Residential or commercial-grade finishing. What is the difference?

You may find that many renovation stores offer two options for finishing supplies, residential and commercial ones. Although most homeowners aren't able to tell the difference between these materials. Knowing the key differences between them will help you choose the best covering for your renovation needs.

Before you decide to choose commercial or residential supplies for your home, whether you are renovating or building a new one, it is important to understand the differences. 

Flooring

Flooring supplies come in a variety of styles, including laminate, hardwood, vinyl, and linoleum. The context in which they are used is what makes some materials residential while others commercial. 

For example, wooden and tile flooring won't last as long after they are cleaned daily. Synthetic flooring used for commercial purposes can easily be cleaned multiple times without getting worn out or damaged.

It is essential to select the type of commercial flooring that withstand the wear and tear that comes with business settings. In some cases, it should be waterproof, slip-proofed, heat-resistant and detergent resistant. For residential flooring, there are many great options such as antimicrobial and stain-resistant flooring.

Commercial flooring is usually more expensive than residential floors if you only consider the material's cost. 

It is important to recognize that there is no fundamental difference between residential and commercial flooring. Both types of flooring are equally high quality in terms of construction and installation.

The durability of each type of flooring will vary in different use conditions. This is why you can buy both types of flooring for residential use but not for commercial. The methods of installation can also vary and may affect the installation cost.

Painting

Many people consider commercial and residential painting as the same service. However, there are some differences between these types of painting.

Deadlines and equipment.  

Commercial painting refers to cover offices, factories, schools, hospitals, and other buildings. For larger projects, it is necessary to have a larger crew, use more sophisticated equipment and take longer to finish the job. 

For residential projects, it takes less time and requires fewer painters. Even if it comes to the exterior and interior painting jobs performing. You will need materials such as paintbrushes or rollers, step ladders and drop cloths to complete the job.

Paint types

Residential paint can come in many different colours to match your home's decor and architecture. Paints can be classified by their, including oil-based, water-based, or latex-based paints. You can finish the wall with lacquers, they can be flat, eggshell and matte, satin, and glossy.

Commercial painting is often associated with various surfaces, such as wood, concrete and marble, metal, reinforced polymer, and many others. It is much more important to ensure the durability of the paint and good adhesion. For this purpose, there are a number of primers and tints that can be used to coat commercial and industrial surfaces. The cost difference is mainly due to the designation of the paint.

Labour cost

While both types of paint have their benefits, there is a distinct difference between the two. Residential painters focus primarily on personal projects around the home and are less expensive.
In contrast, commercial painters perform tasks that require a huge amount of paint. They are also more versatile and can paint anything from offices to factories. Although the cost of Commercial painting is higher than residential, it is worth it as painting protects the walls from damage and makes a business attractive.

Tiling

You have many choices when it comes to the styles and design of tiles as well ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tiles. And there are a lot of tile specifications like material, hardness and slip resistance. You can see that the material you choose to tile your home or business will determine its durability as well as overall function.

To withstand more foot traffic, commercial-grade tile must be thicker. It also needs to have a higher slip resistance rating, to reduce the risk of injury and consequent liability. DCOF, also known as the dynamic coefficient of friction, measures the friction on wet, flat floors when walked upon. High-traffic flooring should have a DCOF rating not less than 0,80. The tile rated 0,60 should be used when it comes into direct contact with water or grease. This is especially true of glazed tiles.

The PEI indicator can be used to assess the hardness and density on a scale of 1-5:

• PEI 1 - Only for walls;
• PEI 2 - Light foot traffic can be handled;
• PEI 3 - Perfect for residential usage.
• PEI 4 - Suitable for indoor and outdoor use in both homes and businesses;
• PEI 5 - Can withstand heavy foot traffic as well as industrial use.

Lighting 

For a longer lifespan, commercial-grade light products use better quality LED drivers,  heat sinks and other components. These products are stronger and more reliable than residential lighting options and last longer.

But keep in mind that commercial lighting can consume more energy. The intensity of lighting for residential and commercial purposes can be different. The Kelvin value for commercial offices is between 3500 and 5500 Kelvin, while for house lighting is in the 2000-3000 Kelvin range.

Outlets 

Office outlets are very similar in design to those that homeowners have. The difference lies in their reliability. They are designed for more intensive use. Although they cost 50 percent more than the equivalent outlet for residential use.

In conclusion

If commercial-grade finishing supplies are more durable, noise-absorbing, and water-repellent, why not use them for home renovations. It looks like a good solution that will last for many years. 
Frankly, there is nothing wrong with using commercial home finishing materials if you feel you need extra durability. This can be justified when you have large pets in your home that can scratch the floor, break furniture or make other mess.

In some cases, it is possible to use residential finishing materials for the office if you have few employees and little wear and tear. Although for most businesses it will be more reliable to use commercial-grade finishing supplies.