daily maintenance should always be considered, and it’s important to compare initial costs to maintenance routines, which can sometimes be labor-intensive and require expensive equipment and cleaning materials.  

Schoen adds that the primary use of the space and the level of foot traffic should also drive flooring decisions. High-traffic areas like corridors in schools and hospitals may require highly durable, easy-to-clean options that fit within a budget. 

“Flooring that minimizes slip hazards and supports ergonomic comfort is especially vital in healthcare and senior living facilities,” Schoen says. “Considerations around slip resistance and cushioning play a major role in reducing fall risks. From the educational side, acoustic performance is another key factor. Reducing ambient noise can enhance learning experiences, especially in flexible learning environments.” 

Von Lehe advises facility managers that they should familiarize themselves with product data sheets or ensure that the designers they work with are licensed practitioners and vetting these specifications appropriately for commercial standards.  

“The durability that is appropriate in one use may be ill suited to another, and we have seen some building operators having to replace new flooring from their public spaces that was meant for a more residential setting,” Von Lehe says.  

It’s also essential to fully understand maintenance routines before implementing new products. As Schoen points out, neglecting or taking shortcuts with facility maintenance, including failing to account for factors like moisture exposure or underestimating foot traffic, can damage products and systems, shortening the lifespans and becoming more costly in the long term.  

“Facility managers should communicate with their design team about goals for a space before selecting a final flooring product,” Schoen says.  

It is important for building facility and operation managers to evaluate the life cycle cost for their flooring selections. The initial cost of one product may be less expensive than another but the maintenance, replacement and disposal costs should be considered as well.  

“For instance, vinyl composition tile (VCT) initial cost is significantly lower than other resilient floor options. However, VCT needs several initial coats of wax and requires it to be stripped and waxed yearly,” Kolesar says. “This maintenance process makes the life cycle cost of VCT higher than other resilient floors. When selecting a resilient floor, rubber tile and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) should be considered since they are easier to maintain and have lower life cycle costs than VCT.” 

The most common hurdle that the DesignGroup team sees is in the environmental services execution of flooring. Often, teams are not following manufacturer recommendations regarding cleaning.  

“A few small changes can be made to greatly improve the appearance and even performance,” Zollars says. “I encourage building operation managers to connect with flooring manufacturer representatives, use them as a resource for your in-house training and troubleshooting.” 

Technological advancements 

With labor costs increasing substantially, the ability for flooring materials to minimize upkeep will continue to be a significant factor in the purchasing decisions by facility managers.  

Von Lehe expects that there are additional finish materials that help keep floors looking clean – but general durability and surface design will continue to be the most important factors in avoiding additional cleaning and upkeep labor. 

Zollars adds that there is an encouraging effort being put forth to develop flooring composition and manufacturing processes that are more environmentally conscious. With the influx of new offerings comes a need for additional training both for designers, as well as clients.  

“Many of these technology changes have been a long time coming; research, study and money have been invested in launching solid products,” Zellars says. “But, with industry shifts there always comes those that are just riding the wave. We need to do our due diligence. Flooring is one the hardest working surfaces in our buildings and one of the first finishes noticed upon entering a space. The performance of these products can make or break the success of our interior environments. I'm looking forward to the seeing where science and technology will take us in the next evolution of commercial flooring.” 

Maura Keller is a freelance writer based in Plymouth, Minnesota.