To safeguard your industrial concrete flooring, consider these two primary protection methods:
A well-designed industrial floor is as fundamental to a building’s structure as its walls and roof. Reinforced concrete, a durable and long-lasting material, forms the backbone of these floors. However, even the strongest concrete can be susceptible to damage from impacts, thermal stress, and chemical exposure. To safeguard your industrial concrete flooring, consider these two primary protection methods:
Polishing a concrete floor
A polished concrete floor with an equipment demarcation of epoxy
Polishing a concrete floor significantly increases the concrete’s resistance to staining. It does so by using a silicate densifier to fill in the tiny open pores in the concrete and chemically reacts with the concrete to increase its hardness and scratch and stain resistance, while enhancing the natural beauty of the concrete.
But even after sealing the polished concrete floor, acidic and caustic materials can still stain the floor. Harsh cleaning materials can stain the polished floor, too.
Resinous (epoxy) floor coatings
Light reflective epoxy coatings, as well as the reflectivity of polished concrete, dramatically brighten up an area because of the level of reflection from the floor which improves visibility.
Coating the concrete floor with resinous (epoxy) floor coatings is an ideal way to protect the floor. These coating products, made up of resin and a hardener, are versatile, durable, and available in a wide range of colors and finishes. With the addition of aggregate, an epoxy floor coating can have a non-slip surface. A topcoat of urethane gives the surface a more scuff resistant finish while a topcoat of vinyl ester helps prevent damage to the floor from harsh chemicals.
How the floor will be used
Both polished concrete and epoxy coatings have their merits. Both have their weaknesses. It comes down to cost and how the floor will be used.
A good flooring contractor can help you decide
1200 grit floor polish with epoxy striping and equipment demarcation
A good flooring contractor can help you decide which of the two will be best for your industrial concrete flooring. The contractor will have studied and tested the location, the use of the floor, the stress put on the floor, and any number of other considerations (including moisture levels in the concrete) before making a recommendation. High-traffic areas with heavy machinery might benefit from epoxy coatings, while low-traffic areas could be suitable for polished concrete.
All things being equal, if cost is the most important consideration for you, and the floor will receive only light foot traffic, then a polished floor might be recommended.
On the other hand, if the floor is exposed to water, chemical spills, oil, and moving machinery, then a resinous coating on the concrete might be the better choice.
Install the material according to the specifications
Regardless of whether you choose a resinous (epoxy) floor coating or a polished concrete floor, the flooring contractor should install the material according to the specifications of the material. This includes thoroughly preparing the concrete surface to ensure a strong bond between the floor finish and the concrete.
The manufacturer’s specifications are there for a reason. The specifications provide several lists and instructions for the installation. Following the manufacturer’s specifications will help achieve optimal performance and durability of the floor.
There is a lot to consider, so make sure you use a flooring contractor that has experience installing epoxy floor coatings or polished concrete flooring.
