​By Lifetime Epoxy Industrial Floors Expert Guest Author: Harvey Chichester 

Floor Color Coding in Industrial plants is a vital step toward creating a safe and understandable work environment for workers of all nationalities.

​Language is no problem when color-coded floor markings make the job as simple as matching colors. Mistakes are all too easy to make and even easier when language problems compound them. Now that we know how to get colored epoxy floor coatings down to stay, why not take advantage of them? Color coding pallet positions to correspond to color-coded conveyor belts is one way. Items coming off the yellow conveyor go to pallets on the yellow markings.

Blue conveyor items go to blue conveyor pallet locations. Or, red spaces can be assigned for fire equipment and hose outlets, blue markings for water lines, and white markings for electrical panels and outlets. For traffic lanes, why not a yellow path rather than small taped lines? Following the yellow brick road worked for Dorothy and it can work for the rest of us.

During application of a second or third layer of floor coating, use blue tape to mark out the floor pattern. Next choose from dozens of colors to help keep things on track and improve moral. A personally customized floor is easily created by combining a choice of colors, colored chips, and even glitter options.

Other looks available include granite, tile, and slate. Logos, stripes, and "yellow brick roads" are sometimes added to the floors of printing facilities, manufacturing plants, restaurants, "collector cars" garages, basements, and even food processing plants. The finish can be gloss, flat, or satin. Additionally, the floors may be skid-resistant, like emery paper, yet still easy to sweep or squeegee.

Epoxy flooring goes on at the job site and requires no seams. With no breaks in the surface, the floor coating becomes a continuous membrane that seals what is above from what is below. Mold, mildew, and other contaminants cannot penetrate the epoxy membrane and wash off easily.

One leading floor coating manufacturer, Durall Industrial Flooring of Minneapolis, Minnesota, also makes over 20 specialty epoxy colors. Their special preparations of cleaners produce an application system that assures optimum flooring adhesion and wear results. Durall experts help customize their flooring kits at no cost to the customer, always including complete procedures for installing and maintaining a quality epoxy or urethane floor coating. To address those unexpected questions and problems, Durall also provides a complimentary 24/7 help line during the project.

For photos of a recent installation creating a color-coded floor, see:

http://www.concrete-floor-coatings.com
For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at harvey@concrete-floor-coatings.com
Phone: 1-800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7)
###
Harvey Chichester is a principal of Durall Industrial Flooring, a company with more than 40 years experience in developing special flow-coatings for industrial and residential floors. Automotive and shopping centers, breweries, food processing plants, manufacturing plants, airplane hangars, car washes, kennels, warehouses, printing plants, residential basements, pool decks, and condominiums are among some of the facilities that he has installed floors in.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Harvey_Chichester/23839
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/173910

By Lifetime Epoxy Expert Guest Author: John S Primus 

It's important for North Alabama factories and other manufacturing related facilities to provide for industrial floor coatings. Floor coatings provide surface stability, environmental cleanliness as well as aesthetics. Safety is also an important factor in the need to have industrial floor coatings. Alabama Companies that provide for industrial floor coatings reduce the risk of accidents due to excess or lack of traction however after several decades, the environmental safety of using these coatings are now in question.

Industrial floor coatings provide a stable, non-broken surface (given the substrate is also hole or crack- free) for staff and products to move on. The coating also serves to protect the substrate from the wear and tear of wheel and foot traffic. Also, the smoother the surface, the faster people and products move. Coatings also provide a sense of order and cleanliness. Brighter coatings also add to the ambient lighting of the workplace. Safety comes into play because industrial floor coatings made from polyurethane or like materials provide sufficient traction to avoid accidents as against ordinary rough concrete/soil floors or overly smooth concrete/tiled flooring. Aside from commercial uses, industrial coatings are also best for gymnasiums and facilities for indoor sports.

