Industrial Epoxy & PU Floors
Concrete floors whilst strong will require further treatments in commercial and industrial environments due to the chemicals used or the high traffic. Thus, epoxy coatings and polyurethane toppings are designed to protect or enhance the performance of concrete floors thereby preventing premature deterioration of floors. Epoxy floor coatings give a hard wearing chemically resistant decorative finish to floors in many areas.
What is Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring is a flooring surface that is made up of multiple layers of epoxy that is applied to the floor to a depth of at least two millimeters. The difference between an epoxy floor and an epoxy floor coating lies in the depth of the epoxy. As stated, an epoxy floor must be at least two millimeters thick. Any epoxy floor that is less than two millimeters thick is best referred to as an epoxy floor coating or epoxy floor paint.
You might also be wondering what exactly epoxy is. Epoxy, in this case, refers to a system that is made up of two main components, resins and hardeners. The resin and hardener are mixed together where they chemically react to form a rigid plastic material that is strong, resistant to degradation and that bonds extremely well to its substrate. Epoxy floors are so strong that they can be used in even the most demanding of industrial environments.
Where to use epoxy flooring ?
Epoxy floor finishes have a very seamless and smooth surface making it an ideal flooring system for high traffic, entertainment and work areas. Epoxy flooring is used in Hospitals, Pharmaceutical companies, food processing factories, manufacturing plants, warehouses, garages, living rooms, domestic & commercial kitchens, rumpus rooms, alfresco areas, playrooms, laundries, restaurants, shopping centers, workshops, gym and offices. Domestic and commercial garage and kitchen floors benefit from the water, chemical and oil resistant properties of epoxy flooring, while the seamless surface is hygienic and easy to maintain.
Due to nonporous and joint-less surface dust and bacteria finds no place to accumulate, which makes them an ideal hygienic flooring option for hospitals , Pharmaceutical and food processing companies
Advantages of Epoxy and Polyurethane flooring
Epoxy and Polyurethane floor offer many advantages when compared to other traditional flooring like Tiles and Marble. The following can be considered the most important advantages:
- Epoxy coatings will create a shiny high gloss surface. The brightness of an area with epoxy floor can be increased by 200%
- It offers a hard wearing durable surface able to withstand heavy and continuous traffic.
- Durable and easy to clean
- Ideal for warehouses and industrial applications, and sometimes no paint is required over the epoxy finishing.
- Resists oil stains, beads water, and wipes super clean and will create a seamless surface
- Epoxy and Polyurethane floor, when applied properly can last many many years.
- Can be combined with paints and colors to mask off chips and cracks
- Provide a chemically resistant surface ideal for manufacturing plants
- Epoxy floors offer enhanced safety by creating an anti-slip surface, heat, and fire resistant solution to concrete floors.
- Different patterns can be combined to create driveways and/or identify walk able areas.
- Prevent wear and tear on the existing concrete floor.
- Epoxy and Polyurethane floors are considered environmentally friendly solutions.
- Some of the products used can also be combined with self-leveling products that can be applied over new or old concrete.
- Require little or no maintenance.