10 Things to Consider When Buying industrial workshop flooring

WHAT IS THE MOST DURABLE INDUSTRIAL FLOORING?

The durability of any floor depends on its use. A flooring material specifically suited to the challenges of its facility is far more likely to stand the test of time, saving companies the long-term costs of maintenance, repair, and replacement.

Link to KAIYAO

It is common to employ multiple flooring surfaces throughout a single facility, tailoring each zone to the activity that takes place there. An auto dealer’s showroom, for example, does not encounter the harsh chemicals and sharp impacts that are all in a day’s work in the service shop. A dealer on a budget may choose a cheaper, less resilient floor for the showroom to afford a more hard-wearing surface for the shop bays.

When looking at industrial flooring options, ask:

• Will the floor support traffic, equipment, or both?

Will people be walking or driving on the floor? Areas with high foot traffic should be even and slip resistant to prevent falls. A floor that supports vehicle traffic should be able to support and disperse the rolling weight of the vehicle and be abrasion resistant to prevent wear patterns. The floor under heavy machinery must be able to support the machine's full weight and protect the subfloor from any vibrations. If the machine generates heat or cold, or if there is a possibility that ingredients or chemicals may spill on the surrounding floor, those factors must be taken into account.

• Is this area prone to temperature swings?

Some flooring ideal at moderate temperatures will soften under the extreme heat of a commercial oven or crack in the extreme cold of a deep freeze. Consider not only the average temperature of the environment, but any extreme temperature swings the floor may have to endure.

“If you have a deep freezer next to a warm room, you have to realize that every time you open that door the floor outside is microfreezing in a blast of cold air,” says Spencer Martin, Argelith’s national sales director. “A qualified installer is going to recognize that and use some kind of separation between those floors.”

Nearly all flooring materials will expand and contract under temperature shifts. The floor should be designed to accommodate this movement, not fight it. A rigid material that does not allow thermal expansion and contraction is likely to crack due to the movement of the subfloor. Rigid floor coverings should be installed with expansion joints to accommodate this movement.

• Is the environment wet or dry?

Wet environments like breweries or slaughterhouses have more requirements than dry environments like bakeries or retailers. Thanks to gravity, everything eventually ends up on the floor. Factors to consider when flooring a wet environment include absorption, slip resistance, and drainage.

• What substances will end up on the floor?

Chemical resistance refers to a floor’s ability to withstand exposure to acids, oils, and caustic materials. An auto lube shop works with very different chemicals than a soft drink manufacturer, but both require flooring that can withstand chemical attack. A facility designer must know exactly what substances may hit the floor and how they affect the various components of a flooring system. Substances include materials required to operate equipment, like oil or brake dust, as well as ingredients and effluent. A chemical resistant flooring system includes not only the main floor but also grouts, topcoats, or underlayments.

• What is the lifespan of this facility?

If this is a starter location for a growing business and owners plan to move in three to five years, a low-priced option like epoxy or polished concrete will work just fine. There’s no need to buy a 30-year floor for a five-year location. For a company that plans to be in the same location for decades, the upfront savings of a lightweight floor will soon disappear in the constant cycle of repairing, resealing, or replacing. A heavy-duty floor like vitrified tile, while more expensive at the outset, lasts longer with less maintenance, and thus costs less per year to own. 

• What hygiene or other industrial standards exist for this facility?
  

Facilities that produce food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, or other products for consumption are subject to USDA or FDA hygiene standards. Other industries may also have standards or industry guidelines established to ensure facility and product safety.

THE BEST FLOORING FOR HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS

A “high traffic area” means, quite simply, an area that is frequently traveled by foot or by vehicle. A grocery store filled with walking customers and rolling shopping carts, an auto service shop with walking technicians and driving cars, and a restaurant kitchen filled with rushing staff are all examples of high traffic areas.

