The flooring is an essential architectural element in any building or structure. A building would not be complete without the floor. It helps the users of the space to move around without obstacles.
Everyday floors
Different materials can be used to create floors. We can put a specific substance on the ground as long as it serves its purpose – to let us walk safely around spaces. Flooring material varies on the requirements of the area and the occupants.
There are various available flooring materials. Wood remains the most popular of all flooring materials in any residential or commercial space. Wooden flooring is classic, and it brings a certain sophistication. Wood also absorbs sounds so that it can reduce noise in an area. Tiles are also a good alternative because they are versatile and easy to maintain.
Stone floors, like granite, are an excellent option for outdoor spaces, such as patios and pathways. They also put a bold and commanding presence if used on the porch. These are all appropriate flooring options to use for houses and commercial spaces. It is because little foot traffic does not wear them out right away.
Industrial applications
Floors with heavy foot traffic need options that can last for a long time. Industrial spaces like pharmaceutical manufacturing plants need durable and easy-to-clean floors. For example,pharmaceutical floors should always be sanitized or easily cleaned. This treatment prevents the transfer of harmful microbes to the product. One option for flooring in this type of space is polished concrete.
Industrial flooring solutions are chosen differently from those of residential or commercial use. In an industrial setting, workers and machines batter the floors with heavy floor traffic every day. Also, some industries need flooring solutions that can withstand exposure to different elements, such as in laboratories.
Polished concrete is one of the go-to flooring solutions for industries. Concrete is easy to install in large scale projects. It is a cost-effective solution, too, as compared to an epoxy flooring. Polishing the concrete can make it resistant to bacteria, stains, and moisture.
Grinding the floor using a series of grits starting from 400 up to 3,000 grit level polishes the concrete. Grinding makes it even and easy for application of the protective coating. However, before coating the concrete, hardeners are added to penetrate the concrete, making it hard and dust-proof.
Epoxy coated floors are also an option for industrial floors. Epoxy is a liquid material that is poured over a subflooring, usually concrete. Two liquid formulas form epoxy, a plastic-like substance that resists damage and withstands heavy foot traffic.
Epoxy flooring is customizable, depending on the choice of the builders. Chemical additives are mixed in the epoxy formula to make it resistant to slip, stain, and bacteria. Topcoat is added after the epoxy coating dries to keep it protected from wear. It is a favorite among industries because of its durability, but it is expensive.
Industrial rubber tiles are an option for industrial spaces because of their protective capabilities. Usually, these tiles are applied in industries that require heavy-duty machines. They are used in skid prone areas, so they are slip-resistant. Rubber tiles are proper acoustic barriers, too, especially in industries that create lots of noise.
Builders can choose from vast options for flooring materials. Further research of these options can lead the business to pick what is best suited for them.
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