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Investing in epoxy resin floors or finding a suitable flooring solution can be tough as various factors affect the final decision, such as the cost of installation and the amount of downtime the business will undertake during installation. However, the importance of choosing a good solution shouldn’t solely rely on costs, but also longevity, safety, durability and much more.
With various commercial, industrial and office flooring options available, it is important to first note what your surface requirements are:
- Does your surface need to be chemical/moisture/slip resistant?
- Does it need the ability to withstand heavy traffic?
- Does the surface need the ability to withstand heavy footfall?
- Does it require the ability to withstand high or low temperatures?
- Do you need to meet certain specifications?
In order to save costs, many businesses choose a flooring solution that does not necessarily support the current conditions of their facilities, this results in hazards for employees, visitors and customers, an increase in downtime for repairs that can be very costly, and it can even result in the facility or business shutting down for a period of time to replace an entire flooring system that hasn’t lasted as long as required.
Why you should consider epoxy resin flooring
Epoxy and resin floors are widely popular across a range of industries from food processing & manufacturing, hospitality and restaurants, warehouses and distribution centres to aviation, transportation, education, commercial and retail spaces. Resin flooring can meet many performance features required such as:
Impact resistance
The installation of a heavy-duty epoxy floor coating provides any high-traffic surface with the strength it needs to stand up to extreme pressure and heavy usage. Standard concrete floor systems cannot always withstand high-traffic or severe abrasion and impacts, and will soon begin to show signs of damage. This results in the need for costly, time-consuming flooring removal, preparation, concrete repairs and re-application
Stain Resistance
Ensures a much faster cleaning process, as well as the savings on time and money on the repairing of stained surfaces.
Durability
Epoxy and resin floors are stronger and more durable than concrete or any other material. They have a longer life cycle and offer cheaper maintenance and repair costs as they can be restored or replaced without removing the existing floors.
Moisture Resistance
Moisture seeping up through a concrete substrate is a common problem that affects many facilities. The cause of unsightly delamination and blisters, moisture can significantly impact on the performance of your flooring and radically reduces its lifespan.
Other benefits include fire resistance, thermal shock resistance, easy to clean, scratch resistance and fast curing which results in a faster installation.
What is involved in the installation of epoxy and resin flooring?
Preparation of the concrete substrate is vital to ensuring a successful installation. The type and degree of preparation required before concrete floor coatings depend on the type and condition of the concrete, the exposure, and the coating system that is to be applied. The concrete should be dust-free, dry and clear of dirt and any other contaminants. Without the correct preparation, the weakened layer that formed on the surface of concrete or any potential contamination on the surface of the concrete could significantly increase the chances of issues occurring.
The common concern businesses face when investing in a new flooring system is whether the facility’s operations will need to shut down to enable the installation. A valid concern, many good contractors will ensure minimal disruption to businesses by working according to their schedule. There are fast-curing epoxy or urethane solutions available than can be applied within 24 hours drastically reducing downtime.
Choosing the right flooring contractor
When selecting a specialist contractor to install your flooring, it is important to choose one with experience in installing floors in your environment. Ideally, it is an added bonus to select a contractor that manufactures and installs their own products. A single point of contact takes away the hassle of dealing with multiple suppliers during the entirety of the project ensuring an easier and manageable project. Good contractors also offer project management from start to finish taking the stress away completely.
Questions to ask
When choosing a contractor, it is always advisable to have a list of important questions to ask.
- How safe are the materials used – are they solvent-free? Odour free? Toxic free?
- Is there a risk of toxic fumes during the mixing of the products?
- Will the products bring harm to any employee should they come into contact with it?
- Will the products contaminate the environment?
- Are the contractors technically qualified?
- How are the chemical wastages disposed of on project completion?
Lastly, good flooring contractors offer an after-care program that includes after-care advice on prolonging the life expectancy on your flooring as well as a follow-up site visit to resolve any issues. Customer satisfaction should be paramount from start to completion of the project ensure that after-sales service is included in your price. Good flooring specialists will make periodical visits to your site after the installation to resolve any issues and ensure your continued satisfaction with your new floors.
