Choosing the right flooring for your commercial kitchen is more than a design choice — it’s a safety, hygiene, and compliance decision. Whether you run a bustling restaurant, café, or catering kitchen, your flooring must withstand constant foot traffic, moisture, grease, and food spills — all while keeping your staff safe and your business compliant with UK regulations.
Let’s break down the best flooring solutions for commercial kitchens and why Altro safety vinyl is a leading choice.
Why Flooring Matters in Commercial Kitchens
Commercial kitchens are high-risk environments where safety and cleanliness are non-negotiable. Slippery or damaged floors not only endanger staff but can also result in failed inspections and legal liabilities.
HSE Requirements for Kitchen Flooring
- Is non-slip, even when wet or greasy
- Is resistant to damage from hot oils, water, and chemicals
- Is easy to clean and maintain to prevent bacterial growth
Choosing flooring that meets these standards ensures your business stays compliant and avoids costly downtime.
Best Flooring Options for Commercial Kitchens
There are several types of flooring commonly used in commercial kitchens, each with pros and cons.
1. Altro Safety Vinyl Flooring
Altro flooring is widely regarded as the best flooring for commercial kitchens in the UK. It offers:
- Slip resistance (R12 rating) for wet, greasy environments
- Heat-welded seams for maximum hygiene
- Long-lasting durability in high-traffic areas
- Fast installation with minimal business disruption
Whether you’re refurbishing a café in Clapham or outfitting a school kitchen in Streatham, Altro Stronghold flooring delivers performance and compliance.
2. Polysafe Commercial Flooring
Polysafe is another safety vinyl option suitable for lighter commercial use. It provides good slip resistance and hygiene features, though Altro often outperforms it in high-risk kitchens.
Polysafe vinyl flooring is a trusted and cost-effective alternative to Altro when it comes to vinyl flooring for commercial kitchens. Designed to deliver excellent slip resistance, durability, and ease of maintenance, Polysafe is ideal for high-traffic environments where hygiene and safety are priorities. As a reliable non slip flooring for commercial kitchens, it offers strong performance in wet and greasy conditions, making it a smart choice for restaurants, catering units, and food preparation areas looking for dependable results without compromising on safety or compliance.
3. Epoxy Resin Floors
While epoxy floors are durable and seamless, they’re prone to cracking over time, especially in kitchens with heavy equipment. They’re also not ideal in extremely wet or greasy conditions without added texture.
What Makes Altro Flooring the Top Choice?
Altro flooring systems, like Altro Stronghold™ R12, are specifically engineered for commercial kitchen environments. They are:
- Waterproof and resistant to grease, oils, and detergents
- Designed with integrated coved skirting for wall-floor hygiene
- Built to last 15–20 years with proper maintenance
- Compliant with HSE, HACCP, and food safety guidelines
Plus, professional installation by trained fitters ensures your flooring performs to specification and meets all compliance requirements.
FAQs About Commercial Kitchen Flooring
What is the best flooring for a commercial kitchen?
Altro safety vinyl flooring is the industry standard in the UK due to its high slip resistance, durability, and hygiene performance.
How often should you replace commercial kitchen flooring?
With proper care, Altro vinyl flooring can last 15–20 years. However, signs like cracking, bubbling, or worn traction may indicate it’s time to replace it sooner.
Can you install kitchen flooring over tiles?
Yes — in many cases, professional fitters can install Altro vinyl flooring over existing tiles, using suitable subfloor preparation and adhesives.
Call the Experts: Best Flooring Fitters London
If you’re looking for reliable, fully-compliant flooring for your commercial kitchen, you’re in the right place.
At Best Flooring Fitters London, we’ve spent over 20 years installing Altro and Polysafe flooring in restaurants, schools, cafés, and catering kitchens across South London. We offer:
- ✅ Free site surveys
- ✅ Fast, clean installation
- ✅ Certified Altro installation
- ✅ Competitive pricing
📞 Call us today on 020 3322 7001
Or visit 👉 https://flooringfitterslondon.org.uk to request a quote.