When constructing factories, production sites, offices, etc., the selection of flooring materials is extremely important. If you do not choose the right flooring material, the floor may become uneven and slippery.
This article provides an easy-to-understand explanation of the purpose of painted floors and the types and characteristics of synthetic resin flooring materials. We will also introduce some points to consider when choosing a floor painting contractor, so please refer to them.
What is a painted floor?
Nuriyuka refers to finishing the floors of buildings, homes, industrial facilities, etc. with specific paints or coatings. Here, we will explain the purpose and types of coated floors.
Purpose of coating
The six main purposes of coating are:
- Protect concrete from wear and corrosion
- Prevent dust generation
- Strengthen load bearing capacity
- Improve work efficiency
- Creating floors that suit the environment and purpose
- enhance the beauty
I will explain the purpose of each.
Protect concrete from wear and corrosion
Concrete is a material that is susceptible to abrasion caused by walking and the passage of equipment, as well as to acidic chemicals and oils.
By applying a coating, a layer is formed on the surface of the concrete to protect it from abrasion and chemicals. The floors of factories, warehouses, parking lots, commercial facilities, etc. are basically painted.
In addition, the painted floor can be expected to have the effect of protecting the concrete from acidic chemicals and oils. Especially in environments such as industrial facilities or food processing plants, chemicals can leak or spill and cause concrete to deteriorate. Painting improves the durability of the floor surface and prevents concrete from deteriorating.
Prevent dust generation
Painted floors also help prevent dust generation. Preventing dust generation is extremely important at production sites. If the concrete base is exposed, fine dust may be emitted from the surface, which may have a negative impact on the environment and equipment.
For example, when dust is generated in food factories, pharmaceutical factories, etc., it not only reduces the quality of products, but also increases the risk of contamination with foreign substances, which can seriously damage social trust. To avoid such situations, it is very important to apply a dustproof coating to the floor.
Strengthen load bearing capacity
Increasing load-bearing capacity is also one of the important purposes of floor coating. In places such as factories, warehouses, and distribution centers where heavy equipment is frequently moved, it is important to improve the load-bearing capacity by applying a coated floor.
Improved load-bearing capacity extends the lifespan of the floor, making it possible to reduce the frequency and cost of repairs and replacements. It also improves safety at work sites and reduces the risk of accidents and injuries.
Improve work efficiency
Color-coding areas based on painted floors may contribute to improving work efficiency. In fact, in manufacturing plants and warehouses, it is common to color-code different work areas with painted floors.
Color-coding work areas allows workers to quickly place products and perform necessary tasks based on the color of the floor. As a result, you can expect work processes to proceed smoothly and productivity to improve.
Creating floors that suit the environment and purpose
Painted flooring also has the purpose of creating a floor that suits the environment and purpose. For example, in clean rooms, the generation of particulates must be minimized, so flooring materials must be antistatic and conductive. This is because if it is not antistatic or conductive, static electricity will be generated, which can have a negative effect on the product.
Additionally, in kitchens and food processing plants, products must be resistant to hot water and waterproof. In this way, designing and constructing floors according to the environment and purpose is important at production sites.
enhance the beauty
If the underlying concrete is exposed, the appearance may be affected, but applying a coated floor can be expected to improve the appearance.
Specifically, if your floors are beautiful and tidy, you can make a good impression on outsiders, such as business partners and people visiting your factory. This may improve the image of reliability and quality, which may lead to stronger branding.
Type of painted floor
There are two main types of coated floors: inorganic coated floors and organic (synthetic resin) coated floors, and each has different characteristics.
| Features | Inorganic painted floor | Organic painted floor |
|---|---|---|
| durability | expensive | generally low |
| Chemical resistance | low | expensive |
| Abrasion resistance | expensive | generally low |
| odor | Almost none | Generally yes |
| waterproof | low | expensive |
| appearance | generally inorganic and hard | Generally flexible and shiny |
| Stainability | limited | abundance |
| UV resistance | generally high | generally low |
| swelling | Does not swell easily | may swell |
| Purpose of use | Warehouses, factories, parking lots, etc. | Food factories, precision machinery factories, clean rooms, etc. |
Here, we will explain each feature in detail.