Abrasion Resistance

It is important for high traffic flooring to resist abrasion. Hard wearing industrial flooring should be able to hold up under years of traffic without grooves or wear patterns appearing along frequently traveled paths. These wear patterns are more than unsightly; as the surface layer of a floor wears away, the floor may become susceptible to all those things it was supposed to resist, like water and chemicals.

Thin coatings are not well suited to high traffic areas for this reason. For long-term durability, companies should look to thick or full-body floor coverings. A full-body flooring material has the same density, hardness, color, and resilience throughout. Surface scratches, scrapes, or wear patterns on full-body flooring are less visible and do not affect the resistant properties of the floor.

Slip Resistance

Slip resistance is an important consideration in areas with high foot traffic. Companies that cut corners on this feature may find themselves on the wrong end of expensive lawsuits or workers’ compensation claims after a slip-and-fall accident.

The amount of slip resistance needed depends on the environment. The floor in a car wash, for example, is virtually always covered by slippery substances like water, soap, and wax, while bakery floors stay mostly dry. When choosing a flooring surface, the bakery could safely opt for a lower profile than the car wash.

Industrial anti-slip flooring typically relies on either texture or grit to increase traction. Texture is found in flooring surfaces like dry-pressed tile. At the time of manufacture, tiles are pressed into molds that leave a textured impression on their surface. The deeper the impression, the higher the tile’s slip resistance.

Liquid flooring options rely upon grit to provide slip resistance. At some point after the floor coating has been poured, a fine, gritty substance is scattered across the top. As the floor cures, this grit becomes a permanent part of the surface. A good flooring contractor will be careful to spread the grit evenly across the floor to avoid unexpected slick spots. If the coating begins to peel, wear off, or is otherwise compromised, it is important to repair as soon as possible, as the underlying surface will not be slip resistant.

A floor’s cleanability is directly related to its slip resistance. The same texture or roughness that provides traction underfoot creates small nooks and crannies where dirt can settle. The more slip resistant the floor, the deeper these crannies are, making them difficult to clean with conventional methods like mopping. Most brands of industrial tile, including Argelith, have a baked-on finish that reduces friction and enhances cleanability. For easiest cleaning, companies should choose the lowest profile that provides the required level of grip. A floor scrubber equipped with a vacuum is an effective way to remove soil from a slip resistant floor.

DO I NEED CORROSION RESISTANT FLOORING?

All industrial flooring begins with a concrete subfloor. Industrial floor coverings come into play because most concrete, on its own, is porous and is not chemical resistant.

Chemical reactions damage a floor’s integrity. In some cases, the reaction is immediate and visible in the form of a stain. Concrete corrodes quickly under chemical attack, becoming dusty, cracked and pitted.

In many cases, however, chemical attack is slow and insidious, invisibly weakening the floor covering and allowing water, chemicals, and microbes access to the vulnerable subfloor.

It is vital facility designers know exactly what substances are being used in each area of the facility and how they react with the elements that make up the floor. A bakery, for example, may use acidic substances like sugar and fruit juice; alkaline substances like salt; and oily substances like food oils and nuts. The person or team specifying flooring for the bakery must understand how each of these ingredients will react with the flooring material being considered.

WATERPROOF FLOOR OPTIONS

Water is the natural enemy of concrete. As a concrete floor absorbs moisture, it creates a lush breeding ground for mold and microbes. Iron rebar deep in the concrete corrodes under the damp conditions. As the water freezes and thaws, its expansion and contraction is too much for the concrete to bear, causing the floor to buckle and crack.

Chemical floor coatings rely upon sealants or water-resistant topcoats to protect the subfloor from moisture damage. These sealants can be effective as long as they are carefully monitored for cracks and wear and are reapplied periodically. The frequency of reapplication depends on a variety of factors.

