Large-scale businesses, such as manufacturing plants and warehouses, will often have a lot of flooring space. Wear from different types of machinery, spills, traffic from personnel and equipment, as well as other types of frequent use can degrade concrete floors. The cost of repairing and replacing concrete can have a drastic impact on your company’s bottom line, but not as much as the indirect costs that will come with having to shut down your operation because of having to repair your floors.

One way that you can minimize any flooring issues is to install epoxy over your concrete slab, but you need to understand the different characteristics of industrial epoxy flooring along with its advantages and disadvantages. It can help you to determine if installing it is the right choice for your company.

How it Compares to Other Types of Seamless Industrial Flooring

The term “epoxy flooring” has been used to describe different types of seamless resin flooring, such as urethane flooring, acrylic, polyester, vinyl ester, and other polymers. While these floor materials look like epoxy, they’re not actually epoxy which is a specific type of material. Epoxy is a seamless surface coating that’s used to keep concrete from degrading. It’s usually made out of a resin that has been mixed with a hardening agent. This mixture is poured over a concrete slab, where it creates a protective shell over the surface.

Industrial epoxy flooring can protect a concrete slab from stains, chemical spills, mold, mildew, and various forms of daily wear. Its design can also be changed to meet your specific needs, such as adding color flakes or quartz. It can even come with a number of color options, which can allow you to color-code specific traffic and work areas from other parts of the floor. You can easily replace floor stickers and tape, which is another big advantage.

The Durability of Industrial Epoxy Flooring

Not only can industrial epoxy flooring create a finish that looks aesthetically pleasing, but it also has a high degree of impact resistance. It will even protect your floor from chemical spills and stains, as well as from dirt and dust (which is often an issue with seamed and grout-filled floors). It can also minimize the possibility of cracking, chipping, and scratching — all of which are common issues that can come from grit buildup on the surface.

You can expect epoxy flooring to last 2-3 years in areas where there’s a great deal of foot traffic, as well as in places where there’s a great deal of movement from vehicles and machinery. If they’re properly maintained, you can expect it to last 10-20 years (or even longer) in areas with less traffic. Worn-out spots on industrial epoxy flooring are easy to patch. It also doesn’t require a great deal of downtime because of its rapid curing process.

Proper Maintenance of Industrial Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy will be easier to maintain than other types of industrial flooring. But while they have a great deal of resistance to chemicals, stains, scratches, and cracks, it’s important to keep the surface free from any dirt and debris. Some spot cleaning is all you need to keep your floors in good shape for several weeks, but it’s a good idea to do a deep cleaning three or four times a year (especially in areas that have been heavily stained or soiled).

Spot cleaning will usually involve sweeping and vacuuming to remove any surface debris while dealing with any stained areas separately. Mopping the entire surface with a medium-bristle brush or hard-foam mop and some diluted ammonia is all you need to deep-clean your industrial epoxy flooring. Power washing or pressure washing is not recommended.

Other Advantages of Industrial Epoxy Flooring

Some other advantages of using epoxy flooring in an industrial setting include:

• The absence of joints, seams, or ridges.
• Resistance to impact and abrasion.
• Stronger than the natural concrete surface.
• Eco-friendly, renewable, and recyclable.
• Smoother, flatter surface.
• A great deal of stain, acid, and chemical resistance.
• Non-porous.
• Suitable for small and large installations.
• Highly tensile and flexural.
• Easy to clean, maintain, and repair.
• Available in gloss, semi-gloss, and matte finishes.
• Ability to color-code or to apply different colors and finishes.
• Good at inhibiting static electricity.
• 300% more light reflection (which will reduce your need for additional lighting).

Epoxy floor coating will often be a more cost-effective solution for commercial manufacturing, industrial, and warehouse spaces regardless of their size. But prices can vary according to a variety of factors (such as size, the number of mobilizations, the product and color being used, as well as the condition and material of the existing floor).

If you’re looking for one of the best places for industrial epoxy flooring in Los Angeles, be sure to reach out to the Fiber Coat Deck Company.