What Type of Flooring Should I Choose For My Manufacturing Facility?

When planning for a new manufacturing facility, or a much-needed update of an existing space, choosing the correct flooring is critical. You may think that all floors are created equal, but nothing could be further from the truth. Choosing the correct flooring today can save you money and headaches down the road.

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Think Long-Term

In general, preventing damage is much easier than repairing it after it occurs. If the floor is an especially hard surface such as concrete, you may think that it is virtually indestructible. In fact, uncoated concrete can easily be damaged by metal equipment that leaves grooves and gouges in the surface. When choosing a floor, consider all of the wear and tear that it will undergo for years to come. A polished concrete may be a better option for the long-term than a bare concrete floor.Polished concrete is resistant to chips and cracks, is easily maintained, and resistant to chemicals and spills. It also has a beautiful shine that reflects light throughout the space.

For an even longer lasting surface, choose epoxy flooring. Epoxy coating is easily installed over your new or existing concrete floor. An epoxy coating creates a long lasting, super-hard surface that is impact and heat resistant. Manufacturing facilities often house heavy equipment and can have thousands of workers. What better than an epoxy floor to handle all of that traffic? In addition, an epoxy floor can also be color coated to designate particular zones, direct traffic flow, or set aside areas meant for storage.

Easy Maintenance

Regular maintenance is critically important to ensure the long life of any floor. Choosing a flooring surface that is easily maintained will allow you to protect your investment for years to come. Addressing spills immediately, routine sweeping, and regular mopping will keep your polished concrete and epoxy floors shining and looking their best without breaking the bank.

Industrial flooring is one of the most important parts of any industrial setting. Workers need to be able to rely on it if they plan to get any work done efficiently and safely. The last thing they need is to slip and fall or spark a fire while on the job.

However, there are many different floor coating types available to building managers. Some offer more durability and will last longer when paired with heavy machinery. Others are non-static and slip-resistant, which may be more important in other industries.

Here is your guide to industrial flooring solutions for your next flooring project.

Concrete Flooring

Concrete flooring is one of the most affordable industrial flooring options for your workspace. A polished concrete floor is also very durable, as it can withstand both heavy equipment as well as high foot traffic. That makes it a versatile option for any location.

On top of that, polished concrete offers a nice glossy finish that looks more modern. It doesn’t have to look old and cracked, as you might expect. When treated with sealers or hardeners, your floor can resist both staining and excess moisture.

The downside of concrete lies in its hardness. It has a heavy impact on people who need to walk on it daily, and items dropped on concrete floors will break more easily. Concrete also doesn’t retain heat well, which can create a colder environment.

Industrial Epoxy Flooring

Floor epoxy is another popular option for industrial settings due to its durability and resistance to wear and tear. Instead of replacing concrete floors, it is actually poured over them to create a smooth and seamless surface.

One of the benefits of clear epoxy flooring is that it allows the natural look of your floor to show through. However, you can also opt for some with tints or decorative flakes.

Any spills are easily wiped up, as they won’t sink into the concrete floor underneath. It can even handle harsh chemicals and solvents without corroding or staining.

However, applying epoxy means preparing the surface well in advance. The concrete must be clean, dry, and properly profiled for good adhesion. Temperature and humidity can also affect the process.

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is a great choice for industrial areas that need more shock-absorbancy. While concrete flooring can crack from heavy impacts, rubber helps to mitigate that impact. This subsequently means that anything dropped onto your rubber floor will also have a better chance of survival.

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On top of that, this material is available in the form of floor tiles. If you’ve found that any of the rubber has become indented or marred, you can easily replace it with another tile. This also means that it’s quicker to lay down than any other flooring or coating that requires time to set.

Rubber provides exceptional traction even in wet conditions, which makes it great for both indoor and outdoor settings. Your workers will also enjoy the softer underfoot if they have to spend many of their work hours standing.

Polyurethane Flooring

Polyurethane offers many of the same benefits as epoxy flooring. However, it has more flexibility, which makes it most resistant to impacts and thermal shocks. It’s a good option if your industrial space is exposed to extreme temperatures.

While epoxy has resistance to a wide range of chemicals, polyurethane has even better resistance. It’s also less likely to crack over time and has a faster curing time than epoxy. However, polyurethane also requires a concrete substrate that has been cleaned and prepped in advance.

The only downside is that polyurethane may be more expensive than epoxy, due to the cost of materials as well as its shorter lifespan.

Vinyl and Linoleum

Both vinyl and linoleum are much more commonly seen in commercial settings than in industrial ones. However, they can find some use in light industrial applications due to their ease of installation and cost-effectiveness.

Higher-grade vinyl can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist moisture. However, it’s sensitive to certain chemicals and isn’t the best for use with heavy machinery or equipment.

Linoleum flooring is eco-friendly, durable, and antibacterial. It’s also biodegradable, which means your company can reduce its environmental impact. The limitations are that linoleum can be damaged by moisture and requires periodic sealing to maintain its appearance and durability.

While neither option is great for the main staging area where you perform all of your heavy work, they could serve as an affordable alternative for office areas, hallways, and storage areas.

Specialty Flooring

Your best option is to order specialty flooring specific to your space’s requirements. Some of the most important qualities to look for in industrial flooring include anti-static properties, non-slip, durability, versatility, and a low maintenance cost.

For example, quartz aggregate resinous flooring combines high-performance resin with colored quartz aggregates. The end result is a durable and attractive flooring that is also low-maintenance. The quartz comes in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can customize it to your personal preference.

Alternatively, your work location may require an ESD floor to prevent unwanted static discharge. This is necessary in the electronics industry, where something as simple as a jolt of static discharge can completely destroy a circuit board.

If you wish to update your concrete floors, then you can’t go wrong with staining and color-dying. Staining is the most popular way to enhance concrete’s visual appearance and won’t flake or peel away like with paint.

Find the Best Option for Your Industrial Space

Industrial flooring needs to meet certain standards or else you’ll end up replacing it a few years down the line. Ideally, it will last you at least 10 years without too much damage in the meantime. You can leave it up to your flooring professional to find the best fit for your next project.

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