There are so many floorings out there; it can be confusing. We have narrowed it down to three types of flooring: ceramics, carpet, and VCT.
For a long-lasting floor (and if budget is not a factor), 18”x18” ceramic tiles with PEI rating 5.0 are the best. Make sure they are commercial use for long-term durability and do not use small tiles (it will look crowded). Also, you should purchase a few extra tiles for future replacement. This type of flooring is easiest to clean.
For a carpet option, make sure to check with your state cosmetology board for approval. For example, Texas and Louisiana do not allow carpet installation in nail and hair salons. I recommend using carpet tiles in an 18”x18” size. That way in case there’s a polish stain, one tile can be replaced, which would save you money in the long run instead of replacing the entire carpet. Also, you should purchase a few extra tiles for future replacement.
To get the best value, VCT flooring is the economical route. However, you must be concerned with the chemicals used in salons because polish remover can easily stain VCT tiles. T4 Spa Concepts & Designs sells bamboo VCT tiles that have a chemical resistance layer that protects them for more than 10 years. It comes in strips with many textures and colors. In this case, too, you should purchase a few extra strips for future replacement.
I hope this helps in your decision making for your new flooring. Have fun renovating!
— Charlie Ton is CEO and founder of T4 Spa Concepts & Design LLC.