Flooring?

[TheLostWorld]

Hello there everyone I am soon to be opening up an exotics pet shop specialising in reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates soon in Central Scotland but I have run into a slight snag and that is I can not really seem to decide on what flooring I am going to be using in the shop.

Now the thing is I have narrowed it down to the following two but I can not decide which one to go for :|. The slate effect flooring looks nice and will fit in with the look I have planned for the shop but it is almost triple the cost of the other flooring! After discounts and whatnot there is a £340 difference between the two.

So what would the business experts on here say go for the slate effect or go for the cheap and cheerful?

To view the pictures please remove the row of "x" after http:
Sorry if this is against the rules but I would rather not spam the board just so I can place the pictures up.



Thank you for any responses.

 

[Frictiontech]

Personally I would lay Altro throughout.

 

[KateCB]

Rather than the look, how about the practicality - the cleaning of the floor after soggy/dirty footfall, snotty nosed kids with choclate bards, crisps etc that fill the place up on a Saturday afternoon?

Will you open vivariums and let larger snakes roam whilst cleaning tanks on the days you are closed for cleaning? Slate may damage their scales......

 

[TheLostWorld]

Rather than the look, how about the practicality - the cleaning of the floor after soggy/dirty footfall, snotty nosed kids with choclate bards, crisps etc that fill the place up on a Saturday afternoon?

Will you open vivariums and let larger snakes roam whilst cleaning tanks on the days you are closed for cleaning? Slate may damage their scales......

Both floors are easily cleaned and the slate effect is lightly textured so is of no risk to man nor beast.

To be specific there aren't any cleaning days as enclosure maintenance is done on a daily basis.

 

[Inspiredtoact]

Think about the longer term. I opted for carpet once and regretted it and couldnt wait to rip it up and replace with laminate.

Youve got to consider cleaning ease and the amount of time it will take to clean, and will it get damaged and its longevity.

The worst thing is having to move everything to replace the floor, major business disruption.

 

[MrsPWN]

I don't think it would be spam, if I am wrong someone shoot me :redface:For less than £1 a day over the next year I would go for the one you want,although I can't see the pics until I reply, so may change my mind.

Hello there everyone I am soon to be opening up an exotics pet shop specialising in reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates soon in Central Scotland but I have run into a slight snag and that is I can not really seem to decide on what flooring I am going to be using in the shop.

Now the thing is I have narrowed it down to the following two but I can not decide which one to go for :|. The slate effect flooring looks nice and will fit in with the look I have planned for the shop but it is almost triple the cost of the other flooring! After discounts and whatnot there is a £340 difference between the two.

So what would the business experts on here say go for the slate effect or go for the cheap and cheerful?

To view the pictures please remove the row of "x" after http:
Sorry if this is against the rules but I would rather not spam the board just so I can place the pictures up.



Thank you for any responses.

 

[MrsPWN]

Blimey,bigger than I expected lol, but I shall continue to live on the edge

Having seen both I would say def the slate, if it is easy to keep clean, I have a similar floor that is slightly rough and it plays havoc with a mop.
eta after reading the spec I see it isn't actually slate so even more reason to go with it.

 

[Rookery]

Laminate wont last long in a shop and will fade near the shop front. As another poster said, you could do without the disruption when you have to replace it. The best bet would be ceramic tiles - durable and hygenic.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

I'd go for a rubberised self-levelling screed personally. Very hygienic, easy to clean, very robust and durable and they come in a million and one colours.

 

[astutiumRob]

Dump the idea of either cheap laminate - in a retail outlet you need something very hardwearing and easily cleaned - take a look at things like Amtico

 

[ptf]

I am in the flooring trade and have been for 25 years now. The cheap laminate is so cheap I would not even put it in domestic, it chips so easily, and will absorb moisture and will need replacing very soon. The slate effect tile I assume is also a laminate so would only use with caution, as it will still be prone to moisture.

What you need to remember is that the floor is the area that takes most punishment especially in commercial areas. I would avoid ceramics at all costs as these get very slippery when wet, there is some slip resistant but not my choice.

I would consider, Polysafe which is a saftey floor that still looks good, the joins will be welded and edges sealed and fairly low maintenance or they also do a wood effect, not strictly saftey floor, but is widely used in hospital corridors, doctors etc, to give a more at home feel.

Or Karndean typefloor, loads of designs, wood or tile, even do some slate effect. All will work out more than the laminate as the floor prep will need doing ie screed.
If you do decide on a laminate Quickstep is in my opinion the best on the market.
Pity you are in Scotland as I could have priced for you.

Hope this helps

 

[Stevie Wonder]

Porcelain Tiles are the best thing to use. Easy to clean and install, and very permanant!

You can get a non slip good quality porcelain for around £22m2.

Adhesive and Grout for around £4m2, dependant on the quality of the floor.

Hope this helps!