However, the use of conventional polyurethane coatings is not without its own hazards. The material, polyurethane, that we've used for decades for industrial floor coatings is not safe in itself. The manufacture of polyurethane, a prime ingredient for industrial coatings involves the use of toxic chemicals known as isocyanates. Normally and preferably, isocyanates lose their toxicity after bonding with the other chemicals that form the polyurethane. They become inert. However, recent studies have shown that not all of the applied isocyanates completely bond with the other ingredients leaving behind what is known as post-reactive isocyanates. These post-reactive isocyanates are present in the fumes the coating generates during application on floors and other surfaces of a building.

Application personnel that lack sufficient protective equipment become susceptible to these fumes. Employees are exposed to these chemicals in minute amounts during their day-to-day interactions with the workplace and the facility's products can become tainted as well. These chemicals also leech into the environment when the coating is disposed for replacement. The effects of isocyanates of the human body include asthma, vomiting, as well as chest and throat irritation. Exposure to large amounts is fatal.

Such dangers then contradict the premise of safety on the use of polyurethane coatings. The risk was not known until recently but floor coatings have remained essential in the industry. Fortunately, new advances in technology has given rise to the manufacture of a non-toxic polyurethane alternative known as green polyurethane. Non-toxic or green polyurethane does not make use of chemically-bonded isocyanates but instead binds its ingredients at the 'nano' or atomic level. The ingredients lock together or intertwine to form an impermeable substance with the same properties as polyurethane.
​
Modern manufacturing techniques, also ensure that excess toxic chemicals are filtered out from the finished product. Thus choosing green polyurethane over conventional polyurethane renders the premise of safety of using industrial floor coatings complete. As green polyurethane continues to grow in popularity, floor coatings as well as other materials that use polyurethane become safer and the industries that use them can breathe safely.
John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates avoiding toxic industrial floor coatings for non-toxic green solutions like Green Polyurethane. John is a consultant for Hybrid Coating Technologies a Northern California high tech coatings company. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_S_Primus/1272751Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8781101

By Lifetime Epoxy Industrial Expert Guest Author: Lydia Quinn

Thanks to its variety of uses and longstanding reliability, industrial epoxy is a popular choice among Alabama Automotive Manufacturers. Alabama Automotive Manufacturers know that Industrial epoxy is both long-lasting and extremely durable. Its chemical makeup accounts for its ability to form firm bonds, allowing for even the toughest of materials to be joined together. Because of this capability, industrial epoxy is heavily relied upon in the automotive manufacturing world. 

Thanks to its variety of uses and longstanding reliability, industrial epoxy is a popular choice among manufacturers. This heavy-duty polymer can be used on almost anything, ranging from concrete floors to water tanks, expensive industrial equipment and much more. Due to the substance's naturally occurring properties, 

Most manufacturers use expensive equipment that is frequently exposed to corrosive substances, including water, alkali bases and harmful chemicals. In order to safeguard this equipment from further deterioration, companies rely on various types of industrial epoxy as a solution to these problems. Not only is this substance capable of repairing damaged industrial equipment, but its protective polymer coating provides long-lasting prevention against corrosion.

Industrial epoxy is also used as a reliable method for both repairing and maintaining concrete floors often found in warehouses, manufacturing centers and industrial plants. Given their constant exposure to heavy industrial traffic, these concrete floors become spalled and worn over time, which eventually leads to the development of holes and cracks throughout the concrete flooring. Manufacturers use industrial epoxy to repair damages, while simultaneously resurfacing the floors with a resilient protective coating. This industrial epoxy coating is capable of withstanding tough impacts, harsh abrasions and heavy traffic, along with offering resistance to strong chemicals, solvents, cleaners, corrosives and acids.

Water and waste management equipment, including pipes, water tanks, wet wells and basins, can easily erode due to their constant contact with elements such as salt water, mineral acids, alkalis and sewage. To repair current damage while preventing future deterioration, manufacturers apply an anti-corrosive coating to all water and waste management equipment. Not only will it repair any preexisting corrosion, but it will provide long-lasting protection against future damage, despite being faced with high temperatures, harsh chemicals and abrasive materials.

