Sean Walsh No Comments

Concrete floors in commercial and industrial buildings can become a safety hazard if improperly maintained. These floors are meant to avoid taking abrasion from heavy loads. Therefore, most facilities install a wear-resistant flooring system to prevent safety hazards and to extend the life of their flooring.

The types of coatings available

Wear-resistant floors can be achieved in several ways. One is the use of anti-slip floor coating. It is a protective way to help people stay safe. Several types of anti-slip coatings include epoxy, urethane, post-consumable crushed glass, concrete paints, tapes, and films. Epoxy flooring is one of the most common.

The durability of epoxy coatings is ideal for commercial and industrial facilities. You just want to ensure it includes other technologies to meet your specific needs. For example, your flooring might need an epoxy primer and a chemical-resistant urethane.

The facility’s environment

Quality industrial epoxy floor coatings designed for heavy-duty applications are essential in most manufacturing environments. Depending on the type of facility, there could be lots of foot traffic and the use of heavy machinery. So, having the right flooring explicitly designed for your facility is vital since every facility has its own needs. And without sacrificing appearance, these floors should have more than an anti-slip coating.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a purchase:

• Do I need antimicrobial protection for sanitation reasons?
• Do I need to make sure my flooring is chemical resistant?
• Does it need decorative finishes and in a specific color?
• Is the flooring I’m choosing of high quality, meaning it uses high-impact resistant coating?
• Is the flooring able to protect my electronics from static electricity?

Knowing the type of environment is crucial when selecting flooring for your industry, whether it is food service, health care, or industrial. Here are some examples of sectors needing specific technologies:

Foodservice and medical

The type of flooring used in food and medical facilities would be different than those of other facilities. For example, in food service, you must worry about wear due to foot traffic and sanitation due to supplying food.

An example of a type of flooring that would benefit these industries would be antimicrobial flooring. It prevents bacterial and fungal growth, making it ideal for environments where health and safety are top of mind. In addition, it stops the growth of bacteria, so it is easy to maintain.

Technology and data

There can be lots of heavy equipment with technology and data rooms. Also, machinery that calls for electronic discharge could do damage if the right flooring is not installed, which is why understanding the type of coatings available is vital to meet the specific needs of your application.

ESD flooring is an ideal choice for these environments. ESD flooring is an anti-static coating that allows the flooring not to conduct lots of electricity when walking.

Aviation and automotive

Aviation and automotive applications must look at aesthetics and durability. For example, the type of flooring used must withstand the force of a vehicle while still showcasing a beautiful showroom shine.

An example of flooring for the aviation industry is the HangarSpec line of floor coating systems. It was developed to withstand heavy-duty wear and tear. There is also an additive called Gloss-Grip Technology that enhances safety while retaining a slip-resistant yet glossy finish.

In conclusion, wear-resistant flooring is much more than providing safety to your employees. It includes other elements within a system design, such as supporting technologies. This is why it is vital to work with a knowledgeable manufacturer. They will be able to guide you through every step of the process.

Sean Walsh