Choosing Floors
Choosing the Right Flooring for High-Traffic Areas
How to choose flooring for high-traffic areas like entryways, kitchens and hallways, plus homes with pets and kids, with a side-by-side comparison table.
Offices, Storefronts and Shared Spaces
Commercial Flooring Installation in Glenview, IL
Offices, storefronts and shared spaces need floors that handle constant foot traffic and still look sharp. Quality Installs installs hardwood, vinyl plank and laminate for businesses as well as homes.
- 5.0Google rating from 11 reviews
- Since 2004Family-owned and operated
- 10,000+Projects completed
- Licensed, bonded and insuredMaximum general liability and workers’ comp
Flooring for Offices, Storefronts and Shared Spaces
Quality Installs takes on commercial projects alongside residential ones. We're a family-owned flooring company based in Glenview, and every installer is licensed, bonded and insured.
We also carry the maximum general liability and workers' compensation coverage, which landlords and property managers often ask about before work starts.
Thomas C.'s business hired us to install the flooring in its new Glenview office, and this is the Google review that followed.
“We have recently acquired a new office space in Glenview for our business, which necessitated a series of renovations. In this regard, we decided to entrust the task of flooring installation to none other than Quality Installs – a decision that has brought us immense satisfaction. The team exhibited a remarkable level of professionalism, executed the task with exceptional speed, and the results they delivered were nothing short of remarkable.”
You'll find more from our customers on the reviews page.
What Commercial Flooring Installation Includes
Free Estimate and Site Review
Every commercial job starts with a free estimate. The space gets measured, the subfloor gets a look, and we talk through traffic, budget and timing.
A Plan for Your Space
Commercial work needs a plan for which areas go first and how employees and customers get around the work while it's underway. We'll work that out with you at the estimate.
Subfloor Prep and Installation
The subfloor gets tested, flattened and cleaned before anything else happens. Then the floor goes down using the method its manufacturer specifies for that product and subfloor.
Transitions and Final Walkthrough
Transition strips finish doorways and the edges where the new floor meets other surfaces, and long runs of floating floor get the expansion joints they need. The job ends with cleanup and a walkthrough.
Choosing a Commercial Floor
A business floor takes far more foot traffic than most homes, so the product's wear rating matters as much as its look. Here's how the three floors we install compare in a commercial space.
Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank is the workhorse for break rooms, retail floors and lobbies because it handles spills and heavy traffic. A wear layer of 20 mil or more is considered commercial grade.
Laminate
Laminate works well in offices and other dry areas with steady traffic. For commercial use, look for an AC4 or AC5 rating, the classes usually listed for general and heavy commercial traffic.
Hardwood
Hardwood suits private offices, conference rooms and boutique storefronts where the look matters most and traffic is lighter. Solid hardwood can also be sanded and refinished later instead of replaced.
Subfloor and Site Prep for Commercial Floors
Many commercial spaces sit on concrete, and every slab needs a moisture test before a new floor goes over it. Manufacturers set the limits, and readings above them have to be dealt with first.
Old carpet tile, loose flooring and leftover adhesive usually have to come up so the new floor has a flat, solid base. Many manufacturers want that base flat to within 3/16 inch over 10 feet.
The heat or air conditioning should be running at normal temperatures before and during the install. It also helps to schedule the floor after painting and other messy work in the space is done.
How Long a Commercial Flooring Job Takes
The schedule depends on the square footage, how much furniture and equipment has to move, whether the work runs in phases and what the subfloor needs. A slab with moisture problems adds time, since it has to be fixed before installation.
Acclimation is part of the plan too, and some manufacturers ask for planks to be unboxed in the space ahead of time on commercial jobs. We'll map out the timeline with you at the estimate.
What Affects the Cost of Commercial Flooring
Commercial estimates are free, and each one is built around your space, your traffic and your schedule. These are the factors that matter most.
What moves the price
- Square footage and the layout of the space
- The product and its commercial rating, such as wear layer or AC class
- Removing old flooring and adhesive
- Moisture testing and subfloor prep on concrete
- When the work can happen and whether it runs in phases
Laid Out Step by Step
Four steps from the first call to the final walkthrough.
Free Estimate
Call or send the form, and the crew measures your rooms and quotes the job for free.
Pick Your Floor
Hardwood, vinyl plank or laminate, matched to the room, the foot traffic and the budget.
Installation
The crew preps the subfloor and lays the new floor, with a quick turnaround.
Final Walkthrough
You walk the finished floor with the crew, and the job site is left clean.
Floored by the Details
“Absolutely fantastic job! Quality Installs exceeded our expectations!
Excellent communication from management, very reasonable prices, professional, fast and clean work. Really pleased to have them doing our flooring project. Will definitely contact them in the future and recommend the company.”
“Quality Installs is a business that lives up to its name. Work is thorough, communication is punctual, and working with Bob was a pleasant experience. His team is diligent and they pay attention to detail. Highly recommend!”
“Quality Installs went above and beyond helping me! I'm very impressed with their professionalism, knowledge, cleanliness and recommendations. Love it when someone speaks the truth!!”
Questions Before We Start
Still have a question? Call (847) 361-0099.
Can the Install Fit Our Business Schedule?
We know a closed office or store costs you money, so we'll talk through timing at the estimate. [Bob to confirm: whether Quality Installs can schedule commercial installs after hours, on weekends or in phases]
Are Your Installers Insured for Commercial Work?
Yes. Every installer is licensed, bonded and insured, and Quality Installs carries the maximum general liability and workers' compensation coverage. [Bob to confirm: whether Quality Installs provides certificates of insurance to landlords and property managers on request]
Do We Have to Remove Our Old Carpet Tile?
In most cases, yes. Hardwood, vinyl plank and laminate all need a firm, flat base, so carpet tile and its adhesive come up first. Some existing hard floors can stay if they're flat and well bonded, and the estimate will tell you which applies.
Which Commercial Floor Is Easiest to Keep Clean?
Vinyl plank is usually the easiest, since it handles damp mopping and spills. Laminate needs a drier cleaning routine, and hardwood needs the most care, with mats at the entrances and quick cleanup of grit and water.
How Is Commercial Vinyl Plank Different?
The biggest difference is the wear layer. Residential planks often run 6 to 12 mil, while 20 mil or more is considered commercial grade and holds up longer under heavy foot traffic and rolling chairs.
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Ready to Turn Your House Into a Home?
Tell us about your space, your traffic and your timing, and we'll set up a free commercial flooring estimate.
(847) 361-0099- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.