Overall, the development and use of them by manufacturers has proven to be a great success. In addition to the range of things for which it can be used, it also offers protection for your important assets while saving money in the long run. With the variety of industrial epoxies currently available on the market, manufacturers can be sure to find the right product to fit their company's needs. Their ability to repair damage while withstanding dangerous substances and extreme conditions, makes it an invaluable commodity for manufacturers across the world. Industrial Epoxy: Construction Systems Supply. For more information, visit www.csscorp.net Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lydia_Quinn/29438 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6959583

By Lifetime Epoxy Floors Expert Guest Author: Akis Apostolopoulos

The following article answers a frequently asked question: "Can Epoxy Coatings be applied over an existing tile floor?" The article is from the website: http://www.Learncoatings.com and the author is Akis Apostolopoulos. ​

One of the most common questions I get asked is if we can apply an epoxy floor over tiles. People want to avoid the hassle of ripping out the tiles, and ask if there is a quick solution to just put the epoxy over the tiles.

My answer is yes it is possible, but it is not so simple! There are significant factors that need to be considered

Bonding – Tile surfaces are usually covered with a glazing coat. Epoxy may not stick properly to this coat. Therefore you should always sand and grind the surface, until you get a rough scratched surface. Also I recommend applying a low viscosity epoxy primer that will penetrate the tile surface.

Filling the joints – If you try coating over the tiles directly, the joints will be visible. This means the joints need filling. One option is to grout the joints individually, but this can be quite a tedious task, and the results won’t be perfect. An easier and more effective method is to apply a filler coat on top of the surface. I strongly recommend that this filler coat is also epoxy based.

I have seen people apply an intermediate cementitious layer, only to see it break six months later. Avoid making a sandwiched surface of layers of different materials.
The best solution is

• Grind the tiles
• Low Viscosity epoxy primer
• Epoxy Filler Coat
• Self leveling epoxy floor coating on top

If you think this solution is expensive, the cost of repairing a failed surface is much higher.
And one final point: If the tiles are broken or are causing leaks downstairs, applying epoxy on top will not magically fix the problem. You need to address all underlying structural issues first before applying the new floor.

​Akis Apostolopoulos
General Manager at Ktisis
Akis has been involved in the manufacturing and application of industrial floor coatings for the past ten years. He runs learncoatings which is an online resource training professionals on the use of epoxy floors. He is also General Manager of Ktisis, a manufacturer of flooring and waterproofing coatings.
​Source of Article: 
​The primary purpose of Learncoatings is to educate contractors and applicators on the proper use of epoxies and other resin floors. Furthermore we offer online epoxy training through educational videos that can be easily viewed and downloaded. For an introduction to our online training click here
I am also involved in a company that manufactures Epoxy and Polyurethane Floor Coatings as well as waterproofing products. The company name is Ktisis and we are based in Athens, Greece. We have a network of distributors and contractors in several countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. If you are interested in learning more about the company you can visit the website here
Feel free to connect with me on Linkedin or reach out to me at akis@learncoatings.com

By Lifetime Epoxy Floors Expert Guest Author:  Robert E Long  

There are various products available in the Alabama and Southeast marketplace, as well as numerous installation contractors. An experienced, knowledgeable, professional contractor, who can provide a turn-key installation, should be your starting point. Lifetime Epoxy Floors is just such a contractor. The 10 year old company located in Boaz, Alabama, specializes in jobs yup to 30,000 SF. 

There are various products available including ESD Epoxy and Polyurethane coatings (for high traffic areas), to Carpet, Rubber, and Vinyl.

ESD Vinyl

The only ESD vinyl floors to consider, are called solid vinyl tile (SVT). It requires plenty of maintenance, but when propertly maintained SVT vinyl is attractive.. The material is relatively inexpensive, but installation and annual maintenance costs can be prohibiitve (at least $1/sq ft per year). This can add up fast..over five years, this adds over $5/ sq ft to the original cost. There are true no-wax ESD vinyl floors, however, they can be costly, and should only be used in very light traffic areas. High speed buffing (burnishing) is often recommended for cleaning, which can get costly (heat from the buffing machine melts and then reseals the floor). An alternative to this is low speed buffing, using a static control spray buff formula. The maintenance cost of SVT conductive tiles is greater than maintaining carpet and rubber.

