Manufacturing floors need to handle demanding conditions. Forklifts, machinery, equipment, spills and constant traffic can all place significant pressure on the surface over time.
Choosing industrial flooring for an Adelaide manufacturing facility therefore involves more than deciding how the finished floor will look. Durability, safety, cleaning requirements, the type of work being carried out and the condition of the existing concrete all need to be considered.
Getting these decisions right can help create a floor that is practical to maintain and suited to the day-to-day demands of the facility.
What Does a Manufacturing Floor Need?
The right flooring solution depends heavily on how the facility operates. A light manufacturing business may have very different requirements from a facility dealing with chemicals, heavy equipment or regular forklift traffic.
Important considerations include:
- Traffic and loads – Consider forklifts, machinery, trolleys and other equipment regularly moving across the floor.
- Spills and chemicals – Oils, cleaning products and chemicals can affect different flooring systems in different ways.
- Slip resistance – Wet or contaminated areas may require a finish with additional slip resistance.
- Cleaning requirements – Some manufacturing environments need surfaces that can be cleaned frequently and easily.
- Existing concrete condition – Cracks, uneven areas, contamination and previous coatings can affect the flooring options available.
Understanding these requirements first makes it easier to select a flooring system suited to the facility rather than applying the same solution to every industrial space.
The Limitations of Bare Concrete
Untreated concrete can be suitable for some environments, but it has limitations in busy manufacturing facilities.
Concrete is porous, which means oils and other liquids can penetrate an unprotected surface and cause staining. Wear can also contribute to surface dust, while cracks and damaged areas can make cleaning and maintenance more difficult.
Depending on the condition of the slab and the demands of the facility, options can include concrete grinding, polishing, resurfacing or applying a protective coating.
The right approach will depend on both the existing floor and how the space is used.
When Epoxy Flooring May Be Suitable
Epoxy coatings are commonly used in industrial environments because they can provide a hard-wearing, seamless surface over properly prepared concrete.
Depending on the flooring system selected, epoxy can offer:
- Resistance to many oils, chemicals and spills
- A surface that is relatively easy to clean
- Different levels of slip resistance
- A range of colours and finishes
- A durable finish for many high-traffic areas
Different epoxy systems are designed for different applications, so the product needs to suit the conditions within the facility. Chemical exposure, traffic levels, equipment and cleaning processes should all be considered before specifying a coating.
For some areas, polished or treated concrete may also be appropriate. The flooring decision should be based on the requirements of the facility rather than assuming one system will suit every area.
Why Concrete Preparation Matters
The performance of an industrial flooring system depends heavily on the concrete underneath it.
Existing coatings, contamination, cracks, uneven areas and moisture can all affect the finished result. Applying a new coating without properly assessing and preparing the slab can contribute to adhesion problems and premature failure.
Concrete grinding can remove old coatings and surface contaminants while creating a suitable profile for a new flooring system. Damaged or uneven areas may also need to be repaired or levelled before the final finish is applied.
For this reason, concrete preparation should be considered part of the flooring project from the beginning.
Safety and Practical Requirements
Flooring also needs to suit the way people and equipment move through a manufacturing facility.
Slip resistance is particularly important in areas where water, oils or other liquids may be present. The appropriate finish will depend on the conditions and intended use of each area.
Other practical considerations can include pedestrian walkways, equipment zones, loading areas and floor markings. These requirements are best considered when planning the overall flooring system rather than after installation.
Drainage and floor falls may also need to be taken into account in areas that are regularly washed down or exposed to liquids.
Planning Around Your Operations
Flooring work can affect access to production areas, so installation needs to be planned around business operations.
Before work begins, consider:
- Which areas need to remain accessible
- How much downtime is available
- Whether work can be completed in stages
- The preparation and curing time required
- When equipment and machinery can safely return to the area
For larger manufacturing facilities, completing flooring work in stages may help reduce disruption while allowing different areas to receive the preparation and finish they require.
Maintaining Industrial Flooring
Maintenance requirements vary depending on the flooring system and how heavily the area is used.
Regular cleaning and prompt management of spills can help keep the surface in good condition. High-traffic areas should also be checked periodically for signs of wear or damage so problems can be addressed before they become more extensive.
A maintenance approach suited to the flooring system can help extend its useful life and reduce the need for larger repairs.
Choosing Flooring for Your Manufacturing Facility
Industrial flooring needs to work with the facility, not against it. The right solution depends on the condition of the existing concrete, the type of manufacturing taking place, traffic levels, safety requirements and ongoing maintenance needs.
Vision Grind and Polish provides concrete grinding, floor preparation, polished concrete and epoxy flooring solutions for commercial and industrial properties across Adelaide.