Cleanliness and professional appearance are extremely important for any business. They give potential clients an overall feel of your space and strongly affect their first impressions. Retail store and office floor surfaces need extreme wear resistance combined with unique designs that compliment the theme of the space. What you decide to coat your floor with is no exception. An eye-catching, mouth-dropping commercial floor coating can be also be durable, safe and easy to maintain—it’s just a matter of choosing the right one for your business. Learn more about these five different types of floor coatings to decide which one is the best for you.
Epoxy
Epoxy sealers are used typically in commercial environments and are an extremely popular concrete surface sealer as they form a high-build, generally glossy, protective film on concrete surfaces. Once applied, epoxy sealers offer excellent wear and abrasion resistance, all while effectively protecting the surface of the concrete from extreme chemical spills. While epoxy coatings are water repellent, they’re also non-porous, so they don’t allow the trapped moisture to escape. Businesses like this material because it can be applied quickly, is easy to clean and is a great way to add color to the workplace or put a logo or other design right in the floor. Appropriate for retail, industrial or public buildings, epoxy coatings can be found in labs, manufacturing plants, hospitals, schools, automotive spaces, aerospace buildings, galleries, showrooms, big box users and many more. With proper preparation of the underlying concrete and expert installation for proper curing and bonding, an epoxy floor can’t be beat.
Acrylic
Acrylic finish is a versatile coating that can be applied to wood, ceramic and, most often, vinyl flooring. It’s probably the most common type of sealer since it dries quickly—sometimes as fast as an hour after application—and has the ability to resist scuffs and stains. In areas with heavy foot traffic, bulky equipment or warehouses where items are constantly being moved across the floor, a simple buff can keep acrylic clean. That being said, while acrylic is a less expensive choice for its initial application, the total additional maintenance costs can be pricey. However, the better acrylic sealer products also offer UV protection, slip resistance and will not only resist the passage of water and chloride into concrete, but permit moisture in the slab to escape, unlike epoxy.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a superior, top-of-the-line hard coating that resists wear and requires less maintenance than acrylic. Whereas epoxy flooring is harder and more brittle, polyurethane is highly flexible and elastic. The higher density of it also means it will stay glossy longer, resist scratches better and is easier to clean. Polyurethane never needs to be buffed and can maintain its appearance upwards of five years in low to medium traffic areas. This type of coating does require a larger up front investment and more time to fully dry after application. However, it’s ideal for the food and beverage industry as it provides a seamless and smooth coating that is moisture and heat resistant, as well as in lab or industrial settings as it can be chemical resistant. Polyurethane is also more slip resistant than acrylic and, for businesses and factories where slipping is a concern, it’s possible to include traction increasing additives that can make it even more slip resistant.
Anti-Slip
Anti-slip coatings are one of the best ways to provide a safe workplace for you, your customers and your employees. It’s a highly effective way to reduce safety risks such as trips, slips and workplace falls as it provides substantial traction and helps business owners, managers and employees comply with the relevant floor safety regulations and standards. Anti-slip coatings are applied onto conventional flooring, such as concrete, wood and metal and are suitable for almost all work areas such as offices, entrances, workshops, canteens, restaurants, clubs, bathrooms, kitchens, parking garages, staircases, factory floors and more. Soil and debris can reduce the effectiveness of the slip resistant surface, so the coating needs to be maintained through regular use of proper cleaners and de-greasers. However, this type of coating can end up saving you money by minimizing the risk of slip and fall injuries, as well as litigation in your workplace.
Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial coatings create healthier environments for employees as they contain agents that shield the floor against the growth of fungus, bacteria, viruses and parasites which thrive on wet surfaces. This is especially important if you have a porous material on your floors where small amounts of moisture can cause mold, bacteria, fungi, etc. to grow. Antimicrobial coatings are preferred by commercial and industrial facilities where cleanliness is vital, such as medical facilities, food and beverage processing plants, pharmaceutical laboratories, restaurants, school cafeterias and more. These environments need to have a flooring system that can withstand regular cleaning, large volumes of traffic, extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals. Unlike other flooring systems, antimicrobial coatings can ensure that nothing gets underneath the surface of the floor. If contaminants are able to find their way under your flooring system, it can lead to more than just moisture damage.
A good floor coating isn’t just a simple way for businesses to upgrade their environment, but the correct choice for your business can help save you money in the long run. Each of these floor coatings bring different benefits and all of them are durable, easily applied and affordable. Let the team of care consultants at Cubix, Inc. help you determine the right one for your facility’s use conditions.
Travis Owens, the President of Cubix, Inc., has dedicated over 18 years to refining and leading the premier leader for commercial flooring services in Florida. Before taking the helm as President, Travis excelled as the Director of Operations, solidifying his reputation as an industry trailblazer in commercial flooring consulting and solutions. A proud veteran, Travis honorably served 8 years in the Marines, exemplifying his commitment and discipline in all endeavors. Residing in Orlando with his family, he also indulges in his passion for culinary spices.