Static Dissipative Carpet Tile

Carpet tiles are installed with clean, fast-drying release adhesive. The tiles can be installed directly over old VCT or concrete. If you are tired of the maintenance and waxing an SDT dissipative vinyl ESD floor, then carpet tile may be a good choice. Of course, carpet has its disadvantages. Carpet is not well suited to accommodate heavy loads, such as forklifts and pallet jacks. Carpet also has a low resistance to chemicals and solvents.

ESD Rubber

Conductive rubber greatest advantage, is that it is effective at preventing static in areas where grounded footwear is not, or cannot be used-places such as computer labs, command centers, and 911 call centers. (IMPORTANT: you must be sure that the chosen rubber is conductive and not static dissipative; static dissipative rubber floor conductivity exceeds the recommended system resistance (<35 megohms) requirement of ESD S20.20-2007). Ergonomically, rubber has better anti-fatigue factor than epoxy or vinyl; Rubber is less porous than vinyl, which makes it easier to clean, wash and maintain. However, rubber's installed cost is the highest of all options.

ESD Epoxy

High quality epoxy and urethanes are easy to install, low maintenance, durable, attractive, and cost effective. Solid colors, high gloss, and satin finishes are available. Patterns, multiple colors and textures are even available. An epoxy system must be specified, which will be in compliance with ESD S20.20-2007. This requires resistance to be <35million ohms. Many products on the market do not meet this standard. For explosion proofing, it must be below 1 million ohms. An applicator with suitable experience and knowledge, can ensure that these standards are met. Within facilities where constant heavy loads and high traffic are the norm, epoxies are usually the only practical flooring material. No waxing is required, and low sq ft costs can make this a smart choice. One drawback of epoxy is the lack of color stability. and smooth surface, which can get slippery if wet. Also, when exposed to UV rays, epoxy will tend to amber or yellow. These problems are solved by specifying an epoxy base coat, with a UV stable ESD polyurethane finish coating. This system provide a satin non-slip finish, which with have excellent long term color stability.

Combining Different Materials

In order to accommodate different needs in various departments, you can combine different flooring solutions, for different areas within the facility. You may install conductive carpet tiles in the assembly area then install a perimeter high traffic area of an epoxy conductive flooring system, to handle the majority of the forklift traffic. Another possibility, is to install vinyl tile over access floors and an epoxy product in heavy traffic areas.
​
About the Author: Robert Long, Sales Manager with EP Floors Corp., has over 25 years of experience in the industrial epoxy flooring business. He attends technical training seminars regularly, on the latest ESD flooring innovations, and has managed over a thousand epoxy flooring projects. For more information Robert may be reached at http://www.epfloors.com/ or by email at rlong@EPFloors.com​Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Robert_E_Long/1684141Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7989648

By Lifetime Epoxy Floors Guest Author: John S Primus  

Coatings for Alabama industrial floors are usually designed for use in places with large equipment. These coatings are mainly used in two places:  factories with large machines and high foot traffic or warehouses where forklift traffic is constant. For these applications its is extremely important that the coatings must be level, durable and impact resistant.
Lifetime Epoxy Floors of Boaz Alabama, is one of the most trusted names in industrial floor coatings in the southeast. Currently there are several industrial floor coating options available to choose from.

Types of Industrial Floor Coatings

Epoxy
This is among the best popular coatings for industrial floors. Industrial epoxies usually cover surfaces which are harder like concrete. They are usually made from plastic based resins that are mixed together so as to make a liquid mixture, which is then spread on the floors and later to dry and form a plastic surface. You may paint the floor and stamp decorative versions on it. However, industrial versions require durable coats which will easily withstand wear.

Hybrid Polymer
Hybrid polymers resemble epoxies; however they are more complex and provide more direct advantages for industrial application purposes. These coatings can be more easily installed. The coatings are also more resistant to situations that are common in warehouses and factories like UV radiation and chemical spills. There are newer types of coatings which may be much more costly compared to epoxy options.

