Choosing the Best Kitchen Flooring for Your Restaurant Setup

Selecting the right flooring is one of the most important decisions when designing or renovating a commercial kitchen. The floors in a restaurant endure heavy foot traffic, dropped plates, endless cleaning, and grease spills galore. Choosing a floor that can withstand this level of wear and tear is critical for restaurant success and safety.

The flooring you select affects much more than just aesthetics. It impacts noise levels, slip resistance, comfort for cooks spending long shifts on their feet, ease of cleaning, and long-term costs and maintenance.

Quarry Tile Floors

Quarry tile flooring is made from natural clay that is extruded and then fired at extremely high temperatures. This makes quarry tile an incredibly dense, durable, and rugged flooring material built to last.

In a commercial kitchen, quarry tile's non-porous surface is practically impervious to damage from dropped pots, grease stains, and corrosive foods. While it can chip if subjected to heavy impacts, it won't peel or flake. Quarry tile is also slip-resistant, easy to keep clean, and resists scratches from dragging furniture or appliances across it.

Pros of Quarry Tile Floors

• Extremely durable and long-lasting - Quarry tile can easily last 50+ years with proper maintenance and re-sealing over time.
• Stain, grease, and spill resistant - The dense surface prevents liquids from penetrating and staining.
• Easy to clean - Smooth, non-porous glazed surface wipes clean easily.
• Slip-resistant - The natural texture providestraction even when wet.

Cons of Quarry Tile Floors

• More costly upfront - Quarry tile is one of the more expensive commercial kitchen flooring options.
• Harder underfoot than some options - Not as comfortable to stand on for long periods as materials like rubber.
• Grout lines can collect dirt - Regular re-sealing of grout is needed.

While the upfront cost is higher, quarry tile offers an excellent return on investment over decades of use for busy restaurant kitchens. The extreme durability and resistance to damage make quarry tile flooring a top choice.

Poured Floors

Poured floors refer to seamless flooring materials that are installed by pouring or spreading the liquid material over the floor and allowing it to cure. Epoxy, polyurethane, and resin floor coatings are some common types of poured floors suitable for commercial kitchens.

Poured floors provide a joint-less, monolithic surface that is highly sanitary and fluid-resistant when properly sealed. The thick, glossy coatings are durable, seamless, and resistant to impacts and spills. Poured floor systems can incorporate slip-resistant aggregates in the final coat to improve traction.

Pros of Poured Floors

• Seamless and durable - Cured material forms a thick, joint-less surface.
• Easy to sanitize - Non-porous for excellent hygiene.
• Spill and grease resistant when sealed - Prevent absorption.

Cons of Poured Floors

• Can be slippery if poor traction - Aggregates improve grip.
• Prone to scratching/staining if unsealed - Regular resealing needed.
• Can show impacts over time - Not as resilient as rubber/vinyl.

Poured flooring makes an excellent choice for restaurant kitchens if proper traction additives are used and re-coating is kept up with. The seamless, fluid-resistant surface results in easy maintenance.

Sheet Vinyl Floors

Sheet vinyl refers to solid vinyl sheets that are installed over the sub-floor throughout the kitchen. It is a very common economical option for commercial kitchens.

Vinyl sheet flooring is waterproof, making it resilient against spills and messes. It is also fairly stain-resistant and easy to sanitize and clean. The soft, flexible material provides some cushioning underfoot as well.

Pros of Sheet Vinyl Floors

• Budget-friendly option - More affordable upfront cost.
• Waterproof & grease resistant - Resists liquid penetration.
• Comfortable underfoot - Has some cushioning.
• Easy to clean - Wipes clean well.

Cons of Sheet Vinyl Floors

• Prone to tears over time - Not as durable with heavy use.
• Seams can collect dirt - Needs seam sealing.
• Susceptible to stains if unsealed - Needs frequent resealing.

Sheet vinyl works well for restaurants with lighter to moderate traffic levels. For high-volume kitchens, the seams and lack of durability make other options a better fit.

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring has started gaining popularity in commercial kitchens in recent years. Materials like recycled rubber and vulcanized rubber are formulated for optimal durability, sound-dampening, and slip resistance.

Rubber's natural shock absorption makes it the most comfortable option underfoot for kitchen staff spending long hours standing. It helps reduce leg and back strain. Rubber also absorbs noise and is naturally slip-resistant.

Pros of Rubber Floors

• Comfortable underfoot - Natural shock absorption.
• Slip resistant - Even when wet.
• Sound and impact absorbing - Reduces noise.

Cons of Rubber Floors

• More expensive - Higher material costs than vinyl or tile.
• Can stain over time - Susceptible to grease absorption if unsealed.
• Difficult repairs - No option to spot replace sections.

For kitchens where staff comfort and noise reduction are priorities, rubber flooring is an excellent option despite the higher price tag. Proper sealing and maintenance are key for longevity.

Concrete Floors

Concrete makes a practical and economical subfloor for commercial kitchens. It can be polished and left exposed or have coatings and treatments applied.

Plain concrete is highly durable, seamless, and naturally grease-proof. The hard surface resists damage from heavy appliances and can last indefinitely. Treatments like polishing, staining, or etching can improve traction and appearance.

Pros of Concrete Floors

• Extremely durable - Withstands heavy use for decades.
• Stain and grease proof if properly sealed - Fluids won't penetrate.
• Seamless and easy to clean - No grout lines.

Cons of Concrete Floors

• Very hard surface - Tiring to stand on all day.
• Can crack over time - Susceptible to settlement cracks.
• Cold underfoot - Doesn't provide insulation.
• Prone to dusting - Can require treatment.

Concrete provides an ultra-durable and sanitary floor, but adding a smoother, resilient topping can improve comfort. Treatments and coatings also help increase traction on slick concrete.

Other Flooring Options

While quarry tile, poured floors, sheet vinyl, rubber, and concrete make up the most popular commercial kitchen flooring choices, other materials can also work well if properly maintained:

• Ceramic or Porcelain Tile - Impervious to spills but prone to cracking and slippery.
• Natural Stone Tile - Attractive but requires sealing and can stain.
• Laminates - Affordable but not very water-resistant. Don't last with heavy use.
• Linoleum - Made from renewable materials but requires frequent waxing.
• Stainless Steel - Extremely durable and sanitary but very expensive and noisy.

Key Factors to Consider

When researching the best kitchen flooring for your restaurant, keep these key factors in mind:

• Traffic Levels - Will the floors endure heavy, constant foot traffic? Prioritize ultra-durable surfaces.
• Budget - How much can you invest upfront? Balance cost with long-term durability.
• Noise Concerns - Do you need sound-dampening flooring? Favor rubber or vinyl.
• Grease & Slip Resistance - Choose non-porous floors treated for traction.
• Comfort Underfoot - Cushioned surfaces like rubber reduce fatigue.

Consider the way your kitchen operates to narrow down the ideal flooring types before selecting specific materials and colors.

Choosing the right kitchen floors for your restaurant requires balancing factors like durability, maintenance, safety, comfort, and aesthetics. While poured floors, sheet vinyl, and tile can all work, quarry tile and rubber stand out as two of the best restaurant kitchen flooring options.

Quarry tile's extreme durability and stain resistance pay off over decades of heavy use. Rubber provides unbeatable comfort underfoot and sound absorption. Use this guide to identify the perfect flooring type for your specific kitchen needs.