What are Industrial Floors?
Industrial floors are finishes that are made specifically to suit the needs of the corporate, commercial, and industrial setups.
16/03/2021
You may have noted the floors in warehouse entrances, departmental store, or even the gym are different from what you would see at home. Same with the type of floors you'll see in a pharmaceutical and food company. These are industrial floors.
So, what are industrial floors?
Industrial Floors Defined
Industrial floors are finishes that are made specifically to suit the needs of the corporate, commercial, and industrial setups. They are not all similar since they play different roles.
All industrial floors share some similar characteristics. They have to be durable and bear heavy traffic. Factories have lots of workers and pieces of machinery moving around. Proper factory floor care is essential to maintain the longevity and safety of these surfaces. Departmental stores and warehouses face a lot of vehicle traffic daily hence the need for durable flooring to bear all that weight.
Industrial floors have to be waterproof, stain-resistant, and also resistant to chemical corrosion. Take the case of industrial kitchens. Floors here have to be impervious. They shouldn't soak in any water or grease spillage for ease of cleaning.
Pharmaceutical company floors have to be resistant to chemical action if they have to last.
Industrial floors should stand extreme heat exposure that accompanies chemical production. Industrial floors should have technical capabilities as well as aesthetic capabilities to inspire workers and visitors.
Here are types of industrial floors.
3 Types of Industrial Floors
Concrete floors
Concrete is one of the dominant industrial flooring materials. It is cheaper to install than all other flooring materials. Once set, concrete forms a rigid thick flooring that can withstand heavy machinery and vehicular traffic. Concrete can withstand high temperatures and is easy to maintain depending on the finishing.
There three common industrial concrete finishes.
Polished concrete is easy to spot. Usually, it looks normal, save for its smooth and glossy surface. Contractors polish the existing concrete floor with grinders and buffers and apply a sealant. Polished concrete is easy to clean and is scratch-resistant, thus compatible with industrial needs.
Floated concrete is concrete that has been leveled out using floaters after screeding. You can mostly find floated concrete in areas that vehicles frequently pass, such as company and warehouse entrances.
The last finishing is the ruled concrete. This is a basic concrete surface without any finishing. It may suit some companies' needs since it is hard and rough, but it forms cracks easily, thus not suitable for extreme weight setups.
Polyurethane floors
Polyurethanes are elastomers that combine the elasticity of rubber with the rigidity of plastic to form a waterproof and aseptic concrete coating. They are sometimes considered sealants.
Being aseptic and waterproof polyurethane floors prevent dirt accumulation and dampness due to water spillage, which maintains companies' hygienic conditions.
You can find these floors in pharmaceutical industries, industrial kitchens, cold rooms, food, chemical processing, and textile companies. They can also be found in departmental stores, mechanical workshops, and indoor parking lots since they can stand high mechanical traffic and resist heavy impact.
Epoxy floors
Epoxy floors are thick concrete coatings produced as a reaction between two resins and a hardener. Although sometimes found in commercial structures, they are also compatible with industrial setups for the following reasons;
- ● Epoxies are resistant to chemical
spills, grease, or oil stains and abrasion.
● They are aseptic and waterproof.
● Epoxy resin does not conduct electricity therefore suitable for electric insulation.
● They can stand traction, that is, situations that generate floor cuts.
● Epoxy coatings can bear heavy human, vehicular, and machinery traffic.
● Easy to clean and maintain since they do not trap dirt or encourage mold and mildew growth.
● Epoxy coats are easy to install and repair.
● Epoxy coatings have aesthetic appeal as they can be designed with quartz grains to imitate terrazzo and other materials.
Due to these qualities, epoxy floors can fit in most industrial applications. There are three types of epoxy floors depending on different needs.
Non-slip multi-layer coatings are suitable for areas with sustained humidity, liquid and fat exposure, such as food industries.
Orange skin coatings are popular with dry environments such as assembly lines.
Self-leveling coatings are designed specifically for human traffic and aseptic areas such as medical labs, hospitals, and textile factories.
Industrial floors are floors that are designed to fit in various manufacturing and production spaces. These floors are tough, hard, and durable. They can bear anything from heavyweight, humidity, electric insulation, and chemical spills.