If you own a photography studio, it’s essential to ensure that all the interior décor and architectural elements are designed to deliver the best results. For example, having ample natural light is a must, and one of the most important elements to think about is the flooring design. While there are many flooring options available, shiny floors are increasingly popular in studios.
Shiny floors are good for photography studios as they provide a reflective surface for photographers to work with. Reflective surfaces enhance photographs in various ways, including adding an artistic layer to the captured images and ensuring more efficient use of available light.
The rest of this article will look at the advantages of shiny or reflective flooring for your photography, as well as other flooring options to consider for your photography studio.
Advantages of Shiny Flooring
Shiny or reflective flooring is a flooring system that boasts high light reflectivity. These floors are available in various materials, including polished concrete, marble, travertine
, granite, and more. Most reflective floors are created via polishing – that is, through repeated application of abrasives until the material’s surface starts to shine.
Aside from improving shots, several other advantages to this type of flooring make it a good option for photography studios. These include:
- Aesthetics: Aside from adding fascinating depths to your photography, shiny floors are a great option for photography studios because they are attractive to look at. High gloss floors can be extremely beautiful, making photographs that feature these floors more aesthetically pleasing.
- Energy effective: Shiny floors help amplify the natural light your studio receives and reduce the need to depend on artificial lighting. This is particularly useful if your studio receives little natural light, as the floors will help you get the most of what light is available.
- Durability: Reflective floors are available in highly durable materials such as polished concrete. This is an essential benefit for a photography studio, as you will likely experience high foot traffic and have to move heavy photography lights around. Additionally, these materials are long-lasting and can last for at least a decade without needing to be replaced.
- Affordability: It’s easy to believe that shiny, high gloss floors are expensive. However, depending on the material you choose, these floors are much more affordable than you think. Polished concrete, for example, is an extremely common flooring material, which contributes to its affordability.
- Maintenance: Like with cost, one of the biggest misconceptions about shiny floors is that they require a lot of care. However, because the shininess and reflectiveness of the floors are an inherent part of the flooring material and achieved through polishing rather than scrubbing the floors clean, all the maintenance these floors need is daily mopping and sweeping like all other floors.
- Versatility: As mentioned above, shiny floors are available in a variety of different materials. Additionally, many materials like polished concrete are also available in a range of colors and patterns. This combination means that you’re sure to find the perfect shiny flooring option that meets your aesthetic needs and matches the rest of the décor in your photography studio.
Check out my article about whether you can use a storage unit as a make shift photography studio.
Alternative Flooring Options for Your Photography Studio
Shiny floors are not the only option available for your photography. Depending on your style of photography, there are numerous other options you can consider.
However, it’s essential to use hard flooring where possible. While softer options like carpet are available, these have numerous drawbacks, including:
- Maintenance: Carpet traps dust and dirt very easily and can be difficult to clean. Additionally, it does not hold up well to wear and tear, which is a significant drawback in a high-traffic area like a photography studio.
- Surface: Depending on the photoshoot, you may find that you need to lay down temporary flooring or install backdrops. Soft flooring can make doing so challenging, as paper wrinkles when laid on such a surface. Hard floors, on the other hand, do not have this issue.
Some flooring options you can consider include:
Hardwood
One of the most popular flooring materials available, hardwood is durable and aesthetic. Additionally, it’s incredibly versatile for photography. It’s also hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about exacerbating clients’ allergies. However, it is one of the more expensive options available.
Laminate
A cost-effective option that gives you the look of hardwood without the accompanying cost, laminate is available in various colors and designs. However, laminate floors are highly susceptible to moisture damage, which can be challenging if you live in a humid area.
Tile
Tiles are available in a variety of options, including porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone. Most options tend to be durable and long-lasting, and resistant to cracks, wear and tear, and other stresses of a high-traffic area. However, installation is challenging and is not installed correctly, they can break easily.
Vinyl
Vinyl is becoming increasingly popular as a flooring choice for a range of reasons. It is long-lasting, durable, and cost-effective. Additionally, it has a slight “springiness” to it, making it extremely comfortable to walk on. It is also available in a range of colors and finishes.
However, it can be tough to remove during renovations, and it can be challenging to find a supplier that offers consistent quality vinyl.
Bamboo
Though many people believe that bamboo floors are the same as hardwood floors, bamboo is actually a grass that is then processed to make floors. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant, and bamboo floors are a sustainable option.
These floors are also durable and easy to maintain. However, it can be challenging to find quality options, as many brands contain harmful adhesives. They are also highly susceptible to water and moisture damage.
Epoxy
Epoxy floors are one of the most popular flooring options around for several reasons. These floors are extremely affordable and are available in a variety of colors and designs, so you’ll be able to personalize your floors to your needs. They’re also designed to withstand a significant amount of wear and tear and are both long-lasting and durable.
However, installing epoxy floors can be tedious, mainly due to the challenges involved when preparing the epoxy and priming the floor. It’s always best to solicit the help of a professional when doing so.
At the same time, many epoxy companies carry a limited number of designs and colors, so you may find your choices more limited than you may expect.
With a photography studio, it’s important to choose the flooring that works best with your photography style. Some people may prefer the look of hardwood floors, while others may find that the range of options offered by vinyl suits their needs better.
One alternative you can consider is to create “sections” of flooring in your studio. You can have several spaces, each with a different type of flooring. This will make your studio more versatile and allow you to use the flooring option that best suits your needs for a given photo shoot.
As mentioned above, softer options like carpet and cork have numerous disadvantages, which means they aren’t recommended if you choose to have uniform flooring across your studio.
However, if you decide to segment your studio, you can have a carpeted space or one with cork flooring, allowing you to have the look of these floorings without having to deal with their drawbacks.
Conclusion
Shiny floors are a good option for photography studios as they provide a reflective surface that can enhance your photography. Other flooring options that you can consider include hardwood, bamboo, laminate, and vinyl floors, among others.
However, make sure to avoid soft floors where possible, as they require a lot of maintenance and are unstable surfaces if you’re looking to incorporate paper backdrops into a photoshoot. You can get around this challenge by designating a section of your studio to carpet and other soft floorings rather than using it across the entire space.
Sources
- Flash Flooring: 10 Reasons Why Polished Concrete Floors Are Better Than Other Flooring Options
- Concrete Network: Reflective Concrete Floors
- Guardian Garage: The Various Advantages of Reflective Flooring
- Concrete Magick: Reflective Flooring
- Click It Up A Notch: Using Reflective Surfaces to Enhance Your Photography
- Blue and Green Tomorrow: Understanding the Pros and Cons of Epoxy Floors
- DIY Network: The Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring
- Bob Vila: The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring
- Palmetto Carpet and Floor Coverings: Types of Flooring Types and Their Benefits
- Designing Buildings Wiki: Types of flooring
- Dalton Flooring Center: Advantages & Disadvantages of Popular Flooring Types
- AA Floors & More Ltd.: The Pros And Cons Of Different Types Of Flooring
- Photography on the Net: What Is The Best Floor for A Studio
- Photography Talk: What kind of floor do you have in your photography studio?
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