INDUSTRIAL FLOORING
ON THE QUEST FOR A CONCRETE SOLUTION
What are the key considerations when specifying a concrete floorcovering for an industrial setting? Ryan Gray, of Quest Industrial Flooring, outlines the relative benefits of both polished concrete floors and concrete toppings.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS In order to create an effective industrial flooring solution, the right choice must satisfy the huge variety of service conditions required by the highly demanding sector. This encompasses a vast range of systems, but the most prevalent, most simple solution is to specify a concrete-based floor variation. There are two equally effective methods to consider when dealing with concrete flooring in an industrial facility; these are a polished concrete system or the addition of a concrete topping. The choice depends entirely on the needs of the site and what type of working environment needs to be achieved.
POLISHED CONCRETE Due to its incredible versatility, concrete it is fast becoming the definitive no- wax flooring material. This is mainly thanks to recent advances in polishing equipment and techniques making the process cheaper and reducing the time a project takes to complete. Because of this, contractors are now starting to grind and polish concrete floor surfaces more; especially in an industrial setting.
The process involves taking an already existing concrete floor and mechanically refining the surface by removing the top cement paste and exposing the underlying, more durable concrete aggregate underneath. The new surface is then polished to create a consistent, glossy or matte finish which can resist most forms of oil
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and chemical spills that occur in an intensive industrial environment.
A polished concrete floor is much more durable than other flooring solutions on the market, such as resin based systems. It can hold heavy loads and is highly resistant to both impact and large degrees of traffic. It can also be maintained much easier than resin and has on average a 60% larger life cycle depending on the overall quality of the concrete.
CONCRETE TOPPINGS The other possible solution when it comes to the specification of a concrete flooring system is the use of high-spec concrete toppings. These systems can achieve thickness of up to 15mm and provide compressive strength far superior to normal concrete. This strength would be especially effective in an environment where heavy automated machinery is used, but is equally efficient at dealing with the high levels of traffic created in a busy industrial environment.
Overall, concrete toppings are hard wearing, seamless and require less maintenance than other systems that fulfil a similar purpose, such as cementitious toppings or standard concrete slabs. The system can also be customised and adapted in a variety of ways through the addition of other aggregates and composite chippings to create a consistent but interesting surface matrix. In even the most extreme circumstances, it has the ability to create a high aesthetic while still remaining cost effective and highly durable.
THE CHOICE The conclusive choice between the two solutions is simple in that it depends on a few key factors. Overall, the two systems fulfil similar purposes but vary in where they are best used. If the environment requires a durable, cost effective and easy to maintain surface without the need for particularly high aesthetics then a polished concrete system might be best. However, if the facility is more concerned with high performance even in extreme circumstances without compromising on the decorative nature of the floor it may be wise to invest in a concrete topping.
Making the correct choice is paramount in an industrial setting as the demands the floor will be relied upon to withstand are sometimes punishing. Getting it right, however, will maximise the facilities ability to operate more efficiently while increasing life cycle expectancy; therefore saving time and money in the long term.
www.questltd.co.uk 43
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