Workplace well-being is an increasingly important consideration in office design, with building standards such as WELL being centred on environments that support occupant health & well-being. With this, biophilic design has become more prevalent aiming to introduce calming, nature-inspired elements into a workplace. Flooring inspired by natural timber and stone aesthetics aligns well with the shift towards wellness-focused spaces. However, with concerns over rising noise levels and their impact on employee comfort and productivity, there's uncertainty over the suitability of hard flooring in office environments. In this blog, we're exploring whether luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is suitable for offices and outlines five key considerations to help you select the right LVT for your space.
One of the most common office complaints – especially in open-plan layouts – is excessive noise. As a result, traditional hard flooring finishes, such as ceramic and porcelain tiles, have become less popular in wellness-conscious workplaces. Despite this, real wood flooring remains popular thanks to its high-end aesthetic and associations with biophilic design, but its price point is often prohibitive for many organisations.
LVT offers a practical alternative, combining the visual aesthetic of natural wood and stone with ease of maintenance and the potential for improved acoustic performance at much lower cost.
When selecting LVT for an office interior, it's important to specify a product that meets all of your practical and aesthetic requirements. There are five crucial considerations to ensure you select the ideal LVT for your space:
The acoustic performance is a critical consideration in office environments as excessive noise has been shown to decrease productivity by 66% and prolonged noise exposure negatively impacts employee wellbeing and can even raise heartrate.
Glue-down LVT offers negligible acoustic performance benefits (2dB reduction)
Loose Lay LVT without compact cushion layer offers some acoustic benefits (4-11 dB reduction)
Loose Lay LVT with compact cushion acoustic layer offers enhanced acoustic performance benefits, reducing impact noise by 13-19dB - such as Milliken’s class leading Flexform™ Sound recommended commercial areas with high levels of foot traffic.
While Milliken’s LVT offers great impact sound reduction it is worth noting that hard surface floorings will not absorb ambient sound in the way that textile surfaces can. Milliken LVT is designed to combine, consider incorporating islands of carpet tile within the floorplan to address this requirement for calmer more productive spaces, and to reduce the need for introducing additional acoustic treatments to the interior.
The wear layer is a clear protective coating that sits above the printed design layer and plays a crucial role in determining the durability and longevity of LVT. The suitable wear layer thickness depends on the expected footfall and how much (if any) wheeled traffic occurs in the building.
0.30 mm (12mil) - for residential use.
0.55 mm (22mil) - for heavy commercial areas with high levels of foot traffic.
0.70 mm (28mil)- for heavy industrial areas with high levels of foot traffic and/or heavy rolled traffic.
All Milliken LVT features a 0.55 mm wear layer, making it suitable for use in a wide range of commercial, office environments, enabling a 15-year warranty.
In addition to selecting LVT that performs well and is durable enough to stand up to sustained levels of foot traffic for years to come, it goes without saying that you want to select flooring that looks the part.
Flooring has a significant impact on the overall look and feel of an interior, as it spans the entire space and contributes strongly to first impressions. Milliken LVT is available in a wide range of aesthetics, including wood (All About Wood, First Call, Change Agent), stone (All About Stone 5.0), and abstract patterns (Change Agent), allowing designers to achieve their desired look while maintaining performance.
Milliken LVT is third-party certified, providing reassurance that your new flooring isn’t compromising indoor air quality. Beyond material selection, the installation method can also impact the health and well-being of employees. Thicker Loose Lay LVT products can be installed adhesive-free with systems such as IOBAC Tab-It. The ultra-thin dry tack tabs eliminate the need for traditional wet-adhesives that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To learn more about the negative health impacts of VOCs read our blog.
Beyond indoor air quality, installation without permanent glue offers a flexible solution. Planks can be easily uplifted and replaced without damaging the floor, reducing disruption during repairs or reconfigurations. This is particularly advantageous in commercial environments with raised access floors, where regular access to services is required. Adhesive-free systems, or releasable adhesives support straightforward subfloor access and ongoing maintainability, while accommodating future layout changes.
Almost 30% of non-fatal workplace accidents are due to slips, trips and falls[i]. It’s crucial for employee safety that LVT used in commercial spaces be tested for slip resistance using recognised European and UK standards. Milliken LVT not only complies with Class 33 certification for heavy commercial use, but also meets the CE safety certifications for fire, static and slip.
To further reduce slip risk, effective entrance flooring system such as Milliken’s OBEX™ can be installed to capture moisture and contaminants before they enter the building, helping to maintain safer floor conditions.
FAQs
What is LVT?
LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. It is a resilient flooring material designed to replicate the appearance of natural materials such as wood and stone, while offering enhanced durability, comfort, ease of maintenance and sometimes offer built-in acoustic performance.
Is LVT suitable for office environments?
Yes. LVT is suitable for office environments when correctly specified. LVT offers a practical alternative, combining the visual aesthetic of natural wood and stone with ease of maintenance and the potential for improved acoustic performance at a much lower cost.
Is LVT suitable for open-plan offices?
LVT with integrated acoustic backings such as Milliken’s Flexform™ Sound can reduce impact noise by up to 19dB. However, it is worth noting that hard surface floorings will not absorb ambient sound in the way that textile surfaces can. Milliken’s LVT is designed to combine; consider incorporating islands of carpet tile within the floorplan to address this requirement for calmer, more productive workspaces.
What acoustic benefits does Milliken’s LVT have?
Milliken LVT with Flexform™ Sound acoustic layer offers up to 19dB of impact sound reduction, promoting quieter, calmer, more productive spaces.
Does LVT support workplace well-being and biophilic design?
Yes. LVT supports biophilic design through nature-inspired aesthetics such as timber and stone. When combined with acoustic design and low-emission installation methods, it contributes to healthier, more comfortable workplaces.
What wear layer thickness is recommended for office LVT?
A 0.55 mm wear layer is recommended for most office environments. It is suitable for heavy commercial foot traffic and provides long-term durability, making it ideal for modern workplaces.
Is Milliken LVT safe for commercial office use?
Yes. Milliken LVT meets recognised safety standards for slip resistance, fire and static performance, helping reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
Does LVT affect indoor air quality?
LVT can support good indoor air quality when installed with low-emission glue or adhesive-free installation systems. Reducing the introduction of new VOCs and protecting indoor air quality.
Is LVT easy to maintain in offices?
Yes. LVT is easy to clean, highly durable and resistant to wear. Loose Lay systems also allow individual planks to be replaced, supporting ongoing maintenance and future office reconfiguration.
[i] HSE: Non-fatal injuries at work in Great Britian https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/overview.htm