Commercial Flooring: What is the Best Solution For My Facility?

What are the key flooring requirements for your building? Is it aesthetics, durability or the ability to withstand harsh chemicals and frequent cleaning? Let's explore different commercial flooring solutions and determine if your existing floor can be improved to better meet your facility's specific needs.

Popular Commercial Floor Types:

Polished Concrete Floors:

Polishing is a specialized process that uses diamonds and advanced equipment to grind concrete or terrazzo floor surfaces. Through multiple steps, this process transforms an ordinary floor into a visually stunning and durable surface with an attractive sheen. Additionally, it enhances the floor's ability to resist water and reduce the penetration of contaminants. Polished concrete floors are widely used in retail, manufacturing, warehousing and packaging areas. The commercial real estate and hospitality industry often favors these floors' contemporary and minimalist feel in lobbies and restaurants. Polished concrete requires minimal maintenance and exceeds OSHA's recommended static coefficient friction of 0.5. These commercial floor systems can be used immediately after installation and do not require curing time.

Urethane:

Urethane flooring utilizes urethane mortar to resurface and safeguard floors in environments exposed to thermal cycling and chemical exposure. Also known as cementitious urethane, these floors contain cement properties that enable them to react like the concrete substrate, reducing stress and promoting long-term adhesion, increased lifespan and enhanced durability. They are also resistant to bacteria and fungi growth, which makes them perfect for sterile environments. These floors are widely used in food manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceutical, chemical and petrochemical industries.

Floor Coatings:

Floor coatings protect concrete floors and conceal minor imperfections, making them an ideal restorative solution for older floors. Typically, these coatings are 100% aggregate-free epoxy, making them suitable for rough surfaces that may not require heavy resurfacing. The coating is applied with a heavy thickness and cures into a durable, low-maintenance surface that offers impact, strength and abrasion resistance. Additional top coats and sealers, like urethanes, are optional and can be applied based on floor usage and specific requirements. Coatings are popular in manufacturing, solvent storage, paint booths, assembly areas, airline hangars and pharmaceutical processing facilities. They provide light reflectivity, chemical resistance and high wear resistance. 

Floor Resurfacers:

Often utilized for repairing worn or damaged concrete floors, these systems effectively create a durable, seamless surface that can withstand frequent cleaning, chemical exposure, and thermal shock. Floor resurfacers are often used in the food and dairy industry, cold storage, paper and pulp environments, manufacturing, retail and more! 

Decorative Broadcast:

This seamless epoxy resurfacer revives moderately worn or pitted concrete floors. Applied with a serrated applicator, it effectively fills in low spots, resulting in a smooth, glossy finish. This system offers a balanced solution between heavy-duty resurfacing and high-build coatings. Decorative broadcast is slip-resistant and easy to clean  making it a popular solution for hospitals, institutions and cafeterias. 

Key Factors to Keep in Mind When Selecting a Floor Solution:

1. ✔ Durability Needs: Assess the level of foot traffic, equipment and potential impacts the floor will endure.
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3. ✔ Maintenance and Cleaning: Evaluate your facility's maintenance requirements and examine factors like cleaning protocols, thermal cycles and chemical resistance. 
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5. ✔ Safety: Slip resistance is paramount, especially in areas prone to spills or moisture. Prioritize the safety of your employees, residents and visitors.
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7. ✔ Aesthetics: Consider the overall appearance and design of your facility. Choose a flooring option that aligns with your desired aesthetic, creating a welcoming and professional environment.
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9. ✔ Cost: Establish a budget for your flooring project, including installation, maintenance and potential repairs or replacements. Compare different flooring options' initial costs, lifespan, and long-term maintenance expenses.
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11. ✔ Industry Standards and Regulations: Some industries have specific flooring requirements due to regulatory compliance or specialized needs. Research any industry-specific guidelines or regulations that may impact your flooring choice.
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13. ✔ Installation process: Consider the installation time and method required for different flooring options to ensure minimal impact on your business operations.

Taking these factors into account, you can make a well-informed decision that meets your commercial facility's functional, aesthetic and budgetary requirements. Contact us today for more information regarding floor solutions, installation, repairs and services available in your area.