Restaurant Flooring Solutions
Slip Resistance In Step with Front-of-House Needs
A Q&A with Melanie Tatum, A&D representative of Crossville, Inc.Front-of-house flooring is vitally important in restaurant design. Not only does flooring create the aesthetic first impression, but it should also provide the technical performance necessary for high-traffic areas. Melanie Tatum, A&D representative with domestic tile manufacturer Crossville, Inc., offers her take on the creative problem-solving solutions of porcelain tile products in restaurant design.
Q. Why is porcelain tile a smart choice for front-of-house installations?
Melanie Tatum:Not only does porcelain tile provide a plethora of design styles, it’s more durable than natural stone and is so easy to maintain. It doesn’t emit VOCs and won’t harbor bacteria, dust, mold or mildew. Also, it’s extremely budget-friendly — especially when considering life-cycle cost analysis. Designers are hired to select the right material for every application. Clients rely on design professionals’ expertise to ensure they get appropriate materials for each space. With porcelain tile, they’re getting a gorgeous product that’s durable, easy to maintain and affordable.
Q. What do specifiers need to know about tile’s technical performance?
MT:It’s important for architects and interior designers to be aware not all porcelain is created equally.They must consider the technical specifications that manufacturers provide. Certified porcelain goes through rigorous testing for the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).If testing results aren’t available, then the specifier should be wary.
It’s important to note any tile specified for commercial flooring must meet a Dynamic Co-Efficient of Friction (DCOF) of at least 0.42 or greater. This information should be disclosed on the product website and printed materials.Porcelain tile is inherently impervious, making it exceptionally easy to maintain. Tile can be maintained with just a daily refresh with clean water and a tile and grout cleaner. We offer full care instructions for any porcelain tile on the Crossville website.
Floors and walls both take on a dramatic flair with textures from the Retro Active 2.0 collection.
Q. What advantages do Crossville’s tile collections offer for flooring in front-of-house?
MT:Crossville is a family-owned, American-made porcelain tile company. We manufacture to highest standards, are sustainableat all levels of operations, use latest technology and bring customers the most current looks. Our products are stocked in the U.S.With our diverse collections and special programs, including Get Planked (for custom-cut plank size orders), Hydrotect™ (an invisible coating that uses science to defend against dirt and odors) and Cross-Sheen® (a proprietary finish that makes it simple to remove scuffs, stains and graffiti), we give specifiers problem-solving solutions to answer the demands of restaurants.
Q. What’s something new that Crossville offers for restaurant design?
MT:We’re excited about our new RetroActive 2.0 collection. It has pure, through-body color in 13 hues that go from neutral to super white, deep black, even shades of green and blue. And it has excellent durability. It comes in three finishes: polished, unpolished and a stunning new linear texture for floor or walls. The sizes are modern and plentiful to invite truly custom patterns.