Ceramics
Ceramic coatings are usually created out of clay mixed with various stabilizers and burnt into tile or brick shapes. Professionals responsible for the installation then link the materials that are across the floor using jointing cements. Ceramics are excellent at being heat resistant and are usually very durable. The installers often put the ceramics on top of a resin base to enhance the resistance impact. A much newer material made of carbon is slowly replacing the ceramics.
Sealers

For less costly and simpler choices, factories create their floors from concrete and apply a good and appropriate sealer. Such sealers usually prevent moisture from entering the concrete and also help to protect the concrete from long term wear and spills. To keep the concrete in good condition, you have to keep reapplying the sealants usually after a couple of years.

Green polyurethane
Green polyurethane is another form of polyurethane with no toxic isocyanates or any other substance that could be harmful. This is a modified form of hybrid polyurethane which possesses the properties of epoxy and polyurethane binders and is usually used as industrial floor coatings. It's production does not involve any use of chemicals that may pose danger to one's health and now, top regulatory agencies are recommending the use of polyurethane in the absence of isocyanates.

Other benefits of this green coating solution include the fact that it is impervious to moisture. This implies that they are very stable and usually do not go through changes in their chemical composition when they come into contact with water. They are also corrosion resistant when exposed to chemical compared to conventional industrial floor coatings. Green Polyurethane is resistant to a variety of chemicals and possesses excellent adhesive properties and its durability is superior, giving the consumer more value for their money.

Among the aforementioned industrial coating options, Green polyurethane stands out, as it offers more advantages and has less footprint on the environment than other coating solutions.

John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates using industrial floor coatings from Green Polyurethane Companies like Hybrid Coating Technologies, a Northern California high tech coatings company.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_S_Primus/1272751Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7422222

By Lifetime Epoxy Expert Guest Author: John S Primus

It's important for Alabama factories and other manufacturing facilities to properly utilize industrial floor coatings. Industrial Floor Coatings provide surface stability, environmental cleanliness and make the facility look more professional. Safety is also an primary concern of those facility managers that chose Alabama Industrial Floor Coatings. Companies that provide for industrial floor coatings reduce the risk of accidents due to excess or lack of traction however after several decades, the environmental safety of using these coatings are now in question.

Industrial floor coatings provide a stable, non-broken surface (given the substrate is also hole or crack- free) for staff and products to move on. The coating also serves to protect the substrate from the wear and tear of wheel and foot traffic. Also, the smoother the surface, the faster people and products move. Coatings also provide a sense of order and cleanliness. Brighter coatings also add to the ambient lighting of the workplace. Safety comes into play because industrial floor coatings made from polyurethane or like materials provide sufficient traction to avoid accidents as against ordinary rough concrete/soil floors or overly smooth concrete/tiled flooring. Aside from commercial uses, industrial coatings are also best for gymnasiums and facilities for indoor sports.

However, the use of conventional polyurethane coatings is not without its own hazards. The material, polyurethane, that we've used for decades for industrial floor coatings is not safe in itself. The manufacture of polyurethane, a prime ingredient for industrial coatings involves the use of toxic chemicals known as isocyanates. Normally and preferably, isocyanates lose their toxicity after bonding with the other chemicals that form the polyurethane. They become inert. However, recent studies have shown that not all of the applied isocyanates completely bond with the other ingredients leaving behind what is known as post-reactive isocyanates. These post-reactive isocyanates are present in the fumes the coating generates during application on floors and other surfaces of a building.

Application personnel that lack sufficient protective equipment become susceptible to these fumes. Employees are exposed to these chemicals in minute amounts during their day-to-day interactions with the workplace and the facility's products can become tainted as well. These chemicals also leech into the environment when the coating is disposed for replacement. The effects of isocyanates of the human body include asthma, vomiting, as well as chest and throat irritation. Exposure to large amounts is fatal.