Inorganic painted floor
Inorganic coated flooring has high durability and impact resistance, and protects the floor from falling heavy objects. It is especially suitable for use in industrial applications and warehouses.
The main component of inorganic painted floors is inorganic materials such as concrete. In addition to being naturally nonflammable, it has a low risk of fire, and is also environmentally friendly.
It is also relatively resistant to UV rays and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Organic (synthetic resin) painted floor
Organic (synthetic resin) coated flooring refers to flooring that is finished by applying paint to a concrete base. Because it coats the floor uniformly, it can improve properties such as durability, chemical resistance, and abrasion resistance.
However, compared to inorganic coatings, they are generally inferior in durability and wear resistance. On the other hand, it is resistant to chemicals and has a smooth surface, making it relatively easy to clean.
It also has high dustproof and waterproof properties, so it is widely used in food factories, precision machinery factories, clean rooms, etc.
Types of organic (synthetic resin) flooring materials
Organic (synthetic resin) flooring materials are further divided into two types.
- Thick film type
- Thin film type
I will explain each type.
Thick film type
There are mainly five types of thick film types.
- Epoxy resin coating floor
- Water-based hard urethane resin floor coating
- Hard urethane resin flooring
- vinyl ester resin
- MMA resin coating floor
Epoxy resin coating floor
Epoxy resin-based flooring is a flooring material whose main component is epoxy resin, which is a synthetic resin. It has high strength and durability and is used in a wide range of industrial fields.
Epoxy resin-based flooring has excellent wear resistance and can withstand heavy machinery and vehicle traffic. It also has high chemical resistance and is resistant to chemicals and oils. However, it has a tendency to yellow when exposed to UV light, making it unsuitable for outdoor use.
It is mainly used in various places such as industrial facilities, laboratories, and medical facilities.
Water-based hard urethane resin floor coating
Water-based hard urethane resin flooring is a flooring material whose main component is urethane resin, and it is one of the most widely used paints in recent years. It is said to be relatively environmentally friendly as it does not use organic solvents.
While it has excellent durability, wear resistance, and chemical resistance, it is difficult to install. The main places of use include food factories, kitchens, beverage factories, and distribution warehouses.
Furthermore, because it dries quickly, downtime after installation can be kept to a minimum.
Hard urethane resin flooring
Hard urethane resin flooring is a flooring material whose main component is urethane resin, and it has excellent durability and impact resistance. It also has high abrasion resistance and is often used in areas where heavy loads are carried or areas with heavy traffic.
It also has excellent chemical resistance, and is resistant to chemicals and oils. However, it may foam in humid environments, so it is best used in clean rooms, laboratories, hospitals, schools, etc.
vinyl ester resin
Vinyl ester resin is a flooring material made from modified epoxy resin, which is a polymeric compound. It has high strength and alkali resistance, as well as low temperature curing and chemical resistance.
Compared to epoxy resin-based or urethane resin-based floors, vinyl ester resin-based floors are less susceptible to discoloration even when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, it has excellent stain resistance, and stains can be removed by washing with water.
It also has less odor, and you should be able to walk around within a few hours after painting. It is used in a wide range of fields, including food processing plants, chemical factories, and electronic component factories.
MMA resin coating floor
MMA resin flooring is a flooring material whose main component is methyl methacrylate and has extremely rapid curing properties. Therefore, it can be used within about an hour after installation, making it possible to shorten the construction period. Furthermore, it hardens even in a low temperature environment of -20℃.
