22. 9. 2019
Building a retail space or office? Start with the floors
Shops, small offices, entrance areas, showrooms, workrooms, staff facilities. In all these places it is worth considering Fortelock Decor tiles, which retain all the properties you expect from them and yet look elegant. In terms of appearance they can confidently replace ordinary tiling, they can look like stone and a wood-effect version is also on the way.
Floor coverings for commercial premises should be practical, functional and, at the same time, aesthetic. A very common choice is linoleum or laminate. However, both of these options have their drawbacks compared to Fortelock PVC tiles.
What might put you off linoleum and laminate floors?
The popular linoleum is made from renewable resources, has a long service life and does not change its appearance. It is available in many designs and thicknesses, whereby a greater thickness corresponds to higher quality. A problem, however, may arise as early as during installation. The surface must be 100% clean, level and dry. If the installation does not go quite right, air bubbles will form. Linoleum tends to move. On top of that, it requires maintenance and needs to be waxed from time to time. And the price? In terms of cost, linoleum will satisfy anyone, as the lowest prices start at around 130 Kč/m2. In this case, however, we can hardly speak of high quality, and for good lino you will pay several hundred more per square metre. And that does not even include the fitters' work.
Laminate floors are usually chosen by people who long for wood but cannot afford it because of the price. Laminate imitating various types of wood can be bought for roughly 200 to 1000 Kč/m2, and again you will have to add the cost of labour. Its huge advantage is its resistance to load; it is not damaged by chair castors or the pressure of heavy furniture. A disadvantage in a business environment is its poor sound-insulation properties. On the floor below you, every step you take will be heard.
What makes Fortelock Decor stand out?
The Fortelock Decor PVC tiles are currently available in three variants – Business, Home and Solid. They are produced in light shades that do not darken the space, which makes them suitable even for smaller rooms with insufficient light.
Compared with linoleum and laminate, its main advantage lies in the installation. PVC tiles do not need to be glued; they are simply laid down and their firm placement is ensured by an interlocking system. Anyone can fit them together side by side, all you need is a rubber mallet. This eliminates installation costs. Since the tiles are not glued down, you can take out a damaged piece at any time and replace it with a new one. And you can even dismantle the entire floor, which will be appreciated by entrepreneurs who rent their office and expect to move house one day.
The properties of Fortelock Decor tiles are the same as those of the other models. They have a long service life, high resistance to wear (including the movement of castor chairs) and to chemicals, and require no special care. Just lay them down and use them. Don't waste time on your floor; devote it to your business instead.
The current design range: Fortelock Business
Today, Fortelock offers design tiles for shops and offices in the Fortelock Business range. It is a heterogeneous tile that combines the Fortelock locking system with the decors of heavy-duty vinyl flooring. It has hidden locks, a graphite joint and the patented ZeroGap system, which minimises water permeability at the joints. Seven decors are available, for example Scandinavian Oak, Tyrolean Oak or Sauda Gold Rush. Business passes the castor chair test, has an R10 slip resistance rating (R9 for the homogeneous version) and an area of use of 23–34–43. It is laid in stages during full operation and is easy to clean and disinfect.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose PVC tiles instead of linoleum for a shop?
Mainly because of installation and repairs. Interlocking PVC tiles are not glued, so there are no bubbles and no drying time, and a damaged piece can be replaced at any time. The whole floor can also be taken apart and moved, which tenants will appreciate. Maintenance does not require waxing; ordinary cleaning is enough.
Can a shop floor withstand shopping trolleys and heavy customer traffic?
Yes, according to the manufacturer, without any problems. When loose-laid, the Business design range can even take a pallet truck with PU wheels up to 1,300 kg and handling equipment with tyres up to 3,500 kg. The surface is wear-resistant and is laid in stages during full operation.
Can a shop floor be laid overnight?
Yes. In a shop, the floor is laid gradually, in sections or overnight, and the finished section can be used immediately because there is nothing to dry. So the shop does not have to close. How to proceed while the business is running is described in the article A new floor in 24 hours without stopping operations.
How is a shop floor cleaned and disinfected?
With routine cleaning; according to the manufacturer, Business is easy to clean and disinfect. For commercial premises, the maintenance sheet recommends daily cleaning with Forteclean Daily Cleaner and deep cleaning twice a year. Dr. Schutz PU Anticolor lacquer, applied by a trained contractor, protects against discolouration from disinfectants.
Can PVC tiles in an office cope with castor chairs?
Yes, all standard Fortelock ranges, including Business, pass the castor chair test. For long-term use, type W castors according to DIN EN 12528 and 12529 or protective mats are recommended. Furniture legs should have PVC or PE protectors, not rubber caps.
