A floor is one part of any commercial or industrial building that takes a beating, especially in warehouses. The warehouse and storage industry employs 1.08 million people in the US. That’s a clear indicator of the industry’s size and how much goes into keeping it functioning.
Safety is the focus when discussing equipment and the other necessary aspects of a warehouse floor coating. For this safety, the warehouse floor needs more than just paint. It needs a sealant. Several warehouse coatings, like MMA, and epoxy floor coating, will enhance the look and protect the space. Let’s look at the benefits a warehouse floor coating offers and which type of coating helps.
Do You Need A Warehouse Floor Coating?
In short, yes. Here’s why.
A warehouse, whether a company’s or a commercial warehouse, is a space with tons of load. Regardless of the purpose of the warehouse, safety is of the utmost importance. This includes the safety of the items in the warehouse and the physical space itself. Gravity pushes all the weight downwards; as such, the floor can take a lot of damage, which is why a floor coating is integral.
The Benefits Of Warehouse Floor Coating
A warehouse floor coating promises safety, but it’s not the only benefit it offers. Other benefits include the following:
1. Safety
Safety is paramount in a place filled with heavy loads, forklifts, and similar vehicles in and out. A warehouse floor coating will protect the concrete underneath from cracking and spalling. Concrete usually gets microcracking during the shrinkage process when the concrete cures. In addition, consistent load moving and heavy object placement will wear it down over time. For example, a typical pallet rack in a warehouse can hold up to 4,000 lbs. of weight. A floor coating will protect that concrete, prevent it from cracking further, and stop debris and chemicals from seeping through the cracks.
2. Anti-Slipping Properties
Many flooring options, like epoxy floor coating, are anti-slip. There are a lot of people that go in and out of a warehouse. If they fall and hurt themselves, the warehouse owners will be liable for the damage they suffer. Moreover, they could get hurt if anything slipped on the floor and landed on them. A floor coating will ensure the safety of the warehouse and anyone working there.
3. High-Impact Resistance
Warehouses usually have tall ceilings to utilize the entire space, have room to store more and expand down the line. If anything of a heavy load were to fall from a height, it would do so with a high impact damaging the concrete. In new warehouses that are larger than 300,000 sq. ft, a 32 feet tall ceiling is common. In older warehouses, the ceilings are even as high as 36 feet. There are floor coatings that can take high-impacts while protecting the concrete underneath.
4. Protect From Spills
Coating options like an epoxy floor coating form a layer on the existing floor to protect it from chemical spills, gasoline, and other hazardous compounds. If these compounds enter the floor to any cracks, they will cause further deterioration. Floor coatings are also available in various colors and finishes. The chemical spills are easier to find on the floor’s contrasting colors, making finding and cleaning them faster. This will increase the efficiency of the warehouse and reduce the risk of accidents from chemicals.
Types of Warehouse Floor Coating
There are various types of floor coating available for the warehouse. Here are some of the best ones:
1. Epoxy and Urethane
Epoxy and urethane are coating systems that resist chemicals and have great rigidity. It usually requires up to three coatings and is a more affordable coating system. The dry film thickness is par with some of the best coating systems. However, this epoxy floor coating does not cure quickly. The walk-on time is 24 hours and is one of the longest out of all the coating options on this list. Since each takes hours to cure, the total drying time is two days or more, depending on the layers.
2. 100% Epoxy
A 100% solid epoxy coating works well against abrasions and chemical spills. It can be applied in a multi-part system or just on its own. The coating is 100% solid, so the wet film thickness is the same as the dry film thickness. There is no loss of thickness due to the evaporation of VOCs. They are safe to use and one of the most affordable coatings available.
3. Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
A Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) floor coating has a fast cure time and is resistant to some acids and alkalis. It’s also resistant to scratching and has a high dry film thickness. However, floor preparation is more difficult because MMA does not bond well with the substrates. You need more ventilation and a minimum of four coats to get the same strength with two layers of epoxy.
4. Polyaspartic
Polyaspartic is a hybrid system and an offshoot of an epoxy floor coating system. It has all the advantages of the epoxy system in a single coating. The curing time also depends on the manufacturer’s mixing ratio. This makes it easy to manipulate the curing time to suit individual projects. It’s safe to use, has a moderate odor, and is UV resistant. However, it’s more costly than epoxy coating options.
Looking To Add An Epoxy Floor Coating To Your Warehouse?
It’s important to have a durable and long-lasting floor coating in a warehouse. An epoxy floor coating will do the trick, and Steel Coated Epoxy Floors can help you get the most durable coating that will last decades. Compared to regular garage floor paints that can only make the garage look good, we provide epoxy floor coating made of resin and hardener, which makes the garage look amazing and increases its durability.
We offer residential and commercial epoxy floor coating in Layton, Draper, Las Vegas, and Prescott. So whether it’s a garage, shop, basement, patio, or warehouse, we can transform the space that lasts long and looks amazing. Get the exact floor you want with our multiple shades and flake options.
Contact us today to request a quote!