While glazed tile also uses a surface coating to repel moisture, vitrified ceramic relies upon its density to resist water damage. The manufacture of pressed vitrified tiles involves a series of steps, each of which presses the molecules in the tile closer and closer together. By the time an Argelith fully vitrified tile leaves the factory, there is not enough space between the ceramic molecules to allow water to penetrate, resulting in a permanent absorption rate of less than 0.1 percent.

When tiling areas with heavy or frequent water exposure, a facility designer must be careful to specify water-resistant adhesive and grout. Fully vitrified tile laid with an epoxy grout is water resistant, but just like a full epoxy floor, the epoxy grout may eventually require reapplication. A water-resistant adhesive prevents any moisture that seeps through a damaged grout joint from affecting the subfloor beneath.

Wet areas like car washes or beverage production lines can be further protected with the addition of wall tile and cove base. Wall tile, whether vitrified or glazed, protects the wall in the splash zone of wet applications. Cove base joins the floor and the wall on a curve, rather than a 90-degree angle. This allows water to roll down the curve and onto the floor, which should be sloped to a drain, rather than settling into the joint between wall and floor.

Drains are another important aspect of flooring in a wet industrial zone. Like the flooring itself, drains should be made of a material that will not react or corrode under exposure to the substances used in the industry. Floors in wet areas should be sloped to drains and laid in such a way that water flows freely to the drain rather than puddling or traveling in channels.

CHOOSING A FLOORING CONTRACTOR

A successful industrial flooring installation is not a do-it-yourself project.

Cash-strapped business owners may think flooring their facility is akin to painting their garage floor or tiling the bathroom in their home. This naivete is a mistake that could cost the business dearly when the amateur flooring job eventually fails.

An effective industrial floor has at least four parts: the properly prepped subfloor; the underlayment, base coat, or mudbed; the main body of the floor; and a topcoat or grout. In some cases, additional layers like slipsheets or moisture vapor transmission barriers may be required. Failure in any one of these levels could lead to failure and expensive remediation of the entire floor.

A business that hesitates to spend on installation will almost certainly be forced to spend on remediation.

When choosing a flooring installer, make sure the chosen contractor is experienced with your industry. Experienced installers should be able to provide references within the same industry as the prospective client. In an ideal scenario, you should also be able to visit these references and see the installation firsthand.

A qualified installer will be familiar with the demands of the industry and with any pertinent regulations or requirements, such as USDA or FDA regulations for food production facilities.

Qualified installers have the experience and education to place expansion joints in the optimum locations to prevent cracking and understand the ideal environmental conditions under which to lay the floor.

A reputable installer will have access to materials and tools that may not be readily available at do-it-yourself stores. He or she should be able to tell the prospective client what products are recommended for the floor and why. The experienced installer will understand how each element of the floor works with the others and can ensure each product used in the installation is compatible with the others.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE FLOORING

While a building material’s impact on health and the environment may not be your first consideration, firms are reporting it as increasingly relevant.

Recommended article:
10 Questions You Should to Know about frp piping systems
Are Office Storage Containers the Future of Work?

The company is the world’s best industrial workshop flooring supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Some building materials emit chemical fumes or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some people have a heightened sensitivity to these products and may find it difficult to work around them. Facilities that manufacture products for consumption, like food and pharmaceuticals, may also have concerns about product contamination from abraded particles of these materials. A product’s recyclability at the end of its lifespan and the environmental impact of its manufacture are also features to consider when attempting to choose green building materials.

WHEN TO OPT FOR INDUSTRIAL TILE

Argelith’s fully vitrified industrial tile is a hard-wearing option for facilities with demanding environments. The strength and density of the tile supports heavy weight, and when properly installed distributes the weight evenly across a wide area of the subfloor. The hardening process the tiles undergo results in a surface that meets or exceeds industry standards in abrasion resistance, and the tiles are a full-body floor covering, making them a durable choice in high traffic areas.

Argelith’s fully vitrified tiles have a water absorption rate of less than 0.1%, making them suitable for wet environments when installed with a water-resistant grout and adhesive. Hexalith tiles are designed to slope to drains at any angle. The tiles are butt jointed, which reduces dependence on grout and results in small, flat grout lines that do not channel water.

