Large-scale business settings such as manufacturing plants and warehouses experience a lot of wear from equipment, spills, and traffic. This degrades concrete floors over time, which can have a trickle-effect on productivity.
Fortunately, epoxy flooring is a great solution to prevent such issues. It provides many benefits that make it a smart choice for industrial spaces.
1. Versatility
Large-scale business settings like manufacturing plants and warehouses tend to have a significant amount of floor space that sees heavy traffic and frequent use from employees and equipment. This wear can damage and degrade concrete floors over time, requiring costly repairs or even replacements. These expenses can have a trickle effect on a company’s bottom line as it halts or slows down production until the floors are repaired.
Epoxy flooring offers a durable and versatile solution to large-scale commercial and industrial spaces. Its durability, easy maintenance, and aesthetic options make it a popular choice for many property owners.
The epoxy coating is composed of a resin and hardener that are mixed together to create the final product from solid colors, metallic finishes, or even simulated natural materials. Resins, typically bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) or bisphenol-F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE), provide the material’s structure and are combined with fillers such as quartz sand or metallic powders to enhance mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, or electrical properties. Additives such as flexibilizers can increase flexibility, impact resistance, or chemical resistance.
Epoxy floor coatings can be customized with various color flakes or quartz for added appeal. They also allow for region-specific applications, such as indicating the different types of work zones within a facility, to help improve user safety by allowing them to recognize hazardous or restricted areas. Additionally, the high-gloss finish improves lighting in enormous buildings and reduces the need for extra or expensive installation of additional light fixtures.
Epoxy coatings are also non-flammable and resistant to fire, making them a great option for warehouses that store dangerous chemicals and other volatile materials. In addition, epoxy flooring is free of harmful substances and chemicals, promoting a cleaner working environment.
2. Durability
Industrial spaces like manufacturing plants and warehouses tend to have large amounts of floor space that requires frequent use. Over time, regular traffic from machinery or foot traffic and spilled chemicals and oils can degrade concrete floors. This can lead to a host of expensive problems for the company that includes extended or unexpected downtime, lost productivity, and a loss of revenue. Fortunately, these issues can be prevented with the installation of industrial epoxy flooring.
Epoxy floor coatings are designed to be resistant to forklift and foot traffic as well as chemical spills and extreme temperatures. This type of flooring is also highly hygienic and aesthetically pleasing, making it an ideal choice for facilities that must meet stringent cleanliness requirements for their industry or clientele.
Another benefit of durable epoxy flooring is that it can be formulated with anti-slip additives to reduce the risk of slip-and-fall accidents. These safety features can dramatically increase the level of employee safety in areas prone to liquid or wet accidents.
Durability of an epoxy floor can be further enhanced with the addition of protective pads and sliders to prevent abrasions and scratches. Proper care of the floor, including avoiding harsh chemicals and conducting regular professional cleanings is also essential to prolonging its lifespan.
The customization options available with industrial epoxy flooring are vast, allowing facilities to incorporate logos, wayfinding symbols, and other safety signage directly into the floor design through techniques like floor striping. This allows for a highly personalized floor that blends form, function, and aesthetics to suit the needs of each facility. This type of personalization is not typically possible with other types of flooring. This versatility makes industrial epoxy a popular option for numerous different businesses and industries.
3. Aesthetics
While functionality and durability are top priorities in industrial settings, aesthetics should not be ignored. Epoxy floors can be aesthetically pleasing and can contribute to the design of an industrial facility. The epoxy coating is highly customizable, allowing for a wide range of color options and the addition of decorative quartz or mica flakes. This creates a shiny, spotted surface that adds visual interest and appeal to a floor while concealing any scratches or other imperfections. Additionally, epoxy can be applied with metallic coatings for a modern and sophisticated look.
Furthermore, these floor coatings are free of harsh chemicals and substances, which helps to improve air quality within facilities and promote a healthier workplace environment. The flooring is also highly reflective, improving light flow and reducing the need for additional lighting. This can increase the productivity of staff and enhance visibility across extensive facilities, promoting safety.
In terms of maintenance, epoxy is easy to clean and requires very little upkeep. It is resistant to stains, chemical spills, mold and mildew, and daily wear and tear, making it an excellent choice for industrial spaces. However, periodic professional cleaning is recommended to ensure that the coating retains its resilience and shine over time.
Considering the benefits of epoxy flooring, it is no wonder that this material is becoming more common in homes and commercial spaces. However, despite the popularity of this solution, many people are still hesitant to adopt it. This may be due to a number of reasons. First, the multi-step process can be complex and difficult to manage without the help of a seasoned professional. Additionally, a lack of expertise and confidence can lead to subpar installation that negatively impacts the appearance and durability of the floor.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
Epoxy floors are a smart investment for industrial facilities. The tough, seamless surface has no crevices or nooks where dirt and contaminants can collect, making them easy to clean and maintain. Furthermore, the coating is highly resistant to sudden impact and slippages, as well as high temperatures and chemical spillages. With this level of durability, the floor will need to be replaced less frequently than a traditional concrete floor, which can reduce maintenance costs over time.
While the cost of an epoxy floor can vary depending on the area to be covered, most projects are relatively affordable. The price includes the labour and materials needed to wash, etch, and prepare the substrate for the coating. This process is necessary to ensure that the floor bonds correctly with the substrate and doesn’t crack or peel over time. In addition, the surface can be painted with different textures and colours to create designated areas, promoting safety in large spaces where vehicle and equipment movements need to be monitored and controlled.
Epoxy is a safe and durable option for many environments, but it’s not suitable for every environment. It’s important to discuss any concerns with an epoxy flooring expert before deciding on the material. For example, UV light can cause the epoxy to yellow and degrade over time in an outdoor setting.
With the right materials and professional installation, an epoxy floor is a great choice for any space that requires long-lasting sustainability and aesthetics. Whether it’s a warehouse, storage space, or office, an epoxy floor provides a sleek and professional appearance that draws customers in and shows that your company is thriving.
5. Safety
Epoxy flooring is incredibly safe in industrial environments because it provides a non-slip surface that protects employees from falling and injury. The epoxy top layer is often enhanced with traction-enhancing elements like gravel, aluminum oxide, or polymer grit to help keep people upright and safely in place. Furthermore, an epoxy floor coating is resistant to liquids like water or chemicals that can be spilled during work.
The smooth epoxy surface is also easy to clean, and doesn’t trap dirt or bacteria as other types of flooring can. The lack of crevices and pores also makes it a good choice for pharmaceutical plants, operating theatres, and other areas that require strict hygiene controls.
Because of its durability, an epoxy floor can resist forklift traffic, constant foot traffic, chemical exposure, and heat shock without showing signs of wear or tear. Moreover, epoxy floor coating is highly reflective and brightens spaces to the point that many large industrial sites and warehouses don’t have to resort to extra lighting, saving energy costs.
One of the greatest benefits of epoxy floor coating is that it can be installed over existing concrete, which cuts down on installation time and the risk of disrupting a facility’s operations. This is crucial in fast-paced industries like manufacturing, where extended downtime leads to a trickle effect of slow or halted production.
It’s also worth noting that an epoxy floor coating is long-lasting and doesn’t need to be replaced for years, which further reduces the cost of operation. For these reasons, an epoxy floor is a smart investment for any commercial or industrial space. It’s the flooring of choice in food and beverage establishments, automotive showrooms, pharmaceutical labs, and other high-traffic places that need a durable, safe, and attractive surface.
