Industrial Flooring - What is it?
Industrial flooring must meet high standards to withstand daily use which can include high impact contact from heavy objects, machinery, weight loads, temperature changes, and even chemical spills.
In order to provide a safe environment for employees, often these floors must be smooth, easily cleaned and maintained, and without obstruction from damage that may occur (on a non-industrial-strength floor) that might leave holes or gaps creating safety hazards.
Often this type of flooring is not an option for industrial settings; it is a must for health and safety standards.
Types of Industrial Flooring
Concrete is a popular choice in large industrial floor settings, due to its durability. Polyurethane and Epoxide floors are popular choices for resurfacing older flooring, and for new buildings.
Anti-slip flooring is easy to clean and is often used in high traffic areas, and is becoming a choice in many industries.
Depending on the type of building, there are options that add aesthetic appeal, such as polished, patterned and colored concrete, Terrazzo tiles, resin flooring, and anti-slip finishes.
Where Can Industrial Flooring Be Used?
Industrial flooring can be used almost anywhere, from a home garage, around a pool, warehouses, shopping malls, factories, fire stations, schools, hospitals, airports and even stadiums.
Industrial flooring is used all over the world, providing safer, more stable, easily cleaned and maintained surfaces to work, live and play upon. Due to design capabilities they can be seen in some of the most elegant and intricately designed flooring installations, including Planet Hollywood and Disney Stores.
Pros and Cons of Industrial Flooring
Industrial flooring provides a safer environment for employees working in industrial settings, international travelers at airports and even shoppers spending a day at the mall.
When installed properly they are easy to maintain, durable, and last for many years, providing a sound investment for companies to uphold the highest standards on their flooring surfaces.
Due to advancements in technology, some industrial flooring options can be installed and used almost immediately, as is the case with Polyurea flooring.
Industrial flooring, by nature, often provides a hygienic flooring solution, which is why it is popular in operating rooms and laboratories. Anti-slip properties of industrial flooring coatings and some flooring itself, helps to ensure a safer environment for those using it as well.
Changes in temperature and moisture in certain environments are taken into account when being installed professionally, and because of this, industrial flooring can withstand extreme temperatures in many environments that regular flooring would never hold up.
Industrial flooring should be professionally installed to ensure that all steps are followed to ensure the flooring itself will perform as required. Some applications will result in the need for protective gear to ensure fumes and dust is not inhaled.
Depending on the type of industrial flooring being installed, it may be necessary to close the building for several days, resulting in a loss of revenue and production.
While industrial flooring might require an initial cash investment, the durability, safety, and legal aspects of having proper flooring outweigh the expense. It’s worth investing the time to investigate the options available, and to speak to professionals who have experience in industrial flooring applications.
Please remember the above is just a guide and you should seek professional advice.
