It pays for every business to consider the performance of its flooring in an operational environment. Here, we explain the difference between industrial and commercial flooring and the factors you need to consider when replacing the surface your staff and customers will set foot on.
What is industrial flooring?
Industrial flooring is designed to meet the high demands of any industrial workplace or facility, which tends to incorporate heavy duty equipment and heavy vehicles. Industrial flooring must comply with the health and safety requirements associated with any industrial facility, with numerous potential hazards present in this type of workplace.
All industrial flooring systems must be impervious, seamless and coverable in order to protect those working in the premises against everything from corrosive elements to slippery surfaces.
This is why industrial floors are commonly made from a combination of high performance polyurethane and epoxy resin to create highly durable heavy-duty screed systems, while the application of hardy sealant coatings provides the essential barrier against corrosive materials.
What is commercial flooring?
Commercial flooring incorporates the essential interior design aspects of promoting a business; something that is absent with most industrial flooring installations. There is now a growing demand for highly decorative, bespoke flooring systems in the commercial sector in order to create attractive premises that clients and employees alike will find appealing.
The commercial resins used in flooring installations today are based around ease-of-maintenance and fashion. On the other hand, it’s very important for commercial flooring to maintain the strict health and safety requirements necessary in any working environment. Manufacturers work hard to ensure that commercial flooring is appropriately installed, coated and maintained.
Polymer screeds
To guarantee a state-of-the-art flooring installations that meets the requirements of both commercial and industrial flooring in the modern era, polymer screeds are an essential material in all flooring installation projects. They are a self-bonding product that, at reduced thickness, provides increased levels of performance.
They are mostly used as a flooring underlay and this makes it hugely beneficial for achieving levelling falls and efficient drainage installations. The flexural strength of the flooring installations is vastly improved and the chances of cracking or shrinking are minimised.
Polyurethane resin flooring
One of the most efficient flooring systems for the industrial environment is polyurethane resin, which has a proven track record when it comes to offering numerous benefits in food-based industries. The most of demanding of environments have no effect on polyurethane resin and the service life of these installations prove to be highly desirable.
From wet and dry food facilities to chemical processing plants, polyurethane floors perform exceptionally and are designed to offer the robust and practical solution all industrial facilities require. They are protected against gradual wear, impact and abrasion and can also be cleaned using steam cleaning solutions.
Slip resistance
In both the commercial and industrial environment it is important for flooring installations to be slip-resistant as this protects both clients visiting the premises and employees who require a safe and secure environment to operate effectively and stay free from potential injury.
New flooring installations must comply with the health and safety regulations put forward and you can banish the possibility of someone slipping in your commercial or industrial environment with the help of slip-resistant flooring systems.
Article provided by Mike, working together with Resin Flooring; a Gatwick based flooring specialist with over 40 years’ experience.