Tiles are available in an assortment of slip resistant profiles. Because the profile relies upon texture, not grit, soil is less likely to cling to the surface.

Ceramic is a natural, chemically stable substance that does not react to chemical exposure. It heats and cools slowly and evenly, and when installed with appropriate expansion joints can be used under boilers, in deep freezers, or at any temperature in between. HACCP-certified ceramic is naturally hygienic and provides no refuge for microbial contaminants. At the end of its useful life, it can be crushed into recycled aggregate and used in future building projects.

Industries well suited to industrial tile floors include:

• Auto service and oil change shops
• Car washes
• Breweries, wineries and distilleries
• Soft drink, juice, and ready-to-drink beverage bottlers
• Bakeries and processed food manufacturers
• Slaughterhouses and meat packing facilities
• Dairies
• Pharmaceutical and health supplement laboratories
• Cannabis growing facilities
• Chemical manufacturers

Click here for your free downloadable checklist of questions to ask when choosing industrial flooring.

With in full swing, you may be thinking of new ways to remodel your business' flooring. Commercial flooring comes in a wide array of options, and finding the right choice for your space's needs can be challenging.

When considering commercial flooring options, there are four main criteria to consider before proceeding into the nitty-gritty details: durability, style, ease of maintenance, and cost. Notably, some commercial flooring options work better in some spaces than others.

So, let's compare each commercial flooring option. Each option contains helpful pros and cons and installation methods to better decide what suits your space best.

Commercial SPC Vinyl Flooring

Stone-plastic composite (SPC) vinyl flooring is an excellent option for high-traffic environments due to its 100% waterproof construction and unmatched durability. SPC vinyl flooring is top of the line, thanks to its advanced four-layer flooring technology, consisting of a backing layer, SPC core, printed vinyl layer, and wear layer. 

Top-notch rigid core vinyl flooring offers extremely convincing wood-look, tile-look, and stone-look options that can withstand harsh environments, all while being eye-catching. Not to mention, maintenance requires only minimal cleanup. 

Best for: Areas that receive a lot of foot traffic, such as restaurants, medical offices, hotels, kitchens, and bathrooms.

How to Install Commercial SPC Vinyl:

• Click and lock: SPC vinyl features a tongue and groove interlocking system that's user-friendly for both vinyl planks and tiles. 

Related Content >> How to Install Vinyl Flooring

Pros of Commercial SPC Vinyl: 

• 100% waterproof: SPC vinyl consists of layered construction that is 100% waterproof throughout. This is a fantastic choice for businesses worried about moisture content or water damage. 
• Durability: SPC vinyl's core protects against dents, while its wear layer withstands spills and scratches. 

• Easy installation: Installation is no hassle, with interlocking planks that snap into place.
• Sound absorbent: SPC vinyl's attached underlayment absorbs sound waves very effectively. 

Cons of Commercial SPC Vinyl: 

• Price: SPC vinyl can be more expensive than some other commercial counterparts, but with all the perks of stylish, durable, and realistic flooring, it pays off.
• Comfort: It has a sturdy and rigid feel, so users may notice this flooring is slightly uncomfortable underfoot.

SHOP ALL RIGID CORE VINYL

Related Content >> Commercial Kitchen Flooring: 4+ Ideas for Your Restaurant

Commercial Laminate Flooring

Laminate is one of the leading wood and stone-flooring alternatives on the market. Its synthetic structure allows for beautiful flooring at a relatively low price compared to genuine hardwood. If you're looking for ultra-realistic details, you can choose from our variety of smooth, hand-scraped, embossed, and distressed laminate flooring. 

Another popular feature of laminate is that it's both scratch and stain-resistant, making it an excellent choice for commercial spaces. Also, laminate's wear layer works against yellowing and fading from UV light better than other options on the market, like vinyl. 

