Because commercial and residential flooring have very different applications, the two types of flooring differ in how they’re constructed. Though you can get the same type of flooring for either use, such as commercial-grade carpet or laminate, the durability of each type will differ and the installation methods will also be tailored to the application.
Here are some differences between commercial and residential flooring:
Features: Compared to commercial flooring, residential flooring generally doesn’t have as many requirements. Commercial floors have characteristics for industrial settings. You’ll see commercial floors listed with features like waterproof, heat-resistant, moisture-repellant, sound-proof, slip-proof, corrosion-resistant and more. Residential flooring usually has a smaller list of criteria — it needs to look tasteful and feel comfortable.
Selection: Residential flooring tends to be much more customizable than commercial flooring because there’s a wider style selection. Because residential flooring needs to match a homeowner’s unique style, residential floors come in a wider variety of textures and colors. Commercial spaces can get away with simple, neutral styles, such as with commercial-grade carpet vs. residential, which is usually less plush and luxurious than you’d find in a home.
Price: Commercial and residential flooring also tends to differ in price. In a home, you typically require much less flooring than you would in a commercial space. Homes also tend to use a variety of flooring types for each area of the home, meaning some rooms, like bathrooms, will have even smaller quantities of flooring needed. Generally, commercial floors will be more expensive. The price of residential vs. commercial flooring depends on the quality of the product and how long it’s designed to last.
