Selecting a floor coating for a warehouse is completely different from selecting one for a residential building. The type of traffic and uses of the two spaces are completely different, so you need to be careful to make the right choice for a warehouse floor coating. You can choose from wooden coats, simple vinyl or epoxy coating in light pastel floor shades that will look good in a warehouse.
Consider the Work Area Demands
Before planning the coating, you have to understand the floor takes a lot of abuse over the years. Have you ever considered the daily stresses on the flooring? Well, it is time to do so.
- Use of abrasive cleaning solutions
- Occasional chemical spilling
- Heavy human traffic
- Exposure to sunlight and extreme temperature changes
- Exposure to high moisture content
- Movement of heavy items and accidental drops
- Forklift use or vehicle traffic
Consider the Floor Material and Condition
Different floor materials respond differently to coatings. The type of flooring determines the type of surface coatings you can choose from.
Many industrial floors are made of concrete, but some are made of steel, tile, or even hardwood. Not all concrete floors will work with all coatings. You’ll need to consider the age and condition of the concrete. Certain floor coatings don’t respond well to moisture, so you may want to have a professional moisture test. Also consider what coatings or treatments have been applied in the past. These will help determine what new coatings can be used.
With the best warehouse floor coating materials like epoxy, you can ensure that the coating can withstand all these challenges without any trouble. It is also important to ensure the floor can withstand spillage and when things are dragged or dropped on the floor. Warehouse flooring needs to be strong.
Consider Safety Factors
The safety of the workers is also a paramount consideration. A low-VOC or zero-VOC coating doesn’t emit toxic substances like solvents or heavy metals into the air. The coating also should not release chemicals like formaldehyde that can endanger people’s health. These are particularly important in areas where food is prepared or consumed.
Performance Characteristics
Industrial coating of the floor must have the following features:
- Abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and flake resistance
- Anti-slip, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antistatic
- Hygienic, highly durable, corrosion-resistant
That is why there are various warehouse floor coating types that you can use for industrial facilities. You can choose from industrial, rubber and polished concrete varieties to get the best features as per your budget.
Ease of Maintenance
Industrial floors are susceptible to spills, dirt, and bacterial growth. The right floor coating will make maintenance and cleaning much easier. Cracks and seams in the surface are hard to disinfect, so germs will flourish. The floor coating should be seamless and resistant to cracking and scratching. This type of coating will also be easier to clean and maintain.
Types of Coatings
Depending on the above features, you have to select the materials for the coating.
1. Epoxy
This is a compound containing epoxide resin and polyamine hardeners. The polymer structure has great durability and strength with a non-porous texture.
Epoxy coatings are suitable for manufacturing facilities that use harsh chemicals. Epoxies are attractive, come in a wide range of colors, provide slip resistance, and are durable. For added protection, a thin layer of urethane can be applied on top of the epoxy to protect against scratches. However, epoxy may not be suitable for high temperature environments (above 180 degrees).
2. Urethane Cement
Urethane cement is another good choice, especially if you have a high temperature environment. Urethane cement does not appear shiny like epoxy, but is durable and bonds well to concrete. Urethane resists scratching, and protects the floor against chemicals and moisture.
The combination of fillers like cement and aggregates along with a polymer binder like urethane forms urethane cement. This is a polymer concrete that you can use as a warehouse floor coating. It can tolerate high levels of moisture, so you can easily use it in the factory. The material is resistant to wear and tear.
3. Acrylic
Acrylic substances like Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is not as sturdy or durable as epoxy, but the dual polymer system will still be a formidable option. It is a low glare finish material with resistance to weak alkalis and acids. It can also withstand minimum scratches and solvents.
4. Polyurea
This is an organic polymer that results from the reaction between a resin blend component and isocyanate. The material has a rubber-like feel and not as hard as epoxy. But the durability is high, and it has a glossy finish.
5. Polyaspartic
This type of warehouse floor coating is a new technology that is designed especially for concrete flooring. Industrial facilities can utilize this substance for protecting their concrete floor. These materials have zero or very low gas emissions.
Some Final Thoughts
Regardless of whether you own a facility for food processing, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, aviation, or others, the best flooring solution includes warehouse floor coating melbourne. The right coating of the floors will increase the safety of the facility, reduce maintenance needs, protect sensitive tools and equipment, and help you enjoy the glossy finish of the flooring.
But you have to hire the right flooring contractor too, for the purpose. Otherwise, you cannot get the best quality coating material and suggestions for selecting the right material. The floor finishing will be excellent if you get assistance from the right contractor. You can customize the floor finishing according to the size of your warehouse space.
We hope you found this blog post Comprehensive Guide to Installing The Right Warehouse Floor Coating useful. Be sure to check out our post Benefits of Commercial Vinyl Flooring at Commercial Facilities for more great tips!
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