Related Content >> Laminate Flooring Buying Guide

*Pro-tip: Consider the AC rating of your laminate flooring choice. Our experts recommend an AC rating of 4 to 5 to ensure your flooring stands up to your commercial environment. 

Best for: Business owners that love a wood look for their space. Offices, boutiques, fitness studios, apartment complexes, and cafes are often popular places for laminate flooring. 

How to Install Commercial Laminate:

• Click and lock: Like commercial vinyl, commercial laminate flooring is DIY-friendly. Interlocking planks' tongue and groove connectors align to create a "floating floor" over your subfloor. Laminate makes it easy, and you don't need glue, tape, or adhesives for a professional, long-lasting finish. 

Pros of Commercial Laminate:

• Styles: Laminate flooring comes in several stylish and cost-efficient styles to spruce up commercial spaces. Compared to genuine hardwood, laminate flooring offers consistent textures and tones. 
• Comfort: You'll find this flooring option comfortable underfoot and great for everyday use in commercial environments.
• Maintenance: Like vinyl, the wear layer of laminate flooring is easy to maintain.

Cons of Commercial Laminate:

• Sound: Laminate can create a hollow sound if placed over an uneven subfloor, to begin with. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and include a good underlay for the most seamless installment.
• Water resistance: Nowadays, many laminates come in various waterproof options. However, some are only water-resistant. This category of water-resistant laminates can only handle a certain extent of high-moisture concern, and they should be kept dry. If not, a vapor barrier can help mitigate this concern.

SHOP ALL LAMINATE

Commercial Vinyl Sheet Flooring

Vinyl sheet flooring is a modern twist on a classic household choice. From tile to stone to decorative wood looks, you'll surely find your ideal vinyl flooring. 

Today, vinyl sheets are highly durable and consist of multiple layers that can withstand commercial areas with heavy traffic. For the best protection in commercial environments, our experts recommend you purchase a vinyl sheet with an extra thick wear layer of 15MIL to 20MIL.

Best for: Any commercial space looking to show off its unique aesthetic. You can find vinyl sheets in office foyers, hotel lobbies, hospitals, and schools. 

How to Install Commercial Vinyl Sheet Flooring:

• Glue down: The traditional method provides more permanent and stable results for high-traffic areas.

Related Content >> How to Install Vinyl Flooring

Pros of Commercial Vinyl Sheet Flooring:

• Styles: Vinyl sheets come in a wide range of colors and designs. This flooring often comes in large sheets, making it perfect for projects that require a seamless look.
• Durability: Vinyl sheets also have a reputation of having a strong wear layer, which makes them perfect for maintenance and withstanding scratches and dents that come with heavy traffic. 
• Stain-resistant: The transparent layer on top of vinyl sheets acts as a surface barrier against spills and stains. This type of flooring requires minimal maintenance to clean thoroughly. 

Cons of Commercial Vinyl Sheet Flooring:

• Replacements: When damaged, replacing vinyl sheets isn't the easiest. You will have to remove the entire flooring section, unlike removing a single tile or plank with other flooring options. 
• Not DIY-friendly: Considering that commercial vinyl sheet flooring must be glued down, it can be challenging to install. For proper installation, it's recommended flooring professionals manage the process.

SHOP ALL SHEET VINYL

Commercial Floor Tile

Floor tile is not only stunning and durable but 100% waterproof (if glazed). From porcelain to ceramic, you will find a large selection of tiles to choose from. 

Commercial floor tiles are often thick and sturdy, making them a fantastic choice for high-traffic areas. With endless patterns, designs, and shapes, you can craft your aesthetic desires for your commercial space from the ground up. 

When shopping for porcelain tiles, it's essential to consider the space you are placing them. Although not commonly used nowadays, the PEI rating from the Porcelain Enamel Institute can offer guidance. It may be helpful to consider porcelain tiles with a rating of 4 to 5 on the PEI scale for your high-traffic environment.