It also has antibacterial properties against bacteria such as E. coli, so it is often used in places where safety is required. Specific uses include food factories, beverage factories, and school lunch centers. Furthermore, it has excellent abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and anti-slip properties, and is also resistant to inorganic acids, organic acids, and alkalis.
Thin film type
There are mainly three types of thin film types:
- AcrylicResin-based painted floor
- Epoxy resin coating floor
- Urethane resin coating floor
AcrylicResin-based painted floor
AcrylicResin-based painted floor isAcrylicA flooring material whose main component is resin. It has been used in the paint industry for a long time and can be said to be one of the most common flooring materials.
AcrylicA characteristic of resin-based flooring is that it has excellent dust resistance. In addition to being used in offices, warehouses, and factories for light work, they are also used in electrical rooms and mechanical rooms. On the other hand, it has relatively low durability, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance, making it unsuitable for areas where forklifts transport heavy loads.
Additionally, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to construct.AcrylicThis is a characteristic of resin-based painted floors.
Epoxy resin coating floor
Epoxy resin-based flooring materials boast high wear resistance and chemical resistance, even in thin film types. Therefore, it is easy to install and does not require advanced troweling techniques.
Another characteristic of epoxy resin flooring is that it is water-based and has virtually no odor.
Urethane resin coating floor
Urethane resin coatings have excellent wear resistance and durability, and are said to be less prone to cracking or peeling of the coating. It can also be expected to have chemical resistance, and can be said to be resistant to attack by substances such as alkalis and salts.
Because it can withstand the transportation and installation of heavy objects, it is widely used in factories, warehouses, distribution centers, parking lots, etc.
Points to consider when choosing a floor coating company
The construction of painted floors is generally outsourced to a contractor. However, techniques and after-sales follow-up vary depending on the floor coating company. Choosing a floor painting company that is not suitable for your company could lead to trouble, so when choosing a floor painting company, be sure to focus on the following points.
- Will you do careful groundwork?
- Will you give me a thorough hearing?
- Do you have a rich track record?
By considering these points and choosing the appropriate flooring contractor, you can expect a satisfactory finish. I will explain each point.
Will you do careful groundwork?
One of the important points when selecting a floor painting contractor is whether or not they will carefully perform appropriate surface treatment. Surface treatment is extremely important as it has a major impact on the performance of the coated floor and foundation. Inadequate surface preparation may reduce waterproofness and durability, and may make the floor surface uneven or uneven.
Furthermore, once the surface is finished, it is almost impossible to check its quality. Therefore, if shoddy work is done, problems such as cracks may occur later on.
On the other hand, if you hire a reliable contractor, you will be able to improve the adhesion of the materials and maximize the longevity and performance of your floor.
If the company provides detailed explanations about surface treatment on their website, it is likely that the company is highly reliable.
Will you give me a thorough hearing?
When choosing the right floor painting contractor, it is important to choose one who will conduct a thorough interview. This is because the required functions and characteristics vary depending on the construction location.
For example, as mentioned earlier, flooring materials have different characteristics depending on the type. If you do not use a flooring material that meets your company's needs, it may become uneven or slippery, and you may need to reinstall it.
In addition to being a sincere listener, it is also important to determine if the company is easy to talk to.
Do you have a rich track record?
Check the construction track record before selecting a contractor. Having a proven track record is proof that we have accumulated specialized knowledge and technology. Additionally, if a problem arises, a well-established company will be able to properly handle it based on their extensive experience.
It would be a good idea to see the number of construction projects they have completed on their website, or if they have a long history of operation. Additionally, if the company has good reviews, it can be said that the company is more reliable.
Choose the right flooring material
Coatings are used to protect concrete from abrasion and corrosion, and to prevent dust generation. Different flooring materials have different characteristics such as durability, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance, so choose the one that suits your purpose.
When choosing a floor painting company, we recommend choosing one that focuses on surface preparation. Also, before making a request, be sure to check whether they will conduct a thorough interview and whether they have a rich track record.
