Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Commercial kitchens are demanding environments that demand the highest levels of sanitary, safety and durability. They must accommodate heavy equipment that demands constant use while being able to stand up against its high temperature processing units and ovens - not forgetting staff who spend much of their day standing or moving around on their feet! Finally they must also be comfortable for staff who spend so much time standing.
One of the key considerations when choosing flooring for a commercial kitchen is its ability to protect against slips and falls. Floors must provide good traction while resisting dirt build-up - some suitable options include resinous floor coatings, ceramic tiles and vinyl flooring.
Commercial kitchen floors must be easy to maintain in terms of cleanliness and hygine. They should withstand temperature changes within this environment and be capable of quickly re-coating themselves after cleaning or sanitising; seamless surfaces provide even fewer areas for bacteria growth.
Tile floors are among the top choices for commercial kitchens, particularly glazed clay tiles. Durable and versatile in terms of aesthetic appeal, glazed clay tiles have long been used in commercial kitchens due to their slip resistance and strength - they have also long been considered slip proof! However, in order to protect their surface from becoming porous and harbour bacteria and germs in grout lines - something which poses serious health hazards.
Other kitchen tile options available to consumers are quarry tiles and acid bricks, both of which offer durable surfaces with good traction, yet are susceptible to organic attacks in the long-term. Maintenance costs associated with their grout can also become cumbersome over time, creating discomfort among employees who must spend long hours standing.
Sheet goods or glue down floors may offer a low-cost option for commercial kitchens, but aren't designed to withstand the rigorous demands of an active restaurant kitchen. Installation may be difficult and repairs and replacement will likely occur faster than with flooring designed specifically for food service industries.
Commercial kitchen floors should be installed easily and with minimum fuss and downtime. With tight budgets in restaurants, materials with lengthy installation processes or needing to cure are less than ideal; that is why Stonclad UT, with its troweled polyurethane concrete system which offers chemical-resistance and can withstand thermal shock, is an excellent option.
