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FOCUS FLOORING
SHOW US THE WAY
Amtico Commercial Marketing Manager Louisa Eyles explains how the latest fl ooring
products can be used to aid zoning and wayfi nding in open-plan commercial spaces
Flooring is one of many
products that can bring a
touch of style and quality to a
commercial environment, whether
as a neutral backdrop that lets
other furnishings do the talking
or as a design statement in its
own right. With the shi towards
open-plan environments, flooring
is increasingly used to introduce
pattern, visual interest and
colour in the absence of dividing
walls or partitions. Flooring
can help to delineate zones or
neighbourhoods, and act as a
wayfinding guide, highlighting
routes through the space.
The colour and pattern of flooring
can also contribute towards the
mood of an environment, creating an
emotional response in the individual
¬– perhaps a sense of excitement
or a relaxed, comfortable feeling,
complementing the function, identity
or branding of the building.
Given the wealth of choice when
it comes to flooring materials,
it’s important to make the right
selection to suit the intended use.
For commercial premises, design
and aesthetics should be balanced
38 MARCH 2020
with practicality. Luxury vinyl tiles
(LVT) can simulate the appeal of
natural textures, such as wood or
stone, while providing durability
and additional specialist properties
– including sound reduction, slip
resistance, and antimicrobial
protection.
LVT allows for creative design
while withstanding heavy tra ic and
resisting scu s, scratches and stains.
It maintains its appearance for years
a er installation, which helps to
explain why it is overtaking ceramics
and timber as the flooring material
of choice. In addition to being easy
to maintain, LVT is naturally warm
underfoot and has so er acoustics
than a ceramic or timber surface,
helping to create a more relaxing
ambience within o ice, healthcare or
hospitality environments.
LVT lends itself to laying patterns,
in which colours, shapes and designs
can be combined to create striking
e ects. Highly decorative LVT flooring
can be used to bring character and
visual interest to zoned areas, with
laying patterns used to mark out
multifunctional space. The floor can
be seen as a canvas, starting with a
base pattern and colour palette that
blends into complementary patterns
and hues to distinguish specific
areas. Colourful, decorative flooring
can also be used as a contrast,
perhaps to enliven breakout or social
space.
COMBINING MATERIALS
Another way to create zoning is
to combine LVT with carpet tiles.
In the past, this was di icult to
achieve seamlessly without a series
of thresholds between the two
materials, causing a potential trip
hazard and impairing the cohesion
and balance of the overall scheme.
To achieve the desired blend of
functionality and aesthetics, it’s
important to work with a flooring
company that can provide a range
of di erent materials and types of
flooring. This gives designers a freer
hand to create their e ects, so ening
or zoning specific areas without
disrupting the overall scheme.
Essential factors to consider when
specifying LVT and carpet tiles are
much the same: colour, pattern,
texture, location and expected
footfall. The durability of LVT flooring
requires particular consideration as not all
products are the same. The key element to
look for is the thickness of the wear layer, as
this will o en determine the longevity of a
product.
Ultimately, the most important factor is
who is going to be using the space. While
lighting, furniture and facilities all play their
part, the right choice of floor product goes a
long way to meeting the practical needs of
the building and its occupants.
CHANGE AGENT
Milliken’s Change Agent is a coordinated
carpet plank and LVT collection, made
up of two carpet designs: Compound
Magic and Pure Alchemy (with 24 colours
in each design) and Earth Science (a
realistic stone LVT design in 10 colours).
The combined LVT and carpet plank
collection can be mixed and matched
to create an arresting and dynamic
floor e ect. Both the LVT and carpet are
supplied in a 100 x 25cm plank format,
making it easy to create patterns or
wayfinding routes.
Earth Science has the appearance of
petrified wood that resembles stone.
The organic pattern of the carpet planks
is multidirectional, allowing for ‘pools’ of
changeable colour and tone. The natural
colour blending creates a hazy spectrum
of hues and a sense of dynamic
movement. The biophilic colour palette,
with its natural earthy neutrals and
greens, help to bring the outside in.