After reading our recent blog post, Elevate Any Space with Portable Event Flooring, you are now convinced to install quality flooring in your booth space. The first question most exhibitors have is: how do I choose when it comes to interlocking vs. rollable flooring? The differences between interlocking and rollable flooring are quite obvious at first. Rollable flooring is just that, a large sheet of floor that is rolled onto the subfloor to create the surface. Interlocking flooring uses a variety of tiles that interlock together to create the floor. Surprisingly there are many differences, disadvantages, and advantages between these two styles of flooring. In the post today we’re going to cover all of the differences to help guide you on the correct selection for your application.
Interlocking Trade Show Flooring
Interlocking flooring is the most practical and popular option for most exhibitors. It is ideal due to its ease of installation and lightweight application. Each tile is either 2ft x 2ft or 2ft x 4ft in size so it is very easy to move pieces around and assemble the floor. Compared to rollable flooring, which is typically handled in 50 lb. sections, interlocking flooring can be assembled by nearly anybody.
Another huge advantage to interlocking flooring is the built-in padding that comes with every interlocking flooring product. For example outdoor turf interlocking tiles include padding to make your outdoor events more comfortable. Additionally these tiles are easy to store and easy to ship for many different events. They are easily shippable via UPS or FedEx usually come in many different boxes so it’s easy to store in many different locations.
A bonus with our US made interlocking flooring is the options for beveled edges and electric channeling. The beveled edge is built into the perimeter tiles to make assembly easy while making the floor look as seamless as possible. Electric channeling is cut into the padding so you can hide your electric cords while keeping the floor flat. We recommend getting channeling on all tiles so you have maximum versatility at every show.
Rollable Flooring Solutions
Rollable flooring on the other hand is great for larger areas where minimal seams are required. Many of these roles can come in 10 ft. by 50 ft. sections. As you can imagine on a huge trade show floor this would be easier option. If you are using an installation crew with multiple people, it can be a breeze. With rollable flooring it’s also possible to choose from many different padding options. Anything from thin high density padding to thick plush padding is available. We offer a variety of options so if you are looking for something specific, this is the way to go. Comparing to interlocking tiles, the padding is built in and is one style fits all.
Many options are available with rollable trade show flooring. We offer turf, custom printed, carpet, and vinyl options for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Rollable carpet is available in multiple colors and textures. Vinyl flooring is perfect for a faux wood grain look that compliments nearly any booth design. As always, contact us for a free consult to determine the best option for your specific application!
Shipping and Logistics
Shipping and logistics are huge factors for events and exhibits. Rollable flooring and interlocking flooring both have pros and cons in this regard. Rollable flooring is very easy to palletize and can be easier to move around if you have a warehouse, forklift, and a crew moving your stuff in and out. Both options typically come in 50 lb. boxes or tubes so the handling weight is pretty similar, however both flooring options offer larger cases that hold up to 10×20 or 20×20 for freight shipping situations. When it comes to storage, interlocking tiles are more versatile if you have limited storage space.
Interlocking tiles are easier to handle at the show site because they are only a few pounds a piece. This is great if the person assembling the floor needs a lightweight solution. For a very large areas, rollable flooring can be faster to install with a crew, however if you are on your own, we would recommend interlocking tiles as the easiest option. Additionally, for an inline booth space we recommend interlocking tiles as the simplest solution. Handling a large sheet of floor in an inline booth space can be cumbersome. However, if you are an experienced exhibitor, or hire labor to install, either option will work great.
Finished Product
When it comes to looks and appearance both options look great on the show floor. However, rollable flooring offers the most seamless look while interlocking tiles, although subtle, have small seams between the tiles that are visible if you look very closely. For the vast majority of exhibitors this is not a problem at all. However for some they are looking for as close to a seamless look as possible. If that is you, then make sure to choose a rollable flooring option. The good news is we offer rollable and interlocking options for nearly every flooring solution we carry. Some exhibitors have started with one style of flooring, and later converted to the other as their exhibiting needs change!
What are your thoughts on Interlocking vs. Rollable Flooring? If you have any questions or would like a free one on one consult about which flooring options is best for your booth, contact our experienced team today so we can help guide you in the right direction! Our posts like top 5 cities for trade shows in 2024 offer free advice to make trade show exhibiting more profitable for everyone!