Body-color (bisque) of the tile is also something to consider. When chipping and damage happens to floor tile, the body color doesn't always match the top glaze. More often than not, porcelain tiles have the same color, and ceramic tiles have a red body. However, no need to fret, as floor tiles are one of the long-lasting commercial flooring options! 

Best for: Entryways for restaurants, lobbies, spas, and luxury spaces. Anywhere you would like to make a visual impact, flooring tiles are the way to go. 

How to Install Commercial Floor Tile:

With floor tiles, there are endless variations in installation design. The most important part of the flooring project begins with proper preparation and leveling of the subfloors. Installation may be pretty hard, but if you're comfortable with mortar, grout, and tile saws, this flooring option is for you. 

Pros of Commercial Floor Tile:

• Durability: Great maintenance can ensure your tile's lifetime of over 10 to 20 years.
• Maintenance: Due to its non-porous structure, floor tiles can be easily sanitized. With a quick sweep or mop, your floors look as good as new. 
• Cheaper than natural stone: If you're searching for cost-effective options, ceramic and porcelain floor tiles offer an array of beautiful stone, decorative, and marble looks.  

Cons of Commercial Floor Tile:

• Price: Floor tiles range in price due to the type of materials. If you have the budget to upgrade to tile, it can offer long-term results that require little to no maintenance or upkeep. 
• Comfort: Floor tiles may not be the best for physical workspaces because of their rigidity and slippery, smooth texture. 

Commercial Carpet

Commercial carpet rolls and carpet tiles offer looks that are both trendy and customizable. The three most common materials for commercial carpets are nylon, polyester, and polypropylene, all of which are ultra-durable.

Many commercial carpets, also known as Berber carpets, are made with loop pile fibers. The fibers are looped through the carpet backing, making the carpet durable and with a short pile height. Your carpet tile won't get easily crushed or matted, like those with cut fibers. * Pro-tip: Many people buy rubber roll underlayment with their commercial carpet for extra comfort and sound absorption. 

Best for: Creating a comfortable and inviting space! You can find many commercial carpet designs in offices, apartment complexes, gyms, and rental real estate. 

How to Install Commercial Carpet: 

Installing commercial carpet can be difficult but doable! If you're seeking a DIY project, interlocking, and peel and stick carpet tiles offer a more effortless experience. However, we recommend consulting a contractor before starting the process to ensure the installation will work for your commercial space. 

Before carpet installation, check that you have the necessary tools: T-square, utility knife, and pressure-sensitive adhesive.

• Glue-down: For high-traffic environments, we recommend using a pressure-sensitive adhesive to maintain the lifespan of your broadloom carpet or carpet tiles. 

Pros of Commercial Carpet:

• Styles: Commercial carpet has loop fibers, making them extra durable against dirt, vacuum trails, and footprints. With a range of sizes and looks to choose from, you'll find your match. 
• Sustainable: For eco-conscious buyers, many carpet rolls and tile options are made from organic or recycled materials, like plastic beverage bottles. 
• Price: Compared to other commercial flooring options, carpet is a winner for being cost-effective. 

Cons of Commercial Carpet:

• Thickness: Depending on the quality, you may notice a range of thicknesses among broadloom carpet and tiles. However, it's all based on personal preference!
• Maintenance: Carpets attract oil and dirt and require additional care to keep a fresh appearance. Depending on what material you purchase, you can hide imperfections quite easily. 

SHOP ALL CARPET

Conclusion

Whether you're looking for an industrial, modern, or luxury feel for your commercial space, there's flooring to fit every situation. Remember, design and layout are important, but so is functionality. Your choice will directly impact the people who use the space. If you consider that, your employees and clientele will surely appreciate it!

We hope our guide has helped you hone down on the best flooring choice for you and your business. Ready to take your commercial flooring project to the next level? 

For more steel flooringinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.