Such dangers then contradict the premise of safety on the use of polyurethane coatings. The risk was not known until recently but floor coatings have remained essential in the industry. Fortunately, new advances in technology has given rise to the manufacture of a non-toxic polyurethane alternative known as green polyurethane. Non-toxic or green polyurethane does not make use of chemically-bonded isocyanates but instead binds its ingredients at the 'nano' or atomic level. The ingredients lock together or intertwine to form an impermeable substance with the same properties as polyurethane.

Modern manufacturing techniques, also ensure that excess toxic chemicals are filtered out from the finished product. Thus choosing green polyurethane over conventional polyurethane renders the premise of safety of using industrial floor coatings complete. As green polyurethane continues to grow in popularity, floor coatings as well as other materials that use polyurethane become safer and the industries that use them can breathe safely.
John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates avoiding toxic industrial floor coatings for non-toxic green solutions like Green Polyurethane. John is a consultant for Hybrid Coating Technologies a Northern California high tech coatings company. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_S_Primus/1272751

By Lifetime Industrial Coatings Expert Guest Author:  Robert E Long

Urethane mortar floors (a/k/a cementitious urethane flooring or urethane cement flooring) excel over epoxy floor systems in food & beverage plants for many reasons; this USDA accepted flooring material reduces downtime, is durable in hostile environments with thermal shock, and withstands heavy impact and damaging chemical agents. For new construction, urethane concretes can be applied to 10 day old concrete, thus eliminating the typical 28 day wait for curing concrete. Use of industrial polyurethane cement mortar systems has now surpassed once standard epoxy floor coatings and vinyl ester flooring systems such as Tufco flooring, in these special need environments. Products such as Ucrete, Flowcrete, PurCem, and CastorCrete are gaining substantial market share. Tufco flooring has even developed a urethane mortar floor system. These floors may be found in industrial kitchens at food & beverage processing industries such as meat/poultry, dairy, seafood, bakeries, breweries and all beverage processing. Poultry flooring and brewery flooring endure some of the most severe conditions for industrial flooring. Urethane mortar flooring can even withstand years of hard service in these areas.

Compared to epoxy floors, urethane flooring products have enhanced resistance to impact and abuse from dropped pots, steel parts and utensils in industrial kitchens and food plants. They handle repetitive scraping and scratching better than epoxy, acrylic and competitive systems. They are extremely beneficial in plant areas where steel wheels are used, such as bakeries. Urethane mortar floors are used as waterproof flooring, providing a "bathtub effect" in areas of the plant requiring a waterproof floor. They are non slip when wet, and provide a permanent non slip texture, due to the integral large, hard wearing aggregate, throughout the thickness of the floor system.

Cementitious urethane mortars have a similar modulus of elasticity and thermal coefficient of expansion to that of concrete. When applied over concrete, brick or tile, this prevents delamination when the flooring is stressed due to thermal conditions. These food grade floor materials withstand hot spills and repeated thermal cycling (hot washdowns, steam cleaning, etc.) without breaking down. In addition, moisture and cool temperature tolerance allows for installation on cold (above freezing), damp concrete surfaces, often found in operating food plants.

Cementitious overlays have very little odor, since there are no VOC's. This means that there is no risk to open food products. Urethane concrete mortars can be applied next to fully operational food processing areas, eliminating the need to shut down an operation to resurface the floor. One pass installation with no primer coat required, means that many floor restoration projects can be completed over weekends, with no costly production downtime. Additionally, urethane cement flooring has excellent all around resistance to chemicals used in food & beverage plants.
The most durable urethane mortar floor systems are typically troweled, and are applied at ¼ to 3/8 inch thickness, and provide a seamless matte finish. These trowel applied urethane mortars have physical properties that are twice that of concrete. Self-leveling "slurry" systems were originally developed for contractors that were not able to install the urethane mortar floors. These systems typically applied a 1/8 to 3/16 inch thickness. They provide a heavy duty surface in areas which require a high gloss, urethane or polyurethane concrete top coat, maximum cleanability, and high aesthetics. Applications consists of screeding, broadcasting with natural quartz aggregate, and top coating. They are available with a novolac epoxy topcoat, which allows for installation in chemical storage areas, with concentrated spillages. These systems may also be finished with colored quartz or vinyl chips.

