By On Top Flooring, LLC.
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Walk into almost any Denver office, restaurant, or retail store being renovated in 2025 and you’ll likely find one material being installed on the floor: luxury vinyl plank (LVP). It has quietly taken over the commercial flooring conversation, edging out hardwood, carpet tiles, and even ceramic tile in many cases. The reason is simple – it offers the right mix of durability, style, and practicality. For businesses, that means fewer headaches about scratches or spills, and more peace of mind knowing the flooring will last through constant traffic.
Why Luxury Vinyl is So Popular in Denver’s Commercial Spaces
There’s no single reason luxury vinyl has surged in popularity, but a handful stand out. Businesses appreciate its resilience in high-traffic environments, its waterproof design that stands up to snow and spills, and the way it can be maintained with minimal effort. Instead of worrying about refinishing hardwood or deep-cleaning carpet tiles, managers can focus on running their business.
And design matters, too. Denver is a city where style is part of brand identity, especially in customer-facing industries. LVP isn’t limited to just a “wood look” anymore. A downtown coffee shop can choose a rich stone look, while an office in the Denver Tech Center might lean toward clean oak planks in a matte finish. The ability to blend function with design flexibility is what has really cemented LVP as the leader in this category.
What to Look for When Choosing Commercial-Grade LVP
If you’re investing in luxury vinyl for a business, not just any product will do. The differences between residential and commercial lines are significant. Commercial-grade planks are built with wear layers that resist scuffs and dents far better, and the core construction (SPC vs WPC) determines whether the flooring feels rigid or cushioned underfoot.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how those cores compare in real-world commercial spaces:
Core Type | Best For | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) | Restaurants, gyms, high-traffic retail | Extremely durable, waterproof, resists dents | Firmer underfoot, less cushioning |
WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) | Offices, retail, multi-family | More comfortable, slight sound absorption, stylish | Slightly less rigid than SPC |
Traditional LVT (Tile format) | Restaurants, boutique retail | Design flexibility, stone/mosaic visuals | Usually requires adhesive install, not floating |
In Denver, SPC tends to be the most common in heavy-use commercial environments, while WPC is chosen for offices where comfort matters more.
Where Luxury Vinyl Fits Best
The beauty of LVP is that it works almost everywhere. But the way it performs and the reasons it’s chosen vary depending on the space.
Restaurants rely on it for its waterproofing and quick cleanup. Coffee spills, grease, or melted snow tracked in from the sidewalk won’t ruin the floor. Offices lean on it for its comfort and sound absorption. In a big open-plan layout, carpet tiles may reduce sound but can look dated and wear unevenly. LVP brings a more modern look without giving up on practicality. Retailers love that it doesn’t show wear from carts or heavy traffic, and gyms use it for traction and durability.
For Denver’s multi-family property owners, LVP has become almost a default option. It lasts longer between tenants than carpet, it looks upscale, and it doesn’t require extensive turnover maintenance. That combination saves money in the long run.
Balancing Style and Practical Needs
It’s easy to assume businesses only choose luxury vinyl because of its strength, but design plays a major role as well. The best luxury vinyl for commercial spaces in Denver is chosen just as much for how it looks as for how it performs.
Wood-look planks remain the most popular, especially in retail and office environments. Warm oaks create an approachable atmosphere, while dark walnut adds sophistication in upscale dining rooms.
Stone-look LVT is trending in restaurants and boutique shops, where the goal is to achieve a high-end appearance without the maintenance real stone demands.
Plank size and finish also make a difference. Wide planks create an open, contemporary feel, while narrow planks give a more traditional touch. Matte finishes are increasingly preferred because they disguise scuffs better than glossy ones.
The flexibility in styling allows businesses to align their floors with their brand identity, something that sets LVP apart from other materials.
Costs and Long-Term Value
Budgets are always part of the conversation. In Denver, commercial-grade luxury vinyl typically costs between $6 and $14 per square foot installed, depending on the thickness of the wear layer and whether the product is SPC or WPC. While hardwood or tile can easily exceed those costs, it’s not just the upfront price that matters.
Carpet tiles may seem affordable initially, but many businesses find themselves replacing them after just five to seven years. LVP, on the other hand, often lasts 10 to 20 years. That difference in lifespan makes luxury vinyl the more cost-effective option long-term, particularly in high-traffic settings where turnover costs add up.
Installation in Commercial Environments
Commercial installation is a different challenge than residential. Businesses can’t afford lengthy downtime. That’s why professional crews often phase installations around business hours, ensuring operations continue with minimal disruption.
Subfloor prep is also more critical. A restaurant’s subfloor may need leveling before SPC can be installed properly. Office spaces may prefer adhesive installs to avoid shifting under heavy use. Choosing installers who understand these requirements makes the difference between a floor that lasts two years and one that lasts two decades.
LVP vs. Other Flooring Options
Every business weighs flooring options. Here’s how luxury vinyl compares when stacked against some of its most common competitors:
Flooring Type | Avg. Cost (Installed) | Lifespan | Maintenance | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) | $6 – $14 | 10 – 20 years | Low – simple sweep & mop | Offices, restaurants, retail |
Carpet Tiles | $5 – $12 | 5 – 8 years | Higher – requires deep cleaning | Offices, conference rooms |
Hardwood | $12 – $20+ | 20 – 30 years | High – refinishing needed | Upscale offices, showrooms |
Ceramic/Porcelain Tile | $8 – $18 | 20+ years | Medium – grout cleaning required | Restaurants, lobbies, medical spaces |
This side-by-side makes it clear why so many Denver businesses are opting for LVP. It doesn’t just perform well – it performs well across industries, which is rare in flooring.
Why On Top Flooring, LLC is Denver’s Commercial LVP Expert
At On Top Flooring, LLC, we’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference the right flooring makes in a business. The wrong surface can lead to constant maintenance, costly downtime, and frustrated employees. The right one blends seamlessly into the space, handling abuse day after day while still looking sharp.
We specialize in helping Denver businesses choose the best luxury vinyl for commercial spaces, whether it’s a restaurant downtown, a retail shop in Cherry Creek, or an office in Centennial. Our approach is simple:
Clear, itemized quotes so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Knowledge of ADA slip resistance requirements and local codes.
Installations planned around business hours to avoid downtime.
Access to high-performance LVP products that are proven in commercial environments.
For Denver businesses, choosing LVP isn’t just about picking a product – it’s about choosing a partner that understands how to install it properly. That’s where On Top Flooring, LLC comes in.
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