The original system, Ucrete HF, is an FDA type USDA flooring, USDA approved, trowel applied urethane, and is the original system (has been around for more than 40 years). It has withstood the test of time in the harshest environments. The trowelled ¼ inch system offers the highest level of durability with a lifespan of greater than ten years. The only drawback of urethane mortars, is that they are slightly more expensive upfront, than epoxy; however they offer long term performance and the maximum return on investment.

About the Author: Robert Long, VP of Business Development at EP Floors Corp., has over 25 years of experience in the industrial epoxy flooring business. He attends technical training seminars regularly, on the latest epoxy floor innovations, and has managed over a thousand epoxy and urethane flooring projects. For more information Robert may be reached at 1-800-808-7773 or by email at rlong@EPFloors.com
http://www.EPFloors.comArticle Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Robert_E_Long/1684141

​By Lifetime Epoxy Floor Expert Guest Author:  John S Primus 

The majority of people take for granted how industrial floor coatings my affect their lives. Chances are these people perceive that such products have no relation with them. However, the fact is that such floors have not remained confined to industrial environments yet can be seen even in the most common place like your garage. If you are a business owner, chances are you might want to apply floor coatings at your business premises to protect and extend the life of your garages and floors. In this article, we will cover most options within the sector of commercial floor coatings with a brief overview of the different types of coatings used in various types of commercial floors.
​
Floors are obviously essential for buildings as they provide the ability to build multiple levels and give a proper structure to the buildings. Hence, it has become the prime duty of both industrial and commercial owners to protect the floors from causing damage by applying the most suitable type of floor coating. Currently, industrial owners are using various types of coatings to ensure protection of their floors. Ceramic based, Polyurethane based and Epoxy based coatings have become the most popular among worldwide industries due to their suitability, durability and protection. These coatings are most commonly referred to as Commercial Floor Coatings or Industrial Floor Coatings.

First, Epoxy Coatings are quite popular and available to us in wide range of colors and finishes. In addition, industrial business owners can use such coatings in wide range of applications. Epoxy is considered one of the Thermosetting Polymers, which consists of two parts, most commonly referred to as Polyamide and Epoxide Resin. In recent years, epoxy coatings have become perhaps the most popular choice for commercial floor coatings as they can create highly durable surfaces, which possesses very high value of resistance against traffic and abuse. Epoxy coatings are available to purchasers in various attractive colors, are highly resistant to rust and waterproof to different types of chemicals such as acids oils and water. You can easily apply any of the Epoxy coatings to uneven, rough and broken floors, where it not only acts as a coating, but also as a filler. As many industries have concrete floors, Epoxy paints have become quite suitable for application directly on top of the floor surface.

Second, Polyurethane is one of the harder and more durable substances used as industrial floor coatings. This substance is more or less similar to Epoxy paints, however, when the coatings of polyurethane are subjected to intense heat or shock, it can split or fracture easily, leaving white patches on the floors. One of the negative attributions of traditional polyurethane is that it contains a toxic substance called isocyanates. Isocyanates have been known to cause various health complication including nausea, asthma and in certain cases even death. As such, polyurethane is now being fazed out of production throughout the Unites States and Europe.
​
Besides Epoxy and Polyurethane coatings, newer more effective solutions have arisen including Green Polyurethane, which is a non-toxic form of polyurethane that costs less to produce than its traditional counterpart and has greater strength and permeability properties. The Environmental Protection Agency of the Unites States and European Environmental agencies are both helping in a major transition from toxic to a non-toxic based polyurethane solution. Given its superior strength, lower cost and multiple colors to choose from Green Polyurethane could be the choice of the future for industrial and commercial floor coating.

​John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates using industrial floor coatings from Green Polyurethane Companies like Hybrid Coating Technologies a Northern California high tech coatings company.Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_S_Primus/1272751Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7423896